subaru 4wd club of vic magazine - march 2013

(ISSUE 390)

Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc.

Reg. No. A – 0006149J FWDV Member

www.subaru4wdvic.com.au PO BOX 2456

Mount Waverley VIC. 3149

Crossing the Pieman River, Tasmania

March 2013

http://www.subaru4wdvic.com.au/

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VOLKS-BARU

SUBARU and Volkswagen Specialist

Parts and Service Centre

We will smooth out your motoring costs with extremely

competitive prices, offering trade discounts to all Subaru

4WD Club of Victoria members on all parts and repairs.

John Bailey 1362 Heatherton Rd

Dandenong North 3175 Phone: (03) 9793 5655

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INTRODUCTION TO THE SUBARU 4WD CLUB

GENERAL MEETINGS South Camberwell Tennis Club Last Tuesday of each

322 Burke Road month at 8:00pm sharp Glen Iris (Melways 59 H6) (except December)

COMMITTEE Meetings 1st

Tuesday each month: 7:30pm

Damian Stock (President)

[email protected]

Jessica Walsh (Vice President)

Peter Bellis (Secretary)

[email protected]

Bob Marshall (Treasurer)

[email protected]

Martin Foot (Trip & Social)

[email protected]

Michael Hartshorne (Editor)

[email protected]. au

Andrew Jantke (Membership)

[email protected]

Dale Rebgetz (Resources)

[email protected]

Stephen Whittaker (Venue)

[email protected]

Bev Davison (Ordinary Member)

Phil Milkins (Ordinary Member)

The Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc. was originally formed over 30 years ago by an enthusiastic group of Subaru owners. Today the club has expanded to include all Subaru 4WD and AWD vehicles, as well as all other makes of AWD, light 4WD and crossover/soft-roader type vehicles. The club aims to participate in exploration of the Australian countryside without damage to the environment, vehicle or individual. Visitors are most welcome to attend the club’s General Meetings and contact committee members regarding participation in club activities.

The club relies on membership fees to offset its running costs, including insurance. Membership fees are payable each year, due on 31 May. Fees for the 2012/13 year were agreed at the general meeting in March 2012 and are as follows:

Interstate: $100 (Seniors card - $95) ● Single: $110 (Seniors card - $100) Joint/family: $115 - (Seniors card - $100)

(All fees includes affiliation and Insurance: $42) A trip fee of $10 per adult non-member applies (for insurance purposes)

Please contact the membership officer for further information regarding membership, including pro-rata and monthly rates.

mailto:[email protected]








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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Welcome to the March president’s report. This month has five Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, something that is rumored to not occur very often. While the rumors are not quite true, with the last month like this occurring in 2011, it is still a good month to make the most of the great weather Victoria has been offering over the last month or so. You would be forgiven for thinking that it was still summer instead of being the first month of autumn. For the recent labour day long weekend trip to Buchan we were certainly spoilt with lovely warm days and pleasant nights, perfect for comfortable sleeping and then making the most of the river during the day. Well, the latter was achieved in between sessions laboring over the development of the shelter as a true indoor, outdoor living area, not unlike what new home owners are looking for these days. While I am not normally much for jumping into a cool river, the Buchan river was a welcome relief after sweltering away in the heat while building wall sections for the club’s shelter. It was quite interesting while walking in the river to see the amount of debris that had been washed down the river by last year’s flood, including parts of the Buchan Pony Club’s shelter. Our club shelter fared much better than the pony club’s did and now looks much more like a club house with one solid and some half height walls linked to a farm gate and some rural fencing. The result is that roaming cattle and sheep will no longer be able to use the inside of it for shelter, or as an elaborate scratching post. The “Buchan Builders”, as the team was nicknamed, did an excellent job and I would especially like to thank Les and Jamie for getting down there early on Friday to get the ball rolling, prior to the rest of us arriving on Saturday. They had already completed the west wall before we arrived, giving us something to emulate over the rest of the weekend. In between watching the boys down in the river, Jan, together with Dale, did their best to rid the shelter of sheep and cattle smells, by scraping and leveling the shelter floor and dumping their collection out in the paddock, amongst the few surviving trees that had been planted during previous working bees. David, Rick and I busied ourselves building the north and north east half walls. The half wall and shelf, built by David and Dale behind the pot belly heater, was getting its fair share of use almost as quickly as it was completed. The place now looks a real treat and is much more functional than

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it has ever been. If you haven’t been to Buchan I really believe that you should take the time to head down there for a weekend. I know that Les and Jamie will be keen to tag along if you don’t want to head down there by yourself. We just need to advise the owner of our intention to visit the site. Last weekend I attended my first, probably long overdue, first aid course, at FWDV, together with around twenty members of the Pajero club. Unfortunately I was unaware of this course early enough to properly promote it in our club but, after having attended it, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who has an interest in being prepared for one of those unexpected life or death situations. Not having been in the position to undertake such a course before, I was unaware of the urgency in which decisions need to be made, or the order in which things need to be done, in such situations. I was also unaware of the true merits of an AED, or defibrillator, even though I had recently promoted the idea of clubs being sponsored to purchase one for their first aid kits, after having recently read about a similar sponsorship program for sporting clubs. The association is going to investigate the purchase of these units in bulk to try to make their purchase viable for all clubs, regardless of size. I will provide an update on this investigation in a future report. Doing this course has definitely re-enforced the value of having a qualified first aider on every trip, in the event of an unforeseen problem occurring, together with a well-equipped first aid kit and manual. If you do have first aid skills it would be great if you could make this known to our membership officer so that this can be recorded in our club records. While we hope to never have to call on your skills during a trip or social event it would be worth knowing that we have these skills available in the club. If anyone is interested in doing a first aid course, or a refresher, please let me know and I will organize for one to be run. If we can get more than ten members to attend, either from our club or in conjunction with other clubs, we will get a ten percent discount on the normal club member price, making it very affordable for a nationally recognized certificate two level course. The February meeting was a little low in attendance, partially due to the Tasmania trip that was on at the same time. I am sure that those in attendance enjoyed the presentation on water bladders by Gavin Hodges of Flexitank. The newest generation of these bladders, which fit on the floor behind the front seats, seems to have come a long way in design when

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compared with the ones owned by some club members. I will definitely be considering one for the Simpson Desert trip in a few months’ time. It was also great to see the excellent submissions for the photo competition, conducted by Dale in Stephen’s absence. Congratulations to the winners. Speaking of the Simpson Desert, for those of you considering attending, it is probably time to start thinking about what you will need to carry for the trip. A recommended eighty litres of fuel, together with sixty litres of water, is not an insignificant amount of weight to add to a vehicle, let alone the food, clothing, spare parts, recovery gear and camping equipment required for a three week trip through the desert. The coming Easter trip to the Pyrenees may be an ideal time to test how your vehicle performs when carrying this type of load and also should give some ideas about the best way of fitting all of this inside your vehicle. The next step will be working out what to take, or not, including which spare parts and recovery gear can be shared between vehicles. I will be organizing a meeting in the next couple of weeks where we can start to plan these aspects of the trip. Earlier in the month I had the pleasure of attending the Melbourne International Airshow, as a representative of FWDV, at the four wheel drive demonstration site. It was great seeing the public enjoying the opportunity of taking a free ride in a 4WD over a specially designed test track. I only wish that I had been able to try my Forester out on the track, which would have been a great challenge for it. The three clubs who decided to get involved all provided very positive feedback on the event and all have vowed to be involved next time the event is held, in two years. This month’s meeting at Subaru Glen Waverley promises to be a great event, if the effort being put in by the Subaru staff is any indication. It sounds like we are going to have a good attendance, both for the meeting and the dinner being organized at the pub next door. If you haven’t responded to Stephen yet, please do so urgently so that he can give accurate numbers to the restaurant and the Subaru folks. I look forward to seeing you there. Anyway that’s enough from me for this month. Take care of yourself out there, on the road or in the bush, and if I look forward to seeing you soon. Damian

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VENUE REPORT

MARCH GENERAL MEETING – SUBARU GLEN WAVERLEY

Date: Tuesday 26 March at 7pm

Venue: *** SPECIAL VENUE: Subaru Glen Waverley, Rosemary Court, Glen

Waverley

From 5:30pm – dinner at the Village Green, Cnr Springvale Rd and

Ferntree Gully Rds (next door to Subaru Glen Waverley). Our BBQ in January was a great

social success – can we do it again? From 7pm – get up close and personal with the new Forester and

other vehicles in the showroom, take test drives, talk with the staff and

enjoy some food! From 8pm – official start to the General Meeting

Presentation: See and hear presentations from Subaru about their new

(and some old, tried and true) technology!

Attendance: We need to know if you (and/or family members) are attend-ing dinner, the showroom from 7pm, the General Meeting… or all three. A good understanding of numbers will help Subaru cater and setup the room for our meeting and I will need to book dinner at the Village Green. Please email me to let me know what you are planning to attend: [email protected] If you are wishing to test drive a vehicle on the night, please also let me know in the same email so I can give Subaru an indication of how many members wish to go for a spin – thank you! Presenters and meeting highlights to come in 2013:

Telstat (outback communications experts) Smithy’s Outback Gear (Greg Smith’s business – 4WD & outback gear)

Freshield (food preservation and packaging)

There are door prize giveaways for members at each meeting too.

Stephen Whittaker Venue Coordinator

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EDITOR’S REPORT

A reminder that we are no longer sending out hard copies of the magazine before the general meetings to the majority of members. The exceptions are those who have not registered an email address with the club. Everyone else will receive an electronic link to the magazine on-line and can collect their magazines at the meeting or print them using the files provided in the email.

The magazine deadline for next edition is April 18th 2013. Send all copy to

[email protected]

Michael

FUNDRAISING

At this month's meeting each member will be given a box of chocolates to sell. This is an important part of our fundraising for this year so please get on board and encourage your friends or workmates to share some yummy chocolate and contribute to the Club's coffers. There is a choice of two types of chocolate boxes - different flavoured Freddos or a variety of chocolate bars. There are 50 items in each box, to be sold at $1 each.


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TRIP & SOCIAL REPORT

PYRENEES RANGES AND MT COLE STATE FORESTS

Fri 29 March – Mon 1 April (Easter),

Trip Rating: Medium to Difficult

Trip Leader: Stephen Whittaker, [email protected]

The Pyrenees Ranges and the Mt Cole State Forest offer visitors a wonderful mix of natural and cultural history with spectacular views, rugged mountain ranges, abundant wildlife, a rich mix of wildflowers and historic sites. Located one hour drive west of Ballarat, just off the Western Highway, Mt Cole State Forest is 25 kilometres from the township of Beaufort and marks the gateway to the Pyrenees Wine District and the Grampians.

From a standing camp at Chinaman’s Campground in the Mt Cole State Forest, the weekend will be an exploratory one. The local attractions will be visited via some challenging tracks. The weekend will involve some great 4WDing as well as visits to nearby towns (such as Avoca, Elmhurst and Amphitheatre). There are some magnificent wineries in the region and visits to these can be arranged on the weekend. Other than this, the plan is very malleable and input from those attending on the weekend is important as the options are great and varied in this picturesque region.

Full details will be issued to all attendees this weekend. Please let Stephen know if you are planning to attend via the Trip Intention Sheet or through the above contact details.

FIXING TYRES IN THE BUSH

Sat 13 April 2 – 5pm

Scott/Hyde residence, cnr Grand Ridge and Warragul Leongatha Roads,

Seaview

A technical session on how to change and repair tyres in the bush. Why take six wheels when five will do? What equipment do you need and how do you use it? Ideal for Simpson Desert planning.

Trip Leader: Les Scott, email: [email protected]

Stay for a BBQ before going on to:


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TRIP & SOCIAL REPORT

BUNYIP STATE FOREST NIGHT DRIVE

Sat 13 April (with option for overnight camp to Sun 14)

Meet at Caltex servo Longwarry on Princes Freeway. Finish at Kurth Kiln north of Gembrook or there is a camp-over option in Tonimbuk (please discuss with Jamie).

Trip Rating: Medium/Difficult.

Trip Leader: Jamie Scott, email: [email protected]

CRANBOURNE BOTANIC GARDENS TRIP

Sunday 21 April

Visit the newly opened second stage at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne. BBQ lunch at the Woodland Picnic area, then enjoy the bushwalks, bicycle track and the formal gardens. Free entry.

Trip Leader: Martin Foot, email: [email protected]

SIMPSON DESERT TRIP 2013

This trip has been on hold since 2011 due to inland road conditions, but hopefully will take place in 2013.

Likely timing: July/August

Vehicles will need to be suitably prepared and subject to prior inspection and approval Contact: Damian Stock, email: [email protected]

HIGH COUNTRY AROUND POREPUNKAH

Sat 2 – Tues 5 November (Cup Day long weekend)

Trip Leader: Steven Whittaker, email: [email protected]

OTHER TRIPS

Film Night – Drive-In? Narbethong

Cathedral Ranges A Picnic at Hanging Rock

Woods Point Goldfields Melbourne Laneways

We need leaders to run these trips, please contact me.

Martin Foot

Trip and Social Coordinator

Email: [email protected]

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TRIP REPORTS

TASMANIA TREKKIN’ (Part 2) February 16 - March 1 2013

Report written by Jessica Walsh

Wednesday Feb 20

The trip continues...

We awoke and packed up camp, and then headed onto the beach. There was a 2km section where we could drive alongside the river then out beside along the ocean. Then into Strahan to find coffee and internet to forward the first installment to Martin. We then drove to Queenstown being awestruck be the scenery at just about every turn, and there were many turns. This was turning out to be a regular thing in Tassie. In Queenstown we found a tyre repair shop that had a tyre for Michael’s car but alas not for Jessica’s. We waited the short while it took to replace the tyre then found a bakery to have a pie for lunch. Traveling east we made our way to Lake Burbury which had a mirror like surface as we had found a place without any wind. On our way to Lake St Clair we stopped on the side of the road and after a short walk found ourselves at Nelson Falls. Tasmania is full of little surprises like this! Lake St Clair is the deepest lake in Australia at 200m and is the headwater for the Derwent River, which flows down to Hobart. We spent a while looking at the exhibits in the interpretation centre, and walked down to the lake. Back in the cars and on our way to Wayatinah. This was a lovely caravan park on the banks of the Waytinah Lagoon. Jessica got out her toy helicopter and gave it a try, but it was a little too windy. Thursday Feb 21 After an early night, Stephen was up early the next morning to watch the sunrise. Michael and Jessica saw the sunrise as well, on Stephen’s camera! We were getting pretty good at packing and we were off. Continuing east and we stopped in Westerway for fuel

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TRIP REPORTS

and to grab something for lunch later on. We nearly drove past Junee caves, but decided to do a quick back-track to have a look. The cave was closed off but we could at least peer in the entrance. Junee cave system has Australia’s deepest cave (Niggly Cave). We didn’t go in to check. From there we headed to the Creepy Crawly Trail, only to find it was not so much about creepy-crawlies, rather we had to creep and crawl to get around the trees. It was still a good trail. At the appropriately named National Park we stopped at the national park office and again had a look around. We decided to head up to Strathgordon to look at the dams and possibly stay at Ted’s Beach. Unfortunately Ted’s Beach was pretty uninspiring so we considered our options while we continued to Serpentine and then Gordon dams. Jessica walked across Serpentine Dam while Stephen and Michael avoided a snake that came to investigate them. We promptly moved on to Gordon Dam and this was certainly an impressive construction. Lake Pedder was built with the intention of damming the Franklin later, however we all know how that battle ended. It was the catalyst for the Greens, and introduced the world to green triangle car stickers!

We headed back to National Park to investigate camping there, but the site fees were a little scary. We chose instead to head up a track Stephen had spotted earlier, and with a bit of investigating were soon set up in our own ‘fee-free’ camp. Once again Jessica tried her hand at piloting the helicopter. I think more practice is needed. Friday Feb 22 The next morning we headed back into National Park and bought the Park’s passes for our cars. At $60 they would allow us access into a few of the places we were planning on heading to (and had been)! We walked into Russell Falls which are iconic in this part of the world. There were an amazing number of

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TRIP REPORTS

Pademelons just off the path, so lots of photos. Stephen went on to the top of the falls, while Jessica returned to Michael at the cars. It was then off to Hobart. Jessica tried a little too hard to stay off the freeway and on the side roads, but we got there eventually. First item was to get a replacement tyre, which was quickly done (although the customer service was a bit lacking). We had a wander around the shopping centre while we waited. We were soon on the road again and off to Seven Mile Beach, where Michael had stayed in the past and had arranged accommodation for us for the weekend. It was an impressive resort that we quickly acclimatised to. After a bit of a clean up we went out for dinner at a local pub, where we met up with some old friends of Jessica’s and had a good meal combined with a good laugh Saturday Feb 23 Our stay in Hobart gave us the opportunity to do a few of the touristy things. Saturday morning we went down to Salamanca Market for an hour or two - where a friend of Jessica’s spotted her and posted about it online! The market was full of eclectic stalls with lots of wares. Michael ended up buying an elephant, Jessica just got a fridge magnet. After the market we headed up to MONA - a private art gallery of old and new art. It was quite impressive with the range of exhibits and would warrant a second visit for further study. From MONA we headed around Hobart to get to the top of Mt Wellington. The weather was a little hazy so the view could have been a little better, but it was still impressive. And very windy - the road and the weather. That night we cooked up a feast on the BBQ and once again slept on beds with real mattresses. That tragedy was just around the corner... Attendess:

Jessica Walsh 2010 2.0D Outback

Michael Hartshorne 2010 XT Forester

Stephen Whittaker 2007 X Forester

CLUB CALENDAR

Trip Standard Sign Vehicle Suitability

Easy All wheel drive and high range 4WD. Can be low clearance with single range and road tyres. Medium Suitable for medium clearance vehicles with dual range and all terrain or road tyres.

Difficult Suitable for medium to high clearance vehicles with dual range and all terrain tyres. Very Difficult Suitable for high clearance vehicles with dual range and tyres suitable for the terrain (eg. mud terrain tyres).

Date Event Location Standard Contact for further info. Cost

2012 [email protected]

MARCH

Tues 26 General Meeting+ Subaru Glen Waverley Stephen Whittaker

Fri 29 – Mon 1 April (Easter)

Pyrenees Ranges and Mt. Cole Trip Near Avoca in western Victoria

TBA Stephen Whittaker

APRIL

Tues 2 Committee Meeting Bev Davison’s Peter Bellis

Sat 14 Fixing tyres in the bush Seaview Jamie Scott

Sat 14 Bunyip Night Drive Caltex servo Longwarry Jamie Scott

Sat 14 Camp-over Tonimbuk Jamie Scott

Sun 21 Cranbourne Botanic Gardens Day Trip Ballarto Road Cranbourne

Social Martin Foot

Tues 30 General Meeting CSTC Stephen Whittaker

MAY+

TBA South Gippsland Trip Based at Jamie’s property

Jamie Scott

July/Aug Simpson Desert Trip Details TBC Damian Stock

Nov: Cup Day weekend

High Country around Porepunkah Details TBC TBA Stephen Whittaker

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CLUB MEETING MINUTES

General Meeting Minutes The general meeting of the Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc was held on Tuesday, 26

th February 2013 at the South Camberwell Tennis Club starting

at 8:20pm. 1. Present

Martin Foot, Jamie Scott, Les Scott, Peter Mynard, Andrew Jantke, Lisa Jantke, Katie Mynard, Jean Bellis, Dale Rebgetz, Paul Saleeba, Doug Greenall, Brian Howell, Phil Milkins, Elaine Milkins, Rick Koster.

2. Apologies Glenys Howell, Elaine Hyde, David Wilson, Jessica Walsh, Stephen Whittaker, Michael Hartshorne.

3. Visitors Gavin Hodgins - Floatpac

4. Welcome A welcome was extended to all members and visitors.

5. Guest Speaker

Gavin Hodgins, from Floatpac, gave a very informative presentation on water and fuel bladders for use in four wheel drive vehicles. Any members interested in purchasing such bladders should contact the

Resources Officer. A club discount on purchases is available. 6. Minutes of the Previous General Meeting

6.1 The minutes of the January 2013 General Meeting were accepted without amendment after being moved by Jamie Scott and seconded by Paul Saleeba.

6.2 There was no business arising from the minutes.

7. Correspondence 7.1 In

Magazines from various clubs and associations. Advertising material from various providers. 4WD Victoria

Invitation to the February 2013 general meeting Avalon Airshow – invitation to put 4wd vehicle on stand at show

or take people around the test track.

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Sale of MY wagon. Subaru Glen Waverley

7.2 Out None.

8. Reports 8.1 Resources

As per the magazine. Have small Subaru club stickers available for members. Not for use

on vehicles. Still taking orders for club clothing.

8.2 Editor

Is AWOL in Tasmania on a trip. Thanks to members who contributed articles for this month’s

magazine. Editorial deadline for March is 12

th March 2013.

8.3 Trip and Social

Refer to club calendar elsewhere in the magazine for details. Simpson Desert Trip

Have arranged a contingency trip if the Simpson Desert is not viable due to floods.

Future trip suggestions for which trip leaders are being sought. Cathedral ranges, Woods Point goldfields, Narbethong, Film

night at the Dromana drive-in theatre, A picnic at Hanging Rock, Laneways of Melbourne.

8.4 Venue Refer to elsewhere in the magazine for details.

8.5 Membership.

Nothing to report. 8.6 Treasurer

No report submitted. 8.7 Secretary

Nothing to report. 8.8 Vice President

Having a ball on the Tassie trip.

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8.9 President 4WD Victoria had a general meeting last Saturday. An interesting

presentation was made by the CFA about fire preparedness in terms of four wheel driving. An outcome of this is 4WD Victoria is looking at a bushfire survival kit for 4WDs. Another presentation was made on the current bushfire relief/recovery at Seaton.

This club is not the only one having trouble getting members on trips. Other larger clubs have similar challenges.

9. General Business 9.1 Recipe Book – Jackie is raising money to support “A21 – women

rescue service”. 9.2 Fundraising suggestion – raise the minimum for “fines and fun” to,

say, fifty cents. 9.3 Birthday wishes were extended to Elaine Milkins.

10. Fines and Fun

10.1 Nametags Peter Mynard, Les Scott.

10.2 Last to Meeting Rick Koster

10.3 Total fines collected - $2.00. 11. Photograph competition

The submitted photographs were presented via a Powerpoint presentation. Voting was by way of a ballot paper.

The categories and winners are: Best portrait – “No fear” – Peter Mynard Best action – “Check if it is clean under there, will you?” – Dale

Rebgetz Best close up (nature) – “A city in the desert” – Dale Rebgetz Best funny – “Fold...no roll...no fold” – Katie Mynard Best landscape – “Sunset statue” – Dale Rebgetz Best recovery – “Mud recovery” – Peter Mynard

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to those who contributed. Many thanks to Stephen for organising the competition and to Dale for

stepping in to run the judging. 12. Meeting closed at 10:45pm and was followed by supper. 13. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 26

th March 2013 commencing

at 7pm at Subaru Glen Waverley.

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COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Committee Meeting Minutes Minutes of the meeting of the committee of the Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc held on Tuesday 5th March 2013 at the home of Andrew Jantke starting at 7:45pm. 1. Present Andrew Jantke, Damian Stock, Peter Bellis, Stephen Whittaker, Phil Milkins, Bob Marshall, Dale Rebgetz, Michael Hartshorne, Bev Davison. 2. Apologies Martin Foot, Jessica Walsh. 3. Quorum A quorum was achieved with 9 committee members present. 4. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

4.1. Minutes of the February 2013 meeting were accepted without amend-ment, after being moved by Bob and seconded by Bev. 4.2. Business Arising from the Minutes and Outstanding Actions

4.2.1. Club Constitution Changes ● Currently 95% through evaluating the changes and developing a new constitution. ● Next step is to review the proposal with Jessica. Then, the updated proposal will be submitted to the committee for review at the April committee meeting or a separate special meeting. ● Intention is to have the proposed new constitution submitted to the club at the May general meeting for adoption by way of a special resolution.

4.2.2. Pre-2003 Club Website – Martin will continue to follow up with Mark Tyseen. 4.2.3. Club brochure – needs to be updated.

● Stephen will review and update the current brochure. 4.2.4. FWD Victoria membership stickers – will be sent out with the next magazine or handed out at the next meeting. 4.2.5. Fundraising

4.2.5.1. BBQs – have some alternatives to Bunnings, such as Masters. 4.2.5.2. Oil additive – have received a 15% discount. 4.2.5.3. Chocolates – Jessica to follow up.

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4.2.6. Club website ● Dale, Stephen and Martin yet to discuss new engine for website.

4.2.7. Membership survey ● Have the survey conducted at meetings by a committee member quizzing members.

Andrew and Damian to organise.

5. Correspondence 5.1. In

● Australia Post ● PO box renewal for Mount Waverley. ● GPO box renewal for the city – will not renew. ● Consumer Affairs Victoria – annual return lodgement reminder. ● Various club magazines

●Subaru 4WD Club of South Australia ●Land Rover Owners’ Club of Victoria

● Four Wheel Drive Victoria - Delegates’ brief sheet ● Enquiry about suitability of an Outback 2011 2.4lt auto for doing the Flinders Ranges and Sky Trek.

5.2. Out ● None.

6. Reports 6.1. Resources

● Large club stickers for vehicles are available to members on request at no cost. ● Oil additive – Dale asked for information to include in his monthly report.

6.2. Trip and Social

Date Event Details

Sat 9 to Mon 11 Mar

Buchan Maintenance at the camp-site. Trip leader is David Wilson or Damien Stock Day trips in the area So far, have 4 people at-tending

Fri 29 Mar to Mon 1 Apr (Easter)

Mount Cole / Pyrenees Ranges

Trip standard is medium Trip leader is Stephen Whittaker

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● Buchan o Need to spend about $200 to $300 to finish fixing up the shelter.

o The track in also needs some additional work and make the site ac-

cessible.

Mount Cole / Pyrenees Ranges

Will be pretripped in the next few weeks.

Future trip suggestions for which trip leaders are being sought. o Cathedral ranges

o Woods Point goldfields

o Narbethong

o Film night at the Dromana drive-in theatre

o A picnic at Hanging Rock

o Laneways of Melbourne.

Date Event Details

Sat 14 Apr Bunyip night drive Trip standard is medium Bunyip state forest. Would include a tyre mainte-nance / changing session in the afternoon at Les’ place Have a camping option for the Saturday night depending upon interest.

Sun 21 Apr Cranbourne Botanical Gardens

Trip standard is social. Martin Foot is the trip leader.

Mat South Gippsland trip Trip standard is medium to hard. Trip leader is Jamie Scott.

Sat 13 July to Sun 4 Aug

Simpson Desert crossing Trip standard is medium to hard. Trip leader is Damien Stock. Currently have 5 to 6 vehicles. Vehicle needs to meet trip requirements.

Sat 2 to Tue 5 Nov (Melbourne Cup w/e)

High Country around Porepunkah

Trip standard is medium to hard

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● 4WD Victoria – is running a one-day first aid course on Saturday 16th

March 2013. Cost is $145. ● Simpson Desert – will have a trip intention sheet at the next meeting.

6.3 Venue

● Need to consider visiting Cambur Subaru. ● Will follow up with other potential guest speakers for future months. ● The February meeting went well with the presentation from Flexi-Tank.

6.4. Membership ● New membership applications

The application for family membership from Doug and Michelle Greenall, North Balwyn, was tabled for consideration. After due consid-eration, the application was accepted.

The application for family membership from Peter and Jill Berry, Wil-liamstown, was tabled for consideration. After due consideration, the application was accepted.

Andrew will inform the new members of their membership application acceptance.

6.5. Editor ● As per Martin – the editorial work is all Michael’s this month. 6.6. Treasurer ● Current bank account balance is $3,046.54. ● Major payments – trailer registration.

Date Speaker / Event Details

Tues 26 Mar Subaru Glen Waverley New Forester model release Start ealier at 7pm with the meeting at 8pm Counter tea at the Village Green (next door) at 6pm is an option. Will need to book a few days beforehand.

Tue 30 Apr Telstat UHF and VHF radio, sat phone, sat navigation units Need to confirm

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6.7. Secretary ● Nothing to report. 6.8. Vice-President ● No report submitted.

6.9. President ● The 4WD Victoria stand at the Avalon air show was a great success, in particular, the four wheel drive test track. ● 4WD Victoria continues to support the BlazeAid work at Maffra.

7. General Business

● Stephen has a tent for sale. ● Joint club activities ● Damian will make an approach to the Victoria AWD Club about some combined club trips and monthly meetings. ● Driver education ● Need to do an update of members’ 4WD driving skills. ● Needs to occur in the next few months under the auspices of 4WD Vic-toria. ● Will need to have more than 5 vehicles to get Rob Pepper to run the training.

8. Next Meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd April 2013 at 7:30pm at the home of Bev Davison. 9. Meeting closed at 10:01pm.

Page: 24

RESOURCES

We have plenty of resources to sell. We may have many, some or none of the following items so if you are interested in any of these then please come along to the club meeting and I will be very happy to sell them to you. Correct change will be much appreciated.

$

Hat Oiled Skin size 55 20.00

Hat Safari size 59 20.00

Black caps with club logo 15.00

Short sleeve blue chambray shirt with logo Size 14 40.00

New Style Red Polo Shirts (M, L, XL, 2XL) 30.00

New Style Vest 60.00

Blue Polo Shirt 15.00

Large Sew on Badges 3.50

Small Sew on Badges 2.00

Shackles 3.2 tonne 5.00

Fuel Filter Plastic x 45deg. 7.00

Fuel Filter Plastic x 90deg. 7.00

Fuel Filter Plastic x Straight 5.00

eFlare HZ510 Red with Base 66.00

CV Boot Clamps Large & Small 4.00

CV Joint Grease 6.00

Wheel Nuts [Set of 4] 1.60

For substantial discounts on all general automotive spare parts, oils, filters, shocks, etc., please see me for details. Thanks, Dale Rebgetz Resources Officer, email: [email protected]

Photo Competition Winners

Page: 25

Best Portrait Peter Mynard with "No Fear" from the 2012

Grampians Trip

Best Action Dale Rebgetz with "Check if it's Clean" from

the 2012 High Country Christmas Trip

Best Close-up (Nature)

Jan Rebgetz with "A City in the Desert" from

the 2011 Border Track Trip

Best Funny Katie Mynard with "Fold... no roll...

no fold" from the 2011 Border Track Trip

Best Landscape Dale Rebgetz with "Sunset

Silhouette" from the 2011 Lake Eyre Trip

Best Recovery Peter Mynard with "Mud Recovery"

from the 2012 Kurth Kiln Christmas Trip

Page: 26

FOR SALE

I wrote recently about tyre pressures on road; but what about off road? Do we need to drop them just for sand, and how much? Well the answer is - 'It depends'. If you lower your pressures you will have greater contact area with the road (or whatever you may be on) so that will give you better traction.

A gravel road will not need the tyres dropped as much as say a sandy track. The more you drop them the greater the effect. Lower pressures will also allow the tyres to mould themselves over rocks and ruts in the track. Unless the pressure is dropped dramatically there is not much risk of damage to the sidewall as the tyre spreads out longways not sideways.

If you drop them too much though, you run the risk of rolling off the rim when cornering. Once again it comes down to experience. Try different pressures and feel the difference.

Happy Travels Jessica Walsh

JESSICA’S JOTTINGS

The club makes this space available free of charge to members wishing to buy or sell items.

Please note that the Motor Car Trader Regulations 1998-22(4) require that vehicles for sale

advertisements must contain: (a) the cash price of the vehicle and; (b) the registration number

if registered or the engine/chassis numbers if unregistered. Contact the club editor to advertise

in this space.

Mountain Bike plus Tow Bar type 3 bike carrier, safety helmet The lot $120 o.n.o. Contact Bob Marshall, email: [email protected]

Forester Aluminium Bash Plates: made from 6.0mm construction grade aluminium: $300 for club members, $330 for non-members. Fitting can be arranged. Contact: David Wilson, email: [email protected]

Beige 1988 Subaru DL wagon, 5 speed manual dual range, carburettor 1.8 litre engine, MY89. After 24 years, this well loved work horse is being put out to pasture. Single owner. Not subject to finance. Could make a good club car. Currently registered UTJ400, but will be sold without RWC and without plates.405000km. Has been well maintained by Combined Servicing. VINJF2AN5ER0CE415801 $1000 negotiable. Russell 0418 102 255

Page: 27

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIA TRAINING CALENDAR

April 2013

Friday 5th 4WD & AWD Proficiency (PC130406) - Theory

Saturday 6th 4WD & AWD Proficiency (PC130406) - Practical

Saturday 6th Winch Recovery (WR130406)

Friday 12th Chainsaw Course (CS130414) - Theory

Sunday 14th Chainsaw Course (CS130414) - Practical

Thursday 18th 4WD & AWD Proficiency (PC130420) - Theory

Friday 19th OziExplorer (OZ130419)


May 2013

Thursday 2nd Track Classification Course (TC130505) - Theory

Friday 3rd 4WD & AWD Proficiency (PC130504) - Theory


Sunday 5th Track Classification Course (TC130505) - Practical



Friday 17th— Monday 20th Sand Driving Couse—Portland (SA130518)

Friday 17th Ladies 4WD & AWD Proficiency (LC130519) - Theory

Sunday 19th Ladies 4WD & AWD Proficiency (LC130519) - Practical

Wednesday 29th 4WD Driver Awareness (DA130529)

June 2013

Friday 31st May 4WD & AWD Proficiency (PC130601) - Theory

Saturday 1st 4WD & AWD Proficiency (PC130601) - Practical


Friday 21st Map Reading & Introduction to GPS (MR130621)

Saturday 22nd 4WD & AWD Proficiency (PC130622) - Practical

FWDV can be contacted on 9857 5209 or e-mail: [email protected] Contact S4WDCV Secretary Peter Bellis email: [email protected]

regarding attendance at FWDV courses as a club discount may apply.



subaru 4wd club of vic magazine - march 2013

Documents

wd club of victoria

club activities

membership fees

good month

month of autumn

volksbaru subaru

membership officer

seniors card