december trackwatch magazine

DECEMBER 2014

CLEAN UP THE BUSH PROGRAMSnowy River National Park Clean up

East Gippsland Track ClearingTrack Clearing in Davies Plain

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES MEETINGDRIVING GREGORY NATIONAL PARK

TRAVEL: BINNS TRACKHEMA PRODUCT REVIEWS

AUS $4.95 Inc GST

CLEAN-UP THE BUSH PROGRAM

Welcome to December Trackwatch.Having been recently re-instated

as Association President for the comingtwo years, I am extremely excited by theoutlook of the Association, specificallydue to some very important recentevents. The first of these was the recentAssociation AGM, attended by over 60representatives of our members clubs,with this being one of the largest meet-ing attendances in recent times. Reportspresented including those on the financial position and program activitieswere well accepted and discussionswere very positive. This show of supportcan only bode well for the Associationand its member clubs for the comingtwelve months. Excerpts of my reportfrom the AGM have been reprinted inthe magazine, and the full AGM reportcan be found on the Association’s web-site.

The second event of some note was therecently announced coalition pledge of$2.5m, over the next four years, to fundthe Association. This is a wonderfultestament to the value which theAssociation, through its grant activitiesand volunteer programs, brings to thestate. The size of this offering should bea clear message to any incominggovernment of the value that thegovernment of the last four years placeson the Association. I would hope thatthis amount will be forthcoming regard-less of the outcome of the election, andI look forward to working on the detailsof how this will be allocated to our vari-ous programs.

One such recently announced programis Clean Up The Bush with the firststage of this, Rubbish Search, having

been recently proto-typed in the forestsof West Gippsland. This will be followedin mid-December by a full trial eventprior to the second stage of the pro-gram, Rubbish Collection, being under-taken in March 2015 in the same area.The program has been designed toensure that located rubbish is properlycategorised and that appropriateresources are then allocated to itscollection and removal from the bush.

The benefit to the state of a full roll outof this program will be the identificationof rubbish dumping hotspots as well asthe potential identification of those individuals, through data gathering andsurveillance, who feel it is appropriate tolitter our wonderful bushland with theirhousehold and industrial refuse. Areview of this program can be foundelsewhere in this month’s magazine.

Overall, the Association is in an excel-lent position, to truly represent the inter-ests of its members clubs and to be avaluable contributor to the state’s landmanagers and the general four wheeldriving and recreational public. I amlooking forward to leading theAssociation through the next twelvemonths which, incidentally, will includethe fortieth anniversary of its founding, asignificant milestone in any organisation.I hope you all enjoy the magazine andhave a great Christmas and summerbreak. I will welcome any opportunity inthe coming twelve months to visit yourclub meetings or help to celebrate yourclub’s significant events during that period.

Damian StockPresident, 4WD Victoria

From the

PresidentFrom the

President

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIAThe peak representative body for allVictorian four wheel drivers since 1975

Victoria Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc.PO Box 1015G Balwyn North VIC 3104Phone 03 9857 5209Fax 03 98575260Email [email protected] www.fwdvictoria.org.auABN 40 891 301 368ASSN A0013539SRTP 21605Print Post PP 100005076

BOARD OF MANAGEMENTEXECUTIVEPresident Damian StockVice President Steve de MamielSecretary Neil ChalmersTreasurer John Farlow

BOARD MEMBERSLou Catherine, Ian Ross,Chris Kershaw, Michael Martin

STAFFGeneral Manager Wayne HeveyOffice AdministratorAccounts Karl NormanProjects & Events Manager WayneHevey

TRACKWATCHEditor Brian TannerAssistant editor Greg RoseEmail [email protected] Brian TannerCopy Deadline next issue1st January for February 2015 issue1st March for April 2015 issue1st May for June 2015 issue

Advertising [email protected]

Individual ContributorsGreg Rose, Brian Tanner, Andrea Gwynne,

All material appearing in Trackwatch magazine is copyright.Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden withoutprior written consent. Freelance contributions and submis-sions are welcome by this magazine. No responsibility isaccepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, etc. Theopinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily thoseof Four Wheel Drive Victoria. All statements made, althoughbased on information believed to be reliable and accurate,cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accept-ed for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right toomit or alter any article or advertisement. Advertisers agreeto indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arisingfrom the published material.

Design and Artwork by Brian TannerPrinted by Finer Finish Printing

> In this issue

From the PresidentBush Clean-Up ProgramFWDV funding announcementClubs celebrate milestonesRegional Representatives MeetingPresident’s Annual ReportProfile: Peter DwyerSnowy River NP Clean-UpEast Gippsland Track ClearingDavies Plain Track ClearingDriving in Gregory National ParkFWDV Training CalendarTravel: Binns TrackHEMA Product ReviewInsurance

DECEMBER 2014

CLEAN UP THE BUSH PROGRAMSnowy River National Park Clean upEast Gippsland Track ClearingTrack Clearing in Davies PlainREGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES MEETINGDRIVING GREGORY NATIONAL PARKTRAVEL: BINNS TRACK

HEMA PRODUCT REVIEWS

AUS $4.95 Inc GST

CLEAN UP THE BUSH PROGRAM

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TRACKWATCH DECEMBER 2014 1

> Editorial

2 DECEMBER 2014 TRACKWATCH

Four wheel drive club members haveonce again stepped up to the plate

to assist in caring – and in this instancecleaning up the resource that we loveand constantly aspire to visit – the bush.You will find stories in this issue on thesuccess of the pre-trail “practise run”prior to the implementation of the BushClean Up Program on the 13th &14thDecember, 2014.

Members have been documenting thelocation of rubbish, which will beremoved under the program, as well astaking part in major track clearingoperations in East Gippsland. This is agreat initiative, and certainly engendersa great inner feeling ofhaving made a differ-ence.

Bush clean ups are notnew to the Associationwith the first – dare Icall it forerunner to thiscurrent program –being the three majorco-ordinated cleanups that were con-ducted back in theeighties, Okay, manyof our readers maynot have been in4WD Clubs then, but to those that were,

Project National Parks (March 1982) hadsimilar objectives to this new Program,with sixteen major clean-up projectsacross the State performed by Clubs.

We followed up with ‘Operation ForestParks’ in 1983, where clubs assistedForest Commission personnel in trackclearing across the State following thedevastating Ash Wednesday fires. Morethan 20 Clubs took part in the operation.Preference was given to fire effectedareas with clearing undertaken in thePowelltown area by the DiamondValley, Truckmates,Nissan Patroland Victoria

PoliceFWDClubs.Similarwork wasundertakenin theMansfieldarea by theLand Rover

Owners Club, Toyota Land Cruiser Cluband HiLux FWD Clubs. Along the westcoast and Otway Ranges the Geelong,West Coast and Otways FWD Clubsassisted. The Range Rover Club helpedclear walking tracks near the Big Riverin the Alexandra Forest District, whilethe Dandenong Ranges FWDC removednumerous car bodies from theGembrook State Forest. Again in 1986Association resources saw forty kilome-tres of track cleared by FWD Clubmembers in the Thomson Catchmentarea. With over 100 vehicles and 280members equipped with 63 chainsaws,32 brush cutters and loads of enthusi-asm tracks were cleared that had beenclosed since 1970, along with a numberof historic cemetery sites.

There is an old saying that “everythingnew is old” and so it is with this greatpartnership with Park Authoritiesunder the banner of the Bush CleanUp Program that will again see fourwheel drive club members take alead role in maintaining the assetsthat we drive and enjoy. I encour-

age Clubs to participate in the Programas it further develops.

Brian TannerEditor [email protected]

"Where do you put your unwanted, broken, old hard garbage, your tyres,carpet, car parts and such? Well, if youwere out with us on Saturday November8th, driving around the State Forest andRegional Park near Crossover in WestGippsland, you might have come tobelieve that it is where to get rid of thisunwanted stuff.

This was a very big day, the culminationof much planning being put into action,The Crossover Rubbish Search Pilotday. This is the first part of the systemwhen rubbish is located. The secondpart is when it is removed, but that is yetto come.

We arrived at the Crossover School, abeautiful old building approximately 120years old, on the Friday night. DaveMapleson, Wayne Hevey, CrossoverFriends group, some Gippsland 4WDclub members, and Just Mates 4WDClub members gathered to set up theschool in preparation for the big eventon Saturday.

Pizzas collected from a favoured supplier were quickly devoured, but Ithink the mosquitoes fared well at thesame time.

We started Saturday morning early withthe arrival of Rokeby and CrossoverFriends group, who got busy makingbacon and eggs (which magicallyappeared at some ungodly hour),sausages, tomatoes, onions and toast.All those who attended, among whomwere from Port Phillip 4WD, Bairnsdale4WD, Reid's Recovery, Action Repairersand others,were graciously catered for.

There were three locations set up; a registration point where the cars weregraded and numbered as they came in,and then the drivers, navigators andsweep cars were sent on to be nametagged, then on to the third point to Y Twho digitally recorded the detailsrequired and handed out tracks to besearched. This process had a fewglitches, but that's why it was called apilot.

A briefing was held and then, at 10.30,the anxious searchers could finally geton their way.

Our car went out with a local horse rider,and friends of Crossover/ Rokeby mem-bers, as our guide who had alreadyspotted some locations from her horseriding journeys. In the four hours we

were out, we found 12 locations with avariety of rubbish ranging from corrugat-ed iron, car parts, body parts (animal, Ihope), TVs, computer screens, carpet,tyres, tubes and other household waste.We even found a shack. Other membersfound some interesting items. We alsocame across some hazardous wasteasbestos scrap in a campground.

By 3.30 we all had to be back at theschool to report in, hand in our photosand report sheets and then bedebriefed. There was a nice surprise forsome when prizes were handed out,

BUSH CLEAN-UP PROGRAM PRE-TRIAL> News


Saturday 8th November saw 16vehicles and 68 people take part in atrial program for the “Clean Up theBush” campaign launched earlier inthe year as part of our funding submis-sion to the government and its landmanagers.The effort was hugely supported by agroup of generous sponsors broughttogether by Dave Mapelson’s untiringefforts as well as Hema Maps supply-ing navigation units to assist in theprocess. All up there were 700kmstravelled with approximately 100 pic-tures taken of rubbish found and nowrecorded for the next stage being therecovery.This event was designed to iron outthe bugs before the official launch onthe 13th & 14th December, where wehope to see a far greater number ofvehicles and participants to push theoutcomes to a much higher level.Wayne Hevey

Rubbish Search Crossover


> Newskindly donated by some local business-es. Thanks to the sponsors..

Overall it was a great day. We were allhot and sweaty by the end of the dayand we also saw some tracks that wewould not otherwise have got to, hadsome fun, met some members fromother clubs and even got down anddirty where necessary (the cars, Imean!).

The great success of the day was theamount of rubbish located and plottedto GPS coordinates for future collectionduring the second phase of the CleanUp The Bush Program.

Andrea GwynneJust Mates 4x4 Club

BUSH CLEAN-UP PROGRAM - GETTING INVOLVED

October 2014 - Bush Clean-Up Program announcedNovember 2014 - Rubbish Search TrialDecember 2014 - Collection Trial and Program LaunchMarch 2015 - Rubbish Collection

At the FWD Victoria AGM 20 FWD Clubs committed to theproject, agreeing to provide 2 vehicles each for the next trial.

Clubs will be emailed with details of this event.When the program is fully operational, Clubs will be able tomuster larger numbers of members/vehicles to participate inthe program.

For further details contact FWD Victoria office [email protected]

Briefing on the day’s activities

Some of the vehicles involved in the trial

The activity was supported by a number of sponsors

Sponsors and supporters forGFWDC & Just Mates 4x4 pilot trial 2014

• Action 4x4• Warragul Machining and Mechanical• Baw Baw Garden Supplies &

Equipment Hire• Legible Signs• Phoenix Screen Printing• D-Line Smash Repairs• Rokeby Crossover Friends Group• Office Choice - Select Office• BrownWigg• Warragul Towing• AutoBahn

Four Wheel Drive Victoria will receive a$2.5 million boost under a re-elected

Napthine Government to support itsvolunteer programs that help care forthe environment.

Minister for Environment and ClimateChange, Ryan Smith today joinedLiberal candidate for Cranbourne, GeoffAblett to announce the $2.5 millioninvestment which will deliver greaterenvironmental outcomes and encourageresponsible four wheel driving.

“The initiative will see volunteers fromFour Wheel Drive Victoria using theiroutdoor skills and knowledge of thebush to help care for and protect ourenvironment,” Mr Smith said.

“This army of Four Wheel Drivevolunteers will clean up rubbish that hasbeen dumped on public land and helpclear tracks to ensure they remainaccessible.”

The Napthine Government’s $2.5 millioncommitment over four years will supportFour Wheel Drive Victoria to deliver:

• Further investment in the establishedClean-Up The Bush program where

volunteers clean up rubbish dumped onpublic land;

• A 4WD track classification system thathelps visitors understand the difficulty ofa trail;

• Investment in track maintenance toensure they remain in good condition,are safe and that the impact on theenvironment is managed. This alsoimproves important access for emer-gency services during fire season; and

• The ‘Recover Me Please’ program thatcapitalises on the skills of experienced4WD volunteers to assist fellow four-wheel drivers.

Mr Ablett said that in its first term, theNapthine Government has built a strongpartnership with Four Wheel DriveVictoria, which has delivered results thatbenefit the environment.

“The Napthine Government has workedwith Four Wheel Drive Victoria to delivergreat programs that keep campsitesclean, maintain tracks and look after thebush,” Mr Ablett said.

“The group’s volunteers also work tire-lessly to help during bushfire recoveryefforts.

“The Napthine Coalition remains com-mitted to working in partnership withvolunteer groups, such as Four WheelDrive Victoria, which are willing to roll uptheir sleeves and help care for theenvironment,” Mr Ablett said.

> News

L to R: Wayne Hevey, GM FWD Victoria, John Partridge, former Board Member FWDV, member of Victorian 4x4 Club, RyanSmith, Minister for the Environment, Geoff Ablett, Liberal Candidate for Cranbourne, Lou Catherine and Steve de Mamiel

PRESS RELEASE: Napthine Coalition driven to support 4WD Victoria° Re-elected Napthine Coalition to provide $2.5 million to Four Wheel DriveVictoria

• Funding will support Four Wheel Drive Victoria to care for the environment

• Napthine Government is building a better environment



Volunteers help cleartracks in Snowy RiverNational Park

Volunteers from the Victorian FourWheel Drive Association are beingthanked for their fantastic efforts tohelp clear tracks in the Snowy RiverNational Park recently.

18 members of the Pajero, Land Roverand Range Rover Clubs from theAssociation helped Parks Victoria staffmembers to clear the tracks ahead ofthe Melbourne Cup weekend.

Parks Victoria Ranger in Charge, DaveBurton, said the annual track clearingevent had been running since 2007and was a tremendous help.

“Prior to the seasonal road closures inthe Snowy River National Park beinglifted, there is a lot of work to be doneto prepare the tracks for visitors aheadof the busy Melbourne Cup weekend.It’s obviously important to ensure thetracks are safe to use, and havingthem accessible to visitors during thisperiod and leading up to summer isimportant for local businesses andtourism. The volunteers do a tremendous job in helping to protectthe parks and keep visitors safe byremoving fallen trees and branchesfrom the tracks, undertaking riskassessments of the track conditions,and helping identify and remove pestplants such as new infestations ofPatterson’s Curse,” he said.

“This year, the group cleared theDeddick Trail, Monkey Top, WarmCorners and Bowens Tracks beforeconverging at McKillops campgroundfor the night.

“The event is a great opportunity forParks Victoria staff and volunteers tolearn from each other and share experiences. I think everyone reallyenjoys the opportunity to work in sucha remote and scenic location too.

“We’d like to remind visitors that treesaffected by fire may pose a greaterrisk than normal, and streams andrivers may be more prone to flooding.

“Visitors need to check the accessibility of roads and tracks withthe Parks Victoria Information Centreprior to planning their trip,” said MrBurton.Parks Victoria press release

In October the Land Rover Owners’Club of Gippsland celebrated its

Twentieth Anniversary. The club wasformed after discussions betweenFrank O’Neill (the first club President)and Ray Massaro (Massaro MotorsGippsland Land Rover DealerPrincipal) and originally consisted ofMassaro Motors customers. Other LandRover owners soon joined the club;many of those folk still holdingmembership. At the October 2014meeting special badges recognisingten, fifteen and twenty years ofmembership were presented.

Prior to the formation of the club allprospective members were given freedriver training at Anglesea.

The first club trip was run by currentPresident Greg Rose. The trip was intoHuggetts Crossing on the Avon Riverwhere further driving techniques weredemonstrated by Ray Massaro. On thefirst trip all the vehicles were newDiscoverys, Range Rovers and onenew 110.

A re-run of the first trip was held onOctober 12th. Two convoys of vehiclesleft Maffra after a short briefing. MikeDower, Ranger In Charge AlpineNational Park, Wonnangatta Moroka, aguest of the club, congratulated themembers on their achievements inresponsible four wheel driving andassistance to Parks Victoria.

In brilliant sunshine the groups headedinto Huggetts Crossing using most ofthe original route. The vehicles on thisoccasion included Discoverys fromseries 1, 2, 3 and 4, Defender 90s and110s, a Range Rover, a Range RoverSport and two ex military Perenties. Allclub members have Land Rover vehicles.

At the Huggetts camping area, in thewelcome shade of the tall eucalypts, asmall group of club members and pro-fessional caterers had a spit roastlunch, hot and cold drinks, a selectionof desserts and a specially decoratedcake waiting for the sixty people at theevent.

Following the lunch, before peoplenodded off in the sun or splashedabout in the river, Wayne Hevey,General Manager Four Wheel DriveVictoria presented the club with aplaque celebrating the twenty years ofthe club and its association with FWDV.The birthday cake was then cut byoriginal club President Frank O’Neilland current President Greg Rose.

The goannas that frequent the camping

area wandered past to see what wasgoing on. The two convoys left thecaterers and their helpers to pack upand crossed the Avon River continuingon the original route and arriving backin Maffra after four; some headed off towatch the last couple of hours ofBathurst and others continued toreminisce about twenty years of friend-ship and four wheel driving.

Geelong Branch of Toyota LandCruiser Club of Victoria celebrates 30th anniversaryOriginally established to cater forToyota owners in Western Victoria theGeelong Branch of the TLCCV recentlycelebrated its 30th anniversary.

While now accepting all makes of 4WD,the club continues to complement itsparent Club providing trips, communityservice and social activities for members.

Birthday celebrations were held at theClub property at Yarck, extending allweekend with displays and memoriesof the early years.

Wayne Hevey, General Manager FourWheel Drive Victoria presented ClubPresident, Greg Rose with a plaquecelebrating the twenty years of theclub and its association with FWDV.

> Club Spotlight

Land Rover Owners’ Club of GippslandTwentieth Anniversary

Clubs and Organisationsrepresented at the BairnsdaleRegional Representativesmeeting.Four Wheel Drive Victoria, Land RoverOwners Club of Victoria, Wimmera 4x4,Yarra Valley 4x4, Toyota 4x4, LandRover Owners’ Club of Gippsland,Bendigo 4x4, Bairnsdale 4x4, Macalister4x4, Just Mates 4x4, Gippsland 4x4.

From the Department ofEnvironment and PrimaryIndustry.Suzette Fullerton, Matt Long, Jan Radic,Judy Alexander and Erica Findlay.

From Parks Victoria.Will McCutcheon, Matthew Holland,Mike Dower, Dave Foster, Bart Smith,Andy Gillham, Ray Cranston.

The second Regional RepresentativesMeeting for 2014 was held in Bairnsdaleon the weekend of the 18th and 19thOctober.

In keeping with the format of the last fewyears Saturday was a drive hosted by

the local four wheel drive club and localland managers. People from all over thestate met at the DEPI Offices inBairnsdale at 9:00 for a 9:30 start.Following a welcome and briefing fromGreg Corfield, Bairnsdale 4x4 Club, thegroup divided into two convoys of sevenvehicles each for the day’s driving. Greg

Corfield led the first group and GrahamHarris led the second. After a drivethrough the vegetable growing rich riverflats of Lindenow, the convoys travelledalong the Dargo Road passing newfencing and burnt trees that are theaftermath of the devastating Mt Raybushfire. The convoys travelled on


Bairnsdale Regional Representatives Meeting - October

Wallers Road to Billy Goat Bend and thespectacular view from the lookout plat-form down into the Mitchell River was ahighlight of the morning tea stop.

Wayne Hevey and Matthew Holland hadleft the first convoy to take a small dogthey had found in a soft-jawed trap tothe vet in Bairnsdale. Some members ofthe second convoy were able to watch astag slowly walking up the track in frontof them before heading into the bush.

Lunch was at Mitchelldale. The groupused an MVO track off the AngusvaleRoad to access the area, which hadbeen a farm, prior to being left to ParksVictoria and absorbed into the MitchellRiver National Park. The Bairnsdale 4x4Club help maintain the area. It is asuperb location on grassy flats besidethe river with a fire pit, toilet, shady treesand the old, almost hut design, farm-house.

After a leisurely lunch the two groupstravelled to Angusvale where MatthewHolland, Parks Victoria, explained themanagement strategies and issuesassociated with the high use campingarea. Tour over, it was back toBairnsdale for most folk to get ready fordinner at the Bairnsdale Club.

These Saturday drives serve two pur-poses. One is allowing people to experi-ence the “back yard” of the host cluband travel in new country. The second isthe informal discussions and idea shar-ing that takes place between peoplefrom clubs around the state.

The Sunday formal meeting started at10:00. Before the meeting DaveMapleson from the Gippsland 4x4 Clubhad set up, in the carpark, a displayboard with photos, maps and details ofthe Clean-Up the Bush campaign.

Will McCutcheon, Parks Victoria DistrictManager East Gippsland welcomed theattendees and introduced the largenumber of personnel from theDepartment of Environment and PrimaryIndustry and Parks Victoria. Members ofFour Wheel Drive Victoria and fourwheel drive clubs introduced them-selves to the gathering.

The minutes of the previous meeting atHalls Gap were read by Dave Robertsand passed.

Matt Holland and Bart Smith gave apresentation on the Camp HostProgram. Bart emphasised the impor-tance of Camp Hosts and the imagethey present to the public as responsi-ble club members, representatives ofFour Wheel Drive Victoria and volun-teers for Parks Victoria.

Morning tea was taken at 11:00 andwhile drinks and biscuits were con-

sumed Dave Mapleson (Mapo to mostpeople), Andy Gillham from ParksVictoria and Wayne Hevey, GeneralManager FWDV, were interviewed oncamera for a WIN TV news segment onMapo’s Clean-Up the Bush pilot program.

Jan Radic from DEPI spoke about firekilled ash and the difficulty of managingthe dead trees, and the danger they willpresent to bush users for many years tocome.

Suzette Fullerton from DEPI spoke aboutforest management in the LatrobeRegion with an emphasis on the historicaspects of the area. A recently discovered link to Chinese miners during the gold rush times has createdgreat interest.

Mike Dower and Dave Foster from ParksVictoria gave a presentation on the workundertaken in the Alpine National Parkand the importance of good relation-ships with all user groups. Mike high-lighted the important volunteer workbeing carried out by four wheel driveclubs. Mike also gave an update on thegrazing trial at Wonnangatta, which willbe in the second year of the three yearprogram this summer.

Following a quick lunch break WayneHevey and Dave Mapleson from theGippsland 4x4 Club explained theClean Up the Bush campaign. Waynespoke about the very positive meeting

they had with Ryan Smith the Ministerfor Environment and his enthusiasm forthe project. Dave outlined the technicalities of finding, GPS plotting,photographing and recording rubbish inthe bush. Once identified and plottedthe rubbish can then be safely removedat a later date. The pilot program beginsin November.

Graham Harris commented that Davewas a hard act to follow as he outlinedthe work and activities of the Bairnsdale4x4 club.

Prue and John Hasler gave a well-researched presentation on the diverseand interesting Toolangi Ranges. Anarea rich in flora and fauna and home tothe rare Leadbeater’s Possum.

The plight of the historic Old OmeoCoach Road was discussed by AlanSellars, who voiced his concern that thislink with our past may gradually deteriorate beyond a point at which itcould be repaired.

Wayne Hevey provided an update onthe work of the 4WD AdvisoryCommittee. One of the key points beingthat clubs could make much more useof the MVO permits scheme.

After discussion and items of generalbusiness the meeting formally closedwith thanks being paid by DamianStock, FWDV President, and others tothose who had organised yet anothervery successful gathering.


Bairnsdale Regional Representatives Meeting - October

In my first year as AssociationPresident, having taken over from

Carol Reed in September 2013, I havebeen witness to a number of changes inthe Association, its Member Clubs, theAssociation office and its staff. While itis hard to say what the full impact willbe of these changes long term it is clearthat much of what has happened hasbeen quite positive, if feedbackreceived so far is any indication.

Even this report is indicative of some ofthe measures the Association has takenduring the year to become a moreefficient organisation, spending ourfunds on matters of importance to ourmembers and stakeholders. While aprofessionally produced glossy reportlooks great, it does not create value sowe have aimed this year to present toyou, our Members and stake holders,the information you need about theAssociation, without any unnecessarypadding, to explain the Association’sposition as it stood at the end of thepast financial year. We hope that you

will appreciate our reasons for beingconservative with the production of thisdocument.

Immediately after last year’s AnnualGeneral Meeting, after receiving strongfeedback from the Association’s mem-bership, the Association Board under-took a deep internal review of theAssociation’s finances. Assistance forthis review was obtained from someexperienced Association members andfrom outside experts. The result of thisreview was a decision by the Board toimplement some serious austeritymeasures. Another decision, after muchsoul searching, was to dispense with theposition of CEO. The result of theseactions, as well as some other changeswithin the Association office, will beevident in the financial report at the endof this document, showing a muchimproved financial position for the 2013-14 financial year.

The changes in the administration of theAssociation have been significant, notthe least being the decision to move for-

ward with a smaller office staff. While wecannot understate the contributionmade by our former CEO, RussellSturzaker during his time with theAssociation, the financial position theAssociation found itself, due to a smallergovernment grant in the previous year,meant that this position could no longerbe afforded. The decision was made todispense with the position and toelevate Wayne Hevey, the Association’sEvents Manager, to the role of GeneralManager, reporting to the Board.

Following a further review of theAssociation office, it was decided to doaway with the Marketing Officer’sposition, a part time role that did notseem to be achieving its statedobjectives. We appreciate the efforts ofPeter Hepworth who originally joined theoffice in a volunteer capacity. The resultof this has been an increased workloadfor the three remaining members of theoffice staff however all programs havebeen delivered as planned.From an Association membership


> FWD Victoria

PPrreessiiddeenntt’’ss RReeppoorrtt 22001144President Damian Stock reports on a positive year for Four Wheel Drive Victoria

position, we have seen a small increasein the numbers of affiliated clubs andmemberships within those clubs,despite an increase in virtual clubs inthe form of online forums, where fourwheel drivers can participate in club likeevents without any structured clubmembership being required. While thiscan sound attractive, the risk associatedwith involvement in these activities can-not be underestimated. We are pleasedthat clubs are continuing to be attractedto the Association, and that existingclubs are maintaining their membershipnumbers.

It is a key objective of the Association tocontinue to promote the virtues of cluband Association membership, especiallywith regard to the insurance protectionprovided, as this is a key differentiatorbetween our Affiliated Clubs and thosethat are unaffiliated or only available onthe internet. We are also working hard toassist our Clubs to attract new membersand to retain their existing membershipbase through the public promotion ofthe Association and the member clubs.Our involvement in public promotionalevents this year included the WandinField Day, Leisurefest and the National4X4 Show, and we expect this toincrease during the coming twelvemonths. In a number of these events wewere joined by our valued partners,Parks, DEPI and Affinity Insurance aswell as a number of clubs who tookadvantage of the opportunity to directlypromote themselves to the public.

We have seen an increase in thenumber of non-traditional, non-transfercase all wheel drives, or soft-roaders, onthe market over the past twelve months.The owners of these vehicles have not,so far, been interested in joining atraditional four wheel drive club,possibly due to their vehicle capabilitiesor, more likely, due to the reasons behindtheir purchase of their selected vehicle.As an Association we are acutely awareof the growth in this sector and we areinvestigating ways of attracting theseowners to the Association, into existingclubs, or into clubs formed to addresstheir specific needs. While this is still awork in progress it is one of the keyinitiatives that we will be moving forwardwith into 2015.

While we need to look forward, we mustalso acknowledge some key contribu-tors to the Association in 2013/14. Aftermany years of service to the Associationour Trackwatch Editor, Graeme Walsh,has finally stepped down to enjoy hisretirement. We are all very much appre-ciative of the excellent, high quality workthat Graeme produced in every editionof Trackwatch as well as in the otherimportant roles he performed within theBoard.

During the year we were disappointedto lose the services of Eric Bishop, ourSecretary, who took up an importantcommunity service role in PNG, manag-ing the construction of healthcare andother services facilities on behalf of ourforeign aid program. Fortunately Eric’sshoes have been admirably filled byNeil Chalmers. We were also pleased tofinally fill the position of Treasurerthrough the appointment of John Farlowto the position. I am sure that many ofyou would now be aware of the excel-lent work being performed by these twoBoard Members and I am much indebt-ed to them for filling these importantpositions.

We must also acknowledge Ian Ross,Chris Kershaw, Michael Martin andSteve deMamiel who have all joined theBoard this year with Steve filling thevacant position of Vice President. I amlooking forward to a continued greatcontribution from these new BoardMembers in the coming year. Steve willbe focusing on the redevelopment of thewebsite and our outbound communica-tions as a major activity for 2015. Apartfrom the ETU, Tracks and RegionalRepresentatives sub-committees, wehave also established a Finance andBusiness Sub-Committee with theintention of achieving improved fiscalmanagement and re-developing theexisting business plan, to address theevolving needs of our ever-changingAssociation.

We also have a couple of BoardMembers, Lou Catherine and ColinOates, who have been consistent con-tributors over a couple of board terms.While Lou is half way through a secondtwo year term, Colin will be completinghis second term of service at this AGM.I would like to thank them both for theircontinued service through some tryingtimes within the Board. I am lookingforward to the output of a rules reviewsub-committee, which Lou is currentlychairing, as these are important guide-lines by which the Association operates.I wish Colin well for his future pursuitsoutside of the board, and I hope that hemakes the most of the increased leisure

time to enjoy our great pastime which Iam sure he will do.

The efforts of the Association member-ship have been apparent this year in anumber of areas, not the least being theclean-up work undertaken in the Seatonand Grampians areas after the latesummer bushfires ravaged these areas.These efforts have been acknowledgedin a number of ways by our governmentpartners and stakeholders. In thekeynote speech at the Parks Victoria“Shaping Our Future” event Doctor BillJackson thanked the Association forbeing such a valued partner to hisorganisation. The Environment Minister,Ryan Smith, when reviewing theAssociation grant, also acknowledgedthe great work reported in our DEPI – PVFunding Progress Report (KeyPerformance Indicator Report).

The subsequent receipt of our $200,000grant, three months earlier than normal,also highlighted the desire of our gov-ernment stakeholders for us to continue,uninterrupted, with the important workwe have been doing. This shows thatwe create significant value for thesestakeholders and, in return, we achieveunprecedented access to the state’snetwork of tracks. In the coming year wewill be working with our governmentstakeholders on achieving additionalrecognition for the efforts of our volun-teers. We have already had some verypositive discussions with both theEnvironment Minister and the LandManagers on ways of achieving thisrecognition in a more sustainable andpredictable format. We expect to moveforward with this in earnest after thecoming state election when the govern-ment should hopefully be in a betterposition to implement its programs,especially those involving ourAssociation.

We have been working diligently on ourrelationship with the National FourWheel Drive Council as we jointlyexplore opportunities for leveraging thegreater purchasing power of a nationalmembership base, just one of the bene-fits of our Association being affiliated ata national level. We were also able toleverage the healthy financial position ofthe National Council as we recoveredfrom the deficit we carried forward fromthe previous year. I am personallyindebted to the members of the NationalCouncil for the faith they have shown inour Association and the financialprogram we have implemented.

Similarly, we were buoyed by thesupport shown by the Clubs, late in thefinancial year, when a request wasmade for early payment of their affilia-tion fees. While we were not expecting100% participation in this program, wewere extremely pleased to receive

PPrreessiiddeenntt’’ss RReeppoorrtt 22001144


“It is a key objective of theAssociation to continue topromote the virtues of club andAssociation membership,especially with regard to theinsurance protection provided,as this is a key differentiatorbetween our Affiliated Clubs andthose that are unaffiliated or onlyavailable on the internet.”

around 50% of our expected fees inadvance of the due date.

This advance payment allowed theAssociation to continue operating with-out drawing on additional NationalCouncil funds or being in a negativefinancial position at the end of the financial year.

Some of our clubs have achieved significant milestones this year with anumber of these anniversaries being inthe range of thirty to forty years. Wecongratulate these clubs, as well asthose celebrating lesser anniversaries,for their continued participation in theAssociation and service to their mem-bers. We are looking forward to helpingmore clubs celebrate significantanniversaries in the coming year.

We have had some excellent attendances at Association events during the year with meetings beingconducted not only at the Associationoffices but at regional locations including Bright, Horsham and Tatura.We have endeavoured to make thesemeetings as informative as possiblewhile still making time available for theclub’s delegates to mingle andexchange knowledge about their clubsand activities with each other. Weexpect to maintain the same programfor the coming year, with possibly aslight decrease in the number of meetings, cognisant of the many external demands being made on clubdelegates and presidents time.

In closing, I would like to personallythank the Association clubs for theircontinued support of the AssociationBoard and Office staff. I have been honoured to lead a very competentteam over the last twelve months, andam looking forward to continuing in therole of Association President for anotherterm, if agreed to at the Association’sAGM. My aim in continuing in the rolewill be to oversee the continuingimprovement in our financial positionand the further development of our relationships with the clubs, our government stakeholders, the NationalCouncil and our commercial sponsors.

Damian StockPresident FWD Victoria


PPrreessiiddeenntt’’ss RReeppoorrtt 22001144

Iknew Peter Dwyer, (Big Pete), for morethat fifteen years but it wasn’t until his

recent memorial service that I learnedthat there was much more to the manthan I had gleaned in the time we spenttogether socially and professionally, andsometimes very publicly. Many others atthe large gathering were equallyunaware of the many facets and phasesof Peter’s life and the range of experi-ences, activities and contributions Petermade over his lifetime.

I spoke with his family, friends and arange of associates to put together thisoutline of Pete’s lifetime in communica-tion that may fill in some of the gaps inthe knowledge of many people whoknew him.

Peter was born in Melbourne, and raisedand educated in the eastern suburbs,leaving Burwood Technical School afterthe fourth form to take a job with therailways at Elsternwick station, becom-ing one of Victoria’s youngest relievingstation masters. A part time job with aBlackburn panelbeater brought in a littleextra cash. Then Peter was called upfor National Service, and after trainingat Wagga Wagga was transferred to theRAEME (Royal Australian Electrical andMechanical Engineers) at Puckapunyalin the Tank Regiment. No doubt in the18 months Peter spent in the Army hisinterest in communications wassparked.

Peter married Suzanne not long afterleaving the Army, and back with the rail-ways was appointed train controlleragain and a part time job with a majorelectrical retailer where his passion forservicing radios and televisions wasaroused. Now living in South Croydonand with two daughters Julie and Kristy,he enjoyed tinkering with televisions inhis spare time and started Peter DwyerTelevision Service, the first of manybusinesses he would establish.

By 1973 he had so much TV work hequit the railways and formed Telstat

Communication with Roger Thomson.Citizen’s band radio had just becomepopular so their business grew rapidlyand his TV rental business was alsosuccessful. Telstat serviced marineelectronics and communications on theEsso Bass Strait oil rig service vesselsat Barry’s Beach. About then Petebought his first boat.

After a marriage breakdown, Petemoved his business to Ramage Street,Bayswater as it grew and then toWhaler’s Cove, later to becomePatterson Lakes Marina, the largestmarina in Victoria. He specialised inluxury boat electronic and communica-tion fit-outs as Telstat MarineCommunications owning several boats,upsizing until he bought a river cruiserthat did not fit with the other moremodern craft in the marina. TheDiamantina moored at Paynesville wasperhaps the most grand, with its teakhandrailing and spiral staircase, athome on the Gippsland Lakes. Peterwas the archetypal captain, skipper’shat and all, chatting with the coastguardand playing with every instrument hecould want.

With the acquisition of many dealer-ships in communication equipment,including Codan, the main focus of thebusiness moved to long distance com-munications for terrestrial use, and thebusiness relocated to Seaford where itgrew to servicing major national compa-nies including APT and AAT Kings, BHPNorth, Spirit of Tasmania, and evenworked on the movie, The Man FromSnowy River. Around this time Pete wasdrawn to the Four Wheel Drive industry,and like all the other business interestshe had, it became a pastime as well.He was a member of the Nissan 4WDClub and later joined the Toyota LandCruiser Club of Australia (Vic) andultimately was elected President of thatclub. I met Peter when we both were askedby Ron Moon to work on the first FWD

Peter Dwyer – The Great Communicator

Outback Challenge at Broken Hill. Peterknew the Hill from his outback commswork and set up the communications forthe event. I sat with Peter each night ofthe event calling up the various StageManagers to receive and record theday’s results.

By then Peter had purchased a PiperCherokee Six aircraft, (because obvi-ously he didn’t have enough interests),and flew photographers and camera-men over the Outback Challengecourses to record the event. Peter wasby then on the board of the RoyalVictorian Aero Club and was soon to beelected President of that August bodytoo. While President he steered theRVAC through one of its most difficultperiods with the aviation fuel crisis of1999 and modernising of the Moorabbinclubrooms and new carpark, all whileworking hard on his own business atTelstat. Stuart Rushton, an aero clubmember who often flew with Peter tomany remote and distant outbacklocales, recalls that the aircraft emer-gency rations were no match for Pete,particularly the high energy lollies –thankfully the emergency rations werenever needed! Pete used aircraft as atradie would use his ute.

Peter often ran open days at Seaford

where he would have major commsdealers present their latest products,and often both four wheel drive andaero club members would attend, invariably in large numbers as Peterwas a good host. As Peter would say inhis usual booming voice behind themicrophone, “Mate, this is bigger thanBen Hur!”

The FWD movement had grabbedPeter’s commercial and personalinterest and he became a strongsupporter of FWD clubs, putting onindustry displays and donating prizesfor fundraising, but he is more recentlyremembered for his development of theFWD Radio Show. This grew from asegment he hosted on Glenn KnightsSaturday morning Outdoor Show, whereI joined him after having met him at theOutback Challenge. We would chatabout the latest vehicles, speak tosponsors and bemoan the lack ofaccess to FWD tracks. From time to timePete would organise a trivia night at asuburban hotel and some great prizeswere to be had along with much fun andentertainment.

Peter was an old hand behind themicrophone, having done many latenight music shifts, Australian countryand western featuring of course, on 3AK,and I believe earlier on 3AW, as radiostations were known then. He wouldchuckle as he told a tale against himselfabout spinning a long music track in thewee hours and slipping outside 3AK’sRichmond studio for a smoke, only toforget the studio had a self locking door.The studio manager was not impressedwith the early morning call!

When 3AK - then 1116 Sports Radio -

changed their format, there was noplace for the Outdoor Show or us fourwheel drivers, so Pete called up an oldmate, Rod Boyd at Stereo 974 FM, andon Saturday mornings, with Pete behindthe microphone and operating thepanel, the Four Wheel Drive Show wasborn. It was quite daunting at first, withfifty minutes of editorial to find and pre-pare after having only about 10 or sominutes at 3AK, and new sponsors torecruit. Under Pete’s management theshow became an outlet for FWD Victorianews, track access news and discus-sion, talkback competitions, and FWDClub promotion and news with guestsfrom clubs and sponsors. As it wasoften promoted, it was the only FWDshow on radio, but after five years Peter,Alison McLaughlin and I decided thatwe needed our weekends back, and inthe absence of volunteers to continuethe show, it folded in 2009.

Pete was winding down his businessesand wanted an easier life. Retaining asmall part of Telstat, he sold off the restand moved to west Gippsland withMarion a little over a year ago, where hesoon became part of the community,joining the local CFA and providing aregional radio comms service, andmaintaining some clients of the Telstatempire.

He had found the lifestyle he had beenseeking and was the most relaxed I hadknown him to be, but his time hadcome, and he passed peacefully athome on 7th September, 2014.

Mate, Big Pete was bigger than BenHur.

Ian Lacey


TLCCV collected more than 40 bags of rubbish at the Ninety Mile Beach

Peter Sherlock of the Cross CountryJeep Club with another car body

> From the archives

VAFWDC took part in a number ofmajor bush clean-ups in the eighties.Pictured - some of the action.

“The volunteers do a tremendous job inhelping to protect the parks and keepvisitors safe by removing fallen trees andbranches from the tracks, undertakingrisk assessments of the track conditionsand helping identify and remove pestplants such as new infestations ofPatterson’s Curse,” Ranger in ChargeDave Burton said.

Ranger David Butterworth, the sole ParkRanger based at remote Bendoc com-mented that the 4WDers had achievedmore in the weekend than he had hopedfor, and this would save him a lot of work

BackgroundIn 2007, the then Parks Victoria Rangerfor the Snowy River and ErrindundraNational Parks, “Wing” Hagger hadcontacted John and Prue Hasler,members of the above three clubs andFour Wheel Drive Victoria’s RegionalRepresentatives for Far East Gippsland,to see if they could organise a group ofclub members to assist in clearing the4WD tracks the weekend prior to thetrack opening on Cup weekend. Asmall group travelled from Melbournethat weekend, camping on his propertyat Bonang on the Saturday night andclearing the Deddick Trail and someother tracks. The success of that week-end led to the annual event with up to40 club members participating.Ranger in Charge at Orbost, DaveBurton has been involved since 2008and Ranger David “Butters” Butterworthfrom Bendoc for at least five years.Tracks cleared over the years includethe Deddick and Bowen Trails, MonkeyTop, tracks on Mt Tingaringy and in theErrinundra NP. A special event a fewyears ago was the clearing of MoonkanTrack which is a long closed MVO

Track. This ridge top track was deemedtoo significant to allow a machineryclearance but important for fire access,so we undertook this clearance. Allclearing crews are accompanied by aParks Vic Ranger.Camps have included “Wings“ propertyfor a number of years, Goongerah,McKillops Bridge and on the track in thebush. Travelling the 380kms fromMelbourne with some coming fromBendigo, some members have beeninvolved for a number of years, often

involving different generations of theone family.Not only do club members enjoy assist-ing Parks Victoria maintain access forthe public and fire fighters, theyappreciate the remote bush experience,learning from the Rangers and thechallenges they face. An unfortunatefeature of this year’s trip was theextensive bushfire damage to the SnowyRiver NP earlier this year.

25th & 26th October 2014 If you love some challenging 4-wheeldriving (don’t we all?). If you love gettingon the chainsaw and getting dirty. If youlove working hard in a team environmentand achieving something that you didn’tthink possible at the start of the day witha bunch of friendly, like-minded people.If you love sitting round the campfire atthe end of the day and telling everyonehow big the trees on your track were. Ifyou love all that then the annual EastGippsland Track Clearing Weekend isfor you.


Clubs Working with Parks Victoria8th Annual Snowy River National Park Track Clearing with Parks Victoria

Photos by Kellie Mortlock Pajero Club

Organisers John and Prue Hasler fromLROCV, Range Rover Club and PajeroClubs together with Tony Jambu fromthe Pajero Club once again partneredwith Parks Victoria Rangers to organisethe clearance of some of Victoria’s icon-ic High Country tracks in time for Cupopening weekend.

Eighteen club members met at theOrbost DEPI/Parks office at 8:00am andDave “Burto” Burton took us into theboard room for an informative presenta-tion on the January/February/March firescomplex that burned through 75% of theSnowy River National Park. Such wasthe danger that the authorities made thedifficult decision to bulldoze large tractsof the Deddick Trail to ensure that treescould not fall on 4 wheel drivers passingthrough. It was either that or close thepark altogether. With the job safety brief-ing completed and compulsory hardhats organised, we were set for a busyweekend.

The 3 groups would clear the DeddickTrail from south to north, Monkey Top,Waratah Flat Road and the Bowen Trail,each led by a Ranger.

Bowen TrailTravelling north to Warm Corners, weturned on to the Bowen Trail. With“Butters” joining us from Bendoc, thefirst few kms of track were more or lessundefined as they had been grown overwith grass. It was quite surreal drivingthrough the forest, only the gap betweenthe trees and the GPS to guide us alongour way.

Once past Mt Tower and Sailor Boy Gapwe started to encounter a few treesacross the track, but nothing too taxing.5 or 10 minutes on the chainsaws andwe were on our way again. The drivingwas very enjoyable, Bowen Trail basically being a ridge line drive for thefirst half, and some extremely steep,rocky and challenging sections.

Joining with the Waratah Flat group weheaded off towards McKillop’s Bridge.Eventually we came to a steep hill with avery large tree across the track at thetop of the hill. There was only one direction this was going to roll once itwas cut so we had to get all 10 vehiclesup the hill above the tree before workcould start. Once the tricky manoeuvringof vehicles was completed we got towork. Butters and Ranger Aaron, withtheir big Stihl 660’s and 24” bars madeshort work of the tree, and before weknew it a couple of large logs were tumbling down the hill. But both logsstopped in the middle of the track about50m below us. Damn! Butters cutthrough the last section of tree andbefore long it too was hurtling down thetrack. The latter log barrelled straightinto the other 2 logs at the bottom of thehill,and like giant ten pins they went

scattering in all directions and clear ofthe track, and a cheer went up from thecrowd.

To our amazement all groups convergedon McKillop’s Bridge within 10 or 15minutes of each other, just after 7pm.Tents went up, BBQ’s cranked intoaction, and eventually we congregatedaround a nice fire for all of the day’s warstories and to listen to Burto, Buttersand Aaron talk about the challenges thatthey face running a large national park.

What a great weekend, and it was apleasure to work with the 3 rangers,Burto, Butters and Aaron…great guyswith plenty of experience between them,who know the country like the backs oftheir hands and love it with an unbridledpassion.

Deddick TrailThe Deddick Trail (a feature of everyclearance trip) did not disappoint withinteresting driving, scenery and longviews. Fortunate that there were not asmany trees over the track as had beenpredicted, the chainsaw operators andwood clearing teams were still keptbusy all day.

Led by Dave Burton, we travelled intoCampbell’s Knob on an MVO Track toretrieve a camera that had been moni-toring the results of feral cattle eradica-tion after the fires. The cattle had beenin the area for many years and hadevaded authorities until the fires

removed their cover. On the GelantipyPlateau we saw the recent work of acontractor who had walked a D7 dozerin via Reeds Track and Bowen Trail tothe Deddick Trail. All burnt trees within2 tree lengths of the track had beenfallen and moved off the track making itsafe. The impact of the fires was wide-spread. It was wonderful to see somepockets of unburnt bush, and someareas were sprouting green again.However many hillsides were denudedof vegetation with black sticks all thatremained of the bush.

As we descended into the DeddickRiver Valley there was discussion aboutthe appearance of the noxious weed,Patterson’s Curse. There were somesmall outbreaks along the track, proba-bly brought in on the tracks of fire fight-ing vehicles. Some were weeded butmore work was to be undertaken laterby Parks Vic to remove these plantsbefore they became widespread in thePark.

SundayOn Sunday morning two groups left thecamp area to continue track clearing.One group tackled the harder CollingsTrack and Bowen Trail, travelling overthe Pinnacles and Mt Tower, to WarmCorners then down Clems Track toBoundary Track before meeting up withthe second group. This group was ledby Butters and cleared Willis Road,Reeds Track and Boundary Tracks.After enjoying some low range driving inthe bush and dealing with track closedsignage, we all met back on McKillopsRoad for a quick lunch, air up andfarewells before the long trip home.

Thank youThank you to Rangers Dave Burton,David Butterworth and Aaron onceagain for their organisation, leadershipand company in the bush.

By Prue Hasler and Andrew Mortlock


Parks Vic. Rangers - David Foster &Deb CrossYarra Valley 4x4 Club - Peter W (organ-iser), Peter A, B1 and Francis, B2 andLyn, Paul B, Graeme G

Sunday 19thWe headed in after visiting friends inGippsland on Saturday and arrived atNative Dog Flat to find Peter A, Graemeand B1 and Francis setting up. Laterthat evening Peter W and Paul arrivedafter finishing at the Regional Repsmeeting held at Bairnsdale,

Camp fire, dinner, chat and headed tobed reasonably early, ready for the nextmorning’s work but were very lucky tobe awoken with the sound of hooves asthe brumbies came to investigate whowas in their campground.

Monday 20thDave joined us in camp ready for a 9amstart, and after a briefing and paperworkformalities we headed off to clear sometracks. We started on Cowombat FlatTrack, which is seasonally closed to acar park with the majority of the trackbeing Management Vehicles Only(MVO). This is the pay back for thework we do with some amazing viewsand as Lyn said : “isn’t it great nothaving to worry about oncomingvehicles?”

Light duties with the convoy movingreasonably quickly until B1 lost a boltout of his shocker and after about 10minutes with repairs completed wecontinued onto morning tea atCowombat Flat. What we now know is afrost hollow.

After the cuppa, we moved on toexplore Cowombat Flat and into NSW tosee the ruins of an old station hut. Wethen looked at the differences between

a fenced off habitat that allowed naturalflora and fauna to flourish without horsesinterfering with it compared to thebalance of the area.

We then headed down another MVOtrack up to MácFarlanes Flat, which washeavily vegetated and I felt every touchon the 200 series. As I was recoveringfrom the trauma it was time to get thesaws out and start some serious

clearing rather than just pulling debrisoff the road.

Lunch was organised at the corner ofCobberas Trail. We led the next part ofthe trip with only 20.8 kms till the “ThePlaygrounds” campground and then aneasy return to camp of 8 kms. At1:30pm there was still hope of a roastfor the night.

Well the debris was the same but thetrees were getting bigger. My saw wasplaying up so we were down to the twoPeters and B1’s saw to get throughthese trees. With steep tracks and largelogs, safety was paramount as westarted to remove the fallen trees. Abouthalf way along the tracks we hit 6pmand thoughts of the roast had seen itpostponed till the next evening, and wecontinued to push through until dusk.Clearing debris off the track was punc-tuated more frequently with larger treesand as the sense on inevitability drewcloser, we were destined to find thegrand daddy at 8:45 pm. With sawing inthe headlights now well-rehearsed,Peter A and his 22-inch bar attacked thetrunk and only just made the second cutto get through the width.

B1 then had to use a drag chain tobreak the log, and as we rolled thepieces away he took the lead andsurprise, no more stops. The tree was

estimated to be over 44 inches indiameter.

We arrived in camp at 9:30pm for a sitaround the fire (not sure where we foundthe high quality firewood) and antipasto,muscat and port saw us finish just aftermidnight-ish.

Tuesday 21stDave arrived in camp around 9am andinformed us the other ranger that was tojoin us was ill and in any event he wouldlet us have an early day after last night.We headed off for Forlorn Hope track(MVO) into the Buchan HeadwatersWilderness Zone, hoping to make itdown to the gorge at the end of thevalley.

Some trees offered a challenge but notas bad as last night and we hadmorning tea half way along the track tothe creek.

We kept pushing on and crossed theBuchan River that continued from nextto our camp and headed down thetrack.

At around 1pm Dave called it a day withanother monster tree on the track, sowith only 11 k’s of clearing, we headedback to the creek for lunch.

After lunch we headed back to campand said our farewells to Dave onLimestone Black Mountain Road as heheaded off to another Ranger meetingthat evening.

We had a flat (on the road tyres) andpumped up the tyre in the hope it wasjust a leaking valve.

We packed up and started to head forhome when the tyre was flat again andB1 plugged the tyre for us and we said our goodbyes (gotta hate this workbusiness). We left the group at 3pm as


Members of the Yarra Valley 4x4 Club clear tracks in FarEast Gippsland 19th - 23rd October 2014

> Club Spotlight

Peter Aartsen, Paul Beatson, Ranger Dave Foster & Graeme Geelan

they were getting ready for roast.

As we were heading out another flat tyrefrom an errant screw so anotherplugging and we headed home with nomore excitement.

Bruce Kerr and Lynn

Wednesday 22ndDeb arrived and led us down theLimestone Creek Track to clear a largetree near the seasonal closure gate.

Whilst Deb and Graeme complete asign audio in the campground the restof us tackled a large fallen tree, approx.25 inches in diameter. Graeme turnedup in time to drag the pieces off the

track.

We all enjoyed some steep ups anddowns until we came to a tree half wayup a steep pinch. This tested the fitnessfor all of us and required some skillfulcutting by Peter A, and careful catchingby B1

The track was mainly clear from here onwith only the occasional stop for debrisremoval required.

We stopped on the road near the turnoff to The Poplars Campground to lookfor fossils in the rocks in the road andfound several.

The convoy then headed back to campafter another successful day with a shortdetour via the Helipad near The PoplarsCampground.

The hours worked added up to 166hours over three days, including the 12hour marathon on Monday.

All of the participants enjoyed the tripespecially working with the Rangers andlook forward to doing it again.

The Rangers were very pleased with theefforts and also hope to do it again nextyear.

Thanks to all who helped.

Peter White


Ranger Deb Cross with Peter Aartsen, Graeme, Bruce & Frances Unmack & PaulBeatson at the Helipad


In mid-November, 2014, members ofMidweek 4WD Club spent 3 days track

clearing for Parks Victoria alongBuckwong Track, Davies Plain Trackand McCarthys Track in preparation forthe official seasonal track opening of thearea on 1st December.

Members made their way up fromMelbourne to Omeo individually on the

Monday. Late in the afternoon, theconvoy formed up and moved out tocamp overnight at Buenba Flat. In theevening as we yarned around a cheeryfire under a starry sky, wild dogs howledin the nearby hills.

The dogs were still howling nextmorning as we packed up. We retracedour route until we reached Mount HopeRoad, which we then travelled alonguntil reaching the start of BuckwongTrack. We had been expecting to meetJethro Bangay, Ranger Team Leaderfrom Omeo at Buckwong Hut. However,when we found our way blocked by afallen tree, we assumed he wasdelayed. He arrivedshortly before wefinished clearing the tree off the track.

Moving on to Buckwong Hut, we affectedproper introductions and completed thenecessary induction procedures andpaperwork over a cuppa and then madethe climb up the Buckwong Track to the

junction with McCarthys and DaviesPlain Track and Misery Trail, stoppingoccasionally to deal with minor trackblockages.

One of the main aims of the work partywas to widen the tracks to their fullwidth wherever a tree had fallen orwherever a previous driver had done aminimal (Suzuki cut) just sufficientlywide enough for their vehicle.

Where we found Suzuki cuts or otherminor obstructions, we had sufficientteam members to allow for some to beallocated the clearing task while theremainder leap-frogged to tackle thenext obstacle. Occasionally we came tomajor obstacles where work was foundfor all. We reached Charlies Creek intime for lunch and the lead vehiclescaught glimpses of a brumby stallionambling away from the grassy flat. ParksVic staff recently had to make a tempo-rary detour around a bog that has re-developed in the track surface at thesouth end of the campsite.

We spent the afternoon clearing theremainder of Davies Plain Track up toDavies Plain Hut. En route, from thevicinity of the turnoff to Kings Plain, wecaught sight of large snow drifts on thecraggy peaks in the area around MountKosciusko. It was a tired crew who set

up camp around the hut. Jethro thenfaced a 3 hour drive along mount tracksto return to Omeo.

During the night a mob of brumbiescame into the campsite to feed on theshort grass. They snorted, stomped,pranced and galloped right up to thevehicles and tents over a period ofhours before finally melting back in thetree cover shortly before dawn. Theearly morning was cool and steam roseoff the vegetation as the sun penetratedinto the little valley below the hut. Mikebrought out professional chain sharpen-ing gear and sharpened all of our sawchains before we set off. Just 2.5 kmafter breaking camp, we entered amountain ash forest and soonencountered a tree fall of massiveproportions. This one was soon judgedto be beyond our resources so wepushed on towards Tom Groggin,descending through a variety of forestenvironments en route.

We had a late lunch at the campsitealongside Buckwong Creek, not far fromwhere it joins the Murray River. Thestream was (by now), a much biggerwatercourse than we had first encoun-tered away up at Buckwong Hut. Later,we stopped to show some of the teamtheir first glimpse of the ford over the

In mid-November, 2014,members of Midweek4WD Club spent 3 daystrack clearing for ParksVictoria along BuckwongTrack, Davies Plain Trackand McCarthys Track inpreparation for the official seasonal trackopening of the areaon 1st December.

> Club Spotlight Track Clearing on DaviesPlainTrack Clearing on DaviesPlain

Buckwong Track

The big one!


Murray River near Tom Groggin. It wasinteresting to note how the ingress andexit points had been graded andcrushed rock had recently been rolledinto the track surface on both riverbanks.

A large party from a South Australian4WD club was already in residence bythe time we reached Dogmans Hut onthe boundary of Tom Groggin Station, soafter a brief rest, we opted to return toBuckwong Hut for the night, travellingup the Tom Groggin Track and via theMount Hope Road. The heavily ruttedsections of Tom Groggin Track runningparallel to Tom Groggin Station havealso been repaired in the last 12months. The upper reaches of the TomGroggin Track are gradually becomingovergrown by the surrounding heavyundergrowth.On Thursday, we again made the climbup the Buckwong Track to the junctionwith McCarthys and Davies Plain Track

and Misery Trail. After a brief forayalong the upper reaches of Misery Trail,we began clearing McCarthys Track.We finished clearing the latter in a fewhours and then made a brief visit to theMurray River at the Poplars. Whilst wehad seen quite a few wildflowers inbloom as we moved about, this area inparticular was carpeted with masseddisplays. At least 11 different specieswere noted along the short track downto the river.By now, the weather was looking threat-ening so we headed off alongLimestone Creek Track. It was time toleave the mountains. It had been aninteresting few days of satisfying workand great camaraderie. It had allowedsome of us a return visit to favouritehigh country tracks and it had allowedan introduction of that country to othermembers.Geoff KenafackeNovember, 2014

Davies Plain Hut campsite

> News

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Ultimate 4WD! The Birdsville 4WDRecovery Truck. Pix Greg Rose

Camp at Depot Creek

Shortly after breaking camp next morning, we reached the southern endof Broadarrow Track and the ParkBoundary, defined by a closed gate anda boundary fence. We continued southon a track through station property. The scrub sometimes closed in aroundthe track and a number of small termitemounds appeared either in or immedi-ately adjacent to the wheel tracks. Therewas also considerably more (taller)grass between the wheel tracks than wehad experienced within the Park. Finallywe reached the Buntine Highway andzipped along it towards Kalkarindji. Afew kilometres short of that destination,the road traverses higher ground andthis afforded us wider views over thissection of the Victoria River.

Some of the members left the convoy atKalkarindji, to begin the long return journey to Melbourne. The rest of usrefuelled, made purchases from thewell-stocked store and some made ashort visit to the nearby art store. A couple of us also availed ourselves ofthe opportunity to have a shower at thelittle caravan and camping ground.

After lunch, the now smaller convoymoved north along station tracks cross-ing the vast Mount Stanford Station.

En route, we took time to take a look atBlack Gin Waterhole. Further along theroute mustering was in full swing atBlack Gin Yards. We noted big shedsand outbuildings as we passed thehomestead ringed by tall shady trees.

The Park Boundary was reached shortlythereafter and we began moving alongGibbie Track, moving up the valley ofGibbie Creek. Camp was made whenwe reached Paperbark Yard. We votedthis the best campsite in the Park. Alarge flat, shady area had recently beenmown, thus affording us a considerablenumber of tent sites. There was also alarge open-sided shelter, trestle seats,water tank, stainless steel sink, fire-places and two sets of toilets and show-ers. Unfortunately, the plumbing was notconnected to the showers at the time ofour visit. Adjacent to the camp, below asteep bank, laid a long, deep pool ofGibbie Creek.

On Day 5 we continued exploring alongGibbie Track. We made a number ofeasy creek crossings (usually dry). Wesaw mobs of wild cattle and donkeys.

The hills enveloped us as we drovenorth. Brilliant fresh green spinifexmatted the lower slopes and rockyramparts towered along the skyline onour side of the creek. Unfortunately, thehills on the other side of the creek hadbeen subjected to a fire of great intensity,leaving only the blackened slopes.

Eventually, we reached a track junction.The track continuing straight aheadgoes through station property, finallyreaching Humbert River Station. Westruck west onto Wickham Track, imme-diately passing an old small cattle yard,before reaching the towering thick-trunked, old, weeping paperbarksdefining the banks of the Wickham River

> Feature Driving in theGregory National Park

with the Midweek 4x4 ClubPA

RT

2PA

RT

2


Gibbie Track view

Fish Hole campsite – Wickham River

at the recognised campsite known asFish Hole Yard. The Wickham was flow-ing freely and very clear but not deep orwide and we pulled up on the pebblybank for morning tea. This site is actuallyon Humbert River Station and peoplecurrently make camp alongside thestream. There are no facilities there.Apparently, the Parks Service andHumbert River are currently workingtowards establishing a formal campsitenear this crossing.

Whilst we did not actually see it, DepotCreek actually joins the Wickham Rivera few kilometres upstream of Fish Holecamp after draining a considerable areaof country to the southwest. We contem-plated it being a very significant water-course at the stream confluence as ithad been a considerable watercoursewhen we had camped on it at the bottom end of Broadarrow Track.

About 12 kilometres upstream from FishHole, we also passed the remains ofDingo Yard.

Later on Wickham Track moved backinto the Park, travelling generally westtowards the northern end of BroadarrowTrack. We noted several signs indicatingsacred sites along this section. Thesigns indicated persons going into suchsites without permits would be subjectto fines of up to $20,000.00. For a shorttime we were on river flats but we grad-ually moved away generally travellingthrough lightly forested country.

Eventually we reached the junction withBroadarrow Track and turned northwhere we shortly retraced our tracksover the Jump-up and continued backalong the Wickham and Humbert Tracksto camp at Bullita Campsite. This liesbeside deep pools on the East BainesRiver and it offers fire places, some picnic tables and chairs, a water tankand toilet. It is shaded by a variety oftrees including boabs. It is the mostpopular campsite within the Park andwe shared the space with quite a fewother people.

While in this vicinity people should availthemselves of the opportunity ofinspecting the nearby Bullita Outstation.This is a well preserved little pastoraloutpost, complete with attendant out-buildings and a reconstructed set ofcattle yards. The interpretive information

and historicalrecords adorn-ing the walls ofthe homesteadare worth read-ing.

Day 6 involveda traverse ofthe BullitaStock Route(except theside excursioninto DroversRest). Thistrack followspart of theroute cattle-men used totake to movecattle overlandto Wyndham inWesternAustralia. It is aone way trackbeginning atBullita camp-site, owing tothe fact that acrossing onthe EastBaines Riverand a jump-upfurther on, can

only be negotiated from the onedirection. Rocky sections meant slowtravel in some areas and some placessaw drivers offering advice on wheelplacement to the following driver.

Boab trees line some of the ridgesalong the track. Ultimately, the roadbetween Bullita and the VictoriaHighway is reached about 26 kilometresprior to the latter. Our convoy turnedsouth towards Bullita and made a briefdetour on the side road leading intoLimestone Gorge. The camp at the endof the gorge was presently closed dueto flood damage, but there are interest-ing geological features along the way,and the convoy visited the first two suchfeatures.

The first of these are the Tufa Dams.These are naturally formed dams in thecreek, formed by calcium deposits laiddown over years when the water flowsduring the Wet Season. The secondspot visited was the Calcite Flow Walk.Here, a reef of Stromolite fossils can beviewed as you make your way to thefrozen calcite falls. Particles in the fallsglisten in the sunlight.

After that, it was time to head off backinto Timber Creek, having completed amost interesting 6-day trip.Navigating in this territory is not very difficult because you generally don’thave the option of going off the established tracks. Members of ourgroup were variously running Garmin,Magellan, Navman GPS units and anassortment of Hema Navigators. Theamount of detail available to us variedfrom unit to unit. The only topographicalpaper maps (and electronic versions ofthe same maps) are at a scale of1:100,000 and they were created in theearly 1970’s. Few of the tracks existedat the time, and they have not beenupdated to show the present network.The only map indicating most (but notall) of the present network is an inserton Hema’s Top End and Gulf Country.

Geoff KenafackeMidweek 4WD ClubAugust, 2014


Bullita Outstation homestead

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Survival Optics Sunglasses/SOSEyewear hits Australia

SOS Eyewear, the US brand of choicefor active outdoor enthusiasts, hasarrived in Australia, with the estab-lishment of its new Melbourne baseddependency.

SOS’s unique engineering combinesactive sunglare reduction paired withmaximum strength Grilamid TR-90 nylonframes and polycarbonate lenses toadditionally protect the eyes from virtu-ally anything that could be coming yourway, no matter what you’re up to.

Bear Grylls wears SOSExpeditionThe durability and strength of SOSEyewear make the SOS style, ‘Expedition’,the eyewear of choice, during filmingand in action in Man vs. Wild andRunning Wild, for survival expert BearGrylls. The Expedition is a serious pieceof outdoor kit created to protect youreyes and to enhance your adventure.

Ultra lightweight and completely wraparound, with a padded vented soft facegasket, the Expedition fit so snug youhardly notice you’re wearing them. Thisis vital for long hours under harshconditions and they won’t slip off yourface and disappear into the ocean orfall down a rocky slope never to return.And if in doubt, the Expedition comeswith a floating adjustable neck cord tohold them around your neck.

Expedition’s entire matt black compositeshock frame is Dupont rubber coatedmaking it non slip, hard wearing, water,debris and impact resistant. And if youdo take a face plant, or a rock flicks up,the durable rubber frame and paddedface gasket will give you the addedprotection you need.

The unique frame qualities are compli-mented by the shatter resistant, smoketinted, 2.2mm thick, polycarbonatelenses which reduce sun glare by block-ing 100% of the UVA and UVB radiationand reduce eye drying infra red, a majorcause of dry, itchy, fatigued eyes.Polycarbonate is the material that bulletproof windows are made from. Antiscratch and anti fog coatings have beenadded to the optical correct de-cen-tered lenses (ensure maximum clarityand reduces eye fatigue) as well as ahydrophobic finish to actively repelwater, dust and any manner of dirt and

grime which couldspoil your outdoorexperience.

DiscountThe good guys atSOS Eyewearbelieve thatquality eyewearshould not cost awhole lot ofmoney. Theywant us to get outthere and usethem. TheExpedition, forexample, is pricedat RRP$89.90 andthat’s a lot of cooltech in a stylishprotective frame.Best of all, SOSEyewear aregiving all ourmembers andreaders a 15%discount off anystyle, just use thecoupon code4WDVIC in thecart at

www.survivalop-tics.com.au

ARB LED Head Lamp

In a market flooded with head-mountedlights, ARB has developed a state-of-the-art LED Head Lamp designed todeliver true freedom in any Outbackadventure. Ideal for the campsite,vehicle recovery and breakdowns, orany time you need additional hands-freelighting – ARB’s new LED Head Lamp isthe ideal companion for adventurerswho always find themselves in toughsituations.

ARB’s LED Head Lamp – now availablein stores – constitutes an innovativedesign and impressive features, com-bined with quality construction andexcellent value. The high-intensity, 5W,6500K Cree LED headlamp – equippedwith multiple lighting modes – is speciallydesigned for the outdoor adventurer,delivering a maximum 300-lumen outputwith a run time of up to 7 hours.

Whether you're cooking dinner at thecampsite or rappelling off a multi-pitchroute after the sun goes down, thismega-bright headlamp’s multiple modesallow you to customise your lightingneeds to fit any situation. Setting 1 pro-vides a powerful 300-lumen beam withapproximately 3 hours run time, setting2 offers a power-saving 180-lumenbeam with around 7 hours run time, andsetting 3 provides even further powersaving with its flashing mode. Designedfor pure convenience, all three modesare accessible via one simple-to-usebutton.

DBE 180-SX BatteryManagement IsolatorPiranha Off Road Products has releasedits most intelligent dual battery isolatorever in the new DBE180-SX. This Aussiemade isolator is rated to 180amps,includes full spike and surge protectionand is manufactured from durableplastic/nylon casing that will stand up tothe rigours of Australian bush travel.The advanced electronic circuitry isdesigned to measure the startingbattery first and ensures it stayscharged before charging the auxiliarybattery. It will also ensure the mainbattery can’t be drained by a load onthe auxiliary battery. RRP $425.00www.piranhaoffroad.com.au

> Products


Four wheel drive club outback tripstend to be to the same places every

year. The Simpson Desert, CanningStock Route, the Cape, etc. If you oryour club are looking for something a bitdifferent give some thought to BinnsTrack.

An initiative of the Northern TerritoryTourism folk, Binns Track runs from theMt Dare Hotel in South Australia toTimber Creek in the north west of theNorthern Territory. If you travel the wholetrack it is 2191 kilometres. Over itslength, the track covers a wide variety ofterrain from bulldust and sand to rocksand river crossings. Binns Track can beneatly broken into three stages. One ofthe advantages of a track like this is thatif you have limited time you can do thejourney over a couple of years complet-ing a section at a time.

Stage One; from Mt Dare to AliceSprings, this section traverses the FinkeRiver floodout country with its longstretches of fine bulldust, the historicOld Andado Homestead, the Mac ClarkConservation Reserve and sweepsalong the red dunes at the edge of theSimpson Desert and into the colourfulRodinga Range, Train Hills andAllambarinja Range before passingSanta Teresa Community and finishingin Alice Springs. This leg is 421km long.

Stage Two; from Alice Springs toTennant Creek. This is a longer andmuch more remote leg. The Binns Trackroute takes you from Alice Springs toRuby Gap via historic Arltunga, swingsback to the Pinnacles Road to Gemtreeon the Plenty Highway, continues pastHarts Range and then heads north tothe Davenport Ranges and then west tothe Stuart Highway, the Devils Marblesand Tennant Creek. A total distance of979km.

Stage Three; Tennant Creek toTimber Creek. This leg has some bitu-men kilometres to put up with but theHumbert River Track and the boab treesand limestone formations in Gregory

National Park makes up for that. Thedistance for this leg is 748km.

Binns Track is not difficult. However,much of the country, especially on thesecond leg, is quite remote with fewplaces to get fuel and supplies andeven less chance of mechanical repairs.To do the track you really need areliable high clearance four wheel drivelike a Patrol, Land Cruiser, Defender orperhaps a dual cab ute. Good outbacktouring tyres and two spares areessential as most of the roads will begravel with some tyre killing rocks andlots of corrugations. The bulldust northof Mt Dare and the SA / NT border canbe treacherous at times. The BundeyRiver crossing near Derry Downs in themiddle section is loose sand, followedby a narrow track and rocks for a fewkilometres. The Humbert River is slowgoing with some very sharp rocks tonegotiate.

Vehicles should have some form ofreliable long distance communication;satphones or HF radios for emergen-cies. We did not see another touristvehicle for four days of camping andtravel in the middle section in earlySeptember.

Accommodation options along the trackare limited so you really need to be aself-sufficient camper. Take plenty offuel, food and water. The Binns Trackcan be completed in ten days, but wewould recommend that you take longer.There are places worthy of at least acouple of night’s camping. The

Davenport Ranges and the Old PoliceStation Waterhole on the Frew River forexample. Gregory National Park is afantastic place to explore.

The weather can change dramaticallyalong the length of the route as youtravel a long way north in the journey.The best time to travel is during thewinter months. There is plenty of wildlifeto see along the track. Wallabies,kangaroos, all types of lizards, magnifi-cently patterned perenties and a hugenumber of bird species. The vegetationchanges too from spinifex desertcountry to the tropical growth in the farnorth of the track.

Not officially part of Binns Track the Macand Rose Chalmers ConservationReserve (Tower Rock) is well worth anextra day’s detour. The reserve is thenewest in the Northern Territory havingbeen established up in 2011. Thereserve is entered from Mt Swan Stationnorth of Harts Range and there are sign-posts to it on Binns Track. $10 pervehicle gets you unlimited campingamong the spectacular granite boul-ders. Apart from two pit toilets andsome marked walks, there are nofacilities at Tower Rock.

Binns Track is very well signpostedthroughout its whole length. There isplenty of information on the track. Theofficial Northern Territory route guidecan be downloaded. The OutbackTravellers Track Guide to Binns Track isall in strip map form. The tracks arecovered in Hemas Desert Tracks maps.


> Travel

Travelling

BINNS TRACKTravelling

BINNS TRACK by Greg Rose

Iam lucky enough to live in a smallGippsland town that is one of the gate-

ways to the Victorian High Country,particularly the Dargo area. On busyweekends and public holidays largenumbers of four wheel drivers headthrough town. They often stop at thebakery, the butchers or the super-market. Sometimes we have a conversa-tion that worries me; it goeslike this.“Excuse memate, areyou alocal?”

“Yes”, is myreply. “Great,how do weget toWonnangatta(or Billy Goat,Blue Rag,Mayford,Grant, etc.)from here?”“Grab yourmap and I’llshow you.” “Wehaven’t got amap”. Oh dear!

I must confess Iam a mapaholic,but to ventureanywhere withoutproper maps isasking for trouble.It’s even worsewhen the reply is,“Can you showme on Googlemaps on myphone?”

There are dozensof different maps ofthe Victorian HighCountry, and nowHema have come up with a neat Atlasand Guide to add to their series of simi-lar books. The area covered is fromMansfield east to the Snowy RiverNational Park.

Chapter One gives a brief overview of

theaboriginal andEuropeanhistory of thearea, thegeology andflora andfauna.

The secondchapter,Planning theTrip, includesinformationon books,maps, climate,places tostay, Alpinedriving tips,responsiblecampingand mini-mal impactfour wheeldriving.

ChapterThree,

Things To See & Do describesplaces to visit and activities available inthe High Country.

In Chapters Four, Five and Six the HighCountry is divided into three sectionsand destinations are described andcross-referenced to the twenty-four map

pages inthe Atlas section. There are twenty-fivespecific four wheel drive treks in theguide. Two pages are devoted to eachone. The text describes the route and aside bar gives details of distances, fuel,travel time, campsites, contact detailsand warnings. Each double page has amap of the drive and accompanyingphotographs. My only criticism of thetrip pages is that the grading is too gen-eral with only two track classifications;green, all wheel drive, and red, lowrange high clearance. In the introduc-tion it is mentioned that conditions canchange due to weather.

The spiral bound, one hundred and sixtypage, Guide and Atlas is a very goodintroduction to the Victorian HighCountry.

Hema have also released the 8th Editionof the High Country Victoria paper map.Printed on both sides of waterproofpaper, the map is divided into easternand western sections. The map, in1:200,000 scale, is very detailed andeasy to read.

Now, if only some of the weekendadventurers who stop in town had thebook or the paper map, I could showthem where to go without resorting todrawing a map on the ground with astick.

> Product Review

Victoria The High Country Atlasand Guide, High CountryVictoria map 8th Edition.

Both published by Hema.

Recommended retail price:The High Country Atlas and Guide,$34.95,High Country Victoria map, $14.95.

Review by Greg Rose


Heading out to the bush on your nextfour wheel drive trip, you are looking

forward to a fun day; you have decidedto take a couple of friends along in thevehicle with you to make it a fun andsocial day. You begin packing theessentials; recovery gear, first aid kit,the fridge and the food and finallyeveryone starts adding their “little bit”until there is barely enough room foranyone to sit.

Remember, most vehicles will drivedifferently when you have a carload ofpeople and their gear so you will needto drive accordingly.

Some thought should be given as tohow you will pack each of the aboveitems in or on your vehicle, becauseoverloading your vehicle can be just asdangerous as not taking along the rightgear in the first place.

The extra weight can cause poorbalance and unnecessary stress onyour vehicle, so try to pack accordingly,being careful not to overload. Ultimately,which tools, equipment, and spare partsyou take along will depend on whereyou are going and for how long.

It is extremely important to keep all of

the items you've loaded in your vehiclesecurely strapped down or safelystowed away, because loose itemscould become projectiles when youmake a sudden stop or take off a bit tooquickly. You should use heavy-dutystraps (not bungee cords) to secureitems in your vehicle.

Contain and strap down anything thatwill hurt if it hits you. Remember that allsupplies inside your vehicle should becontained in some way that will preventbodily injury, especially if you are drivingthrough rough terrain or hill country.

Plan to enjoy the day, allow extra timeso you don’t have to rush, and remem-ber what it is like as a passenger in theback seat especially on winding roadsand hills. Is the purpose of your tripsimply to get to a destination or is itmore to enjoy the journey and thefriends you are spending time with?

*Note: If you invite non-members alongon your club trip, remember to take outa Temporary Membership for yourguests to ensure compliance with yourclub’s rules as well as ensuring they willhave all the insurance coverage of a fullmember in the event of any incident.Safe travels

The Journey... or the destination?


TLCCV CRUISERKHANAENTRIES OPEN!

Entries are now open for the annualToyota Land Cruiser CruiserKhana.Competition weekend is 20th – 22ndMarch, 2015 and is expected to beanother spectacular event with a largenumber of Victorian Clubs and priva-teers expressing early interest. Mostsponsors have already signed up andthe prize pool will exceed $12,000.As the number of entries to be accept-ed this year has been lowered, it isstrictly a case of first in, best dressedfor this event. All you need to do isaccess the CruiserKhana web site,which is www.cruiserkhana.com.au andonce you have submitted your applica-tion form, associated paperwork andpayment your entry is live.Entry costs are on the web site. It isimportant to note that most eventsneed a navigator, and if they wish tocamp on a separate site they will prob-ably be in a different area due to spacelimitations.Weekend packages include entry,camping and a 3 course meal on theSaturday night. Day entries are avail-able for a nominal price.Further details call Neil Chambers on0419 520 810.

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