oFF CENTRE TEaSER

Here is a teaser for a “Blast from the Past” story put together by Lyn Dyne for Rob Wynne and his mates back in 1994 and revamped this year and run in the Gold Coast Club magazine. We are currently sourcing some photos from Rob, so stay tuned for the full article in the February edition of our Journal, but in the meantime here is the start of the tale....

‘Off Centre Run - Mt Dare Homestead’

The story of 3 of our members and their 3 mates in 1994

It was 3.30am on Friday, 5th August when a group of six intrepid souls with overloaded machinery underneath them ventured out from Kevin’s place to commence a great adventure which would take them across some of the most inhospitable areas in this country.

Months of preparation and planning had gone into this trip by the ‘Boys’ and now the time had come.

The group consisted of Rob Wynne R100GS, Kevin Devine R100GSPD, Wayne Roberts R100GSPD, Graham Watt R80, Peter Malouf (Lennie) R100/7 and Peter Day R100GS.

Going back four years, on the 7th July 1990, Lennie Pascoe (NSW Club), Trevor Dean and myself (Kevin) headed west on a six week trip to Mt Augustus in far off Western Australia. We had planned a different route through the Simpson Desert over what is called the “French Line”. Having been harassed by the police officer at Birdsville for trying this crossing, we were informed that if we failed, no rescue would be available and a spell in the cells would be guaranteed. Without adequate background information and not being properly prepared, we were in trouble at the first dune. 50 litres of petrol, 12 litres of water, too much gear and the wrong tyres led to our defeat after only 4-5 dunes into the desert. After some soul-searching, it was decided a tactical withdrawal was necessary. There is no more bitter pill to swallow than defeat, so like General Macarthur, we would return one day for another attempt.