2011 july
DESCRIPTION
Mitsubishi 4wd Club of WA monthly magazine.TRANSCRIPT
1
Mitsubishi 4WDOwners Club WA Inc. 1986
25thAnniversary
1986 - 2011
EspErancE 2011
July 2011
Club Meeting notes
Wungong tree Planting
ninghan station- triPnotes
25 years of adventures
our hoMe aWay froM hoMe
oziexPlorer training day
2
SOUTHSIDEMITSUBISHI
DL2102DL2102DL2102
Ph: 9358 95551261 Albany Hwy, Cannington
www.southside.com.au
0614
11-3
02
SOUTHSIDEMITSUBISHI
DL2102
FREE BRAKE,STEERING &SUSPENSION
TESTPlease present this advert to receive:
*Please present this voucher to your Parts Department on arrival. Not redeemable on mobile services.Not to be used in conjunction with any other AHG offer.
DL2102L2102
CLEARANCEDEMO
2010 Mits Outlander LS Auto AWD
• 2.4L MIVEC engine• Cruise control• Side SRS airbags
• Stability andtraction control
• 1DNE901
$31,888DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
NEWDEMO
2011 Triton GLX-R• Alloy wheels• Nudge bar• 6 airbags with Active
Stability and Traction Control
• 3 tonne towing
• 4x4 Australia Ute of the Year 2010
• Super select 4WD• 2.5L Hi-Power Turbo
Diesel with auto trans
$48,440DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
NEWDEMO
2011 Mits Pajero Exceed Turbo Diesel
• TOP OF THE RANGE• Alloy bull bar• Tow bar
• Weathershields• Mats• 1DNG004
$71,990DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
NEWDEMO
2010 Mits OutlanderLS 2WD
• 2.4 4 Cyl MIVEC Engine
• Cruise control
• Active stability control
• Side SRS Airbags• 1DNE903
$28,993DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
2011 Mitsubishi ASX Aspire
• Panoramic sunroof• 5 Star ANCAP safety
rating
• Weathershields• Floor mats• 1DPD480
$39,990DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
TOP OF THE RANGE
FREE AUTO
PRICED TO CLEAR
SAVE $12440
Please present this advert to receive:
*Please present this voucher to your Service Advisor on arrival. Not redeemable on mobile services.Not to be used in conjunction with any other AHG offer.
p
hi h P D i l N d bl bil i
15% OFF ALLPARTS &ACCESSORIES
3
SOUTHSIDEMITSUBISHI
DL2102DL2102DL2102
Ph: 9358 95551261 Albany Hwy, Cannington
www.southside.com.au
0614
11-3
02
SOUTHSIDEMITSUBISHI
DL2102
FREE BRAKE,STEERING &SUSPENSION
TESTPlease present this advert to receive:
*Please present this voucher to your Parts Department on arrival. Not redeemable on mobile services.Not to be used in conjunction with any other AHG offer.
DL2102L2102
CLEARANCEDEMO
2010 Mits Outlander LS Auto AWD
• 2.4L MIVEC engine• Cruise control• Side SRS airbags
• Stability andtraction control
• 1DNE901
$31,888DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
NEWDEMO
2011 Triton GLX-R• Alloy wheels• Nudge bar• 6 airbags with Active
Stability and Traction Control
• 3 tonne towing
• 4x4 Australia Ute of the Year 2010
• Super select 4WD• 2.5L Hi-Power Turbo
Diesel with auto trans
$48,440DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
NEWDEMO
2011 Mits Pajero Exceed Turbo Diesel
• TOP OF THE RANGE• Alloy bull bar• Tow bar
• Weathershields• Mats• 1DNG004
$71,990DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
NEWDEMO
2010 Mits OutlanderLS 2WD
• 2.4 4 Cyl MIVEC Engine
• Cruise control
• Active stability control
• Side SRS Airbags• 1DNE903
$28,993DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
2011 Mitsubishi ASX Aspire
• Panoramic sunroof• 5 Star ANCAP safety
rating
• Weathershields• Floor mats• 1DPD480
$39,990DRIVE AWAY
Includes all on-road costs.
YOU PAY
SOUTHSIDE
TOP OF THE RANGE
FREE AUTO
PRICED TO CLEAR
SAVE $12440
Please present this advert to receive:
*Please present this voucher to your Service Advisor on arrival. Not redeemable on mobile services.Not to be used in conjunction with any other AHG offer.
p
hi h P D i l N d bl bil i
15% OFF ALLPARTS &ACCESSORIES
4
POSTAL ADDRESS:Mitsubishi 4WD Owners Club of WA
PO Box 655South Perth 6951
EMAIL ADDRESS [email protected]
HOME PAGE:www.mitsubishi4wd.org.au
MEETINGS:1st Wednesday of every month, except January.
Commencing at 7:30pmManning Senior Citizen’s Centre
3 Downey DriveManning
Visitors welcome at all times.NEW MEMBERS:
Visitors must participate in 2 club trips and 2 monthly meetings before they can apply for membership. Visitors cannot attend trips that are more than 3 days duration.Upon
application a potential new member must pay a $50 nomination fee. In addition, membership fee is currently $100, which is due each March. Membership fees for new members are calculated
pro-rata at the time the application is accepted by the club Committee.
From the Editor...This month sees the inclusion of Club meeting notes by those who speak at our “new look” less formal monthly club meetings. The magazine is a great way to get this information out to mem-bers who can’t attend. Any announcements etc made at a Club meeting will be reported in the magazine. Of course any changes to our Rules of Association etc require a special meeting to be called which would include minute taking etc. We have some great trips coming up so be sure to read the flyers inside. If you would like to advertise in the magazine please email me for a quote. We have very reasonable rates and members get a considerable discount! In fact members get up to 4 lines free to advertise items for sale. Keep the photos rolling in, take lots out there, yours might be selected for the P.O.T.Y. When you up-load your pictures if possible re-name them to include your name or initials & trip. As always, any interesting stuff send my way [email protected] Johnson - PJ
President’s Report Between the time of me writ-ing this report and you read-ing it, the Committee will have met for its bi-monthly meeting. One important item on the agenda is the accep-tance of Bridget McPherson
replacing Nicole as Treasurer. Bridget kindly volunteered following the difficulties Nicole was experiencing handling the club’s business as well as her own accounting business. I thank Nicole again for her efforts to date and extend a warm welcome and gratitude to Bridget for taking on this very important position in the club. Bridget’s hands will be full for the next few months while she investigates modernising the clubs banking arrangements. Up until now all club outgoing money transac-tions have been restricted to writing cheques and having them signed by two committee executives. This method is not only time consuming but becomes a hassle for the cheque recipient who nowadays find it inconvenient to attend an actual bank to deposit the cheque. There-fore we are investigating electronic banking methods which will make things more expediant, but still ensure the security of the transaction by requiring dual authorisation. Cheques will still be retained for those who prefer the paper method.Good luck Bridget.
At last month’s member’s meeting we had James Lannan from the Bureau of Meteorology attend as our guest speaker. James is relatively new to WA, having moved from the east to try new challenges with our apparently more difficult weather forecasting models. It was a very informative talk and generated a lot of questions from members. It must be remembered though, that most of our guest speakers attend on their own free time and are not expected to answer questions on personal grievances about the institution they represent. The August meeting will see Penny Hussey from the Department of Environment and Conservation attend as our guest speaker. Jenny will talk about the cultural and heritage significance of granite outcrops. This promises to be an interesting talk as it is often a topic of discussion as to why we should, or shouldn’t, drive onto granite outcrops in the bush.
At the July meeting we welcomed new member John Holbrook to the club. It’s always good to see new members join, particularly ones who don’t mind getting up in front of a crowd and talking confidently. I can see a bright future for John on the committee!!!
The West Australian Newspaper Travel Section published Saturday July 2 had a full page article about one of members Peter Johnston. Peter has established, through years of hard work, a licenced charity providing interest free loans to poverty stricken people in Indonesia. The loans allow them to establish buisinesses and help then become financially self sufficient. Check out Peter’s organisation at www.bamboomicrocredit.org.auPeter has promised to provide a talk about his efforts at a future meet-ing. Well done Peter!
Martin ArcherPresident“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.” -Vesta Kelly
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4WD Association Delegate - Guy Lehmann
DEC has rejuvenated the Motorised Off-road Forum, which deals with the use of all motorised vehicles on the various DEC Estates.· Ewan McGregor from DEC is co-ordinating the forum· The first meeting involved DEC representatives including re-gional managers, together with representatives from the main user groups being Track Care, 4WD Association WA and motor cycle groups.· DEC admitted that they have neglected the user groups over the last year or so and wanted to get the ball rolling to work together.· DEC currently has a track classification system in place and wished to define the specific user groups and grade the tracks to a universal standard.
Trip Coordinator - Keith Parker
Whilst I have been away it is great to see that many of you have availed yourselves of the opportunities for Driver and Ozi Ex-plorer training. I trust that this means I will have no shortage of volunteers eager to demonstrate their new found skills and lead future trips. Trip Leader’s duties are outlined on the Members web page in a special section labeled “Trip Leader”. All neces-sary forms are here as well as Trip Leader Guidelines Duties. A Trip Leader training course is to be conducted soon which hopefully will result in even more Trip Leader volunteers.
On the subject of Trips, please observe the protocols for attend-ing one. 1. You must advise the Trip Leader of your intention to attend as many trips are number limited so if you just turn up you might be disappointed as it may be full.2. If you do not advise the Trip Leader of your intentions and just turn up you may be further disappointed as the meeting point may have been changed at the last minute and if you aren’t on the list you will not be informed of the change and will find you are the only person at the ‘old’ meeting point , as happened recently.
3. If you can’t make it please have the courtesy to advise
CLUB MEETING NOTESJULY 2011
club notes c
lub notes
7
the Trip Leader as there may be others waiting for a place or if at the last minute they may delay departure waiting for you.The Queen’s Birthday long weekend camping trip to Yeagerup has been cancelled and replaced with one to Southern Cross. Details are on the web.Glen’s trip for 25th September will be through the ranges east of Karragullen encompassing several hill top views, such as Mt Dale, Mt Sullivan and Mt Solas….if the roads are still open. DEC, the Water Corp and Alcoa keep putting up gates that cre-ate the odd problem. Will be a pretty easy, laid back wander in the bush. More details shortly.
• Quality Automotive Repairs • Services and Engine Tuning • Air Conditioning Repairs • Brake and Clutch Repairs • Tyres and Batteries • Suspension Repairs • 4WD Service and Repairs
Modern well equipped workshop with highly skilled tradesmen.
• A FREE car wash and vacuum • FREEwindscreen washer additive • We will drive you to your home or work.
As a valued client you will also receive Friendly, courteous staff
Please submit your notes by the 15th of the month to
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Where: Karalee Rock and Dam Southern Cross
When: October Long Weekend 28th – 31st
Meeting:Karalee Camping Ground GPS Reading 31deg 15’03S,
119deg 50’20E. 53kms East of Southern Cross
Grade: Caravan Friendly with grade 3 on site seeing
Who: All welcome BUT limit to 10 Vehicles (filling fast)
Equipment:Usual recovery / first aid gear as per club policy
Facilities: Best to be fully self sufficient, bringwater,food,drinks,power,toilets & shower. (1 drop toilet in main camping ground that’s it). Generators ok between 8am – 6pmClosest fuel station is Yellow Dine which is not far.
Activities:
Day trips, camp oven cooking
Bookings:John & Viv phone 90491717 mobile 0411250492 or
email [email protected]
Southern Cross Camping
On a day that promised a shower or two, 27 Club members gathered with their gardening tools and with great zeal planted 1200 seedlings on the old airstrip. This MCBEG project is an extension of the revegetation of the 4 hectare degraded area on the northwest side of the airstrip. Those plants are growing well despite the drought and after this effort the airstrip is no more as a new forest is growing. We planted E. Accedens (Wandoo ) tree seedlings, small shrubs such as Hakea prostrata and ground covers Hardenbergia comptoniana ( native wisteria) and Kennedia varieties to mention a few. DEC staff will plant some taller Eucalypt varieties amongst these while the ground remains wet and before it becomes too cold. Seed was also scattered across the area.
The work was completed by midday and some went home to lunch while others collected rubbish and then, after lunch and a light drizzling shower of rain, the majority called it a day. There were four vehicles left in the Park to explore some new ideas for future MCBEG activities in the WRP.
It was a great turnout since many of those participating were involved in the driver training practice the very wet day before and yet they were still energised to come again on Sunday and support the environmental objectives of the Club. Thank you to everyone involved especially John Harding our DEC Officer, who brought the seedlings to the planting ground on his day off and stayed until lunchtime. Next time, August 14, if it is fine, we hope to have a barbecue lunch.
Stella and Tony Weldon
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TREE PlanTing aT Wungong REgional PaRk
19 JunE 2011
Tree planting on old air- strip Rubbish King & Queen!
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trip notes t
rip notes
1986-2011
25thAnniversary
NiNghAN stAtioN3-6 juNe 2011
trip leAders mAtt & pAul ryAN
Participants- Ryan, Perry, King, Archer, Weldon, Jones, Bignell, Harrison, Brinkley, Byworth, Tooke, Marmoy, Lehmann, Gilbert, Johnson.
Friday 3rdWe were due to meet at the Caltex Stratton but Craig made a suggestion to change it to 500 metres north at a parking bay. This allowed us more room and taking off on the correct side of the road come departure time. I might add we didn't get away on time! Nothing unusual for a Ryan trip you might say?...but it was not my fault.. this time. The Byworth's were running late due to a traffic bingle that brought the whole of Roe high-way to a standstill. Then Craig sensed a burning smell coming from his caravan. Further investigation showed the hand brake adjustment was a tad tight. Surgical gloves, spanners, a jack and lotsa grease soon had the offending brake back at it's right-ful level of adjustment. Away we went sans the Byworth's... though by Goomalling for morno's they'd caught us up. Fran-tic searches for a shop that sold morno type refreshments went unfounded for some of us... some intraclub bartering took place with the King's providing the much needed Iced Coffee to satisfy the trip leader's cravings. Departing from Goomalling we then heard the Weldon's over the UHF coming up behind. They stopped for a cuppa but caught the convoy at our lunch stop at Dalwallinu. From then a rather pleasant and unevent-ful drive with hardly any oncoming traffic. Also in Dalwallinu we came across the TrackCare group heading off to Warriedar Station for the Station Adoption and Restoration project.
Then when we were nearing Ninghan turnoff, I became aware part of the highway was missing! Closer inspection & I realised the highway was now... a mine site!! and the highway realigned. It's quite incredible to see a full mine site popped up out of nowhere since this time last year. They are also building a feeder road to Perenjori to meet up with the railways. Don who runs Ninghan later told me that they will be mining for Iron Ore and Magnatite and this is actually on Ninghan Station.
We arrived about 3.30pm and announced our presence at the homestead then two of us drove off to suss out a new area I'd found on Google Maps with more space. We were expecting 17 campers in total and I thought the usual site would be over-crowded. It turns out the site I had picked was inaccessible .
There was a fence in the way !! So? Google Maps didn’t continuEs pg 17
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PHOTO OF THE MONTH - JULY 2011
is in line for the PICTURE OF THE YEAR (POTY).
Taken on the OziEplorer training day . Well done! You can view all the photos on Flicker via the mem-
bers website. Just click on Photos and Clips. Email [email protected] for credit
Left, amazing food from the camp ovens at Ninghan.
Current and inaugural members of the club Warren & Max-ine purchased their first Pajero from Harry Dutton Mitsubishi dealership. At the time Harry didn’t know of a Pajero club around Perth, but contacted the Gosneys shortly afterwards to let them know a club was about to be set up - Ian Lockhart advertised and the Mitsubishi 4WD Owners Club was born in May 1986! The Gosney’s first club drive to get the feel of sand and the vehicle in 4WD was not somewhere like Lancelin as you might expect, but in sand hills in Canning Vale where the markets are now located. First beach trip with club the Gosneys got bogged. Ian Lockhart came to rescue with a bull bag, the kids and particularly the dog enjoyed helping to dig them out - their dog Timmy came whenever he could.
On another trip at a meeting point north of Wanneroo, Tim decided to roll in some dumped stinking old fish heads, pphheeww, open the windows! Over the CB came lots of ideas to get rid of the stink. Luckily Reg Hill’s work was in that area and they visited the building site to hose Timmy down.A day pre-trip to Dwellingup with Ann and Doug Stafford fol-lowing, saw them completely lose direction in the dust, they really thought they would be staying the night out in the bush, completely lost and it was getting late and dark – no mobiles or GPS in those days. They came to a farm gate with a big sign ‘Do not enter we will shoota your head’. They saw a cloud of dust approaching, the kids were told to get down in the car thinking of the threat to ‘shoota the head’. It was the farmer who turned out to be the nicest man, making them most wel-come and lending his phone - M&W had left their eldest child at home alone, who by then was probably reporting “runaway parents”.
“25 Years of adventures”Maxine and Warren Gosney
Life MeMbers
A trip led by Ian Lockhart to Karri Forest Lodge was fun but the walls were so thin it sounded as if someone was in the room when they heard coughing – even had Warren looking under the bed for the intruder, but it was the chap next door.The Gosney children were 15, 12, 9 when they first joined the club, they really loved the trips where they could see the car in front, usually Ann & Doug Stafford, bouncing in their suspen-sion seats.They all enjoyed camping, sitting around the camp fires, with the kids cooking marshmallows. Guys loved sipping port and telling jokes – nothing has changed really!!
Gosneys' have owned seven Pajeros since they bought their first one.Neither have received the Piston broke aWard (hey it’s never too late, keep an eye out folks!) Maxine received the ian Lockhart MeMoriaL aWard in 2000. Warren was clubSecretary in the years 1987 to 1988 and in 1989 he was Treas-urer for one year.Maxine was Vice President for the years 1998-1999 to Reg as President. Maxine was on the Social Committee from the first meeting, which in those early days meant providing refreshments for meetings, and for ten years carrying the tea urn, cups, milk, etc in a box. She and Dot Hill were on the Com-mittee (normally just three people) for the next 10-15 years, and the Ian Lock-hart Award was in recog-nition of Maxine’s efforts in arranging the many and varied social events – pro-gressive dinners, Christ-mas etc. Maxine organised all the raffles which she enjoyed, particularly special occasions like Mothers day, Easter, Fathers day which were always made special for the occasion. In May every year she made a club birthday cake for supper to celebrate another year of 4WDriv-ing, in pride of place on top of the cake was a miniature car given to all the inaugural members from Mitsubishi dealership, Maxine still has the car today (we need to see this for ‘show & tell’ Maxine please).
spotlight on...
16
In the early years there were lots of great social nights and gatherings at members’ homes – lots of laughs at games they played. Hawaiian night at Dot & Regs – they dressed Reg, War-ren and brother in law Lindsay Hill up in sa-rongs and wigs, danced around the pool and amazingly didn’t fall in – see photo.They used to camp at the Edwards and Colemans when functions were held down in Mandurah. Dot & Maxine loved to dress up at Xmas and other special occasions, Reg and Warren never knew what they would come out and do, they just shook their heads and went along – you can get the idea from the ‘Hawaiian’ photo!
Since moving to Mandurah 6 years ago, Maxine and Warren travel a lot and are not as active in the club, but favourite times and not to be missed are the Big Valley Trip and Xmas.
Maxine, winner in club games.
Support Your Club!
purChaSe a Club polo Shirt, veSt, jaCket, Cap, name badge
or Car StiCker.
order now!
priCeS: polo Shirt $35.00 eaCh jaCket $70.00 eaCh Cap $15.00 eaCh veSt $40.00 eaCh name badge $15.00 eaCh Car StiCker $ 1.00 eaCh
download an order Form From the memberS page
oF the Club webSite or ContaCtwendY lehmann on 0448 988 477paYment iS required on deliverY.
17
show that...fortunately.. as it proved later we would have been sitting in a quagmire!
Although a lot has changed since last year, there was plenty of space for us to fit in our usual spot, comfortably, and after a group of chainsaw wielding Mucho Men had set about collect-ing a good selection of firewood for the evening fire, we were settled. Weather although overcast was lovely. We were expect-ing the arrival of Michael and Marion but by midnight and no sign of them, we assumed they’d stopped over in Wubin with Guy & Wendy.
and no doubt Paul’s jocks as well. Half way through the erec-
tion of their tent, Paul made me a cash offer of $50,000 for my caravan!! I thought for a minute... looked up at the skies... and promptly turned down his offer.
Saturday 4thThe “ Early morning Up and at ˜em” breakaway group of ad-venturous souls decided to climb Wathergabbing Hill.You can imagine our surprise when we looked back down on the camp-site and noticed a lone camper only about 50 metres to the South of the main group.....you guessed it Michael and Marion. They came in after midnight and couldn’t find us in the dark, so they camped where they thought we would be then they could find us in the morning...So near yet so far....close enough is good enough....(I’ve got a million of them).
The camp oven cook off’s were in full swing after the hill
From pg 10
18
climb and first cab off the rank was Piers’ Beer Damper, hmm it was good but more about that later. The heavens opened up soon after morno’s and didn’t let up for the rest of the day. Ac-cording to Don (Station Owner) we had 11mm of rain. Ninghan has had a total of 220mm for the year so far, wettest since 1999 and it will be a bumper crop of wildflowers later in the season. Anyway dust turned to clay and clay turned to slop. Most of us decided the only thing left to do was go for a drive to the top of Mt Singleton. What a drive.... hill climbs and slippery mud... we all enjoyed it but the scenery was an absolute pearler! Some made comments that we could have been in the Avon Valley or the Scottish Highlands, it was so green and lush. Not to men-tion foggy.
By the time we got back to camp we now had small rivers run-ning through the campsite, waterfalls outside people’s campers and trenches were being dug to divert the natural water courses. The only ones missing were the Johnson clan. They were due Saturday afternoon, by now it was dinner time and still raining. They finally arrived amidst dinner preparations and were im-mediately deluged by willing assistants as well as heavier rain. Paul and his family were soaked from head to toe. There was water inside their tent, clothes, shoes, socks and no doubt Paul’s
jocks as well. Half way through the erection of their tent, Paul made me a cash offer of $50,000 for my caravan!! I thought for a minute... looked up at the skies... and promptly turned down his offer.
Sunday 5thStill raining, more camp oven cook off’s... and Paul Johnson’s offer for my van had now increased to $100,000!!! A group
of Pajero Owners decided to head off to Warriedar Sta-continuEs pg 21
KIMBERLEY EXPLORER
2 JUNE 2012 to 30 JUNE 2012
Broome|Cape Leveque|Gibb River Road|Mitchell Plateau|Kununurra|Bungle Bungles|Karijini
WHAT WILL YOU NEED?
Normal equipment as per our club handbook. Additional requirement as a minimum AT tyres light truck rated second spare tyre (additional spare rim not necessary) It would be best for tents or camper trailers but the trip leader will consider caravans if applicable. We will have the sat/phone and defibrillator. You will need to have adequate food for ten days and adequate water for five days . We have several opportunities to restock food supplies if required. Fuel is available at many points along the way and the need to carry additional fuel is minimal.
WHERE WILL WE CAMP ?
Where ever possible we will free camp and therefore you will need the shower tent and toilet etc. However on many of the camp sites on the various offshoots from the Gibb River Road we are unable to free camp. Most camp sites have water, showers and toilets. Generators are also normally permitted at most camp sites.
HOW MANY CAN COME ?
The trip will be limited to ten vehicles.
TRIP LEADERS
Guy & Wendy Lehmann |P: 9404663 M: 0409112435 | E: [email protected]
A guy walks into a bar and demands to know
"Who's the strongest in here?"
The toughest guy looks at him and says
"I am the strongest around here!"
The other guy politely asks "Can you help me push
my car to the gas station?"
20 Previous hill Climb TriPs
Meeting: Pinjarra Bakery, SW Hwy, Pinjarra Time: 08:30 for 09:30 departure (plenty of time in bakery!!!) Gear: A/T tyres at minimum. All club stipulated recovery gear First Aid kit, UHF radio, Fire Extinguisher Trip Leader: Richard Nicholls Register: [email protected] Tel: 0439 718 555
21
tion and catch up with the TrackCare guys and see what the station was like and how much restoration was required/ in-tended. They reported it would be worth a trip there sometime, especially since it is only about 30km from our Ninghan camp-site. Maybe that can be part of a wildflower trip ???? later this year, one never knows. Some very yummy dampers, cakes and scones were coming hard off the fire that was never allowed to fizzle out. Still raining......................
The silver headgear competition was held Sunday night. Amaz-ing things were paraded balanced on heads... complete with flashing lights and glowing coils. An etched silvery insert from a Dubai construction helmet... Even a replica silver camp oven with food . Bruce was named winner with his Ned Kelly hel-met... innovative, bush, Australiana ... and his big smile (which no one could see?) I think the last of us finally left the campfire about 1 am. Who cared that it was still misting! The fire was still going.
Monday 6thWe all started for home for our various schedules or maybe just slower pack up rates. Last of us leaving about 2.45pm. Clean campsite. Fire out. Someone put out the cat... we hope.Things I learnt at Ninghan this year:~ Always go that little bit further (especially when you are looking for the main camping group)~ Red Dust + Rain = SLOP~ Paul has an incredible amount of patience and resolve.~ Sonia Johnson has even more patience and resolve than Paul~ Bum warmers are worth it~ Weatherzone.com gets it wrong sometimes~ It is impossible to overcook lamb shanks in a camp oven
and....the camaraderie of the mitsubishi
4wd club is second to none!
From pg 18
22
First, we did not want to tow, and second was to get the best flexibility out of camping and having the ability to leave the camper behind if we wanted to tootle off for a day or so.
It boiled down to a tray-back Ute and a demountable 'slide-on' camper.
After a long pre-purchase study of all utes and the compila-tion of a Ute Comparo spreadsheet, we finalised on the Isuzu D-Max. It had the best fuel consumption, the longest wheel base and has one of the highest payloads. The wheel base is 200mm longer than all the others and one of the goals was to not have the camper hanging too far over the rear axle.Front and rear lockers were added along with bullbar, winch and heavy duty suspension and springs upgrade. With the able assistance of our training officer, a snorkel was also added.On the fuel side, a 129lt long range tank was installed and an additional custom 80lt tank housed under the tray which feeds the main tank via a 12v fuel pump
We had a custom tray made with a 'tool box' on the front replacing the head board. It was made big enough to house a 50lt Waeco fridge, second battery, recovery gear, fishing rods, 6th spare wheel and plenty of room for overnight camping gear. The tray was lined with a 'Rhino Liner' to protect the tray when the camper was mounted.
Another spreadsheet loomed for the Slide-on camper with the final vote going to new Dual Cab Travelander. There was only one in Australia, but the photos on their website looked like it just fit the bill, with the final goal of having the mid-camper position being over axle just over run by about 300mm, which
actually works out to be a good weight distribution as the whole rig drives very nicely when loaded ….. not quite
23
the same when the camper is demounted as the suspension is very hard when not loaded up.
The Travelander opens and sets up the tent area via a remote control which activates an electric motor running off the internal battery and in no time at all camp is set up. The kitchen area is accessed via an opening door at the rear and a number of cupboards and drawers are available for food, clothes and all the necessary camping essentials.
After having done 3000km in the last week along the Great Central Road to Alice, we must say we are very happy with our choice.
“This Is Our New Home Away From Home”
Malcolm and Trish Harrison
car cornEr
24
A little of this
cAn help prevent...
Another trAining course Announced soon!
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On a fine Sunday morning we all met at a parking area just north of Waroona at 8.45am. The purpose of the day was to put into practice what we had learnt at the OziExplorer theory night held recently. Besides, it was a good opportunity to drive through some of our magnificent bushland.
Participants for the day were, Bruce and Judy Brinkley, Mal-colm Harrison, Martin and Karen Archer, Rick and Nancy El-lis (Who did trip notes despite NOT being last at the meeting point), Visitor Peter Cole and our trip leaders Michael and Mar-ion Gilbert. We had all been given track files and waypoint files previously which we had already loaded for the day’s journey.
Before we headed off Michael ensured that we were all were equipped with adequate navigation equipment (and able to use it) and completed the usually pre trip formalities. One reason for meeting at this location was that Michael had discovered that there was a geocache at the site. There was a quiz for the day, and extra points were awarded to anyone who found any of 3 geocaches that we were to search for on the day. Not really sure what we were looking for, but a good attempt was made to find it without success. Next stop was Waroona dam where 2 more geocaches were apparently hidden.
It was not long before Martins policing skills proved useful and he discovered the small tin hidden at the base of a post on the shelter. Off to the other side of the dam wall in search of the other and as you guessed it, Martin found that one also, hidden at the base of a tree under leaves and sticks etc. Martin had now already accumulated enough bonus points to win the quiz even if he didn’t answer any questions correctly. Well done Martin. Especially since others had already searched the base of the tree and not seen it.
It was almost depressing to see how low the water levels in the dam were. Just a puddle in the bottom was a stark reminder of just how dire our water levels really are. As
oZieXplorer trAiNiNg dAy26th juNe 2011
trip leAder - michAel gilbert
Waroona Dam
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we made our way off towards the Lane Poole reserve area, we stopped for mornos just before heading into the first track. After mornos, Michael sent us off 1 at a time to navigate the track to the next given waypoint. A task that all completed with ease. It was a most enjoyable day, with some fantastic scenery as we followed the river. There had been some rain during the week so there was a reasonable amount of water on the tracks, though not enough to cause us any problems or delays. We arrived at a pre determined site for lunch (identified by a waypoint of course) where the small group enjoyed each others company and discussed the events of the day amongst other things. After lunch we made our way towards Logue Brook Dam which was to be our last stop before reaching the bitumen. From here there was an optional hill climb not far away for those who wished to participate. After a most enjoyable day, the majority vote was to pass on the hill climb and head for home as there was still a fair drive back to Perth. So while the tyres were being pumped up we marked the quiz and prizes were awarded. Malcolm and Michael were to make their way to the proposed hill climb for a bit of fun.
A big thank you to Michael for the amount of time and effort that must have gone in to prepar-ing the trip, and for willingly sharing his knowledge of OziExplorer with us. Thanks also to his very capable copilot Marion.Rick Ellis.
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