AUS $4.95 Inc GST NATIONAL 4X4 OUTDOORS SHOW RECORD VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTION DESTINATION: FRASER ISLAND WYPERFELD NATIONAL PARK ABERFELDY TRACK PART 2: 4WD HISTORY SSEEPPTTEEMMBBEERR 22001188 From the President This report will be reasonably short this taking. The roads time around as I’ve been travelling both seemed safer and in Australia and Overseas. For a while I the only accident I witnessed was a was crossing the Madigan Line in NT head on between two bicycles in and Queensland and what a great trip Amsterdam (there are over 1 million that was. What I learnt from that was bicycles in this city and not a helmet to FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIA that preparation and planning pay huge be seen). The peak representative body for all dividends. In our group of six vehicles Wayne has been looking after the Victorian four wheel drivers since 1975 we had one puncture and a broken Association well and I thank him for that. terminal connector on the alternator. Also, the Board has been continuing The Madigan Line is now well formed (in Victoria Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc. without my input which has been great. some cases it will disappear with a PO Box 292 Mitcham Vic 3132 As Treasurer of the National Council, I Phone 03 9874 7222 strong wind), but is easy to follow and have been working hard to get the Fax 03 9874 7233 the permit system was easy to arrange. finances in order and at the next meet - Email [email protected] Fuel wasn’t an issue but was expensive ing in October I will have a comprehen - Website www.fwdvictoria.org.au in Mt Dare as you’d expect. We arrived sive set of reports for the first time in a ABN 40 891 301 368 in Birdsville on the day before the Big long time. ASSN A0013539S Red Bash so it was queues for fuel and Next report will be more detailed and RTO 21605 even for the curried camel pies at the less of a travelogue. Print Post PP 100005076 bakery. There were a lot of people in such a small space. Regards BOARD OF MANAGEMENT A Little under two weeks later and I was EXECUTIVE Garry Doyle winging my way to Europe where I President President spent a week driving in Scotland Garry Doyle (Eureka 4x4 Club) Vice President followed by a week driving in Ireland. Michael Martin (Toyota That was followed by three and a half SLaencdr eCtruairsy er Club of Victoria) David Crainean (Pajero 4WD weeks being driven through France and TCrlueba) surer Italy. Driving in Scotland and Ireland is Brian Lewis (Toyota 4WD Club) relatively easy as they drive on the BOARD MEMBERS same side as we do. Trucks do obey the law and keep to the slow lanes and Colin Oates (Off Peak 4WD Club ), David the drivers appear far more courteous Roberts (Toyota 4WD Club) , Kat Marmara- than back home. They allow you to Stewart (MJOC, Gippsland & Wandering Four Wheelers 4WD Clubs). merge and wait for you. Passing and STAFF overtaking on the narrow lanes is Chief Executive Officer challenging but safe. Wayne Hevey On the continent there were a couple of O(Jfufsitc Me aAtedsm 4WinDis Ctrlaubto) r things that stood out for me. One was Alison McLaughlin that all across France, Switzerland and (Mansfield Alpine 4WD Club) Accounts Italy, from early Saturday morning until Projects &K Eavrle Nnotrsm Oan fficer Ian Fletcher Sunday evening, unless you are carry - T(Mraelibnoiunrgn eO Jfefiecpe Or w ners Club) ing perishable goods, trucks are Sheila Douglas banned from the roads. Trucks were TRACKWATCH lined up at all the roadside stops waiting for the curfew to lift. These roadside Editor Brian Tanner (Toyota Land Cruiser stops were large and catered for this. I ECmluba oil f Victoria, Geelong FWDC) was travelling on a coach and every two Individuedaitlo [email protected] org.au hours of driving, the coach stopped for half an hour. This was good for Brian Tanner, Tim Kohlman, Ian Fletcher, passenger comfort but was essentially Greg Rose, Phil Leach, Fiona Hendry, Dee an area of safety for the driver and was Meddings, Chrissy Sciciuna compulsory. Lastly, I noticed that trucks Production Brian Tanner all have speed limit signs displayed on 2018 Copy Deadline next issue their rears. They stuck to this limit (which is based on vehicle size, weight 1st November for December 2018 issue and carrying capacity) and I often saw 1st February for March 2019 issue trucks sitting in convoy and not over- 1st May for June 2019 issue 1st August for September 2019 issue Advertising All material appearing in Trackwatch magazine is copyright. [email protected] Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent. Freelance contributions and submissions are welcome by this magazine. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, etc. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Four Wheel Drive Victoria. All statements made, although based on information Design and Artwork by Brian Tanner believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any article or advertisement. Advertisers agree to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material. Cover pix by Corine Pepping (TLCCV) TRACK WATCH SEPTEMBER 2018 1 > News WANGARATTA 4X4 CLUB 35TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Life members (couples from L to R )- Neville & Monica French, Graham & Sue Abotomey and Craig & Kristen Cheatham The Wangaratta 4X4 Club recently held valleys. The drive was a combination of significant contributions from members its 35th Birthday and celebrated with a steep, rocky climbs requiring low range over many years: trip to the Murmungee area on the gearing, to wonderful drives along the Saturday, culminating with a dinner later ridges with magnificent views over the Life Memberships awarded to Neville and Monica French, that night at the North Eastern Hotel in areas below, and then some steep Wangaratta. descents into those amazing valleys of Sue and Graham Abotomey, 6 vehicles went on the trip lead by the North East. Craig and Kristen Cheatham. founding members of the Club, Neville Lunch was consumed at Murmungee 10 year plus Certificates to and Monica French, and ably assisted Lookout with some wonderful views Noel and Irene Ham, by Damien and Kerry O’Connor as tail but some very cutting winds. It was end Charlies. mentioned at lunch that the wind was David Robinson, Turning left off main road just after very lazy, Too lazy to go around you - it David Jackson, Taylor’s Gap near Myrtleford, we went through you instead. A great day Bruce Gooday, travelled through the hills between was finished off with a lovely dinner at a David Blore. Myrtleford and Beechworth, overlooking local Hotel with the following awards Murmungee and Gapstead in the and presentations acknowle dg ing some B e v M ahe r 2018 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER CLUB CRUISERKHANAS PLU 4X4 TEAM CHALLENGE www.cruiserkhana.com.au 1 9th-21s t OCTOB ER 2018 n, ll terrai 4x4 a exciting ill ays of WD sk 2 d amily 4 Cruiserkhana ll fun, f is a skills based a titions 4x4 event suitable for four wheel ompe drivers of all standards. c No vehicle modifications are necessary to be successful. Highly modified 4x4s are not permitted. Each vehicle requires a driver and navigator. Competiion events held Saturday 20th with a Friday night fun event and Sunday fun events, all with prizes for winners. Entries now open with approx. $10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs! Entry fees (includes entry, camping and Saturday night 3-course dinner) 4WD Clubs Team Challenge • Competitors (driver plus navigator) $195 Four wheel drive clubs are • Spectators (includes dinner) $50/$35 (child 5-15) APPLY ONLINE AT invited to compete for the • Day visitors $15/$10 (child 5-15) www.cruiserkhana.com.au Cruiserkhana Perpetual Trophy. or for more information email Teams consist of three vehicles Hot & cold food and drinks available all weekend that come from the same club. [email protected] MAJOR SPONSORS Held at the TLCCV Club Property near Yarck (2 hrs north of Melbourne) 2 SEPTEMBER 2018 TRACK WATCH > News Volunteers, you have truly outdone yourselves! New record reached for volunteer contribution Parks Victoria volunteers hit an Wayne Hevey, “Parks Victoria has been determined to extraordinary milestone in August with Chief Executive create enticing and unique the highest ever recorded contribution Officer, Four ways for people of hours dedicated to Victoria’s parks. Wheel Drive to get More than 280,000 hours were recorded Victoria said, involved over the course of the 2017/18 financial “It is a won - and volun - year, eclipsing the previous year’s tally derful thing teer in our by more than 60,000 volunteer hours. to have an parks.” association This incredible contribution equates to “We have of 4WD over $10 million of in-kind contribution, been amazed members providing major support for Parks by the who kindly Victoria’s predominantly regional work - incredible offer their force in delivering a number of projects growth of time and whilst simultaneously benefiting local volunteer contri - resources economies. butions this year to assist in keep - including over More than 37,200 volunteers participat - ing our state in a pristine condi - 1500 new volun - ed in activities across 167 parks across tion as well as bringing joy to those teer registrations, Victoria last year, with multiple in our community who are less volunteers generously donating their fortunate than themselves.