NISSAN NEWS

Which picture do you think represents a responsible WandarrahFebruary practice? 2018

This Issue: • Rubicon Valley Trip • Haunted Stream Trip • Blue Rag/Mayford Reccy • Snatch Strap Notice

Regd. No 4000 647 Print Post Approved No. 100003389

Nissan News is the official magazine of The Nissan Four Wheel Drive Club of In this issue.... Inc. (“the Club”) which is a member of Four Wheel Drive Victoria. Articles, trip reports, social and technical reports etc are welcomed for inclusion in Nissan 3 Calender of Events News. 4 Trips and Events General Meetings: 7 Know your By-Laws Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month (except January) at 9 Snatch Strap Notice the Keysborough Senior Citizens Club, 352 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. 10 Rubicon Valley Trip Report (Melways Map Ref 89 D9 ). General and Committee Meetings commence at 7.45 PM Sharp. 14 Haunted Stream Trip Report 17 Blue Rag/Mayford Reccy Report Correspondence: 22 Minutes: December 2017 General All correspondence (except articles for Nissan News) should be addressed to: 23 Minutes: January 2018 Committee The Secretary Nissan 4WD Club of Victoria Inc. PO Box 351 Springvale 3171 CLOSING DATE FOR Website: www.nissan4x4vic.com.au MAGAZINE The Editor reserves the right to reject articles submitted for publication. The views and or opinions expressed in Nissan News are not necessarily the views, opinions or policies of the Editor or of the Nissan 2nd Friday monthly Four Wheel Drive Club Inc. Acceptance of advertising does not necessarily imply endorsement of products or associated companies or individuals by the Nissan Four Wheel Drive Club Inc.

Advertising Rates CLUB LIFE MEMBERS

Full Page: Steve Trickey Clive Garaway From $670 (colour) / $460 (black & white) John Barnes Paul Warner Half Page: Peter Simpson John Tomlinson the Editor $380 (colour) / $260 (black & white) Gary Lister Trevor Heale Eighth Page: Alan McCabe $110 (colour) / $75 (black & white) Hi all, “One off” page advertising CLUB BANK DETAILS (introductions, special promotions etc) per page $100 (colour) / $70 (B&W) Welcome to 2018. I am sure everyone BSB: 063 245 had an enjoyable Christmas and Happy A/C No: 1004-7061 For items marked on "For Sale" pages New Year Celebrations. A/C Name: members can list items for sale at no Nissan 4X4 Club of Victoria charge for 3 months. Non-members You will notice some minor alterations to $10 (conditions apply, contact Editor for Remember to include your name in the look of the magazine just to keep it details). the reference details. interesting.

Hoping everyone is planning some Membership trips for the upcoming year as there are plenty of vacant weekends at the A new member joins the Club as an Associate Member. Once the following attainments are moment. :) Besides I am extreamly low achieved the member can apply for Full Membership: on trip reports and need some content. • Been an Associate Member for 6 months. • Participated in a Club working bee and/or • Completed Driver Training. kitchen roster at a general meeting. So if you have any trip reports or articles • Attended 2 club trips. • Attended at least 4 general meetings. of interest please send them to me. Full membership form is available in the members pack or request from Membership Secretary or download from web site. Once a Full Member you are eligible for a key to the club property. Cheers Membership Fee's as at 1st July 2017 Heath Glass. Nissan 4x4 Club of Victoria Editor Once off joining Fee of $110 ( this includes driver training ) Annual Subscription of $140 Therefore a new members cost would be $250 for the first year. Pro-rata is calculated for the second years membership fee. Cover: Wandarrah Wood Bins If you have any questions about membership please contact the membership secretary or approach any of the Committee members at the next General Meeting. Photo by: Member

The Club wish to sincerely thank the NOBLE PARK FOOTBALL CLUB for the use of their club rooms for committee meetings.

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 1 Meet the Committee Committee members for the year 2017-2018 Executive Committee

President Vice President Sarah Bounden 0412 271 216 Kyle Baxter 0437 330 700 [email protected] [email protected]

Secretary Treasurer Leigh Williams John Farlow 0418 357 416 [email protected] [email protected] General Committee

Membership Secretary (caretaker) Driver Education Heath Glass 0433 123 143 Stephen Bloomer 0412 325 226 [email protected] [email protected]

Editor Land Coordinator Heath Glass Dean Walker 0401 394 847 [email protected] [email protected]

Publicity Officer Sergeant at Arms Neil Brydson 0413 737 724 Michael Dingli 0419 327 063 [email protected] [email protected]

Sales Officer Social Coordinator Rich Hall 0402 292 088 Kim Taylor 0475 270 449 [email protected] [email protected]

Trips Coordinator Webmaster Josh Doble 0422 644 180 Matt Rollins 0418 128 517 [email protected] [email protected] Ordinary Committee

Ordinary Committee Member Ordinary Committee Member Glynn Deane 0423 244 907 Mike Hale 0418 351 758 Also Wandarrah Key Master Non-Elected Positions

Librarian Regional Representitive Michael Melenhorst John Tomlinson 9557 5182

FWDV Delegate FWDV Delegate Neil Chalmers Gary Lyons 0411 077 255

FWDV Delegate Neil Brydson 0413 737 724

Committee meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month (except December) as shown in the calendar of events.

The committee welcomes members to attend committee meetings as well as table items for the agenda. To advise of attendance or items for the agenda, please contact the secretary two weeks before the meeting to ensure appropriate time can be provided.

2 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au Calendar of Events

FEBRUARY Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Chainsaw GM 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Working Bee CM Driver Training 4x4 Show 26 27 28

MARCH Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Trip Leader Training GM 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 CM Driver Training 26 27 28 29 30 31

APRIL Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 GM 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 CM 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Driver Training

MAY Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4 5 6 GM 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 CM 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Driver Training

JUNE Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 GM 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 CM Driver Training

JULY Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thur Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 GM 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 The Kimberley's and Beyond CM Driver Training Rocky Horror 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 The Kimberley's and Beyond Cape York General Meeting Committee Meeting Driver Training Working Bee Public Holidays Club Social Event Show Club Trip School Holidays

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 3 Club Trips and Events

Below is a list of trips and events for club members to attend. For full details look on the Club Forum. If you wish to attend a trip then register via the web site and contact the trip leader if it's required. Notice on attending trips: Please make sure that your vehicle is registered, driver has a current drivers licence and your membership subscription is up to date.

8th July - 30th Sep 2018 The Kimberley's and Beyond Trip Leader: Mike Hale For those lucky enough to have time to spare, I am planning a 3 month trip for true off road caravans or those willing to tent it for that time. We will head to Alice Springs , Katherine, Kununurra, Wyndham. Derby, Broome, One Arm Point, Broome, Windjana gorge, Tunnel Crk, Giekie gorge, Bungle Bungles, Wolf Crk. Alice Springs, Boulia, Winton, Longreach, Windorah, Quilpie, Thargomindah, Bourke, Cobar, Cobram and home.

30th July 2018 Trip to Cape York Trip Leaders: Brian & Trish Rollins This will be a trip to Cape York for approx 8 weeks. Possibly take in Fraser Island on the return trip. We are quite happy to have participants join in/leave if need, be due to time constraints, or participate in the entire trip.

Track Classifications

4 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au Personal Trip Lap of Aus

Just a shout out to everyone in the club to say thank you all for being so welcoming to us since we joined in January 2017.

As some of you will already know we're heading off soon for our 12 month 'ish' lap of , meeting up with the Cape York club trip in our travels.

If anyone is interested we have created a facebook group for anyone to follow our travels along the way. It will be a closed group, so only the members of the group will see the posts. Wayne and Julie's Lap Of Aus or the below link https://www.facebook.com/groups/419740541795536 We would love share with you all where we have been and where we are heading. If you have any ideas/places for us to see and do along the way, feel free to post on the page.

We have done a lot of trips, learnt a lot of things and met a lot of great people in our short stint at the club. Thank you to everyone and we can't wait to hear from you on our facebook page. Wayne Reid & Julie Webster Thanks For Sale Set of 5 BFG All Terrain KO tyres on alloy rims. Size: 285 x 75 x 16” 4 have less than 25,000km 1 has about 40,000km Suit early series GU Patrol (came off series 2) $1000.00 ONO Pickup only Phone Neven Mooroolbark

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 5 Products • Bull Bars • Fridge/Freezers • Winches • Communications • Hike-Lite • Food • 4WD Accessories • Camp Furniture • Tent & Awning Accessories • Camping Essentials • Coolers • Lighting • Camp Cooking • 4WD Recovery Gear • RV Accessories *10% off to all club members * Excludes Fridges

email: [email protected] web: www.werevr4x4.com.au

6 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au Know your bylaws Chainsaw Use

To operate a chainsaw at the Club Property – Wandarrah; whilst on Club trips or on any other Club activity, the operator is required to have completed an accredited chainsaw operation course. A copy of the accreditation must be provided to the Membership Secretary and carried on any trips. The same applies when assisting with any track clearing trips with Parks/DELWP.

Notice Membership Life Points

In helping remove more paperwork, as of this year, membership life points will be counted for trips and events via web site registration. This means you need to register on the web site for trip/events to receive membership life points. If you are registered for a trip that you can't attend or haven't attended, please inform the organiser for your registration to be removed. Thanks. Committee

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 7 NEW ONLINE STORE www.automatictransmission.com.au ShOP ONLINE TODaY!

WhOLESaLE auTOmaTIc TRaNSmISSIONS Factory 2, 4 melrich Road Bayswater VIc 3153 Ph: 03 9762 8004 EmaIL: [email protected] WEB: www.automatictransmission.com.au

8 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au DOOR PRIZE PROUDLY SPONSORED BY Werevr 4x4 Email: [email protected] The Nissan 4WD Club of Victoria Inc acknowledges this sponsorship with thanks.

NEW ONLINE STORE www.automatictransmission.com.au ShOP ONLINE The members of the Nissan 4x4 Club would like to welcome the following to the club: Keith Morris James Perry TODaY! Andrew Baker

Announcement

NEW SAFETY STANDARDS FOR SNATCH STRAPS

In response to the all too common death and injury resulting from the (improper) use of snatch straps, a new safety standard has been issued by the Australian government. New vehicle recovery straps must now detail the minimum braking strength of the strap and include a warning that this must be between two and three times the GVM of the vehicle it is used with.

For their own safety and that of others, anyone purchasing a new strap should ensure that it complies with the new standards. WhOLESaLE auTOmaTIc TRaNSmISSIONS Factory 2, 4 melrich Road Bayswater VIc 3153 Visit web page for full document: Ph: 03 9762 8004 EmaIL: [email protected] WEB: www.automatictransmission.com.au https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2017L01560

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 9 Trip Report Rubicon Valley/Snobs Creek Falls 18th June 2017 Peter Fraser (TL) Neil/Lisa Brydson Greg Wiltshire/Roxanne Daniels Report By: Peter Fraser David/Margaret Anderson Wayne Reid/Julie Webster Scott and Tanja Vincent he plan was to rendezvous at the Taggerty General Store T(always good coffee) at 8.30am for a 9am departure. Tick, everyone arrived on time. A bit chilly.

After a coffee and a look at a video of the host pulling up the Old Ghan railway line in the 1980's (if you visit the store it is well worth asking him to show you) we left pretty well on time, tick.

As we were leaving the host asked "Where are you going? You know that they have locked all the gates for the season?" I thanked him for the advice and we left; saying in my mind, "We're from the Nissan 4x4 Club; we have done this before".

He is a very reliable source of local information, I spend a lot of time in the area; I should have listened. Improvement required!

Out with the GPS route for the trip; it will not work on my system. I should pay more attention. Fortunately Neil and Lisa Brydson were able to load it up on their tablet; great!

This will be fun; we now have TEC giving directions to TL via UHF! We are doing the trip in reverse order and the program does not seem to like it - not so great! We push on toward Snobs Creek Falls. After some technical issues in the Brydson truck (someone turned off the radio) communications were all systems go.

When we arrived at Snobs Creek Falls the temperature had changed from chilly to spanners. Hmmm. Where is my parka? Thank you to whoever loaned me the jacket. What is the saying involving six P's?

After the obligatory photos, we aired down for the 4x4 part of the trip. Tick (I got that bit right). Off we head, south along Snobs Creek Road (which wouldn't challenge our Fiat 500) looking for Herbs Road - a real 4WD track that would take us over the Royston Range to the . Bother, a new seasonal closure - I should pay more attention to local advice! I decided to forge on to No. 6 track in order to get back to Herbs Road.

What? Hobin Gap Track? We have gone too far! At least 10 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au it will get us back to Herbs Road. No, another new seasonal closure.

Following a track side meeting to consult the uncooperative GPS and a more cooperative roof top map we decide to back track to No. 6 track with high expectations of a new seasonal road closure. We were not disappointed! Our only alternative was to take the bitumen around to the Rubicon Historic Area, via Thornton, in order to take up our route at the Rubicon Power Station.

Bugger, another new seasonal closure - I was starting to feel like a Toyota driver! Coming to the realisation that old mate was onto something I convened another trackside conference. Our planned route was seasonally moribund.

The decision was to travel south along the Road to Marysville with a lunch stop along the way. I put the truck into high 4WD hoping that we might find a greasy wet corner. Not much joy there either but as we got higher between Mount Bullfight and Lake Mountain we found ICE!

This may turn out to be a real 4WD adventure after all. We stopped the convoy to crack some puddles. It was beyond spanners, it was brass monkeys! It was the middle of the day and the ice was not showing any signs of thawing. Some of it was hard to break. On we pressed through interesting forest, including groves of Antarctic Beech (that I did not know grew north of the Divide) to Cambarville where we stopped for lunch. It was still very cold. We quickly gobbled lunch, aired up, unlocked the hubs, and headed to Marysville for a coffee. Tick. Photo stop at Cumberland Falls on the way. Click.

We arrived at the bakery in Marysville only to find Angelo and his trippers with mud spattered vehicles. They appeared to have had some fun. Envy! Very tempting to find the shop where Toyota drivers get that mud-in-a-can spray-on stuff.

We finished with a quick visit to the Marysville Falls and hydro power station (what is this paying for parking?) then good byes.

As they say, you will have an adventure or a story to tell. Maybe even both.

Cheers Peter.

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 11 REPAIRS 4WD SPECIALISTS BELGRAVE SOUTH (03) 9754 2751

12 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au For Sale Nissan Patrol GU ST-S Y61 Wagon 2005 ZD30 Di

This is an opportunity to buy a unique wagon. It is set up for touring as a 2 seater, with the other 5 seats removed. (All seats are available and still new). Full REPAIRS length drawers as well as cabinets – per photo. Cargo barrier, bull bar, tow bar GME radio, winch (never 4WD SPECIALISTS used), 2” lift with OME shockers etc. BELGRAVE SOUTH (03) 9754 2751 Many of the Patrol weaknesses have been addressed in advance. ie. Heavy Duty Clutch with solid flywheel. EGT and Boost gauge fitted. HPD overboost controller (just in case). Upgraded aftermarket Intercooler (HPD) and 2¾ Beaudesert exhaust system. Also has full complement of tail lights.

One owner since new and serviced/maintained by Nissan/ATOC religiously. All records available.

This vehicle has only done 160,000kms and is always driven with mechanical sympathy. Ask anyone in the club and you won’t find anyone who has seen me mistreating this vehicle. I generally do easy to medium trips and avoid mud at all costs – except when AndyH pushed me in – once.

Only selling as I need a vehicle better suited to towing a caravan.

So if you are tired of your old 4.2 and want to trade up to an excellent modern vehicle contact me to discuss pricing.

You have time to save your pennies as the vehicle will be available for sale late March. I will sell to club member at reduced price as is, (with RWC) otherwise on CarSales in April. I don’t really want to take out all the mods and put seats back in.

For enquiries contact Leigh Williams eMail: [email protected]

At General Meeting: I sit up the front. :)

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 13 Trip Report Haunted Stream

Report By: Andy Harding 18th November 2017

Participants Andy, Sarah Harding (TL) PATROL GQ Adam, Melissa, Emma, Ivy, Abby Webb PATROL GU Richard Merton PATROL GU Evan Wellard, Matt Rollins LAND CRUISER 200 Heath Glass, Sarah Bounden PATROL GU Paul Verbeek, Sharon Cannon (TEC) PATROL GU

aving been closed for a good two years due to erosion plus wear and tear, the Department of Environment, HLand, Water and Planning had been busy making repairs to the impassable sections of the Haunted Stream Track. A notification was sent out that it was due to be re-opened in Autumn 2017 and as this fell about 4 weeks before the seasonal closure I decided that I would run a club trip up the stream after Cup Weekend and the subsequent track seasonal openings.

The trip was popular and filled up within 45 minutes of posting it online! Anyway the weekend arrived and after meeting at Wandarrah on the Friday evening we set off nice and sharp on the Saturday morning with 6 cars in tow.

First stop was Maffra to meet up with Heath and Sarah and to scoff down a quick pastry and a coffee from the local bakery. Once fed and watered I lead the crew to our next stop at Bruthen BP to top up with diesel for the trip. Although a relatively simple task, this proved to be our first challenge of the trip. Ha ha ha!

Bruthen BP is a small country servo with one diesel bowser and two pumps. There was a B-Double tanker filling up the diesel tanks along with a 4WD and a caravan in the forecourt already. We then wanted to add seven 4WDs to the mix and this was chaos! Ha ha! But after a bit of juggling around reversing cars to gain access to the bowser and filling two cars at a time, together with the understanding of the very helpful tanker driver who moved his B-Double forward enough to accommodate us, we were eventually all fuelled up and ready to head to Tambo Crossing.

At the entrance to the Haunted Stream we stopped to air down and were ready to head into the unknown. We had a bit of a slow start due to some cattle gates that required opening and closing but soon we were on the tracks. The Haunted Stream Track used to be fairly tight in some spots and had a few challenges with stream entrance drop-offs and step-ups, but alas this time there were no such challenges at all. The one sharp section of the track did claim one victim though, poor Sarah and Heath copped an unlikely tyre puncture through the sidewall on one of the rocky creek beds and unfortunately destroyed their rear left tyre. After a play with the exhaust jack and swapping over the wheel we were back on the move again with very little to challenge the drive through the bush. Even with no challenges though, it’s a beautiful place and very scenic. It was almost a shame that the track has been repaired to the highest degree that it has been, and it seemed that 4WD is now almost unnecessary in most parts! Anyways needless to say we were making good time and stopped for some lunch at Dogtown. 14 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au Dogtown is an old mining town that no longer exists. Apart from the odd remnants of a stone built wall and some metal water containers that were rusted through you would never know it was once home to the working miners of the 1800’s. Anyway, after Andy, Sarah Harding (TL) PATROL GQ Adam, Melissa, Emma, Ivy, Abby Webb PATROL GU lunch we headed off again towards Dawson City where we were planning to spend the night camped Richard Merton PATROL GU Evan Wellard, Matt Rollins LAND CRUISER 200 out next to Murdering River. We arrived in great Heath Glass, Sarah Bounden PATROL GU Paul Verbeek, Sharon Cannon (TEC) PATROL GU time and set up camp and soon after it was time for our evening meal. So we got a fire going and had a few drinks to kick off what was a great evening around the fire.

The following morning we elected that we were in favour of the Dargo Pub for lunch via Pheasant Creek Track, so we packed up camp, and headed up Boomerang Spur and out onto Jones Road until we reached Pheasant Creek Track.

We entered the 'last track of the day' and boy, was it hard going! It seemed that every 100 meters or so there was a tree down, so I was in and out of the Patrol armed with my chainsaw cutting my way through and re-opening the track as I went. The track obviously hadn’t been used in a while as the bush was coming back with a great deal of speed, pin strips were definitely a reality on this track. It was really slow going to the point where we were getting really close to not making the pub for lunch and my chainsaw was out of fuel (including a top up) and I had used all my bar oil. We were 100 meters from the end of the track when I did a final reccy walk while the others cut what I was hoping would be that last tree.

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! As I walked around the last corner of the track there it was, the biggest tree in Australia laying across the second and third biggest trees in Australia, all blocking our way, and there was absolutely no way around. Gutted, we had to turn everyone around in a really tight track and head back the way we came.

Sharon had phone reception and saved the day by phoning the Dargo Pub and explained that we had been delayed and would they hold the kitchen open for us as we now weren’t going to get there until at least 2pm. They said they could and we just made it by 2.10pm via the roads. We all managed a great feed at the pub and a quick well deserved end of trip drink before airing up by the and heading for home.

Just before entering the highway Heath stopped to check something. He had noticed a noise from outside the truck that was not there before, so he checked the rear left wheel where the spare had been put on. Yay, five of the six wheel nuts were nearly off, lucky days.

I finally arrived back at my front door at 7.45 pm so it was a pretty full on day! Thanks to everyone who made it - sorry it wasn’t a bit more exciting. It was a good last trip in the GQ though as I have now sold it and I am moving on to other pastures. Yes, no more mud and double blacks for Andy!

Regards Andy H

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 15 ABN 29 007 522 042

5/4 Canterbury Road, Braeside 3195 Ph: (03) 9580 9045

Specialist Services At Cologne Motors we take great pride in offering our clients personalised and friendly • Nissan Trained service at all times • 4WD REpairs & Service • 150 Point Pre-purchase Check Located in Mordialloc - Braeside Cologne • Air Conditioning Motors is a member of the Repco Auto Tech • Auto Electrical training program, ensuring our technicians are • Diesel Repairs kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair • EFI Diagnostics • Injector Cleaning methods. • Engine Reconditioning • LPG Installation Cologne Motors have a wealth of experience • Roadworthy Inspections in servicing all makes and models, including • Towing Service 4X4 vehciles. As a Repco Authorised Service • Truck Repairs Centre we have a commitment to high quality • Tyres - including 4X4 • Wheel Balancing workmanship and ensuring the very best in • Window Tint automotive care.

Customer Services

• Loan Cars • Pick Up/Delivery • Quick Quote • Reception Now Endless • Waiting Lounge Air Agent • Tea & Coffee

Opening Hours Monday to Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm Saturday By appointment

16 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au For Sale

This is a 'true' off-road O'Brien style camper at a budget price that tows like it's not there and will go anywhere your 4X4 will go. Over the years the camper has made a number of trips to the Outback, Central Australia and (closer to home) the Victorian High Country.

It has been scrupulously serviced and garaged when not in use. In recent times the electric brakes and wheel bearings have been replaced, wind down stabilizer legs fitted along with a new waterproof cover and a Thetford 2 burner stove with griller.

The full annexe has only been used a handful of times and the camper's heavy duty canvas has not leaked a drop in several serious rain events.

All storage areas are able to be accessed from outside the camper when it is closed up.

With a deluxe double mattress, 12V power, an electric water pump, heaps of 12V outlets, storage for 2 jerry cans of water/fuel and a rear wheel carrier for an extra spare for the tow vehicle (handy for those rough outback roads), this camper has everything anyone could want. Also included is a Stone Stomper stone guard (a new bar that connects the guard to the tow vehicle would need to be purchased from Stone Stomper)

Age has caught up with the owner who has purchased a hard floor camper with electric winch set up.

Camper is presently located at Kyneton (Vic)

*******************************************

Here's a few other details you may need -

Year: 2001 Length (ft): 13 Registered: Yes Registration Number: P12323 Registration Expiry: 15/06/2018

Price is $4,500

For further equiries contact: Robert Norman email: [email protected]

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 17 Trip Reccy Report Blue Rag/Mayford Reccy Report By: Heath Glass 11th December 2017 Participants Track Classification: Medium to Difficult Leigh Williams/Bill de Leeuw NISSAN PATROL GU in the dry. Impossible in the wet. Heath Glass NISSAN PATROL GU

thought I'd share this trip with you as one day I hope someone will run it Ias a club trip. Leigh asked me if I would like to join him on a trip as he has a mate over from Canada who wanted to see the high country by 4WD. So naturally I said yes. We planned to go on the week that had 250mm of rain up there, but wise heads pushed it out a week. The main problem was the Dargo river levels*. Not to mention the peat bog at Devils Hollow on the King Spur Track.

The trip was to head to Blue Rag and then stay in Mayford for a day. Initially Leigh was just going to Blue Rag via Dargo High Plains Rd, but he asked whether I had done South Basalt Knob track before? I said no and his eyes lit up. He was delighted to be able to show it to me. So the plan changed, so the first night’s stop would be Talbotville camping grounds.

We stopped at Black Snake Creek hut for lunch and inspected the hut. It’s definitely in need of repair. The fireplace/chimney is completely destroyed. From here we headed down Rd towards Talbotville for our first river crossing. Well, we got to the river and exited the vehicles to inspect the depth. It was flowing fast but looked ok at first glance. So I stripped off and went for a walk. Well I was not even half way across and my jewels were swimming and I was nearly flowing down stream. So we needed to turn back and go through Dargo.

Just before the end of Talbotville Rd I noticed a track called Conway Track. It was short cut, instead of doing the whole loop through Dargo. So Leigh being the gentleman he is, said “after you”. Well this was a great track. Nice little climbs and then one massive one that went straight up. Before long we were back on the Dargo High Plains road again. We stopped in at the Grant Township area as Leigh wanted to show Bill the township, after which we headed off to Talbotville. The road into Talbotville is via Grant and McMillan Rd. It’s a rough 2WD track but you get a great view while hugging the edge of the mountain. We finally arrived at Talbotville camp grounds and because it was a week day there was nobody there. Awesome. We setup camp for the night next to the river and chilled. We didn't light a fire that night as it was warm but what an amazing light show we got in the sky. With no fire we could see everything in the sky. It was amazing.

The next morning I woke up to the smell of bacon. It kills me every time. Why do pigs have to be made of food.... So I had my breakfast (cereal) and packed up my gear ready for the next stretch of the journey. (Leigh just had to say “everything tastes better with Bacon”. That really helps a vegetarian.

South Basalt Knob track pretty much starts straight out of the camp ground from across the other side of the river. River was low at this point so no issue there. Then we hit South Basalt Knob track and we were straight into it. You are basically following the ridge line straight up, it probably the steepest climb** I have ever done, not to mention there was a bit of technical stuff thrown in as well. The truck went well and my heart was racing all the way up but loved every second of it. The rest of the track followed the ridge line all the way north. Amazing views all the way.

Where South Basalt Knob meets North Basalt track there is a train carriage, who would have thought something like that would be up here.North Basalt track finally hits Blue Rag Range Track and we head up to Blue Rag Trig Point. What can I say about this place but WOW! We couldn't have had a better day. It was so clear we could see for miles. Mt Hotham still had snow on it. We stopped here and had some lunch and absorbed the view. 18 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au Before we left I noticed that people had put stickers on the trig point marker. So I peeled my club sticker off the truck and attempted to climb the marker. Well I thought it would be easy to climb up but it’s been a while since I have climbed up a pole. With a few choice words and a bit of Leigh Williams/Bill de Leeuw NISSAN PATROL GU puffing I managed to get the sticker on there. That was an effort. Heath Glass NISSAN PATROL GU Off we go back to Dargo High Plains Road and a short trip south where we turned onto King Spur Track which will take us to Mayford camp ground. King Spur track has everything. Mud, peat bog, rocks, climbs and descents, river crossings and great views. We stopped every now and then to take in the view. Bill loves to do bush walking*** and he pointed to us some of the mountains that he has done while on his treks.

The river crossings were the interesting parts as the Dargo River was up and Leigh knew we had 4 crossing before getting to the camp ground. When we got to the first crossing we got out and had a look. After taking a walk and procrastinating for a while I said stuff it, we didn't come all this was to turn back. So as a safety measure we connected both trucks together via winch extension strap. I can pretty much say we got across the river OK but we epically failed with the extension strap. Too much detail to write about here so let just say that we didn't need the strap and if we didn't use it would have saved us a lot of grief.

On the second crossing there was a big boulder in the middle of the crossing. Not sure if it was marking something of it just rolled there. So Leigh just went up stream around it. Well as we found out later that was the hard way because we dropped into a bolder hole on the other side where I had smashed by bash plate in and beat up my steering damper. So there was some panel beating at the camp site that afternoon.

The other two crossing were a no brainer as they were low. We arrived at the camp site and stayed in the first location as there was already someone else in the main site (Leigh used some cuss words over the radio!). We setup camp and settled in for the night.

The next day was just a chill out day so we just hung around the camp site, read books, had nana naps and went for a swim. I had the urge to go bush with the shovel. I learned a lesson here, always check under the grass for ants before starting. My feet were covered in bull ants, but it’s not like you can move when you are half way through the job so I got bitten a lot. My feet were not happy but the cold water of the river helped.

Leigh had a small scare while down at the river edge to get some water, he felt something on his feet. A black snake had decided to go from sunning on the rocks to the grass and Leigh was in the middle. The snake didn't care, it just went over his feet. Bill and I heard “SNAKE, SNAKE” with Leigh appearing at speed from the river edge. He was stirred but not shaken.

It was good to have a trip where we relaxed for a day and just chilled out.

The next morning we had our breakfast and slowly packed up our gear. Mayford camp ground is a really nice spot so I am sure we will be back. We headed off for arrival at Dargo for lunch at the pub. When we arrived at the river crossing we had some issue with on arrival, Leigh just decided to go for it and just head across. The trucks went across with no issue and we headed up and back out to Dargo High Plains Rd. We made the Dargo Pub by lunch time, where we all tucked into some yummy food**** and a drink. Continues on page 21...

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 19 BUSINESS SERVICES DIRECTORY

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Wandarrah Working Bee The next working bee will be held on the 17th Feb 2018.

Jobs will include: • Repair Table • Rake Driveway • Repair Playground Equipment • Collect Firewood

Hope to see you there.

Dean Walker Land Coordinator

20 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au How to Run a Club Trip All trips MUST be accepted by the Trip Coordinator before being advertised in the Club Magazine or forum. Send an email to the Trip Coordinator which details your trip. Once the Trip Coordinator has approved the trip it is posted in the Trips section of the Club Forum. Once posted on the Club Forum, please ensure that you keep the trip entry up to date with attendees and review it regularly for comments or questions from members. To comply with our insurance requirements it is essential to complete the required paperwork. Members can use the online digital trip participant form to quickly and easily submit the required details. Alternatively a printable version of the form can be downloaded from the club website (http://www.nissan4x4vic.com.au) or Four Wheel Drive Vic. website (http://www.fwdvictoria. org.au). All other forms for trip leaders and guests can be downloaded from the club website (http://www.nissan4x4vic.com.au) or FWDV website (http://www.fwdvictoria.org.au). If you have any ideas about a trip and/or questions speak with the Trip Coordinator ([email protected]) or any of the committee members. Submitting a Trip Report Hi everyone. I have recently had members ask me how to submit a trip report. Trip reports are a fundamental part of the magazine, so its great when a member wants to share their experience with the rest of the club community. General rule of thumb to submitting a report is that anything you can provide will do. Below is a couple of things that will help me in creating the report if you can provide.

• Specify whether its Club or Personnel Trip. • Photos. • Trip name and date. • Trip report text. • Participants on Trip. • Selfie or avatar if you perfer.

When I receive your details I will create a proof of your report and send it to you for changes or approval. When writing the actual report, do it from your perspective. It can be how you experienced the trip from start to finish. When I write a report I generally look at the map or GPS file and photos to jog memories. Hope this helps to get those reports in. Cheers. Heath.

Blue Rag/Mayford Reccy Trip Continued.... I navigated Leigh the back way from Stratford to Yallourn as it makes the trip a bit more interesting. We arrived home with plenty of time to spare to unpack and chill out before dinner.

Thanks to Leigh inviting me on his reccy trip and hopefully in the future it will be offered up as a club trip as it was most enjoyable.

* Tip from the Dargo Ranger – If the BOM web site says the height of the Dargo river is >2metres then the tracks further upstream are not crossable. They were 1.94m so we took a punt (pun not intended) - LW

** If it is sometime since you have done this track, the initial straight up steep section has been graded in recent years with some bends/switchbacks put in. This has made it more difficult than before I believe as there are now a lot of rocks and ledges that I don’t recall seeing the first time I did it – LW

*** He is a troubled man – LW

****He means a vegie burger! - LW

Cheers. Heath. www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 21 General Meeting - MINUTES Social Committee: Kim Taylor • 25 families for Xmas at Wandarrah. Everyone seemed to Nissan 4x4 Club of Victoria Inc. have a good time. Thanks to Deb and Trish for helping out. 1945hrs Wednesday 6th December 2017 • Presented Newry Fire Brigade with $500 donation for which 352 Cheltenham Road, Keysborough they were very appreciative. • Because of hire fire risk, fire towers spotting smoke already at Wandarrah so beware of size of fire and limit amount of The Meeting opened at 07:45p.m. with President Sarah Bounden smoke generated A burn off will be organised for 2018/19 in the chair. for the property and wider area. Welcome and Introduction Editor: Heath Glass Apologies : Brian Marshall, Craig Jones, Mike Melenhorst, Paul • Verbeek, Helen Doyle, Paul Reed, Brad Bloxidge, Mike Carbis, Last magazine for the year, thanked all the contributors. Darren and Deb Hanna, David Mills & Alan McCabe. Publicity Officer: Neil Brydson Visitors • Welcome back Neil Brydson to the role. th There were 2 visitors here as a result of member referrals. • Wandin show at Warragul Feb 18 . Need help setting up the stand and pulling it down. Needs 6 volunteers. Stand inside

Acceptance of previous Club meeting minutes this year. If you want to camp let Neil know. As published in the December Nissan News were accepted. • Will organise guest speakers if someone has an idea. Moved by Gary Lyons, seconded by John Millane- carried Trip Co-ordinator: Josh Doble Reports: • Gembrook camping this weekend. President: Sarah Bounden • Heath will run trips out of Wandarrah trips over Xmas. • Thanked committee and all the others who helped along the • Kids club being re-invigorated. way this year. • AndrewR – store point hut track maintenance trip cancelled, • Fantastic year of activities are published in the magazine. Let will reschedule to Dec/Jan. us know if you have any ideas for next year. • AndrewR – Kaymar have opened retail show at their factory. Vice President: Kyle Baxter - NTR • Heath went to Cruiserkana. He ended up in the middle of the results. Secretary: Leigh Williams Library: Mick Melenhorst - an apology Mail in: Bank statement from Bank West showing a nil balance after funds had been transferred to the Club’s CTB account. Webmaster: Matt Rollins – absent Update to Terms & Conditions from CTB regarding our term Sgt at Arms: Michael Dingli deposit, Vern Graham Timber & Hardware Invoice $7.10. New Werevr 4WD. Closing store - online sales only. May be a garage Litho Pty Ltd Invoice Magazine printing $926.20, Business View sale? Generously donate our prizes. magazine from NAB, LROCV “Review” from the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria, Torque from the Range Rover Club of Guest Presenter – Todd Worner – MTQ Engine Systems Australia, #6 copies of 4x4 Culture from ARB. Dandenong. Treasurer: John Farlow GENERAL BUSINESS • • Financials up on the website, down $3500 on last year. Gary 4WD Vic – advised of changes to the board, Positive $ • June financials and audit report also now on Website. result, a 4wd strategy document developed with govt depts. 12000hrs volunteer over the last year, including regional Membership Secretary: Caretaker Heath areas, $30000 spent. RTO has been upgraded with trainers • 194 members at the moment. and courses. Three ways funds are raised: Fees, RTO and govt • Database on website has been updated, you can add photos funding. Strong govt funding at the moment. 4000 and kids names. Kids’ badges are now available Thanks to members, we are 5th largest. LROCV – 560 members, Jeep those who updated their information. 250, Pajero 350 TLCC 425 members. • There is now a tick box if you don’t want hard copy of • Black Snake Hut – there is some destruction of the hut. Will magazine sent. arrange repairs to be done some time in Feb/March • Badges available for John Luckins and Lysandra Richards for • Leigh 10 years membership and the Sullivans for 15 years. I. Reminded us of the bylaws as they pertain to Congratulations. Wandarrah to ensure a safe Xmas; including no tree • Membership points will be streamlined so that individuals lopping, no driving under the influence and the can nominate points on line. excessive use of firewood. Also explained the one Land Co-ordinator: Dean Walker member to one non-member rule. II. Reminded us that Wandarrah is a bush setting and we • Track grading all done, but heavy rain has washed some of it all need to take care and be responsible for our own away. Use a different line to move crushed concrete back safety, given the inherent risks of the surrounds. into the centre. III. Two camp sites have been closed due to tree danger • Firewood always an issue. and an arborist is being sought to inspect and take • Next working bee 17/2. action. Driver Training: Stephen Bloomer IV. Oh S^*t hill has been graded but must NOT be used as it • Next training weekend is 23-25th Feb. is not yet safe. • TL training course in March. Leigh has a Coleman water heater for sale • Certificates from last course handed out. Leigh will have a 2005 3l. Patrol for sale b4 Easter next year, Sales: Richard Hall so save your pennies for a unique vehicle. • New Supplier for clothing including hi-vis clothing There being no further discussion the meeting concluded at 2100hrs

22 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au Nissan 4x4 Club of Victoria Inc. Committee Meeting - 1930hrs Wednesday 17th January 2018 Moodemere St, Noble Park

The Meeting: opened at 07:40 p.m. with the President Sales: Richard Hall Sarah Bounden in the chair $101 sold at last meeting. Stubbie holders were a hit at the Welcome and Introduction sales price. Werevr 4WD selling their stuff at same price Present: Sarah Bounden, Kyle Baxter, Leigh online which means we are losing some sales. New clothes Williams, Heath Glass, Stephen Bloomer, supplier has been sourced, but has minimum order quantity Michael Dingli, Dean Walker, Mike Hale, of 5 for embroidery. This is online store, need to pay by Richard Hall, Kim Taylor, Josh Doble, Neil Credit, will see if we can use EFT or Load and Go. Richard Brydson to investigate. Apologies: John Farlow, Glynn Deane Social Committee: Kim Taylor Visitors : Paula, Brian and Mike Illife. • Dates ready for Xmas in July, awards day, next Xmas etc. Also looking at Rocky Horror picture show. All Quorum Yes these will go up tomorrow. Acceptance of previous Club meeting minutes • Looking at Gumbuya Park as a social trip. But needs to The Nov 2017 Committee meeting as published in the determine whether it is a viable option particularly in December Nissan News were put forward for acceptance. relation to cost. Moved by Neil and seconded by Kyle. • Sarah thanked Kim and others for the efforts at the Reports Xmas party in particular. President: Sarah Bounden - NTR Editor: Heath Glass Vice President: Kyle Baxter - NTR • A ‘Who is the Committee’ page going into Feb’s Treasurer: John Farlow – An apology magazine Leigh submitted Johns report on his behalf which was • Feb magazine full. submission of Dec figures, Decembers expenditures. Publicity Officer: Neil Brydson Acceptance was proposed by Leigh seconded by Josh Lardner park 4WD show on the 18th Feb. Indoor site, not Secretary: Leigh Williams - NTR dependant on weather Site in the Baw Baw pavilion Membership Secretary: Vacant. Report submitted by opposite Werevr 4WD. Picked up gear from Steve, some is Heath. now out of use. Putting a proposal forward for future • New membership applications received from Andrew requirements for Marquees, banners etc. Waiting for Barker, Keith Morris, James Perry and Warren Hayden. quotes. Needs mail checked for Lardner Park details asap. All were accepted, Warrens subject to receipt of $25 off show special again this year payment. Trip Co-ordinator: Josh Doble • Kyle suggested we change to form to include children’s Will put some new trips up shortly, including ‘canned trips’. names. Would look at putting up tear drop sign at meeting points, • Membership stands at 198. camp sites. Publicity may have one to spare. Kyle and Josh to co-ordinate this for proposal at next meeting. Land Co-ordinator: Dean Walker Matt. Rollins – Absent • Will work up proposal to put in a besser block wall in Webmaster: front of the fire shelter, to both shield the door from Sgt at Arms: Michael Dingli heat and to double up as climbing wall. December takings were $271.45 for raffles and fines • Would like to do more for the kids at the property, Business arising from previous meeting. including upgrading kids playground add a rock Sarah advises that Rod Barnard is preparing to present a climbing wall etc. potential Remote Travel First Aid course at a future • Outlined some of the tasks for the next working bee: meeting. − Main table to be replaced. − Gutter on the hut veranda taken down and being GENERAL BUSINESS replaced. • Steve Bloomer – Putting up club info. on Patrol 4x4 − On the hut, some posts to be painted. forum, Heath to provide details to Steve. Agreed to. − Playground equipment needs some repairs • Mike not available for next 3 meetings Apologies in includes rails. advance accepted from Mike. − A lot of pruning along the tracks. • Requests such as the one for volunteers for Arthritis Need some slashers for the next working bee, a research to be put on the Forum. couple of volunteers to be sought at next GM • Mike made a comment re lack of content from our club • Weeds around the site were sprayed over Xmas in Trackwatch. Maybe speak to our delegates. Also get something in about Black Snake Hut. Driver Training: Stephen Bloomer • Apologies for Mike and Yvonne Illife for next GM. Next course 23/5 February. Trip Leader course originally scheduled for 3rd March, now waiting for a revised date. There being no further discussion the meeting concluded at 2115hrs. Next meeting Feb 21st at 0730 www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 23 Are you looking for a 4x4 Club? Do you enjoy 4 wheel driving? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Are you looking to join a fun, family friendly club?

Take a look at the advantages of becoming a member.

About Us: The Nissan club was formed in 1976 to engage in and promote four wheel driving for recreation. From those beginnings of some friends with G60 Patrols, we have grown into a well organised and inclusive group of over 200 members.

There is a mixture of 4WDs within the club such as: Patrol, Pathfinder, Navara, Maverick, Landcruiser, Hilux, Prado, Wrangler, Pajero, Ranger, Defender, Discovery, Amarok, BT-50 and some SUV which meet specific trip requirements.

Club Trips: Club trips are run through out the year. Trips cover the whole of Australia, so wherever you plan to go for your next trip we can certainly help. Club members have a wide range of experiences and are always keen to assist with suggestions, hints and information for your trip planning. The Trip Coordinator ensures there is a good variety of trips available, from the Victorian High Country to the deserts of Central Australia - we have a lot to offer.

Trips have varying levels of difficulty from Novice (Easy) through to Expert (Very difficult). Trips range from half a day, one day, mid-week and weekend or several weeks depending on where you want to go.

Some of the trips this year have included: Portland Sand Dunes Rubicon Valley Border Track Victorian Wyperfield NP Victorian High Country

Helping the Community: We participate in events which help the community. We are associated with a number of organisations and help out with: - Clean up the bush - Restoration of historic land marks - Charity Events - BlazeAid

Social Events: The club also has a social committee which organises social events such as dinners, Chrismas parties and fun sporting events.

Driver Education: As part of your membership we have a qualified driver training team that holds driver education programs to assist drivers in 4WD techniques and the safe and responsible use of 4WD equipment.

Club Property: We are saving the best for last! The club has its own 80 acre property, two hours east of Melbourne, in picturesque . Club members can enjoy the facilities at their leisure, with plenty of sites for tents, camper trailers or caravans, there are also hot showers and flushing toilets. The extensive fire place area for camp cooking or relaxing with other members at happy hour is a popular spot. There are well maintained 4WD tracks on the property, as well as the tracks in the beautiful area of the State Forest which borders the property.

So what are you waiting for? Join now and enjoy the experiences of a life time.

Don’t forget to check out the web site for more details.

24 FEBRUARY 2018 NISSAN NEWS www.nissan4x4vic.com.au Auxiliary battery kits

RV Storage Systems

Drive Lights & Light bars

Hannibal Rooftop Tents

www.nissan4x4vic.com.au NISSAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2018 25