August 2012
PO Box 655, South Perth, WA 6951
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The September meeting will be a Special General Meeting where important proposals need to be voted on by all members of the club. Earlier in the year the Committee discussed the issue of Life Membership and came to the decision that 15 years is not sufficient time to be awarded the honor of Life Membership, and that it should not be awarded unless the member is an on-going valuable contributor to the club and its activities. Current Life Members all meet these criteria and will not be affected by this amendment. Another proposal results from the problem of members not paying their membership fees unless repeatedly reminded to do so. This causes problems for the Committee of Management in establishing who should be regarded as continuing members for the purpose of paying affiliation fees and issuing membership cards. This proposal reduces the time-to-pay period from 3 months to one month following the commencement of the club’s financial year (April 1). Another change to the rules is proposed to account for the use of electronic banking and email correspondence of club records such as committee minutes approvals. Members can be assured that these processes maintain the high standards of business integrity that this club has always followed. Perhaps the main proposal being put forward to members deals with a new classification of membership called Temporary Membership. This allows non-members to participate in club activities and be covered by the same rules, policies and obligations as Family Members with restrictions on attending extended trips and no voting rights. We have recently abandoned trip fees for members and visitors due to insurance implications. This form of new membership allows the club to welcome new comers, family and friends on trips while ensuring that members are not disadvantaged on trips. The committee has agreed on the following conditions being established in the club’s Policy, Procedures and Guidelines for the administration of this classification of membership. Temporary Membership will cost $20 per 4 day term or $50 for 28 days from issue People will still be required to attend 2 trips and 2 club meetings before being eligible for full Family Membership. This means they are likely to require paying for two Temporary Memberships. (Continued on page 5)
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The money paid for Temporary Membership will be deducted from their Family membership nomination fee, which is currently $50. I.e.; New members will not be out of pocket under this process. Visitors do not require Temporary Membership for attending environment activities as volunteers for DEC. Visitors from other nationally affiliated 4WD Clubs will be exempt from the Temporary Membership application fee. Driver training days will be restricted to Family Memberships only. Upon acceptance by the membership of this proposal the policies and procedures will be regularly reviewed to ensure the Temporary Membership processes are in the best interest of the club and its members. Other proposals being put forward are corrections and changes to wording that do not effect any real changes to the way the club operates. Please consider the proposals that were sent to you by the Secretary and attend this Special General Meeting to cast your vote. Members will be given the opportunity to state their views on any of the proposals prior to the vote. I encourage everyone to vote in favour of all the changes, however, if you have informed reason as to why any of them should not proceed, feel free to voice your concern when given the opportunity. We need at least 75% of the club to attend the meeting in order that these proposals can be voted on. Therefore, if you are not able to attend the meeting, I ask you to submit a proxy form to another member to vote on your behalf. Sending your proxy to the Secretary or President can also do this. Look forward to seeing a full turnout in September. Martin Archer -President 5
Nine cars assembled at the Peak Service Station in Pearsall with Pat being the trip leader. The day was designed to be a moderate trip with some 4wdriving involved. Towing or winching would not be required, it was to be suitable for all levels of experience. The day started at 9am and since Bob was last there he got to be the lucky one to be Tail End Charlie and to do the trip notes. The convoy headed north and took a short cut to Neeves Road to enter the plantation at Bardie Road and to let the tyres down slightly. The group headed North and then East to follow the transmission lines. So far so good! The trip leader then mentioned that there was a mud crossing coming up and that any takers could go for it. The right hand path was taken by most, but then George in car 8 driving his Medicar Nissan Patrol decided to take the left hand path via the mud crossing. His car bottomed out on the chassis. He lost traction with his left hand front and right hand left wheels. He was stuck! Rick came to the rescue and there was an attempt to winch George out, but as George suspected, his car was sitting on a centre hump with his chassis and the attempt was unsuccessful. Tail End Charlie Bob, who observed George from the rear, came out with his mighty Pajero and on his second attempt pulled him out of the mud using a snatch strap rescue. Once the rescue was over the group continued following the tracks and had mornos about 11.15. On the move again they travelled past the Pinjar Power Station, which many did not realise was there. Further North East along the tracks there was a slightly steep climb. Four tracks were on offer. The tyres were further let down to suit the hill climb, which looked easy from afar, but proved to be quite rutted in places. Most of the group made it up one of the tracks except for John, who took the chicken route around mainly because his vehicle didn’t have sufficient ground clearance, and parked at the top of the hill, which afforded great views of the city. Once everyone had taken the hill challenge, the group stopped for lunch just over the hill in the shade, as it was a beautiful sunny winter’s day. After lunch the convoy travelled south along tracks which were slightly overgrown, which initiated Steve’s new 6
Pajero with pin stripes down the side of his new black car…..it almost made him cry! From here they headed west following the tracks. It was disappointing to see the volume of rubbish that had been dumped by others around much of this track. The trip leader took them to Little Coogee Swamp, which was like a big magnet for most. Pat, Rick, George and even Piers had a play there. Bob decided that his car wasn’t going into the swamp, but enjoyed watching the big kids play, realising from experience that there was a big clean up coming for some. Three vehicles, including Bob’s, decided to depart for the day at 4pm and the rest of the group went over to a deeper swamp for another half hours play. It was a great day out. Many thanks to Pat and all of the participants.
CLAMPS ON, ROTATES AND LOCKS INTO POSITION. FITS ANY 7
45-50 mm TUBE
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Environment Report 01/08/12 1. McLEG 28 Sept to 01 Oct. Leschenault Peninsula Conservation Park (LPCP). Many will come down on the Friday, we will do the work on Saturday as usual and then, for those who want it, a run through the Collie hills will take place on Sunday with members going home on Sunday or Monday s they wish. Because storms earlier this year caused a lot of damage around DEC areas, including Leschenault Peninsula, the actual work we will do has not been decided. It is likely that one project will be to dismantle a toilet unit at The Cut and take it to Belvidere Beach carpark where one was burnt down a while ago. It will be reassembled with corrugated iron and Mini-Orb to ensure any attempts to burn it down are likely to be unsuccessful. 2. Phone conversation with DEC’s Leon Price. He said that the storms earlier this year have damaged the groyne at The Cut and the groyne is now an island! The Dept. of Transport will be repairing the damage. Also damaged were some of the tracks at LPCP. The one from Tuart Grove into the Cut has been eroded at one point and, until assessed, may stop access to The Cut. Also, where on the way to the campsite, there are the two one-way tracks: the north bound one goes over a hill, the south bound one has been damaged and has been closed. We might need sand flags coming over the hill! There has been some damage at Tuart Grove though, because it is a low use area, it does not have a high priority so hasn’t been checked yet as DEC have had to check and repair the high use areas first. At LPCP, many trees have lost limbs and our area at Tuart Grove West will be carefully checked. Leon will check the areas around the campsite to see how it can be extended including removing some vegetation to minimise the mossie and tick problems. I suggested that we could have up to 15 caravans & trailers come down sometimes. Leon said that many of the areas we had planted had done well considering the damage done by roos, salt spray and high winds. We cannot expect the same sort of results as we have had in Wungong RP as the conditions are so different. LPCP is a tough environment and DEC looks at the long term results. A day or so ago a stolen car had been burnt out near one of the toilets but it is thought little damage had occurred. A previous similar stupidity burnt out a very good quality timber toilet block. I’ve heard that DEC has had another budget cut, this time 2%, and that may be the reason we haven’t heard if we have the grants I applied for earlier this year. In my opinion, DEC is bleeding with more work to be done in more parks and with less resources compared to other states. I am not impressed by such cuts. Tony Weldon - Environment Officer 9
JUNE 2012 Guy and I would like to thank everyone for their great company and lots of laughs during our month away. Perth to Middle Lagoon The day had finally arrived for us to head off on this trip which had been in the planning for twelve months. We started from Gingers Roadhouse at 8.00am with five vehicles. (David & Tracey, David & Chris, Glen, Bruce & Judy and Guy & Wendy). It didn’t take us long to discover that having two David’s on the trip was just not going to do, so after many suggestions, D1 & D2, one being Dave was not even to be considered, it didn’t take long to realise that David Igglesdon was having some radio problems so he became Scratchy, Chris in his car with him Itchy and David Jones, DJ! The first four days were pretty full on driving days and no sightseeing. The first night we camped at Blue Bird Camp just outside Meekatharra. The first day unpacking problems soon started when Bruce realised that his flash new box he had made to neatly store his miscellaneous bits and pieces on the top of his camper was too heavy when it was loaded. When he tried to lift the rack to open his camper, he couldn’t lift it and the struts broke with bits falling in all directions narrowly missing Judy’s head as she was trying to unpack around that side. In the morning the campers were a bit harder to pack under their little covers when the canvas was cold, so some rearranging of the pack up process had to take place. 7.00am was the starting time for most days when we were to be moving on. A little hard the first morning, but everyone soon got into the routine of being ready on time. We had roadside camps each night on our way to Broome at Bea Bea Creek just north of Auski Roadhouse and Goldmire Rest Area north of Sandfire Roadhouse. We met up with George and Linda in Broome after doing a little shopping and having a little time to look around and then headed to Middle Lagoon on Cape Leveque to meet up with the rest of the crew. (Ian, Robyn and Emma, Malcolm & Trish and Michael). Middle Lagoon was absolutely magnificent. The lagoon was just like something 10
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All Members are welcome to attend
A Night Out at the La Vela Restaurant With a Three course meal (incl tea and coffee) Where ? 78 Scarborough Beach Road, Scarborough (parking area north end of shops)
Saturday 3 November 2012 at 7pm
$45.00 per person. (incl corkage on one bottle of wine per couple, then $5 per bottle) RSVP to Rosalie johnandrosalieking@bigpond.com by 26 October please. Payment direct to club account BSB 306 089 number 2840244 on or before that date with email to Rosalie advising you have made the payment which confirms you are coming. When making payment include details, La Vela and your surname BYO wine only Beer, spirits, wine and soft drink available to purchase at the bar.
JULY Picture of the Year entrant. This month’s Picture Of The Year entrant is on the front cover. Taken on the recent Kimberley tour. Congratulations! Please forward your name to the editor. Please add your name or initials to the photo file name when uploading. 11
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you would see in the movies, grass huts and beautiful blue water. While we were there it was a full moon and coincided with the stairway to the moon in Broome. We couldn’t see it from where we were but we had our own stairway to the sun and watched the sunset over the ocean during happy hour. Days 5 & 6 We had a day of rest at Middle Lagoon after the long driving days. Just down the road there was a fantastic cafe in the middle of nowhere called Whale Song Cafe, so naturally we had to go out for afternoon tea. It had fantastic ocean views and great drinks (Guy who has never liked mango, is now hooked on mango crush). Thursday was spent exploring the local area, Lombadina, Cape Leveque (which was really disappointing, because if you don’t actually stay there, you have to pay $10 each to walk around there and go to the beach). We were looking for somewhere to park up and have lunch so we went on to One Arm Point, had lunch on the beach and visited the fish hatchery. That was very interesting and fun when asked to feed to barramundi. Trish had to check she still had all of her fingers. On the way back to Middle Lagoon we detoured off to visit the Beagle Bay settlement. Richard and Helen and Roger and Jan joined us on our last day at the lagoon. Day 7 & 8 – The start of the Gibb River Road We travelled to Windjana Gorge via Derby for another little bit of shopping. Some went to Broome, so we arranged to meet everyone at Windjana Gorge later in the day. The campground was fantastic and had great showers. The following day we visited Tunnel Creek which was a sight to behold. Day 9 & 10 – Travel to Mornington Sanctuary Our journey to Mornington Sanctuary took us via Lennard River Gorge and Bell Gorge. We had the only tyre casualty for the trip going into Bell Gorge. Glenn arrived there with is tyre deflated, so after changing it he headed with Richard and Helen to
Middle Lagoon Happy Hour 12
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Hand winches are handy.. But electric ones are easier! Troy demonstrates the correct use of a snatch strap. Use as a last resort.
Burying a tyre for use with a winch .
Richard and Piers demonstrate the use of an exhaust jack. Very handy in the sand! Don’t get underneath. 13
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Imintji Store to have it repaired, which was amazing that is such an isolated place, it could be done. The Mornington wilderness camp was about 90km off the Gibb River Road. The first 70km was pretty good road surface, and after that it was quite rough at times. We arrived about 5.00pm to set up camp. There was a restaurant there and bar if anyone wished to spoil themselves. In the evening a presentation was given about the work the Wilderness Society does and showed us how many properties they now own. Monday was spent exploring the gorges. Some of us just went to Diamond Gorge, where we hired a canoe for the day. The canoes are kept out of sight over a rocky ridge at the edge of the gorge. Fortunately we had a fit Ian with us who clambered over the rocks and dragged the canoe up to the flat area where we were settled for the day. The energetic ones visited Sir John Gorge and Cadjaput Hole as well. Day 11 On the road again to Manning Gorge via Galvins Gorge. On the path into Galvins Gorge we encountered a big fat angry looking King Brown snake in the rushes on the side of the path we were walking on. We are able to take a wide berth around it to get in to see the waterfall of the gorge. Richard tried to scare it off but it wasn’t going to play the game. On the way back Richard walked passed the area it had been in and then it popped out of the rushes and started coming up the path towards Helen and myself. I don’t think my feet hit the ground jumping back up the rocks I had just navigated my way down. It disappeared into a rock pile on the opposite side of the path, so we gingerly made our way through the area without incident. We arrive at Manning Gorge about lunch time, had lunch and unpacked and then some of us hiked our way into the Gorge. At the campsite the edge of the river had white sand along the edge, just like beach sand. It was just beautiful. To get across to the other side and take your belongings there were foam eskys provided, so you had to swim and guide the box across with your shoes, food etc in it. Day 12/13/14 We camped at King Edward River out from Mitchell Falls. The Kalumbaru Road was quite rough and George had the clutch on his car cease up
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about 5km from the King Edward River turnoff. Michael was not towing anything, so he was able to tow George’s car in. After being inspected by the always helpful crew, they decided that they were unable to repair the clutch and George would have to be rescued by the RAC. Glen had his second fuel tank try to drop out, so the bush mechanics were at it on our day of rest to get it secured back in for Glen to continue on the trip. Malcolm and Trish, David and Chris and Michael camped in at Mitchell Falls so they could get an early start to hike into the falls the next morning. Most of the rest of us left around 6.00am the next morning. It took about two hours to drive into the falls campground. This was the roughest section of road of the whole trip. Some hiked in and out of the falls, some helicoptered in and out, while others helicoptered in and hiked out. We found the signs at the top of the falls to be badly lacking. We helicoptered in and hiked out. We got off the helicopter and followed the white poles across some water and then followed the signs indicating where to walk. We came across Linda and George who had hiked in the they asked how it was? We said the helicopter ride was really good, they said no, the falls. We had walked straight passed it and not seen it. Oh well, its a good excuse to go back again some time, when we have recovered from this trip into there!! King Edward River was a great swimming spot, so between a day of relaxing, catching up on washing, a few vehicles repairs we were ready for the next let of the journey. Day 15 – 18 George and Linda’s car was picked up by the tow truck and taken to Kununur-
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ra. George travelled with the truck and was dropped off at Home Valley Station and Linda went with Bruce and Judy. There tent, luggage and food was divided between all of us and they were then able to continue on the trip until we got to Kununurra. Travelled to Home Valley Station and camped near the resort. We were originally going to camp on the Pentacost River, but had been told that it got quite dusty down there, so opted for green lawn, hot showers, washing machines, and a restaurant for a few days. We celebrated Helen and Michael’s birthdays at the restaurant one night with a fantastic meal. After lunch we went for a short drive to Bindoola Falls. It was quite a climb down to the water, but we couldn’t decide whether there were crocodiles there or not. There were marks on the rocks at the end of the water that looked like crocodile foot marks so only David and I were adventurous enough to get into the water. A day at El Questro was spent in the Zebedee Hot Springs, followed by a hike into El Questro Gorge, lunch and a swim at Moonshine Gorge. After that ice cream sounded good, so we made our way to the El Questro shop area and then on to Chamberlain Gorge late afternoon. The day all the men had been waiting for had finally arrived, a chance to go Barramundi fishing. All the different lures and lines came out and off we went to the Pentacost River near the river camp. The tide information had been provided and when the best time to fish was. After hours of tying and nobody getting anything, along came a couple of locals, they pulled up, through out a hand line, caught a barramundi and left in about five minutes!! On the way back David (Scratchy) found an open area that he thought would be good to fly his model plane he had been carting around with him. Chris was sitting in the car when all of a sudden, David was given a nudge, it was a big bull from the station pushing him around, then next thing Chris new, the bull put his head inside the car and stole his last banana that he had been saving and was about to enjoy out of his hand and ate it. That night in the restaurant we were telling the staff about it and apparently it is a hand reared friendly bull call Moo. I thing that was the funniest tale of the trip. Day 19 & 20 Malcolm, Trish, Ian, Robyn, Emma and Michael left the trip at this point and stayed on at Home Valley Station for another day or so and then went their own way to carry on with their own agendas. Ian was hooked on the Barramundi Fishing and booked a fishing trip with the locals, but it the fish still evaded him. We travelled to Kununurra via Emma Gorge. The resort there had great coffee and cake. Well deserved we thought after hiking into the Gorge. Some of us made it all the 17
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way in. We had some time to shop in Kununurra. George and Linda’s car still hadn’t been repaired by the time we got there, so we had to leave them at that point to head for the Bungles. Day 21, 22 & 23 It was a pleasant drive on the bitumen to the Bungles turnoff. The road in was a pleasant surprise, it was nowhere near as bad as we anticipated. We visited Picinny Gorge and Cathedral Gorge one day and Mini Palms Gorge and Echidna Gorge the following day. We were going to do a helicopter flight over the Bungles, but found that we were able to see enough from our drive around that we didn’t feel we needed to do that any more. Day 24, 25 On the road to Fitzroy Crossing. We arrived a bit late in the day but managed a quick visit to Geiki Gorge. We stayed at Fitzroy River Lodge. It was going to be a very cold night, so we opted to have the buffet roast dinner at the Lodge. It was a fantastic meal. Three courses for $29 and you could go back for seconds. On the road all next day, we stayed at the De Grey River Camp. David and Chris departed from the convoy at this stage to head to Marble Bar and Carawine Gorge. Day 26, 27 & 28 Arrived at Karijini about 2.00pm. We camped at the Eco camp which was nice and had solar heated showers. We went to the visitor centre first and then along the internal road to the Eco Camp. This road was very rough which was very disappointing for such a popular place. Richard and Helen went to Tom Price and Paraburdoo for the day and those of us remaining at this stage (David and Tracey, Bruce and Judy, Glen and Guy and Wendy) went to Weano Gorge in the morning and Joffre Gorge which was near the camp in the afternoon. The following day we went to the other end of the park to Dales Gorge, Kalamina Gorge and Knox Gorge. The trip was really starting to feel like coming to an end now with the homeward journey starting. We made it to Cue and stayed at the Caravan Park there. They had just built fantastic new ablution block and camp kitchen, which made the stay very comfortable. A final dinner out was had at the Cue Hotel. We had a small diversion as we left town and Glen took us to the ruins of the Fingall Mine. Then on track and back to Perth. 19
CLUB CALENDAR DATE
DESTINATION
DETAILS
Sept 5
Special General Meeting
See President report.
Sept 8
Locked & Lifted Brunswick
Paul R. see flyer in this mag.
Sept 23
Powerline Cleanup
Contact Guy L. for detai
Sept 28 — Oct 1
McCLEG
Contact Tony W. for info
Oct 28
Overnighter at Lane Pool
Details soon
Nov 3
La Vela Dinner
See flyer in mag.
Nov 9—11
4WD Show
McCallum Park
Nov 16-19
Camping at Big Valley
Contact Martin/Roger
Dec 2
Christmas Party
Details soon
CLUB MEETINGS 7.30pm. FIRST WED OF EVERY MONTH (except Jan) WE LOVE VISITORS
Our Club Proudly Supported By
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