Track Torque “Responsible Four Wheel Driving And Family Touring” TRACK DECEMBER Torque 2018 Newsletter Inside this issue: ➢ The President’s Page ➢ General Meeting Minutes ➢ Trip Reports ➢ Advertisements (Sponsors) ➢ Trip Calendar www.wangaratta4x4club.org.au Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club Inc –DECEMBER 2018 Page 1 Track Torque WANGARATTA 4X4 CLUB Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club The Wangaratta 4WD Club has evolved from Committee Members a few members in 1983, to our current Executive- membership of over 30 families. The Club is President Neville Sonego made up of individuals and families who are Vice President Mick Maher interested in responsible Four-Wheel Driving. Secretary Sue Abotomey There is no restriction on the make or type of Treasurer Irene Ham four-wheel drive vehicle, and there is always plenty of variety and camaraderie amongst Other Committee Members- members 4WD Victorian Representative Noel Ham Membership Officer Irene Ham Where we live: Members live all over the North Merchandise Officer Chris Sonego East and beyond, including from Benalla, Newsletter editor Bev Maher Beechworth, Corowa, Howlong Glenrowan, Property Officer Neville French Milawa, Albury, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Publicity Officer Goorambat, Tatong, Langwarrin, Molyullah, Trip Coordinator Damian O’Connor Myrtleford, Mount Beauty, Mulwala, Yarrawonga, Stanhope, Violet Town, Graham Abotomey Melbourne, Rosebud and Overseas (England). Andrew Ammendola Non-Committee Positions- Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club is affiliated with Four Wheel Drive Victoria. Training Coordinator Dave van Zanten Sergeant in Arms - Members of our club are proud to be part of the First Aid Officer - Adopt a Hut Program and work with Parks Web Master Andrew Brown Victoria to look after Top Crossing and Lake Cobbler huts. WEBSITE: www.wangaratta4x4club.org.au Membership: Single or family $100.00 p.a. Temporary Membership: $15.00 (Three trips) General Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, generally at the North East Car Club Rooms, Tarrawingee Recreation Reserve, commencing 8.00pm. There is no meeting in January. Please refer to the club calendar. Visitors are always most welcome. Track Torque: Newsletter Contributions may be forwarded to … Editor: Bev Maher 0419 533 898 : [email protected] st Editorial Deadline:- 1 of the month This is your newsletter so be a part of it and send any articles of interest, comments, birthday etc to the editor. Advertising: $100/yr. Please contact the editor for further details. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the articles in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the editor or of Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club Inc. The editor reserves the right to delete any section of any article, or reject any article, which has been sent in for publication in the Newsletter Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club Inc –DECEMBER 2018 Page 2 Track Torque THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT PRESIDENT REPORT – DECEMBER 2018 At this time of the year the social calendar seems to bulge at the seams as we try to fit in all parts of our lives from family, work, club and friends. For those who are able to attend the club BBQ / meeting this month it is a great time to informally discuss plans for the following year. Look forward to seeing you there. It is pleasing to see that a couple of trips are planned for January 2019. A good kick start to the year with the possibility of more to come. A fine lead up to the HC&B Dargo event in March. As reported at our last meeting there was a group that put in a weekend assisting with track clearing. Your efforts are appreciated not only by fellow club members but by all users of these tracks. It also helps maintain a great working relationship with the Parks staff. Thanks go also to the group who made the Recce maintenance trip to the huts last month. Chris and myself pass on the season’s greetings to you all and trust that your family gatherings will be enjoyable and safe. President. Neville Sonego. Club Contact Details Name and Position Held Mobile Number Email Address Neville Sonego 0427 251 576 [email protected] (President) Sue Abotomey (Secretary) [email protected] Irene Ham (Treasurer) 0457 641 282 [email protected] Damian O'Connor (Trip 0417 526 175 [email protected] Coordinator) Bev Maher 0419 533 898 [email protected] (Editor Track Torque) Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club Inc –DECEMBER 2018 Page 3 Track Torque Minutes of the Wangaratta 4x4 Club Meeting- OCTOBER Date - Tuesday 13th November 2018, 8.00pm Place - Nth East Car Club Rooms, Tarrawingee Neville & Chris Sonego, Sue & Graham Abotomey, Barry Present Richardson, Manfred Wagner & Narelle Culla, David Blore, Neville & Monica French, Craig Cheetham, Robyn & Glenn Norton and Bruce Gooday Bev & Mick Maher, Damien O’Connor, Allan & Jeanette Wallace, Beryl & John Strang, Sean Strudwick, Daryl Collier, Noel & Irene Apologies Ham, Andrew Ammendola and Fiona & David van Zanten. Guests NIL Approval of Monica French / Graham Abotomey Minutes October 2018 Carried General Meeting Business Arising NIL from Meeting *FWDV: Accredited Trainers - asking for applications from members. *Notice of AGM *High Country Huts advertising AGM and Echo from the Mountains. *Parks Vic: email from Chris Clarke thanking Wang 4x4 Club’s Correspondence track clearing team for their recent work. Published in Track In Torque. *WAW Bank Statements Motion: “Correspondence be accepted.” Moved: Sue Abotomey Seconded: Neville French Carried Correspondence Out President’s As published in Track Torque Report- Motion: “Treasurer’s Report be accepted and accounts be passed for Treasurer’s Report payment.” Moved: Sue Abotomey Seconded: Chris Sonego Carried Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club Inc –DECEMBER 2018 Page 4 Track Torque Club Event Calendar 2018 Calendar: - November: 24th /25th Top Crossing Hut/Cobbler Hut Graham Abotomey 0357 273 427 or 0427 273 427 - December: - Tues 11th 6.30pm Christmas BBQ and General Meeting 8pm at NECC. PLEASE let us know if you will attending. The Club with provide the BBQ meat. Members to bring a salad or a sweet to share. Sue 0424 914 200 2019 Calendar: - January: 14th to 17th, High Country - David Blore Calendar/Proposed - February: Huts maintenance – TBC Trips Graham and Damo - March: Tuesday 12th AGM & General Meeting 8pm Nth East Car Club rooms 16th to 24th HC&B – Dargo Event Simpson Desert departing FRIDAY 22nd MARCH for approx. 3 weeks. Graham & Sue Abotomey 0427 273 427 - April: Nil at present HC&B – Report NIL Member News NIL NIL Training Merchandise can be purchased from Work Locker – Murphy Street, Merchandise Wangaratta. Please get information to Bev by the 1st of the month at the latest. Editor All Trip reports or 4WD related articles gratefully appreciated. Newsletter Sergeant at Arms In Recess until 2019. Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club Inc –DECEMBER 2018 Page 5 Track Torque Track Clearing – Graham gave a verbal report. Refer November Track Torque. The Spannerman, Swan Hill and Western District Silos Trail - Neville Sonego enlightened those in attendance of a recent mid-week trip with another club. Amazing works of art built by the Trip Reports Spannerman at Boort. Swan Hill and the Pioneer Settlement. Patchewollock to Horsham following the Silos. The Stick Shed at Murtoa and drive out to Mt Arrapillies. Refer correspondence 4WDVic 1. NO Private trips to be advertised on Facebook or website as we need to fill our Club Calendar first. LATE trips to Damien O’Connor – Trip Coordinator for addition to Club Calendar and advertising to ALL Club members. 2. ‘Trip Participants List’ Damo reminded the Committee that ALL Trip Leaders are required to fill these out for ALL trips and give them to Damo for filing. These lists are available on the Website and from the Trip Coordinator and the Secretary. 3. Member Advertisements This was discussed by the Committee General Business Motion: “Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Inc. Club Members may advertise 4x4 and camping gear in Track Torque and on the Members Only Facebook Page.” Moved: Graham Abotomey Seconded: Damien O’Connor Carried 4. Craig Cheetham asked about an article he has submitted for Track Torque. Track Torque printed early this month. Sue to email Craig Bev’s email address. Meeting Closed 8.35pm Next Meeting: Tuesday 11th December 2018 at North East Car Club rooms, Tarrawingee XMAS BREAK-UP - BBQ at 6.00pm ( Club will supply meats- just bring salad or Sweet) Meeting begins at 8.00 p.m. Wangaratta Four Wheel Drive Club Inc –DECEMBER 2018 Page 6 Track Torque Butcher Country/Caledonia River Region January 2019 Trip leader: David Blore Emergency Contact: (outside of trip): ☎ Kay Blore 0433 209 396 Tail end Charlie: TBA Trip leader contact details: ☎ David: 0407 885 410, email [email protected] Start Date: Monday 14 January 2019 Meeting place: Swanpool 8.00 am Monday Trip duration: expected to be two nights away, returning Wednesday night Trip rating: Medium-Hard (I haven’t recced the area recently so have no first-hand knowledge of track conditions) Type of tyre tread required: All-Terrain at a minimum, with better than 70% tread. Fuel requirements/places to purchase fuel: Full tank ex Mansfield; 450-500 km touring range required. Minimum recovery gear required: Snatch straps, shovel etc Winch required: If you have one Wheel chains required: No Chainsaw: If you have a ticket and protective gear. Fire restrictions: Most probably will be some restrictions. Plan meals for the possibility of a Total Fire Ban, i.e. no campfire or open fire cooking. Type of Accommodation/camping: Tent-based, base camping for two nights at Caledonia River; location not confirmed at present. Maximum number of vehicles (first in gets a placing): 6 vehicles Personal equipment requirements: Gear for very hot as well as possible cold and wet conditions. Trip Details: We will be travelling to the Butcher Country region via Mansfield, the Bluff and Howitt Plains.