Proudly printed at the offices of Peter CRISP

Proudly printed at the offices of Peter CRISP www.petercrisp.net.au peter.crisp@parliament.vic.gov.au

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 2 Website www.mildura4wdclub.com.au Email mildura4wdclub@gmail.com Office Bearers for 2018-2019 President: Vice-President: Secretary: Treasurer: Roy Pickon Peter Kay Glen Sutherland Di Sutherland Membership & PR Officer: Jann Girardi Website: Newsletter: Trip Co-ordinator: Michelle Liddle Kim Lavery - kiml2009@live.com.au Geoff Girardi / Terry Benson Property Officer: Education & Environment Officer: Peter Tieman Trip & Social Committee: Geoff Girardi, Andrew Summerhayes, David Fetherston, Terry Benson, Roy Pickon, Peter Kay.

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 3 Trip Reports Sat 24 - Sun 25 - Rufus & Murray River - Trip Leaders Peter Tieman & Susan Smith DAY 1 Who: Trip leader Peter ably assisted by co-pilot Susan; Roy, Annie and Liam, Jo and Des, Terry and Anne, Robert and Kerry, Jann and Geoff, Di and Glen. This trip commenced from Fotherby Park, Wentworth a little after 9:30am. Trip Leaders were Peter and Susan, and club trippers being Terry, Ann, Robert, Kerry, Des, Jo, Roy, Annie, Liam, Glen, Di, Geoff,, myself and guest trippers Tom and family. Peter lead us out of Wentworth to travel west on the Renmark Road, passing the Perry Sand dunes, crossing over the Great Darling Anabranch which had a good amount of back flow water from the Murray. Peter organised our 10am stop at Fort Courage (Wentworth Angling Club with approx. 800 members) with Chris the caravan park manager. Chris was kind enough to provide a site tour. He explained the history of the Angling Club and the development of the caravan park. It's a surprising enterprise for this area, with an amazing river front and newly expanded open shed complex providing a large BBQ and events area. We were here for approx. an hour. (03) 5023 3651 (03) 5021 1152 tim@cashtyreservice.com.au www.tyrepower.com.au Cash Tyre Service Tyrepower Tim Mills (B.B.S.) Manager 86 Madden Avenue Mildura VIC 3500

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 4 Day 1 - Continued... Back onto the Renmark Road; staying on the bitumen we took the left-hand turn for the Rufus River Road. Peter detoured us to view Scaddings Bridge over Frenchman s Creek. Crossing over the bridge we pulled up on the southern banks of the creek. It was commented that the last time a few club members had been here that the creek height was about 1mt under the bridge. This time the creek water level was low, with many yabby nets exposed and in a condition that did not warrant retrieval. Des explained the US army assisted with the construction of Frenchmen s Creek channelling by bringing in same large impressive machines to undertake the works. This construction occurred in the late 50s/early 60's which explained the straight banks, channels and the creek at same points. Back tracking the short distance to the Rufus River Road we continued our journey to Lake Victoria. Bitumen ceased after a few kilometres but the road continued on a well maintained gravel road. The fine dust though caused the convey to lengthen even with the side wind. The creek systems feeding into Lake Victoria are managed to ensure South Australian water supply. This was evident as we travelled parallel to a long levee bank, which we crossed over to be on the southern side of the Lake. I knew that this lake was large but from the southern end it s size is very surprising. We stopped at the Lock controlling the flow of water out of Lake Victoria. Here we saw many birds driving for fish. This Lake formation is a wonder to see and considering it's timeframe of existence. Evidence of found Aboriginal usage is extensive along the sand dunes surrounding the Lake, which includes many camp sites with stone fire pits and the finding of fragments of elders bones. This is relayed from the information boards at the Lake side information outlook. Glen provided us with some additional very informative information about this vast water management system. I realised that we were viewing just one small section. Terry & Anne Benson 3 Industrial Court, Irymple 3498 Ph: 5024 5979 tbenson@irymplecanvas.com.au http://www.irymplecanvas.com.au Ute canopies Caravan annexes and modifications Tents Swags Canvas awnings Shade sails

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 5 Day 1 Continued... Peter had sort some information of a very dark period in 1840's along the Rufus River that is known as the Rufus River Massacre. It was the result of same six months of guerrilla warfare by traditional locals who were trying to block the establishment of an overland route. European settlers were disrespectable of the local females and their traditions. And it ended in this shameful act. Leaving Lake Victoria we travelled west along the northern side of the Murray intending to visit the site of a late 1880 s official stone constructed border obelisk. But the track was marked as private so we headed back to Lake Victoria and our overnight camp on the New South Wales side of the Murray at SA Water Lock and Weir No7; where the Rufus meets the Murray. Here our guests departed to head home having relayed that they enjoyed the days drive. The location proved to be a great camp site as the ground was clear of weeds, the banks at water level, many trees for shade and wide impressive water views. After setting up our individual camps we gathered for an afternoon drink and canapés. As the day was warm ( up to 37!!) and the water inviting a few of us took to the river. This location proved to be safe at this time as the river bed below the lock was clear of submerged debris providing a sandy bottom. The water temperature was just right for cooling off, and to our surprise the water level was only at chest height so three of the men walked across the river. The evening was great for photo taking. Though as night came upon us the wind picked up with the gusting wind lasting most of the night. We did not light a camp fire due to the temperature and wind. Sometime during the early morning we were woken by a short but light refreshing shower of rain. Geoff and I take this opportunity to thank Peter and Susan for a very informative and interesting day to a surprising river location within easy travelling distance from Mildura. Geoff and Jann Girardi. Email: gpreco@ncable.com.au 32 Eighth Street, Mildura Vic. 3500 (03) 5021 1712 (03) 5023 7759

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 6 Day 2 What was that? Surely not rain! Yes it was, well more like a fine mist really but after the previous day s (and nights) heat it was still a surprise. A quick look outside confirmed that big black clouds were rolling in from the West and were threatening to dampen canvas aplenty. Just what you need when packing up your camp, (not). But some hopes were high for a bit of rain to cool things down and settle the dust ahead of the day s drive. Breakfasts consumed and camps packed and we were off on the day s adventure. Well that was the plan but the rigours of the first day s drive had taken a toll on some of the rigs. Terry s camper trailer mud guard required some urgent attention and it s truly amazing what a ratchet strap can do if used innovatively, clearly a worthy replacement for fencing wire and hay band. Adding to his woes were some trailer lights that refused to cooperate. Likewise Robert s camper trailer brake lights caught the same bug as Terry s, or just went out in sympathy, either way they refused to work as well. Continuing the theme, an alarmed Roy got on the UHF to advise Geoff that an Anderson plug and wiring were dangling loose and swinging in the breeze at the rear of the new Colorado, fortunately this turned out to be a false alarm as it just turned out to be one of Geoff s ongoing projects. Our trip leader Peter had previously organised a tour of the distinctive and unique Murray River geological feature known as the Devils Elbow, from the NSW Nampoo Station side and also a look some of the stations river country.

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 7 Day 2 Continued. Nampoo owner and host Mark Johnson guided us to a fabulous lookout over the Devils Elbow and River. Look at that view! Mark Johnson pointing out the sights from his Nampoo Station lookout. From the lookout our convoy was guided to a very pleasant spot on the River for a lunch break amongst ancient river red gums. After lunch we took a different route back to the Nampoo station homestead where we said our sincere thanks and good buys to Mark before hitting the road for a short trip back to Lake Victoria for a rest stop and look over the Lake embankment and Rufus river off take. Approaching the lake from the west really does give an appreciation of the vast size of this waterbody. After some group and scenery photos we headed off home, but not before thanking our trip leader Peter and assistant Susan for organising another great trip, in their trademark very professional way. Well done both of you. Postscript: Well done also to Jo on not one, but two outstanding recent accomplishments which came to light on the trip. These being your discovery and mastering of YouTube how to clips and the second; after many years and not some inconsiderable effort, frustration and many unkind expletives, conquering your fold-up shower/toilet tent. Full marks Jo. (see related handy Hints in the club s April Newsletter) By Glen Sutherland. Rob Whitworth Proprietor Ph: (03) 5021 3213 55 Seventh Street East, Mildura 3500 Fax: (03) 5021 1874 Mob: 0418 175 048 www.mildura4wdaccessories.websyte.com.au

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 8

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 9 Rob Whitworth Proprietor Ph: (03) 5021 3213 55 Seventh Street East, Mildura 3500 Fax: (03) 5021 1874 Mob: 0418 175 048 www.mildura4wdaccessories.websyte.com.au

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 10 Member Profiles Name: Roy Pickton Nick name: Hometown: Letchworth, England Favourite Band / Musician: BG's / 80's I also Like Classical Music and some Opera. What do you drive: Mazda Bt-50 Something about yourself that would surprise us: I am a Reiki Master and enjoy meditation. Favourite Drink: Coffee. Favourite Food: Bacon, Egg's and Backed Beans. Favourite Destination: Australia (The Vic high country would be my favourite so far). Something on your bucket list: Would love to do the Simpson desert and the Telegraph track. If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring: Hunting knife, A good Book, A good Bottle of Port. Want something added to the next newsletter - trip notes, buy, swap sell, product reviews, 4WD news, please forward to Kim Lavery via email kiml2009@live.com.au

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 11 PROPOSED TRIP: WESTERN AUSTRALIA VIA GUNBARREL HWY to STEEP POINT. RETURN VIA PERTH & NULLABOR AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 2018 Firstly let me introduce myself: My name is Gary Edwards, President of South Gippsland 4x4 Camping & Caravan Club, and with a small group of four couples we have been planning the above trip for just over 12months. I m now retired. Unfortunately the others have pulled out due to legitimate reasons. I m still wanting to go, but are now looking for likeminded others to join me on this trip. The approximate itinerary as mapped out is as follows: Departing the second week in August, the following summary route is proposed: (NB: happy to adjust if you have something on your bucket list along the way). Travel via Mildura, Port Augusta & up the Stuart Highway to Kulgera Roadhouse. Travel the original Gunbarrel Hwy, (Mulga Park Road to Curtin Springs), then to Yulara, for a couple of days rest & re-stock. ( total 6-7 days). Then travel great central road to Warburton, & re-stock. The adventure begins, here as we then do the Gunbarrel Highway stopping at Carnegie for a day, before moving on to Wiluna. This will be a sightseeing trip. This section could take 4-6 days depending on how many things we visit. Travel will be slow. Travel from Wiluna to Meekatharra and then west to Steep Point taking around 4-5 days. I propose to look around this area and stay a week or more, and visit Monkey Mia, etc. and do some fishing! Then travel south to Perth. At Perth I will be staying a week (30-9-2018 to 7-10-2018), and catching up with my wife (Leanne- who is flying over she is still working) and some of my family who live over there. If you are coming, it s your week off to explore! From 8-10 -2018, I m heading towards Esperance, before heading back to the east, 2-3weeks. Along the way back to Victoria, I plan to do caves, beaches, etc. I also want to visit Twilight Beach, near Cocklebiddy/ Eyre Bird Observatory. Look it up it s amazing! Would expect to be home very late October/ first week of November. Our travel will be confined to 500-600km per day on the bitumen, no more; this is a holiday not a race. Out in the desert/ gravel roads, the travel will be slow, often down to 20-30km/Hr and visit all points of interest, no rush. Other than where dictated or/when needed, i.e. the need for laundry. All overnight stops will be bush camps.

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 12 I m not going to dictate what happens every day; it will be a group decision, to ensure everyone s mutual participation. Accommodation; a million stars will be the category of your accommodation. SO WHAT DO I NEED, IF I WANT TO GO? Sense of Adventure/ humour and love bush camping. You need to have some experience in remote travel & camping. You must have a well prepared high clearance 4WD, with good quality off road tyres of 60% tread or more and have spare/s such as tyres, tubes/s air compressor/s, UHF radio/ and a hand held UHF 5 watt as back up, an emergency beacon OR, satellite phone of some sorts, and be fully self-sufficient...etc. etc. Basic vehicle manual, tools & know how of your vehicle. You will need to have some maps of the proposed trip route, or have a Hema or other device, for navigation verification. You must be able to carry 4-5+ days water for drinking, and carry food for at least 5-7 days. Strictly: No caravans! Camper trailers of excellent build quality will be OK, if you wish to tow. FUEL: You need to be able to do an absolute minimum of 500+km with your fuel supply. Also fuel in the outback is expensive; it is not uncommon to pay $2 to $2.50 per litre. In some remote area s they only take cash. PERMITS: Some permits are required to travel this route, and these need to be obtained before departure, hence the need for planning. WHY THIS LATE? Why so late in the year you ask: Answer: the days are warm, not too hot, the nights are cool, not freezing, and the tracks should be dry, not boggy. Return trip weather will be warmish, not freezing cold along the coast. If you are interested, please let me know, so a pre- trip planning session can be arranged and a catch up before departure in July. Trip will be limited to maximum of 6-8 vehicles, first in best dressed. Kind Regards Gary Edwards Mob: 0432 696 100 e-mail: wirrina@bigpond.net.au VKS/737 Member: Mobile 5854. tim@cashtyreservice.com.au Cash Tyre Service Tyrepower 86 Madden Avenue

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 13 Handy Hints for Camping - Instalment one: Conquering the Devils own device, the dreaded camp privacy tent, or Dunny tent, as its better known vernacular in Australian dialect. In this first instalment Jo demonstrates her new found 6 step system for folding up this otherwise very wilful and malevolent piece of equipment, which has been known to bring grown men to their knees. Before beginning remove, ignore or otherwise totally disregard any instructions which may have been included with the tent and or any gratuitous advice which may have offered by fellow campers. From top Right Step 1. First check carefully that no one is inside, Step 2. Collapse the tent after removing the thunderbox, Step 3. Lay tent flat on its back on the ground, wait a few minutes then sneak up on it, Step 4. Quickly pick tent up by the base (forcefully) Step 5. Show it who s boss by adopting a straggling pose, while trying to pull its bloody head shoulders, any resistance will quickly fold Step 6. Triumph over evil, once again. of its

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 14 To be in the next newsletter please complete the attached and forward to Kim Lavery via email : kiml2009@live.com.au Member profile form Name: Nick name: Hometown: Favourite Band / Musician: What do you drive: Something about yourself that would surprise us: Favourite Drink: Favourite Food: Favourite Destination: Something on your bucket list: If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring: Want something added to the next newsletter - trip notes, buy, swap sell, product reviews, 4WD news, please forward to Kim Lavery via email kiml2009@live.com.au Email: gpreco@ncable.com.au 32 Eighth Street, Mildura Vic. 3500 (03) 5021 1712 (03) 5023 7759

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 15 Expressions of Interest Trips Terry & Anne Benson 3 Industrial Court, Irymple 3498 Ph: 5024 5979 tbenson@irymplecanvas.com.au http://www.irymplecanvas.com.au Ute canopies Caravan annexes and modifications Tents Swags Canvas awnings Shade sails

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 16 Rob Whitworth Proprietor Ph: (03) 5021 3213 55 Seventh Street East, Mildura 3500 Fax: (03) 5021 1874 Mob: 0418 175 048 www.mildura4wdaccessories.websyte.com.au

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 17 Upcoming Trips Email: gpreco@ncable.com.au 32 Eighth Street, Mildura Vic. 3500 (03) 5021 1712 (03) 5023 7759

MILDURA 4WD CLUB New sletter APRIL 2018 Page 18 TRIP & MEETING CALENDER FEBRUARY Sat 24 & Sun 25 Broken Hill Trip postponed - later date TBA MARCH Tue 6 7.30pm Social Meeting Irymple Guide Hall, Henshilwood Oval Sat 10 - Mon 12 Saunders Gorge, South Australia - Trip Leaders Geoff and Jann Girardi Sat 24 - Sun 25 Rufus & Murray River - Trip Leaders Peter Tieman & Susan Smith Tue 27 7:30pm Trip Committee Meeting Geoff and Jann s APRIL Tue 3 7:30pm Annual General Meeting, Irymple Guide Hall, Henshilwood Oval. Sat 14 - Sun 15 Navigation Run, Wyperfield Nature Park - T/Leaders Robert & Kerry Haynes Wed 25 - Sun 29 Flinders Rangers - Trip Leaders Terry and Linda Curran Sat 28 Montana Station Social Night. Trip Leader: Andrew Summerhayes. MAY Tue 1 Sat 5 - Sun 6 Sat 19 - Sun 20 Tues 5 Sat 9 - Mon 11 7:30pm Social Meeting at Irymple Guide Hall, Henshilwood Oval. Hattah National Park M.O.V. Tracks - Trip/L Glen & Di Sutherland Tapio Station, Sand Drive - Trip/L Andrew &Tegan Summerhayes JUNE 7:30pm General Meeting at Irymple Guide Hall, Henshilwood Oval. Border Track, Southern End - Trip Leader Roy Pickon JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER Sat 3 Tues 6 Inter Club Meeting, Victorian High Country - hosts Gippsland 4WD Club DECEMBER Rob Whitworth Proprietor Ph: (03) 5021 3213 55 Seventh Street East, Mildura 3500 Fax: (03) 5021 1874 Mob: 0418 175 048 www.mildura4wdaccessories.websyte.com.au