Victoria Police Four Wheel Drive Club Newsletter

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Shanon Haynes
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Upcoming Trips: 7th February, 1st Club Meeting, 2007 18th February Vic.

1 Victoria Police Four Wheel Drive Club Newsletter November-December 2006 President's Report - December 2006 Hi Fellow Members, Another year has flown by and the holiday season is upon us. On behalf of the committee I would like to wish all members and your family and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year. Upcoming Trips: 7th February, 1st Club Meeting, th February Vic. 4WD Show, Wandin In This Issue President s Report 1 Your Committee 2 From the Editor 3 Trip Reports 4 Upcoming Events 6 Club Calender 7 Discounts Available At: 8 Sponsors 9 Swifts Creek There redevelopment of the Swifts Creek Police Station and residence has become somewhat political in relation to the old cells and the stables with locals wanting them to be kept and restored. However, the cells have already been removed and the stables look like being demolished. This has caused unwanted publicity and drawn attention to the whole project. With this in mind, it was thought unwise to go ahead with keeping the old residence as a club house for use by the club. If this use of the building became known in the local community (and it would) the Police Force would be placed in an untenable situation where the old cells and stable, which some locals say have historic value, had been removed but the old residence was kept as a holiday house for a police club. This would be an unwanted and unnecessary tarnishing of the Force s image and reputation and a controversy the club does not want to be involved in, so a decision was made a the December club meeting to no longer pursue becoming the caretakers of the Swifts Creek residence. Equipment The club is now in a reasonably sound financial position with sufficient funds in the account to cover the club s annual liabilities as well as some spending money. The issue of equipment was discussed at the last meeting. The club currently owns a Sat Phone, Hand Held UHF Radios, First Aid Kit, Air Compressor and Toilet and Shower Tents, which are all available for use on club trips. If you have any suggestions of any other equipment that the club should buy for use on club trips, please let me know. See you soon Wayne Morgan President Mobile webdmorg@ex .com.au

2 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 2 November-December 2006 OUR COMMITTEE President - Wayne Morgan wayne.morgan@police.vic.gov.au W: M: Vice President - Marcus Nash marcusnash@dodo.com.au W: N/A M: Secretary - Rob Garside robert.garside@police.vic.gov.au W: M: Treasurer - Barbara Tabaka barbara.tabaka@police.vic.gov.au W: M: Equipment Officer - Marc Drew Activity Co-ordinator - Ron Levett ronlevett@bigpond.com.au W: N/A M: Training Co-ordinator - Cameron Sanderson grenda1@netlink.com.au Public Relations Officer - Steve Aicher aicher@melbpc.org.au W: M: Ordinary Committee Member - Gary May themaze@aapt.net.au W: M: Victoria Police 4WD Club Xmas Raffle Results 1st Prize Motorway Tyres Eddie Tabaka 2nd Prize Jack Dalrymple 3rd Prize Steve Aicher For Full Trip Notices & All Details, Please Visit:

The New Year may see some challenges in the fire areas and 4WD drivers may be called upon to assist in the clean up as they have in the past.i hope we will be able to assist.

3 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 3 November-December 2006 From the Editor Another year draws to a close and as the smoke again rolls over Melbourne I hope that any of our members, as well as family, friends and colleagues, involved in fighting the fires through out the state are safe and well and remain that way. The New Year may see some challenges in the fire areas and 4WD drivers may be called upon to assist in the clean up as they have in the past.i hope we will be able to assist. For now I hope you all have a very merry Xmas and a happy and safe New Year and hope to see you somewhere on a track in Remember to keep sending me those articles, reports, etc. and if you go away somewhere interesting during these holidays how about letting us know with some pictures, story etc. Steve Aicher Public Relations Officer Why Italians Sell More Cars than Koreans!!

4 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 4 November-December 2006 Wombat State Forest 22/10/06 On the 22 nd of October a number of members meet at the McDonalds in Melton for an adventure at the Wombat State Forest. I used this day as the first time my completion vehicle had hit the dirt. We left McDonalds and headed up to the forest as we turned into the forest I opened the map and headed on a plotted course that I had mapped out for us. The first track saw a small but rather deep rutted bog hole. I entered and crossed to the other side with ease, next up was Ron I ll have a lash he says, as Ron nose dives in to the bog hole he became stuck. So it was a quick recovery and then back on our way. We headed up and down some rather easy tracks with the occasional fun section in it. We stopped for lunch at a nice little park located in the forest which was quiet busy with other forest users. We finished lunch and I just pointed my car down any track, which some times, turned out to be a dead end. During our adventure Ron again became stuck in a bog hole. Once on the way up and then again on the way back, however on the way back our president also became stuck and required a snatch. Both vehicles became the victim of not enough clearance. Ron also became stuck again for the fourth time on a decent where he choose the wrong line and ended up wedged against a tree and the ruts. All in all it was an enjoyable day had by all and no damage to any vehicle. And if you are reading this Marc Drew, there where no break downs. Marcus Nash

Barbara and Eddie Tabaka were, I m informed, the first to arrive at the meeting place, thus breaking with their own tradition of arriving last.

The assistant trip leaders Lorraine M-Z and Loraine W, ensured participants embarked upon the rally (information gathering drive) at 5 minute intervals.

It saddens me to say that no-one got ALL the answers right. Mind you there were some very interesting answers to questions.

all came through with flying colours and proved the How many steps?? challenge to be fun, especially Marcus who went through the crossings as if he was cruising on the black top.

Once the challenge was conquered by all, it was time to meet at McWheigh s Wheel picnic area for the BBQ and socializing, as well as giving out of prizes for 1 st, 2 nd, 3rd and LAST.

5 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 5 November-December 2006 Club Xmas Party/Car Rally 2 December 2006 t Weather was kind to us this 2 nd day of December. All participants met at the Upper Yarra Secondary College in Riversdale Rd Yarra Junction. Barbara and Eddie Tabaka were, I m informed, the first to arrive at the meeting place, thus breaking with their own tradition of arriving last. It was at the starting point that Speed Demon Marcus earned his first fine for, as the 2 Lorraine s put it, Hooning. The assistant trip leaders Lorraine M-Z and Loraine W, ensured participants embarked upon the rally (information gathering drive) at 5 minute intervals. Perseverance was required to get the answer to at least one of the questions and only 2 teams proved they had the right stuff (well done Rod and Debbie, Wayne and Andrew). It saddens me to say that no-one got ALL the answers right. Mind you there were some very interesting answers to questions. After the information gathering section of the rally, the teams arrived at the challenge, a couple of shallow water crossings, the challenge being the approach and departure angles, but all came through with flying colours and proved the How many steps?? challenge to be fun, especially Marcus who went through the crossings as if he was cruising on the black top. (I ll have to think of something harder for next year and perhaps slow Marcus down!). Once the challenge was conquered by all, it was time to meet at McWheigh s Wheel picnic area for the BBQ and socializing, as well as giving out of prizes for 1 st, 2 nd, 3rd and LAST. The prizes were awarded in the order of Last to 1 st. Much to their surprise, Barbara and Eddie Tabaka did not come last, but, alas neither did they make the top three. The honour for last prize went to the team of Robert and Wendy Garside, they were surprised! 3rd prize was won by Rod and Debbie Kayler-Thomson. 2 nd prize was won by the Speed Demon team of Marcus Nash and Sandra 1 st prize was won by the team of Andrew Butcher and Wayne Morgan At the end of it all it was a fun day, for those who did not attend this year, you missed out on some fun, but al is not lost, there is always December 2008!!. Bronco Cooking up a storm after some hard rallying!!

6 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 6 November-December 2006 Upcoming Events

7 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 7 November-December 2006 Club Calendar Date Details Rating Trip Leader 7th February Club Meeting (1st for 2007) Bells Hotel, South Melbourne Club President 18th February Victorian 4WD Show Wandin Fun See website for full details 7th March Club Meeting Bells Hotel, South Melbourne Club President 17th & 18th March 4WD Outdoor Adventure Expo Smythesdale Fun See website for full details Lost our Knowledge It is with deep regret that Knowledge has been officially declared dead today 5 th October, 2006*, the victim of a vandalous poisoning on 19 th May, Having grown up in the central west Queensland town of Barcaldene, Knowledge came into the forefront when chosen as the starting point for discussions to appease serious points of social and political tensions, successfully culminating in the formation of the Australian Labor Party. A solid beacon for all Australians and international visitors alike, an international recognition for services rendered was awarded in Australians who had always planned but never explored our 7,617,930 km 2 continent have beyond doubt missed the pleasure of meeting a truly imposing individual, so should go now and avoid missing another heritage listed doyen that once gone, is gone forever. A tree sorely missed. (Ed Barcaldine was one of the towns we visited on our trip to Cape York last year!)

8 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 8 October 2006 The following businesses offer discounts to all Numerous locations throughout Australia Produce TJM Members Privilege Card available from the club President 49 Sydney Road, Brunswick 3056 Phone: Produce Club Membership Card 5 George Street, Spotswood 3015 Phone: Order by phone and advise you are club member South Road, Moorabbin 3189 Phone: Produce Club Membership Card Whitehorse Road Mitcham 3132 Mobile: & also at: 94 Puckle Street Moonee Ponds 3039 Phone: At either store ask for Geoffrey De Graf and produce your Club Membership Card Numerous locations throughout Australia Use your club group rewards card at any Ray s Outdoors Store for discount

BELL S HOTEL Corner Moray & Coventry Streets South Melbourne

9 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 9 October 2006 Our Sponsors Special thanks to Bell s Hotel for hosting the club s monthly meetings BELL S HOTEL Corner Moray & Coventry Streets South Melbourne Auspit Special Price for Club Wholesale Price for Club Members.

Victoria Police Four Wheel Drive Club Newsletter

Victoria Police Four Wheel Drive Club Newsletter October 2006 President's Report - October 2006 Hi Fellow Members, Upcoming Trips: Monthly Meeting 1st November Typo Station 15th to 23rd November Xmas Break