MARCH 2016 PRINT MASTER FINAL 28/3/16 6:12 PM Page 1 AUS $4.95 Inc GST OutbackOutback OdysseyOdyssey SIMPSONSIMPSON DESERTDESERT HAZARDOUSHAZARDOUS TREETREE REMOVALREMOVAL PROGRAMPROGRAM CROSSINGCROSSING OXFAMOXFAM CHRISTMASCHRISTMAS TREETREE RUNRUN TOPTOP CROSSINGCROSSING HUTHUT RESTORARESTORATIONTION GEELONGGEELONG WILDLIFEWILDLIFE RESCUERESCUE PORTPORT AUGUSTAAUGUSTA TOTO ALICEALICE SPRINGSSPRINGS ININ 19361936 LASTLAST LANDLAND ROVERROVER DEFENDERDEFENDER JEEPJEEP CELEBRACELEBRATETE 75TH75TH ANNIVERSARYANNIVERSARY MARCHMARCH 20162016 MARCH 2016 PRINT MASTER FINAL 29/3/16 7:53 PM Page 2 RV Storage Systems Drive Lights & Light bars MARCH 2016 PRINT MASTER FINAL 28/3/16 7:13 PM Page 3 From the President elcome to the March Trackwatch Association and Wand a happy new year to you all. members of the The start of this year heralds the begin- Taungurung Clans Aboriginal ning of a new era for the Association Corporation. with the establishment of the long We will also be meeting with the awaited ministerially appointed Four Environment Minister in late March to FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIA Wheel Drive Advisory Committee, of discuss the new advisory committee The peak representative body for all which Four Wheel Drive Victoria will be and to raise other matters of importance Victorian four wheel drivers since 1975 a key member. We look forward to to our Association, such as our ongoing representing our members in our funding arrangements and the proposed dealings with the rest of the committee Great Forest National Park. Victoria Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc. and with the Environment Minister who We finished the 2015 year with our usual PO Box 1015G Balwyn North VIC 3104 has sponsored this new committee until Phone 03 9857 5209 Oxfam Christmas Tree delivery event, the end of 2018. Fax 03 98575260 supporting this very important interna- Email [email protected] Our first general meeting for the year tional welfare organisation. It was again Website www.fwdvictoria.org.au was very well attended with many of the a great pleasure to be personally ABN 40 891 301 368 Association’s clubs represented. It was involved in this event and to work ASSN A0013539S clear that many had come to hear from RTP 21605 beside a number of our members as our special guest, the new CEO of Parks Print Post PP 100005076 they gave up their time to ensure the Victoria, Bradley Fauteux. It was great to trees reached their welcoming homes. I BOARD OF MANAGEMENT hear Bradley speak about his past would personally like to thank all experiences in Ontario, Canada and members, and other members of the EXECUTIVE also on his vision for his new organisa- general public who participated in this President Damian Stock tion. Also attending our general meeting event. Vice President Michael Martin with Bradley were two members of our Prior to Christmas, the Clean Up The Secretary Neil Chalmers new advisory council, Parks Victoria’s Treasurer Bush program’s latest rubbish search Andrew Marshall and DELWP’s Richard weekend was also conducted, in the Wadsworth, who were both well BOARD MEMBERS Nerrina State Forest, near Ballarat. positioned to share their view of the new Lou Catherine, Garry Doyle Around 150 sites were identified for the committee. I am indebted to Bradley, Chris Kershaw, Michael Martin collection phase which will be conduct- Andrew and Richard for being so ed in early April. Thanks again to all the informative and for sharing their week- STAFF willing volunteers who gave their time end with our members. General Manager Wayne Hevey and also to those who will be participat- Office Administrator Just prior to Easter Wayne and I will be ing in the next phase of the program. Accounts Karl Norman meeting up with Bradley again, in Damian Stock Projects & Events Manager Wayne Mansfield, and accompanying him on a President, 4WD Victoria Hevey visit to a number of high country huts in the local area. We will also be meeting TRACKWATCH with the local land managers, represen- Editor Brian Tanner tatives of the High Country Huts Email [email protected] Individual Contributors Brian Tanner, Greg Rose, Robert Norman, In this issue Kate Waller, Geoff Kenafacke, Dave > Robinson, Alison Williams, Kate Burke, Garry Doyle 1 From the President 2 Editorial/News Production Brian Tanner 3 Bush clean-up search weekend Copy Deadline next issue 5 New 4WD Handbook 1st April for June 2016 issue 6 Special outback experience 1st July for September 2016 issue 7 Top Crossing Hut restoration 2016 FWDV Training Calendar Advertising [email protected] 8 9 Hazardeous Tree Removal project All material appearing in Trackwatch magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without 11 Oxfam Christmas tree delivery prior written consent. Freelance contributions and submis- Wildlife animal rescue sions are welcome by this magazine. No responsibility is 13 accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, etc. The 14 Simpson Desert crossing opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Four Wheel Drive Victoria. All statements made, although 22 Last Land Rover Defender based on information believed to be reliable and accurate, Industry News cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accept- 25 ed for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right to 26 4WD History: CJ8 Jeep Scrambler omit or alter any article or advertisement. Advertisers agree to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising 27 Insurance Simpson Desert campsite from the published material. 28 1936 - Port Augusta to Alice Springs - photo by Garry Doyle Design and Artwork by Brian Tanner Printed by Geelong Print Works TRACKWATCH MARCH 2016 1 MARCH 2016 PRINT MASTER FINAL 29/3/16 8:54 PM Page 4 > Editorial > News ather belatedly welcome to 2016. Parks camping fee changes introduced RHopefully many of you took the opportunity to indulge in some Some camping fees in Victorian In total, there are 55 campgrounds summer four wheel driving. National Parks were changed in around the State where fees have been Over the New Year, the Board December 2015. reduced. These changes follow the decided to reduce Trackwatch to a Fees for campsites classified in the removal of fees at 70 basic camp- quarterly, rather than a bi-monthly ‘mid’ range are reduced from $38.90 to grounds in 19 parks around the State magazine. As the principle means of $28 per site in peak season. This earlier last year. communicating with you, this reduces change affects 48 campgrounds Existing discounts of 10% for conces- our capacity to bring you timely and around the State, such as Borough Huts sion card holders and 10% for school up to date information, reports and and Jimmy Creek in the Grampians groups will remain in place. Fees vary news of coming activities. National Park, and popular sites in the according to the facilities provided at Similarly Trackwatch is an important Great Otway National Park including the site. Fees also vary according to conduit to Parks Victoria and other Johanna Beach and Aire River West, peak, shoulder or off peak periods. bodies, promoting the exceptional and Bear Gully at Cape Liptrap Coastal work done by Clubs and their mem- Park. bers across a myriad of activities. Personally, it is my opinion that you Campers do the right thing cannot have too much communica- tion between FWDV and members, Authorised Officers made contact with “Though we dealt with a few littering with Trackwatch an important element about 380 visitors across Gippsland issues, most campsites were also left in keeping you informed. Hopefully over Australia Day weekend as part of very clean.” additional communication strategies patrols to ensure campers were follow- “Many of our officers said people were will be considered to maintain these ing campfire safety rules. Department very happy to see them out and about strong links. of Environment, Land, Water and making sure people were abiding by Planning (DELWP) Regional the law. They also appreciated receiv- Once again a big thank you to those Compliance Coordinator, Peter Simpson ing Country Fire Authority information Clubs that have contributed to this said most campers were enjoying them- on the do’s and don’ts of making and issue, with news of activities that their selves while also doing the right thing extinguishing a campfire as not every- Club has been involved. Each month when it came to campfire safety, though one is aware of the rules.” “We need for I am astounded by the work that there were a few unattended campfires. everyone to be diligent when building, many Clubs are putting in, to not only “Over the weekend we came across 13 lighting and putting out their campfires. directly promote our recreation, but to unattended campfires– most of these in A campfire can easily escape and make the bush and the places we the Baw Baw Shire area.” cause a bushfire. You must never leave visit a better place. Considering I am “It was satisfying, however, to see most a campfire unattended.” sure there are just as many projects campers doing the right thing – we saw For the rules and regulations on camp- carried out that we don’t receive a a number of people tipping buckets fires go to http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/ report on, the 4WD Club movement and eskies of water onto campfires fire-andemergencies/ public-land-fire- deserves high recognition. We are before leaving.” restrictions/campfires-and-barbeques always on the lookout for quality material for possible publication, and such a short time. We will miss his I invite Clubs to submit reports on Office Relocation commitment and hard work and related activities. This month I also The task of identifying suitable premises express our appreciation to him. thank Robert Norman for the various for the relocation of the FWDVic office is news items contained in this issue.