DRIVE TORQUE WOOD FIRE DELIGHTS Hire the Ultimate Wood Fired Experience for Any Great Occasion If you’re thinking about holding that special event, look no further. Here at Wood Fire Delights we are focused on providing a number of catering packages and services to suit your event with the highest level of customer satisfaction. Whether or not your occasion is a private or corporate event, you can impress your guests with either a fully catered service, or hire one of our mobile Wood Fired Ovens on-board custom-built trailers and enjoy the experience of Wood Fired Cooking. What We Do: · Birthday Parties · Work Functions · Corporate Catering · Christmas Parties · School Events · University Events · Family Fun Days · Weddings · Engagement Parties · Sporting Events · Event Hire · Party Hire · And much, more... Please feel free browsing our website www.woodfiredelights.com.au for pricing and packages. If these do not meet your needs, please contact us for a customised package. Contact Us –: Email [email protected] Call 0423 605 520 or 0412 699 741 Web www.woodfiredelights.com.au Way Points Committee Reports - President/Editor 5 Trip Conveners 6 Not So Technical Report 7 Ian’s Shop 10 Club Shop 11 Trip Reports - Windellama Wandering 12 Birthday Bash - Go Karting 15 Driver Awareness - Sand, Rocks & Mud 19 Take a Hike - Carnarvon Gorge 20 Exploring Wadbilliga 27 Blue Mountains 32 Footy Tipping 37 Future Fun 38 Trip Gradings 39 Convoy Procedures 40 Minutes 41 Member Profile 43

Committee

President – Julie Rush Ph: 0409 307 381 Vice President – Sandi Strickland Ph: 0414 870 168 [email protected] [email protected]

Secretary – Cath DeSantis Ph: 0413 474 630 Treasurer – Sandra Moss Ph: 0438 276 012 [email protected] [email protected]

Membership Secretary–Karolyn Honor Ph: 0459 111 096 Public Relations – Jo Quinn Ph: 0409 771 019 [email protected] [email protected]

Editor – Julie Rush Ph: 0409 307 381 Trip Convener – Mark Honor Ph: 0418 406 118 Assistant Editor – Jean Dunstan Ph: 0409 747 335 Trip Convener – Troy Strickland Ph: 0409 908 977 [email protected] [email protected]

Technical Officer – Jo Quinn Ph: 0409 771 019 Fundraising – Sandra Moss Ph: 0438 276 012 [email protected] [email protected]

4WD Assoc. Delegate – Evan King Ph: 0402 411 742 Driver Awareness – Brian Flood Ph: 0425 270 385 4WD Assoc. Delegate - Heidi Ploeg Ph: 0438 989 793 Driver Awareness – Brett Atkins Ph: 0412 208 874 [email protected] [email protected] Webmaster – Kevin McCormack Ph: 0428 408 568 Ass. Webmaster – Michael Dunstan Ph: 0428 880 221 Sergeant-@-Arms – Robert Moss Ph: 9820 2128 [email protected] [email protected]

Social Convener – Karen Campbell Ph: 0430 842 101 Catering Officer – Karen Campbell Ph: 0430 842 101 [email protected] [email protected]

Public Officer – Paul Sistrom Public [email protected]

3 General Meetings Place: Ermington Community Centre Date: Second Friday of each month 10 River Road Ermington Meeting starts 8pm Finishes approx 9.30pm Postal Address: PO Box 61 Parramatta NSW 2124 Web: www.subaru4wdclub.com Email Address: [email protected]

LUCKY MEMBER JACKPOT UP TO $100 - must be in attendance to claim prize. Committee Meetings Committee Meetings are held on the Tuesday prior to the general meeting starting at 7.30pm at the homes of committee members – all members are welcome to attend. Please contact the President for details of location each month. Emergency Club Personnel appointed as first contact in the event of a problem on a trip: Troy Strickland 0409 908 977 Mark Honor 0418 406 118

New Members Jamie Manning

Trip Reports Have you been asked to write a trip report for the magazine? Don’t panic, it is not that hard. It doesn’t have to be a novel, just an interesting description of what happened on the trip is fine. A list of trip participants and the cars they drive is important. Also, the sooner you write it after the trip, the easier it is to remember everything that happened. Forward it to the trip leader asap so they can then send it on to the editor.

Trip leaders, it is up to you to select someone to write the Trip Report for you. Whether you ask a specific person, ask the group if someone would like too, toss a coin to choose or use the old tradition of last person to the meeting point that’s up to you but please have someone selected preferably, early in the trip but definitely by the end of the trip. Please remember to also encourage keen photographers on your trip to send their best few photos to the editor, high resolution images work best.

Happy Birthday - April and May

Heidi Ploeg Michael Hamilton Ian Warton Jamie Newman David Hood Michael Minny Joel Dedman Jeff Cairns Stephanie Finlayson Hayley Hadfield

4 President’s Report Another two months gone, where is this year going!

There have been some great trips lately. Carnarvon Gorge is a beautiful spot and looks like Sandi, Troy and the group found it as beautiful as we did a few years back. Our long awaited trip to finally came to fruition and was well worth it, what a lovely spot and pretty much deserted, amazing for the Easter break. This trip was made all the better by having a new member along,relatively new to 4wdriving and drivng a Territory. Scott pushed his vehicle to limits he wasn’t sure it was capable of and was suitably impressed. There’some great trips coming up so get involved and get out there.

Relay for Life is coming up towards the end of May. This will be the Club’s eighth year participating and we hope that our members will get behind this great cause. Our club was hit hard last year with the loss of one of our own members and as we all know no-one is immune from this insidious disease. During our years of participation we have raised approx $14,500. There are many ways you can help us raise more this year. Obviously, many hands make light work so if you are able to help out for an hour or two or the whole weekend that is great. If walking is your thing, then get some sponsors to donate money per lap that you walk during the weekend event - no point walking for free! If you can’t be there but still want to help?? Everything costs us money which takes away from our profits, so if you want to donate some heat beads, soft drinks, beef roasts, serviettes, sauce, onions, bread rolls etc please contact Kevin and have a chat about what is needed.

As previously mentioned, this year marks the 40�� birthday of the Subaru & Recreational 4WD Club. We are looking into some ideas for a Birthday Bash on a weekend towards the end of the year - a formal dinner, Trivia Night, Funkhana ? If you have any ideas give me a call and let me know. We hope that the date for this weekend celebration will be agreed upon very shortly so keep an eye on the website and FB page for more details. We would love to see everyone come and celebrate this great club - 40 years is no mean feat!

Cheers, see you out and about Julie Editorially speaking …

Welcome to another edition of Drive Torque. Back to hard copy this time. It was great to receive almost all of the trip reports so quickly after the trips had been run for this edition. Thank you to all those who sent reports/pictures in.

I had someone ask me the other month how to print the magazine when it’s in electronic form. The easiest way is to go to our club website and download it from there and print.

Dead line for June/July edition is Friday 26 June. Please adhere to this, I really love to squeeze as much in as I can each edition but there has to be a cutoff. Julie The Subaru & Recreational 4WD Club, its Editor and the Committee accept no responsibility for opinions expressed in this magazine, nor for the accuracy, veracity, safety or legality of any product or modification.

Material for publication should be submitted to the Editor NO LATER than the dates advised. Photographs should be high resolution and include a descriptive caption, if applicable. The inclusion of photos with trip reports is especially encouraged. Information can be sent to the Editor by email to [email protected].

5 Trip Conveners’ Report

Hello fellow members, another few months have passed since our last report with more trips completed and some new ones posted. Troy and I have been looking at the calendar with a view to filling most weekends so our members have a choice with regard to location and type of trip. During March and April the club ran 7 trips being attended by over 40 vehicles. Looking forward to May and June we have 6 trips posted thus far with another 2 set down for July. Troy and I are thankful to these leaders for the time and effort that they have given the club and its members. There are still plenty of empty weekends and there is no reason why a second trip can’t be posted on some of weekends. A good mix of single day trips, weekend and long weekend trips together with social and activity based trips all make for a healthy and happy club. During the last few years there have also been a good number of extended trips that cover 2 or 3 states in the space of 2 or 3 weeks. We mention these things because we know there is a lot of experienced members out there that have been to hundreds of locations and might like to do so again. Whether you have lead 100 trips or zero trips Troy and I would love to hear your ideas. If you have a favourite location then talk to us and we can help you make it you first club trip. Our web site will allow us to add additional leaders to the same trip; so if your new or not sure about doing things online then Troy or myself, or someone else could be joint leaders and help out when needed. In closing, we would like to encourage all our members to logon about once a week to check what trips might have been added or indeed check the forum comments for a trip you have registered on. Sometimes additional details or answers to questions have been added. Remember when first adding a trip all you need to have is a few of the basic details available so the rest of us can decide if they want to register; more details can be added in due course. Troy and I both look forward to hearing from you soon. Cheers Mark and Troy CLUB CALENDAR for full details see Future Fun on pages

May Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Relay for Life Driver Awareness June 3 Nights in the Coolah Hawks Nest Long weekend July Travel the Old Cedar Road Xmas in July August Camp Oven Cook Off December Club Xmas Party

Future Fun and the calendar in this edition of Drive Torque are correct at the time of printing. For the latest calendar information, see the club’s website: subaru4wdclub.com. Members wanting to join a trip should register on the Club’s website. Please remember to check with the trip leader a day or so before the trip to allow the trip leader to advise members of any changes or cancellations. Don’t forget to advise the trip leader if you need to pull out.

6 The Not So Technical, Technical Report

If You Think You’re Over It - You Probably Are!

We all love the odd beverage or 10, especially around the camp fire, but who really gives a thought to their BAC, Blood Alcohol Content (or concentration) before driving the next morning? We all take for granted that we will be fine & that if we chew gum or eat a strawberry Freddo we won’t register on the breathalyser (MYTH!) if we get pulled over. This article is in no way aimed at any person or group in particular, but the facts & info below certainly expanded my knowledge on the topic. BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration): Your BAC measures the amount of alcohol you have in your system in grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. A BAC of 0.05 means you have 0.05 grams (50 milligrams) of alcohol in every 100 millilitres of blood. There are a range of factors that can affect your blood alcohol concentration level, meaning that two people drinking the same amount of alcohol can have a completely different reading. Some of the factors include:

· Size and weight – a larger person will have a lower BAC than a smaller person drinking the same amount of alcohol; · Gender – men will generally have a lower BAC than women of a similar height and weight · Liver function – if your liver is not at its healthiest, then it will process alcohol slower than a healthy liver; · Lack of food – Drinking on an empty stomach will mean that alcohol gets absorbed faster in your bloodstream; · Fitness and Health – your BAC can be higher if you are not feeling well, you are tired, stressed or unfit

Drink driving is the major cause of death & injury on Australian roads. An estimated 1 in 5 drivers & riders who are killed in accidents have a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit. The risk of having an accident rises as your BAC rises:

· If your BAC is 0.05 you are twice as likely to crash · If your BAC is 0.08 you are 7 times more likely to crash · If your BAC is 0.15 you are 25 times more likely to crash

(all risk compared to if your BAC is 0.00)

What is a Standard Drink? Different alcoholic beverages obviously contain varying amounts of alcohol. Figures below are averages only. Please check label for exact standard drink information.

· Stubby - 1.5 · Schooner - 1.6 · Glass of wine - 1.5 · A can of premixed spirits - 1.5 - 2.1 · Spirit shot – 1 . Bottle of wine - 7.5-9.0 · Alcopop - 1.2 · Longneck beer - 3

Do you know your limit? If you think, like many people, that it’s two standard drinks then think again. A lot of people still think that if they drink two drinks and one every hour after that, they can still drive. But your blood alcohol concentration level can vary greatly depending upon factors including your height, weight, gender, liver function, fitness and health.

7 Myths: Once alcohol has been consumed its effects on driving cannot be reversed. Getting your BAC back to zero takes time & no amount of coffee, food, physical activity or sleep will speed up the process. The only thing that will sober you up once you have stopped drinking is time.

· Eating a lot of pasta or bread will stop me getting drunk = MYTH · Taking antibiotics will lead to a higher blood alcohol reading = MYTH · Black coffee will sober me up = MYTH · Having my period will affect my blood alcohol reading = MYTH · Sucking on a peppermint will fool the breathalyser = MYTH · Having 2 drinks in the first hour & one every hour after that will keep me under the limit = MYTH · A drink driving charge is no big deal = MYTH

Safe Drink Driving: There is no such thing! There’s no absolute safe level of alcohol consumption for competent driving. Even after just a few, your driving ability is affected. The more you drink, the higher your blood alcohol concentration and the greater your chance of having an accident. Alcohol content in your system can decrease your ability to respond to several stimuli, decreases your ability to locate moving lights correctly, reduces the ability to accurately judge distances, increases the tendency to take risks & also can shorten your concentration span.

Tips: · Don't drink more than one or two drinks if you know you have to drive the next morning. · Police conduct random breath testing at all times of the day and night. Organise for a friend or taxi to pick you up the next day if you know you are going to have a big night. · Getting a taxi to work is much cheaper than losing your licence for months. Having to rely on friends and family to get around is a major hassle on them and you

As well as putting yourself in danger, drink driving can affect the lives of so many other innocent people. Next time your think you are “ok” to get behind the wheel after a few drinks, spare a thought for those on the road with young children in the car, the shift worker simply coming home from doing his job or the cyclist out for some early morning exercise. How will your actions affect them? Injury or loss of life has such a broad range of adverse effects on so many people - is that extra drink really worth it? Can you live with the death of another human on your conscience?

Do you really have to get behind that wheel? Jo Quinn Above information includes extracts from the following websites: www.drinkwise.org.au; www.ruoverit.com.au; www.nswcompensationlawyers.com.au

8 NSW-ACT 4WD Association Newsletter - April 2015 May Quarterly Meeting and Working Bee - Dingo Dell Weekend of 16th and 17th May, 2015

MEETING DATE: SATURDAY, 16TH OF MAY, 2015 (WEEKEND CAMPING EVENT) Venue: Dingo Dell. GPS: Latitude 33° 58? 25.5"S Longitude 149° 57? 54.576"E

The campsite is along Management Trail which can be found along Kanangra Walls Rd or Banshea Rd. The campsite is beside Dingo Dell Creek and is found soon after crossing Tuglow Hole Creek.

Meeting Time: 2:30pm. There will be a Dingo Dell working bee on in the morning.

There is a lot to discuss at this meeting primarily with the following topics to be discussed: DTU Changes and arranging an MOU with Getabout Name to be decided re our Ambit Claim project. (We need this name for the next points) Approve $2,000 budget for initial Ambit Claim Video Production Sponsorship of 'High Tide' radio program on 2SM Sunday 4am to 7am If possible it would be good if we had as many club delegates, presidents and any of your members that want to help out with Dingo Dell and then to socialise with fellow association and club members. It should be a great weekend!

We are currently looking at lunch options for the day as many of us including our fellow club members will be up for the Dingo Dell working bee. You must be joking……

I always wanted a four wheel drive, so I put three extra steering wheels in my car.

Having a four-wheel-drive just means getting stuck in more inaccessible places.

Sheila walked into the kitchen to find Bruce stalking around with a fly swatter. "What are you doing?" she asked. "Hunting Flies" he responded. "Oh. Killing any?" she asked. "Yep, 3 males, 2 females," he replied. Intrigued, she asked. "How can you tell them apart?" He responded, "3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone."

9 Ian’s Shop

Hi everyone

Over time I have bought a selection of items at the best price possible , trying to cater to the interests and needs of 4WD enthusiasts and Club Members.

Just some of the items available include:

. LED torches . hand tools . high quality disposable plates and bowls . knives and forks . cling wrap and foil

plus many other incidentals.

To see what else I have available please email me at [email protected]. I can advise price , brand names etc and if interested I will then bring them along to our next meeting night. Alternatively you can call me on my mobile 0411 096202.

Look forward to hearing from you. Ian Heathcote

10 To order please contact Karolyn on 0459111096 or email CLUB SHOP [email protected]

JACKET VEST RUGBY TOP MEN’S SHIRT

$65 Sizes 12-24

$95 $34 $35 (to be confirmed) $44

LADIES SHIRT MEN’S POLO LADIES POLO LADIES PINK

$44 $30 $30 $30

CAPS $15 each One size fits all

NOW AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE GO TO http://www.subaru4wdclub.com/club-shop.html 11 Windellama Wanderings

Trip Leader: Trip Participants: Kevin McCormack - Forester Ann-Marie Meade & Travis - Pathfinder Hosts: Micheal & Julie Rush - Triton Jo & Shahni Quinn - Ranger Adrian McCormack & Coreena Ferry Mark & Karolyn Honor - Navara Visitors: Grant, Alison, Ethan & Jake Lucas - Josh Parkinson - Landcruiser Challenger Trip Report: Ray Stanborough - Patrol Michael & Jean Dunstan - Challenger Ann-Marie Meade

12 Kevin, Ray, Travis and myself decided to head off on worth the short walk. The last stop before heading Friday evening to Adrian and Coreena’s place. This back onto the tar was at Jerrawangala Lookout for part of the trip started well however, about 20 minutes more spectacular views. We then headed to Nerriga from their property the Pathfinder overheated (again) Pub for a refreshing beverage and loo stop on our way from a split hose. We decided to leave the Pathy to to the for Fivesies. For me, the river cool down and come back and tow it back to Adrian stop made the ultimate location to have a sit back and and Coreena’s. Josh had come up for the weekend reminisce over the days sights. It was a great spot for also. We all had a lovely dinner before heading to bed. a swim but only Adrian, Michael D, Travis and Shahni took the plunge into the less than warm waters. A few Saturday Kevin headed off to the meeting spot and cars went for a little drive on the beach prior to after a slight unplanned detour to the mine site, made heading back to the property for dinner and one huge it to the meeting spot. Everyone arrived at the fire. On returning to the property we had a guided property, met Tinkerbell, the very friendly and cute tour down the back of the 100 acres. baby goat, and set up camp. On Sunday Adrian and Coreena cooked up a feast of After a bit of a reshuffle of passengers due to both the bacon and eggs for everyone before heading off. Some Jeep and Pathfinder being out of action we hit the people headed straight home others headed into road. Coreena became Ray’s chauffeur for the day. Tarago Show before heading home. Besides having Our first stop was the Tianjara Falls, where there was more car dramas (from my side) it was a great a beautiful rainbow in the waterfall. A little further weekend and I’m pretty sure everyone else had a great down the road we turned on to Twelve Mile Fire Trail time too. Huge big THANK YOU to Adrian and Coreena and headed to George Boyd Lookout. We had a for being fantastic hosts to everyone. beautiful spot to stop for lunch and take in the views over Sussex Inlet which were a little hazy but spectacular. Adrian, Travis and myself took a little bush walk from here and met up with the cars at the Ann-Marie other end. We travelled a little further and another small bush walk out to Granite Falls which were well

13 14 BIRTHDAY BASH - GO KARTING

Trip Leaders: Trip Participants: Tom and Cath DeSantis Cath DeSantis and Gillian Wall James & Gill Wall Lyndon Skeggs Trip Report: Troy, Sandi, Lauren & Kaitlin Strickland Geoff Adcock Lauren Strickland and Lyndon Skeggs Julie Rush Jo & Shahni Quinn Visitors: Brian & Izzy Flood Mel & Daniel Skeggs Kim Nolan

15 First of all, thank you so much to Cath and Gill for Kaitlin gets the award for the ‘Best Crash of the Day!’ organising the go karting for your husbands’ birthdays She got stuck when she attempted to drive through (even though neither of them took the track …?)! It the tyre wall, which none of us got to witness was a whole stack of fun and we all thoroughly enjoyed unfortunately. I think she thought she was playing it! Mario Kart!

As a fifteen year old, I haven’t really driven before (well Congratulations to Daniel, who got the fastest lap time not above 10km/h), so this was my first experience on the first round and average overall, and Troy who behind the wheel of a non-computerised car. We received the fastest lap time of the day!!! quickly suited up in the jumpsuits, put our helmets on, and hopped into our karts…the men came along down Belated happy birthday to Tom and James! I hope you the line, starting all our engines…AND OFF WE WENT! enjoyed your birthday as much as I did! Twisting round the corners, zooming down the Lauren straight. Actually, on my first lap, I was very cautious, not wanting to crash or anything, but by the 4�� or so lap I was gaining a lot more speed!

16 lunch nibbles around which to debrief on our morning Following an exciting morning at Picton Go Karts, the Go Karting exploits…. needless to say there was plenty group moved onto Cordeaux Dam for lunch. of banter on who won the morning sessions….

Thanks to Jo, our picnic site had been reserved and After the nibbles and debrief we organised our picnic suitably decorated to celebrate Tom and James’ lunch which included a birthday cake, luckily we didn’t birthday. need to go for the oxygen when it came time for them to blow out the candles, and we all sang happy The weather was fine and sunny after earlier birthday to the 2 guests of honour… A few of the local threatening to rain. We had a fine assortment of pre

17 Rosellas decided to crash the party and it was interesting to see how tame they were, with a few willing to be fed by hand…

Cordeaux Dam is part of the Upper Nepean catchment area and is noted for its Egyptian inspired architecture. It’s located 94 kilometres south of Sydney on the Plateau. Construction started in 1918, and it took 8 years to complete.

The dam wall is 57 meters high and 405 meters long and holds at full capacity 93,640 mega litres.

Tom and James have a combined age of 127 years…. And apart from 127 being after 126 and before 128 this number has a few interesting points…….

. As a Mersenne prime, 127 is related to the perfect number 8128. 127 is also an exponent for another Mersenne prime 2¹²⁷ ‐ 1 (2¹²⁷ ‐ 1), which was discovered by Édouard Lucas in 1876, and held the record for the largest known prime for 75 years - it is still the largest prime ever discovered by hand calculations. Furthermore, 127 is equal to 2⁷ ‐ 1, and because 7 is also a Mersenne prime, this makes 127 a double Mersenne prime.

. 127 is a centered hexagonal number

. There is a Fiat 127 car., Tom with his Italian heritage will appreciate this I’m sure…….and there’s also a Land Rover Model called a 127 …for James…. With his military background…

. It’s the atomic number for Unbiseptium

. U.S. Route 127 (US 127) is a 758-mile-long (1,220 km) north–south U.S. Highway in the eastern half of the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at US 27 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The northern terminus is at Interstate 75 (I-75) near Grayling, Michigan.

Many thanks goes to Gill and Cath for organising the day,… and again thanks to Jo for the decorations…. (and thanks to Mr Google for the facts and figures above ). It was a great way to spend a Saturday! 18 Driver Awareness - Sand Rocks and Mud Trip Leaders: Trip Participants Brian Flood and Brett Atkins Michael Dunstan - Challenger Jeep Discovery Simon Reid - Navara Bernadette Tiller - Subaru Trip Report: Jamie Manning - Subaru Simon Reid Evan King - Pajero

The name “Sand, Rocks and Mud” weekend looked when you are going up them, 11 year old sounded a bit scary and/or exciting for a newby but son loved them. we thought we’d give it a go anyway. Getting late, getting hungry and thirsty we cruised First stop was Maccas for 4wd and people fuel. We up the beach to Anna Bay for the night. then went to an old quarry and telegraph line trail behind Freeman’s Waterhole for our 1st go at We were greeted by a perfect sunrise over Stockton putting the Navara into 4wd. Mud up over the Beach on Sunday morning. Quick breakfast and bonnet and windscreen, there goes the new car coffee and we were on our way again heading look! More mud, rock climbs, hill descent and hill towards Watagan State Forest. ascents for a very exciting 3 hrs. More rock climbing, training and a winch recovery Lunch then on the road again heading to Stockton demo to finish off the weekend. Beach. Quick vehicle check, tyre pressures down, Great weekend had by myself and my 11 year old instructions issued then onto the sands of Stockton son. Thanks to all on the trip for the training and Beach. We checked out the ship wreck, photos invaluable knowledge that was freely given. were taken, we watched a snatch strap recovery demo then we hit the dunes. Bigger than they Simon Reid

19 Take a Hike - Carnarvon Gorge

Trip Participants: Trip Leaders: Troy & Sandi Strickland Troy, Sandi, Lauren & Kaitlin Strickland - Trip Report: Everyone Outback Brett, Fiona & Chantal Hampson - Landcruiser Joel Dedman - Challenger Geoff Adcock - Pathfinder Jeffy Cairns - Pajero John & Jean Hocking - Patrol

20 RAin rain go away come again another day!

This was the big day of hiking. The plan was to set off on the main track to the "Art Gallery", the furthest destination then head back doing all the side trails on the way. Actually there are further destinations but we were told the track is in poor condition, and probably best tackled by camping at Big Bend at the end.

The trail crosses Carnarvon Creek several times over usually well placed stepping stones. The Aboriginal art at the "Art Gallery" dates back over 2,000 years, but Left home at 4:45am and met the Stricklands at Maccas due to the porous nature of the sandstone F3 north. A quick breakfast and back on the road, it was the dyes stay fresh. "Wards Canyon" was already building up with traffic as early as 6am. We lush, due to its permanent water source. experienced the new Hunter Expressway which dropped King ferns made this gorge their home, there us at Singleton. The trip up to Moree was event free with are no others in the surrounding 250 000 Subway for lunch, then up through Mungindi (the only square kilometers. "The Amphitheatre" was town to straddle both sides of a border) and through to accessed by steep steel ladders, then Nindigully Hotel. Most of the way up it rained and rained through narrow gap between two rock faces and rained. As such, the campsite was pure mud at the opening up into a large cavernous pub. This is where we met up with Geoff, as well as John "amphitheatre". Several of the group tested and Jean. All but Geoff (who had already booked his site) out the acoustics with their singing. The moved onward to St George. Shortly afterwards, Jeffy met "moss garden" track is self-explanatory. The us at St George. We explored St George by foot, and we walk all up was about 17km. We stopped off discovered that nothing was open for dinner as it was Good at the "rock pool" on the way back to camp Friday. to cool off and relax.

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day! Packed up in We had been back at site for some hours the rain, tents washed, everything was drenched. As we and John and Jean, doing the walk at their meandered our way further north, we had sporadic own pace had not returned. Sandi set out to patches of rain. Next stop Roma. Quick shop in woollies look for them. She first found Jean, who had and a wander through the markets and off to Carnarvon only done some of the walks and was Gorge. We had glimpses of blue skies, however they waiting for John at the car and was a little looked more ominous as we neared our destination. worried. Walking the trail again Sandi asked Thankfully we set up in the dry just before it bucketed the passersby if they had seen John, they down once more. Later we were treated to an information had, and going by the responses she was session regarding the wonders that are in Carnarvon closing in. He was fine albeit quite Gorge. Most had a BBQ dinner while Jean and John treated exhausted. He had done all the walks the themselves to a baked dinner at the restaurant. others completed; it just took a little longer. Joel Jeffy 21 4 am start and therefore; I was not happy!! At first, Well this would be another day of adventure in we 'walked' a steep walk, well some parts of it were. Carnarvon Gorge today as some of us had thoughts Other parts were just annoying. Some people also of returning to Warrumbah Gorge and tackling the need to learn to stop 'poking the bear.' Well, obstacles and seeing how far we could go. metaphorically and in some cases literally. But then there was the view. The view of the sunrise was But before we worried about that the first drive today pretty good but it didn’t quite make up for the fact took us not too far to Baloon Cave where it was a very that we had to wake up at 4 in the morning. Yeah, I short walk of 500m along a path that even included was on holidays but does that make a difference? a wooden bridge across one creek (what??? No NOOOOOO, WALK TILL YOU DIE!!!!!!!! Then, after the stepping stones this time?). The path brought us out 5km walk, we had a 1 ½ hour break on a hot day then to another Aboriginal rock art site where we had a Sandi says 'WALK TIME!!!!! DONT CARE IF YOU’RE short rest (it was a long way….really) and some of the DYING, WE ARE GOING FOR ANOTHER WALK!' Like, girls decided to walk back to the Carnarvon Gorge no, but do we get a choice? NO. We got a slight break Lodge rather than spend more time in the cars with which was like 1½ hours. Then we go for another us guys. walk. These walks were actually pretty rocky and cool. In my opinion, they rocked. After that we stayed at At the lodge some headed straight for the Devonshire camp for a while. That was cool. Then we did the tea but Joel heard a hissing sound coming from Jeffy’s usual: eat. Prado and on further inspection found his rear tyre to be punctured with some metal object. Out with Kaitlin the tyre repair kit and after a bit of a struggle we finally got the metal out and the plug in. Then it was time to join the others for coffee and scones. Speaking of scones, have you ever wondered why the scone you eat and the town Scone are pronounced differently? If you know then let the rest of us know too. Maybe those toffy horse folk at Scone just don’t want to live at a place that sounds like baked flour.

22 Anyway, I digress. that would take us a while to get up. Troy showed the way up but it was decided to turn around at this point Back to camp for lunch while the main discussion was as it was 3pm and we wanted to get back to go to a about who was going to join Sandi for the hike up the talk at the Lodge at 5.30pm. So, we timed our way back Gorge and how wet did we think we were going to get. and found we were much quicker going down the Well, 7 of us decided to give it a go and we were soon obstacles (thank you gravity) and managed to get back back at the carpark deciding how much to take with in about half the time it took us to go up. us. I decided on just reef shoes and a water bottle. Thankfully Troy was taking his camera (and water proof A quick walk back to the car and then back to camp for bag) as well as a Go Pro. a well earned shower before heading to the lodge for a talk about the Carnarvon Gorge area. If you plan to It didn’t take us long to reach the point that we turned come here then you must go to this talk by Simon. He around the previous day where Sandi was concerned has such passion and knowledge of the area and we about the darkness and depth of water that led up to should have done this when we first arrived, and all for a log which then needed to be climbed. Seeing as I was a gold coin donation. He also does a night time spot the tallest I went in to find the water just above waist light tour which we wish we could have done. It gives height (if you stayed on the high points) but I could not us another reason to come back again along with get enough grip on the log to get up. After assistance getting further up Warrumbah Gorge. from Troy I got up and then one by one we helped each other up and over this part. We headed back to camp again for dinner and a sit around the fire for our last night in this wonderful park. More rocks, obstacles and water (some too deep to touch bottom) were traversed while admiring the Brett beauty of the gorge before we got to another point 23 The day starts out with us all packing up our kit on a very brisk morning that is totally different from our last four days of balmy temps. So we were up and at it in order to make it to Lightning Ridge in a reasonable time seeing that we had to travel over 700 kms.

At this point in time we were starting to lose our fellow travellers such as John and Jean who were heading for Dalby and Jeffy from Wollongong was going on to explore more of the local national parks etc. So we were now down to four vehicles out of six.

Our first port of call was to be Roma several hundred kms down the road. As we approached Injune some 100 kms from Carnarvon Gorge I had it pointed out that there was a sign saying 24 hour fuel, something I had missed on the way to Carnarvon which had me running on low fuel conservation mode.

While in Roma we fuelled up and some bought supplies and we all met up for a hot coffee. St George was to be our next port of call for a late lunch. We ended up eating our lunch overlooking the river before moving on towards Lightning Ridge. As we traveled towards our destination we made it to the small town of Hebel for an ice-cream or two.

On we travelled towards the Ridge and as we got some 5 or 6 kms to the turn off on the left I get a message over the CB saying to turn left as well as a BLOODY GREAT SIGN saying turn left, but you guessed it, yours truly sails on into the distance when there is a desperate message from Brett saying “Geoff you are going onto Walgett!” OOPS BOO BOO. After I have wiped the egg off my face we headed into town and Sandi goes about finding out where to stay etc. We settle into the Opal Caravan Park, just up the road from the hot bore swimming pool.

Seeing as it was Brett and Fiona’s 10th Wedding Anniversary we all fronted up to the local Italian pizza restaurant for a big nosh up. We all went to bed after a great night out and a great day overall. Geoff

24 We got up and we had breakfast and I had pancakes see the Milky Way in the sky from the pool. Ok then I and Lauren, Kaitlin, Sandi, Troy and Joel had pancakes. have had enough of writing . bye Then we got in the car and we did car door tours. Chantelle First we did the Red one which had a good castle and in it had lots of art-work. Next we went to an observatory monument which was closed and mum said "this looks like Bottle Top Bill's house". We went Today we went to the Club in the Scrub, Sheepyard Inn to an area where the first mines were and dropped and the Glengarry Hilton. We left Lightning Ridge at some small rocks to see how deep the mines were. This around 9:30, after a lazy morning and then, after is where we had morning tea and I had lots of fueling up and stopping for a coffee we drove about chocolate. Then we went to a big mine with a small 40kms to our first stop; Camborah, we then stopped store selling opals and he had 2 noisy dogs. After a at the golf club, had a go at polishing some stones at short drive we came to the caravan park for lunch. Sheepyard Flat and then lunch at the Glengarry Hilton. We then went back to camp and got ready for our We split up at this point and I went to a mine tour fivesies whilst watching the sunset overlooking First which was called "Chambers of the Black Hand". There Shaft Lookout, one of the highest spots of the area were lots of sculptures in the mine such as leopards, where the first mines were dug. dolphins, kangaroos, old prime ministers and 25 little 'Where's Wally' paintings for the kids to find among Sandi the sculptures.

Then we went back and listened to a concert at the caravan park followed by dinner and a late night swim in the really hot water across the road and we could

25 Well, today was the day we all said goodbye to each Well, almost… someone decided to extend their other. Brett and Fiona went home with Troy and Sandi stay in Walgett and spend most of the day with Joel after an early start. Geoff decided to take a bit longer waiting for the NRMA after an early morning fuel to get home and left a bit later that day and then Joel, stop without coffee made them absent mindedly who was going to a charity dinner at Walgett, and had put petrol in the diesel Outback. After a 9 hr only 75km was able to enjoy an even more leisurely towtruck trip home all is now cleaned out and day. running better than ever. A big thank you to Brett, Fiona and Chantelle for taking the girls home in All in all, a great trip was had by all. time for their Gang Show rehearsal and Joel for entertaining us for the day. Troy

26 EXPLORING WADBILLIGA NATIONAL PARK

Trip Leaders: Julie & Michael Rush - Triton Trip Participants:

Trip Report: Everyone Craig Fitzpatrick - Navara Scott Ashhurst - Territory

27 I had been trying to get to Wadbilliga National Park Travelling on we headed through Dampier State for a number of years now but unfortunately bad Forest following the through the Belowra weather in August/September usually managed to Valley. As it was starting to get late we decided to close it down before the October long weekend so look for a suitable campsite for the evening. The this time I decided to change tactics and head down original campsite had a rather interesting entry into there for Easter - succcess at last! What a stunning a creek crossing which we could’ve all managed to get place to visit and I can’t believe that being the Easter through but getting the Territory back out would not break we did not have to share a campsite. have been quite so simple and there were 2 campers already on the other side of the river. As luck would After a few vehicles had to pull out for various reasons have it I decided to walk down to what we thought it was only the 3 of us, Craig, new member Scott and was the end of the track and lo and behold around a ourselves who met at Moruya on a drizzly Good Friday bend was a perfect sandy little beach just right for us for lunch. Heading out we turned off the highway at to pitch our tents for the night. Fivesies, dinner and Bodalla and headed down the Tuross River Run. a campfire on the rivers edge was exactly what the doctor ordered. After passing through Nerigundah, now basically a ghost town, we started our climb into the mountain Julie ranges. Our first stop was at the now disused Comans Mine which opened in the 1880s and finally closed for the last time around 1950. A leisurely 15 minute walk took us past the remaining relics of the mine including what I can only say is the most intact ten head stamper battery I have ever seen. Usually there are just bits left of these things and you have to use your imagination but this was pretty much complete.

28 Around 9.15 we left our camp on the Tuross River After the short walk to the Cascades, the bakeries of near the junction with the Wadbilliga River on Numeralla were calling, so a brief detour was Belowra Rd. Weather good, overcast, with some light proposed which was extended to Cooma when it was rain during the day. discovered there were no shops in Numeralla.

We followed the Belowra Road west through After fortification with coffee, pies and pastries we Wadbilliga NP along the Tuross River for a few kms left Cooma (22km from Numeralla) at around 1:15pm, through low lying forest then turning north and west we returned past Numeralla on the Countegany Rd away from the river into open, undulating farmland. before turning south along Tuross Rd to Two River Plain where we crossed the Tuross River again (975m). After around 20km we re-entered National Parks (Wadbilliga on the southern side of the road and Deua We then followed Wadbilliga Rd through private land to the north), we cross Woila Creek near its junction with a number of gates (thanks to Julie doing a great with the Tuross River and started to climb steeply job as gatekeeper) before starting a steady, steep and through "primeval" forest heading west and north somewhat rocky descent through Conways Gap down entering Badja State Forest, 900m above sea level. to Wadbilliga Crossing (300m) and a final short drive through the forest to the lovely and empty Lake Creek We turned onto Badja Fire Trail/Forest Road and saw camping ground, next to the Wadbilliga River (250m). changing vegetation due to altitude and State Forest. We took the turnoff to The Cascades/Tuross Falls A challenging and scenic day, mainly in National Parks, (1100m). The Cascades are a spectacular series of starting at close to sea level climbing to 1100m and large, open rock platforms along the Tuross River dropping back down to 250m with spectacular which have we have re-joined for the third time today. scenery, 127km of scenic, challenging roads, a bakery and a great day. Tuross Falls are a 2 hr walk from the carpark (didn't do it this time). A good basic camping area, potential Scott for a future trip.

29 We awoke to sunshine and a nice looking day (but morning tea. After a discussion Scott told us of some the Easter Bunny must have got lost - there were no nice back roads so he became the new trip leader, Easter eggs). It was a shame we had to leave this we headed towards Bermagui, Wallaga Lake, Tilba great camping spot, we were on the road at around Tilba and turned into Central Tilba passing through 9.00am and headed along Wadbilliga Road following the pretty little town when over the radio Scott said the river for some time before climbing out of the we had to turn around as we missed the road we valley another long steep climb then down the other were to take. We found the road and turned into side into Belowra Valley where we left the National Punkalla Road (dirt) followed it through some Park and into some farming country. We drove till beautiful country before turning left onto Wagonga we found Brassknocker Road on the left to take us Scenic Road where we found a nice little spot on the up to Peak Alone Fire Trail (Julie has been trying to water called Brices Wharf then continued along the get to this spot for years and nothing was going to road when it started to deteriorate and got real stop her) after another steep climb we turned right narrow and overgrown before coming out onto into Peak Alone fire trail and the track deteriorated Mitchells Road, turned right and headed to the so we stopped to discuss if Scott wanted to take his Princess Highway just south of Bodalla. Back on the car the rest of the way to the top - he said I would highway we headed towards and give it a go and we proceeded on up. About 400m turned into Martins Ridge Road in the McDonald from the top the road got narrow and steep and I State forest and met up with Tony Nardi and settled chickened out while the others continued and made in for the night. This was a fantastic trip with some it to the top at about 957m high with spectacular amazing scenery and we stayed in great camping views (I think I even heard Julie shout with joy that spots, thank you Julie and Michael - this is one trip I she had finally made it!). We then doubled back won’t forget and it was good to see Scott put his Ford down the mountain and back onto Wadbilliga Road Territory to the test and win! into Cobargo where we had coffee and cake for Craig

30 We awoke Monday morning to beautiful weather and decided that an early leave was probably the way to go to try and beat the traffic. Scott was going off to explore a little more, Craig was ready to leave and Tony was staying till later in the day so we said our goodbyes to all and headed home.

I am so glad I finally got to see Wadbilliga National Park, a truly lovely spot with some great scenery and some good low range driving. I will certainly be back there. And to top it off, finally finding Peak Alone Fire Trail and reaching the summit was just an added bonus. Julie

31 BLUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK LEISURE DAY

Trip Leaders: Trip Participants Michael & Jean Dunstan - Challenger Robert & Sandra Moss - Patrol Jo & Shahni Quinn - Ranger Bernadette & Chris Tiller - Subaru Trip Report: John & Jean Hocking - Pajero Ann-Marie Meade, Travis and Kevin Chris Tiller McCormack - Triton Craig Fitzpatrick - Navara David & Julie Kirkby - Patrol Michael Hamilton - Navara

32 Morbi

We started the day meeting at Mulgoa Park where We took the opportunity to introduce ourselves, we shared the disappointing news that Glenbrook David suggested we take a look at some spots he National Park was closed due to flooding of the knew about so we headed off again up the causeway. As most of the day was focused within the mountains to Bulls Camp Reserve. This spot has a National park this through a spanner in the plans. lovely lagoon covered with lilies. David took us just off the grass area to a stone in the ground with Not to be deterred Sandra and Robert had us grooves carved into it, this is called the Flogging heading off on our adventure. We headed down to Stone. A convict stockade was established here in the end of Fairlight Rd to a small section of the Blue 1835 during the ‘Great Roads’ period and was Mountains National Park. Along the road in there utilised once again in the 1860’s when the rail line were lots of spider webs in the trees with rain drops was being built. With much discussion on why the on them, they looked rather striking. We got to the grooves, one lovely suggestion was so the blood end of the track and then headed on foot 200mtrs could run off, yuk. We then headed a little way down through the bush and a climb to top of the rock, the the track to a cave under the reserve. David told us most fantastic view of the Mulgoa Valley and the that this was used to hold prisoner convicts, up to opened up before us. It was beautiful 25 at a time until transport arrived. The cave is very with the fog still lingering on the tree tops, kayakers low, collects the seepage from above and was on the river, birds singing in the trees, all very flooded so wouldn’t be nice. There is another cave peaceful. about 0.5 kms from this one but the surrounding land is now private so we couldn’t visit it. Jean made us We had a group photo before heading back down some one eared bush devils and even found a triple onto the next phase in our adventure. headed one.

33 From here we went for a short drive along the old We stopped for morning tea and then onto the Great Western Hwy into Burke Rd Linden. The National Park at Glenbrook that had reopened. weatherboard house on the corner is where David spent 13yrs of his childhood. He had many stories First stop in the NP was Red Hands Cave, a cave to share of his adventures in the area and took us filled with Aboriginal hand prints. Then onto lunch down to see the grave of John Donohoe. Doing a at Euroka Clearing where we were joined by some little research at home I have found there seems to of the locals that wanted to share our lunch. At be some mystery surrounding this man. Some historians say he was a policeman shot by a local Bushranger “King” that terrorised the area, some have him as a policeman/mounted trooper who died of natural causes, other historians dispute this and say he was a convict. His grave has been moved 4 times, in the 1860’s with building the railroad, again in 1902 dual tracks went in, again in 1957 and finally in 1970. During the move in 1902 the gravestone was broken and in the 1970’s move the badly weathered inscription was re-engraved on the reverse, the stone mason misspelt the surname.

We travelled a little way into the bush and found King’s cave, an extremely large sandstone cave roof is over a metre high. This is a lovely cave which had some inscriptions in it as far back as the 1820’s and there is a natural spring at the western end. We imagine this was a meeting place for the local tribes. It was also used during the road and rail building through the mountains.

34 one point Sandra was being stalked by 3 kookaburras while she was cooking her snags while the Minor birds were dive bombing nearby.

After a lovely relaxing lunch we headed off to The Portal Lookout. This lookout gives great views of the Nepean River, the two bridges and the Penrith area. The Nepean Bell was starting off on one of it’s journeys down the river.

From here we left the park and headed over to Lennox Bridge, an old curved convict bridge built in 1833.

Final stop on our adventure was Penrith’s Poppy Park. This is a temporary addition to the park set up to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the ANZACs. There is a poppy planted for every service person killed in war. A few got on the scissor lift for a bird’s eye view of the park.

A big thank you to Sandra and Robert for organising and being trip leaders and also to everyone who came. A great day was had by all.

35 THE COMPETITION SO FAR …… (AS AT END OF ROUND 8) RANK TIPSTER WHO POINTS 1 utechick Julie R 39 2 #ThePheonix Pat M 38 3 sandis73 Sandi S 36 4 ThePhoenix Chris M 35 5 Jtigger Jean D 32 6 Muddy06 Amanda C 31 6 sim28 Sandra M 31 6 troy72s Troy S 31 9 Nickc1981 Nick C 30 10 harleyjs Harley S 29 10 Ranger10 Jo Q 29 12 David Ackermann David A 28 12 Merlot1957 Michael D 28

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL - DUE 1 JULY 2015 Its almost that time of year again folks when Membership Fees need to be paid.

You have 4 options to pay your annual membership fee of $100.

Option 1 - Paypal (Credit Card) Use the form online at http://www.subaru4wdclub.com/pay-membership-fees.html You will be redirected to our paypal page where you can make your payment. Option 2 - Direct Deposit Reference: Use your last name Name: Subaru & Recreational 4WD Club Inc BSB: 062 - 445 Account: 10177990 Option 3 - Cheque Please make cheques payable to Subaru & Recreational 4WD Club Inc Cheques can be presented at club meeting or you can send in the post to: Po Box 161 Parramatta NSW 2124 Option 4 - Cash This can be given at the Meeting

36 FUTURE FUN - what’s coming up WINE TASTING � HUNTER Trip Leader - Karen Campbell Date - 16 May 2015 Grading - Social

Join us for a wine tasting trip to the Hunter Valley, you don't have to worry about driving. Coach pickup at Central Station 7am. Cost $125 over 18s only - cost includes bus & lunch. Contact Karen at [email protected] Mobile 0430842101

2015 HAWKESBURY RELAY FOR LIFE Trip Leader - Kevin McCormack Date - 23-24 May 2015 Grading - Social / Fundraising

A fun and moving overnight event that raises funds for the Cancer Council. We raise funds by providing hot roast rolls, soups and more to participants. There’s plenty of fun to be had with events during the day and lots of entertainment at night. Plenty of room to camp. Contact Kevin at [email protected] Mobile 0428408568

DRIVER AWARENESS Trip Leaders - Brian Flood & Brett Atkins Date - 30-31 May 2015 Grading - Easy Contact [email protected] / 0412208874 or [email protected] / 0425270385

THREE DAYS IN THE COOLAH Trip Leader - Paul Sistrom Date - 6-8 June 2015 Grading - Easy

Camping in the beautiful Coolah Tops National Park. Optional dress theme - Hogan's Heroes (3 days in za Coolah for you!). Will be quite cold but so much to see and admire - lots of native animals, waterfalls, lookouts, remains of old sawmill equipment). Contact Paul at [email protected] Mobile 0404084125

37 FUTURE FUN - what’s coming up HAWKS NEST LONG WEEKEND Trip Leaders - Mark & Karolyn Honor Date - 6-8 June 2015 Grading - Social So.... this is the type of trip where you make your own way, in your own time, to a great camp site on a river near some fantastic fishing and boating, walking or push bike riding. Beaches, river, coffee shops, National Parks and State Forests are all within striking distance. We will be staying at Camp $20 per car per night. Karolyn and I will be arriving early and travelling home later hence meeting on site. We are not planning any driving or other activities so just a relaxing weekend with friends if any of you turn up lol. Contact Mark at [email protected] or Mobile 0418406118

TRAVEL THE OLD CEDAR ROAD Trip Leaders - Mark & Karolyn Honor Date - 10-12 July 2015 Grading - Easy Contact [email protected] Mobile 041840We will meet up the mountains on Friday night and then travel towards Yerranderie via Oberon, and Mount Werong, taking about 4 hours. Our destination on Friday night is a private property about 40 minutes beyond Yerranderie. We are fortunate the owners of this property are allowing us access beyond several locked gates. Come prepared to camp although there are two huts and septic toilets. You must be able to travel with the group on Friday night or meet us in Yerranderie at about 10.30pm. More details will be sent to those who register. Contact Mark at [email protected] or Mobile 0418406118 CHRISTMAS IN JULY Trip Leader - Karen Campbell Date - 18-19 July 2015 Grading - Social Christmas in July camping weekend at Lake Lyell - $20/$25 per night unpowered/powered. Fires allowed. Flushing toilets, fishing, kayaking. Communal meal on Saturday night. Contact Karen at [email protected] or Mobile 0430842101

CAMP OVEN COOK OFF Trip Leaders - Julie & Michael Rush Date - 29-30 August 2015 Grading - Social

Round 4 is almost upon us. Brush up on those campfire cooking skills and cook up a storm or just come along for some taste sensations. Camping (free) at Belanglo State Forest - $15 per head if eating only, $5 per car if you are participating in the Cook-Off. All money goes to prizes. Contact Julie at [email protected] or Mobile 0409307381 38 Trip Gradings S U B A R U Social/Scenic Sealed roads and 1 smooth unsealed surfaces or tracks. Suitable for all types of vehicles. No previous 4WD experience necessary. Road tyres are acceptable. Suitable for all camper trailers and small caravans.

Easy Dirt trails with possible loose 2 surfaces, potholes, corrugations, shallow mud or puddles. Moderate inclines and declines. 4WD may be required. Low range not required. Some previous 4WD experience or completion of a driver awareness course preferred but not essential. Road tyres are acceptable. Suitable for camper trailers.

Medium Un-maintained trails, 3 moderate to steep terrain, with awareness course essential. Suitable for GRADE 4 loose rocky and rutted surfaces. purpose built, high clearance, heavy duty Kevin McCormack’s Forester on Sand, water crossings or mud may be camper trailers with brakes and off-road “that” seemingly unconquerable hill in Lidsdale State Forest. As a encountered. Low range may be required hitches. cut-out ascent with high walls, with recoveries possible. Previous off- deep ruts and not much traction road experience necessary. Completion Hard Expect steep terrain, large ruts, there is little to no choice for wheel rock steps, deep water crossings, placement so very few vehicles can of driver awareness course expected. 5 climb it with success. A/T tyres preferred. Suitable for high and mud for majority of trip. Low-range clearance, heavy duty camper trailers with gearing, high clearance and under off-road hitches. body protection required. Completion of club driver awareness course required. Advanced Un-maintained trails, steep Participation at trip leader’s discretion. 4 terrain with loose, rocky and rutted A/T tyres minimum. Rated recovery surfaces. Sand, water crossings or mud points front and rear of vehicle essential. may be encountered. Low range, high A hand or vehicle mounted winch must clearance and A/T tyres required, with be available. Expect recoveries and very recoveries probable. Previous off-road slow progress. No camper trailers. Due experience and completion of a driver to the inherent danger of this type of trip, children must be closely supervised.

These gradings Minimum recovery equipment: (Please replace the batteries). ■ Jack; are to be used ■ A snatch strap; ■ Wheel brace as a guide only ■ Two rated D shackles; and All vehicles should be in ■ Basic tools; and may change ■ A UHF radio. good mechanical condition ■ Shovel; and due to track Visitors can arrange with and have the following basic ■ First Aid Kit. and weather the trip leader to borrow a equipment: These items should be conditions. handheld UHF radio for the day. ■ Spare wheel, carried on all club trips.

GRADE 1 The New Members trip to the Southern Highlands was a gentle intro into the club.

39 Convoy and trip procedures

When roads are rough or dusty, 1 maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

Maintain position in convoy except 2 in unusual circumstances. Always wait at intersections to 3 ensure that the vehicle behind you knows which way to go. EXCEPTION: When drivers are known to each other and radio contact has been made, directions may be given over the CB, to allow the convoy to keep moving.

When arriving at a hard section 4 (i.e. creek crossing, steep hill, washout etc.) wait for the vehicle ahead to clear, or to be called through on the CB.

Always stay on the track – Don’t 5 stray into the bush! STAY IN TOUCH If you want to leave the convoy, tell 6 the trip leader what you want to When on do. Don’t just wander off! trips our When using the CB, allow time between Only people nominated by the trip leader club uses 7 transmissions for others to call and keep 9 should help others through obstacles (“Too broadcast transmissions short to allow for emergency many cooks …”) channel transmissions. The position of “tail-end Charlie” will be 15 UHF If there is an emergency call, the trip leader 10 allotted by the trip leader. This person 8 should be the ONLY person to reply. If the trip will be required to advise the Trip Leader of The leader is unable to clearly receive the message, a various events during the trip, and stay with alternate person will be appointed to relay the radio traffic. his/her vehicle and operate the CB should an channel is All other transmissions MUST cease until the trip emergency situation arise. leader advises that the emergency is over. 16 UHF Take nothing but photos (and video), and EXCEPTION: Radio silence may be broken for leave nothing but foot prints (and tyre another emergency. 11 tracks).

40 Subaru & Recreational 4WD Minutes of General Meeting – 13 March 2015 - Venue TJM Parramatta

Meeting Opened: 8.00pm Attendance: See Attendance Book Apologies: Brett & Fiona Hampson, Kevin McCormack, Anne- Marie Meade, David Horwitz, Karen & Paul Campbell, Eddy Bolesta Minutes from previous meeting: Accepted: Craig Seconded: Jo Presidents Report: Welcome. Thanks to TJM for hosting our meeting tonight. Vice President: Many thanks for all the support for her fundraising walk. Secretary: Bull Sheet Newsletter Treasurer: Opening Balance: $4316-64 Closing Balance: $4607-68 Fundraising: TJM have donated some items for our raffle – thank you to TJM Membership Secretary – no new members – clothing for winter is available Trip convenors: Past trips: Valentine’s Day weekend at Newnes – Sandi Dam Rally – Paul Sistrom Driver awareness – Mount Walker – Evan Windellama Wanders – Upcoming trips: Carnarvon Gorge – Sandi & Troy Exploring Wadbilliga National Park – Julie Bush camping trip, Lake Conjola area - Tony Nardi Driver Awareness – May - Brian/Brett Relay for Life – Kevin – May Coolah Tops – Paul – June long week-end Delegates: Quarterly meeting of the Association – held at Stockton Stockton Beach still closed – the dunes need some extra time to repair themselves – no camping “restricted area” Search & Rescue presentation Driver Awareness: . Stockton/Watagans weekend coming up 28-29 March . Another week-end is planned for May – details to be finalised

PR & Technical Report: . Meeting in June to be at Ray’s Outdoor Lidcombe . Eastern Creek 4WD Show 16-18 October – prospectus not yet received – when more information received final decision will be made as to whether we attend. Editors Report: . Electronic magazine for this edition. Hard copy for the next edition . All editions will stay on the Club website. Webmaster: Not present Assistant Webmaster: . Shop will be up and running shortly . Still working on uploading old photos – 2015 trips will be listed in Current trips/History – Past Trips. Social Convenor: Not present . Xmas in July – last weekend in July. Suggested venue – Lake Lyell . Wine Tasting Day Trip – Hunter Valley - cost $125 per person, leaves Central 7.00am General Business: . Mark Honor to pursue an interest in “Friends of Joadja” discussion with the owner re club assistance on the property in exchange for camping & the use of some tracks. Lucky Member Spin: Jamie Newman (not at meeting) – jackpots next meeting. Meeting closed: 9.00pm

41 Subaru & Recreational 4WD Minutes of General Meeting – 10 April 2015 Meeting Opened: 8.07pm Attendance: See Attendance Book Apologies: Michael and Jean Dunstan, Sandi & Troy Strickland, Cath & Tom DeSantis, James & Gill Wall Mark & Karolyn Honor, Geoff Adcock, Joel Dedman, John & Jean Hocking, Brett & Fiona Hampson. Evan and Jessica, Sandra Moss, Tracey Fitzpatrick, Jason & Karen Finlayson Minutes from previous meeting: Accepted: Craig Seconded: Jo

Presidents Report: Welcome. Hope everyone had a great Easter. Vice President: Not present Secretary: Not present – incoming mail: PO box renewal Affiliation/Insurance papers TLCC magazines x 2 Bullsheet magazine Nissan On Patrol Magazine Treasurer: Opening Balance: $4607-68 Closing Balance: $5091.91 Fundraising: Driver Fatigue Alarm / crocheted blanket / flexible lantern / long handle shovel New Member: Scott Ashhurst - Territory Membership Secretary – 3 new members – 91 members in total Trip convenors: Past trips: Exploring Wadbilliga National Park – Craig/Scott Driver Awareness Stockton/Watagans – Bernadette Bush camping Lake Conjola Area - Julie Upcoming trips: Blue Mountains Day Trip – Sandra Sunny Corner Day Trip – Stephen Wells Hunter Valley Wine Trip – Karen Campbell Relay for Life, May – Kevin Driver Awareness, May – Brett/Brian Coolah Tops – June long w/e - Paul Sistrom Delegates: Regional Advisory Committee not reappointed yet, should happen soon. Subcommittee for show – meet on one Monday of the month at Eastern Creek. Driver Awareness: Last trip went well. Another weekend is planned for 30-31 May – Yalwal area

PR & Technical Report: Thanks to those who came to TJM meeting last month. Look at June meeting to be at Ray’s Outdoor Lidcombe In the process of deciding whether we attend Eastern Creek Show 16-18 October

Editors Report: Everyone should’ve received last magazine link. Please send in trip reports/photos/member profiles etc for next edition asap Webmaster/ Assistant Webmaster: Club shop now up and running on website Social Convenor: . Wine Tasting Day Trip – Hunter Valley - cost $125 per person, leaves Central 7.00am . Xmas in July – 18-19 July - Lake Lyell General Business: . Kevin – butane portable stoves – ACCC recalled many – main danger is covering the stove – DO NOT use big pots/stoves tops etc. Get butane canisters that have safety valves in them. . 13-14 June – Milbrodale offroad racing event – 4wds for recovery vehicles – need volunteers – see Craig

Lucky Member Spin: Chantelle Hampson (not here) jackpots to $90 next meeting. Raffle Winners: Craig F – Long Handled Shovel Chris Tiller – Flexible Torch Scott Ashhurst – Blanket Ann-Marie - Driver Fatigue Alarm Meeting closed: 8.52pm

42 MEMBER PROFILE NEIL & CATHY HIRD

Children 3 Adults but Camping & 4wding is the last thing on their minds!!! Suburb/Area you live Carlingford Occupation Marine Technician (Navy) & Family Daycare educator Member since 2010 Current Vehicle 2005 Mitsubishi Challenger PA V6 Vehicle Name none as yet Tyres Pirelli Scorpion Modifications Front Lokka, FW hubs, Bullbar, LPG, Bush Skinz sump guard, Planned Modifications Snorkel, Rear drawers, Cargo barrier, Past Vehicles Subaru 1800 Wagon x 2 RX-3 rally car, lots of others Dream Car Range Rover Autobiography V8 Diesel Favourite Place to Camp Haven’t found it yet but happy anywhere in the bush Favourite Track Ditto Dream Destination Cape York, Simpson Tent/Camper Trailer Tent at the moment, Camper trailer plans on computer waiting for time & resources to build Committee Positions None yet, work is too unpredictable First Club Trip New members trip to Southern Highlands Best Club Trip Hard to pick, they’ve all been good Some trips you’ve been on Stockton beach x 2, Yengo NP, Driver training x 2, Wee Jasper, Blue Mountains in the snow, Lidsdale NP, Dark Corner, Wattagans, Abercrombie, Newnes, Belangalo camp oven cookoff, Capertree NP Trips you’ve run This year for the first one?? What the club means to you A great bunch of people to go 4 wheel driving and camping with in an environmentally responsible way.

43 SUBARU PENRITH

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