PO Box 428 Albury NSW 2640 Danny Williams` 1973 Kawasaki 900 Z1

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Danny Williams’ 1973 Kawasaki 900 Z1
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P.O Box 428
Albury
NSW 2640
CHACA$MORGAN$COUNTRY$CAR$CLUB$INC$
PO$BOX$428,$ALBURY$$NSW$$2640$
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President!
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Vice$President!!
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Stephen!Grenness!
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Paul!Zanuso! !
Secretary!
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Treasurer!
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Herbert!Simpfendorfer!6029!2224!!!!0427!907!532!
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$$Email:[email protected]!
Michelle!Grenness! !!6026!1770! 0427!059!083!
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!!6026!1770! 0409!562!532!
$$Email:[email protected]!
!!0428!562!532!
Additional$Committee$Members!!Graham!Grenness,!Andrew!Pargeter,!Don!McRae.!Shaun!Morgan,!
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Bill!Littlehales,!Peter!Grenness,!Dawn!Beachcroft,!Harry!Greenhalgh.!
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Membership$Secretary!
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Rally$Director! !
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Ed!Dale!!
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Harry!Greenhalgh!
Technical$Officers$
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Anthony!Lieschke!
!!6929!3958! 0418!453!046!
!!Email:[email protected]!
!!6040!1901!!!!!!!0411!746!286!
Email:[email protected]
!!6029!2269!!Des!Bownds!!6025!3383!
Plates$Registrar!
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Des!Bownds! !
!!6025!3383!
Property$Officer!
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Brendan!Glasgow!
!!6025!2016!
Public$Officer! !
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Leo!Mackinlay!!
!!6036!2253!
Publications$ !
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Andrew/Dom!Pargeter!6021!8627!!!!!0427!218!627!
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!!Email:[email protected]!!!
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!!Snail!Mail:!744!Macauley!St,!Albury,!2640!
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Swap$Meet$Committee:!!Stephen!Grenness,!Shaun!Morgan,!Andrew!Pargeter,!Dawn!Beachcroft,!
John!Beachcroft,!Graham!Grenness,!Peter!Grenness,!Paul!Zanuso,!Des!Bownds,!Herb!Simpfendorfer,!
Eric!Holland,!Ian!Francis,!Harry!Greenhalgh,!Jason!Rigby,!Max!Wilson,!Kay!Dale.!
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Show$&$Shine$Committee:$$Graham!Grenness,!John!Newton,!Paul!Zanuso,!Shannon!Koschel,!Bill!
Littlehales,!Peter!Mrjana,!Harry!Greenhalgh.!
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Meetings:$$Held!on!the!first!Tuesday!of!every!month!(except!January)!in!the!Club!Rooms!at!the!
Jindera!Sports!Ground,!starting!at!7.30pm!sharp.!
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Membership$Fee:!!$40.00pa!(Pensioners!$35.00)!and!is!payable!in!November.!Non!refundable!joining!
fee!$10.00.!!No!extra!fee!for!partners.!
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Uniform:$$Polos!`!$35.00!(men’s)!$28.00!(women’s),!Rugby!Jumper!`!$54.00,!Spray!Jacket!`!$50.00,!
Cap!$14.!!Each!member!can!receive!one!each!of!these!at!a!subsidised!price!of!50%!off;!additional!
orders!will!be!at!full!price.!!
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Club$Magazine:$$The!Country!Mile!eMagazine!published!monthly!and!delivered!by!Email.!Deadline!for!
Club!Members!contributions!is!the!14th!of!the!month.!Email!yours!now!to:!([email protected])!
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Affiliations:!!C.H.A.C.A.!Classic!and!Historical!Automobile!Club!of!Australia.!!C.H.M.C!Classic!and!Historic!Motor!Club!(member)!!
$
NEW$MEMBERS$ALWAYS$WELCOME$
2.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”!
Notes&from&the&Secretary&
&
Members!were!saddened!to!hear!of!the!death!of!baby!Joey!Beachcroft.!He!was!the!son!of!member!
Lloyd!and!partner!Laura,!and!the!grandchild!of!members!John!and!Dawn!Beachcroft.!!The!family!
has!our!deepest!sympathy.!!
!!
All!members!express!deep!sympathy!to!member!John!Newton!and!his!family,!following!the!death!of!
John’s!wife!Alice.!!Alice!will!be!remembered!as!a!loyal!member,!and!a!generous,!thoughtful,!quiet,!
kind!person,!and!a!sympathetic!listener.!!Years!ago,!John!and!Alice!had!a!Rolls!Royce,!which!put!
them!apart!a!bit!from!the!rest!of!us.!!Alice!was!quite!regal!when!they!went!around!in!this!very!nice!
vehicle.!Since!then!they!have!had!other!restored!vehicles,!going!on!long!trips!to!partake!in!restored!
vehicle!activities.!!We!will!miss!Alice!very!much.!!!
!!
1.!!!!It!is!a!bit!of!a!pity!that!some!members!miss!out!on!some!information!that!comes!up!at!the!
meeting.!!There!is!always!a!time!lag!between!the!meeting!and!the!publishing!of!the!Magazine.!!I!am!
thinking!of!a!particular!case!just!now,!the!news!that!the!Redex!cars!would!be!coming!through!
Jindera!two!days!after!the!June!club!meeting.!!We!did!not!know!about!this!event!before!the!
meeting.!!Lorraine!Morgan!heard!about!this!after!the!meeting!started,!and!rang!us!at!the!meeting.!!
Thanks!Lorraine.!
!!
2.!!!!However,!the!record!number!of!members!at!the!meeting!were!duly!informed!about!the!Redex!
cars.!!Our!meeting!was!almost!at!the!stage!of!Standing!Room!Only.!!It!was!good!to!see!so!many!
members!there.!!Some!could!say!that!we!sometimes!became!a!bit!frivolous,!but!I!am!not!at!all!
unhappy!with!that.!!A!bit!of!humour!is!a!good!indication!of!a!happy!atmosphere.!
!!
3.!!!!There!were!some!special!features!at!the!Meeting.!!Anthony!Lieschke!showed!us!the!very!small!
engine!he!made!himself.!!He!got!it!going!to!the!delight!of!members.!!It!huffed!and!chuffed!for!quite!a!
time!before!it!got!“stage!fright”,!according!to!Anthony.!!The!other!special!feature!was!the!viewing!of!
my!videos!made!on!my!recent!solo!trip!into!the!outback.!!I!fitted!a!camera!just!behind!the!
windscreen!in!my!Austin!1800!ute,!and!turned!it!on!while!going!along!whenever!I!thought!there!
may!be!something!worth!seeing!later.!!It!turned!out!much!better!than!I!expected,!with!almost!no!
camera!wobble.!!I!went!as!far!west!as!Cocklebiddy,!then!as!far!north!as!the!ghost!town!of!Farina.!!
There!is!about!one!hour!of!video!material!relating!to!this!trip.!!It!was!simple!matter!for!my!son!John!
to!set!up!the!club!TV!to!show!these!clips!before!and!after!the!meeting.!There!will!be!a!report!of!this!
trip!sometime!for!you!to!read,!and!some!photos!to!look!at.!!Going!on!a!trip!like!this!is!a!great!
adventure,!and!I!urge!everyone!to!do!the!same!as!often!as!possible.!
!!
4.!!!!The!windscreen!ribbons!have!arrived,!and!are!now!for!sale!at!$10!each.!!Quite!a!few!were!
bought!at!the!meeting.!!It!is!anticipated!that!every!one!of!our!club’s!vehicles!will!have!one!of!these!
on!the!windscreen!in!every!static!display.!!We!could!possibly!lend!a!few!to!members!who!are!short!
of!cash,!or!leave!them!at!home.!!It!is!unlikely!that!these!ribbons!could!be!used!while!going!along!the!
road,!except!at!very!slow!speeds.!
!!
5.!!!!!The!Holbrook!bypass!opening!is!likely!to!be!a!very!big!event,!with!people!coming!from!all!over!
the!place,!even!Canberra.!!It!is!hoped!that!our!club!will!be!well!represented!in!the!static!display!near!
the!submarine.!!Note!the!date,!Sunday!June!23rd,!and!keep!it!free.!!Member!Leo!Mackinlay!is!one!of!
the!organisers!of!the!display,!which!will!involve!all!clubs!in!our!area.!
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3.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”!
Minutes(of(Meeting(held(on(Tuesday(June(4th,(2013(
The!President!opened!the!meeting!at!7.37!p.m.!
!!
Present:(!Rupert!Paech,!Peter!Mrjana,!Chris!Mrjana,!Harry!Greenhalgh,!Averil!Greenhalgh,!Geoff!
Kernaghan,!Shaun!Morgan,!Andrew!Pargeter,!Danny!Williams,!Daren!Oram,!Don!McRae,!Norma!
McRae,!Barry!Anderson,!Anthony!Lieschke,!John!Simpfendorfer,!Paul!Zanuso,!Max!Wilson,!Graham!
Grenness,!Jason!Rigby,!Dawn!Beachcroft,!John!Beachcroft,!Michael!Adams,!Gerry!Adams,!Edward!
Dale,!Kay!Dale,!Tony!Nelson,!Alex!Nelson,!Warren!Hall,!David!Suters,!Bill!Littlehales,!Billy!
Littlehales,!John!Schmehl,!Ian!Francis,!Stephen!Grenness,!Michelle!Grenness,!Herbert!
Simpfendorfer.!!!!!
Visitor:!Robert!Klemke!
!!
Apologies:(Peter!Grenness,!Ian!Riordan,!Leo!Mackinlay,!Jean!Mackinlay,!Lloyd!Beachcroft.!
!!
New(members!were!introduced.!!They!were!Michael!and!Gerry!Adams.!!Michael!said!he!was!
working!on!a!Porsche!924.!
!!
Minutes(of(the(Previous(Meeting:(
Additions:!Add!to!Present!–!Harry!Greenhalgh,!Averil!Greenhalgh.!
It!was!moved!that!the!minutes!of!the!previous!meeting!held!on!May!7th!be!accepted!as!printed,!
with!the!addition!as!noted!above.!!Y!!Bill!Littlehales,!!SecondedY!Geoff!Kernaghan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Carried.!
!!
Business(Arising(from(the(Minutes:(!None.!
!!
Correspondence(In:((((!!
1. Magazines!from!various!clubs!
2. Letter!from!Mick!George!requesting!information!about!events.!
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Correspondence(Out:!!
1. Magazine!to!various!clubs!
2. Email!to!John!and!Vin!Forbes!about!the!recent!CHACA!tour!
3. Letters!to!all!clubs!that!participated!in!the!recent!Golden!Triangle!event!at!Lavington.!
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Treasurer’s(Report:(!The!report!was!read!by!the!Treasurer,!Michelle!Grenness.!!She!moved!that!
the!report!be!accepted.!!Seconded:!Ed!Dale.!!Carried.!
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Recent(Rallies:(!The!Events!Director,!Harry!Greenhalgh!gave!a!report!of!various!functions:!
The!Saturday!morning!get!together!at!the!club!house.!!NoYone!came!along.!!!
Harrietville,!Winton,!the!Golden!Triangle!event!at!Lavington,!Graham!Grenness!gave!members!a!
good!summary!of!the!Winton!event.!
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Coming(Events:((!Harry!Greenhalgh!gave!details!of!coming!events:!!!
Thursday!June!6th!–!The!Redex!Trial!cars!are!coming!through!Jindera.!!Details!not!clear.!
Sunday!9th!June.!!Winery!Walkabout!
Sunday!23rd!June!Y!!Holbrook!bypass!opening.!!Static!display!near!the!submarine.!
June!long!weekend!–!Morrie!Muster!with!50!vehicles!expected!
Walla!Walla!Show!and!Shine!event!on!Saturday.!!Mystery!drive!on!Sunday!
Sunday!July!28th!–!Ladies!Event.!!Arrive!at!Sodens!at!10.30.!Lunch!at!Sodens,!followed!by!an!
adventure!arranged!by!Dawn!Beachcroft.!!!More!details!at!July!meeting.!
!!!
4.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”!
Tech%Officers%Report:%!Des!Bownds!is!recovering!from!a!fall,!so!is!not!available!for!rego!checks!for!
six!weeks.!
!
Anthony!Lieschke!told!members!he!is!able!to!handle!all!rego!checks!in!the!meantime.!!He!asked!how!
many!vehicles!were!likely!to!come!up!for!rego,!and!it!was!a!small!number.!!
%
Membership%Secretary’s%Report:%!Ed!Dale!has!been!in!contact!with!may!prospective!members!in!
the!Henty!and!Pleasant!Hills!area.!!Some!of!these!come!to!meetings.!
!!
General%Business:%
1. A!few!members!thought!it!was!time!for!a!new!and!bigger!TV!in!the!club!rooms.!No!action!at!
this!time.!
2. The!Secretary!said!it!was!a!good!idea!for!every!member!to!wear!some!item!with!their!name!
on!it.!!This!is!particularly!important!now,!as!we!are!having!visitors!coming!to!meetings.!
3. Geoff!Kernaghan!brought!up!for!discussion!the!proposed!club!website.!!There!is!a!cost!
involved.!Options!for!sponsors!were!discussed.!
4. Bill!Littlehales!has!found!an!Insurance!Company!that!could!have!a!very!good!price!for!our!
Insurance!purposes.!Michelle!will!follow!this!up.!
5. Ed!Dale!showed!members!an!information!sheet!produced!by!the!Greater!Hume!Shire,!which!
also!includes!information!about!our!club!activities.!
6. Michelle!Grenness!told!members!what!was!available!as!club!uniform!items,!and!the!prices.!!
Herb!Simpfendorfer!showed!members!how!his!T!shirt!had!faded!in!colour,!and!asked!what!
would!happen!when!the!colour!was!no!longer!acceptable.!!Michelle!told!members!that!new!
ones!would!then!be!available!for!the!same!price.!!Harry!said!his!T!shirt!was!more!faded!that!
Herb’s.!
7. Herb!Simpfendorfer!said!that!he!was!ready!to!pass!on!some!of!his!Austin!1800!vehicles.!!He!
said!that!anyone!interested!in!having!one!should!contact!him.!!Harry!pointed!out!that!there!
could!be!enough!to!go!around!with!one!for!every!member.!
!!
Gossip:%
1. Ian!Francis!told!members!that!his!restored!vehicle!was!on!the!screen!for!four!seconds!in!the!
film!Cliffy.!
!!
Since!there!was!no!further!business,!the!President!closed!the!meeting!at!8.35!p.m.!!!
The!next!meeting!is!on!Tuesday!July!2nd!starting!at!7.30!p.m.!
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5.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”!
The Passing of Baby Joey Aschenbrenner-Beachcroft
30.04.2013 - 01.06.2013
Baby Joey Aschenbrenner-Beachcroft,
loved son of Club Members Laura Aschenbrenner and Lloyd Beachcroft,
loved brother of Alysah and Marlee,
and loved grandson of Club Members Dawn and John Beachcroft,
passed away at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
on 01.06.2013
aged 32 days.
The Funeral Service for Baby Joey Aschenbrenner-Beachcroft was held at the
Hume Chapel, John Hossack Funeral Services, 435 Wilson St, Albury on Tuesday
11th June at 12 noon followed by a Private Cremation.
Our Deepest Sympathies go out to Laura, Lloyd, Dawn, John
and all family members and friends.
6.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
The Passing of Alice Newton
Today we attended the Funeral Service of our Club Member Alice Newton, wife of John Newton.
John and Alice have been Members of our Car Club since 1998, and Alice held various positions in the Club.
Stephen Grenness, Don & Norma McRae, Edward & Kay Dale, Bill Littlehales, Arthur & Fay Dean, Monica
Simpfendorfer, Harry & Averil Greenhalgh were present.
Alice will be very much missed.
Our sincere condolences to John and his family.
Earlier this year at Stephens Museum Barnawatha.
Alice is seated centre.
7.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
Rally Director’s Report – Club Events

The CHACA Morgan Country Car Club is an active Car Club. Each
month we hold Club Events when Members can take out that ‘special
car’ whether on Full Rego or Conditional Registration.

Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month (except
January) in the Club Rooms at the Jindera Sports Ground, starting at
7.30pm sharp.
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*6.30pm start for nights when there is a Sausage Sizzle before the
Meeting.

A Saturday Morning at the Club Rooms. Normally on the first Saturday after the Monthly Meeting. Held at
the Club Rooms or other special place where Members, Families, Visitors and Guests can meet once each
month for fellowship, sharing, a chat and a cuppa.

A Mid Week Run each month on a Wednesday to local places of interest for all Members and families.

A Sunday Run each month for Members and their families, to Motor Museums, Swap Meets, Car Shows,
Show n Shines etc.
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Other Extra ‘Club Organised Events’: Special $2 Breaky Morning, Picnics, Community Car Displays,
Displays for Charity, Fun
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Runs and a Quiz, Mystery Runs, visit local places of Historic Interest, Country Runs with Lunch Stops,

We hold several ‘Own Arrangements Listed Club Events’ each month where you can take out your ‘special
car’ whether on Full Registration or Conditional Registration but you make your ‘Own Arrangements’. You
must check with the Club Secretary prior to leaving home to see if any of these Events need a Permit issued
or recorded when you are on Conditional Registration and must carry your Magazine in your car and your
Permit. VIC Permit vehicle drivers must complete their Log Books before starting their journey.

Members are required to complete the Club Attendance Register at all events attended.

Every year in March we hold our Club’s own Swap Meet at the Jindera Sports Ground.
Past Events
These are the Club Events visited by our Members between May 15th & June 14th 2013:
MAY 2013
Sunday 19th May 2013 Cavalcade to Harrietville National Motoring Heritage Day Albury Wodonga.
JUNE 2013
Tuesday 4th June 2013 Sausage & Burger Sizzle before our Meeting
Thursday 6th June 2013 60th Anniversary Redex Rerun in Our District
Saturday 8th June 2013 Walla Walla Show N Shine, Walla Walla Hotel Motel
Sat/Sun 8th/9th June 2013 50th Annual Echuca Rotary Steam & Horse Rally. Showcase of 700 exhibits.
Sat/Sun/Mon 8th/9th/10th June 2013 The Albury Wodonga Mighty Morry Muster
Sunday 9th June 2013 Display of Cars at Andersons Winery Rutherglen
Sunday 9th June 2013 46th June Rally Wagga, Veteran & Vintage Motor Club Inc.
Tuesday 11th June 2013 Men’s Health Forum, Waratah Room, Commercial Club Albury.
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8.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”!
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Cavalcade to Harrietville National Motoring Heritage Day Albury Wodonga.
Border Combined Car Clubs Hosted by Murray Heritage Motorists Inc..
National Motoring Heritage Day is held on this day throughout Australia to ‘Celebrate
Australia's Motoring
Heritage’. This year we travelled to Harrietville for National Motoring Heritage Day. Harrietville was chosen as the
destination in support of the township in fire recovery and hosted by Murray Heritage Motorists Inc. Wodonga.
The clubs represented were:
 Murray Heritage Motorists Inc. Wodonga
 Antique Car Club Albury Wodonga Inc.
 RSCA Riverina Sports Car Association Inc. Albury
 Bright Vehicle Preservation Society Inc.
 CHACA Morgan Country Car Club Inc. Jindera
 Wodonga Historic Car Club Inc.
From CHACA Morgan Country Car Club:
Members, Don & Norma McRae, David & Pam Suters, Averil & Harry Greenhalgh.
We assembled at Gateway Island at 9am and left at approx 9-30. The weather was fine but quite fresh. The
drive was very good, slower than normal but we did have time to look around us. Some of the cars were parked just
the other side of Myrtleford for a break, but we cruised back into Myrtleford for morning coffee. There we met some
friends we had not seen for a while and it was good catching up on news.
I had a look at my favourite car. I loved the little Amilcar, very red. Norma had pointed out earlier though that it
has no dials or gauges, no speedo, no nothing (Herb would not have liked this) and rear brakes only.
We left Myrtleford at 11-15 and continued on towards Harrietville and the weather was getting more cloudy and
cooler with rain threatening. We drove through Bright and the autumn colors were incredible, the trees were at their
best. We drew quite a few looks as we all drove along. I am sure we brightened up the day for a few people.
We had lunch at The Harrietville Hotel-Motel. The Hotel was surprisingly big for the size of the population but I
realise it must get very busy in the snow season. The place was packed but the service and food was good and
well priced, I don't think the kitchen had been that busy in a long time. We could not complain about the meals,
great service, good food, and reasonable prices. Lambs Fry & Bacon was on the menu with mash and peas and it
smelled delicious. I have not eaten that in years. Perhaps next time. Other Members of Clubs had brought their own
food and had a picnic in the nearby park, they missed out on a great meal.
We had a quick look around the town after lunch but never did find the Museum, I personally had never been to
Harrietville before but I will be going back to have a better look around, a great little town.
The
weather
started to cool right
down about 2pm so
a few decided to
leave but Don &
Norma McRae and
Averil & myself had
Ice Cream.
You
would think we were
cold enough, but, no
sense no feeling.
We had a very good
day out and great
friends and
company.
Averil & Harry
Greenhalgh
9.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
Cavalcade to Harrietville National Motoring Heritage Day Albury Wodonga.
Border Combined Car Clubs Hosted by Murray Heritage Motorists Inc.
10.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
60th Anniversary Redex Rerun
Celebrating the 1953 Redex Trial around Australia
The Rerun
The 60th Anniversary Redex Rerun retraces the steps of the first Redex around Australia car trial in 1953. The
original event was won by Ken Tubman and John Marshall in a Peugeot 203, so this event, organised by the
Peugeot Car Club of Victoria celebrates the Peugeot connection with around Australia trials and is proudly
supported by Peugeot Automobiles Australia. Info, Map, B&W Photos from http://redexrerun.wordpress.com/about/
Thursday 6th June 2013
When we managed to catch up with the Redex Run this afternoon, they
were already on their way from Howlong to Jindera. They were at the
Albury Wodonga Car Club grounds near Jindera where they were
having a Motorkhana.
This was today’s program...
Shepparton Thursday 6 June Start at Shepparton Motor Museum
from 9am Travel via Tocumwal, Mulwala, Howlong. Lunch at
Howlong. Motorkhana at Jindera. Travel via Holbrook,
Tumbarumba and Batlow. Finish at Tumut Old Railway Station
(information centre)
then off to...
Friday 7 June Start Tumut Old Railway Station from 9am. Lunch &
Motorkhana at Cooma. Finish at Melrose Peugeot, Phillip, ACT
Saturday 8 June Start from Carotel Tourist Park, Federal Highway,
Canberra Travel via Sutton, Gundaroo, Gunning and Goulburn to
Marulan for 1953 Redex “horror stretch” Then via Hume Highway to
Parramatta. Final dinner at Parramatta Workers Club.
11.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
Walla Walla Show
and Shine
Saturday 8th June 2013
Gudday, Another Walla
Walla Show and Shine has been
and gone. The weather man was
good to all, a little cool when the
sun went in but on the whole a
great day.
Plenty of cars of all classes from
unmolested to show cars, utes
and motor cycles. A good turnout
of cars from Morgan Country Car
Club, well done guys and gals,
that's what we need and the new
blue banners look good.
The hotel ran a BBQ and the food was good. A raffle was run with proceeds to Albury Base Hospital. A silent
auction was run for a genuine damaged wheel of Brad Jones Racing Car and signed by Brad and all the drivers, it
went for $50.
Present: Tony & Lyn Nelson and son, David Suters, John & Dawn Beachcroft, Harry & Averil Greenhalgh,
Shaun Morgan, Edward Dale, John Schmehl, Ian Francis, Peter & Kylie Candy & children, Eric Holland, RJ.
Harry Greenhalgh – Rally Director
12.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN GUILTY OF LOOKING AT OTHERS YOUR OWN AGE AND
THINKING, SURELY I CAN'T LOOK THAT OLD? WELL......YOU'LL LOVE THIS
MY NAME IS ALICE SMITH AND I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MY
FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW DENTIST. I NOTICED HIS DENTAL DIPLOMA,
WHICH BORE HIS FULL NAME.
SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK HAIRED BOY WITH THE SAME
NAME HAD BEEN IN MY SECONDARY SCHOOL CLASS SOME 30-ODD YEARS AGO.
COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN?
UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT.
THIS BALDING, GREY HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY LINED FACE WAS FAR TOO
OLD TO HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE.
AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED MORGAN PARK
SECONDARY SCHOOL ...
'YES, YES I DID. I'M A MORGANNER! 'HE BEAMED WITH PRIDE.
'WHEN DID YOU LEAVE TO GO TO COLLEGE?' I ASKED
HE ANSWERED, IN 1965. WHY DO YOU ASK?
'YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!' I EXCLAIMED.
HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY.
THEN THE UGLY,
OLD,
BALD,
WRINKLED,
FAT BUMMED,
GREY HAIRED,
DECREPIT FELLOW ASKED:
Courtesy of Peter Hibbert.
'WHAT DID YOU TEACH?'...........
CHACA Journal
P13
Page 18
These are sentences exactly as typed by medical secretaries in NHS
Greater Glasgow................compliments Peter Hibbert
1. The patient has no previous history of suicide.
2. Patient has left her white blood cells at another hospital.
3. Patient's medical history has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound
weight gain in the past three days.
4. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in
bed last night.
5. Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
6. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it disappeared.
7. The patient is tearful and crying constantly. She also appears to be depressed.
8. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.
9. Discharge status:Alive, but without my permission.
10. Healthy appearing decrepit 69-year old male, mentally alert, but forgetful.
11. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.
12. She is numb from her toes down.
13. While in ER, she was examined, x-rated and sent home.
14. The skin was moist and dry.
15. Occasional, constant infrequent headaches.
16. Patient was alert and unresponsive.
17. Rectal examination revealed a normal size thyroid.
18. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until she got a
divorce.
19. I saw your patient today, who is still under our care for physical therapy.
20. Both breasts are equal and reactive to light and accommodation.
21. Examination of genitalia reveals that he is circus sized.
22. The lab test indicated abnormal lover function.
23. Skin: somewhat pale, but present.
24. The pelvic exam will be done later on the floor.
25. Large brown stool ambulating in the hall.
26. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.
27. When she fainted, her eyes rolled around the room.
28. The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of
fuel and crashed.
29. Between you and me, we ought to be able to get this lady pregnant.
30. She slipped on the ice and apparently her legs went in separate directions in
early December.
31. Patient was seen in consultation by Dr. Smith, who felt we should sit on the abdomen and I agree.
32. The patient was to have a bowel resection. However, he took a job as a stock
broker instead.
33. By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped, and he was feeling
better.
For the sake of your health - stay away from hospital....................
CHACA Journal
Page 8
The National Rally—A Tale of Woe
What a great week. Perfect weather, faultless organising, a great variety of vehicles and the friendliest bunch of
people. A perfect week, or was it?
I chose to leave on the Monday morning, to travel direct to Albury via the Ring Rd. and Hume Fwy. First I had to
stop at Altona to fill the tank, using my discount card. The usual 4 lanes was reduced to 2, due to a fuel tanker delivery, so I
pulled into the shortest line and waited my turn. After 20 minutes I finally reached the head of the line, only to discover the
standard unleaded “OUT OF ORDER”.
As the other line had extended out into the street, I opted to backtrack via Westgate Fwy. to Williamstown Rd. only
to discover a peak hour car park and on arrival, couldn’t even get into the Service Station..
Further travel eventually got me filled up, having travelled approximately 12kms and nearly back home again. One
should know, when a trip starts off like this, it’s a bad omen. Nevertheless, the peak hour traffic had cleared and the run out
on the Ring Rd. and North on the Hume was uneventful—Well almost.
Due to a faulty fuel gauge, I had replaced the tank sender unit a few weeks before the rally, but the fuel tank in Melbourne had only registered 3/4 on the gauge, so I pulled off the freeway at Benalla and topped up. After payment at the office, I returned to the car and during a walk around to inspect tyres etc. I was shocked to discover petrol pouring out from
everywhere under the rear.
I quickly threw 2 buckets of water under the car and reported the fuel leak to the staff. As I had recently flushed and
sealed the fuel tank, I figured it must be leaking at the sender unit and I had topped it up above this level, by filling the filler
spout, making it approximately 2 litres over full. As it was going to leak anyway, I decided to put my foot down until the
level went low enough to stop leaking. After this, I maintained the level each day to approximately 3/4 full maximum, which
solved the problem.
However, after returning to the freeway following the pit stop in Benalla, I realised I was looking through a cracked
windscreen. Never heard or felt the stone impact, but you can bet I will notice the impact on my wallet. Such is life.
A couple of days into the meet, I was driving in convoy and realised I was dropping back on a long incline so I flattened the accelerator to kick back the auto. When it finally kicked back I noticed a smoke haze out the back and the smell of
burnt oil, so I backed off and drove more sedately thereafter. A check later showed correct oil level, so I wasn’t concerned.
Friday came around far too quickly. Up early, car loaded up and on the road by 7.30 for a non-stop run down the
Hume and home by early afternoon. Not likely—Not on this trip.
Half an hour out of Wodonga—Bang! A huge explosion followed by serious scraping sounds from the rear. Easing to a controlled stop, I pulled off to the side approximately 1/2 km down the road and discovered that the entire rotating wheel and
mudguard assembly had sheared off my single wheel trailer and the trailer was sliding along on its corner jacks, which fortunately prevented further damage.
A long walk back revealed the complete wheel assembly laying in the bushes intact and despite some gouges, undamaged and the tyre still inflated. Further searching even uncovered the 2 halves of the sheared pin (it turns out it was
manufactured from cheap mild steel).
As I don’t possess a mobile phone, I stood for over 1/2 hour leaning on the trailer waiting for a good Samaritan to
stop, but to no avail. Then I remembered the A4 HELP sign issued to each rally entrant, dug it out and within 10 minutes 2
vehicles had pulled up and rung the RACV for me. Half an hour later and an RACV man pulls up to check the situation, as
he got the call whilst on the way to work in his 4WD. It would take another hour for him to drive to his base at Howlong and
return with a tandem trailer.
While I waited, I unloaded and dismantled my Electric Scooter and emptied all my boot contents into the back seat
and reloaded the scooter into the boot. It didn’t take long to load my damaged trailer onto the tandem when he returned and I
proceeded to follow him to Howlong (1/2hr east of Albury).
Somewhere along the way he pulled up to tighten his tie down straps and as I pulled up behind him we noticed
smoke emanating from under the front fender. Closer examination revealed a serious oil leak from the front main seal which
was blowing back onto the exhaust and burning, causing the smoke and the burnt oil smell a couple of days earlier, which
was probably when the seal blew out.
Arriving at the workshop by 11am and a suggestion was made to take both car and trailer on a tow truck to avoid
further damage and I quickly agreed. However, their tow truck wasn’t long enough and didn’t have a towbar, so I waited
hours for alternative arrangements to be made with Grearly Towing in Wodonga. As their 4 trucks were committed for the
day, it was 5.30pm when they finally had me loaded and on my way, finally arriving home about 9pm. The bill to RACV? In
excess of $1600. My bill for repairs? Don’t ask and never mention Howlong ever again.
PS. One of our regular advertisers Coljen have produced a new high tensile steel pin for the trailer, which should be fixed by
the time you read this. The Stude will take a bit longer.
Bob Clark.
CHACA Journal
Page 15
JUNE 2013
CLUB EVENTS
Thursday 27th
Mid-ish-Week Run. Meet at the Café Regent, Dean St Albury 10.00am for Coffee and
Muffins followed by a Movie. (Decide over Coffee) Prices: Hume Thursdays - $11 with a
Hume Card. With a Seniors Card $11.50 admission. PHONE NOW: 0411 746 286
Saturday 29th
Saturday LATE Breakfast at The Kinross Woolshed Start at 10am Bring the family, bring
your friends, bring your mates… $2 $2 $2 $2 Breakfast at the Kinross is on again and it’s later in the morning so you can have that lie in you need! This is a Club Event
CALL Harry if you think you can’t make it! 0411 746 286 [email protected]
JULY 2013
CLUB EVENTS
Tuesday 2nd
Sausage, Onions & Baked Beans Night @ 6.45pm followed by the Monthly Club
Meeting @ 7.30pm This is a Club Event. Please bring a plate for Supper.
Thursday 4th
MidWeek Run – Ladies Choice – To Be Decided on the Day. Meet at the Club Rooms in
Jindera at 10.30am for Coffee and Cake. This is a Club Event
Saturday 6th
10.30am Pleasant Saturday at the Clubrooms + Coffee and Cake
Saturday 13th
Saturday – Ladies Choice – LATE Breakfast at The Kinross Woolshed Start at 10am
Bring the family, bring your friends, bring your mates… Breakfast at the Kinross is on
again and it’s later in the morning so you can have that lie in you need! (Change of
Location Possible) Give Harry a call if you think you can’t make it! 0411 746 286 or [email protected] This is a Club Event
Sunday 21st
Wagga Wagga Swap Meet. 7am-3pm. Adults $5. 900+ sites. Hosts: CHACA Wagga
Region. Auto Jumble – Bric a brac – Antiques. Wagga Wagga Showgrounds. Contact Steve
Medlen: 0458 454 477 (AH) This is a Club Event – Own Arrangements.
Sunday 28th
Ladies Choice. Organiser: Dawn Beachcroft. Soden’s Albury for Morning Tea and
Lunch, Fun Quiz & Drive, Scones, Jam and Cream with Coffee/Tea at the afternoons
destination. $20pp approx. You must have a Passenger. Call Dawn by Monday 22nd on
0409 445 937 & Book. Meet 10.30am at Soden’s Hotel. This is a Club Event. PRIZES!!
AUGUST 2013
CLUB EVENTS
Tuesday 6th
Sausage, Burgers & Onions with Coleslaw Night @ 6.45pm followed by the Monthly
Club Meeting @ 7.30pm This is a Club Event. Please bring a plate for Supper
Wednesday 7th
MidWeek Run - To Be Decided on the Day. Meet at the Club Rooms in Jindera at
10.30am for Coffee and Cake. This is a Club Event.
Saturday 10th
10.30am Pleasant Saturday at the Clubrooms include Shed Visit This is a Club Event.
Sat 24th or Sun 25th
Surprise Day Out More information to Come. STAY TUNED!!! This is a Club Event.
Saturday 31st
Saturday LATE Breakfast at The Kinross Woolshed Start at 10am Bring the family, bring
your friends, bring your mates… $2 $2 $2 $2 Breakfast at the Kinross is on again and
it’s later in the morning so you can have that lie in you need! This is a Club Event
CALL Harry if you think you can’t make it! 0411 746 286 [email protected]
SEPT 2013
CLUB EVENTS
Tuesday 3rd
Sausage, Onions & Baked Beans Night @ 6.45pm followed by the Monthly Club
Meeting @ 7.30pm This is a Club Event. Please bring a plate for Supper.
Wednesday 4th
MidWeek Run - To Be Decided on the Day. Meet at the Club Rooms in Jindera at
10.30am for Coffee and Cake. This is a Club Event.
Saturday 7th
10.30am Pleasant Saturday at the Clubrooms + Coffee and Cake. This is a Club Event.
Sat 14th or Sun 15th Surprise Day Out More information to Come. STAY TUNED!!! This is a Club Event.
Saturday 28th
Saturday LATE Breakfast at The Kinross Woolshed Start at 10am OR suggestions
16.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
Mid-ish-Week
Run
Thursday 27th June
Mid-ish-Week Run. Meet at the Café Regent,
Dean St Albury 10.00am for Coffee and
Muffins followed by a Movie. (Decide over
Coffee) Prices: Hume Thursdays - $11 with a
Hume Card. With a Seniors Card $11.50
BOOK NOW WITH HARRY
Give Harry a call if you think you can make it!
0411 746 286 or [email protected]
17.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
LATE Breakfast at The
Kinross Woolshed $2
Saturday 29th June 2013
Meet at 10am $2
This is a Club Event
Bring the family, bring your
friends, bring your mates… Breakfast at the Kinross is on again
and it’s later in the morning so you
can have that lie in you need!
Give Harry a call if you think you
can’t make it! 0411 746 286 or
[email protected]
18.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
Sunday 28th JULY Soden’‛s Albury
Ladies Choice
Organiser: Dawn Beachcroft
Soden’‛s Albury for Morning Tea and Lunch
Fun Quiz & Drive You must have a Passenger
Scones, Jam and Cream with Coffee/Tea at the afternoons destination
$20pp approx.
Call Dawn by Monday 22nd July on 0409 445 937 & Book
Meet 10.30am at Soden’‛s Hotel
This is a Club Event
PRIZES!! PRIZES!! PRIZES!!
EVERYBODY WINS
19.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
Friday 28th JUNE
Red Nose Day, held annually on the last in June, is the major fundraiser for SIDS and Kids.
Funds raised through Red Nose Day activities assist SIDS and Kids in providing vital
services and programs to the Australian community.
JULY
EVENTS OF INTEREST 2013
Saturday 6th
Temora Aviation Museum Aircraft Showcase - North American Aviation Spitfire, Harvard,
T-28, Sabre http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/category/flying-dates/
Sat/Sun 6th/7th TBC
Tocumwal Winter Festival & Fergy Demo & ParadeTocumwal featuring Historic Cars and
Trucks/Parade/Market Stalls/Arts and Craft/Swap Meet Enquiries 03 5874 2490
Sun/Sun 7th/14th
NAIDOC Week
Fri/Sun 12th/14th
Bay to Bermagui run 2013 Friday 12th to Sunday 14th July. A run for historic vehicles that
showcases the pristine NSW southern coastline from Batemans Bay to Bermagui; taking in
beaches, lakes, inlets and villages of the area. Registration is now open at a cost of $120 per
person. The cost will cover Friday evening pre drink and finger food, Saturday morning tea,
Saturday lunch at Bermagui, Saturday 3 course dinner with wine, Sunday brunch, a
commemorative run sticker and a metal grill vehicle badge.
Hosted by: The Classic and Vintage Motor Club of Eurobodalla. Our charity this year is
Snowyhydro South Care Helicopter. Entry is payable by cheque or money order made out of
CVMCE B2B. Closing date for entries is Wednesday 1st May 2013. Entries should be sent
to: CVMCE B2B 2013, Secretary CVMCE, PO Box 684, Moruya NSW 2537.
Saturday 13th
Clearing Sale: Yanco, NSW. 10:00am. Cugel Street (off Main Street), Yanco, 2703,
Australia. Engines, Collectables, Workshop Tools. Listings Click Here
http://www.tomm.com.au/auction/clearing-sale-yanco-nsw
Sat/Sun 13th/14th
Wentworth Junction Rally Junction Park, Cadell St, Wentworth. Vintage Engines, Paddle
Boats, Steam Engines, Barges, Vintage Machinery, Steam Launches, Heritage Crafts,
Classic River Boats, Vintage Tractors, Vintage Cars, Vintage Bikes and much much more.
Sun/Sat 14th/20th
National Diabetes Week - Diabetes Australia email Diabetes Australia - (02) 6232 3800
Sun/Sat 14th/20th
Wee Week 2013 - Kidney Health Australia
Saturday 20th
Temora Aviation Museum Aircraft Showcase - Fighters
Spitfire, Meteor, A37B http://www.aviationmuseum.com.au/news/category/flying-dates/
Sat/Sun 20th/21st
The Veteran Car Club of Australia (Victoria) presents the Mid Winter Icicle Tour weekend.
Contact: Michael M: 0407 008 895 E: [email protected] Claudia M: 0402 484 036
E: [email protected]
Sunday 21st
Wagga Wagga Swap Meet. Hosts: CHACA Wagga Region. Auto Jumble – Bric a brac –
Antiques. Due to popular demand the swap has been extended to 900+ sites. Hot food and
drinks available. Entry via main gate, Wagga Wagga Showgrounds, Bourke Street
Contact Steve Medlen: 0458 454 477 (AH)
Sun/Sat 21st /27th
40th Year Ruby Rally Hosted by Swan Hill Vintage & Classic Vehicle Club Inc.
Sunday-Swan Hill, Monday-Robinvale, Museum, Andrew Peace Winery, Tuesday-Balranald,
Historic Yanga Homestead, Wednesday-Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement, Murray Downs
Homestead, Thursday-Free Day, Friday-Barnham, Border Fly Wheelers Museum, Meal at
Swan Hill Town Hall, Saturday-Home.
Mon/Sun 22nd/28th
National Pain Week - Chronic Pain Australia - 1800 218 921
Friday 26th
Stress Down Day - Nationwide - Lifeline Australia - email Lifeline Australia
Sunday 28th
Nabiac Automotive Swap Meet The National Motorcycle Museum, 33 Clarkson St, Nabiac.
This swap is for motorcycles, hotrods and historic cars /trucks. Automotive parts, tools &
memorabilia only No bric-a-brac, furniture or clothing. 7am Sunday. Show and Shine for
motorcycles, hot rods and historic cars /trucks. Admission $2 per all persons. Bookings to the
museum between 9.30am and 3.00pm daily on (02) 6554 1333.
20.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
AUGUST
EVENTS OF INTEREST 2013
Friday 2nd
Jeans For Genes Day Jeans for Genes Day is a national day when people wear their jeans
to raise much-needed funds for research into birth defects and diseases such as cancer,
epilepsy, and a range of genetic disorders. On Friday 2nd August workplaces, schools and
streets will become a sea of denim in a united stance against childhood disease.
Every dollar raised on the day will help scientists at Children’s Medical Research Institute discover treatments & cures, to give every child the opportunity to live a long and healthy life.
Sunday 4th
Canowindra Swap Meet, NSW Canowindra Showground, Rodd Street, Canowindra. Hosted
by Canowindra Pony Club. Gates open 5am, site holders Friday from 4pm. Hot and cold
showers available, full canteen on Sunday. Entry $3, sites unpowered $10, powered $20.
Bookings Bill 02 6344 1886 or information Karen 0428 442 404.
Mon/Fri 5th/9th
‘National Rally of Rileys’ - Venue - South Australia. This year’s NATIONAL RATTLE OF RILEYS is from Adelaide to Port Augusta in South Australia, via The Barossa Valley and
Burra. For more information, please email: [email protected] or visit The Riley Club of
SA’s website: http://users.adam.com.au/leighj/html/how_the_events_fit.html For Brochure
The National Rattle is the annual national gathering of Riley enthusiasts in Australia. It has
been held traditionally around Easter but in 2013 we are breaking with tradition but for a very
good reason. In 2013 the event is being held in conjunction with ``Rileys Through the Red
Centre`` a Riley journey from Adelaide to Darwin
Tuesday 6th
***Club Meeting at Club Room 7.30pm ***Sausage Sizzle before Meeting 6.30pmish
Friday 9th
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
Fri/ 9th/30th
Rileys Through the Red Centre The Riley Motor Club of South Australia
http://users.adam.com.au/leighj/index.html
Sat/Sun10th/11th
2013 ‘Winton Festival of Speed’ Long Track Winton Historic Racing, featuring an array of
historic, classic (and soon to become classic) racing cars. The 2012 ‘Festival ‘attracted some 250 entries. For 2013 the organisers expect to see a field of top level cars reach 300,
including demonstration, show and parade cars. Entries close on July 12th 2013.
Admission: Friday 9th August Free, Saturday 10th August $25.00 Gates Open 7.00am,
Sunday 11th August $30.00 Gates Open 7.00am, Two day pass $50.00, Children under 16
Free, Programme $5.00 http://www.vhrr.com/winton.htm
Sunday 11th
The Golden Oldies - The Dubbo Vintage Truck and Tract, Dubbo. Vintage Vehicles Only.
Starts from Marong Picnic and through to Castlemaine. www.federation.asn.au
Contact Vince Thorn 03 5595 2042
Sunday 11th
7th Cobram Swap Meet & All Wheels ShowNShine from 7am. Judging commences 9.30am.
Presentations 1.30pm Admission Public $5. Under 16 Free. Cobram Showgrounds, Cobram
VIC
. Hosted by The Rotary Club of Cobram Inc
. Feature Cobram’s (Top Gear) skill driving on Pulse R8 simulator competition. Garden, Travel and Outdoor District Promotion
Contact Adrian Bennett 03 5873 4267 or [email protected] or John 03 5873 5450
Monday 12th
International Youth Day.
Sunday 18th
AOMC & VDC - The All Aussie Car Show, Flemington
Monday 19th
World Humanitarian Day
Mon/Sun 19th/25th
Keep Australia Beautiful Week Keep Australia Beautiful Week kicks off on Monday 19
August and there are no two ways about it. Littering is just plain wrong.
Sunday 25th
Federation Picnic Marong & Tractor Trek www.federation.asn.au
21.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
A Solo Trip into the Outback
by Club Member Herbert Simpfendorfer.
A few weeks ago, I was at a place called Cocklebiddy. Halfway across the Nullabor Plain. Very
small place. Just a roadhouse and primitive caravan park. All by myself. In my Austin 1800 ute.
Having a nice drive into the outback. I put up the tent in the caravan park late in the day, ready for
a nice sleep, thinking about going to Esperance next day. But during the night there was a storm.
First a terrible wind. Not nice. Then the rain started. Heavy rain. Not nice. Soon much of the
caravan park was under water. It was time to work out what to do next. It was 3 a.m. Now that is
what can be called a real adventure, and a real challenge. Just the thing I like very much.
The whole works. Austin ute, nice tent, happy person.
This is a bush camp. No facilities.
To take some photos like this one, I had a tripod and used delayed time.
Sometimes I had to walk quickly to get to the appropriate place in time.
My tent is quite old, made in Canada. I bought it at an auction for $10 years ago.
It is definitely not made of plastic!
I was away from home for 20 days, covering 5825 km. My Austin 1800 ute did not miss a beat,
which was not expected, so I carried my usual big assortment of spare parts and tools, but I touched
only one of the tools, a pair of pliers, to replace a broken rubber exhaust pipe support with a bit of
fencing wire, which I always carry on board.
My plan was to re-connect with the outback of Australia. I have made numerous trips all over
Australia in the past, and love it. Monica and John stayed at home this time. It had to be a short
trip, so it could be Perth or Darwin. Perth got the nod, so off I went. I had a few relatives to visit
on the way, but was on my own after Port Augusta. That is when the re-connecting began. Miles
and miles of desolate, beautiful scenery. Perfect roads. Next to no traffic. The outback starts at
Port Augusta, according to my definition, so extra water is put on board. I carried 10 litres. At a
place called Penong, there is a big sign that tells travellers going west that there are no shops for
1000 km., which refers to Norseman, the next town. In between Penong and Norseman, there are
quite a few roadhouses, which sell all kinds of items needed by travellers, but no shops. I had been
on this road already twice, so knew that the Nullabor Plain is really no big deal. After three days of
comfortable driving, it is all over. Petrol goes up in price by 30%. I tried something new on this
trip. I made a bracket to hold a camera just behind the windscreen. When there was something
interesting to watch later, I turned it on, making a video. In this way, I ended up with well over one
hour of videos, mainly of the outback. I wanted to record what is seen from a vehicle. I also took
the camera off its bracket sometimes to take ordinary photos, some of which are in this article. The
most beautiful sights on this trip? The Bunda Cliffs and the ocean at the Great Australia Bight are
22.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
hard to beat. Maybe the Flinders Ranges are just as good. But for me, the emptiness and vastness
of the outback were best of all.
The blue line shows where I went, first west, then north, fifteen days of moving.
I had my tent as usual, which made the trip quite cheap. The cost of staying at a caravan park for
me varied from $10 to $25 for one night. The cost is no indication of quality, as the best by far was
the Hawker park which was $10, and by far the worst was the $25 site at Ceduna. However, I do
not use many mod cons in a caravan park. As long as the showers and toilets were clean, that's all I
needed. I carried just about all the food I needed for the whole trip. I have a few tricks for getting
two hot meals a day, without using a gas bottle. Inside the tent was a comfortable bed, a small
table, a light and a camping chair. In any caravan park, everyone stays inside soon after dark,
probably staying in bed much longer than usual. There is often a very early start next day for many
travellers. I watched the sun rise almost every morning, which seems to give a person a very good
start to the day. Being Winter, I had to wait for the tent to dry out in the morning, so moving off
was usually at about 10 a.m. The day's run was often about 400 km, but twice was 700 km, which
was perfectly OK in my comfortable ute. Twice I had bush camps, which is overnighting away
from caravan parks, in places where camping is allowed. Normally, there are no facilities, but I can
cope. This is quite OK for the grey nomads who are out there in great numbers, with their giant
caravans and 4WDs. They have all mod cons aboard, so are perfectly comfortable staying
overnight away from caravan parks. The cost of any trip like this for me is about one and a half the
cost of fuel. And for the 1800, fuel comes to about 15 c per km.
23.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
This photo is poor quality, as the sun was in the wrong place. I am trying to make an important
point. The caption of the photo is
The Sublime and the Rediculous.
We were at the Bunda Cliffs, and the others were about to drive off. Grey nomads, of course. For
happiness on a trip into the outback, they need a big, modern and very expensive setup like this.
For me, it was enough for perfect happiness to have an Austin 1800 ute with some of my gear
inside, and the rest on the tray.
At Penong in S.A., the start of 1000 km of the outback. A few minutes after taking this with my
tripod and timer, a guy ran over and said he wanted me to take a photo of him and my 1800 ute. He
was very excited, as he had one years ago. Admiration for my ute happened many times. In the
outback, many people wave as they go past. This is what happens in the outback anyway, but I
think it was sometimes because of my vehicle.
So what did happen next at Cocklebiddy? When water started to come into the tent, I put all the
gear inside the tent onto high plastic containers, so that I knew they would not get wet, then I drove
the ute to a spot near the shower block where there was no flooding, and had a nice cup of coffee,
which is always ready to go inside the vehicle. Then I had a nice shower, working out what may be
a good plan once the sun came up. When the sun eventually made a very dreary appearance, the
24.
“Don’t-Text-n-Drive If You Want To Survive”
rain had stopped, so it was time for action. Everyone else was still asleep. I found a spot where
there was no water about 40 m from the flooded tent. I had to take off my boots and socks. Then I
carried all tent items there, and loaded them. I packed up the tent wet, which is not a good idea, but
can be done in an emergency. It was important to dry it out later the same day. I had a look at the
sky, and decided the weather was not going to be good for a few days, so decided to turn around.
The weather improved as I went east that day. I went as far as the Nullabor Roadhouse, where I put
up the tent. It dried out nicely, so there was no damage done.
This photo was taken near Yalata at the start of the Nullabor Plain, I could have taken hundreds of
photos just like this, showing no traffic, a beautiful road, big sky and peace. I also have nice videos
taken while going along roads like this.
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This is where someone decided the Nullabor Plain starts. Nullabor is Latin for "no trees." The
majestic Bunda Cliffs are a bit further on, quite close to the highway.
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The Bunda Cliffs. Majestic and serene. The colour of the ocean is not properly shown here. It is a
deep blue. Many whales come quite close to these cliffs every year starting in June. Whale
watching is a popular tourist activity in this area. Note that there are no fences along the cliffs to
stop anyone walking over the edge. There are big signs to warn people of the danger.
At Port Augusta two days later, I decided to go north to see some more of the outback, as I still had
time left. In this area are the Flinders Ranges, which are always a deep blue. Beautiful. I went
through Peterborough, Hawker and Leigh Creek to get to Lyndhurst. At Lyndhurst, the gravel
roads start. The locals told me that there was a lot of activity at the ghost town of Farina, some 40
km north. I had been there before, and thought it would be interesting to see what kind of activity
there can be in a ghost town. So I went there, being very careful to nurse the ute through
corrugations and holes in the road.
Farina was once a very busy town because of the railway to Alice Springs, and also for loading
cattle onto the train for shipment to the southern abattoirs. The important buildings in the town
were built with local stone. When both these activities ceased, people left, and eventually nobody
lived there. It became a ghost town. Many smaller houses and buildings were knocked down and
used as a base for the road to Marree. The hotel, bakery, post office and a few other buildings were
left standing. Soon the roofs of these fell down, but the walls remained mainly largely intact.
Tourists came, had a look, and left. I was one of these, about four years ago. Then a few people
thought it was a shame to see this town continue to fall down. So a society was formed to stop the
rot. There is a group, mainly from Victoria, who come to restore some buildings, and give
information to tourists. Historians have done a lot of research and written books. The bakery is in
use again daily, to provide sustenance for the workers and the many tourists who come past every
day. It is eerie to be in the middle of a desolate area, and go to the marquee in the ghost town, and
buy beautiful freshly baked bread, pasties, pies and all kinds of goodies. There is also coffee, of
course. All proceeds, and donations, go towards further restoration work in the town. I found it all
very interesting. The designated camping area is in the nearby creek bed.
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The turn off into Farina
All gravel roads in this area, so it is wise to have a good spare wheel aboard.
Farina, with the ruins of the Post Office in the background. The walls are being restored. All
buildings have signs tor tourists to read. Note the 4WD in the background. The vast majority of
vehicles in the outback are 4WDs like this one, usually with a very big, modern, expensive caravan
behind. These are the grey nomads who are seen everywhere. Then there are the mighty road
trains which thunder past in both directions at exactly the speed limit. It pays to give them lots of
room to pass. And don't play games with them after dark. They think they own the road. As I was
travelling at a sedate speed of less than 90 km/hr, I passed about one vehicle in the whole trip.
Going at this speed is perfectly acceptable in the outback. Everyone wanting to go faster can pass
at almost any spot, because of the long straight stretches. I saw only one other vehicle of my
vintage on the road. It was a Morris Minor, with a loaded trailer, going quite slowly, with quite a
few people aboard. It seemed to me that they bit off a bit more than they could chew. There were
also a very few older sedans with older style caravans. That style of holidaying is dying out fast.
There are also the occasional old "clipper" style coaches made into a moving house. Often they
have a trailer hooked on behind with a small vehicle on it. I did not see one of these moving, only
in caravan parks.
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While I was at Farina, I saw a group of 11 VWs, mostly Kombis, obviously on a tour, heading north
at a great rate of knots. They would have been aiming for Marree that night. I heard next day, in
the food marquee, where you can catch up on the latest news, that one Kombi busted a head gasket
before getting too far from Farina. Nobody knew what happened next, but I imagine the group
carried spares and spanners, so it might have been a repair job on the side of the road. Either that, or
limp into Marree, and do the repair work there. I smiled a bit, because I was so glad I was in a very
reliable Austin 1800 utility.
So that is as far as I went north. I turned around there, and went home. For the first 200 km, of that
last stretch, the beautiful Flinders Ranges were on my left, road kills (mostly emus and kangaraoos,
and one cow) were passed about one in every km, lots of grids made a big noise as I went over
them, abandoned houses were a feature of the landscape here, showing that farms were started when
things looked good about a hundred years ago, but then the rains stopped, so people left. There
were three cyclists, no doubt suffering a great deal. The Leigh Creek coalfields are seen, but are off
limits for tourists. I was there a few years ago when tourists were allowed to go to a spot where
various giant coal mining machines were on display, but I was told vandals had been at work there
since then, and the display area is now closed. At one spot, I stopped for a cuppa, and took a nice
video of the Flinders Ranges. A battered Toyota 4WD one tonner pulled up and a nice lady got out
and asked if I was OK. She was wearing outback uniform: R M Williams shirt, moleskin pants, hat
and boots. She told me she had been checking the watering points for the sheep on her property in
this area. It was very kind of her to stop and have a chat. That's what happens in the outback.
Just a final few thoughts, I saw only one broken down vehicle in all those km. It was a Ford sedan,
and already completely stripped of all useful parts. There was also an older style caravan which
looked like it had done a somersault, maybe after a wheel fell off. I didn't go and have a close look
at it, as I was in a bit of a hurry that day to get to a caravan park. At every town, and even
roadhouse, a nice row of abandoned vehicles can be seen in a place where they cannot be seen by
passing traffic. Many of them would have been towed there from the side of the road.
Travelling in the outback has become a popular activity. The grey nomads are right in the middle of
it, with their big rigs. One guy from Queensland told me that he and his missus like to spend six
months of the year on the road. But others are not spending their children's inheritance. They travel
with much less money involved. Purpose built campervans are popular for the budget conscious.
For those planning to do only a single trip, hiring is available. There is a big range of possibilities
using the vehicle you already own. You can buy a canopy that goes onto any tray top vehicle. Tents
are made that unfold on a rooftop of a sedan, or ute, or a normal trailer. Larger purpose built offroad trailers carry a huge tent area, which unfolds seconds after a place is chosen for overnighting.
Motorbikes are used by some. Some have trailers, from which unfolds a quite large tent area.
Some energetic ones among us go by bicycle, with gear hanging on the sides, or with a small trailer.
And at the extreme end of the spectrum there is the brave person who walks, sometimes pulling a
small trailer.
What did I miss out on? I nearly saw two whales at the Bight. I heard them. People who had
arrived before me said they had seen them, so I just missed out. I could have gone to the
Cocklebiddy Caves, which are world famous. Maybe next time. I was really looking forward to
climbing the big trees at Pemberton in W.A., but the weather was not helping me one bit, so I turned
around before getting there. Maybe next year. I could have gone a bit further north to Lake Eyre,
but time ran out. Or visit Broken Hill again, as I want to see those sculptures in the desert. .
Maybe next year.
It is really easy to do a trip like this, so everyone can and should go. An important thing to
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remember is that you and I have paid for those perfect outback roads with petrol taxes. The roads
are there for us to use. It could be said that we have a moral obligation to use them. There is no
doubt that every one of us would be welcomed whenever we decide to pull up in any town or
settlement of any size, in the outback of Australia. Out there, waiting for us are Darwin, Fizroy
Crossing, Bailingup, Broome, Perth, Mullayup, Katherine, Pannawonica, Boyanup, New Norcia,
Esperance, Jerrramungup, Mt Isa, Gol Gol, Tambellup, Meekatharra, Cairns, Muradup, Halls Creek,
Alice Springs, Manjimup, Dalwallinu, Kununurra, Kojonup, and even Cocklebiddy. Go, go, go.
The was the sunset while I was at Farina. Outback sunsets are always glorious when there are a
few clouds around.
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