The Victorian MilitaryVehicle Corps Inc.

NewsletterA5955

JUNE 2003

V M V C

Victorian Military Vehicle CorpsJULY 2002

OFFICE BEARERS: CO-OPTED MEMBERS:

PRESIDENT:Lionel Smart (03) 9758 2748Email: lionelsmart(ihotmai1.com

EDITORS:Leanne McPhersonAlex McPherson1 Simmons S1.TECOMA 3160

(03) 9752 6216

Fax: (03) 9752 6216

VICE PRESIDENT:Don Ashton (03) 5962 4587

SECRETARY:Brian BrownPO Box 367RESERVOIR 3073

(03) 9436 9016

TRIP COMMI1TEE:Don AshtonMichael Kaukas

(03) 5962 4587(03) 9870 8287

TREASURER:Michael KaukasVMVC Treasurer6 Avalon GroveRINGWOOD 3134COMMITIEE MEMBERS:David MarshGraham JacobsIan Eddy

(03) 9870 8287

LIBRA/QUARTERMSTER:David Marsh (03) 87114385

0403 503 043Email: davidmarsh01(ihotmail.com

AOMC DELEGATES:Gordon Edwards (03) 9376 8208

(03) 9779 0212(03) 9467 2001(03) 9778 4097

VEHICLE INSPECTION OFFICER:Lionel Smart (03) 9758 2748

CATERING OFFICER:Ian Eddy (03) 9778 4097

Meetings held at RAS OF TOBRUK HAL, 44 Victoria Avenue, ALBERTPARK - first Tuesday of the month. EMERGENCIES ONLY on meeting night,contact (03) 9690 5710.No meeting in January.WEB SITE: ww.vmvc.cjb.netCONTACT: Ian Eddy vmvc(ßhotmai1.com OR (03) 97784097

The Editors reserve the right to amend, edit or delete any articles or items sub-mitted for publication in the Newsletter. Further, the Editors do not necessarilyagree with any opinions expressed within.

CLUB ITEMS FOR SALEJumper Badge $5.00 ea (square type) Shoulder Flash $5.00 eachMetal Hat badge $5.00 each Club Logo badge $5.00 each (round type)Peak Cap with Logo badge $8.00 Window stickers $1.50Tac Sign Stickers $2.50 Tac Sign holders $2.50 each (sml &Ige)Left Hand Drive stickers $10.00 ea Victorian Club Permit scheme book $4.00

NEW BY ORDER ONLYPolo T shirts $18.00 each (with embroidered logo)Windcheaters $25.00 each (with embroidered logo)

Contact David Marsh Librarian/QM.(03) 8711 4385

SUBMITTING ITEMS TO THE NEWSLETTERWhen submitting items for the newsletter DO NOT SEND: Coming Events whichmust be sent to the Secretary or articles or photo's on floppy disc as they will NOTBE PRINTED due to problems of computer Virus, discs damaged in transit andother issues that we have encountered in the past.

Also we are not the mailing list editors and as such all changes of address shouldbe forwarded to the Secretary to be passed on to the mailing list Editor who is Rus-sel Sloan.

WE ACCEPT ONLY: Trip reports, general articles, for sale and wanted Ads. Allother correspondence must be sent to the Secretary.Place your ad or article on hard copy and we wil print it as space permits. Thesecan be Faxed or posted. Short for sale and wanted adverts can be telephonedthrough.Your co-operation with this wil ensure continued smooth running and a high qualitynewsletter.

Alex McPherson Editor.

FRONT COVERThis months front cover pic is of a GMC CCKW 6X6. Interestingly, although nor-mally classed as 2 1/2 ton, this pic classes it as 3 ton. Of particular note is theextra high hood bows and cover on the rear of the vehicle. A clue to the reasonbehind this are the 2 ramps leading into the tray. The answers wil follow on thecovers of the next few issues. It includes another more standard GMC in the entirevehicle combination.

Ed.

JUN 3 - TUE MEETING - Tobruk house 8pm

JUN 28 - SAT QUEENSCLIFF 150TH ANNIVERSARY - MilitaryVehicle display 10.00 am - 3.00 p.m. All VMVC mem-bers welcome. Due to limited space, contact Frank Vellaon 5253 1515 or 0415 593992 by 21 June to reserve aspace.

JUN 29 - SUN WARBURTON WINTERFEST - Static display. Excitingprizes including "Best Club Presentation". Arrival before9.00 am. Meet in Lilydale at 8.00 am in the service road,just before the railway line or make your own way there.

JUL 1 - TUE MEETING - Tobruk house 8pm. A vote on the additionto the constitution wil be taken.

JUL 6 - SUN RESERVE FORCES MARCH IN MELBOURNE - Theyrequire only 4 vehicles which will be called for at the

JuneMeeting.

AUG 5-TUE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - Tobruk house 8 p.m.

MARONG FEDERATION PICNIC - Camping at theSaints at Burkes Flat Full details later.

AUG 28 -1 SEPT

2005 3RD TRACKERS OUTBACK TOUR - For details anditinerary contact Bob Dimer on (08) 9453 2356

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

No. 114 David Wheeler 284 Rippon Rd. Hamilton VIC 3300 PH 5571 1310

ADDITION TO THE MEMBERSHIP LISTBecause of a mix up in the Clubs book work, the following member was mistakenly leftoff the list. Please add him to your list

No 331 Damian McFarlane 16 Little Myers St. Geelong 3220 PH 5221 4342

Our apologies to Damian for the omission.

MINUTES OF VMVC Inc A5955 GENERAL MEETING HELD AT ROTA HALL6th May 2003

MEETING OPENED BY PRESIDENT: at 8.05 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: 31 Members and Guests

NEW MEMBERS: NiL.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Moved: P. Brinsden, Seconded: D. Bailey

BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING: Nil

CORRESPONDENCE IN:Tony Meakes: letting the Club know about the Steam Rally in Echuca.Marathon Spare Parts: Advising of the Auction coming up at Tamworth.Reserve Forces day Council: requesting about 4 vehicles fore their march.RSL: Kindred minutes.Newsletters from: MVCS of SA, MVCS of NSW, Land Rover Club.

CORRESPONDENCE OUT:To Jim Bennie: Thanking him on behalf of members for bringing his DUKW toCorowa and giving rides to all who wanted one.To Tony Meakes: That there had been a mix up with the book keeping and he wasfinanciaL.To Capt. Peter Wertheimer: Advising that we can supply 4 vehicles for their march.

CORRESPONDENCE ACCEPTED: Moved: R. Geddes, Seconded: J. Chapple.

AOMC REPORT: NiL.

TREASURERS REPORT:BALANCE AT APRIL MEETING $7,270.12CASH IN: Late annual fees $47.50TOTAL CASH IN: $47.50BALANCE $7,317.62

CASH OUT: Print May NewsletterPost May NewsletterAnzac Day Catering

Bank FeesTOTAL CASH OUT:

BalanceAccounting Error

BALANCE AT MAY MEETING

$335.75$102.26

$40.00$1.30

$479.31$6,838.31

$62.03$6,776.28

TREASURER'S REPORT: Moved: G. Jacobs, Seconded: B. Fenner

GENERAL BUSINESS: The President stated that the May Meeting was not listedin the newsletter and needs to be to cover CH vehicles and the constitution. RayEdsal said he was going to the auction at Marathon Spares and if anyone wantedsomething brought back, to let him know. The President spoke on the addition ofthe Grievance procedure to the Constitution. It wil be voted on at the July meeting.Jim Harris gave a run down on Anzac Day. There were 167 tasks and we carriedabout 700 people who could not march. In 2000 we had 67 Club vehicles, 8 Armyand 3 Civilian. In 2003 we had only 47 Club Vehicles, 12 Army and 17 civilians.The President thanked Jim and his group of organisers, the ramp staff and thehelpers at the Shrine. Our Caterer Ian Eddy for the pre march coffee and tea and toDave Furness for helping to get the number of vehicles to the march. He alsoreminded members that the march Organisers have always stated that they wouldprefer ALL windscreens to be up, not down and drivers to be dressed in greens orsimilar and to wear hats. The Secretary told the meeting that after 21 years of do-ing the march it was the first time he had felt disappointed that we had to struggle toget members there in their vehicles. Surely this is the one day in the year whereyou make an extreme effort to help out the diggers. The meeting was remindedthat anyone going to Warburton Winterfest should send in an entry form. The dona-tion of $120.00 from the sale at Officer wil be used to buy door prizes for the Ladiesnight in December. The Secretary said he had a call from Damian McFarlanesaying that his name was not on the membership list. After checking with theTreasurer, it was found that he was financial so the Secretary rang back to advisehim. His details wil be put in the next newsletter along with an apology. The meet-ing was reminded that 2 videos would be shown after the meeting. Corowa 1992and Woods Point Bush Trip 1999.

REPORTS ON PAST EVENTS: Brian spoke on the Club Swap Meet. It rained andmost people stood under the shelter to stay dry. Even with the rain it was wellattended. The President thanked Bevan Fenner for the use of his property and hisbrother John for cooking the BBQ. Lionel spoke on the day at the Scout Expo atSandown. Again we had light rain fallng on and off. We were fed and lots of coffeeand tea. 10 vehicles were in attendance.

COMING EVENTS: As the Newsletter.

SALES AND WANTS: Don Bailey said that there was a Dodge Power Wagon to beauctioned at Gisborne on the 18th May. Ray Edsal has some Dodge parts for sale.

THE MEETING CLOSED at 8.40pm.

IFOR SALE

I

Ferret Scout Car: 1951 MK1 converted to

MK2 by the Australian Army. Fullyrestored, excellent condition. Has C42Radio and intercom. British Number 36BE 42, Engine number 10846, Aust armynumber 115120.$15,000.00 Wil also consider exchangefor Dodge M37.

Contact Bruce McCann on (02) 9863 7662Or 0401 779 004

SWB Ex Army Land Rover.1963 Series 2a. A1 condition, Totalrebuild, Road worthy certificate, fullreg no. RIW-561, Engine no.25142983C, Chassis no.24303462A.

$7,800.00 Negotiable.

Contact John Brown on 9758 5964after 7 p.m.

Bren Gun Carrier, LP2a Unfinished project. 90% complete with engine gearbox,NOS radiator, oil cooler, duplex coupling. Includes accessories such as Vikers andBren tripods, stove, most bins, original rear guards, engine cover, lights, horn, trackwinch etc etc. Heaps of engine parts including sleeves, pistons, rings, bearings,brake parts, drive sprockets etc. Far too much to cover in this ad. Uncut hull no2802. $5,000.00

Contact Alex Me Pherson on 9752 6216 after 5.30 p.m.

Smoke dischargers. 4 barrel, to suit later vehicles such as Scorpion Light tank.Brand new condition, rubber cover missing off one discharger. Complete withinternal wiring and plug

$85.00 Negotiable. Contact Alex McPherson on 9752 6216 after 5.30 p.m.

TRIP REPORTSCOROWA 2003 - A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Having read numerous trip reports that went something like 'We formed up and setoff in convoy to where ever", I decided to tell the real; story and hopefullyencourage others to tell of their restoration and travel experiences with a bit moreimagination. There we were on the last climb out of Dargo, half way around thecorner and 'aachoo', stopped, nothing, smack in the middle of the road. But this isthe end of the story. The real story began 10 months previously.

It all started with the purchase of a Studebaker US6 (ex Wolsley Park - GlenroyNSW Bush Fire Brigade) that was very complete but to be a perfectly honest, a bitsad. Having towed it home we decided to try and have it ready for Corowa 2003,being as you all know by now, the year of the Studebaker. After replacing a faultyignition condenser, fitting a modern 8 volt coil system and freeing up a stuck valve,it ran like a Swiss watch (although having children and Military vehicles I'LL neverown one so can only presume what that's like.) What's next? Bite the bullet, trayoff, cab off and sand blast unti the yard looks like Fraser Island. (At least I wonthave to take the kids there on holidays.) Watch that sixty year old iron oxide disap-pear before your very eyes, sublet the front guards out to a mates mate, (panelbasher) who promised on a stack of Bibles to have them done "soon", tailgate toanother mate, (sheet metal type) to build another, too much reversing by feel?(Ours was the one at Corowa with the mangled red tailgate on an otherwise olivedrab truck).

Most of you have done the rest, you know, rust, more rust, brakes, wheel bearings,wiring, painting etc. Slowly over a period of months it was coming together. It wasabout this time, January, it suddenly dawned on me. There was absolutely no wayit was going to be ready by March 2005, let alone in 2 months time. What to do. Ireminded the keeper of the front guards, "Yep, no worries, I'LL get onto it." I used aweek of my leave and successfully went around in ever increasing circles whilstachieving very little. All spare time before and after work and on weekends werespent out in the shed working feverishly on "that damn truck" as my mother wastold by my seven year old daughter when she inquired as to what I was doing.

Two weeks to go and stil noguards. When I politely en-quired how they were going Iwas asked, "Do you really wantthem for Corowa as it's a longway in a bloody old truck?" Myreply needless to say is unprint-able. (Possibly in a foreign lan-guage? Ed.) Fortunately i wasowed plenty of holidays, so an-other 2 weeks off and into it,6.30 am til late, cab painted andon, tray on etc. I conned myoid

man to do the tray woodwork. (When they invent wood craft electrodes or migwire, I'LL have a go at it myself) and finally got those wayward guards with 4 days togo - phew!

Wednesday morning, into Sale and organised a permit, home and painted the tray.That afternoon i drove it 10 kilometres into town and filed and several, no, manyjerrycans with fuel, blowing a hole in $320 in the process. This was it's and my firstdrive since the rebuild started 10 months previously. The gearbox is noisy as hellin 4th and 5th gear but as i found out the next day, you don't hear it after about 4hours (actually, you can't hear anything much) everything else seemed prettreasonable so loaded her up with a bit of camping gear and a lot of spares and hitthe sack.

Being unable to sleep, i set off at 6.30 am Thursday morning, heart in mouth viaOmeo and Mt. Hotham. Fortunately, they opened the road that week after beingclosed for a considerable time due to the bush fires as there was no way i wouldhave driven round through Melbourne.

At the last minute the missus (Cheryl) took pity on me and said she and ouryoungest daughter (the eldest didn't want to miss school - strange kid) would fol-low in the Patrol "just in case" but elected to leave a couple of hours later as Iwould be a bit slow. They caught up at Omeo around 11 when i stopped for a cof-fee and the daughter let it slip that it appears they were expecting to see me on theside of the road before Stratford, 30 Km from home - Ye of little faith! Kristen de-

cided to ride with Dad in theStude at this stage so we set offwith hersinging, no Cd player, andcounting the gear clashes aswe went. She soon ran out offingers so gave that up.Everything was goingswimmingly, stopped for a pitstop (darn coffee) and photoopportunity on the top of Mt.Hotham and away we went,literally as it was at this stagethat it decided to liven things up

a bit and jumped out of 3rd gear and we were off. S- - T!! i exclaimed, fighting tofind a gear, hauled it to a stop,sweating profusely, Kristen asks, 'What's wrong?" As they say, ignorance is bliss.Nothing for it but to proceed to Harrietvile in 2nd gear and once there all was OKand 10 and a half hours and 440 Kms, arrived at Corowa where i had to be helpedfrom the cab and couldn't straighten for about 2 weeks. (The chiropractor lookedpuzzled when he asked, 'What's wrong with you?" My reply was, "Studebakerback.")

Saturday dawned with the once Swiss watch JXD engine idling like a Taiwanesejunk, in hind sight, this was the lead up to the first part of the story. None the less

But by mid Sunday afternoon, the caravan park resembled Sturts stony desert,without the stones, so we decided to make a start and camp at Harrietvile for thenight. The Stude stil not idling 100% but I can't put my finger on it. Monday morn-ing at Harrietville was crisp but shaping up to be a nice day so to cut 2 hours off thetrip, we elected to return via the Dargo high plains road, 40 something Kms ofgravel, but a lot shorter. It turned out to be a tad rougher than I recalled but not toobad as I only had to stop 2 or 3 times to refit plug leads when they bounced offcrossing stock grids "at speed" relatively speaking.

Finally Dargo and lunch at the store where the guy said I was the second vehiclethrough from Corowa. There was somebody camped on his door step this morn-ing, he was out of fuel and brakes - no names, no pack dril but his initials wereEJM and he was in an old Jeep truck, loaded with parts, (sorry mate). From Dargothere is a 20 Km climb then it's down hil all the way. This is when I heard thatnoise that every pilot dreads, silence as she stopped in the middle of the road on ablind corner with a good drop on our side. Fortunately, Cheryl was close so wequickly threw a rope around the front and dragged it, with much wheel spin, off theroad, nearly, to a suitable parking spot. After diagnosis, another U/S condenserand fortunately, having a spare we were soon on our way to uneventfully completethe 90 odd K's remaining. This then is the abridged version of my trip to Corowaand the things I have learnt from this experience - firstly, never rely on anyone elseand new stock is better than new old stock any day. Oh, and I'm stil waiting onthe tailgate.

Leigh ShieldsVMVC #179

SCOUT EXPOSANDOWN

Leaving home with the weather not looking very impressive on my own in the Fer-

ret, I decided I'd go in the convoy leaving Lionel's. Ben wasn't able to get hisLandy out so needed a lift and crewed the Ferret with me. Hence part way downFerntree Gully Road, Ben and I outstripped the convoy and made our own waythere. Fully expecting to get there well before the rest of the group, we headeddown Jacksons Road and expected to reach the highway. Stopping at the lightsnear the overpass at Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre, i accelerated when theychanged to green and went about 60 metres before I heard the BANG over the topof my headset and the Ferret severely swerve to the right and towards theoncoming traffic. i did my best to correct it and it was handling like a wet spongeon a bathroom floor. Decelerating, i pulled it over and exited the vehicle to find theright rear tyre flat. The weather had fined up and Ben and i worked up a sweatchanging the wheels over. Most interesting was that the 10 ton hydraulic jack Iuse didn't quite fit under the rear of the hull when the tyre is flat, misses out byabout 5 mm, damn!! So I lay on the ground jacking up the side of the hull in frontof the rear wheel rather than a safer place at the rear. Ben stood by my feet reduc-ing the risk of another driver running me over.

With the wheels changed over we continued on, getting there after the convoy weleft with. Inspection of the tyre produced a six inch nail which went straight in. Theadrenalin was stil pumping from struggling to keep it on the left of the road.

The rest of the day was spent socialising, looking at the various displays andavoiding the intermittent rain which continued throughout the day. As usual wewere well looked after by the Scouts with lunch, coffee, tea, more coffee and moretea being provided all day. As usual, Ian Jarrott excelled and taught us that vanillaslices should be placed on their sides when you are required to slice them intoequal proportions. Placing them on their sides prevents the custard from beingsquashed out the sides, the pastry holding the lot together. Made the trip all worthwhile. We departed about 1530 hours before the big wet hit.

Alex McPhersonEditor.

Right: Dodge CommandCar belonging to DerykWalker of the Military Ve-hide Owners of Orange

County(USA)

ADDITION TO THE CONSTITUTION

The Department of Justice, Consumer Affairs Vie. have instructed the club thatwe MUST include the Grievance Procedure into our Constitution as it is the law.As it has to be done according to the rules, it wil be put to the members at theJuly meeting to vote on. Please remember that it must be included.The following is what they have given us to be included,

Rule 8. (1) The Grievance Procedure set out in this rule applies to disputesunder these rules between - .

(a) a member and another membe, or(b) a member and the Association.(2) The parties to the dispute must meet and discuss the matter in .

dispute, and, if possible resolve the dispute within 14 days after thedispute comes to the attention of all the parties.

(3) If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute at the meeting, or if -a party fails to attend that meeting, then the parties rhust, within 10days, hold a meeting in the presence of a mediator.

(4) The mediator must be:

(a) a person chosen by agreement between the part~esor

(b) in the absence of agreement(1) in the case of a dispute between a member and another

member, a person appointed by the Committee of theAssociation; or

(2) in the case of a dispute between a member and theAssociation, a person who is a medfator appointed oremployed by the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria(Department of Justice).

(5) A member of the Association can be a mediator.(6) The mediator cannot be a membår who is a part to the dispute.(7) The parties to the dispute must, in good faith, attemptto settle the

dispute by mediation

(8) The mediator, in conducting the mediation, must:

(a) give the parties to the mediation process every opportunity tobe heard, and(b) allow due. consideration by all parties of any written statementsubmitted by any part; and

(c) ensure that natural justice is accorded to the parties to thedispute throughout the mediation process.

(9) The mediator must not determine the dispute.(10) 'I the mediation process does not result in the dispute being

resolved, the parties may seek td resolve the dispute in accordancewith the Act otherwise at law. ' .

.---_..-~--The above wil be entered at rule 8 in the Constitution and all existing rules_wilbe moved on, one number. -

VICTORIAN MILITARY VEHICLE CORPS INCNOMINATION FOR COMMITTEE 2003/2004

I hereby nominate

For the position of

At the Annual Elections of the VMVC Inc.

Signed: Dated:

I hereby second the above nomination:

Signed: Dated:

I hereby accept the above nomination:

Signed: Dated:

Nomination forms MUST be in the hands of the Secretary by 9.00 p.m.On 20 JUNE 2003. Please hand or post direct to- Brian Brown

PO Box 367Reservoir 3073

23

(1) Nomination of candidates for election as officers of the Associationor as ordinary members of the Committee-

( a) shall be made in writing, signed by two members of the Associationand accompanied by the written consent of the Candidate (whichmay be endorsed on the form of nomination) AND

(b) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Association no later than20 June each year.

DISCLAMER

The statements and opinions expressed in this Newsletter are not necessarily those ofthe members or Committee of the Victorian Military Vehicle Corps Inc. We do nottake responsibilty for any statements, advertisements, notices, letters or opinionsthat are published. Such are published at the risk of the contributor who acceptsliabilty for any intended publication. Writers of articles provide their suggestions

and opinions as general information only and accept no responsibility if you chooseto follow-up their suggestions.

All contributors agree to indemnify the publisher and warrant that the material isaccurate and is neither deceptive nor misleading, in breach of copyright, defamatory,or in breach of any laws.

VMVC NEWSLETIERPrint Post NumberPP 341278/0012If undelivered, return to:PO Box 367RESERVOIR VIC 3073

SURFACE

MALPOSTAGE

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ALEC DUKE

P.O. BOX 381

MYRTLEFORD

VIC 3737

Change of Address or Vehicle Details

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Address:.............................................................. .. State:.......... Postcode:..... ....

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.............................................................................................................................Return to: VMVC Inc., PO Box 367 RESERVOIR 3073