Mildura 4WD Club. Victoria. PO Box 2067, MILDURA Web Address:

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1 Mildura 4WD Club Web Address: PO Box 2067, MILDURA 3502 Victoria Proudly printed at the offices of

2 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 2 Office Bearers for President: David Fetherston Vice-President: Geoff Hume ( ) Secretary: Maureen Saunders ( ) Treasurer: Anne Benson Public Officer: Maureen Saunders Membership & PR Officer: Lisa Wakeman Magazine Editor: Leo Saunders Trip Co-ordinator: Terry Benson Property Officer: Terry Benson Driver Training Officer: Colin Dyke 4WD Victoria Representative: Leo Saunders Trip & Social Committee: Peter Rickard, Carlo Vadori, Terry Benson, Linda Curran, Terry Curran, David Fetherston, Lisa Wakeman, Joe Wakeman Website Developer: David Fetherston Michael Soloman Manager 728B Fifteenth Street, PO Box 5020 Mildura 3502 (03) (03) E: info@austrek.com.au

3 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 3 Selling $140-there are maxxis 771bravo a/t lt 265/70r 16 Please contact Shane Sammut For Sale & Wanted Wanted to Buy a 1988 Mitsubishi Pajero manual gearbox Please Contact Joe Wakeman on Farmer s Market Club Promotion Day Our Club Promotion at the Farmers Market on September 7 th was well received, with interest in our past and planned future activities, as well as the displays. The first Advertised activity took place in a disused gravel quarry where we had set a course up and down and around mounds. We also conducted a gymkhana course for drivers to test their skills at different situations. We had eleven newcomers to the club at this event which ended with a sausage lunch. The second advertised activity was a day trip through the Murray Sunset N.P. A report of this trip is on pages 4 and 5 of this edition. Terry TECHNICAL SALES DEAN HALL CNR. 10TH STREET and LEMON AVENUE MILDURA, 3500 PHONE: (03) FAX: (03) MOBILE: AH dean@malleebearings.com.au

4 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 4 Sunset Country 4wd Day Trip Sun 29th 2013 Eleven vehicles of 4wd enthusiasts met at Red Cliffs for a day trip into the Murray Sunset National Park. Occupants of seven of the vehicles were venturing into the park for the first time. Amongst the vehicles were a cross 8 Holden ute which had 4wd in high range only and a 2wd F150. The remainder were 4wds with low range. The route taken was via Carwarp onto the North West Angle road left into Castles Crossing road. We Turned left into the park onto Boundary road, then right into Double Tanks track and then left onto the Meridian Road. We stopped on the rise that used to be the base of Mildura Plaster mills gypsum harvesting area. We continued on along the Meridian road and turned right into The Nowingi Line which is on the Raak Plain. We stopped at the site of the Brunswick Plaster Mills former mine base. All that is left is the rusting hulk of the overhead hopper from which the rail trucks were loaded. We aired down expecting corrugations on the remainder of the track to Rocket Lake. We turned left onto Rocket Lake track and stopped for a cupper at the camp ground. When we got going again we did a little excursion over the hill and along the track beside the dry lake bed before heading for Mopoke Hut along Rocket Lake Track. We crossed Pheeny s Track and Last Hope Track before turning into Mopoke Hut camp ground. Our plan was to have Lunch at the Pink Lakes Camp Ground. So after a look around we headed down the off and on sandy Mopoke Track We then turned right onto Honeymoon Hut Track and then onto Mount Jess Track which normally has some very sandy hills to get over but the recent windy weather must have shifted a lot of the sand which was disappointing. (03) (03) Cash Tyre Service Tyrepower Tim Mills (B.B.S.) Manager 86 Madden Avenue Mildura VIC 3500 tim@cashtyreservice.com.au ~

5 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 5 Peter and Sue in the effy were happy to have got through without getting bogged. We then Turned onto Mt Jess Lookout Track which took us passed Mt Jess and around the border of the park with good crops of wheat showing over the fence. Most of the convoy behind us were unaware of one last steep sand hill to get over. When we came to it this one still had a good cover of loose sand the effy almost made it to the top Peter decided to have another go but fell a long way short this time. It is a boring day if you don t get to do at least one recovery. So I backed the Patrol over the hill joined and we joined two snatch straps together so that the tow vehicle would be over the hill before the weight of the effy was felt. I also set up a pair of Max Trax under the back wheels of the effy for a bit more traction. One good pull and the effy was on the right side of the hill. Next came the cross eight it made it over easily as did everyone else. We turned left onto Mt Crozier Track drove past Lake Kenya which had a great pink hue and settled into our lunch break at Lake Crosbie Camp Ground. After Lunch we stopped to check out the large salt mounds and the relics left behind from those hard old days. We then headed north and turned right. This took us back past Mt Jess track and down to Wimlet Tank where we turned Left and headed north along a sometimes sandy track which took us back to Last Hope Track. We all stopped and aired up our tyres for the trip home. At Hattah most of us called into the store for an ice-cream before bidding our good byes and heading for home. Report by Terry Benson allen & zita heil autobarn mildura cnr 15th street & etiwanda avenue mildura victoria sales@mildura.autobarn.com.au

6 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 6 Tuesday 11 th June 2013 Gulf Trip Episode 1 Managed to leave about 1pm, with Misha, the cat, curled up in front of the heater and Pam and Barry, the house and cat sitters, just gone into town. As we approached Wentworth, the rain began and it continued on and off all our way to Silverton where we arrived at 5.30pm. We camped at Penrose Park- lovely spot, but $18 and my shower went cold 3 times before I was wet all over. Leo had better luck, but showers aren t worth that, especially in winter when I don t even get smelly! Wednesday 12 th June It rained heavily during the night, but stopped enough for us to tour the remains of Silverton and marvel at the pioneer s strength and determination. Daydream Mine Rd was shut, but we had been down that before very good too. We then made our way back into Broken Hill Tourist Information Centre to find that the Silver City Highway to Tibooburra was closed. The choice was a couple of days in Broken Hill or visit White Cliffs, then hopefully take a road across to the Silver City H way when roads opened. We figured we had already seen quite a bit of BH and could visit it again easily, and also Leo thought I might spend less in White Cliffs. So the detour was taken for the afternoon. A little more rain fell, but not too much. The road from Wilcannia was a very pleasant surprise of 100kms.- beautiful. When we arrived in White Cliffs, we visited the Parks Office and the Store- what else is there I may ask? All dirt roads in the Central Darling shire were closed, but we had some exploring to do, so were not too worried. Being not keen to spend money to pop our lid on a bit of dirt, ( $15 plus shower money), we wandered around the town for half an hour to get our bearings, then went out to the mullock heaps, found a spot we thought no one had dug under, and flipped our lid, ie, set up camp in our Trayon. (Decided later that there probably was no place in that vicinity where no one had dug). Rob Whitworth Proprietor Ph: (03) Seventh Street East, Mildura ~ Victoria 3500 Fax: (03) Mob:

7 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 7 Thursday 13 th June However, we were still on top of the ground in the morning! There had been only a shower during the night- all looking good! We spent the morning touring a couple of galleries, looking, but not buying, till we found Red Earth Gallery where we had a cappuccino and pie and great chat with Graham, probably the only commercial opal miner in town. It was obviously his turn in the café, and a genial host he was. His 5 children, aged 12-17, are now at boarding school near Griffith. We left there to go visit the Cemetery and see the sorry history of disease that wracked the community in the early days. Probably only a population of 100 now, coming and going. We returned to Red Earth at 3pm for the tour of Graham s working mine- the real thing. Very interesting. His machinery was fab. Well worth the $15 each! No opals called me- I just decided to get the band on my white one expanded! It s value has increased substantially! So we left Graham and headed for the mullocks again- to an area decidedly less mined, and set up camp. Leo managed to get me a You tube video to learn how to treble crochet, and I made a little sample, but now I have forgotten a bit and need to go back! Friday 14 th June Up with a spring in our steps as this was Decision Day. We had toured White cliffs to our satisfaction and we hoped to be able to head north-west on a dirt road towards Tibooburra. So we visited Parks again for an update on roads. To our chagrin, we found that Central Darling Shire still had all their dirt roads closed, but west of them, the roads were open. So 100 kms of the road we wanted to travel was closed, but the rest of it was open! We looked on the radar and no rain was on the horizon from the west, so we decided to back track to Broken Hill (as Tibooburra Rd was open) and hope others to the west would also be in the next few days. (The alternative was to abandon all hope of keeping west and follow the bitumen to Cobar, Burke etc.) so we made it to Packsaddle- half way up, by 4.30pm or so. There is a road house there, and lots of trucks, as there is a lot of road works going on Ute canopies Caravan annexes and modifications Tents Swags Canvas awnings Shade sails Terry & Anne Benson 3 Industrial Court, Irymple

8 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 8 Saturday 15 th June Sun was peeking through the canvas as we listened to the morning news- Dubbo ABC, I think, and we were just out of bed, when Mike and Rhonda you hooded us, as they were about to leave. So we stood in our jamies in the sunshine for the next half hour chatting. However, we were away before too long and enjoyed the scenery and roads. We called into Malparinka, just off the highway, and just 20 km south of Tibooburra for a dose of history. Spent an hour and half there, where we met a couple from Goulburn who are staying there for 2 weeks to voluntarily man the displays in the Court House Museum. No one lives there now, (except for a couple of crims, the lady whispered, one of whom, has just gone to Mildura!!) The hotel has been closed for a couple of years, but there is such a brilliant display of memorabilia and stories of pioneers. The town was settled on the Evelyn Creek. Sturt and Burke and Wills feature in the history. It was gold that brought people out here and brought the population to a very common story. We left there and travelled on to Tibooburra, arriving about 2pm. Fuelled up and poked about the town- the 2 hotels and a couple of stores, and spent more time in Parks buildings, where we enjoyed their brilliant displays. Found the public toilets were a unit made by Everlast and designed by none other than Digger Parker!- ( my Dad) - not that anyone else would know! Left about 3.15pm. heading for Cameron s Corner. A variety of country side, good dirt roads, certainly signs of rain, some big puddles, but the dust was at a minimum. Saw lots of kangaroos and emus, so 4 eyes were on duty all the way. 20 km from CC we found Mike and Rhonda had also pulled into Sturt National Park. Lot s of toilets, BBQ s and shelters and walking tracks, looked good, but the crunch was $17 for the night, so we left and found a patch of dirt among trees 10 km closer to CC. So here I am typing up, while Leo is sleeping soundly. Will need to change something in the future so I can hit the sack too. Maybe he does the wash up alone when I have to type! Hoping CC has coverage or a cappuccino or maybe Innamincka- who knows? KULKYNE KAMPERS brett@kampers.com.au Showroom Camper Hire (03) Calder Highway Fax: (03) Red Cliffs Vic Mobile: * Camper Trailers * Fishing tackle * Camper Trailer Hire * Outback Clothing * Camper Parts & Accessories * Camping Equipment * Used & Budget Campers * 4WD Fit-outs & Accessories

9 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 9 Sunday 16 th Our spot of dirt was just 100 metres from the Qld border/ dingo fence. About 8 30 am as we were having breaky, we saw our acquaintances in the troupie go past. They are on a tighter schedule than we, needing to be in Alice by Thursday, or do we like our bed more? However, we were soon on the track looking forward to a cappuccino at Cameron s Corner for morning tea. Vegetation was a mixture of sand dunes and gravel, with lots of kangaroos out for a sticky at us and a couple of locals passed us by. About 10 a.m. We found ourselves at Cameron s Corner, and upon walking into the store found ourselves in another world- akin to Daly Waters pub. No cuppa as deemed of, but a nice instant coffee and interesting chat. Then in walked the manager of nearby Bollards Lagoon, whose property we were considering going through- but no go, road closed. He grows Herefords for the organic meat industry, which I didn t know existed. The store walls and ceilings are covered with hats and money left by past customers- not my scene or habit! Stetsons as big as any I ve seen, Couse I guess the sun is hot in summer out here. After we left the Corner, we traversed many sand hills, but on a good gravel road, such that I experienced plenty of tummy heaves, even at 80kphs. Cheap thrill! No kangaroos any more- all shot! At Merty Mery station, we took the Old Strzelecki track to Innamincka. It was a good track and we encountered the first of many gas and oil exploration sites and vehicles. The place is just littered with them. Found one that was pumping, so stopped to look, not a vehicle or person in sight- mighty machine only. After these good grey soil tracks going north, we met the main road into Innamincka and just about had our teeth shaken out. Apparently, the mines don t use this road, Council just drops rocks on it! Not an impressive entrance to Innamincka, but we kept our hopes up for caravan park, shower and a cuppa. I had done my homework and looked it up on Wikipedia and saw lovely photos, so expectations were high. Have since been back to the information to see how I mis-interpreted the info with my dreams. Bad planning. You can probably guess we were not impressed with Innamincka- a dust bowl on a moonscape- until you go down to the billabong on the Cooper- a much nicer spot to camp, and quite a few taking advantage of the big trees and the muddy water. One enterprising local will run you up the river in his tinny for a cruise. We were tempted to stay, but as the day was yet young we continued on, having ascertained from the store that Walkers Crossing was open and offered the best trip to Birdsville, while it was dry. We checked out the National parks sites on the Cooper as we left town, but once again, they want a total of $16 per night, gpreco@ncable.com.au 32 Eighth Street, Mildura Vic (03) (03)

10 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 10. Passed Fowlers Gap Research Station, where UNSW students research arid zones! The road was part bitumen, but mostly dirt, but in good condition. Council had been out since the rain and cleaned the floodway's for us. A Tassie couple in a troupie camped at the roadside rest at Packsaddle with us, so we had a little chat before getting tea and bedding down. The weather was still pretty cold, but a bit of sun poking through. ( My long johns are getting a work out) The next 2hours travel was a real eye opener. Maps showed a few different tracks, but these were confused by extra roads that Mines had put in. We found some very crude signs to Birdsville, some twisted signs, dirt tracks, gravel highways, little used tracks which GPS said was our track, but we continued to progress in the right direction, at one stage coming across a very big gas installation, vehicles, and living quarters, not to mention the mine rigs and fluttering surveyors pegs. However, as evening drew near and we looked for a camp site, we got to Walkers Crossing of the Cooper, which had no water, but a new bridge being built, so we crossed through the creek bed and then parked next to the creek. We weren t the only ones, as 2 vans were already set up. There was no sign up to warn us off, so as the sun set we asked permission to park a distance from them. As we poured our cuppas after tea, our neighbour came over to invite us to their fire. Told us later they thought we d be into NSW rugby league- ughh, ( because of our NSW vehicle registration) but turned out to be from Waikerie. One chap, Tony, was Anna Carazza s brother and the other went to school with Robert Smith and knew his mum, and also of Hayley and Cherie. Home red wine flowed freely for the next couple of hours and a good time was had by all, AFL talk featuring too. Eventually, we turned in and rugged up for the night in jamies etc as nights are cold. Maureen SALES AND HIRE OF QUALITY CAMPER TRAILERS Home of Mahindra 4x4 Turbo Diesel DAVE CURRAN MANAGER MOBILE Cnr 15th Street & Deakin Avenue TELEPHONE MILDURA (03) 5023

11 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 11 NSW Mallee Cliffs Sunday 24 th November Meet: Gol Gol tennis court/park Time: 9am Trip leaders: Terry and Linda Curran Easy drive to bottle bend for morning tea. Then easy drive through the Mallee Cliffs State Forest. Lunch at the Big tree on the Murray River (throw a rod if you wish) May try and find Mulberry bush and graves. 1/79 LANGTREE MALL, MILDURA, VIC 3500 Phone & fax: (03) mildura@aussiedisposals.com.au Proprietors: Jason Cook

12 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 12 Glenn s Birthday Drive Daniel, charlotte and i went along with Glenn s b day trip on the sunset country along the bored track met he's fast driving dad and he's best man and he's wife in a old f 100 my first ute was a f100 but mine was only 2 wheel drive l went lots of places in it but after nearly getting it bogged fell times I new I needed them front wheel to tone Salt test f100 was fwd and they took it every where which was good to see a old track going all over the place, We only had one night camp with them but it seemed like I learnt a lot Hope to catch up with them again Daniel charlotte and I had lunch with them at bordertown then head off to my mums in Middleton over the ferry near Tailem bend the kids like the ferry Fun at Had lots of wind driving to mums the old fuel gauge was moving fast got in to mums just in time for a roast good old mum I pack the car for a days swimming at the beach but the day was windy terrible so we just took mum s new dog for a walk then went into town for a coffee and to look at the boat shops in the rain that's when I see the camping trailer I see it before so I made him an offer on it so now we have to built it up for the bush I think its all ready bring me good luck on the way back to mums we did the beach drive and seen a mum and her three carves swimming only three waves back it was good to show the kids the whales. I hope you like all little adventure. Shane R & L AUTO ELECTRICS & AIR CONDITIONING (03) (03) E: rlautos@ncable.com.au Unit 3 / 46 Tenth Street, MILDURA. Ronnie Clark

13 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 13 MELBOURNE CUP Saturday 2 nd to Tuesday 5 th November Depart: 8am from Big Lizzie Red Cliffs Trip leader: Terry and Linda Curran or Saturday travel to the Pyrenees near Avoca 400km s. Set camp up early afternoon and go for drive through the St Arnaud range. Sunday all day drive approx 10am to 4pm(those who need to travel home can do so) there will be two trips. Easy to moderate led by Terry and Linda, Moderate to hard led by Terry and Anne. Both with scenic views through the Pyrenees range Forrest. Camp for 2 nights - camping at Glenn Patrick camp ground (Toilets and shelter) Monday travel 220 km s to Nhill. Counter lunch for those who would like otherwise you can have a look around town. There is a good park with walk of wetlands. Afternoon meet at Westprint maker of maps and bookshop Camp at Little Desert Lodge (Camp fees apply) $25 for 2 adults, $7 extra person. Night walk at the grounds. $15 per person optional. For more information littledesertlodge.com.au Tuesday morning Drive through Little desert 10am to 12 noon Lunch at Nhill travel home 350km s Discounted new parts Guaranteed used parts Reconditioned units Manager 4WDs & JAP COMMERCIALS WANTED FOR WRECKING 6 Industrial Court, Irymple Phone: (03) PO Box 230, Irymple, Vic Fax: (03)

14 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 14 TRIP & MEETING CALENDER October 2013 Tuesday 1st Sat 12th & Sunday 13th Tuesday 29th 7:30pm Social Meeting all welcome at Irymple Canvas Cape York Trip show & tell Night BYO Camp Chairs, Nibbles and Drinks. Wyperfeld Weekend Trip Leaders Terry & Anne Benson Details on page 11 of News letter Trip Committee Meeting at Curran s home November 2013 Sat 2nd Sun 3rd Mon 4th Tues 5th Melbourne Cup Weekend Trip Leaders Linda & Terry Curran Sat & Sunday in the Pyrenees Mon & Tuesday in the Little Desert See Page 13 For Details Tuesday 12th Sunday 24th 8:00pm General Meeting Business Focus at Gateway if you want to meet earlier for tea room is booked from 6:30pm Day Trip NSW side of Murray River Trip Leaders Linda & Terry Curran December 2013 Tuesday 3rd Sat 7th Sun 8th 8pm General Meeting Guide Hall Henshellwood Oval Irymple Club Christmas Party January 2014 Australia Day long weekend Trip to Belsar Island Grace Crescent, Buronga NSW 2739 Nigel Sylvia Tel Fax: Account Manager Mobile Nigel.Sylvia@bluescopesteel.com

15 MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 15 TRIP & MEETING CALENDER February 2014 Tuesday 4th April 2014 Tuesday 1st 4th 11th 8pm General Meeting Social Guide Hall Henshellwood Oval Irymple 8pm General Meeting Guide Hall Henshellwood Oval Irymple Non Business Focus High Country Tour Trip Leaders Terry & Anne Benson For prospective members: Mildura 4WD Club has available an Information Pack. This can be obtained from Lisa Wakeman, (Membership Officer,) Phone: KARL GROSS Tel Morpung Avenue, Irymple.

16 Sender: Mildura 4WD Club, Victoria PO Box 2067 Mildura. Vic To: MILDURA 4WD CLUB Newsletter OCTOBER 2013 page 16