What’s on in WA + Member Benefits + 10 of the best
Your RAC magazine April / May 2015
Win a Borneo adventure in Sarawak see page 42
We need to talk about the elephant in the Wheatbelt Cherry blossom season
A beautiful time to visit Japan
Slow road to safety
Why is WA being left behind?
Weird and wonderful
The cars with big ambitions
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Horizons
Inside
Your RAC magazine April / May 2015
Editor-in-Chief Will Golsby
Win a Borneo adventure in Sarawak see page 42
Editor Justine Costigan Deputy Editor Vanessa Pogorelic Publisher Sarah Harris Design Glenn Moffatt Advertising Ben Treasure tel: 08 9388 7844 ben@mediatonic.com.au
Horizons is published for The Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) by Hardie Grant Media Ground Level, Building 1 658 Church Street, Richmond Victoria 3121 Australia www.hardiegrant.com.au Managing Director Jeff Trounce jefftrounce@hardiegrant.com.au
32
Wheatbelt at war A drive through the Wheatbelt is a fascinating way to learn about Western Australia’s war history.
CAB audited as at September 2014 is 514,331 Australia Post ISSN No 0810 8285. The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. Advertisements in Horizons are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RAC accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.
17 Elephant in the Wheatbelt
18 Time for change
24 Slow road to safety
A new RAC campaign focuses on road trauma in the Wheatbelt.
Why WA’s Compulsory Third Party Insurance needs to change.
What is Victoria doing better when it comes to road safety?
4 Horizons April / May 2015
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Inside
Wild about flowers In June/July Horizons we travel to the Gascoyne and Murchison regions, home to winding rivers, remote outback stations and wildflowers.
your Horizons 54 Member Lounge
26
40
36
46
Weird and wonderful cars
Cruising the mighty Murray
Japan in bloom
New cars on the market
Regulars
Travel
Move
7 President’s message
31 What’s on Events around the state.
22 Safe roads and a better network
36 Japan in bloom
The RAC’s Budget submission to the WA State Government.
Japan in cherry blossom season is an extraordinary sight.
46 Test drive New cars on the market.
40 Murray River cruising
50 Car news The latest news in motoring.
News from the RAC.
Discover a slice of outback life on a Murray River cruise.
82 The 10 best
45 Travel brief
Let’s improve Compulsory Third Party Insurance.
8 Mailbox Members’ letters.
9 Exchange Sharing your views.
13 Snapshot
WA’s best caves.
News from RAC Travel.
Tips for preparing yourself for storm season, know when to change your windscreen wiper blades, get involved in golf and a chance to win a long weekend adventure in Denmark.
59 Member Benefits Show your card and save on everything from vehicle maintenance to groceries, entertainment and travel.
Download our free Member Benefits app to discover where you can save with exclusive member offers.
Log on today
53 Car doctor
and make the most of your RAC membership
Your questions answered by our experts.
rac.com.au/memberbenefits
April / May 2015 Horizons 5
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Giving back to WA for the better
RBRA0390
RAC has been proudly giving back to WA for 110 years. We don’t have shareholders, which means we can give our profits back to WA. We give back discounts and rewards to our members. We give back time and money for road safety education and we give back by supporting the RAC Rescue helicopter. Because giving back makes WA a better place.
forthebetter.com.au RAC Rescue is managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
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President’s message
The Royal Automobile Club of WA (INC) 832 Wellington Street, West Perth. GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839. tel: 13 17 03 www.rac.com.au RAC Member Service Centres Metropolitan Carousel: Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. Morley: Shop 1, Morley Markets, Bishop St. West Perth (Head Office): 832 Wellington St. Regional Albany: 110 Albany Hwy. Bunbury: Shop 32, Stirling Centre, Stephen St. Geraldton: Shop 29, Centro Northgate Shopping Centre, Chapman Rd. Kalgoorlie: 51-53 Hannan St. Mandurah: Shop 112, Centro Mandurah Shopping Centre, Pinjarra Rd. RAC Travel Centres Carousel: Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Hwy. tel: 9365 4700 Joondalup: Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre (external), Boas Ave. tel: 9308 1600 Mandurah: Shop 112, Centro Shopping Centre, 330 Pinjarra Rd. tel: 9512 8200 Morley: Shop 1, Morley Markets, Bishop St. tel: 6466 2300 West Perth: 832 Wellington St. tel: 9436 4830 Hearing impaired members Emergency Roadside Assistance SMS number only 0434 182 877 Roadside Assistance 24 hours, 7 days TTY: 9303 8470 RAC contact numbers Roadside Assistance 13 11 11 Battery Services 13 11 11 Membership 13 17 03 Motoring Advice 13 17 03 Vehicle Condition Appraisals 1300 797 078 Insurance 13 17 03 Finance 13 17 03 Travel 13 17 03 Touring 13 17 03 Security Services 13 17 03 RAC Auto Services 1300 135 667 RAC DTEC 6189 4646
Let’s re-think Compulsory Third Party insurance Twenty-seven years ago I survived a road crash, resulting in serious spinal injury. On average, 92 Western Australians suffer a catastrophic injury as a result of a road crash every year. I was fortunate to be among the one in 10 with a spinal injury who walked again, but for the majority of those who suffer this way, their lives and their families’ lives remain severely changed. When a Western Australian is involved in a road crash and suffers a catastrophic injury, a public insurance scheme called Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) allows those injured to receive a lumpsum payment to compensate for their injuries. Under our current scheme, if fault is not attributable to another party, no compensation for ongoing care and rehabilitation is awarded. The provision of financial support, immediate care and better access to rehabilitation for everyone who is catastrophically injured, regardless of fault, is an important social issue for our state. It’s an issue RAC members are also telling us they support. The RAC, on behalf of its 800,000 members, has made a submission in response to the State Government’s Green Paper on the introduction of a no-fault catastrophic injury compulsory third party insurance scheme. Of the options presented, RAC supports Option Two, a no-fault catastrophic CTP insurance scheme for all people catastrophically injured as a result of a motor vehicle crash. We consider this the most appropriate solution to assist and support Western Australians and their families through an unimaginably difficult time.
But we have genuine concerns that the proposed additional cost of $109 per year is inflated and RAC believes the estimate requires further validation and calculation. The costs associated with a no-fault scheme must accurately reflect the cost to cover the catastrophically injured. We believe a whole of government approach is needed to ensure the wider Western Australian community will not carry the extra financial burden unnecessarily. RAC also considers the introduction of a no-fault CTP scheme is another opportunity for the State Government to ramp up implementation of Towards Zero, WA’s Road Safety Strategy. And it’s a timely discussion. Last year, Western Australia recorded the worst road fatality count in four years, with 185 Western Australians dying on our roads and hundreds more seriously injured. We remain responsible for our actions and it is up to each of us to reduce the devastating impact of fatal and serious injuries crashes in WA. As a small consolation, with a renewed commitment to reducing the number of Western Australians killed and seriously injured on our roads, we can also reduce the escalating economic costs brought on by road trauma, including the costs of CTP premiums. ●
Esme Bowen RAC President
Your RAC Council President Esme Bowen Senior Vice President Tony Evans Vice President Jacqueline Ronchi Members of Council Tim Shanahan, Dennis Bawnks, Allan Blagaich, Freda Crucitti, Jill Darby, Ross Dowling, Dalton Gooding, Alden Halse, Elizabeth Re, Julie Wadley, Emmerson Richardson, Stephanie Proud April / May 2015 Horizons 7
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Contact the editor
Mailbox
Email editor@rac.com.au or write to The Editor, RAC Horizons Magazine, GPO Box C140 Perth WA 6839.
Join the discussion about the RAC and the magazine your tyres every six years; fit ESC as it’s worth every dollar; and always wear hi-visibility clothing when changing a tyre so other motorists can see you easily. John Burges, Bunbury
Pedal car pride
Our winning letter Caravan of woes
Immobilise, elevate, compress Regarding the rescue of Kevin Gale (Horizons February/March), the RAC rescue helicopter and crew are vital to best-practice outcomes of accidents. In applauding the service I want to also make the point to every motorist that when blood is being lost, you must stop it. Immobilise, elevate and compress the wound, and as a last resort, a temporary tourniquet can be applied. In Mr Gale’s case my flannelette shirt became a compress that I pressed onto the huge wound. The shirt sleeves, and later Mr Gale’s belt, were used as a tourniquet, thus restricting the vessels in the upper arm. After the rescue helicopter landed and I was relieved, I creakily straightened from my crouched position with great relief. Well done to all the ambos who attended. Again, I say to all motorists, this sort of wound happens much more often on the road than in the paddock. Be ready. Kevin’s wood splitting friend, Glenn Porter.
There’s a good reason why caravan tyres should be replaced every six years. My tyres were just six years old when I was on my way home from a trip around Australia when the outer casing on my first tyre separated and went flat at a Nullarbor roadhouse. I couldn’t get it replaced over the Nullarbor so had to travel 900kms without a spare. At Norseman I got a new tyre fitted and was pleased to have a spare again, but not for long. Only 100kms out of Norseman, the original spare I’d fitted at the roadhouse, which had never been used, blew to pieces. It had apparently gone hard sitting on the rear of the caravan for five years without being rotated. So, onto Esperance with no spare again. I had two new tyres fitted there because when they removed the other original tyre, the outer wall had separated from that one as well and was due to blow. I certainly had someone looking out for me on that trip. I’d had electronic stability control fitted to my van before leaving on our trip and when the tyre blew there was no sway at all. My advice to every caravaner is: rotate your caravan tyres every 10,000kms; replace all
I was interested to read of your Pedal Prix event in Busselton (Horizons, December/January). In England during WW2 my father, an aeronautical engineer, built a pedal car from scrap plywood and bicycle parts. Petrol was rationed and his wife needed to go shopping, taking her two young children with her. Pedal car number one was designed and built in the
motor coughed and stalled. Fortunately we had extended our RAC Roadside Assistance to the top level, so I hitched a lift back to Emmdale Roadhouse (there was no mobile phone coverage) and rang the RAC, who in turn contacted the NRMA. In due course a tilt-tray truck arrived from Cobar. The driver winched our Patrol up onto the tray then hooked up the caravan and off we went. On arrival, we, with our caravan, were dropped off at the caravan park and the Patrol was taken to a mechanic’s. The next morning it had been assessed and there was dirt in the fuel tank and tank removal was necessary. The following day the caravan park gave me a receipt for two nights’ accommodation. We continued on our trip to north Queensland, in total six months and 20,000km. Arriving back in Perth I rang the RAC and arranged to submit the receipt. A week later there was a cheque in the mail. Thank you, RAC. The peace of mind was worth the extra cost. Terry Seymour
cellar of our home in Sale, Cheshire. Pedal car number two soon followed and it could float! The wheels acted as paddles. Note my look of fear in the picture as we went in the water. I am still not a good swimmer! Leila Worth
Small price for peace of mind Last year my wife Anna and I drove our ‘99 Nissan Patrol towing a 14’ Coramal caravan around Australia. After filling up with petrol east of Broken Hill, the Patrol’s
You can be a winner Each issue, the author of the best letter will win a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance. Classic Roadside Assistance gives motorists additional peace of mind by offering a range of extended benefits. For assistance or more information
call 13 17 03 or visit rac.com.au.
Terms and conditions on page 80. Published letters may be edited for style and length. While we try to respond to all letters we receive, a response cannot be guaranteed.
8 Horizons April / May 2015
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Exchange Feedback, opinion and fast facts RAC ONLINE POLL
YOUNG DRIVERS
Tell us ...
!*!!@!*
42 25 %
Would you be happy to let an autonomous vehicle take over the task of driving for you? Take our poll at rac.com.au/exchange
MOTORCYCLE CRASHES
Overall, have you been satisfied with the service you received using traditional taxi services in WA within the past 12 months?
No
35% 65%
facebook.com/racwa
of young drivers reported seeing their parents drive after drinking. RAC 2014 free2go Driver Survey
RAC ONLINE POLL RESULT
Yes
of young drivers have displayed ‘road rage’ behaviour to other drivers.
%
twitter.com/racwa
1 in 3
road fatalities in metropolitan Perth involved a motorcyclist in 2014. Yet motorcycles make up only 5.5% of licensed motorised vehicles in WA.
Exchange your views by email: editor@rac.com.au April / May 2015 Horizons 9
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110 years of RAC Part 2 – 1926 to 1945
To mark the RAC’s 110th anniversary this year, Horizons presents the second in a series of RAC milestones. In this issue we reflect on the period in RAC history from 1926 to the end of the Second World War in 1945.
1927
1928
The club puts pressure on the government to abolish a toll to enter Kings Park.
RAC’s road patrol service expands into country areas beginning with Northam and Bunbury. The RAC’s Touring Department is also formed.
1926
1930
RAC’s road patrol service begins in Perth. The first patrol vehicles are two motorcycles fitted with sidecars operated by experienced mechanics H V Mason and R L Stockbridge.
The club’s member magazine, The Road Patrol, is published. The lead story reveals a controversy over the planned suspension of a federal road funding agreement.
1932
1934
RAC campaigns to have a bill introduced to provide for an amendment of the Criminal Code, making stealing or unlawful use of a motor car an offence. “Joy riding” has become an issue.
The expectation that many WA motorists will travel to Melbourne for the city’s centenary celebrations prompts the RAC to organise an overland tour from Perth to Melbourne and invite interested motorists to join the tour.
1938
1936
1935
The number of road patrols increases to 16, with four patrols assigned to country work.
RAC’s Club Motor Vehicle Insurance Agency Pty Ltd is formed in association with the Tariff Insurance Companies group. Previously, insurance had been provided through Lloyds of London.
RAC membership reaches 9269.
1940 The RAC’s head office becomes a depot for the issue of wartime petrol ration coupons.
TO B E C O N T I N U E D N E X T I S S U E
1940
1945
The Patriotic Grand Prix race meet is held on the streets of Applecross to raise funds for our troops overseas. It is the last motor sports event held in Australia until after the war.
The RAC campaigns for either a reduction in the federal tax on petrol or a greater allocation of funds to the state for improvements to roads.
1941
1945
From February, one shilling from each RAC membership fee goes to fund an operating theatre at the Hollywood Military Hospital.
The National Safety Council is formed to address road safety issues following pressure from RAC and other motoring organisations.
12 Horizons April / May 2015
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Snapshot News in brief from the RAC & beyond
Tunnel breakdowns Since the reconfiguration of the Graham Farmer Tunnel last year into three lanes without a breakdown lane, motorists should be aware of the correct procedures to follow in the event of a crash or breakdown. Main Roads WA (MRWA) recommends you remain in your vehicle, unless it is clearly unsafe to do so, and wait for instructions via your vehicle’s radio, the tunnel’s PA system or the message boards in the tunnel. The tunnel is monitored by a 24-hour control room that detects incidents immediately. Lane signals will also change from green to amber or red to indicate that you have been detected. Lane-use management signals are used to close lanes in the event of a crash or breakdown. These signals can
What to do
4000th mission for RAC Rescue helicopter On 4 November, 2014, the RAC Rescue helicopter flew its 4000th mission in Western Australia. It was called to the scene of a motorcycle road crash and the helicopter flew the patient from Chidlow to Royal Perth Hospital. After more than a decade of outstanding service, the RAC would like to thank the crew of RAC Rescue – the state’s only 24-hour, seven day, medically equipped emergency rescue helicopter service – for safeguarding the lives of so many Western Australians. The helicopter’s first official mission was in August, 2003. Since then the service has saved hundreds of lives and can often make the difference between life, death or permanent injury. The RAC Rescue helicopter is funded by the WA State Government with the assistance of RAC sponsorship and is managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
change a general traffic lane into an emergency/breakdown lane. Your vehicle will be assisted by an Incident Response Service (IRS) van or a tow truck, free of charge. The IRS vans have a soft foam push-pad that shapes itself to the broken-down vehicle before pushing it to a safe location. Tow-trucks have identification showing they are MRWA contractors. If you have any concerns while waiting for assistance in the tunnel, call 13 ROAD (13 76 23). If you believe your car may be failing before you enter the tunnel, pull into the emergency bay that is clearly signposted before the tunnel entrance. There is also an emergency bay located at the tunnel exit. April / May 2015 Horizons 13
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Do not overtake
Road safety message cuts through Thousands of Perth students watched as police and other emergency services attended a serious road crash as part of a dramatisation staged for the RAC bstreetsmart road safety event at Perth Arena. Students in years 10 to 12 watched a live, simulated crash scene and witnessed first-hand the enormous number of people and services involved when a serious crash occurs. The students also heard from people who had been personally affected by road trauma, while frontline emergency services personnel described some of the scenes they had witnessed in the line of duty. RAC Community Education manager Wayne Houden said re-enacting a crash scene
enabled the road safety message to be delivered with far greater impact. “When students actually witness the scene unfolding in front of them it adds some realism to the message and they’re able to think more deeply about the consequences of risky driving behaviour.” bstreetsmart is an annual youth road safety event presented by the RAC, WA Police, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, St John Ambulance, Royal Perth Hospital and the Theatrical Response Group.
Have you ever wondered why some heavy vehicles display Do Not Overtake signs at the rear? The signs indicate that the vehicle has permission to turn from a lane other than the usual turning lane. A standard vehicle is required to turn left from the left lane and right from the right lane. A left-turning vehicle with Do Not Overtake signs displayed is allowed to occupy the left lane and the next marked lane. Similarly, a right turning vehicle with Do Not Overtake signs is allowed to occupy the right lane and the next marked lane. The signs advise drivers following that they should not attempt to slip past.
In order to occupy both lanes when turning, heavy vehicles must be 7.5 metres or longer, must display the sign so other drivers are aware, and be within 50 metres of the intersection. It can only be done when it’s impractical for the vehicle to turn from the usual turning lane and it must be safe for the vehicle to occupy both lanes.
✹
✹
Make a move Your Move is a new program that helps everyone find simple ways to enjoy a more active and healthy lifestyle by changing the way they travel.
Ready, set, pedal Ignite your passion for human-powered vehicle racing by participating in this year’s RAC Pedal Prix at the Busselton foreshore on 8 and 9 August, 2015. Entries are open. For new teams, live demonstrations and “come and try” days, contact Stuart Peterson on 0433 345 615 or waoffice@pedalprix. com.au.
The program aims to reduce traffic congestion by encouraging and supporting people of all ages to make walking, cycling and public transport a more regular part of their daily routine. Your Move was launched in the City of Cockburn in 2013 and will be offered to residents of the City of Wanneroo this year. Free resources such as cycling and walking maps plus one-on-one phone support and personal activity planners are available to participants. New infrastructure, such as bike racks and community bike repair stations and more frequent bus services help make the switch to active transport even easier. RAC is supporting Your Move in Wanneroo by installing signs pointing out popular walking and cycling routes. Your Move Wanneroo is funded by the departments of Transport and Sport and Recreation, the City of Wanneroo, and is supported by RAC. To find out more, or to sign up for the program if you live in the City of Wanneroo, visit yourmove.org.au.
14 Horizons April / May 2015
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Road safety
The elephant in the Wheatbelt The Wheatbelt’s unacceptably high road fatality rate is like the elephant in the room - it has a heavy presence but no one’s talking about it.
A
lthough it has devastated so many in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt community, it is a subject that has proved difficult to raise. It continues to confound experts and analysts who, despite having all the facts, are unable to find the answers. Last year the road fatality rate in the Wheatbelt was more than five times the overall state rate and 10 times the metropolitan rate. A review commissioned by RAC to investigate factors that may be contributing to the disproportionately high number of fatal road crashes in the Wheatbelt found there was no single factor that differentiated this region from nearby regions or any other regional area in WA. So what’s going on in the Wheatbelt? The subject of the Wheatbelt’s unacceptably high road fatality rate is like the elephant in the room. While the number of fatalities and serious injuries speak volumes and the impact of road trauma on the community is devastating, real and deeply felt, the issue is rarely mentioned. In many cases, there is simply silence. In order to start a longoverdue discussion, RAC has embarked
on a campaign to break that silence. Using the bodies of wrecked cars we’ve created a massive elephant, measuring three metres’ high and four metres’ long. The elephant is a symbol of the unacceptable silence and inaction on road safety in the Wheatbelt. It was built to motivate community engagement and discussion about how we can all work together as a community to help save lives on the road. Part of this work will focus on breaking down myths and misconceptions about what
RAC has embarked on this landmark campaign in order to start an important conversation about road safety in the Wheatbelt...
is happening on regional roads and replacing these with facts. Between 2007 and 2012 almost one in three deaths of drivers or passengers in the Wheatbelt occurred in crashes where vehicle occupants were not wearing a seatbelt. There is a view that regional roads are more dangerous at night where in fact almost two in every three fatalities in the Wheatbelt occurred in daylight hours (6am-6pm), well above the metropolitan rate of around one in two. There is also a misconception that visitors who drive on regional roads are more likely to crash than locals as they are unfamiliar with those roads, but tragically two out of three road deaths in the Wheatbelt were drivers from the local area, and more than 70 per cent of fatalities recorded in the Wheatbelt involved only one vehicle. RAC has embarked on this landmark campaign in order to start an important conversation about road safety in the Wheatbelt, to raise awareness about what is really happening on Wheatbelt roads and to begin the process of working directly with the community to implement real strategies that will help save lives. l For more information please visit elephantinthewheatbelt.com.au. April / May 2015 Horizons 17
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Insurance
Report Vicki Steggal
Time for change
With many catastrophically injured road crash victims left unsupported, WA’s at-fault compulsory third party insurance scheme is in need of change, writes Vicki Steggal.
F
or almost 70 years, Western Australian vehicle owners have contributed an annual fee towards the public Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) scheme. The current CTP scheme is an “at- fault” scheme, so to make a successful personal injury insurance claim there needs to be an assertion of fault against the driver of a WAregistered motor vehicle. For those who suffer a catastrophic injury in a crash where no party is at fault or negligent, such as an unlucky encounter with a kangaroo or crashing into a tree as the result of a heart attack, under the current CTP scheme, they are unable to receive financial assistance for ongoing medical costs or rehabilitation. Catastrophic injuries are defined as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple amputations, severe burns or permanent, traumatic blindness.
Victims of the system The burden on the person, their family and finances, and on our wider community from catastrophic injury is enormous and the need for change is clear – we are all potential victims of situations where fault against another driver simply doesn’t exist. But what should the change look like? And how can it be funded to ensure it’s equitable for all? These are critical questions for all road users.
The introduction of a no-fault CTP insurance scheme could provide some comfort to families that ongoing costs relating to medical assistance and rehabilitation will be covered. It may also save families from entering into a lengthy court battle to attribute and prove fault to another party. In late 2014, the state government released a Green Paper, Options to add no-fault catastrophic injury cover to WA’s compulsory third party insurance scheme for public comment.
Support for all This follows the Productivity Commission’s 2011 Report on Disability Care and Support where it recommended a public scheme that would provide reasonable and necessary care to support all
The introduction of a no-fault CTP insurance scheme could provide some comfort to families that ongoing costs... will be covered.
people catastrophically injured as a result of an accident, irrespective of fault. The Productivity Commission’s recommendation was much wider in scope than the government’s Green Paper, which relates only to catastrophic injuries as a result of a motor vehiclerelated crash. The Green Paper outlined three possible options, and in response, RAC made a submission supporting Option Two, “a no-fault catastrophic CTP scheme for all people catastrophically injured as a result of a motor vehicle crash.” Although RAC supports the introduction of a no-fault CTP scheme, the submission outlined concerns about the proposed cost of an additional $109 per vehicle per year. The proposed cost and the policy framework are the two areas of focus in RAC’s submission to government. “This no-fault catastrophic injury scheme is an important social issue and one that our members support,” says RAC Executive General Manager Pat Walker. “But the current proposal of an additional $109 in premiums per vehicle per year is significantly higher than what some other states currently pay for a similar no-fault catastrophic CTP insurance scheme. “In our submission, we have asked the state government to respond to some key concerns around cost, including the accuracy and justification of calculations used, governance and
18 Horizons April / May 2015
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TIME FOR CHANGE
April April / May 2015 Horizons 19
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Insurance
The RAC survey showed that 82 per cent of respondents support the no-fault compulsory insurance scheme in principle...(but) the additional cost of $109 per year did challenge support for the scheme. alignment with Towards Zero, WA’s road safety strategy. We want a nofault catastrophic injury CTP scheme but we must ensure the cost is correctly calculated so people can truly embrace this important legislation.”
Existing funding
At the moment, WA and Queensland have at-fault schemes, while Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have no-fault CTP schemes that include lifetime care for catastrophic injuries. In New South Wales, although there is an at-fault CTP scheme, people with catastrophic injuries are covered under a Lifetime Care and Support Scheme, funded by a levy on CTP policies, calculated as a percentage of the premium paid.
RAC also expressed concern that the calculation has not taken into account the existing funding already allocated across forward estimates for the treatment of no-fault catastrophic injuries as a result of motor vehicle crashes. Without this existing funding being taken into account, there are concerns relating to double charging and cost shifting, which is inflating the annual amount ($109) that Western Australian motorists are being asked to pay. RAC has urged the government to lessen the financial burden on WA motorists. Specifically, RAC has asked the government to ensure no stamp duty or other fees will be placed on top of the increased CTP premiums.
What does the RAC propose?
Costs increasing
In its submission, RAC has supported the state government Green Paper’s Option Two, which provides for financial assistance in the form of regular payments, rather than the current lump sum, to those who are catastrophically injured. However, it has requested details on how the proposed annual CTP fee of $109 per vehicle has been calculated. The government has not detailed how it has arrived at this figure. Independent advice provided to RAC shows that when compared to similar schemes in other states, an additional $109 per year per vehicle proves more costly for Western Australians than our interstate counterparts.
“This year we’ve already had a 24.7 per cent rise in vehicle licensing fees, so this potential premium increase comes at a time when households are already under pressure,” says Mr Walker. “That is why we’ve asked for the state government to respond to our key concerns.” RAC has highlighted the great potential to minimise the number of claims as part of the introduction of a no-fault catastrophic CTP scheme. A whole-of-government approach must be taken towards road trauma. This policy framework should be supported by significantly ramping up implementation of WA’s Road Safety Strategy, Towards Zero.
What do other states do?
The RAC’s submission also addressed the issue of potential shortfalls or surpluses from the scheme. It suggests that any surpluses should be returned to the scheme to keep premiums low, rather than becoming a cash dividend to government, while urging that a slow and gradual approach be taken if there is a need to also address any shortfalls. RAC has requested assurance that the scheme will remain under government control, publicly owned and managed through the Insurance Commission of Western Australia and not privatised in the future, which could adversely affect premiums.
Conditional support Because the introduction of a scheme such as this requires community support, RAC commissioned a survey to understand the views of Western Australians and its members. The survey showed that 82 per cent of respondents support the no-fault compulsory insurance scheme in principle. However, the additional cost of $109 per year did challenge support for the scheme. This reflects the financial challenges that exist for WA motorists. The RAC has advised the state government that the scheme is an important social policy, which has the potential to improve the quality of life for many Western Australians. However, there is no justification for a premium increase beyond what is necessary to cover the cost of implementing a no-fault compulsory insurance scheme. ●
20 Horizons April / May 2015
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Improve your regional mobile coverage Good mobile coverage depends on where you are and which device you’re using. Here’s how you can improve your mobile coverage: • Plug in an EXTERNAL ANTENNA – they can improve your mobile service along country highways and in rural areas. Look for high-gain antennas and ones that connect directly to your phone using a car kit or patch lead. • Install a SMART ANTENNA if indoor coverage is poor, particularly if you have an alloy roof. • Look for handsets specifically designed for use where signals are weak. Your network provider can recommend the best models for travelling in regional areas. Search ‘Regional Mobile Telecommunications Project’ at commerce.wa.gov.au to find out how the Western Australian Government is improving connectivity in regional communities. April / May 2015 Horizons 21
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Budget submission
Safe roads and a better network RAC State Budget Submission We face an enormous challenge in delivering the infrastructure and services we need to keep Western Australians moving in a safe, efficient and sustainable way around our communities, cities and towns, and our state. The 2015-16 Budget is an opportunity for the state government to signal its commitment to the essential programs and projects that will help keep road users safe and meet the increasing demands being placed on our road and public transport system. To meet the challenges ahead, and to offset the escalating economic and social costs brought on by road trauma and congestion, we must step-up rather than scale back our investment in infrastructure and initiatives. 22 Horizons April April // May May 2015 2015
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Budget submission
RAC priorities
RAC wish list
Reducing deaths and serious injury
Support alternative vehicle technologies
A renewed and improved commitment to reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
Support for the provision of infrastructure to service alternative vehicle technologies including the expansion of public electric vehicle charging facilities.
1.5 breath tests per licensed driver per year.
A first-class aeromedical and search-and-rescue helicopter for the South West operational as soon as possible.
Bus priority plan.
Complete the remaining planned, but unconstructed, high standard dual-use paths.
Public transport Sustained and widespread investment in the public transport network.
Improve the network Investment in road projects to improve the operation of the existing network.
Fund and build the Thornlie Line extension to Cockburn Central via Canning Vale.
Better road maintenance funding.
Keep the cost of motoring down
Safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists
A commitment to keep the cost of motoring down.
The accelerated delivery of safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.
Changes to road-safety governance.
Better accessibility, amenity and security at existing train stations.
Rapid transit and the $1.9b airport rail link. April / May 2015 Horizons 23
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Road safety
Report John Rees
SLOW ROAD TO SAFETY
While Victoria’s road fatality rate has consistently improved, Western Australia has gone from Australia’s best performing state to its worst. John Rees asks, what is Victoria doing that we’re not?
O
n average, every two days in Western Australia, someone learns a loved one, be it a parent, partner, sibling, child or friend, has been killed in a road crash. Western Australia once had the lowest road fatality rate in the nation. Now it is the worst performing state. At the same time, Victoria, often regarded as a world leader in reducing road trauma, has had a consistent rate of improvement since 2005. Victorian road users were around 50 per cent less likely to suffer fatal injuries in a crash in 2014 (4.3 per 100,000 persons) as they were in 2002
(8.2 per 100,000). In comparison, Western Australia has only moved from 9.3 road fatalities per 100,000 in 2002, to 7.2 per 100,000 in 2014. The national average is five. Why hasn’t Western Australia matched that rate of improvement? What is Victoria doing that WA is not? Are the structures that direct the road safety effort in Victoria more effective than WA’s? RAC plans to find the answers with a major research project that will compare and contrast WA’s road safety performance against Victoria’s over the past 30 years. The project’s first stage has already
been commissioned and will examine a range of factors including: road safetyfunding criteria, intersection treatment trends, local traffic management, residential street design, audio tactile road marking trends, driver education investment, speed limit selection and road safety governance differences. RAC Senior Manager Policy and Research Anne Still says road safety has to be seen as a system involving many activities, including road infrastructure, vehicles, road users, their behaviour and the system’s administration through its governing bodies. “The aim is to deliver an allencompassing mobility strategy, which
24 Horizons April / May 2015
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Road safety
has safe road users in safe cars on safe roads moving at safe speeds; hence, a safe system,” says Ms Still. “WA has moved from having the best state fatality record in 1990 to being the worst performing state in 2014. Other Australian jurisdictions have used a suite of structures and strategies to improve their fatality records at a faster rate than WA. Our state was able to sustain a period of being a leader in road safety once, and we need to ensure the right governance model, policy and investment is in place, so we can do so again.” Victoria has invested heavily in road safety and creating a roadsafety partnership approach between agencies. The result appears to deliver a more holistic approach to better co-ordinate legislation, law enforcement and public engagement for maximum impact.
It is timely to consider whether the structures in place in Western Australia to drive road safety remain relevant, efficient and effective... Shock tactics
Talk about a resolution RAC’s research project becomes even more vital as a way of stimulating discussion and creating community understanding of the underlying issues that saw 185 WA road fatalities in 2014. According to the WA Office of Road Safety‘s Towards Zero strategy, if its four cornerstones – safe road users in safe cars on safe roads moving at safe speeds – were fully implemented, there would be a 40 per cent reduction in fatalities and serious injuries by 2020. “RAC believes one Western Australian life lost, or person injured, is one too many, but we are supportive of the strategy that’s in place. What we want to see, quickly, is a renewed commitment to and a ramping up of its implementation,” says Ms Still. “The success of structures can also vary over time; what works at one point in time may not deliver 20 years later. “It is timely to consider whether the structures in place in Western Australia to drive road safety remain relevant, efficient and effective, with a view to stimulating discussion around how roadsafety responses could be strengthened
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is Victoria’s leading road safety marketing agency and works closely with its road safety partners on holistic programs reaching road users at all stages of their driving career.
Anne Still , RAC Senior Manager Policy and Research
Road fatality rates
per 100,000 people 15
10
5
12.2
12.5
9.3
7.2
2002
1990 WA
8.2
4.3
2014
0
VIC
or improved in the interests of delivering better road-safety outcomes. “The project aims to provide convincing evidence that more can be done in WA and give some direction about those strategies that are working elsewhere.” l
TAC has targeted high-risk driver behaviour with TV campaigns such as “Drink. Drive. Bloody idiot”. In more recent years it has also targeted drug driving, as the link between illegal substance abuse and road fatalities became clearer and drug testing procedures improved. The 2014 TAC Road Safety Monitor found that 64 per cent of respondents said they felt they were likely to be caught if driving slightly over the legal bloodalcohol limit. Victorian road safety campaigns have also targeted distraction, fatigue and young drivers and in recent years have also promoted the benefits of passive vehiclesafety technologies such as front and side-curtain airbags. Active systems that help prevent crashes, such as electronic stability control (mandatory on new cars sold in Victoria two years ahead of the rest of the country), lane departure warning systems and most recently, autonomous emergency braking systems, have increased consumer awareness of what the car can do to keep them safe.
Research results will be published in a forthcoming edition of Horizons. April / May 2015 Horizons 25
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Motoring
left to right: The 1949 Taylor Aerocar looked like a Cessna had crashed into a small car. The WaterCar Panther. The now renowned Goggomobil Dart, of which about 700 were made in Australia.
Story Christopher de Fraga
Weird and wonderful cars Do we really need our cars to swim or fly or be terribly tiny? Christopher de Fraga admires some kooky cars with very big ambitions.
A
ir and water travel require such different propulsion systems from road travel that conversions are usually fatally compromised, often plumbing the depths of weird design. But that hasn’t stopped car-makers from trying. In the next two years a four-wheeled two-seater car that flies, made by Terrafugia Transition in Massachusetts, is set to make its debut. Or you can already order the Russianbuilt two-tonne Aton Impulse Viking, which doubles as a swimming-floodrescue car that holds seven crew and 860kg cargo. The late Albert “Cubby” Broccoli’s James Bond movies featured all sorts of vehicles, from swimming cars to jet packs that turn the wearer into an instant, if somewhat exposed, pilot. Some of these amazing inventions were illusory, never actually doing what they appeared to on screen. Still, many have attempted to emulate 007’s gadgets in real life, even if many of their attempts have been glorious failures The Geländewagen, or “go-anywhere vehicle”, a concept originated by Mercedes as its G4 in the late 1930s, was a variation on half-track vehicles
(a vehicle with regular wheels at the front for steering and two axles with tracks at the back to propel the vehicle and carry most of the load) and is the name still used for models in the Mercedes range today. A modern incarnation of the G4 is the G 63 AMG 6x6, though it isn’t available in Australia.
The Schwimmwagen was a 1940s military vehicle based on a VW beetle platform.
Cars that swim Remember the Kübelwagen that morphed into the Schwimmwagen? This was a 1940s military vehicle based on a VW Beetle platform that could muddle through a pond or paddle through a river. In November 1959, a civilian model Beetle which had been modified for amphibious use famously swam across the Swan River on the opening day of Perth’s Narrows Bridge. Water-sealing was never an issue for the Triumph Herald-powered Amphicar. Thanks to a design that saw it built in seven sections, the car leaked like a sieve. The Amphicar’s northern German engineers eventually taught the Triumph Herald how to swim – thanks to a strong bilge pump that kept the internal water level down to an acceptable minimum. It wasn’t a complete failure – a New South Wales pharmacist based in a region rich in lakes and waterways bought one as a delivery vehicle. But it soon became the butt of jokes as locals dubbed it alternatively the fastest boat on the freeway and/or the fastest car on water. RAC Manager Vehicles and Fuels, Alex Forrest says, “I’ve ridden in an Amphicar and they’re an absolute hoot. People don’t know what’s going on when they see it going down a boat
26 Horizons April / May 2015
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ALEX FORREST
ramp and into the water. Being in a car that is being driven between boats on the Swan River was one of the most surreal car experiences I’ve ever had.” A new era in water-compatible cars arrived when a couple of Americans built the complex WaterCar, the fastest car on the water. Then they decided to marry the rear of a Corvette to the front of a Dodge Ram truck to create the Python WaterCar. Able to tow a water skier impressively fast, it was too complex to be a commercial proposition so they decided to shrink it to become a Jeep with a wet suit and jet. A new production model can be bought in California for $US155,000. In northern Europe, a very fast rescue vehicle is being adapted with hooks for helicopter insertion for floods and rescue work in remote areas. Designed for arctic rescue work, the Aton Impulse Viking 2992 has a 332 kW engine and can reach 90km/h on the road with a crew of seven and 860kg cargo load. The Viking has a two tonne mass and a CH47 Chinook helicopter has a seven tonne capacity for lifting the Viking onto rescue sites. Production is set to be lifted from 25 a year to 400 over the next few years. One of the most fascinating car-to-
watercraft conversions is the German Rinspeed Lotus that has transformed the open Lotus Elise into a scuba-viable watercraft. It’s reminiscent of James Bond’s Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me (but only if you have your scuba gear with you).
Cars that fly
top to bottom: The Terrafugia Transition, making its debut this year, can take off vertically then switch to horizontal flight. Alex Forrest was aboard an Amphicar when it took a drive on the Swan River. The Aton Impulse Viking 2992 can be lifted by a Chinook helicopter onto rescue sites. The Rinspeed Lotus is a scuba-viable watercraft (just don’t forget your wetsuit).
The 1949 Taylor Aerocar flying car looked very like a Cessna that had just crashed into a small car. Everything was there – the four wheels, the propeller, wings and the long tail for balance – and a detachment point so the flying bit could be left parked for the final run to the office. After one of the three flying cars manufactured in the US crashed, killing the pilot, the project was suspended. (007 fans might remember a model AMC Javelin coupe with a clipon jet engine, wings and tail from The Man With The Golden Gun – but it was a model only and did not actually fly.) Another flying enthusiast in the United States is promoting an autonomous, folding-wing craft that can take off vertically and then switch to horizontal flight, much like the American military’s V22 Osprey. The operator of the Terrafugia Transition won’t need a flying licence because its operation will be April / May 2015 Horizons 27
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Motoring left: The Goggomobil was so cute you could cuddle it. below: BMW’s Isetta was originally designed by the Italian company Iso, which also made fridges.
autonomous. Computer programs will co-ordinate the balance and transition from vertical – avoiding the need for a runway – to horizontal. A large enclosed propeller at the rear pushes the four-wheeled car to its just-over800km range at a 322km/h cruise speed. The propeller blades fold once forward travel is attained. Produced in Massachusetts, the two-seat flying car, is small enough to fit in a normal garage and will hit the market this year.
Isetta’s distinguishing feature was a front door that doubled as the windscreen.
Cars that cheat the wind
Small and smart Then there are the cars that save fuel through being terribly tiny. Remember the Goggomobil? Between 1992 and 1999 this 407kg car was the star of a Yellow Pages TV advertisement featuring a Scottish mechanic and it forever etched this little car in the minds of TV viewers at the time. These German micro cars are so cute you could cuddle them. In the late 1950s and early ’60s, Sydney-based Buckle Motors gave about 5000 Goggomobils Australian-built bodies. The most
Dymaxion – an airship-shaped car that held 11 people used a Ford V8 engine to drive its front wheels while the driver steered with the single rear wheel.
famous of these was the renowned Goggomobil Dart, of which about 700 were made. Boasting a 12kW twostroke engine, a Renault Dauphine rear window as its windscreen and a sleek body, it may have been the size of a child’s pedal car but it performed quite well. It managed a hairy but fun 90km/h and is a sought-after classic. The three-wheeler Messerschmitt, a German micro-car from the 1950s, was made by a company that was better known as the builder of World WarІІ fighter aircraft. That aeronautical heritage was clear, thanks to the Plexiglas canopy, which opened like the Bf 109 fighter plane on a side-mounted hinge. Steering was via a handlebar, much like you’d find on a Malvern Star bike. With a two-stroke twin-cylinder engine of 200cc, Mr Forrest notes that “having driven one, I can say the combination of those tiny wheel-barrowsized tyres and that handle bar certainly keeps you concentrating.” Despite a twin-cylinder two-stroke engine of just 236cc, the BMW Isetta was one of the world’s most successful bubble cars. It was originally designed by the Italian company Iso, which also made sports cars, fridges and motor scooters. Apart from being small enough to almost hold in your hand, the
From 1953, Italian company Bertone created the Berlinetta Aerodynamica Technica (BAT) models, a series of Alfa Romeo concept cars designed for optimum aerodynamics. With huge curving rear wings, the work of acclaimed automobile designer Franco Scaglione, it had a classic aircraft style long before US manufacturer Chrysler tried a more restrained but similar line. “The crazily curved fins appeared well before American cars grew fins of any significance,” says Mr Forrest. In the 1930s airships were growing in popularity and throughout 1933 and 1934 H. Buckminster-Fuller designed the three-wheeler Dymaxion – an airshipshaped car that held 11 people and used a Ford V8 engine to drive its front wheels while the driver steered with the single rear wheel. Mr Forrest notes the canvas roof provided minimal protection in a rollover and after a driver was killed in such an incident, so was the vehicle’s future. l
top: The Berlinetta Aerodynamica Technica (BAT) models were Alfa Romeo concept cars designed for optimum aerodynamics. above: The three-wheeler Messerschmitt was made by the company better known as the builder of WWII fighter aircraft.
28 Horizons April / May 2015
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April / May 2015 Horizons 29
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WASO 2015*
Immerse yourself in music THE MUSIC OF JAMES BOND Fri 10 & Sat 11 April 8pm Perth Concert Hall THE MUSIC OF
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What’s on
Events around the state in April and May Perth International Comedy Festival 24 April to 17 May Join international, national and local comedy acts including the UK’s Stephen K Amos and the US’s Pablo Francisco at Perth’s annual festival of laughs. The festival kicks off with a gala comedy event followed by three weeks of shows at theatres, clubs and bars in and around Perth, before a selected line-up tours regional WA. For more information go to perthcomedyfest.com.au.
Perth Garden Festival 30 April to 3 May
Inspirational show gardens, floral displays, plant sales, expert seminars, children’s playground and hands-on workshops make the annual garden festival a must-visit event for garden lovers. Located this year at scenic McCallum Park, Victoria Park.
s
For more information go to regaltheatre.com.au.
Oz Comic-Con
Native plant sale
For more information go to ozcomiccon.com.
WASO15-008
Music in the Wheatbelt 17 to 19 April Support WA’s talented local performers at the 2015 West Australian Music (WAM) Wheatbelt Touring Circuit, proudly supported by RAC. Boom! Bap! Pow! headline the first tour with Pete Byfield and supporting local musicians. The April tour visits Kellerberrin,
Toodyay and Quindanning. WAM and RAC are proud to join forces to support WA music and deliver road safety messages to Wheatbelt communities. For more information go to wam.org.au/what-we-do/regional.
Anzac Day Albany 25 April Home to the first ever Anzac Day Dawn Service, Albany continues the tradition with the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Mount Clarence, a commemorative service in the Anzac Peace Park and a parade along York Street. RAC are proud to support Albany’s 2015 Anzac Day Commemorations. RAC members receive a 20 per cent discount on admission to the National Anzac Centre until 31 December, 2015. For details visit rac.com.au/anzacalbany. For more Anzac Albany information go to anzacalbany.com.au.
9 May WA has more species of wildflowers than almost any other corner of the world and they’re uniquely suited to the state’s harsh climate. At the Wildflower Society’s native plant sale, find beautiful native WA plants plus experts who can tell you all about looking after them. The Octagonal Hall, 52 McGlew Road, Glen Forrest, from 9am to 2pm.
Pinctada Cable Beach Polo 16 and 17 May Watch free – picnic-style – from the beach as polo players and their riders play on sand in Australia’s only beach tournament. Or buy a ticket to one of the exclusive marquees, where you can sip champagne in barefoot elegance. For more information go to cablebeachpolo.com.au.
29 May to 31 May With a focus on community singing, this annual, intimate festival brings together an inspiring line-up of local, national and international artists in a cappella and accompanied ensemble, group and individual performances. For more information go to denmarkfestivalofvoice.com.au.
Glengarry Glen Ross
23 May to 14 June
The Black Swan State Theatre Company brings David Mamet’s classic play about the cut-throat world of Chicago real estate to the stage. Directed by Kate Cherry with a cast featuring Peter Rowsthorn, Damien Walshe-Howling and Will O’Mahony. For more information go to bsstc.com.au.
April / May 2015 Horizons 31
Stalls.
10:27 am
3 May Tchaikovsky’s famous score comes to life in this two-act performance of the classic fairytale, Sleeping Beauty, at the Regal Theatre. Featuring lavish stage sets and elaborate costumes, this is a rare chance to experience the masters of the ballet form. Also at the Albany Entertainment Centre on 4 May.
For more information go to perthgardenfestival.com.au.
11 and 12 April The destination for pop culture fans, Oz Comic-Con at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre celebrates gaming, comics, movie and television, animation and anime, cos-play and costuming. Dress as your favourite character and meet artists, actors and publishers at this festival of fantasy and fandom.
au
Sleeping Beauty, Moscow Ballet
Denmark Festival of Voice
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Travel
Story and images Jane Hammond
When war came to the Wheatbelt Jane Hammond takes a road trip through the Wheatbelt and discovers a fascinating story of courage, sacrifice and secrecy.
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left to right: The landmark Ettamogah Pub, Cunderdin; Cunderdin Airfield WWII huts.
ISTOCK
B left to right: WWII Aviation storage tank on Spencers Brook Road near Burlong Pool. The Old Railway Station Museum in Northam. The Cunderdin Museum, housed in the No 3 Pump Station on the Kalgoorlie Goldfields Pipeline.
ehind the gums and golden fields of grain of the central eastern Wheatbelt are the small farming communities that provided many young men for the state’s heroic 10th Light Horse Regiment in the First World War and played a pivotal role in preparing for the nation’s defence in the Second World War. Tracing the military history of the Wheatbelt through both world wars is a fascinating way to explore this region and offers opportunities to discover the human stories of loss and valour and the mystery of once top secret war-era installations. I was inspired to make this trip by the region’s plans for Anzac commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and by the Wheatbelt’s enthusiastic participation in the Remembering Them project, which tells the stories of the impact of WWI and II on rural communities. From Perth, follow the Great Eastern Highway to Spencers Brook Road, just east of the tiny locality of Clackline. After the turn-off it was only 20km along the road until we spotted our first piece of military history: a series of round silo-like structures standing like sentinels in a paddock, near Burlong Pool. The structures were once aviation storage tanks and were among 31 fuel depots dotted across Australia storing more than 93 million litres of aviation
fuel in WWII. Standing around 15m high, they make for a dramatic fixture in the landscape. The Old Railway Museum in Northam offers an in-depth look at the region’s military history. The museum is home to a collection of military artefacts and details the history of the Northam Army Camp and its later use as an accommodation centre for thousands of post-war WWII refugees. Among the artifacts is a rare portrait of local farmer Hugo Throssell, the only 10th Light Horseman to receive a Victoria Cross in the Great War. He received the honour for his gallant efforts at Gallipoli.
War camps and museums You can see the Northam Army Camp, although you can’t go inside, just before you reach the town centre. Poster boards by the road describe the camp’s history. Northam’s pedestrian suspension bridge over the Avon, the largest span of its type in Australia, is also worth a visit. From Northam continue along Great Eastern Highway to Meckering, where it is worth a quick stop to see the display boards and buckled railway lines from the town’s 1968 earthquake. Next stop is the pretty town of Cunderdin. The magnificently restored No 3 Pump Station, just off the highway, is home to a museum featuring military history as well as the story of the Kalgoorlie Goldfields Pipeline and the agricultural heritage of the area. April / May 2015 Horizons 33
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left to right: High frequency direction finding installation or HFDF, on the Merredin-Chandler Road. The installation was shrouded in secrecy and its real purpose is not fully known. Remnant WWII firewall at Nungarin. Rob Endersbee of the Merredin Military Museum pictured with a WWII tank.
Fast facts Where is it Head east on the Great Eastern Highway to Merredin via part of the Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail then head north to Nungarin and back to Perth via the Pioneers’ Pathway Trail, a journey of around 600km.
When to go Any time, but for a special experience visit over the Mother’s Day weekend (May 9 and 10) when the town will bring to life “Wartime in the Wheatbelt” as part of its annual Destination Merredin festival. Winter and spring also offer green fields and stunning roadside wildflower displays.
Routes and trails There are many ways to explore the Wheatbelt and the region’s visitor centres or community resource centres offer a range of self-drive trail suggestions. wheatbelttourism.com.
Where to stay The Merredin Tourist Park offers camping, caravan, cabin and villa accommodation. merredintouristpark.com.au.
Don’t miss The amazing military collections housed in the Cunderdin, Merredin and Nungarin museums.
Guide Les Cruickshank and museum chairman Barry Cornish outside the Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum
Inside the museum is an earthquake simulator, which provides a thrilling few minutes. The Cunderdin Airfield can be found by turning off the highway at an appropriately placed Tiger Moth. Follow the road out of town to find the WWII pilot training school, complete with many old buildings including huts and hangars. The airfield is used by the Gliding Club of WA but was once an important training facility for pilots before they left for further training in England. Towards the end of WWII it was used by heavy bombers in the campaign against the Japaneseoccupied Netherlands East Indies. Cunderdin is also the home of the Ettamogah Pub, a faithful recreation of the cartoon pub from the now defunct Australasian Post magazine. After Cunderdin, head to Merredin, where there are many options for an overnight stay, from caravan parks to hotels and bed and breakfasts. Merredin is proud of its military history and has a wide range of landmarks and ruins to discover and explore. These include the footings of the Australian General Army Hospital near Merredin Peak; the Aviation fuel tanks behind the BP Roadhouse on GE Highway; the RAAF No 10 Stores Depot on the Nungarin Merredin Road; and the RAAF Airmen’s Mess at 68 Bates Street. This year the town’s annual Destination Merredin festival, held on the Mother’s Day weekend, has
Your drive will have covered more than 600km of roads and you will have witnessed an important part of the state’s military past. a “Wartime in the Wheatbelt” theme and will include events, displays and information celebrating the town’s war history. The Merredin Military Museum, on the Great Eastern Highway, just next to the water tower, has a wide range of military armory, tanks and vehicles including a rare communications truck and even a Vietnam War Iroquois helicopter. Museum manager and local historian Rob Endersbee says many of the area’s wartime structures survived simply because they were too difficult to knock down. Among the most intriguing war relics is a huge train-shaped concrete structure, thought to be a WWII radar installation. Located on private property on the Merredin-Chandler Road just past the shire depot, Mr Endersbee says
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!
Travel
Free to members RAC provides a number of driving itineraries free to members at rac.com.au/greatdrives. Go online and print your free Wheatbelt maps for your next trip.
the structure’s use was so secretive that its exact title and purpose remains a mystery. North of Merredin on the Nokanning East Road is the RAAF No 6 Central Reserve Munitions Depot. Forty-six concrete igloos of varying designs and sizes were spaced erratically in the fields to appear insignificant from the air. They housed artillery and munitions in WWII and were guarded by around 40 soldiers housed in wooden huts hidden in the trees. In Nungarin, north of Merredin, is the
amazing Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum. The collection is housed in a massive wooden shed, once the home of an army vehicle workshop that serviced and stored more than 4000 vehicles during WWII. North of the town you can also see massive firewalls left over from the war years. They stand alone as single walls set at different angles and were designed to stop fire from destroying multiple buildings in the event of an attack. Continue to follow the Pioneers’ Pathway Trail as it winds through the Wheatbelt towns of Trayning, Wyalkatchem, Dowerin, Goomalling and Toodyay. In Goomalling make sure you see the Dolly Twins – towering domelike structures built in 1994 that are used to store wheat.
Take a short detour 15km from Goomalling to Jennacubbine and here you’ll find the refurbished Jennacubbine War Memorial, erected as a tribute to the locals from the district who enlisted in WWI. Your final stop is the picturesque town of Toodyay. Admire its beautiful stone buildings as you break for Devonshire tea at one of the town’s cafés, then follow Toodyay Road until you meet Roe Highway as you head back to Perth. Your drive will have covered more than 600km of roads and you will have witnessed an important part of the state’s military past. You will also have met some of the extraordinary characters, all of whom are working hard to preserve our state’s fascinating war history. l
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JAPAN in bloom
When the cherry trees are in full bloom, there’s no better time to visit Japan. Ebony Bizys explains how to gain the most from the exquisite cherry blossom season.
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A picnic under the trees is a popular way to enjoy cherry blossom season. Views of cherry blossoms from Himeji Castle in Himeji City. Philosopher’s Walk, Kyoto, during blossom season.
Story Ebony Bizys
J
apan is truly a four-season country and with each season there is yet another wonderful festival to celebrate the changes. In autumn, people flock to Hakone to view the changing colour of the leaves, in winter, Sapporo’s snow festival and the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival are much anticipated, but perhaps Japan’s most famous and picturesque time of year is cherry-blossom season, or hanami. The name hanami (also often referred to as ‘ohanami’) derives from a mix of the Japanese word ‘hana’, flowers, and ‘mi’, the verb to see: literally, ‘looking at flowers’. While the direct translation implies that hanami is simply viewing all types of flowers, the term has come to mean viewing sakura (cherry blossom) flowers in particular. Hanami is celebrated all across Japan. The festival begins each year in Okinawa in Japan’s south in
early January, and moves north with the warmer weather, concluding in Hokkaido around late April or early May. The most popular way to enjoy hanami is by having a picnic in the park under the pale pink blossoms, but you can also enjoy hanami with a simple walk in the park. It is common for friends, families or co-workers to celebrate and enjoy the cherry blossom season with hanami parties in popular parks and other viewing spots. If you’re planning a trip and want to make sure you don’t miss the cherry blossoms, keep an eye on Japan’s weather and news agencies such as the Japan Meteorological Agency, which releases an official cherryblossom forecast each year. The fleeting blossoms are in full bloom for no longer than two weeks but just after the blossoms have finished full bloom and the petals have fallen on the ground, it is also extremely beautiful. The water
Hanami is celebrated all across Japan ... the most popular way to enjoy hanami is by having a picnic in the park under the palepink blossoms
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Travel In Niseko, Australian skiers almost outnumber Japanese.
When to go Cherry blossoms can be viewed in Japan from January until April, depending on the city. To experience cherry blossom season in Tokyo, aim to visit around March or April. Consult your travel agent closer to your trip.
Getting there At the time of writing there were no direct flights to Japan from Perth. Singapore Airlines, Jetstar, Cathay Pacific, China Southern and Malaysia Airlines fly from Perth to Tokyo with one stop on the way.
Cruise Japan Experience cherry blossom season as part of a Japan cruise. APT offers a 13-day Cherry Blossoms in Japan and South Korean Culture Cruise from Osaka to Tokyo, and the Diamond Princess makes its home in Japan throughout the spring and summer season, cruising to a range of Japanese and regional destinations.
Don’t miss Pick up a sakura-themed snack from a department store supermarket, pop your picnic rug under your arm, and head to Tokyo’s Shinjuku Gyoen.
! For more information about holidays to Japan call RAC Travel on 1300 655 179.
Best cherry blossom viewing spots Tokyo’s most popular cherry blossom viewing locations include: Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno Park, Yoyogi Park, Inokashira Park and Chidorigafuchi. Around Japan other famous spots include: Fuji Five Lakes, Izu Peninsula, Chureito Pagoda, Kyoto’s Philosopher’s Walk, Megijima Island, Yoshinoyama in Nara, Himeji Castle in Himeji City, Hirosaki Castle in Aomori, and Goryokaku Fort in Hokkaido.
surrounding Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, and Inokashira Koen’s famous pond, turn into a carpet of pink and white flowers so thick it looks as though you could actually walk on them. If you are thinking of celebrating hanami in Japan at a park viewing spot, be sure to bring a plastic picnic mat and dress warmly. Many people bring their own picnics, including sake, and throughout the season supermarkets sell hanami-themed food and drink including ‘sakura sparkling wine’ and ‘sakura obento’ (cherry blossom lunch boxes). In many parks, street vendors and food trucks sell Japanese favourites such as takoyaki (octopus balls) and yaki soba (fried noodles), so if you don’t want to bring your own picnic, you can easily find something delicious to eat when you’re there.
Beat the rush Be sure to find your space in the park early, especially if you need a large area. With the cherry blossom full bloom (mankai) so fleeting, popular parks are often extremely busy and fill up early. It’s common for one member of the group to arrive in the park early to secure a good spot. While Japan’s culture can be formal with many rules of etiquette, throughout hanami informality drops away and the Japanese let loose. Co-workers drink and laugh together in the park as the country takes on the festival spirit. Just be sure to always dispose of any rubbish or take it with you when you leave. Viewing cherry blossoms in the evening is also popular during hanami. Tokyo’s Meguro River is lit with colourful lights and street vendors sell wine and hot drinks to keep viewers warm while they stroll. In some popular parks, such as Tokyo’s Ueno Park, paper lanterns are strategically hung to shine light on the picturesque blossoms. One of the best ways to see the cherry blossoms is with a river cruise. In Tokyo, take a Yakatabune (a traditional Japanese houseboat), or a water bus on
Hit the slopes As the last ski lifts grind to a halt and spring blossoms arrive, dedicated Australian skiers begin planning for another magical Japanese winter. Japan’s ski season begins in mid December and ends in early April – conveniently aligning with our school holidays and offering a powdery summer escape. There are more than 500 ski resorts in Japan. Hokkaido in the north boasts one of the world’s highest snow falls, attracting 14 metres annually via the chill winds of Siberia. Its four ski regions, accessed from Sapporo, are Niseko, where Australians almost outnumber Japanese, Furano, Rusutsu and lesser-known Kiroro. Ski runs aren’t particularly steep on Hokkaido. English is spoken readily and families are welcomed. Honshu, Japan’s main island, has two major ski regions. The Nagano prefecture is 90 minutes northwest of Tokyo and includes Hakuba, another Aussie-dominant locale, Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen. Japanese cultural experiences such as bathing in traditional hot springs, dining at izakaya (bar/restaurants), staying in quaint ryokan – traditional Japanese inns – and night-time karaoke contests are not to be missed.
the Sumida River. Some of these cruises also offer meals, which are served to you in traditional Japanese style on tatami mats around a low table. Cruises run during the day and evenings. Japan is a truly beautiful country at any time, but if you happen to be there during cherry blossom time, you just may find it hard to get on your flight home. l
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RADV0058
Fast facts
Giving back for a better environment We live in a lucky place. It’s a truly beautiful state, and we’d like it to stay that way. So we’re giving back for a sustainable WA. Sustainability includes programs like our Less Emissions Mission; an initiative that gives owners of lower emissions cars up to 25% off comprehensive car insurance. We do all this and more, because we’re proud of our home. And we want the next generation to be just as proud.
RADV0058
See how you can benefit at rac.com.au/environment RAC Insurance Pty Ltd issues this product. Cover is subject to underwriting criteria. Check PDS to see if the policy is right for you. The insurance discount offer applies to cars under 5 years old recognised as having lower emissions by RAC. The discount varies from up to 5% to up to 25% depending on vehicle age. The discount will automatically be included in the premium. Visit rac.com.au/LEM for full terms and conditions for all offers, which may change without notice.
April / May 2015 Horizons 39
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Travel
Words and images Joanne Brookfield
Cruising the Murray Joanne Brookfield takes a paddlewheeler along the mighty Murray River in South Australia and discovers a beguiling slice of outback life.
S
omehow, I’ve accidentally bought myself a sheep. After an innocent scratch of my cheek is mistaken as a bid, the auctioneer yells “sold!” and his finger is pointing straight at me. “What?! Which one did I buy?!” I ask of the ‘racing’ sheep on offer. Auctioneer David tells me I can take my pick – Mo, Curly or Mullet. With just enough fleece remaining to resemble a lion’s mane, and looking utterly ridiculous, I pick the amusingly named Mullet. “He’s never won a race in his life!” David bellows, and my fellow travellers erupt in laughter. We’re in a sheep-shearing shed in what feels like the middle-of-nowhere outback South Australia. It’s actually Big Bend on the Murray River, and the Sunnydale Shearing Shed Show. Father and daughter farming duo David and Mardi have just given us an entertaining insight into life on the land, including a sheep shearing demonstration, and
we’re now experiencing the energy of a livestock auction. Mullet will soon be pitted against Curly and Mo and will do me proud by winning the race. Life as the owner of a champion is short-lived, however, as our cruise director made it clear when we alighted the ship that no sheep were to come back on board the Murray Princess: Alas, I must leave Mullet behind. This stop at Big Bend, which included a barbecue dinner and bush-dance with the crew, is one of several on our itinerary as we glide along the Murray on a replica paddlewheeler. I’m on board for the four-night Outback Heritage Cruise, although Captain Cook Cruises also offer three and seven-night packages to experience this scenic stretch of Australia’s longest river. Often fondly referred to as the Mighty Murray, the river never fails to surprise and delight. Abundant wildlife creates an ornithological soundtrack. A massive flock of cockatoos, busily swapping spots on the branches of
the gums at the river’s edge, share the indecipherable details of their lives at great volume. There’s said to be 350 bird species along here, and others opt for more gentle twittering, while an occasional cheep-cheep will peal out from within the weeping willows, and then a raucous squawk will tear apart the sky as a pair of galahs cross above. Pelicans are literally everywhere, and when we moor overnight, they gather by the spotlights of the Murray Princess, which illuminate this largely untouched landscape.
An impressive palette This is the Australia the bush poets wrote about: that distinctly sunburnt colour palette, trimmed with towering eucalypts and, for long stretches of our return voyage from Mannum to Blanchetown, spectacular limestone cliffs. Time is an imprecise sculptor but there is beauty in these craggy forms, with millions of years of history layered
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Travel
!
Clockwise from top left: Murray Princess moored at Mannum, SA; Mullet (top), Curly and Mo get ready to race; the Paddle Wheel Lounge on the Murray Princess; pun times at the woolshed; spectacular scenery from one of the decks.
Member discount RAC members save five per cent on Murray Princess Cruises. For more information call RAC Travel on 1300 655 179.
in the horizontal lines that detail these impressive geological walls. We learn more about the ancient and indigenous history of the region when we stop for a guided tour at Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve, where we can see fossils in the sandstone and rock carvings close up. Over the four days, we’ve also had the opportunity to sample wines at a cellar door, explore the museums of Swan Reach, take a nocturnal wildlife tour and have a bush-tucker breakfast. On board, options have included trivia, bingo and a documentary screening. In addition to planned activities, there’s plenty of free time to photograph the scenery from the many shaded decks or use facilities such as spa, sauna and gym. The Murray Princess, with its 60 comfortable cabins and state rooms in the process of refurbishment, is the largest stern-wheeler in the southern hemisphere. There’s a games room and library, with views through the doublelevel windows to the impressive paddle wheel. A free souvenir coffee mug is
part of the package, and allows you to access the 24-hour complimentary tea and coffee, given the bar closes at midnight. Passengers are predominantly retirees, although a couple of teen-aged grandchildren have been treated to a family holiday on this trip, and we are encouraged to mingle over breakfast and lunch in the formal dining room. The crew cannot be faulted for their friendliness. Presentations, such as the initial safety briefing, are all done with good humour and cruise director Mick Reid is especially quick with the quips, delivering a mini-comedy performance with each engagement, much to the delight of the laughing passengers. And he had the entire room in fits when he hosted the ‘Murray River Cup’ after dinner one evening. It did make me wonder just what he would have said had I actually brought Mullet back on board. l
Fast facts Where is it? Murray River, South Australia (from Mannum to Blanchetown return).
When to go? To enjoy the scenery from the shaded decking, opt for warmer months.
The river The Murray is the third longest navigable river in the world, after the Amazon and Nile, with a total length of 2520 kilometres from its source. It spans three states: Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Ideal trip Perfect for retirees and those wanting easy viewing of quintessentially Australian landscape.
What to pack Walking shoes for the shore-side activities, smart attire for the Captain’s dinner and cocktail party.
Don’t miss Get into the spirit of the sheep auction because winner takes all!
Joanne Brookfield was a guest of the Murray Princess. April / May 2015 Horizons 41
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We’re giving RAC members the chance to enjoy some of Sarawak’s greatest attractions on a getaway that will take you from lush jungle highlands to a tropical beachside retreat.
WIN a Borneo adventure in Sarawak
Flying business class with Malaysia Airlines, your seven-day holiday for two starts in Kuching, Sarawak’s most dynamic city, for a taste of Sarawak’s rich and diverse culture. You’ll then travel to a highlands resort surrounded by pristine rainforest and visit a wildlife centre to see orang-utans. From the highlands we’ll take you to a coastal resort and on a guided tour of a cultural village.
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To enter visit rac.com.au/sarawak and complete the online entry form, or send your name, phone number and membership number to: Horizons/Sarawak GPO Box 2948 Perth WA 6800 See page 80 for terms and conditions.
Your prize for two includes: ■ Return business class flights from Perth to Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia flying Malaysia Airlines. ■ Six nights’ accommodation Two nights’ four-star accommodation in Kuching, one night in the Borneo Highlands, three nights’ in 4.5-star accommodation in Kuching. ■ All meals and private transfers throughout. ■ Touring highlights include the Sarawak Museum and Cat Museum, a Sarawak river cruise, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a Borneo Highlands tour, traditional massage, the Sarawak Cultural Village, dining at local restaurants.
April / May 2015 Horizons 43
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Travel brief Driving overseas Why do I need an International Driving Permit? An International Driving Permit allows you to drive overseas without further tests or applications, provided your Australian driving licence is valid. It is also a legal requirement for renting a car in most countries. It can also be used as an additional form of identification. In most cases, your current Australian driving licence alone is not enough when driving in a foreign country. It must be complemented with an International Driving Permit. How long does it last and can I renew it overseas? Your permit is valid for 12 months or expires at the same time as your Australian driving licence, whichever comes first. Yes, you can renew your permit while overseas. Simply follow the instructions on the application form and return it to RAC. How do I get an International Driving Permit? Only RAC and associated members of the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) are authorised to issue International Driving Permits in Australia. You can get a permit at RAC Member Service and Travel Centres (excluding Auto Service Centres) or download and complete the application form at rac.com.au/idp. RAC West Perth, Kalgoorlie, Carousel, Morley, Joondalup, Mandurah, Albany, Applecross, Bunbury and Geraldton are the only Member Service Centres that can photograph you for a permit so please bring a passport-sized photo to our other centres if applying in person.
News and information for travellers
Starrated quality To ensure our members can consistently find the best holiday accommodation from a trusted source, RAC proudly partners with Star Ratings Australia to provide independently reviewed quality standards for six accommodation categories; hotels, motels, serviced apartments, hosted accommodation, caravan-holiday parks and self-catering properties. Because the accommodation you expect should be the accommodation you get.
To find out more visit rac.com.au/travel.
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Old Chicago Nights Cabaret Cave event RAC Travel is holding an exclusive members-only Old Chicago Nights evening inside the Cabaret Cave at Yanchep National Park on Saturday 16 May 2015. The dress theme for the night is jazzy 1930s Chicago. Inside this unique subterranean venue, members will enjoy a three-course meal of local produce, live music from the era, plus a DJ. Adding to the atmosphere will be a photo booth to capture memories of the night. Yanchep National Park is only 45 minutes’ north of the city and is famous for its many caves, including the beautifully lit Cabaret Cave, which was used in the 1930s as an exclusive dinner-dance location. Accommodation packages are also available on request at additional cost. Tickets for this exclusive member-only event are already selling fast. To register your interest in the RAC Cabaret Cave Old Chicago Nights event, email gottagowa@rac.com.au or call RAC Travel on 9436 4840.
New travel branch south of the river RAC is excited to announce the newest travel and cruise centre, south of Perth, in Applecross. It is the sixth RAC travel branch in metropolitan Perth servicing members in Melville, Fremantle and surrounding suburbs. Staffed with experienced travel consultants, the centre caters for all domestic and international travel and cruising, travel insurance, maps and guides, car hire and International Driving Permits. The new branch is located at Shop 2, 14 – 16 Riseley Street, Applecross. Call 1300 657 681 or email travel.applecross@rac.com.au. April / May 2015 Horizons 45
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Test drive Alex Forrest reviews the latest cars on our roads.
BMW M4
W
hen the fifthgeneration BMW M3 and its newly renamed two-door sibling, the M4, were launched in Australia in June, 2014 the improvements were many. However, its number of cylinders, that very old-school measure of engine capability, had gone down by two. In almost 30 years of BMW 3 Series M-cars this has never happened, but last year that high-revving 4.0-litre V8 was turfed in exchange for a 3.0-litre straight six. Once the enthusiasts had stopped hyperventilating and the smelling salts had been administered, BMW was able explain that this wasn’t just any old “six”. Yes, it’s 25 per cent smaller than the old V8, but
it also uses some of the most advanced engine technology available to consumers, including a couple of very active turbo chargers. That contributes to the car using 25 per cent less fuel and emitting 25 per cent less CO₂ than its bigger-engined predecessor. That’s good, but most convincingly the new engine also makes a whopping 550Nm of torque, which equates to an almost 40 per cent increase over the old V8. You don’t have to rev it to the heavens to get that torque either – all of it is available across a huge rev range spanning 1,850rpm to 5,500rpm. The M3 and M4 were developed by two German racing car drivers on what is widely agreed to be the world’s most punish-
BMW M4 specifications Price (as tested) Engine Power Torque Claimed fuel economy CO 2 emissions ANCAP safety rating
ing race track, the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Given its development to such extraordinary levels of performance, on public roads the M4 feels like a caged lion. We took it to the RAC Driver Training and Education Centre (DTEC) to stretch its legs. Though the tight DTEC road circuit is a driveway compared to the Nürburgring, it still gave a glimpse of the extraordinary work of BMW’s engineers.
$182,000 drive away 3.0-litre six-cylinder, twin turbo petrol 317kW @ 5,500rpm 550Nm @ 1,850rpm 8.3L/100km 134g/km not rated
The M4’s acceleration is like being strapped to a rocket ship. The experience is heightened by a feature called Active Sound, which amplifies the engine’s induction noises and plays them through the audio system in real time for added thrills. Safety features include six airbags, an advanced ESC system, and an optional headsup display, which shows speed, engine revs, gear selection and navigation directions. l
46 Horizons April / May 2015
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Test drive While the Genesis may not match the Germans just yet, it does an excellent job of looking and feeling an awful lot like them.
For more car reviews visit rac.com.au/carreviews
Hyundai Genesis
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or an exercise in completely shattering expectations, just go for a drive in the Hyundai Genesis. This is Hyundai’s new large luxury liner, and it’s priced from $67,300 drive away, making it the most expensive car Hyundai has ever offered in Australia. In fact, the top-of-the-range Genesis costs $91,000 drive away. The obvious response, and one that we experienced repeatedly when test driving it, was why would someone pay this for a Hyundai when a new Mercedes-Benz C-Class costs $67,800? Well, the Genesis is a much bigger vehicle than the C-Class, but the heart of the question is really about badge recognition: private buyers spending this
amount of money on a car want one that says they’ve “arrived”. While the Genesis may not match the Germans on this front just yet, it does an excellent job of looking and feeling an awful lot like them. It also beats them on one of the most important areas: in October 2014, the Genesis became the safest car ANCAP had ever tested. The Genesis received an overall points score (on which the star ratings are based) of 36.88 out of 37. This was a record in ANCAP’s 21year history. Based on this exceptional score, the Genesis received ANCAP’s maximum five-star rating. It not only provided excellent occupant protection, it also has one of the most extensive lists of standard
Hyundai Genesis specifications Price (as tested) Engine Power Torque Claimed fuel economy CO 2 emissions ANCAP safety rating
safety assistance features on the Australian market. These include nine passenger airbags, a pre-safe seat belt system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and most significantly, autonomous emergency braking. The interior even has a carbon dioxide sensor, and if levels of the gas increase to more than 1,000 parts per million, the ventilation system automatically lets more fresh air in to help reduce fatigue.
$91,000 drive away 3.8-litre V6 petrol 232kW @ 6,000rpm 397Nm @ 5,000rpm 11.2L/100km 261g/km ★★★★★
Under the bonnet is a very smooth 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine making a respectable 232kW and 397Nm. It’s mated to an eight-speed auto. Despite the Genesis’s 1890kg heft, it handles well. Hyundai said at the car’s launch that its suspension has been tuned for local preferences and roads, with Australian-specific spring rates, anti-roll bars and dampers. l April / May 2015 Horizons 47
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Test drive On the road, the XD Astina’s torque gives such a shove, you could almost classify it as a hot hatch, particularly in the manual version we drove.
Mazda3 XD Astina
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he current Mazda3 left little wanting when it was launched in Australia in January 2014, generating largely rave reviews. Its pricing was sharp, safety credentials were excellent, fuel consumption was exceptional, it looked good and it was well made, inside and out. However, there was one important option missing: a diesel engine. That arrived six months later, and because it was the same 2.2-litre diesel as that used in the CX-5 SUV and Mazda6, its efficiency and performance gains looked promising, thanks to significant weight differences. To be precise, the Mazda3 weighs approximately 120kg less than the Mazda6 and 260kg less than the CX-5,
where all are automatics. So the diesel powerplant still has all of its muscular 420Nm available from 2,000rpm, but when it’s in the Mazda3, it has markedly fewer kilograms to lug around. We tested the manual version, which costs a sizable $43,700. As its name suggests, the XD Astina comes with all the equipment we’ve seen on the range-topping petrol equivalent, the SP 25 Astina. The XD Astina includes safety kit such as forward collision warning and autonomous braking, a lane-departure warning system and blind spot monitoring. It also has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, just like the Mazda3s. At the time of writing, the XD Astina was only available in this high-specified variant.
Mazda3 XD Astina specifications Price (as tested) Engine Power Torque Claimed fuel economy CO 2 emissions ANCAP safety rating
Its major competitor, the Volkswagen Golf 110TDI Highline, is also well appointed, but it’s available with a diesel engine for $38,880 drive away. Although the Golf also has 100Nm less torque than the Mazda. On the road, the XD Astina’s torque gives such a shove, you could almost classify it as a hot hatch, particularly in the manual version we drove. That said, the diesel is about 50kg heavier than the equivalent
$43,700 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol 129kW @ 4,500rpm 420Nm @ 2,000rpm 5.2litres/100km 137g/km ★★★★★
Astina and as such, steering turn-in isn’t quite as sharp. The extraordinarily low fuel consumption – we averaged 6.4L/100km on test – is down to a number of Mazda’s fancy fuel miser technologies. These include its stop-start feature and a regenerative braking system Mazda calls i-ELOOP, which continuously recovers kinetic energy as the vehicle decelerates, and then reuses it as electricity. l
48 Horizons April / May 2015
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Test drive
For more car reviews visit rac.com.au/carreviews
Toyota Yaris ZR
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or decades, Toyota’s calling card has been excellent reliability and resale values and, alongside the Corolla, the Yaris has been a shining example of that. People buying them know they’ll be getting solid reliability and they can rest easy in the knowledge there will always be someone willing to buy it when the time comes to sell. Toyota has given the Yaris range a makeover that comprises a freshened-up face and a reduction in the range of variants. As a result, the three-door Yaris is gone from the line-up. This is largely due to slow sales, which are in turn a result of the popularity of the more practical five-door Yaris.
Toyota has also made an important addition to the Yaris range: making a reversing camera standard equipment across the model range. This can’t be said of many cars in the light car class and Toyota, which has traditionally been conservative with regards to adding safety equipment, deserves recognition for that. An added safety feature is hazard lights that flash automatically under emergency braking – this is a feature we have seen more commonly on European cars, and is also standard across the Yaris range. Toyota has also made changes to the names of the Yaris models to align better with the Corolla range. So, in the Yaris line-up we now have the entry level Ascent, the mid-spec SX
Toyota Yaris ZR specifications Price (as tested) Engine Power Torque Claimed fuel economy CO 2 emissions ANCAP safety rating
and the range-topping ZR. If you’re familiar with Yaris models of the recent past, there will be no surprises for you with the drivetrain of the current one, which retains all the mechanicals of the superseded model. The Ascent gets the 1.3-litre engine with 63kW and 121Nm, while the more comprehensively equipped SX and ZR models get the 1.5-litre engine with 80kW and 141Nm.
$25,750 drive away 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol 80kW @ 6,000 rpm 141Nm @ 4,200rpm 6.3L/100km 147g/km ★★★★★
Fuel consumption for the 1.5-litre ZR on test was 6.4L/100km. This could have been better if the automatic gearbox had more than four speeds, especially in a market segment where six-speeds are becoming the norm. The Yaris’s handling is sharp and responsive and better than most people would expect in a light car starting at $18,550 drive away. l
April / May 2015 Horizons 49
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What’s new
The latest news from the motoring world Free trade lowers prices
Cars & computers mesh more New vehicles are increasingly becoming rolling supercomputers with a growing presence in the electronics world. Nowhere was this more obvious than at the giant 2015 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. With autonomous driving technology set to fundamentally change the way we use our cars, Mercedes-Benz used the CES to showcase their self-driving luxury sedan, the F 015 Luxury in Motion. With people not required for driving, the car has a lounge-like interior with rotating chairs so occupants can enjoy the socalled 21st century luxury of “private space and time” while the car drives autonomously for them. Bentley calling Mobile phones are no longer the novel, high-cost accessory they once were, so it takes a very special one to stand out. Bentley is marketing a phone that will cost even more than the brick phones of the 1980s. In proportion to the price of its cars, the ‘Vertu for Bentley’ handset will cost $20,000. The phone is “swathed in quilted calf leather”, and the titanium case features “tactile diamond knurling”, whatever that means. It runs an Android 4.4 operating system and an 801 2.3GHz Quad-core processor, while the battery can be charged wirelessly.
The introduction of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and Japan on 15 January has led to a spate of price cuts to new, Japanese-built cars sold in Australia. Some manufacturers have passed on the benefits of lower import tariffs to consumers with Subaru, Mazda and Toyota among the early adopters. Subaru dropped a whopping $14,000 (or 25 per cent) off the price of its Liberty 3.6R, which was due in part to the FTA. Other reductions have been in the hundreds of dollars. Western Australia had the second biggest percentage reduction in new car sales of all the states and territories in 2014, down 8.1 per cent on 2013. These price reductions may go some way towards turning that around.
Oddball anniversary This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of the oddest electric vehicles ever marketed to the public, the Sinclair C5 electric tricycle. Modern EVs typically stand out from the crowd, but this was something completely different. Built for only 10 months in 1985, the Sinclair C5 was made in Wales by the Hoover appliance company. It had a top speed of 24km/h and could travel 32km on one battery charge. As well as safety concerns, weather protection was poor, so the company offered a “weather cheater poncho” as a driver accessory. One of the 9,000 Sinclair C5s built is on permanent display at the Motor Museum of WA.
50 Horizons April / May 2015
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Ask the car doctor
Our experts answer your questions
You can be a winner
What’s the danger?
Q
Many petrol stations have signs saying that you aren’t allowed to put petrol in your car while your engine is running. Why is this? Presumably it must be dangerous, but what exactly is the danger?
Anthea Bell, Big Grove
A:
There are a number of reasons why you should turn your vehicle off while refuelling. A petrol-run car’s ignition system can run voltages of up to 45,000 volts. A catalytic converter, which is exposed under the car, can reach temperatures of 900 degrees Celsius. Petrol is explosive, and can be ignited with the slightest spark, and even if you don’t spill any fuel yourself, any other fuel spillage at the service station has the potential to be ignited by a running vehicle. For the safety of others around you, always switch off your vehicle’s engine when refuelling.
Knocking no joke
Q
I drive a 2007 Toyota Prado (common rail, turbo-charged diesel). During load situations, and particularly during initial acceleration, there is a very noticeable knocking noise from the engine. It has been suggested to me that it might be the injectors and that, if so, I will need to replace them. The car has only done 107,000km. Is this a plausible possibility? I believe they are expensive. Nick Leonard, Port Kennedy.
A: It is possible the
knocking noise is a result of problems with the diesel injectors. Known issues in Prados have been with fuel injector seals, particularly vehicles that have covered around 100,000km. We would recommend having your vehicle checked by a workshop to find out whether this is indeed the problem and the procedure for addressing it.
Bore-stain remedy
Q
I was ropable when I saw my pride and joy, a diamond white 1994 VR Commodore, had severe bore water stains all over it. The bore water had come from front-on, so the bonnet, bumper, roof and doors were a deep brown. The windscreen and side windows also had extensive staining. I have spent 10 hours polishing the paintwork and cleaning the bumpers back to a sparkling white, but the windscreen and side windows are still not right. Can the car doctor recommend any treatment I can use to get the car’s windscreen and door glass back to how it was before the staining?
If your question is published you will receive a copy of the new UBD Gregory’s 2015 Perth and Surrounds Street Directory from RAC Travel, which includes new streets and suburbs, petrol station locations and more. See page 80 for terms and conditions of entry.
Send your questions to: The Car Doctor RAC Horizons GPO Box C140 Perth WA 6839 or email: editor@rac.com.au Please include your full name, address and day-time telephone number with your query. If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for delivery.
Contact
US
Rod Clarke
A: A specialised rust stain
remover may assist, however if this does not deliver an acceptable outcome, it may be worthwhile inquiring with your insurer as to whether you are entitled to a new replacement windscreen as part of your policy.
If you have a motoring question, don’t forget that RAC members can take advantage of our Motoring Advice Line.
Call 13 17 03 Monday to Friday between 10am and 2pm, to speak to one of our experts. April / May 2015 Horizons 53
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Member Lounge People, places, prizes and RAC news
20 RAC golfers to win their way to Queensland
Find a playing partner, register for the WA series and you could both win an all-expenses paid trip to the Championship final at the Gold Coast’s Royal Pines Resort in May 2016. This year the series will grow to 10 events in WA, held in Perth and regional areas. These golf events are a great opportunity for RAC members to come together and also provide the RAC with the chance to thank and reward our members for their support. Any RAC members with an official Golf Link Handicap can enter the ACGC series. To register, one of your team of two players must have a valid RAC membership. Entry to the WA series is only $33 per player and includes a bonus of six free golf balls and
complimentary refreshments on arrival. There will also be many prizes on offer at each qualifying event, including golf shirts and caps. The winning pair from each of the 10 WA events will receive free travel and accommodation, plus three days of Championship Golf and social functions during the 2015/16 Championship Final held at Australia’s home of Championship Golf, RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland. Team up with a friend and register for an event near you and you could be enjoying a trip to Queensland’s home of Championship Golf in May next year and have the honor of being crowned the 2015/16 ACGC Australian Amateur Golf Pair. For more information and to register your pair visit acgc.com.au.
The RAC is a proud sponsor of the Auto Club Golf Championship (ACGC), Australia’s largest and most exciting amateur golf pairs competition. The fourth series in WA is due to kick off in July this year and you can be part of it. 54 Horizons April / May 2015
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Member Lounge
Get a jump on storm season
Early driver education builds strong foundations RAC DTEC has teamed up with Rotary WA and WA Police to present safe driving workshops to year 10 and 11 students. The one-day workshops provide students with real-life examples of the possible impact of the choices they make behind the wheel. The sessions include demonstrations by the RAC DTEC team of braking distances at various speeds, and safedriving discussions with WA Police. The sessions also include first-hand accounts by a crash survivor of how one poor decision on the road can lead to life-changing consequences, and the RAC Community Education
team gives students the chance to learn for themselves how distractions can impair their driving ability. In 2014, around 1200 students attended the eight-session program. It is hoped that more than 2000 students will attend in 2015, with the program extended to Bunbury and Geraldton. This free safe-driving program is made possible with the support of RAC Sponsorship as part of RAC’s commitment to educating and supporting our most vulnerable road users. For more information call RAC DTEC on 6189 4646.
A clear view of the road
In 2014, the Perth metropolitan area and greater south-west experienced six major storm events, including tornadoes and heavy hail in isolated suburbs. With storm season starting in May for the southern half of WA, householders should begin preparing their homes for the heavy rain and destructive winds our storm season can bring. To get your home storm-ready RAC Insurance Home Claims Manager Glen Walker reminds members to: l Trim branches that could fall and cause damage to your home or other property. l Hire a contractor to clear trees from power lines on your property. l Clear your gutters to prevent blockages that may cause water to overflow. l Secure loose objects stored outside, including outdoor furniture. l Have an emergency kit with a torch, a battery-operated radio and first-aid kit. l Try to move your car and other vehicles under shelter if you are aware that a storm is approaching. Charge your mobile phone and stay indoors away from windows.
For critical assistance contact State Emergency Services (SES) on 132 500 Reviewing your level of home insurance cover is also recommended to ensure any home improvements or additions are covered. For more information on storm preparation and tips for what to do if a storm hits visit rac.com.au/storm. If you do need to make a claim, follow our easy online claims process at rac.com.au/claims or call 13 17 03.
Summer heat can take its toll on your windscreen wiper blades. When the rubber on older blades begins to perish it becomes less effective at clearing your windscreen. Before the winter rains begin, check that your wipers completely clear water from your windscreen. Even in dry conditions windscreen wipers are essential for clearing dust and debris. Attempting to clear dirt and dust by using both the spray nozzles on your bonnet and the wipers can result in dirt smeared even further across your windscreen, affecting visibility and causing a hazard. Wiper blades generally need to be
replaced every six months or 10,000kms, while the wiper arm assembly should be replaced every 75,000kms. You should also regularly top up your windscreen fluid tank with clean water and a good windscreen washer additive. If you notice any cracks or cuts along your wiper blades, or if they are noisy or cause streaking, it’s time for new blades. Remember to replace them in pairs; if one is worn, chances are the other won’t be far behind. Get your windscreen wipers checked with a Gold or Blue service at one of RAC’s nine Auto Service Centres. To book a service visit rac.com.au/autoservices or call 1300 134 642. April / May 2015 Horizons 55
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Member Lounge Download our free Horizons app now to discover where you can save on everything from vehicle maintenance to groceries, entertainment and travel.
Protect your family for life
Win a long weekend adventure in Denmark
RAC Travel and the Denmark Business Community are giving you the chance to rediscover what it means to get away, with a long weekend adventure for two people. You’ll be pampered with three days in a luxury spa chalet and a complimentary day spa visit, plus free local produce tastings and a day of adventure, exploring the famous Tree Top Walk.
High rate of ‘spontaneous’ break-ins
Your prize includes
To enter
l Three nights at Karma Chalets and Karisma Spa with a free bottle of Great Southern wine, wood basket and day spa voucher. l A glass of wine and tastings at Yilgarnia Wines. l Cider, toffee and sauce tasting plus two ice creams at The Toffee Factory. l A tour of the Torbay Glass Studio. l Two adult passes to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. l A voucher for a bottle of wine, redeemable at Howard Park and MadFish cellar door.
Tell us in 25 words or less why you would like to spend a few days in Denmark and send your entry, along with your name, address, contact number and membership number, to: Horizons/Denmark adventure GPO Box 2944 Perth WA 6800 See page 80 for terms and conditions.
According to an Australian Institute of Criminology report, opportunistic or unplanned burglaries are more common than planned break-ins. Western Australian police detainees interviewed for the report were asked about their own burglary activities and their knowledge of burglary trends. The majority (58 per cent) reported that their burglary activities were unplanned or spontaneous and saw the offender spending a minimum length of time on the property. Opportunistic burglaries may be prevented by employing relatively simple security measures. This includes ensuring all household members consistently carry out basic home security strategies such as keeping doors and windows without security screens and window restrictors locked at all times – even in daylight hours when the home is occupied. Keeping valuables out of sight and away from windows can also reduce temptation for an opportunistic burglar. To better understand the vulnerable points in and around your home, contact RAC Security for a free security consultation. Call 1300 132 735 or visit rac.com.au/security.
Did you know that on average the life insurance cover within superannuation is only 20 per cent* of what is needed? Relying on the life insurance cover within your superannuation fund may not be enough to sustain your family should something happen to you. Safeguarding your family well into the future is best covered by a dedicated lifeinsurance policy. According to the 2010 Lifewise/NATSEM study, more than 95 per cent of Australians do not have adequate levels of life insurance. Life insurance cover can provide the essential protection that will ensure your family maintains their lifestyle and this cover is now available to RAC members. RAC has partnered with AIA Australia, one of Australia’s most trusted life insurers, to offer RAC members life insurance at exclusive member rates, along with bonus cover on selected benefits. To find out more or to access the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), visit rac.com.au/ lifeinsurance or call 1800 069 922. Please consider the PDS to decide if the product (issued by AIA Australia) is right for you. *Rice Warner Actuaries estimate.
56 Horizons April / May 2015
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we cannot process MasterCard for $ ____________ (Sorry, AMEX or Diners Club)
Horizons APR2015
The lenses are polarised. Polarised lenses have an invisible film which acts like a ‘venetian blind’ blocking all the horizontal glare bouncing off water, cars and other shiny surfaces.They’re especially good for driving as they also eliminate hazardous dashboard reflections on your windscreen. The remarkable effect of this blue-block and polarised combination got me very excited about the value of this product. Even more so when I found out how well they're made. BLOK® lenses also block harmful UV rays and are made from anti-scratch CR-39, one of the finest high resolution lens materials in the world. The polarisation and filters are part of the lens itself - not a cheap coating that can rub off later. The black unisex frame is made from
Hi-Flex TR90 Nylon, making it super strong and durable - yet so light and comfortable you will hardly know you’re wearing sunglasses. For polarised sunglasses of this quality, without our lens, you could easily pay $200 upwards. But because we don’t sell to shops (no ‘middlemen’), we can supply directly to you for just $79 plus $8 postage. Each pair comes with a Microfibre case and a One Year Warranty.
Please allow 7-14 days delivery Quicker for Metro areas
Card No: _______________/______________/_______________/_______________ Exp: ______ /______
NOTE: Not sold in shops. Category 3 sunglasses. Consumer Product Safety Standards Report No: 12495.4
© 2015 Decara Direct Pty Ltd
April / May 2015 Horizons 57
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M
F
Introducing our latest
release at Tuart Lakes Lifestyle Village KWIN ANA FWY
To Perth Lake Cooloongup
RO A D
FWY ANA
FIFTY
MUNDIJONG RD
LANE BALDIVIS ROAD
KEROSENE
KWIN
Only the most sought-after home designs from our current design portfolio, each with a focus on outdoor entertaining and sustainable design, have been included in this very special release. The selected home designs complement the beautiful natural environment of this stunning Village. Some homes will even enjoy scenic vistas from their front verandahs or alfresco areas.
LIMITED HOMESITES AVAILABLE. HOMES ON ELLENDALE WAY START AT $354,000*
MANDURA H ROAD
Come and explore Ellendale Way, our latest release at Tuart Lakes Lifestyle Village, Rockingham. Ellendale Way is our first ‘Masterplanned Street’. We’ve designed the entire street, so you can see exactly how your new home and surrounding properties will look.
SAFETY BAY RD
Tuart Lakes Lifestyle Village, 831 Mandurah Rd, Baldivis Sales Office open daily, 10am – 4pm. Call 9523 5000 tuartlakes@nlv.com.au nlv.com.au/ellendale Home designs available at Ellendale Way can be viewed at nlv.com.au/ellendale where you can download the brochure. Tuart Lakes Lifestylers currently enjoy access to an outdoor pool, gym, bowling green and mini golf course as well as a spectacular multi-million dollar clubhouse, with further facilities due for completion late 2015.
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MemberBenefits
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Win a family pass to
INSIDE OUT
Save % 5 on your *
next DIY project
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Entertainment
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Show your RAC membership card and start saving now As an RAC member you get access to discounts at over a 100 retail and travel partners. Check out these latest offers.
MS
62 Home & Garden 73 Automotive 75 Shopping & Lifestyle
e
blu
1. Check out the latest offers in this issue
red
ber Mem e Sinc
N IZE CIT 67-8 345 01-2
ber Mem ber Num
MS
60 Entertainment
MJ
Make the most of your membership by following these simple steps:
Mem ber Num
MS
nze bro
MJ
N IZE 67-8 CIT 345 01-2
MJ
N IZE 67-8 CIT 345 01-2
MJ
N IZE 67-8 CIT 345 01-2
ber Mem ber Num
MS
2. Sign-up to our Member Benefits eNewsletter for more competitions, deals and exclusive member shopping events
ber Mem e Sinc
N IZE 67-8 CIT 45 1-23 ber 0
MJ
er silv ber Mem e Sinc
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gol ber Mem e Sinc
3. Download our free app and find the latest offers near you
ber Mem ber Num
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ber Mem e Sinc
4. Visit rac.com.au/mb to stay up to date with all the latest news, offers and benefits
ber Mem ber Num
77 Travel & Holidays
Win 1 of 30 family passes In celebration of Disney•Pixar’s upcoming animated comedy INSIDE OUT you could win a family in-season movie pass! In cinemas June 18.
To enter, visit rac.com.au/insideout Terms and conditions apply.
*
R14164
R14164
© Disney•Pixar
“To discounts and beyond” As an RAC member, you now have access to the lowest priced cinema tickets in WA. Adult tickets from just $9.50.
Visit rac.com.au/movies Terms and conditions apply.
*
60 Horizons April / May 2015
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Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Home & Garden
R14164
Save 5%
using your pre-purchased WISH Gift Card at any participating Masters or Home Timber and Hardware Store. WISH Gift Cards now available as an eGift card via the RAC Online Shop.
Visit rac.com.au/onlineshop *
See everydaygiftcards.com.au for full terms and conditions and for a list of participating stores.
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Home & Garden
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
5%
Extra saving for RAC Members# # Valid RAC Membership Card must be presented at time of purchase to redeem offer.
FLATSPAN PATIO SPECIALS EXCLUSIVE TO FACTORY DIRECT
FLAT ROOF
GABLE ROOF
SIZE WAS NOW SAVE SIZE WAS NOW SAVE 7x3 8x3 9x3 10 x 3 11 x 3
$3360 $3840 $4320 $4800 $5280
$3024 $3456 $3888 $4320 $4752
$336 $384 $432 $480 $528
7x3 8x3 9x3 10 x 3 11 x 3
$6489 $7416 $7722 $8580 $9438
$5841 $6675 $6950 $7722 $8495
$648 $741 $772 $858 $943
FLAT ROOF
GABLE ROOF
FLAT ROOF
SIZE WAS NOW SAVE
SIZE WAS NOW SAVE
SIZE WAS NOW SAVE SIZE WAS
5x4 6x4 7x4 8x4 9x4
5x4 6x4 7x4 8x4 9x4
5x5 6x5 7x5 8x5 9x5
$3200 $3840 $4480 $5120 $5760
$2880 $3456 $4032 $4608 $5184
$320 $384 $448 $512 $576
$6421 $7416 $8008 $9152 $10296
$5779 $6675 $7108 $8237 $9267
$642 $741 $800 $915 $1029
$4000 $4800 $5600 $6400 $7200
$3600 $4320 $5040 $5760 $6480
GABLE ROOF 5x5 6x5 7x5 8x5 9x5
$400 $480 $560 $640 $720
$7725 $8580 $10010 $11440 $12870
NOW SAVE $6953 $7722 $9009 $10296 $11583
$772 $858 $1001 $1144 $1287
MANY MORE PRODUCTS ON OFFER! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL STOCK LISTINGS!
WORKSHOPS
$4260 $4340
5.35 x 3.10 6.12 x 3.10 6.89 x 3.10 7.66 x 3.10 8.45 x 3.10 9.22 x 3.10
$4880 $5140 $5418 $5706 $6286 $6654
$4020 $4260 $4518 $4776 $5336 $5684
$860 $880 $900 $930 $950 $970
5.35 x 3.87 6.12 x 3.87 6.89 x 3.87 7.66 x 3.87 8.45 x 3.87 9.22 x 3.87
$4975 $5240 $5530 $5831 $6421 $6884
$4095 $4340 $4610 $4881 $5451 $5894
$880 $900 $920 $950 $970 $990
$5698
5.35 x 4.66 6.12 x 4.66 6.89 x 4.66 7.66 x 4.66 8.45 x 4.66 9.22 x 4.66
$6168 $6618 $6771 $7019 $7186 $7556
$5268 $5698 $5831 $6059 $6206 $6556
$900 $920 $940 $960 $980 $1000
MASSIVE RANGE OF SIZES AND COLOURS
$6489
5.35 x 6.2 6.12 x 6.2 6.89 x 6.2 7.66 x 6.2 8.45 x 6.2 9.22 x 6.2
$7180 $7509 $7985 $8487 $8903 $9364
$6180 $6489 $6925 $7397 $7773 $8214
$1000 $1020 $1060 $1090 $1130 $1150
ROBUST CONSTRUCTION
SIZE
ZINC
C/BOND® C/BOND ROOF INSTALL
2.23 x 3.05 x 2.1 3.05 x 3.05 x 2.1 3.89 x 3.05 x 2.1 4.56 x 3.05 x 2.1 5.37 x 3.05 x 2.1 6.10 x 3.05 x 2.1
$1275 $1519 $1649 $1906 $2085 $2248
$1429 $1649 $1883 $2158 $2323 $2556
$79 $102 $129 $155 $178 $205
$370 $370 $370 $420 $420 $420
COCKBURN CENTRAL JOONDALUP/CLARKSON
CANNING VALE/SPEARWOOD
PORT KENNEDY/MANDURAH
DISPLAY CENTRES OPEN: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm • Saturday 10am-1pm
www.factorydirectwa.com.au
division of kalmar pty ltd
# RAC 5% Member discount on top of these prices, offer only valid from 1st of April 2015 until 31st May 2015. Valid RAC membership card must be presented at time of purchase to redeem offer. Terms and conditions apply. *Terms and Conditions apply. Free Installation Metro area only. Unless otherwise stipulated, optional extras on all products include but not restricted to, shire plans and specifications, building permit fees, planning approval fees, water corporation fees, delivery, installation, concrete floors, skylights, in-fills, freestanding units, lattice, windows and personal access doors. All colorbond garages and workshops have zinc roof as standard. For full details contact Factory Direct.
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Home & Garden
Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Garage Door Needing Attention?
NEW NEW DOORS DOORS REPLACEMENTS REPLACEMENTS SERVICES SERVICES SPARE SPARE PARTS PARTS
RAC Members receive
RAC members save
10% on full priced items
10% O parts*
We install, repair and service all makes and models of doors & motors
9303 9334 Unit1/5 Quantum link Wangara WA 6065
www.edenrocgaragedoors.com.au *Must show or quote your member number atDiscount time of booking. Discount applies to door garageparts door parts *Show RAC card atRAC time of booking. applies to garage onlyonly.
Roof il
Vent
ation
Light = Space add depth & dimension to any room through beautiful natural daylight.
RAC members receive a
10%
discount with Perth Day lighting
australia’s highest quality skylights. Luxurious selection of styles to suit any room.
Skylig with s hts tyle Sol
www.solatube.com.au
atub e
*$699.00 applies to single storey applications, standard pitch roof, metro area. Whirley bird roof ventilation available.
Perth DayLighting servicing Perth & Bunbury/South West Units 5 86/1 halley road, Balcatta
Call 9240 4045 Bunbury ext 7013
www.perthdaylighting.com.au • www.skylightswa.com.au April / May 2015 Horizons 63
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Home & Garden
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
HOME & LIFESTYLE
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR RAC MEMBERS
RAC members save
500
$
on RRP
64 Horizons April / May 2015
For more member savings visit rac.com.au/
60-78_mbenefits.indd 64
s 11/03/15 3:02 PM
Home & Garden
Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Our end of season sale is now on
RAC MEMBERS RECEivE A FREE REMotE UPgRAdE with EvERy ElECtRiC ShUttER PURChASEd Prepare your home from this coming winter and keep your family safe. Nu Style Shutters offers protection from weather elements and temperatures all year round, whilst also acting as a superior defense against burglaries and break ins. Backed up with a 10 year warranty and installed by a company you can trust, now is the time to call and take advantage of our end of season offer.
Install Nu Style Roller Shutters to your home and benefit from: • • • •
Enhanced security Reduced heat Noise Reduction Blocked out light
• • • •
increased privacy weather protection Save on energy costs 10 year warranty
CAll 1300 798 776
or email info@nustyleshutters.com.au For a free measure and quote all areas Unit 1/39 Enterprise crescent, Malaga
www.nustyleshutters.com.au *offer ends 31st May 2015
*Conditions apply
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Home & Garden
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
The CSIRO recommends annual termite inspections
Save
$165
Plus, 15% off all other services*
RAC Members Exclusive Offer only $190* (Normally $355) Offer only available once per household
*RAC member discounts and offers are not applicable to warranty renewal contracts or other Termico offers. Offer only applicable in metro and selected country areas (Bunbury and Busselton). Spider treatment not available with pre-purchase inspection. Offer available once per household.** To approved customers only.
For more member savings visit rac.com.au/memberbenefit s
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Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Home & Garden
BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME WITH PAINT PLACE
Whether you need expert advice on colour, trends, paint or accessories, your local Paint Place can help you get your home ready for spring.
Save
$10 on 10L
Save
$5 Exclusive member discounts.*
Paint Place Bunbury Paint Place Geraldton Bonanza Paint Place A.K Paint Place Paint Place Malaga Peel Paint Place Paint Place Midland Country Paint Supplies Anchor Paint Place Paint West Paint Place Anchor Paint Place
Bunbury Geraldton Inglewood Kelmscott Malaga Mandurah Midland Narrogin O’Connor Osborne Park Rockingham
08 9721 9880 08 9921 7644 08 9271 2088 08 9495 1164 08 9249 6911 08 9581 2623 08 9274 2111 08 9881 4558 08 9337 0700 08 9446 2609 08 9527 9744
on 4L
* With proof of RAC membership $5 off the RRP of 4L and $10 off the RRP of 10L Paint or Decking Oil. Offer limited to New Look Interior and New Look Decking Oil, Taubmans Living Proof Silk, Solver Maxi Wash, Wattyl Solagard and Wattyl Weathergard Decking Oil only, at participating WA Paint Place Stores. Not all brands available at all stores. Offer ends 31 May 2015. Discounted price not available with any other offer.
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Home & Garden
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Enjoy your outdoor living area all year round in style
20%* OFF ELECTRIC ROLLER SCREENS
RAC members receive a free remote control upgrade with every electric roller screen purchase External Roller Screens are an effective way to give your home the lifestyle and comfort you deserve. Conveniently operated from anywhere in the home at the touch of a button, Nu Style Roller Screens allow you to control the amount of sunlight and ventilation with complete privacy without sacrificing your view.
Your NuStyle Roller Screens can be functional all year around. Keeping your alfresco warm in winter and even cooler in summer. By fully closing the screen you will benefit from up to 85% light control and shade cover, with an outstanding up to 95% heat control and UV block. It not only drastically reduces the harsh summer heat but also reduces your cooling and energy costs.
CALL 1300 798 776
or email info@nustyleshutters.com.au For a free measure and quote all areas Unit 1/39 Enterprise crescent, Malaga
www.nustyleshutters.com.au *Offer ends 31st May 2015 68 Horizons April / May 2015
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Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Home & Garden
UNRIVALLED EXPERTISE FOR YOUR HOME
RAC members receive
20% off Plus fRee stone top upgrade & sink & tap package
OFFER EXTENDED
DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!
+
SPECIAL OFFER RECEIVE 20% OFF!
FREE STONE BENCH TOP UPGRADE
+
FREE SINK & TAP PACKAGE
For a FREE no-obligation kitchen design and quote or visit our showrooms at
Joondalup: 27 Winton Road, Joondalup (p) 1300 279 198 Mandurah: 3/24 Rouse Road, Mandurah (p) 9581 6277 Midvale: 142 Great Eastern Highway (p) 1300 279 198
www.glhi.com.au
Specialists in Kitchens, Bathrooms, Laundries & Double Glazing *Terms and conditions apply, ask us for more details
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Home & Garden
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
RAC Members save
$500 on RRP
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Home & Garden
Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Simply Elegant...
It’s the tiling finishes that make all the difference Our attitude to business is simply good customer service with a strong focus toward achieving ultimate customer satisfaction. Through past experience and having a close relationship with the market place and market trends, we at Prestige Tile Gallery have put together a showroom facility which displays an exciting new range of ceramic, porcelain, vitrified tiles that would be the envy of any builder or home owner. Tiling is one of the most important finishing elements of a home. Used correctly it creates memorable impressions that last, giving your home or commercial project its own distinctive individuality. Whatever your project, from commercial tiles to residential tiles, from indoor tiles to outdoor tiles, from the bathroom to the bedroom We have a versatile selection of quality tiles suitable for any environment. Choose any style from our extensive range and rely on our team of specialists to guide you through your options.
30% discOunT Off The marked reTail PriCe* ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
ExTEnsivE RanGE LaTEsT dEsiGns QuaLiTy imPORTEd TiLEs LaRGE FORmaT TiLEs OwnER BuiLdER discOunTs insTaLLaTiOn sERvicE avaiLaBLE
Call: 08 9244 1700 www.prestigetile.com.au Unit 1/68 Guthrie Street, Osborne Park *Conditions apply
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For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
OAST TC YEARS EST.1994
M
CELEBRATING
A
RO
C
20
-FI HI
WES
Home & Garden
KIN G H
RAC Members ceive receive
10%
RAC Members receive
FREE UPGRADE Airstep Prestige Gold 10mm Underlay
72 Horizons April / May 2015
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Show your RAC membership card and start savingHome & Garden
Automotive
Save 35% Floreat ProPerty SettlementS
RAC Members receive
15% Off
If purchasing or selling your home or rural property, Floreat Settlements will provide a 35%* discount on the scaled settlement fee to raC members.
regular prices Or 5% Off discounted prices
*applies to all metropolitan and country areas.
raC memBerS, we’ll matCh any wrItten quote.
Call 9245 4822 or email admin@floreatsettlements.com.au www.floreatsettlements.com.au
Save up to 45%* on all outdoor blindS viSion decor
We specialise in all interior blinds, outdoor blinds, curtains, padded pelmets, swags and tails, laminate flooring and tinting.
It’s amazing what a little snooze can do. snooze.com.au
For a Free meaSure and quote pleaSe
Call 9248 6160 *terms and conditions apply
For more information visit rac.com.au/snooze
2/19 exhibition drive malaga Wa 6090
Receive a 10%* discount elite pool coveRs Visit our showroom
elite... Wa’s best-selling pool covers • Stops evaporation • Keeps your pool cleaner • Heats your pool by up to 10°C Call now and do your bit to help save our precious water. Contact Elite with your pool size and take advantage of the 10% discount (phone/counter quotes only).
Call 9240 2262
(Country call: 1300 136 696) or visit our factory showroom, at 10 Cressall Road, Balcatta
*Offer available until 31 May 2015. Factory direct sales only. Not valid with any other offer or if Elite has to measure pool.
Save 10%* on your Tax DepreciaTion ScheDule if you don’t have a depreciation schedule on your investment property, then you could be missing out on thousands of dollars each year. Opteon Property Group prepare depreciation schedules for all types of commercial and residential properties. The primary benefit is tax claim maximisation.
Call 08 9488 4870
*15% saving applicable to the regular retail prices of all products for RAC members and 5% discount may be applied to already discounted items when you show your RAC member card at the point of purchase.
SAVE Save$390 $390with with Garden GardenWater WaterBores Bores
Metro-wide retic and bore installation and repairs
receive $150 off installation and a Free 3/4˝ tap and receive $150 off installation and a Free 3/4” tap and pressure release valve worth $240 with all new bores. pressure release valve worth $240 with all new bores.
Call 734300 300oror 0411 Call 1300 1300 734 0411 511511 611611
also alsobore boreand andreticulation reticulationservice serviceand andmaintenance maintenance
Buy 2 get $10* off with Roof Renewals Beat the heat this summer • Industrial/Residential • Removes up to 80% of roof heat • Reduced air-conditioning costs • Steel bearings • Removes mould/moisture in winter • 10 year warranty
Call 0439 707 578 or 9398 9861
email roof.renewals@bigpond.com
• roof coatings • skylights • gutters & down pipes
300mm
360mm
Fully installed
Fully installed *Conditions apply
$185 ZINC $195 COLORBOND
$210 ZINC $220 COLORBOND
SAVE 10% off CArAVAn ACCESSoriES Ken Peachey caravan rePairs
or email jeremy.mcgrade@opg.net
insurance, servicing, modification, accessories and canvas work.
*offer available to rac members only. not valid with any other offer.
www.kenpeachey.com 194 campbell street Belmont Wa 6104
Call (08) 9277 1381 or Email info@kenpeachey.com
Licensed repairer MRB1167
April / May 2015 Horizons 73
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Automotive
Exclusive to RAC Members
fREE Wheel Balance & Rotation.
RAC members receive
Free wheel balance & rotation
Get more life out of your tyres with a free balance & rotation at Beaurepaires!
Simply cut out this coupon, call 13 23 81 or your local Beaurepaires store and book in for your fREE balance & rotation. To ensure this offer is only for members, please present this coupon along with your RAC Membership card when you arrive instore.
Call 13 23 81
visit rac.com.au/mb
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
$50* off The new new ScotchtintBlack Black The Scotchtint A A car car film film that that won’t won’tfade fade or or bubble bubble -- guaranteed guaranteed *RAC members save $50 off the recommended *RACprice members $50tinting. off the recommended retail on fullsave vehicle retail price on full vehicle tinting. Benefits of Window Film include: Benefits of Window Film include: • Reduces heat • Reduces glare • Protects upholstery • Reduces heat • Reduces glare • Protects upholstery • Fully guaranteed, including film and labour • Fully guaranteed, including film and labour • 99% UV light blocked • 99% UV light blocked Main Office: DMS Tinting and Graphics Main Office: (Osborne Park) 9443 7277 DMS Tinting and Graphics Other Locations: (Osborne Park) 9443 7277 Coolcar Other Location: (Mobile Service) 0419 938 225 GTS Window Tinting GTS Window Tinting (Northern Suburbs) 9301 0313 dmstinting.com.au dmstinting.com.au (Northern Suburbs) 9301 0313
R14124
Logo Development for:
DMS Tinting & Graphics Logo Development for:
DMS Tinting & Graphics © the marketing mix
© the marketing mix
Fonts used:
Fonts used:
Colours used:
CMYK
PMS 151 C
0 64 97 0
PMS 485C PMS 151 C BLUE PMS 485C BLACK BLUE
0 100 100 0 0 64 97 0 100 83 30 16 0 100 100 0 100% K 100 83 30 16
Colours used:
BLACK
CMYK
100% K
Delivered the same day > Members receive 10% discount > AGM battery delivered ready to install
Call 13 11 11 to order MRB 723. Perth metro areas only. No installation offered.
14124 - Batteries_Horizons Ad HP motorbike.indd 1
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Show your RAC membership card and start saving Automotive
RAC members receive
10% off
Premium Quality Electric Bikes Award Winning Folding Bikes
AT REPCO
The secret’s out @ebikesrus
REP422496
RRP
10%OFF
*
Shopping & Lifestyle
As an RAC member you’ll get 10% off a wide range of parts, accessories and lubricants. And if some Repco Know How is what you need, our friendly, expert staff are always ready to share their knowledge to help you get the job done. Repco has over 90 years of motoring Know How supplying parts, accessories and advice to millions of Australian drivers and motoring professionals. So if it’s time to change your oil or give your car a little extra care get into Repco.
www.repco.com.au
Electric Bike Specialists
R422496
10%
Excludes discounted and catalogue lines, motor vehicle & marine batteries, transmissions, engines & cylinder heads, satellite navigation equipment, gift cards, combo deals and trade purchases. Store stock only.
422496_SYC&S_AD_10%OFF_RAC_90x112_MAR.indd 1
on selected bikes for RAC members
Don’t forget to show your card & save.
CALL: (08) 9430 5500 or John 0448 406 407 www.e-bikesrus.com.au www.facebook.com/ ebikesrusfremantle
Servicing made easy • Fully integrated Wiring Harness & components ELECTRIC BIKES 5 MODELS • Australian distributor for 5 top world class models • Guaranteed backup • • Agents enquires welcome • No petrol, No pollution, No parking, No problems • IP 65 Weatherproofing rating Operating for seven years at: Shop 76, E-Shed, EBIKESRUS Members of the Caravan and Camping Association Victoria Quay, Fremantle WA
10/03/2015 5:23 pm
RAC RAC Members members Receive receive
$500 $500 OFF off RRP RRP
10% discount* on all services for rac MeMbers With dial an angel dial-an-angel has been providing domestic, childcare and care services to West australians for 29 years. our angel domestic services range from basic home cleaning through to housekeeping, we also offer comprehensive vacate and move in cleans. We have gained a reputation for trust, integrity, and great professional people. call us to discuss your requirements. *1 april – 31 May 2015.
Call 9364 5488 www.dialanangel.com
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Shopping & Lifestyle
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Breakthrough Savings on Latest Save Technology Hearing Aids $500* On each new hearing aid
Now start at only
1,495
$
ea
After discount
A brand new breakthrough in hearing aid technology is now available in Perth from Hearing Loss Specialists Clinics, and money back the it’s virtually invisible. guarantee** This new hearing aid needs no physical If you’re not completely adjustments – it automatically adjusts satisfied with your to different sounds by using an advanced hearing aid digital computer. It’s so easy to use because it’s fully automatic, so you can relax and enjoy the sounds you want to hear. Don't settle for second best when you can now have the next generation of digital hearing aids without side effects such as overwhelming background noise.
30 Day
This new miniature hearing aid is not suitable for all types of hearing loss. A Hearing Assesment is Required.
Exclusive Offer for RAC Members: You will be eligible for $500 off the regular price on each hearing aid. $1,000 discount for both ears.
All Clinics 9350 6311 www.hearingloss.net.au *Not valid with any other promotion
**Conditions apply
Main Clinic: 12 Pattie Street, Cannington • Balcatta • Cannington • Rockingham • Wembley
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Shopping & Lifestyle Show your RAC membership card and start saving
Travel & Holidays
Save 10%** at MiSS Maud SwediSh ReStauRant Save 10%* at MiSS Maud December: Breakfast Breakfast & dinner dinner festive festive smörgåsbord smörgåsbord Mon Mon –– thur thur only only SwediSh ReStauRant December: & January: Breakfast, Breakfast, Lunch Lunch or or dinner dinner smörgåsbord smörgåsbord Mon Mon –– thur. Fri. Your January:
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entire and group receives 10%RaC discount presentation of your valid RaC Come enjoy off our on irresistible Smörgåsbord Please present your 10% valid Card arrival to receive the discount
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card. Only one payment perto table. Reservations areReservations essential. are for your entire group. Only one payment per table. Breakfast or lunch – Monday Friday essential. Smörgåsbord DinnerPeRth – Sunday to thursday 97 MuRRaY StReet Please presentStReet your valid RaC Card on arrival 97 MuRRay PeRth to receive the discount for your entire group.
Call 9325 3900 or email restaurant@missmaud.com.au Call 9325 3900
Only one payment per table. *excluding 24, 25 & 31 december or restaurant@missmaud.com.au Reservations are essential. notemail valid with any other offer valid 1 dec 24, 2013 2014 *excluding 25–&2431January december
discount on smörgåsbord only valid with any otherPeRth offer 97not MuRRay StReet valid 1 dec 2014 – 24 January 2015 discount on smörgåsbord only Call 9325 3900
or email restaurant@missmaud.com.au *valid 1 apr - 31 May 2015. excluding 5 apr (easter Sunday) & 25 apr (anZaC day). excluding special events. not valid with any other offer. discount on Smörgåsbord only.
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RAC Members save 10% on Apollo Motorhome Hire
Apollo has a vehicle to suit every kind of self drive holiday from cars and 4WD campervans to family-sized motorhomes. Call 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travel
Applecross 1300 657 681 Mandurah 9512 8200 Carousel 9365 4700 Morley 6466 2300 Joondalup 9308 1600 West Perth 9436 4830
*direct bookings only
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Travel & Holidays
For more ways to save visit rac.com.au/memberbenefits
Members save I0% on travel insurance R14152
Unlimited overseas medical cover Choose your own excess Money back guarantee Free Global SIM card^
Call 1300 655 179, or go to rac.com.au/travelinsurance Limits, exclusions and conditions apply. RAC Travel Services Pty Ltd (ABN 17 009 164 176, ARN. 228577) is an authorised representative of Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited (ABN 73 144 049 230, AFSL 360138) who issues insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Reinsurance (UK) PLC, trading as Great Lakes Australia (ARBN 127 740 532, ABN 18 964 580 576, AFSL 318603). This is general advice only. We do not provide any advice based on any consideration to your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please review your own needs and the combined Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide available from rac.com.au or by phoning 1300 655 179, before deciding to buy this insurance. ^Covermore Global SIM card is eligible when you purchase RAC Comprehensive travel insurance policy. Global SIM is a prepaid service. Network coverage is not available in all areas and rates may change at any time. Terms and conditions are available at covermore.com.au/sim. Services are provided by United Lifestyle Group Networks Pty Ltd (ABN 35 139 763 830). Travel Insurance Partners Pty Limited is not the provider of any Global SIM products or services.
Applecross » Albany » Bunbury » Carousel » Geraldton » Joondalup » Kalgoorlie » Mandurah » Morley » West Perth
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Terms & conditions
Changes to our privacy policy We have recently updated our privacy policy. Please visit rac.com.au/privacy. For full terms and conditions go to rac.com.au/t&c. For details of winners from our past promotions, visit rac.com.au/horizonswinners.
Winning letter page 8
Entrants may submit more than one entry. One entrant (winner) will be awarded only one prize as follows: a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance valued at $159. If the winner already has Roadside Assistance, the Classic Roadside Assistance will be applied as credit to their account until their cover runs out. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, phone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided with details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in April/ May Horizons must claim their prize by 20 May, 2015. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or the RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn, at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.
Win a Borneo adventure in Sarawak page 42
The competition begins on 25 March, 2015 at 9am (Australian Western Standard Time) and ends on 31 May, 2015 at 12pm. Entrants must not submit more than one entry. Up to one entrant (winner) may be awarded only one prize from the following: return business-
class flights with Malaysia Airlines departing Perth and travelling to Kuching via Kuala Lumpur transit; six nights’ accommodation in Sarawak; all meals and private transfers throughout in Sarawak and touring. The following costs are to be borne by the passenger: travel costs to and from Perth airport; spending money; passports (must have a minimum validity of six months prior to travel); visas; travel insurance; excess baggage over and above the approved 40kgs (maximum two pieces) per person; meals not specified in the itinerary and any other travel related expenses. Prize subject to availability. Blackout periods apply including 4 to 9 June, 2015 and 26 September to 4 October, 2015. Travel must be completed by 4 October, 2015. The winner shall be chosen by the judges from the entries at random. The winner will be drawn on 3 June, 2015 and notified by writing. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided with details as to the collection of their prize. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The promoter reserves the right not to select winners of all or any prizes in its absolute discretion. Each winner must claim its prize on or before 5 June, 2015. Prizes must be claimed in person unless a winner is otherwise advised. Identification, which includes a photograph, will be required. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.
Car doctor page 53
Entrants may submit more than one entry. Up to three entrants (winner/s) will be awarded only one prize as follows: a 2015 Perth and Surrounds UBD Street Directory, valued at $34.95. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, telephone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided with details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in April/ May Horizons must claim their prize by 20 May, 2015. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or the RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn, at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.
Denmark long weekend page 56
The competition begins on 27 March, 2015 at 9am (Australian Western Standard Time) and ends on 12 June, 2015 at 5pm. Entrants must not submit more than one entry. Up to one entrant (winner) may be awarded only one prize as follows: Three nights at Karma Chalets and Karisma Spa with free bottle of Great Southern wine; wood basket and day spa voucher; a glass of wine and
tastings at Yilgarnia Wines; cider, toffee and sauce tasting plus two ice creams at The Toffee Factory; a tour of the Torbay Glass Studio; two adult passes to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk; and a voucher for a bottle of wine, redeemable at Howard Park and MadFish cellar door. This prize is subject to availability and confirmation from accommodation properties, and is not valid during public holidays, long weekends and school holidays. Prizes are nontransferable or redeemable for cash and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Prize must be taken and completed by 12 June, 2016. The prize is limited to the inclusions stated, any other incidental costs, such as meals, additional persons and other travelling expenses, are not included in the prize. The winner shall be chosen by the judges from the entries that have in the absolute discretion of the judges correctly met the entry conditions. The winner will be drawn on 12 June, 2015 and notified by writing. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided with details as to the collection of their prize. Each winner must claim its prize on or before 26 June, 2015. Prizes must be claimed in person unless a winner is otherwise advised. Identification, which includes a photograph, will be required. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy policy.
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80 Horizons April / May 2014
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EF T W OR
B
UT
This quality timepiece honours a loved one who served our country courageously
TIO
T RI
N
T GE
LES
LEST WE FORGET E E DI
F
rom the shores of Gallipoli to the deserts of Iraq, Australia’s armed forces have honoured us with courage and valour. In their fight for our freedom, these sons and daughters are never far from our thoughts or our hearts. Now you can remember the bravery of a loved one who served in a very personal and touching way – a quality timepiece which pays tribute to your gallant hero.
A Fine Jewellery Exclusive Available Only from The Bradford Exchange
Beautifully engraved on the back with a stirring inscription.
AN INSPIRING TRIBUTE… CLASSIC STYLE… SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP…
MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE… AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME The “Lest We Forget Remembrance Watch” comes with a Certificate of Authenticity in a custom-designed presentation case. An exceptional value at $199.95, you can pay for it in five monthly instalments of $39.99, plus $19.99 postage and handling. But hurry, this is a limited time offer! To reserve your watch, send no money now; just fill out and mail the coupon or go online today.
For quickest delivery, order online:
www.bradford.com.au/lwf Quoting promotion code: 78057
THE BRADFORD EXCHANGE Please Respond Promptly YES! Please reserve
Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms ________ First Name: ______________________________________ Surname: ______________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Postcode: ______________ Phone: (optional) ________________________________________________________
the “Lest We Forget Email: (optional) _________________________________________________________ Remembrance Watch” as described in this Please select your preferred reservation option: advertisement. I understand 1. MAIL no stamp required, to: I need pay nothing now.
Please allow up to 10 business days for delivery. All sales subject to product availability and reservation acceptance. Credit criteria may apply. Our privacy policy is available online at www.bradford.com.au. From time to time, we may allow carefully screened companies to contact you. If you would prefer not to receive such offers, please tick this box.
❑
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PAY NOTHING NOW
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Available in men’s style, the “Lest We Forget Remembrance Watch” is finely hand-crafted in stainless steel and offers abundant features. The intricate bezel embraces a tasteful black face featuring the iconic rising sun and slouch hat reproduced in shimmering golden-tone. The stirring words ‘Lest We Forget’ adorns the face as a shining testament to the courage of your digger. The reverse of the case features a stirring verse from the immortal ‘Ode’ and ‘Lest We Forget’ appears once more. The watch is water resistant to a depth of 30 metres (99ft) and is protected by our unconditional 120-day guarantee as well as a full one-year limited warranty on the watch movement.
The Bradford Exchange, Reply Paid 86369 Parramatta NSW 2124
or
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PHONE: Toll-Free 1300 725 103
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ONLINE at www.bradford.com.au/lwf
8am-5pm E.S.T Mon – Fri
quoting promotion code: 78057
4/03/15 10:32 AM
Contact
US
The 1best
Do you have an idea for The 10 best? Send your susguggestions to editor@rac.com.au.
Cave is one of the south west’s biggest and most spectacular caves and is one of only a few caves in the area that also contains fossils. It is easily accessible and has wheelchair access to the first massive chamber. Cave tours are selfguided with visitors listening to an audio tour on an MP3 player.
Moondyne Cave – Augusta In 2012, Moondyne Cave was re-opened to visitors after being closed for 10 years. Offering a different caving experience to the region’s other show caves, visitors are required to wear overalls, gloves and helmets for a tour by torchlight. The cave is a mix of large crystal chambers and small passages, providing a challenging and unique experience.
Caves Mimbi Caves, Kimberley
This popular limestone ‘stream cave’ is adorned with stalactites, stalagmites and helictites, and is one of more than 500 caves recorded in the Yanchep National Park area. Learn more about the cave and the small creatures that inhabit it on a 45-minute Parks and Wildlife guided tour.
Tunnel Creek Cave – Kimberley The Tunnel Creek Cave system is one of WA’s oldest and features a massive 750 metre-long tunnel with shallow water pools that visitors need to wade through. A four-wheel drive is required to access Tunnel Creek National Park via Gibb River Road, or take a day trip from Derby, Fitzroy Crossing and Broome.
Mimbi Caves – Kimberley Join Aboriginal guides for an inspiring and thrilling tour deep inside one of
Australia’s most spectacular and significant cultural and geological sites. This unique network of caves is a place of deep spiritual significance to the Gooniyandi people as well as being one of the most significant Devonian fossil sites in the world. The caves are 90km east of Fitzroy Crossing.
Lake Cave – Margaret River Lake Cave’s mirrored waters reflect the strikingly lit formations on its ceilings and walls. It is the only cave in the region with a permanent lake and at 62 metres is the deepest of the three nearby tourist caves. Entry is through a large hole in the ground known as a doline. Lake Cave is just below the CaveWorks interpretive centre and is a 20-minute drive south of Margaret River.
to be opened to tourists. Its dazzling network of tunnels and caverns wind some 40 metres below the ground. Boardwalks lead you down and through the chambers. Visitors can take a regular guided tour or an adventure tour crawling and climbing through sections of the cave not usually seen by the public.
Jewel Cave – Augusta Jewel Cave is one of WA’s most breathtaking tourist caves. It is the biggest, with four massive chambers, and contains some of the longest ‘straw’ stalactites of any tourist cave in the world. The chambers and incredible formations are spectacularly lit, adding to the extraordinary experience. Guided tours are run daily.
Ngilgi Cave – Yallingup
Mammoth Cave – Margaret River
Ngilgi Cave is off Caves Road and was the first cave in WA
Surrounded by towering karri and marri trees, Mammoth
Giants Cave offers all the excitement of a true caving experience as you make your way along the marked paths of this huge unlit cave at your own pace. At 575 metres long and 86 metres deep, it is one of the biggest and deepest caves in the LeeuwinNaturaliste Ridge. Sturdy footwear is recommended and a torch is provided as part of the entry fee.
Calgardup Cave – Margaret River Water covering the floor of the three large chambers in Calgardup Cave creates spectacular reflections. There are no guided tours so you can explore at your own pace. Elevated boardwalks along the way provide great views and the chance to stop and rest. Torch use is included in the entry fee.
More information about the caves can be obtained from local tourism outlets, Parks and Wildlife offices or from dpaw.wa.gov.au.
Image courtesy Tourism Western Australia
Crystal Cave – Yanchep National Park
Giants Cave – Margaret River
82 Horizons April / May 2015
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*Conditions apply. Prices are per person (pp), twin share and include port charges. Prices are correct as at 24 February 2015, but may fluctuate due to changes in availability, surcharges, fees, taxes or exchange rates. Prices based on EUTC15: 11 March 2016 (Cat. E) and EUTCJR15: 26 March 2016 (Cat. E). Prices are inclusive of the $400 pp early payment discount. Book by 7 May 2015, unless sold out prior. Offers are subject to availability, are not combinable unless otherwise stated, are available on new bookings only and may be withdrawn at any time. A limited number of offers are available on selected departures. Flights must be booked by Travelmarvel for airfare offers. 2016 DEPARTURE DATES - EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT: Offer is applicable to tours with cruises of 15 days or longer that are paid in full 10 months prior to tours departure date. An initial deposit of $1,000 pp must be paid within 7 days of making the booking. NO EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT: A 1st non-refundable deposit of $1,000 pp is due within 7 days of booking. 2nd deposit of $2,000 pp is due by 31 October 2015. Final payment due 100 days prior to departure. FLY FREE: Includes air taxes up to the value of $950 pp. Available when booking the EUTC15/EUTCR15 for travel 1 March to 29 April 2016 and 28 September to 31 December 2016. Available when booking EUTCJR15/EUTCJ15 for travel 1 March to 29 April 2016. Available when booking EUTCRI25 and EUTCF26 for all 2016 departure dates. Flights are in economy class with Singapore Airlines, KLM or an airline of Travelmarvel’s choosing, and are subject to availability of airline and booking class. Once booking class sold out surcharges apply. FREE CABIN UPGRADE: Bonus offer of free cabin upgrade applies to the next applicable cabin category, subject to availability. Available on all cabin categories from 1 March to 29 April 2016 and from 29 September to 31 December 2016 departures. Available on selected cabin categories from 30 April to 27 September 2016 departures. FLY BUSINESS CLASS FROM $1,995 PP: Includes air taxes to the value of $1,100 pp. Cannot be combined with any other offer and is available on cruise holidays of 21 days or more when booking an Owner’s Suite or Category A, except the 21 day Kirkenes to Budapest tour (EUTCH21). All flights based on business class with KLM Airlines, pending routing and are subject to availability of airline booking class. Surcharges may apply due to seasonality, fluctuations in taxes or variations to airline routings/departure dates. Deposit requirements will vary when booking business class airfares. 2015 DEPARTURE DATES: Selected offers highlighted in this ad are also available across a range of 2015 cruise itineraries. Please enquire for further details. A non-refundable deposit of $3,000 pp is due within 7 days of booking. Final payment due 100 days prior to departure. Australian Pacific Touring Pty Ltd ABN 44 004 684 619. ATAS accreditation # A10825. TM1988
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Perth
Share the drive this holiday Long road trips down-south, up-north or anywhere else, can be pretty tiring for one driver. Luckily our comprehensive car insurance includes open driver cover, giving you the option to share the drive with family or friends.
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To find out more visit rac.com.au or call 1300 736 143. Open driver cover conditions and underwriting criteria apply. RAC Insurance Pty Ltd issues this product. Check the PDS for details.
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