Victoria Police Four Wheel Drive Club Newsletter

Transcription

1 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 Up 2nd December In This Issue President s Report 1 Your Committee 2 From the Editor 3 I have been asked on a number of occasions why doesn t more of our membership regularly attend club meetings and I have had a few members express their embarrassment at not attending meetings. People join clubs for many reasons. 4WD club members may join to just go on trips, learn how to drive a 4WD or have access to knowledge and experience. What ever your reason is for joining the club, there is no obligation on anyone to attend a club meeting or club event. The fact that a member pays their membership subscription shows that they are committed to the club and will participate in the club at the level they wish to and are able to within their current circumstances. Having said that we still need more club trips and it would be good if a few members who have not previously organised one did so. If every member organised just one club trip every two years we would have a full calendar. Trips don t have to be 4WDriving and if they are, they don t have to be medium or hard trips, sightseeing trips can be just as enjoyable to those of us who look forward to the hard trips and there are more than a few members who prefer the easier trips. Reports 4 Upcoming Training Courses 7 Club Calender 8 Discounts Available At: 9 See you soon Wayne Morgan President Mobile From the Editor Sponsors 10 Not much to report this month but it is coming up to the good weather (although you would think we were all ready in to summer) and hopefully there will be a few more trips and few more articles. A reminder reports don t have to be only 4WD related to be in this newsletter (for example see Gary May s report inside). Thanks for those who have contributed this month. Steve Aicher Public Relations Officer

2 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 2 October 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 - Vacant 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: Changing Address or other Contact Details!! Please advise Club Secretary or President.

3 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 3 October 2006 Dedication of the NATIONAL POLICE MEMORIAL 29 September 2006 CANBERRA A.C.T. National Police Remembrance Day. More than 700 police officers from around Australia have died as a result of their work since the first recorded death in Sydney in To commemorate these deaths, and to recognise the contribution of police, a memorial has been built in Canberra. The design features a 27 metre bronze commemorative wall with plaques engraved with the names of police who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It also has a large undulating stone paved area depicting the uncertain path police tread. Shrine Guards Cliff JASPER and Gary MAY were selected to act as escorts for the police ensign at the dedication. The remainder of the flag party consisted of Police Academy instructors Sgt PAYNE, Sgt DUNLOP and Snr/Con COWLEY. Snr Con LARDNER was part of the Catafalque party. Nearly 50 police marched as part of the Victorian contingent. Members from the police band and from the Mounted Police were also involved. Every police jurisdiction in Australia was represented. In total over 700 police marched. Every Police Commissioner was in attendance. Prime Minister HOWARD inspected the Parade and dedicated the Memorial. The Flag Party flew to Canberra on Monday 25/9 and settled into our accommodation at the Rex Hotel. Tuesday we arrived at HMAS Harman Navy Base for practice at 0900 hrs. After a visit to the Memorial site we returned to Harman and commenced practice at 1300 hrs. We returned to our hotel at 1600 hrs. Wednesday saw us practising at Old Parliament House from 0900 to 1200 hrs then at the Memorial site from 1400 to 1600 hrs. At 1800 hrs we attended the rehearsal for the Beat The Retreat at the War Museum. We were lucky enough to be invited to attend this annual event. The cadets and band from Royal Military College Duntroon put on an outstanding display of precision foot drill. Thursday - back to Old Parliament House from 0800 to 1200 hrs then at the National Police Memorial from 1600 to 1900 hrs. All marching contingents were in attendance and a full rehearsal was conducted. Unfortunately a NSW police sergeant collapsed during rehearsal and C.P.R. was performed. The ambulance was given a police escort to Canberra Hospital. The contingents were kept informed and a prayer was offered. Unfortunately word was received that the member had passed away. One minute silence was observed before we were dismissed.

4 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 4 October 2006 Friday no rehearsal for us, but the marching contingent of Victoria Police were given extra training in the Hotel car park. We left the Hotel at 1500 hrs for an official mass photograph on the steps of Old Parliament House. Over 700 police should be an awesome photo and one that will probably never to be repeated. The formal ceremony commenced on the steps of Old Parliament and at 1645 hrs we commenced the 1.6 km march to the Memorial in Kings Park. The NSW contingent carried the hat of their deceased comrade on a red velvet cushion. The Prime Minister arrived at 1730 hrs by police launch and inspected the parade. At 1736 hrs a fly past of police air wings was followed by a video presentation on police history, the mounting of the Catafalque Party and introductory address by AFP Commissioner KEELTY. Hymns and prayers followed before the Prime Minister performed the dedication at 1800 hrs. The flags were hoisted upon the blast of a police whistle. The lighting of Candles of Remembrance by 2 children from each state/territory was followed by wreath laying, the Police Ode and Last Post. One minute silence was observed before the Carillon Bells tolled 8 times. The National Anthem was played before the Prime Minister departed at 1841 hrs. Back to the hotel at 1930 hrs and on to the post ceremony reception in the grounds of the Canberra Services Club. This memorial service was the largest multi-jurisdictional law enforcement response to a single event in Australian history. It was an honour to be involved and one which we shall remember always. Gary May

5 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 5 October 2006 Wombat State Forest Cleanup Clean up day for West Wombat State Forest on 28 October Community members and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) are rallying to improve the West Wombat State Forest, starting with a Cleanup day on Saturday 28 October. DSE Project Officer Shane Leech said the event would be the third community driven combat Cleanup Day to remove rubbish affecting the forest's health and natural appeal. "Unfortunately there are areas in the forest that are used as local rubbish dumps and car dumping grounds," Mr Leech said. "This particular cleanup day will concentrate on known rubbish areas in the section of the Wombat State Forest west of the Trentham/ Blackwood/ Greendale Road. Tracks littered with rubbish will also be tackled." Previous events proved to be successful and satisfying for participants. Wombat Cleanup days held late last year and earlier this year resulted in the removal of over 80 tonnes of rubbish and 50 dumped motor vehicles. "It is fantastic to see the community's commitment to the forest. The clear message that has come out of the Community Forest Management process is that users of the forest want to give something back," Mr Leech said. Cleanup events involve people from the local region and large numbers of recreational users from right across Victoria. "There are many ways to participate on the day. Anyone can be involved no matter what their age or capability and everyone is welcome," Mr Leech said. "Participating groups at past events include four-wheel drive clubs, trail-bike riders, horse riders, bush walking groups, mountain bike and orienteering groups, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sports and even the Alaskan Malamute sled riders." The event will start at Victoria Park, Ballan/ Daylesford Road Daylesford from 8:00am. Follow the signs. Maps of the Cleanup area and known rubbish sites will be distributed on the day. All participants will need to register as volunteers, by contacting Shane Leech at DSE Daylesford on prior to the event or registering on the day at 8am at the Victoria Park control point. Registered volunteers will receive gloves and safety vests for the Cleanup and will be covered for insurance purposes. Participants who own hard hats are asked to bring them along. A BBQ lunch will be provided at Victoria Park, including vegetarian options. In the event of extreme weather (high winds or heavy rain) or a Total Fire Ban day the Cleanup will be cancelled. DSE will be stepping up patrols and surveillance activities to catch offenders dumping rubbish. The community is asked to contact DSE if they see people leaving rubbish or garden waste in the forest. Tim Anderson Community Forestry Project Manager 14 Mineral Water Drive Daylesford

6 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 6 October 2006 Three women die together in an accident and go to heaven. When they get there, St. Peter says, "We only have one rule here in heaven: don't step on the ducks!" So they enter heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one. Along comes St. Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw. St. Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man!" The next day, the second woman steps accidentally on a duck and along comes St. Peter who doesn't miss a thing. With him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first woman. The third woman has observed all this and, not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is VERY, VERY careful where she steps. She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, but one day St. Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on... very tall, long eyelashes, muscular, and thin. St. Peter chains them together without saying a word. The happy woman says, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity?" The guy says, "I don't know about you, but I stepped on a duck!" Club Xmas Raffle Tyres of your choice to the value of $400 Donated by Motorway Tyres 2 nd and 3 rd Prizes to be announced Tickets $1 Drawn at Xmas Break-Up December 2 nd (Tickets available from Barbara Tabaka!!)

7 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 7 October 2006 Upcoming Training Courses MARCH Proficiency 4WD Training Course City and Bayswater North Training Club President JULY Proficiency 4WD Training Course City and Bayswater North Training Club President Winch Training Course Mt Disappointment Training Club President AUGUST Intermediate 4WD Training Course City and Mt Disappointment Training Club President SEPTEMBER Chainsaw Training Course City and bush location to be decides Training Club President Trip Leader Training Course City Training Club President OCTOBER Proficiency 4WD Training Course City and Bayswater North Training Club President Saturday 28 Winch Training Course Mt Disappointment Training Club President NOVEMBER Saturday 4 Saturday 18 First Aid Level 2 Training Course City Training Club President SEE CLUB WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS OF COURSES AND VENUES Proficiency 4WD Training Course Certificate: 4WD Victoria Certificate. Cost: $50.00 per member. Intermediate 4WD Training Course Certificate: Victoria Police 4WD Club Certificate. Cost: $50.00 per member. Advanced 4WD Training Course Certificate: Victoria Police 4WD Club Certificate. Cost: $50.00 per member. Winch Training Course Certificate: Victoria Police 4WD Club Certificate. Cost: $20.00 per member. Level 2 First Aid Training Course Certificate: Accredited Level 2 First Aid Certificate. Cost: $50.00 per member (Family welcome). Trip Leader Training Course Certificate: Victoria Police 4WD Club Certificate. Cost: $20.00 per member. Chainsaw Training Course Certificate: Accredited Chainsaw Certificate. Cost: $50.00 per member.

8 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 8 October 2006 Club Calendar For Full Notices & All Details, Please Visit: Date Details Rating Contact 22nd October Wombat Forest Drive Medium Marcus Nash th 28th October National 4x4 Show Jeff s Shed Educational Barbara Tabaka for tickets 1st November Club Meeting Guest Speaker (Global Integrated Technologies ) Serious Fun Club President 15th 23rd November Typo Station Alpine Area Medium Club President 2nd December 6th December Club Xmas Break Up venue to be advised Club Meeting Guest Speaker (Royal Flying Doctor Service) Serious Fun Social Committee Serious Fun Club President

9 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 9 October 2006 The following businesses offer discounts to all Victoria Police 4WD Club members. 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 Produce Club Membership Card Use your club group rewards card at any Ray s Outdoors Store for discount

10 VP4WDC Newsletter Page 10 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 Members Wholesale Price for Club Members. Ph: