FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || ISSUE 011
INSIDE >>
P2 What’s on
>>
P4 Getting the handle on prams
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P15 Wagga abuzz with beetles
AIRFX™ CUTTING SYSTEM
& OPERATOR COMFORT ZONE TECHNOLOGY THE NEW BENCHMARK FOR SUPERIOR CUT QUALITY AND RIDER COMFORT
PAGE 3
THE
FARMING
BELT
PAGE 9
WE ARE YOUR LOCAL GUIDE FOR EVERYTHING ON WHEELS From skate boards to semis & cars to caravans. We have all your wheels covered.
|| DRIVER’S SIDE Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III creates a stir at Bathurst. It’s hardly a surprising statement, but we aren’t talking the 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500. It’s June 2018 and Lloyds Classic Car Auctions and we’re talking about an auction price of $1,030,000. Selling new in 1971 at a smidge over $5000 the record setting GTHO presented in pristine sale condition was once owned by Australian cricketer, Jeff Thomson. The sale surpassed the previous record auction price for a Phase III which sold in 2007 for $750,000.
Powered by a 351 cubic inch Cleveland V8, the GTHO Phase III was promoted in the early 1970’s as the world’s fastest four door production vehicle. It’s believed that fewer than one hundred genuine examples of this vehicle still exist. More than 1000 people attended Lloyds Classic Car Auctions at its new headquarters in Bathurst to witness the event and Lloyds is expecting something of a rush from current GTHO Phase III owners considering this incredible result. Now you have read this go out and check the back shed just in case.
|| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
If you would like to be included in next week’s edition please contact Kieren on:
Hi Kieren, I read Matt’s article on petrol grades (Weekly Torque 15 June Page 4) and whether you can get more miles per gallon out of high octane.
KIEREN L. TILLY
TORQUE BIG WHEEL
One thing that was not considered in the article was; can a higher-octane European car run on e10 or 91 octane without doing any engine damage.
kieren@waggaweekly.com.au 0488 533 569 | 02 6923 3900
I own a Chinese, August 2015 LDV G10 six speed auto van which has a turbo-charged petrol engine, but its manual does not say it can run on 91 or E10.
99 Peter Street Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650
Thomas Brothers said don’t use 91 or E10 because the engine will overheat and be damaged. Only run 95 or 98. Some very small towns in Victoria only carry 91 or e10, so I carry fuel into these areas. If you are nearly out of fuel and you cannot buy 95 or 98 can these lower octane fuels be put in the tank until you can get a larger town selling 98?
|| IN THIS ISSUE Drivers Side
2
What’s On
2
It may be a good article for you to write about in your very interesting news articles in Torque. The last place in Wagga I worked before I retired, we had some cars made for high octane, we approached the dealership and they said it won’t damage the engine on 91 as that’s all our bowsers had in them. Pat Byrnes, Wagga Wagga Meanwhile from the Wagga Weekly Facebook page... I just wanted to say hi and let you know how much I enjoy the Torque section of the paper. I’ve just started to learn how to ride motorbikes and find it very challenging so finding a story from a learner rider and from an older woman rider in one of the first issues was great, and very encouraging. Have a good day! Helen South, Wagga Wagga
PATH TO PURCHASE Getting a handle on prams
4
The mighty Murray River drive
6
Q&A with Shane ‘Rippy’ Williams
8
The Farming Belt
9 Wagga Wagga 25th Annual Swap Meet
GIRL TORQUE With Suellen Doherty WDCC Illabo Khanacross
WHAT’S ON
10 12 & 13
2 || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE
Wagga Wagga Showground. Sunday 15 July.
The annual Wagga Wagga Swap Meet is in its twenty fifth year, bringing enthusiasts from all over Australia to attend, a great collection for keen eyed bargain hunters, auto jumble, Bric a Brac and antiques. Hot food and drinks available. For more info contact Wendy Garth on 0458 454 477 or the Wagga Swap Meet page on Facebook.
Riverina Alpine Mountain Bike Open (RAMBO) Pomingalarna Reserve, Wagga. Sunday 22 July.
The RAMBO series caters for all levels of riders and is a fun and affordable way to participate in enduro racing and experience a variety of cross country trails in the local area. The event at Pomingalarna Reserve includes a solo three hour event, a pairs three hour, a solo one and a half hour and kids under 15. Series entry is $70 and a single race entry is $25. Registration are from 8.30am with the event kicking off at 10.00am. For further information contact the MTB Wagga President, David Reid on 0437 659 616 or try the MTB Wagga Facebook page.
ON THE COVER AIRFX™ CUTTING SYSTEM & OPERATOR COMFORT ZONE TECHNOLOGY THE NEW BENCHMARK FOR SUPERIOR CUT QUALITY AND RIDER COMFORT If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, the ProCat™ RS is the machine to get you there. Speeds up to 18.5 km/h (11.5 m/h) and, exclusive to BOB-CAT ®, Zero-T drive tyres devour challenging turf while the seat and intuitive controls keep you comfortable. Built for the serious professional who demands as much from his machine as he puts into his business, the ProCat™ RS makes any terrain its domain. But how is this achieved and what are the focus points to allow this redesign of the new ProCat™ RS to be taken to even greater performance levels?
with ISO-Ride and Custom Operator Zone. Starting with the seat, the Elastomeric fabric seat suspension isolates vibration and absorbs shock for a better all-day ride. Further to the Elastomeric fabric seat suspension, the Elastomeric radial bearings isolate against shock and vibration, which helps prevent fatigue and numbness in feet and legs. There’s less slip and more grip on the hills and slopes. The Custom Operator Zone is now two inches (5cm) lower to provide a stable centre of gravity, providing better visibility and improving traction and handling. Even the motion control levers have been re-designed to yield more legroom and enable smoother control.
“Quality of Cut and Comfort is not an option… It’s the standard!”
The Research and Development Team at BOBCAT® Mowers was given a brief to take a great mower and make it even greater with just two focus points based on what the research is saying, and that research centres on Cut and Comfort. The point of difference for BOB-CAT® Mowers is demanding that the quality of cut and comfort is not an option; that it has to be the standard, was empirical. We wanted to see if we could take our quality of cut to new heights so to speak, and a new cutting deck was born with technology we call the AirFX™ Cutting System, along with an improved Operator Comfort Zone.
NEW AIRFX™ CUTTING SYSTEM ASSURES QUALITY OF CUT The ProCat™ RS features a 52 inch (132cm) or 61 inch (155cm) AirFX™ Cutting System. The AirFX™ mowing deck provides a unique combination of a deeper profile deck for improved vacuum, gapped baffles for more efficient air flow, a bull nose design which stands the grass up before it reaches the mower blades, and improved deck cleanliness.
OVERVIEW
When you value everyday productivity, put ProCat™ RS value and performance on your crew. We’ve redesigned it with the same wide array of ride comfort, anti-vibration and ergonomic features as the Predator-Pro™ RS to deliver a great cut with less operator fatigue. You’ll also cut downtime, thanks to ProCat™ RS reliability and easy-access maintenance. In other words, it’s the total package. The ProCat™ comes with a peace of mind mow with confidence industry best six year/2750 hour limited warranty. It also has a life time warranty on the deck, deck cradle and engine deck. With ProCat™ prices starting at $18,490 you can’t afford to miss out. Talk to your BOB-CAT® dealer at Prestige Mowers and ask about getting a free on-site demonstration on your property today.
OPERATOR PLATFORM COMFORT ZONE The Operator Platform Comfort Zone has been totally redesigned to take the operator comfort to a higher level. The BOB-CAT® ProCat™ RS Zero Turn Mower is designed for Superior Ride Comfort YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || 3
PATH TO PURCHASE
GETTING A HANDLE
ON PRAMS
“Although baby comfort and safety are paramount, don’t forget to consider yourself in the decision making process.”
|| BY MATTHEW VANDERMARK
A pram or stroller is one of the most important purchases for a new baby. It’s a piece of equipment that can make life dramatically easier for you and the new arrival. When you consider the price of a new pram can range from less than $100 to an eye watering $2,500plus, it’s also a massive value proposition. But where to start. It’s a very similar path to purchase as buying a new motor car. There’s a huge range of makes and models to choose from – big and small, fast and slow, wide and narrow, with a range of prices to match. Begin by making a detailed list of where, when, how and why you will be using your pram or stroller with the aim of creating a short list of models which will best fit the function. Think about where you live and the lifestyle you lead. If you reside in a rural or country area which requires plenty of driving, portability and ease of storage will be an important factor. Even if you’re a city dweller, the less time and effort it takes to fold and stow a pram the better, especially on a hot day in a shopping centre carpark. Consider whether a three or four-wheeler would be better for your needs. If you’re a jogger, planning on doing some post baby power-walking, or heading off road, a three-wheeler might be the go. With their big wheels, often rubber and inflatable, they can deliver a smoother ride for the baby on a bumpy or uneven surface. That’s good for the pusher too, because less jarring makes for a more enjoyable experience. That said, many parents find a fourwheel pram more stable. Some four-wheel models also double as a capsule that can be lifted out of the pram and placed straight into the back seat, which is hugely beneficial if you don’t want to wake a sleeping baby. Only consider prams that meet Australia’s mandatory safety standards. Look for the Safety Standards AS/NZS 2088 certificate or badge. All 4 || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE
prams sold in Australia are required to have a wrist strap. Do your homework online, especially when it comes to safety. Websites such as choice.com. au have tested an enormous number of prams, checking everything from safety, build quality, longevity, ease of use and more. Although baby comfort and safety are paramount, don’t forget to consider yourself in the decision making process. You’re the one who will be spending months, or years pushing it, folding it, lifting it and cleaning it. As the baby gets older, be assured that bread and biscuit crumbs, milk, bits of banana, drool, baby spew and a myriad of other bio-degradable matter will find its way into every corner and fold of a pram. Choose fabrics that are easier to clean, especially if there might be future additions who will be using the pram. Storage capacity can vary tremendously in three and four-wheel models. Check how many shopping bags a pram can safely carry; remembering that they’ll be on top of the baby bags, blankets, nappies, bottles etc. you’ll already be lugging around. Never rely on hanging bags from a pram’s handles. That’s a sure way to tip it over backwards, especially if it’s a stroller. Then there are the accessories. There’s a mindboggling array of extras available for those who seriously want to pimp their pram. It’s advisable at this stage to decide what features and extras are must haves and what are nice to haves. Must haves might include options such as a rain canopy and umbrella, or a toddler board if you already have a little’un in the family. Nice to haves might include cup holders, one for your soy decaf latte and one for the baby cino, or a mobile phone charger powered by generators in the wheels. Ideally, you will settle on a short list of three to five options.
Now it’s time to take a test drive. Don’t be scared to get very hands on at this stage. Play with each pram – fold it, lift it, put it in the boot. Most retailers will be happy to let you take a pram out of the shop so you can take it for a spin. Experiment with adjusting and clipping the straps and harnesses so you’re confident there’s no danger of pinching the baby’s skin or fingers when you have the real thing on board. If you and a partner are dramatically different heights, check the push bar is adjustable. At the end of the day, no matter how well the acquisition of a new pram is researched, be prepared that well thought out, best laid plans will probably go out the window when the baby arrives and your life changes massively. But, resassured, it will definitely be for the better!
$ 1000
$ 1500
* All prices are drive away. Premium paint (Metallic/Pearlescent) and Two Tone paint (excluding White Silk) + $495. Gift Card offer applies to new and demonstrator HAVAL H2 and H6, 2017 plated cars only. Available for May and June only. E&OE
THOMAS BROS HAVAL
77 Dobney Avenue, Wagga Wagga | 6926 0559 thomasbroshaval.com.au thomasbrosgreatwall.com.au
THE MIGHTY
MURRAY RIVER DRIVE || BY DESTINATION RIVERINA MURRAY There’s a wonderful world with special experiences and spectacular natural beauty that’s available to discover along the southern border of NSW. So, be tempted, take a tour along the mighty Murray River which marks the border between NSW and Victoria. There are attractions on both sides of the river from near its source in the Snowy Mountains to its confluence with the Darling River at Wentworth and beyond. From the outset the river offers opportunities for water sports, fishing and other recreation pursuits on Hume Dam just upstream from Albury/Wodonga. On the banks of the Murray, the vibrant town of Albury enjoy a lively cultural scene and outdoor adventure with museums, art galleries, walking tracks and great food. It’s a great destination to start a tour along the Murray River and into the Riverina. The MAMA, or Murray Art Museum Albury, is one of the best regional galleries in Australia and contains dynamic collections, including important Indigenous works. The Wagirra Trail is a cycling treasure while the Wonga Wetlands and Albury Botanical Gardens are perfect for a quiet amble or a picnic spot. Only 20 minutes drive west of Albury is the picturesque town of Howlong. It is a delightful base for wine tasting in the nearby Rutherglen wine region. Dotted with beautiful colonial buildings, it’s also a popular destination for fishing, boating and golf. A great way to discover the rich heritage is on the Howlong Historic Trail, a self-guided tour. You can pick up a brochure from the Howlong Community Resource Centre or the Corowa Visitor Information Centre and explore the 28 landmarks. The Court House Hotel in Corowa is a classic country pub. Explore the birthplace of Australia’s Federation in this beautiful town in southwest NSW, rich in colonial heritage and on the banks of the Murray River. The waterway is perfect for water sports and in the skies sailplanes soar. You’ll also 6 || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE
discover elegant wineries. Corowa Whisky and Chocolate is a delicious experience. Along the length of the river there are paddlesteamers for day trips and houseboats for hire, or visitors can enjoy riverside camping, exploring intriguing heritage and visiting wineries and cellar doors. The port of Echuca on the Murray’s southern side was Australia’s largest inland port during the era of steam-driven riverboats and currently has the biggest paddle-steamer fleet in the country. Among the paddle-steamer tours is a trip to Morrisons Winery where you’ll enjoy wine tasting at the cellar door and lunch by the majestic river. With the nearby NSW town of Moama, the two centres offer a memorable escape with delicious food, vineyards and cellar doors of the Perricoota wine region as well as festivals, cycling, bushwalking and water-skiing. The events calendar includes the Flavours of Echuca Moama Festival in May and Riverboats Music Festival in February. North of the Murray River, Tocumwal is a delightful destination with beautiful riverside beaches, wonderful water sports and thrilling aerial adventures. This historic country town in southwestern NSW is home to fascinating aviation heritage and the iconic Big Murray Cod. A short drive north is the Tocumwal Blowhole and the Rocks, a granite outcrop and a significant site for the Indigenous people, the Wiradjuri. Other enticing attractions include the bustling Tocumwal Foreshore Market. To search further in the Riverina visit the home of the famous Deni Ute Muster, the Hay Shearers Hall of Fame, the sites of the infamous Kelly Gang raid on Jerilderie, the Temora Aviation museum or the many attractions in Wagga and the surrounding area, including art galleries, museums and theatres and enjoy local produce in its many restaurants.
ADVERTISING FE ATURE
JAKE’S BREAK INTO THE
HARLEY DAVIDSON BUSINESS || BY MARGUERITE MCKINNON
Most businesses rely on a break to kick start their business, but Wagga local Jake Thomson didn’t expect this type of break. “I broke my foot which is why I moved back to Wagga,” Jake recalled about his move from Perth where he had been working in a specialist Harley Davidson shop. “I worked at Westside Customs which is easily in the top five custom Harley shops in Australia,” Jake said. “The owner, Shane Watson, is a perfectionist, so I learned a lot of detail through working with him. He was a great teacher.” The broken foot changed Jake’s life by fast-forwarding his plan to work for himself.
27 he has his own business, Cranked Customs in Nesbitt Street with his mother Maria Doyle, looking after the administration. Cranked Customs will service all road bikes but specialise in servicing and customising Harley Davidson Motorcycles, which, for Jake, was a natural progression after a lifetime being around motorbikes.
“I always thought I’d be working on dirt bikes and road bikes, but I just love Harley’s.”
“I was on my Harley when a car got a bit too close and smacked my leg” Jake explained. With a recovery time of 12 weeks, staying by himself in Perth wasn’t a viable option, so Jake moved back to Wagga. “ So, in that sense, it was kind of a lucky break which got me back here.” Jake’s ultimate goal has been realised, so at age
“When I was five I got a Suzuki DS80 for Christmas and it went like the wind,” Jake said.
road bikes, but I just love Harley’s. I like the Dynas as they just handle so smoothly on the road.” “There’s no other bike that sounds like a Harley. And it’s probably the most customised bike in the world. There are so many parts you can get,” Jake said Cranked Customs also plans to hold regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly rides. “There are so many great places around here. It would be great to get more people out on their bikes,” Jake said.
“My brother was six and he had a Honda XR80. We have been riding ever since as we grew up on a farm and Dad was always into bikes.” Jake’s apprenticeship included two years at Riverina Motorcycles before it closed. “I went to Wagga Motorcycles to finish my apprenticeship, and then worked around Wagga for a bit, before travelling for work and then movng to Perth in 2013,” Jake said. “I always thought I’d be working on dirt bikes and
CRANKED CUS TOMS ALL ROAD BIKE SERVICING NEEDS CUSTOM BUILDS ENGINE & TRANSMISSION REBUILDS PERFORMANCE WORK & ACCESSORY FITTING
SPECIALISING IN
Jake Thomson - LIC NO. MVRL55237
Unit 5/3 Nesbitt Street, Wagga Wagga
0467 511 821
www.facebook.com/Crankedcustoms YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || 7
Q&A WITH
Shane ‘Rippy’ Williams Batchelor and Spinster’s Balls, or as they are more commonly known B&S’s, are distinctly rural, and with the line-up of Akubra hats, utes and the inevitable post party hangover, they provide an opportunity for people in regional Australia to let their hair down. Social photographer Shane ‘Rippy’ Williams attended his first B&S Ball in 2007 at the age of 47. Since then he has become something of a star attending B&S’s with a camera around his neck and his wife Annissa by his side across the country in his well-travelled Toyota Prado. How many kilometres do you cover to attend B&S’s? “In 2012 we did 6500 kilometres.” What is the longest distance you travelled to attend? “Daly Waters in 2014, including flying and driving, a round trip of 8000 kilometres.” What vehicle do you use to attend the Balls? “A Toyota 2003 Prado, with 130,000 kilometres on the engine and 411,000 kilometres on the body.” Why do you think B&S’s are so popular? “Clubs and pubs have too many rules. If you start having fun at a pub or club and you get a bit loud you must be drunk. There are rules at the B&S’s as well, but we all look out for each another. Once upon a time there would have been a ball every weekend, but many have disappeared. Public liability and liquor laws have had a major impact. Part of the fun for me is planning the trip there; the road trip, setting up camp, and then catching up with friends. Some of the people who go you might only see once a year. Over time you become friends and mates with people. Importantly though, at the end of the day, the amount of money that comes into the towns hosting these events for fuel, beer, food etc. is a greatly appreciated injection of real money into the community.” What purpose do you think B&S’s have in regional areas? “The local communities once all the bills are paid for receive money for sports equipment, supporting emergency services and a variety of worthy causes, I have personally spoken to little old ladies who might not like all the noise that a B&S might produce, but they fully understood how important the event was to the local economy and were looking forward to all the young people coming back.” What do you personally get from attending a B&S? “I enjoy meeting people and making friends, in fact I am rich with friends. I have gotten couples married by snapping their photo together, walked ladies down the aisle due to our meeting at the balls and been asked to photograph the children which have come along as a result of mum and dad meeting at a B&S.” 8 || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE
How many photographs do you think you have taken at B&S’s? “I have taken around 347GB worth, or 71,372 individual images.” How did you start in photography? “I remember snapping my little sister and my aunty at a pool at Lake Keepit near Gunnedah with a Box Brownie when I was seven.” And finally, the big question, how did you get the nick-name “Rippy”? “When I worked for State Rail I was told one day by my work mates to slow down or I would kill myself with all the rip tear busting I was doing and rip tear became Rippy.”
THE JOY OF TORQUE
THE FARMING BELT || BY MATTHEW VANDERMARK
While working at an advertising agency in Sydney a few years ago, I was briefed by the Roads and Traffic Authority to develop an advertising campaign to encourage farmers to wear seatbelts. “Is this when they are driving on public roads or working on their farms?” I asked having recently returned from a regular farm holiday at my in-law’s property near Collingullie. “Both. They should be wearing seat belts at all times,” the client replied firmly. As I thought about some of the farm jobs I’d been helping with just a few days earlier, I asked: “But what about the times when it isn’t practical for famers to wear a seat belt?” “What circumstances would they be?” he asked, genuinely perplexed. I started with the simplest example I could think of. “Say you were driving a few hundred metres and had to go through several gates. For each one you have to get out of the vehicle to open the gate, get back in the vehicle to drive through the gate, get back out of the vehicle to close the gate and then get back in to drive to the next gate.” Over the years, I’ve come to deeply appreciate what a pain in the backside constantly opening and shutting gates can be. For years I had suspected the main reason my in-laws were so keen to have me help around the farm was to perform this one menial task. The fact they referred to me as Gate Opener also was a bit of a giveaway. But this wasn’t a satisfactory reason for not wearing a seat belt according to the RTA client. “There’s a reason cars have seat belt alarms.” he replied. I could have mentioned at this point how adept my mechanically minded in-laws were at locating and disconnecting the seat belt alarm on pretty much every ute they’d ever owned. When this proved a bit tricky they’d simply fasten the driver’s seat belt before getting in and driving off. But not wanting to get the client offside, or risk ruining perceptions of my genuine interest in this brief, I tried a different
example.
explain what I thought was the flaw in the brief.
“Should they wear seat belts in a tractor?” I asked.
“I don’t think anyone would suggest that famers shouldn’t wear a seatbelt on public roads, or any road where they might reach a decent speed or there are other vehicles about. But mightn’t it be a waste of tax payer money trying to convince famers to wear a seat belt when it hinders their ability to do their job?,” I asked.
“Tractors have seat belts?” exclaimed the client in surprise. “We should make that part of the brief.” he added, completely missing the point I was trying to make. So I tried again. “What if a farmer was moving sheep, driving at just a few kilometres an hour and needed to be leaning out the window to shout at his dogs or bang the side of the ute to keep the sheep moving?” “Seat belts do expand and retract,” he replied. I began to suspect his experience and practical knowledge of farming was probably limited to seeing the movie ‘Babe’ and watching Woolworths advertisements on TV. “OK then.” I continued, choosing my words carefully so as not to incriminate any family members, including myself. “What if a farmer needed to feed sheep? To do that, he might put his ute in low 4WD, point it in the right direction, get out and jump into the back to unload hay from the tray.” “Really? That sounds dangerous,” he replied shocked. “Why wouldn’t he get someone else to drive?” Admittedly I did hear about a farmer who, when using this technique, was so engrossed in tossing hay from the back of his ute it drove straight into the only tree in the paddock. No injuries resulted except for a bruised ego.
I’m afraid that after the meeting the agency’s Creative Director decided I wasn’t the best person to be working on the brief. From memory, the advertising produced was a close-up photo of a farmer reaching for his seatbelt with the catch phase, clip every trip. I can’t think of a single occasion where I’ve been in a car with a farmer who hasn’t put on his seatbelt when on a public road or at other times when appropriate. So, if the aim of the campaign was to convince farmers to wear a seat at all times when working their own farms, I reckon it was a complete waste of money. But I’m sure it would have made some bureaucrats somewhere feel like they had the welfare of farmer’s top of mind. If only there had been a real farmer present at the campaign launch who, when told to clip every trip would most likely have responded “Belt up”.
“It’s certainly not an ideal situation,” I agreed. “But what if the reason the farmer was feeding his sheep was due to drought which meant he was getting little or no income and couldn’t afford another wage?” “I can’t imagine anyone doing that,” the client replied, waving me away and looking around the room in a way that suggested he was hoping someone else would ask a question. Although I had the photos on my phone, I didn’t think it was the right time to share these particular holiday snaps. By now, there was a bit of what can best be termed, creative tension, in the room, so I endeavoured to YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || 9
GIRL TORQUE
SUELLEN DOHERTY TRULY A PATIENT DRIVER || BY KIEREN L. TILLY
Suellen Doherty understands the ability of a properly worn uniform to instil confidence and respect in people. As a former Corrections Officer turned Patient Transport Officer with Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) based in Wagga, the uniform she wears now doesn’t warn but welcomes. A self-confessed gear head from a young age, Suellen loves the office she works in, capable of 110km/hr, cruise control as standard, an automatic gear box and cup holders – every office needs cup holders. While she is delighted with her current role, Suellen’s first foray into the workplace was not particularly welcoming. “I really wanted to do an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic but being the late 1980’s each workplace I contacted told me they didn’t have female toilet facilities, she said.” Very quickly Suellen realised that getting such an apprenticeship was going to be harder than she thought. It was a serious blow for Suellen who had grown up in a family of car nuts. “My three brothers seemed to be getting a new car every week, and, depending on the day of the week, I bled either petrol or diesel in the family garage she said” Having lost her father, respected professional truck driver, “Sno” Woolstencroft when she was 10 years old, working on engines and gearboxes with her older brothers must have provided some respite from the difficult realities of life. Eventually Suellen did find someone to assist her in getting paid work in the mechanical trade, before becoming a Correctional Officer. After 10 years in that role at the Junee Correctional Centre, Suellen decided on a change and applied for a casual position as a Patient Transport Officer, which only required a standard car licence to drive the Mercedes Benz Sprinter vehicles. 10 || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE
And Suellen has not looked back. “I’m a people person at heart and I love to drive the open road. Empathy and a fondness for long distance driving are definitely prerequisites for this job,” she said The cherry on top for Suellen is the variety of people she gets to meet. “I have even had the opportunity to speak to former truckie mates of my dad’s while I have been transporting them to appointments, she said.” Whether on her own or partnered with a fellow officer or a Nurse for the days shift, Suellen understands the role of Patient Transport Officer is far deeper than just moving clients from A to B. “You may only travel with a patient for five minutes or you might be with them for five hours,” she said. When you start a shift you might be having a bad day, but, following some trips you suddenly realise things are not as bad as you thought and people do need to talk sometimes.” Averaging a 1000 transfers a month at MLHD it would seem that all the Patient Transport Officers have struck a chord with their patients in terms of care and respect and with each other. “The MLHD crew are wonderful to work with. We could not do our job without the support of everyone attached to this department, we are definitely a team,” Suellen concluded.
YOUR ONE STOP HYDRAULIC SHOP Can be fitted to • UTES • TRUCKS • TRAILERS
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254 Hammond Ave, Wagga Wagga Phone: 02 6921 6011
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Weekly Torque is this regions only dedicated wheel related publication, it is a good news, light hearted look at anything with wheels. It’s designed to inform and entertain with great stories, great images, and a few bad jokes.
Contact Kieren on 0488 533 569 or kieren@waggaweekly.com.au
WAGGA & DISTRICT CAR CLUB
WDCC ILLABO KHANACROSS ILLABO MOTORSPORT PARK, ILLABO SATURDAY 23RD JUNE 2018
CRUISING THE HUME || BY BRUCE HARPER
Much of this advice is not applicable to L and P plate drivers who are required to adhere to specified speed limits. One of the joys of living in Wagga is its easy access to Sydney or Melbourne, with only a short section of single lane road to deal with. Most of us will use the Hume Highway at some point. Despite its high traffic volume, it is one of the nation’s safest roads. It’s important for drivers to consider what they have in maximising safety on this very good road. The answer is; simply don’t interrupt the smooth flow of traffic. There are fundamental actions a driver can adopt to ensure that he or she avoids this problem. One of the simplest is learn how to use cruise control, especially how to incrementally adjust speed, and how to cancel it without touching the brakes. You’re cruising in the left lane and catching a slower car, when you notice a faster car in the right lane catching up to you. Your options are to wait behind or overtake. Make an early decision. Unfortunately, the practice of pulling out in front of a faster car is common, but it’s not the most
14 || FRIDAY 29 JUNE 2018 || YOUR LOCAL WEEKLY TORQUE
sensible move if it will catch you before you’ve passed the slower car. Whether or not you consider the faster car to be speeding is irrelevant, and a matter for the other driver and the Highway Patrol. An early and slight speed reduction to let the fast car through can make things much smoother, and definitely more relaxing. Also cruising in the left lane unless overtaking, as the signs indicate, is wise, but consider what constitutes overtaking. It’s not when the slower car is a long way ahead. If you are travelling 5km/h faster than a car 500 metres ahead, it will take six minutes to catch it. Pulling out too early is common and unnecessarily blocks the right-hand lane. Think of the keep left sign as; Vacate the right lane for faster traffic, rather than decide that it’s OK to pull out because the speedo reading is 110km/h and you’re overtaking something ahead. Another point for consideration is when traffic is entering the highway from an on-ramp or slip lane. If it’s safe and clear of traffic, move to the adjacent lane early. This is not required by road rules but is conducive to safe operations. The entering car
should be travelling at similar speed, or slower, so getting out of the way is smart and no doubt appreciated by the entering driver. If you’re the driver entering the highway from the side, wait for a large gap in the traffic and then get going so you don’t become an obstacle. Also, when entering on a merging lane, accelerate to an appropriate speed before entering the traffic lane. If there’s traffic, adjust your speed to slide into a gap smoothly. Similarly, when leaving the highway, exit the traffic lane before braking. Coming to Wagga from Sydney or Melbourne, the off-ramps don’t require any braking; lifting off the power is enough. Finally, moving to the next lane when passing anything stopped on the road shoulder or emergency lane is thoughtful and safe. There’s no point moving over only two metres from the halted vehicle when you could just as easily have been six or eight metres away. Many people have died after being struck in emergency lanes. The road is safe if the flow is smooth! Bruce Harper, Wagga
WAGGA ABUZZ WITH BEETLES There’s something about Volkswagens, whether they be a Beetle, a Kombi or a Golf, motorists have admired them and cherished them for years. One of those enraptured by the VeeDub is the President of the Riverina Volkswagen Club (RVWC), Gary Townend. Gary said the club was established in 2003 to bring together enthusiasts in the Riverina and beyond to share and enjoy their love of Volkswagens in a social atmosphere. “The aim of the club is to promote the enjoyment and preservation of all models of Volkswagen, classic and modern,” said Gary. “The club currently has 50 members, the youngest being only a few months old and our most senior being 82 years of age. There are 36 vehicles of varying age, makes and models in the club, which members showcase on a wide range of club events such as Show ‘n’ Shine displays, street parades, rallies, swap meets, and coffee runs to local and surrounding villages.
“Some members represent the RVWC much further afield at places such as Old Bar Beach Festival and Valla Volkswagen Spectacular on the NSW north coast, Shannon’s German Auto Display in Canberra, the Day of the Volkswagen at Yarra Glen and the Wangaratta Springtime Rally in Victoria,” Gary said, adding that although the RVWC is a primarily Volkswagen branded club it is open to all who are interested in motor vehicles built by Volkswagen Australia or associated marques.
Vehicle Scheme (CVS for modified vehicles) if their vehicle is more than 30 years old or older from the date of manufacture. The RVWC has a bi-monthly Club Newsletter, Volkstalk which provides general information, contributed articles and a calendar of upcoming events and activities and is e-mailed to members. For more information and a membership application form visit www. riverinavolkswagenclub.com.
“RVWC members own and drive a range of Volkswagens including Beetles, Kombis, Type 3’s, Karmann Ghias, Golfs, Passats, Polos and Cabriolets. Some of these members also own and drive other classic vehicles including Fiat, Ford Mustang and Mercedes,” Gary explained. The RVWC is a participant in the NSW Conditional Registration Scheme (CRS). As a result, members are eligible to access the Historic Vehicle Scheme (HVS) and Classic
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