Monthly newsletter of the Mitsubishi 4WD O wner ’s Club of Western Australia Inc. 1985 June 2014 Issue 331
Trip Notes: Warriedar Station Dryandra Biting Midgies Bush Tracks: The Tanami Road Club Archives Drop Box Convoy Count-off Dilemmas
This Photo : Wungong Park, Byford. MCBEG May Proudly sponsored by
Mitsubishi 4WD Owners Club of Western Australia Inc. PO Box 655 South Perth WA 6951
Meetings: 1st Wed of each month except January Manning Senior Citizens Centre 3 Downey Drive Manning www.mitsubishi4wd.org.au email: secretary@mitsubishi4wd.org.au Publication issues:editor@mitsubishi4wd.org.au President: Peter Cole Vice President: Craig Perry Secretary: John King Treasurer: Bridget McPherson Editor: Martin Archer Environment: Stephen Kalynuik WebMaster: Michael Gilbert Trip Coordinator: Pat O’Dowd Training Officer: Richard King Membership Officer: Peter Fry Insurance/Propoerty: Glen Bignell WA 4WD Assoc.Delegate: Linda Bickerdike Social Chairperson: Vacant
Click here to got to the club trip calendar
act as the elected “Social Events Convenor”, the original position he was elected to at the AGM ! In the absence of a volunteer to take on the vacant role of Social Events Convenor, any club member may like to consider organising a social event on a one-off basis. Just have a quick chat to any of the Management Committee members as you start to consider what you may like to organise. As we approach the middle part of the year it is pleasing to see that in addition to the very active trip calendar our environmental and training groups are also implementing more active schedules of their own. Stephen Kalnyiuk (Environmental Officer) and Richard King (Training Officer) have developed busy plans which now have to fit into available gaps in the trip calendar. So whether you want to go on a day trip, have a weekend away, do some driver training, or play a part in our environmental contribution check out the club calendar on the website and place your nomination for the occasion. As you will have noticed we are committed to having at least 10 day trips this year, and we are also looking to follow our trip leader guidelines by limiting the participants to a more easily managed number of vehicles for the trip leaders. To ensure fairness for all, when you consider nominating for a day trip please do so with a clear intention to attend the event. This means that rather than placing your name on a trip list as you think you might like to go on the event, and then not attending because June 2014 something else comes along, be aware that due to a trip limit another member may have missed out in being included. We understand that at times, A few things to bring to your attention this month, unplanned situations may occur in all our lives, but and also an appeal for your support for something please place some importance on your nomination occurring later in the year. to attend rather than just changing your mind or forgetting that you did nominate. We do record the At the last Management Committee Meeting in changes to trip attendance lists to keep our trip May, Guy Lehmann reluctantly resigned as the leaders up to date with participants but this task has club Trip and Events Co-Ordinator. Guy did seek to be carried out by someone. It does not happen a replacement at the AGM but as no-one came by magic ! So again, please treat your nomination forward he agreed to continue with the role for to attend a trip or event as a serious commitment another period. Unfortunately for the club, his and not just a casual engagement to be met as long private business interests have increased to the as nothing else comes along. point where he could no longer provide enough of himself to adequately fulfil the role to his own Those members who attended the May meeting high standards. Guy, ably supported by Wendy, has will be aware that the Convoy for Kids, run by the raised the activity level of the club with his energetic Western Patrol Club for the benefit of the SIDS trip calendar and his dynamic character, and often charity, which was scheduled for June has been filled the role of Trip Leader when he ran out of postponed until October. As a club we encouraged volunteers to make events happen. members to support the event, and we will continue to encourage members to get on board with To fill the vacancy, the Management Committee this community event. It appears the run will be has appointed Pat O’Dowd as the Trip and Events conducted on October 5th, so let’s all check how Co-Ordinator for the period expiring in March this fits into our calendars and see if we can get as 2016. Pat has indicated his intention to continue many club vehicles on the road as possible. the development of the Trip Planning Group as set up under Guy’s tenure. Much to Pat’s chagrin, the Peter Cole committee declined to allow Pat to also continue to
Presidents Report
President’s Report
Be a valuable member of the club Become a Trip Leader it’s not so hard
Contact the Trip Coordinator for advice and suggestions
trips@mitsubishi4wd.org.au
After the usual preamble, this meeting began with a guest speaker, Prof. Andy Whitely from UWA to speak with us about the Microblitz Project for Western Australia. Microblitz is to map the DNA of the soils of the State. A record that will assist WA earth monitoring for years to come. Only being done in WA at this point.
can. PRESIDENT's REPORT: Guy Lehmann announced his resignation from trip coordinator position. The baton has been passed to Pat O'Dowd with Guy offering mentoring services as required by new position holder. Everyone please give Pat your every support. It is not an easy position to hold. Bite the bullet.. Lead a trip.. It can simply be a drive through the bush. Any gravel / sandy tracks can be a good day. Read the old trip notes from years ago and gain some ideas perhaps.
Meeting News
NEWS BEHIND THE MEETING JUNE 2014
TRIP REPORTS: Soil mapping was done in UK ..small acreage, Dryandra Sunday May 11. Area renowned for millions of people to take flowers. Trip leader Peter samples. Cole showed a video of And then there is us.... changes in road surfaces millions of acres and few and the changing bush people to take samples. traversed. Only 2WD into the Conservation With the often Park then to spectacular inaccessible areas we views from Boyagin Rock. get to, we are a perfect The group then followed group to aid in the a perimeter track around endeavour. the park looking for "out". The sampling will take The fun of driving with place over 3 to 4 years our club is not all outings and will also be the base actually get to follow model (as this is the first) planned routes. Have no for comparisons for years fixed expectations!!! "Go to come. with the flow" should be Our little plastic bags of our catchcry when tracks soil will then be recorded and maps don't match. and stored/filed for future Old mill for lunch then comparisons. through the length of Those going on the the trip, Peter swapped Lorella Springs trip have Tail End Charlie's to received 100 sampling Leaders.. To be up front kits to use. to experience having no Perth to Kununurra... tail lights to follow...and mornos, lunches, pit getting first view of the stops... A photo, a GPS reading, a numbered wildlife? sample taken from 10cm down...then samples post Peter also said a few potential weekend campsites paid back to UWA. were noted. Since we can't carry soil over the borders, we'll start again from the Docker River area in WA. Warriedar Station Friday 30th May to Monday Simple to register on the website...minimal details 2nd June. required. Trip leader Bruce Brinkley in his usual laid back style Sample kits are posted to you along with the Aust gave an entertaining recall of the weekend away. Post prepaid postpack for returns. 20 cars, lots of caravans and not just ours, midges, Wungong, Leschenault, Warriedar, Kadji Kadji.. maps and tracks not matching, a real flushing toilet, CSR, Manjimup.. Just think of the places we go... abandoned mines, and to add an extra dimension.... Even the parks near our homes. We don't even no fuel supplies throughout WA. Trip notes on the have to be out there, but 'out there' is where we website. can best be involved. Andy's video was made by Will be on again next year. Still loads to do and see 11yr old school kids. If they can do it we certainly in the areas nearby. Apart from the unexpected
MICROBLITZ. CITIZEN SCIENCE JUST
GOT SUPER-SIZED.
midges, all seemed to enjoy the destination. SIDS & KIDS convoy has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. Western Patrol working hard to reschedule. When it happens it is $25 to register. Great raffles and lots to do when everyone arrives at the Motoplex. Last time there were 400 vehicles. Hoping for 1000 this year. UPCOMING: Dowerin Gathering. 11th to 13th July. This year to have a gymkhana component. Fine dining at the Community Sportsground Dining Room (Country Club) . Great bacon and eggs for breakfasts available. And of course the locked and lifted track constructed for the event. As the dining is being catered by one of the 4WD clubs not a professional company, and profits are going towards Charities and The Association it would be very helpful if those intending to eat "out" give numbers. Contact updates will be arriving via email to members. REPORTS: MCBEG Environment Day Sunday 25th May. Cleaned tracks, about 20 bags full.. Still random items found like car panels and a whole car back seat, 2 laminated windscreens, a working, though muddy, jack and a length of 2" thick cable. Makes you wonder if they are all related. Airstrip plantings are thriving. This site we have developed is now being used as a reference project by DEPaW to show councils just what can be achieved without expensive fertilisers and soil conditioning. Stephen took a group to plant some trees at a site special to the parents of Jamie Godden, a 14yr old trail bike rider who would have been 31yrs old this year. After lunch all engaged 4Wdrive and explored some more of the park. The Two Richards' training track was in good nick. My first experience of it was major lumps and bumps. We arrived at the out gate only to find the padlock damaged and unusable. A small delay, lock removed and replaced and while some left for the day, others continued on to Churchman's to execute some cotton bush!
SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR: Michael reported ARB are giving reasonable discounts .. We need to show our club membership card. MEMBERS FORUM: Where are they now... Helen and Richard Kingston are "working hard" at retirement , on Pardoo Station east of Pt Hedland. Where will they be soon... Peter and Tanya Nicol and girls leaving the club for work to Victoria. And two trip leaders just vanished. EQUIPMENT WORTHY OF COMMENT: Richard Nicholls discussed new braking system from REDARC. That annoying thunk from the trailer when car brakes are applied can be gone. The new product, when set to auto mode, calibrates itself and automatically brakes proportionately to the pressure applied to the brake pedal. Talk to Richard or Troy for more info. Bruce Brinkley showed a new stainless steel precision made, fold flat, fire pit. Japanese... Snow Peak from Drifta in NSW. Every campsite can have a fire anywhere, wood or beads. No being restricted to often inconvenient existing fire places only. There is no damage to the grass underneath . We figure we'll still be gazing into flames in our back yard when we are in our 80's !! Andy Whitely was rapt and intends buying one. TRAINING DAY: Richard King announced Step II sand training at Lancelin, on Saturday 14th June. Meeting at the Lancelin Bakery (where else?)
Kids Convoy 2014
Western Patrol Club Inc : Convoy for sids and kids
RESCHEDULED Sunday October 5, 2014 Our club is keen to support the Western Patrol Club in their fund raising effort for the Sids and Kids WA charity. We would very much like to see as many club vehicles as possible attend this event and show the general community that we, along with every other 4WD club in WA, can get together and make a significant contribution to a very worthy cause.
The convoy registration web page, www.kidsconvoy.org, is now up and running. Please go to the web page and complete your registration, and then send an email to me at , president@mitsubishi4wd.org.au, and I can record your registration.
It is our intention to assemble for the convoy as a club, and proceed as a group to the finish point at the Kwinana Motoplex. Bring along your wallet as well, there will be heaps of raffle tickets to buy with great prizes to be won. All part of the fund raising for the day. You might be lucky and go home in a different car to the one you started with !!!!
Tanami Road
Tanami Road
Tanami lies 634 km northwest of Alice Springs on a dirt road and, consequently, is only to be visited by experienced travellers who have a reliable vehicle and plenty of water. The journey across the desert is broken only by a petrol stop at Yuendumu 290 km north of Alice Springs and a stop at Rabbit Flat which has achieved a level of fame as the location of the most isolated pub in Australia. It says something for the isolation of the area that it really wasn’t explored until the twentieth century. It was, in a very real sense, the last frontier in the Northern Territory. Nat Buchanan, a pioneering cattle driver in 1896, covering these vast spaces with herds of cattle. He was looking for an overland stock route that had adequate water for stock crossing. The desert crossing was feasible although no new sources of water were found. The southern stock route never materialized. In 1900, Allan Davidson was the first European to explore the Tanami Desert thoroughly. He set out looking for gold and mapped possible sites with amazing accuracy. Gold was discovered in several locations, which produced a flurry of activity. The conditions were so harsh, and the local Aborigines so unfriendly, that if a miner didn’t die from thirst or heat exhaustion he was likely to be killed by an unfriendly spear. This was a poor consolation for the effort as the area had only poor quality gold quartz. That fact and the lack of much mineral, deterred most miners. The biggest mines were the Tanami Mine, which closed in 1994, and The Granites, which reopened in 1986. In 1932 more gold was found at The Granites (94 km to the south) but again the problem of water was overwhelming. One man, C. H. Chapman, made his fortune from the area. He brought in bore equipment, found supplies of underground water, bought out the mining leases, established his own gold battery, and made a vast amount of money before selling out in the early 1950s. The 1077 kilometre Tanami Road follows a cattle droving route NW from the MacDonnell Ranges above Alice Springs, leading across the desert to Halls Creek in the Kimberley. Most of it is dirt and gravel—about 20 per cent is bitumen. Around 700 kilometres is in the Northern Territory. The following is an excerpt from the ‘Red Centre’ trip notes run by Martin and Karen in July 2009. The Tanami Road was used to travel from the East McDonald Ranges (East of Alice Springs) to the top end of the Canning Stock Route. Although a report last year by RN Breakfast ABC radio program called the Tanami ‘the worst road in Australia’, it was rough in parts but certainly not the worst road we have travelled. The Tanami Road is bitumen for about 200km north of Alice, so the run was reasonably quick. We re-fueled at Tilmouth, which is at the end of the bitumen. This would see us through to Rabbit Flat with fuel. The gravel was in good condition too. Although somewhat dusty; so I’ve been told. Slowly leaving the mountainous McDonnell Ranges to the south west we headed into open desert country covered in dry scrub and fields of termite mounds the size of cars. We decided not to enter Yuendumu, which is a few kms off the track, and keep going. However, for some reason the tail-end half of the convoy, having been lost in the distance by dust, thought it was on the schedule and went in for a browse. So when it came time to slow down and start looking for a camping area we had lost communication with them. We found a good flat area to camp at Mt Doreen Homestead ruins, where we waited anxiously for a response to our constant calls on the radio for David, Rick, Richard and Helen. About 3 quarters of an hour later they magically appeared.
Another early start, packing in the dark. We checked out the ruins at Mt Doreen – some of the guys were regretful not being able to load up much of the ‘collector’s delights’ around the site. We hit the road at 8.00am and stopped for a couple of photo shoots of termite mounds and camels before stopping for morno’s at Renshaws Bore. Water tanks were refilled and Ric and Dave left for the mine site to pass on a message for a guy who had a shredded tyre. When we reached the mine site we had mobile connection so all stopped to make a few calls before proceeding to Rabbit Flat for fuel stop and lunch (PLEASE NOTE: Rabbit Flat Roadhouse has permanently closed for business. The longest stretch on the road without fuel supplies is 586km). Ric complained that he didn’t have time to eat his lunch before we took off again. The road then deteriorated and George managed to blow out one of his Coopers, a bit further down the track Martin also got a flat. The extra time required for the tyres meant it was getting late by the time we got to Wolfe Crater – the camp area was quite crowded but we managed to get into two separate areas and get set up just before dark. Were we late – No actually we were 24 hours early as Martin had left Ruby Gap a day early.
FUEL STOPS ON THE TANAMI: Billiluna (168km from Halls Creek - 885km from Alice Springs) 7am-12noon & 2pm-4pm Mon to Fri 9am - 11am Sat ($10 fee for fuel out of these hours) Balgo (246 km from Halls Creek - 807km from Alice Springs) Note: Balgo is approximately 35km off the Tanami Rd 9am-12noon & 2pm-4pm Mon to Fri 9am - 12noon Sat Please call (08) 9168 8900 prior to entry
Tanami Road
Yuendumu (754km from Halls Creek - 299km from Alice Springs) 8.30am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm Mon to Fri 9.30am - 12noon Sat & Sun Tilmouth (854km from Halls Creek - 199km from Alice Springs) 7am - 9pm 7 days per week
A good brief overview of the Tanami Road can be read on NRMA website at
the
http://www.mynrma.com.au/travel/holidays/ideas/nt/the-tanami-track.htm MAPS A number of maps cover the Tanami Road, however one specific map produced by Westprint called ‘Tanami Road’ is an excellent product with all the information and detailed mapping you will need http://retail.hallscreektourism.com.au/socatalogue_view.asp?codeID=HMTW or http://retail.hallscreektourism.com.au/socatalogue_view.asp?codeID=HMTR
All those leaving Friday morning arrived at the Chittering Roadhouse in time for the 9:30 start. Huge area for all caravans to fit comfortably. We confidently began the weekend with WA out of fuel and, just as we decided to leave, one flat battery.... mountains of battery terminal crust. Those who can do. Those who can’t, teach ...(forensics)
delegation of duties. Michael who prefers to travel fast is Tail End Charlie behind 9 caravans ..his worst nightmare? He may just have time to smell the roses this trip! Belchers were radio relayers in the middle.
Dalwallinu had fuel and that was close enough so no none pulled out of the trip. In fact it was only Rachel and her kids who sensibly decided not to set out on the Saturday and run the risk of being stranded. Trip
leader
talk
ensued
and
An uneventful trip to Dalwallinu for refuelling but, as trip leaders, we learned to set a definite time period for lunch and stick to it... We were the worst... socialising, sitting, talking, enjoying the company...but then the second half of the trip seemed very long for all.
Arrived around 2:30-3pm to be greeted by our club signs hung around the homestead. Driving further in and we realised it was caravan convention at Warriedar!
The Mid West Caravan Club, some independent fossickers, and members of a Gun Club had all set up camp. It is a very large area and we all spread comfortably. Luckily our early arrivers had commandeered the Homestead area. El Presidente had the signs on board so with them in view it cemented our residency. We tried collecting camping fees from the late arrivals of the Mid West Caravan Club but they only laughed. With two sets of toilets ..and ours was definitely the non smelly flushing one (thank you again to our early arrivals for choosing the Homestead) and a new Trackcare installed pump to supply bore water, all were easily accommodated. The bore ran out with the high demand but again replenished as demand reduced.
to make home base for exploring the area. Really lovely countryside. The recent rains had turned the paddocks green. With rain and warmth out came the midges!!! Virulent ones. Some skins reacted some didn’t. This weekend has proved there is no such thing as a perfect campsite....there are just perfect times to be there. Saturday morning and people were ready to do ‘something’ now so with typical ‘go with the flow’ planning we went on the intended afternoon outing. Radio check and counting to 20 was a challenge. We failed. But it was entertaining...to anyone listening in. Holbrooks Jnr & Snr led us to abandoned Reid’s Ridge mine they’d explored the day before. Fuel conservation made this nearby point of interest a very suitable destination. What is it about abandoned mines that fascinate. We spent a long time there. Never did ask John jnr how he knew the mine boss’s German wife was size 7. Then found this following on Google... We had left Perth on Sunday, 13 April 2003..... Reids Ridge Mine... This last one was interesting as it had only recently been abandoned. Three utes, a big truck and a front end loader were parked nearby. The kitchen still had food in it and dishes on the drying rack! Miners lamps were on charge (by roof mounted solar panels) and working. As far as we could tell nobody had even been here for several weeks, and even then (from their scrawled messages) they were just looking too. Taken by aliens? ...the vehicles and front end loader especially! Our intention then was to climb Warriedar Hill. Following a track south we stopped off at Kings Well on the way. We really are a trusting lot. Richard King had everyone persuaded his greatgreat-grandfather was the man who dug the well. Richard had everyone engrossed for a long time.. and he had believable answers for every question until he mentioned his relative dug it with a tablespoon !!. Then a confused Hema map showed a track to the hill where there wasn’t a track, so all decided it was time to head back for lunch. Warriedar Hill ...next year.
Warriedar homestead is potentially a perfect place
Afternoon naps for some. Michael used last year’s waypoints to return to a
site to collect a couple of memorable rock samples for sending to a lapidary club contact in North Qld. We also took the opportunity to take our first Microblitz sample. Back for happy hour which was well underway. Fire high. Camp ovens in coals and lovely smells everytime someone stirred their pot. Planned trivia night deferred as all were so relaxed and dinners were still appearing at 8. Many had been yawning since 7. Temperatures cooling, but no cold winds like last year. On Sunday Holbrooks left as planned. Unplanned were Belchers and Fishers. Reactions to midge bites and flu made their home comforts beckon. The fuel crisis saw many conserve what they had left so they enjoyed simply sitting around or exploring the environs. Those without fuel shortages were restless and set off at 12.45 to find the abandoned Rothsay gold mine with good intentions of returning for a 3pm afternoon trivia event. 6 cars headed south along the Coppermine Warriedar Road then took a right fork past a ‘road closed’ sign to head directly to Rothsay. Nearing the Black Dog mine, we were requested by the blasting controller to move off channel 25 preparing for a blast scheduled for the next day at 1pm. Rothsay minesite itself has been reopended and and closed to tourists, but up the road is a great campsite complete with large spreading trees and concrete pads for patios etc. We had a standing lunch and the Brinkley’s oven worked. Hot steamed spring rolls were offered around. Except they were supposed to be crispy. At least it worked this time. Lyn, Wendy and Judith went to a natural ground space across the road to take a second Microblitz sample. Map confusion again as the trip leaders had a map that showed roads that again weren’t there, resulting in a reversal of car order and in Bruce Brinkley practice, he led from the rear. Crossed a wide haul road not on any map. We passed the historical Government Well but by the time Charlie (Bruce) passed it, the government had changed and the well it had been privatised !!! Confused maps again and Paul Ryan ..who was now leading.. was home cooking dinner before the trip leader.. still Charlie.. had passed the haul road. Go with the flow was the theme for the weekend.
3pm had long since come and gone but with everyone still eager to engage in mind games, lots were drawn to determine teams, chairs were grouped around the fire, dinners were cooking, and the quiz master, ably assisted by Sam Ryan, started questions round 1. Matty and Locky helped raised the IQ levels of their team. Sun went down. Firelight and an occasional headlamp in use and thinking time cut back to 20 seconds, but no-one wanted to stop. First prize.. Tim Tams. Second prize... Tim Tams... you get the idea... a win/win situation. Bedtime was a lot later Sunday night as energy levels had risen markedly. Monday Leaving time Bruce announced 10am -ish. but many missed the ish!! He was leaving time for canvas to dry!!!! ? Another example of the fluid style of trip leadership. Members left as they were ready... with no pressure, personal timeframes and another dead battery for the Day? Warriedar Homestead was tidied. The toilet cleaned. The fire raked. Last convoy of 3 left at midday leaving the Bickerdikes to enjoy serenity for a further day. Judith
DS
RYANDRA DAY TRIP unday May 11
Trip Leader : Peter Cole Co-leader : Peter Belcher After a week of unsettled weather, it was a motherless bunch of four wheel drivers who gathered at the meeting point for this trip on a very pleasant Mothers Day morning, and what a bunch it was ! Peter and Denise Belcher, and their visitors Roger and Phyl, Peter Cole, Steve Delides and Candice Kocken with their two lovely young daughters, Michael Gilbert and visitor Michael, Kim and Gail Graieg, Rick and Sue Irvine, Steve and Chris Pike, and Visitors Peter Bullock and Michelle Nys, and Bruce Davies all looked forward to a pleasant day out. Trip Leaders Peter Cole and Peter belcher had only picked up this trip at the previous members meeting and without the benefit of a pre-trip recce we all headed off from the start point in Kelmscott down the Brookton Highway towards, well, Brookton. With approximately 70kms of bitumen to start with, the scenery just flashed past at high speed. Lingering pockets of the cool morning mist decorated the passing landscape but were rapidly burning off in the bright morning light as we turned off the highway onto Woods Loop and into Ramsay Road. We took this deviation to just get off the bitumen as we headed towards morno’s at Boyagin Rock. Expecting a narrow dirt track, we were surprised by a wide and well maintained gravel road so keeping up speed was not a problem. Crossing over the main York-Williams Rd and onto Boyagin Rock Rd saw a slight change in road conditions, narrower and hemmed by large trees we did have to reduce speed a bit! None of the trip participants had been to the rock before so it came as a bit of a surprise to see how big this thing actually was ! The parking area even has his and hers drop toilets, a mia shelter and a smattering of other visitors in two wheel drive cars to boot. Walking up the short marked trail through the trees we were presented with a huge formation of rocks. With this stop only designated as a short morno stop, those in the advanced age bracket decided to trek up to the first stage only. Only visitors Roger, Peter and Michelle set off to conquer the actual peak while the rest of us returned to the carpark to bravely tackle the hardship of coffee and cake. Did I say that this was intended to be a short stop ? When has our club ever had a short stop for food and refreshment ? Only on Guy’s trips I suspect. When finally assembling a full complement again we headed off towards Dryandra for a lingering lunch stop. Once out from Boyagin Rock reserve, and with a desire to get off the easier tracks Trip Leader Peter noticed some “roads” leading off to the south from the main gravel road. After a quick UHF radio poll it was decided to deviate onto one of these tracks and go (ozi)exploring, get it ? Turning south onto a track signposted as Wren Rd we headed into the Boyagin Rock Nature Reserve. The tracks, followed some fence lines through a very scenic area and following some impromptu oziexplorer mapping lessons at morning tea by Michael, several cars
became involved in a game of “where are we now?”. So not only did we have to actually put cars into four wheel drive mode we also had to watch the little arrow thingies move around the navigation screen. On this trip leg there were also one or two challenging parts that provided some driver instruction and confidence boosting sections where we also discovered Rick and Sue had changed seats to give Sue a bit of a challenge ahead of their Lorella Springs trip in a couple of months time. With one eye on the navigation screen and the other on the clock we had to find an exit route which would allow us to head south towards Dryandra. After some group consultations over mapping, we found a short exit track and headed off towards the main York Williams road again. Crossing the main road, and onto more gravel roads, our way south found a few interesting place names and road names to match. Names such as Codjatotine-Hastings Rd, and Cotjatotine-Hooterdine Rd came up with appropriately sized road name signs. Re-crossing the York-Williams Rd we eventually entered the Dryandra Woodland Reserve and sought out the Old Mill Dam picnic site to set up for a lunch stop. This is a very pleasant area with a good sheltered spot for groups. The previous deviations had resulted in arriving here a bit later than planned, but this did not deter us from enjoying a leisurely lunch hour ( or more ) ! We really do put the effort in to enjoy ourselves in this club! The after lunch restart was headed up by Peter Belcher who wisely sought out an after lunch comfort stop at the main Lions Dryandra Village for the benefit of all. Peter then lead us off onto Gura Rd for one of the Dryandra Scenic Drives, specifically the Darwinia Drive. Unfortunately none of the park’s 100fm radio systems was in operation so we provided our own nature commentary over the two-way. The roads are well maintained and there was enough flora and fauna on show to give us an indication of how special this drive might be in springtime with a display of the wildflowers. We did get an anonymous radio tip that we had better book a spot now for John Kings’ wildflower trip in September ! This 23 km drive took us back to the main York Williams Rd yet again. At this point in the late afternoon we had still not arrived at the final spot on the agenda and we said goodbye to Steve and Candice and to Peter and Michelle who decided to take a more direct route homeward. One of the requests from Trip Co-Ordinator Guy Lehamnn had been to do a recce of the Congelin Dam Campsite for a possible weekend trip later in the year so it was determined we should continue and head off south to find the campsite. After a short drive down the main road we re-entered the Dryandra Reserve to seek out the Congelin Dam. Once again we engaged in the popular game of “where are we now?” as we drove around in circles, reversed directions a few times, did a lot of head scratching (no ticks though!) as the entrance to the campsite proved elusive. Fortunately our humourous uhf conversations were picked up by another four wheel driver within the actual campsite. Our “listener” advised us that we had to go back out to the main road to find the new entrance to the campground. With this assistance we eventually found the entrance road and had a quick look at the area. We can report that DPaW have undertaken quite extensive work to the site and it is a very tidy and pleasant area which could cope with quite a number of trailers and caravans for a “wildflower passion weekend” in perhaps September. Watch out for that one eh !!!! With the daylight fading, our group set off for the trip finish which was planned for Wandering, but Trip Leader Peter (which one ?) made an impromptu left hand turn before we reached Wandering and we intersected the Albany Highway just north of Crossman. After a quick roadside gathering to say our goodbyes, everyone headed off into the setting sun for home.
CLICK THE PHOTOGRAPH TO WATCH THE VIDEO
Sand Flies – Biting Midgies By Martin Archer and Troy Shortland
This subject literally raises its’ ugly head following the sufferings of most who attended the Warriedar long weekend trip at the beginning of June. This is not intended to put anyone off camping at Warriedar Station because it is a truly wonderful spot to park up for a few days. And camping at the same location 12 months earlier saw no problems with insects of any kind. But on this occasion, recent and prolonged rain had turned the brown landscape into green pastures. And just like the number of campers there this year, the ‘no-seeums’ came from everywhere. Unprepared as we were, we suffered the consequences of mass attacks on everything between our heads and feet. The unfortunate thing about sand fly bites is that you don’t know you’ve been bitten until it’s too late. Hence the nick name ‘no-seeums’. The bites are usually orchestrated by hundreds of flies at once, so those prone to reaction from the bites will suffer greatly once the allergic reaction takes place. This can be minutes or days after the contact. They are not ‘sand flies’ Biting midges are small blood sucking flies in the family Ceratopogonidae. They are commonly referred to as “sandflies” in northern Australia. The term “sand fly” is a misused term for a number of families of small biting flies. This includes the true sandflies (Family Psychodidae) which are not pests of humans in Australia, as well as black flies (Family Simulidae) which are serious pests in the inland areas of Qld and NSW following flooding, and the biting midges (Family Ceratopogonidae). Sand flies do bite! A popular belief is that midges urinate on, rather than bite, their victims. But in fact sand flies do actually bite their host in order to obtain protein from the blood. Similar to a mosquito bite, It is the anti-coagulant they inject while biting that causes the allergic reaction. It is only the female flies that bite (understandable!) Vitamin B1 Myth The use of high doses of vitamin B1, long advocated as having mosquito repellent properties, is totally unfounded and lacks any scientific validity The following information is available on our club’s web site and was put together by our industrious Troy who presented the information at a previous club meeting
Troy’s Sandfly Presentation Sandfly is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking Dipteran encountered in sandy areas. A Dipteran is a 2 winged flying insect. Technically they are really a biting midgee. Biting midges are small robust insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts that belong to the family of flies Ceratopogonidae. Only a few groups within this family are known to suck blood and their distribution is almost world wide. These small flies are renowned for their nuisance biting associated with habitats such as coastal lagoons, estuaries, mangrove swamps and tidal flats. In Australia these flies are commonly known as sandflies but are correctly referred to as biting midges.
The biting activity of adult biting midges is mainly limited to the periods of dawn and dusk; they will remain inactive through very windy weather, finding shelter amongst vegetation. Biting midges will usually disperse only short distances from their breeding sites. Only female midges feed on blood, but both the females and males will feed on vegetable fluids and nectar. Adult midges are 1.5-4.0 mm long with stout short legs. Female midges may attack humans in large numbers, biting on any areas of exposed skin, and often on the face, scalp and hands. Some species will blood feed on a wide range of animals. The egg batches contain between 30-100 eggs, and are laid on mud, decaying leaf litter, damp soil or other vegetation. The small eel-like larvae hatch in a few days. The whole life cycle takes 3-10 weeks, dependent on species and environmental conditions, particularly temperature. Why are Biting Midge bites so unpleasant? The anatomy of their feeding mechanism means that (unlike mosquitoes) they leave a large raised mark on the skin that is filled with damaged tissue and saliva (containing anticoagulants). This can cause certain individuals repeatedly exposed to their bites to become “sensitised� and trigger allergic responses. The direct impact on human health and wellbeing caused by midges is due to the allergens in midge saliva. These biting insects are not likely to transmit disease. Clinical Presentation Biting midges are responsible for acute discomfort, irritation and severe local reactions. Itching may commence immediately after the bite, but often not for some hours later, and most individuals are unaware of being bitten at the time. Local residents seem to build up some immunity to the biting. In some sensitive people, midges can produce persistent reactions that blister and weep serum from the site of each bite and these reactions may last for several days to weeks. Biting midges are not known to transmit any diseasecausing pathogens to humans in Australia. Treatment and Control There are no known efficient methods of controlling biting midges, but personal protection will help in reducing exposure to their bites. Avoid localities, especially at dawn and dusk, that are known to be frequented by biting midges; wear protective clothing (long sleeves/pants), and apply a repellent to exposed skin. These measures will assist in limiting exposure to these biting flies. To prevent acute allergic reaction and allow the body to develop its own immunity to midge bites vitamin B1 (thiamine) can be tried. This vitamin has an anti-histamine type action. An adult dose of 200mg twice a day with meals, preferably starting 2 weeks before exposure to midge, as immunity is developed this dose can be reduced. Persons who have a more acute reaction to midge bites may require anti-histamine drugs such as Telfast, Polaramine and Zyrtec. You should consult your family doctor before trying these therapies. Mosquito coils or plug in insecticide tablet burners may be necessary during periods of severe midge nuisance. Home made repellents which are popular and are sworn by people up in the Northern parts of Australia are as follows: *1 part baby Oil, 1 part Metho and 1 part Dettol. *1 part baby oil, 1 part citronella oil, 1 part Dettol. SOOV it Haemorrhoid cream whose active ingredients are Hydrocortisone (It has anti-inflammatory effects by reducing histamine secretion) and lignocaine which is a common local anesthetic after applied stopped the itching within 1 minute and lasted 8-10 hours. This was recommended by 2 pharmacists in Port
Hedland. My favourite remedy is to rub a mixture of Bourbon (the cheap stuff, don’t waste the good stuff) and sand on your arms, legs etc and then, when they bite they get drunk and throw rocks at each other leaving us alone.
According to government health information, there are no totally effective repellents known, however products containing DEET, such as Bushman© are most effective. This product is sold at most camping stores and is available in a cream (80%DEET), aerosol and a combined repellent – sunscreen (20% DEET). For those who object to using harsh chemicals and prefer natural products, an effective repellent and anti-itch cream, which is recommended by several club members, is called Sandfly-Mozzie-Stuff©. This product is sold in many pharmacies. A link is provided below for locations and further details. Natural repellent and stop itch http://thelocals.net.au/product/sandfly-mozzie-stuff-insect-repellent-lotion/ NT Government – Department of Health and Community Services http://www.education.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/3713/BitingMidge.pdf Outback Crossing http://www.google.com.au/url?q=http://www.outbackcrossing.com.au/Information/Sand_Fly_Bites_and_Prevention. shtml&sa=U&ei=XVKNU4isOsGIkQW-3oDYDw&ved=0CCEQFjAB&usg=AFQjCNE-ipezL8UDv2bm4f_ CqPOUYrqW1w Department of Defence – Joint Health Command http://www.defence.gov.au/health/infocentre/journals/ADFHJ_sep02/ADFHealth_3_2_58-63.html The Conversation (Cameron Webb. University of Sydney) http://theconversation.com/taking-the-ouch-and-itch-out-of-insect-bites-6369 University of Sydney – Department of Entomology http://medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/bitmidge.htm#treat
Mitsubishi 4WD Owner’s Club of WA From the Archives
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An idea that started as a club cupboard clean out job and developed during campfire discussions on the Holland Track trip at Easter will be implemented at the July members meeting.
We will clean out a lot of material that has accumulated in the club cupboards and make it available free to members after the meeting.
This is intended to kick-start a refined concept for “disposal sales” at club meetings. We have always allowed members to bring in their surplus 4wd and camping gear and sell it or give it away during the member’s forum, and we will continue to encourage members to bring their gear to meetings.
However, under the umbrella of the Club Shop, a separate table or stall will now be set up in the supper area for members to dispose of any of those items under the following conditions:
• All items must be clearly identified with the selling or donating members name, and for an item being sold the price must be displayed. • For items being sold as a private item, the entire process of sale is the responsibility of the seller and any buyer. • If an item has been placed for sale with the proceeds being donated to the club, the buyer should present the sale amount to the Shop Manager or make suitable arrangements for an electronic fund transfer to the club account. • For all items not sold or taken, it is the responsibility of the member who places the item on the table to ensure the item is removed from the hall at the end of the meeting. • For each member placing items for private sale at the table, we will require a gold coin donation to be placed in the donation box on the table whether the item is sold or not. • For items being given away free, we will require a gold coin donation from the recipient to be placed in the donation box on the table. • All proceeds from the gold coin donation box will, for 2014, be given to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Mitsubishi 4WD Owner’s Club of Western Australia
Honour Board Inc. 1986
President 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2010 2011 2012 2013
Ian Lockhart Award Ian Lockhart Ray Edwards Ray Edwards Stuart Baldock Robin Silver Geoff McKeown Lindsay Hill Terry Kitchen Terry Kitchen John Bromberger Reg Hill Mervyn Ward Mervyn Ward Peter Baker John King John King John King Rick Ellis Rick Ellis Paul Ryan Paul Ryan Paul Ryan Paul Ryan Martin Archer Martin Archer Peter Cole
Arthur Pearce / Keith Fleming Ray Edwards/Pam Fleming? Ray Edwards ?Reg Hill/Pam Fleming Judith McKeown Dorothy Hill Terry Kitchen/Mervyn Ward? Bill Harvey/David Whitaker David Whitaker Gregg Wilcox Tony Weldon Maxine Gosney Peter Baker Lester Cousins John McKay Terry Keesing Lester Cousins Wes Sutton Paul Ryan Martin & Karen Archer Tony Weldon Neil Hewer Trevor Theunissen John King Michael Gilbert Rob Nankiville
Club Member of the Year Award
Paul Ryan Tony Weldon Guy Lehmann Judith Brinkley
Magazine Survey
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• Dropbox is a handy online resource that allows you to deposit photos, trip notes and videos of club activities. The editor and webmaster view the drop box regularly to download your contributions. • It is important that you name your photos and notes accordingly so that we know who to award the contribution credit. • Follow these simple steps before downloading so that your photos and notes are not overlooked • Photos or notes will not be published if they are not identified to the owner You will need the club’s ‘username’ and password to access the Dropbox. To get these details visit to member’s area of the club’s website, or email the webmaster or editor.
Follow the instructions on the next page to create your folder and to upload your photos
(1) Make sure you are in the Trip Photos folder (2) If the folder does not already exist, use the ‘New folder’ icon to create a folder in the trip location name
(3) Then use the ‘New folder’ icon again to create a folder in your name like those below
(3) Then use the ‘Upload’ icon to send your photos to Dropbox. Follow the
instructions on the screen
WARRIEDAR STATION WEEKEND
MAY/JUNE 2014
After everyone arrived at the station by early Saturday morning Trip Leader Bruce Brinkley led a large group off tho visit an old mine site and to then find Warriedar Hill. With over 20 vehicles assembled in a long line on the old airstrip, Bruce’s attempts to set a convoy order were hampered a little by a couple of committee members (who shall not be named) who were so engrossed in a pre-trip gps navigation conversation that they missed all the uhf calls from everyone – come on car 6 !! Further into the trip, convoy order was again muddled up by having to turn the convoy around several times to back track. Eventually convoy order was not restored in spite of repeated attempts by many members. We did however all make it back to the station, with no resemblance to an orderly bunch. As part of the campfire entertainment for the evening Bruce and Judith had organised a Quiz Night which eventually got underway after dark and with Judith reading questions by the light of the fire and at times the question sheets were smouldering at the edges. The questions had been divided into several sets and the marking of each set was carried out by each group swapping answer sheets with adjacent teams. I think it was about question 25, with the question being “How many ships were there in the First Fleet?”. Team 4 (the eventual winners) were marking an answer sheet from Team 5 (big losers) and when Judith announced the correct answer of “3” there was an ever so slightly disparaging laugh from team 4 over Team 5’s answer of “100”. Over the top of this light laughter Lyn Fry promptly added: “My goodness, how on earth did that trip leader keep that convoy in order?’ at which stage the light laughter from team 4 exploded into huge merriment, which only served to further annoy Team 5 as they all thought we were taking the mickey out of their absolutely ridiculous answer ! Lyn is nominated for the Piston Broke Award for her clarity of thought and excellent comic timing, which added a bit of spice to a very raucous campfire quiz. Peter Cole
7 Hayden Ct, Myaree