2015 March () - Brisbane 4WD Club

March 2015
Ormeau
2
The Brisbane Four Wheel Drive Club Inc.
PO BOX 15039
CITY EAST, QLD 4002
Web Site: www.brisbane4wdclub.org
General meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month 7:30 PM
at
Edinburgh Castle Hotel
421 Gympie Road, KEDRON
ALL VISITORS WELCOME
MEMBERSHIP
ENQUIRIES : [email protected]
Subscriptions:
Single Membership $50.00 + $15.00 association levy.
Family Membership $60.00 + $15.00 association levy.
Joining fee:
Either for Single or Families
$20.00 + annual subscription fee as above.
Note: J oining fee becomes applicable again if member ship r enewal is after
August general meeting.
COMPULSORY: It is the responsibility of each Trip Participant to
ensure they have a current drivers licence and their vehicle has current
registration and a minimum of 3rd party property insurance.
We wish to acknowledge with THANKS the substantial contributions to our
magazine made by ADVERTISERS.
3
COMMITTEE 2014-2015
PRESIDENT
Shane Rose
0400 800 264
VICE PRESIDENT
[email protected]
Tracie Thompson
0417 618 242
[email protected]
SECRETARY
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Matthew Zander
0402 817 074
[email protected]
Dylan Roberts
0418 181 588
[email protected]
TREASURER
MEMBERSHIP OFFICER
Carol Moore
0418 740 439
Tracey Brettle
0417 732 858
[email protected]
[email protected]
TRIP CO-ORDINATOR
& CARE REP
SOCIAL CO-ORDINATOR
Danny Power
0437 471 627
[email protected]
Vince Hausmann
0458 759 379
[email protected]
EDITOR
WEBMASTER
Heidi Power
0432 343 008
[email protected]
Brett Krey
0424 293 922
[email protected]
CLUB INDUCTION
OFFICER
CLUB INDUCTION
ASSISTANT
Lance Walters
0409 618 043
Brett Lonergan
0427 028 102
[email protected]
[email protected]
PURCHASING OFFICER
Andy Cooke
0400 410 910
SARGENT AT ARMS
Paul Hogan
0404 856 139
[email protected]
[email protected]
ASSOCIATION DELEGATE
Kevin Shaw
0416 692 001
[email protected]
4
From the Editor’s Desk…
Please direct all magazine items to:
[email protected]
NEXT MAGAZINE DEADLINE IS
FRIDAY 20 March 2014
Please save files in .doc, .xls or .jpg format
Magazine printed by Rocket Printing-Brendale
Hilux vs mud hole
Landrover in mud hole
To access videos: press control and click on the image.
Cover Picture
Landcruiser
Mountain
Park
WHEN DISPOSING OF YOUR VEHICLE,
YOUR CLUB STICKER MUST BE REMOVED AND
BOTH MEMBERSHIP OFFICER & CLUB INDUCTION
ASSISTANT MUST BE NOTIFIED
You are the club member not the person you sold your vehicle to.
The next owner may not have your good manners
on the road or in the bush.
5
March Presidents Report
Hi Everyone,
What an interesting end to February.....
Government changes, cyclones and a deluge
of rain causing flash flooding and cancellation
of some trips. I hope all your family and friends
are safe and wish anyone affected all the best.
I'm sure March is going to be less dramatic
and we will all be looking forward to Easter
and an extra long weekend break away from
the grind.
The club's social media sites are being
embraced by most members and everyone is
really enjoying the real time account of trips and photos. Most trips are being
posted with details and you can join to show you are going to attend.
As with all social media sites we, as club members, need to be aware of the
content we are posting as we have club members of all ages and their
children are viewing our posts as well. I have outlined some simple
guidelines below for all to follow so we can keep everything member friendly,
positive and fun in the spirit of our club.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
No swearing to be included in any posts.
Do not post other people's comments from their personal pages
without their permission (if they wanted it to be on the club site they
would have posted it there in the first place).
Be considerate of others feelings in your posts.
Make it fun
Enjoy the instant interaction with other members from all over the
world.
20 years ago we only had snail mail (I know I don't look that old- lol)
and one benefit of that was people had a chance to think about what
they had written before sending it the next day. Unfortunately our
instant social media generally means people send their mail before
really thinking about the consequences.
So think before sending as people are looking 24/7.
I really enjoy our Facebook site and hope everyone keeps it filled with
renditions, both oral and photographic of our adventures and fun times.
6
In 1988 I first attended a 4wd club trip as a visitor and joined the following
week, with a friend who was a member (I know I don't look that old ....
Surely ???.) I had recently bought a 4wd (Daihatsu F20..... bit like a Suzuki
Stockman- but bigger) and really had no idea of what to expect. I can truly say
that it changed my life for the better. I have experienced the excitement of
conquering the many challenges in sand, snow, water, mud, grass and seeing
unbelievable places that most people have never and might never see and
experience.
Being a member of a club has taught me many life skills over and above those
of 4wdriving, like public speaking, writing communication, effective people
interaction (you meet people from all walks of life in clubs), people
management, organisational structures and conforming with rules that can be
life saving in some circumstances.
But over and above all this, what I have learnt is that every club member,
whether you are best friends, or have just met them, or don't really get along
with them, will help you out "with out question" whenever you are in need on
the tracks.
And this is really why we joined the club in the first place. For support,
comradeship, knowledge, fun and to improve ourselves. So please keep this in
mind and be positive about your club experiences.
So bring a friend along to Carol's trip. It might change their life.
Keep applying the polish....... It really keeps the scratches at bay :-)
Rosey
7
Club Induction at Landcruiser
DATES:
TRIP LEADER:
ADDRESS:
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 March 2015
Brett Lonergan
MOBILE: 0427 028 102
Landcruiser Mountain Park, Via Jimna,
The Gums campground.
CATEGORY/RATING:
Medium 4wd
COSTS:
$45 per night per vehicle
LAST FUEL:
Kilcoy
Km FROM VENUE: 50km approx.
DRINKING WATER: BYO
PETS:
Yes
SHOWER TYPE:
Hot
TOILETS: Flush
COMMENTS:
The usual Induction for new members. Saturday
morning theory with practical following in the afternoon. Drive on
Sunday. Happy hour, camp fire, fun and excitement for all
Recovery Practice Weekend at Landcruiser
DATES:
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 March 2015
TRIP LEADER:
Dylan, Lance and Vince
MOBILE:
D– 0418 181 588 L– 0409 618 043 V– 0458 759 379
CATEGORY/RATING:
Medium to Hard 4wd
COSTS:
Camping fees
MEETING PLACE: Landcruiser Mountain Park
TIME:
From Friday 13
LAST FUEL:
Kilkoy
Km FROM VENUE: Approx. 50 kms
DRINKING WATER: BYO
PETS:
Yes
TOILETS:
Flushing SHOWER TYPE:
Hot and Cold
COMMENTS:
The aim of this weekend is to try and
demonstrate various ways of recovering a stuck vehicle, including
winches, straps, max tracks. Hopefully it will be a learning experience
for all of us. Come and get involved or just watch and learn.
8
Fraser Island
DATES:
TRIP LEADER:
MOBILE:
ADDRESS:
TYPE OF EVENT:
COSTS:
MEETING PLACE:
LAST FUEL:
Km FROM VENUE:
DRINKING WATER:
SHOWER TYPE:
COMMENTS:
Friday 3 to Friday 10 April 2015 (Easter)
Brett and Molly Lonergan
0427 028 102
Off the coast of Qld
Medium 4wd
National Park fees, Vehicle Permit, Barge fee
TBA
TIME:
Good Friday
Rainbow Beach
Across the Channel
BYO
PETS:
No
BYO
TOILETS: BYO
Move every night to a different camp site.
Swags or tents. Book online.
http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/fraser/camping.html
The Springs 4WD Park
DATES:
Thursday 2 – Monday 6 April (Easter)
TRIP LEADER:
Vince Hausmann
MOBILE: 0458 759 379
ADDRESS:
New England Highway, The Glen
TYPE OF EVENT:
Medium to hard
COSTS:
$40 for one day 4wd and one night camp
MEETING PLACE: Venue
TIME:
From Thursday pm
LAST FUEL:
Warwick Km FROM VENUE: approx. 25km
DRINKING WATER: BYO
PETS:
Yes
SHOWER TYPE:
Hot
TOILETS: Flushing
COMMENTS:
All the usual fun activities at the park, happy
hour, camp fire, four wheel driving. May take a drive outside the park
to check out the sites and maybe a winery or two. An Easter egg hunt
on Sunday morning and a prize for the best Easter Bunny look alike.
9
Fraser Island Clean up
DATES:
Friday 29 May to Monday 1 June 2015
TRIP LEADERS:
Danny and Heidi Power
MOBILE:
D– 0437 471 627
COMMENTS:
Annual Clean up of Fraser Is. Saturday arrive and
register, Sunday Clean up and evening BBQ, Monday explore and pack
up. Discounted barge fees, free camping & vehicle permits for 3 days.
Sundown National Park
DATES:
Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June 2015
Corroboree 2015
(Labour Day long weekend)
Friday 2 to Monday 5 October 2015
DATES:
TRIP LEADER:
Need one
COMMENTS: Hosted by the Motley Crew 4WD Club. Four Wheel
Drives, entertainment, raffles, 4WDQld Country Meeting, games etc.
1500 Challenge 2015
DATES:
Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November 2015
TRIP LEADER:
Neil Brown
MOBILE: 0400 015 513
MEETING PLACE: The Springs 4WD Park
TYPE OF EVENT:
Hard 4WD
COSTS:
TBA
LAST FUEL:
Warwick Km FROM VENUE: Approx 25 km
DRINKING WATER: BYO
PETS:
Yes
SHOWER TYPE:
Hot
TOILETS:
Flush
COMMENTS:
Challenge number two. With the thrills of the
first one still in our blood it’s time to start getting organized for the
next one. Purchase a 4wd under the value of $1500 and come and enjoy.
10
BBQ at Mt Coot-tha
DATES:
Sunday 22 March 2015
TRIP LEADER:
Danny Power
MOBILE: 0437 471 627
ADDRESS:
Simpsons Road
Off Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, Mt Coot-tha
CATEGORY/RATING:
Social
MEETING PLACE: Simpson Falls Picnic Area
TIME:
from 9.00 am
COMMENTS:
Join us for a get together and BBQ lunch. Bring
your own BBQ or picnic lunch, chairs and drinks. Walk to Cascade / falls
Mt Glorious
DATE:
TRIP LEADER:
MEETING PLACE:
DATE/TIME:
TYPE OF EVENT:
COMMENTS:
Speedway
Sunday 29 March 2015
Tracie Thompson
MOBILE: 0417 618 242
Miala located just past the Mt Glorious township
From 11am
Social
BBQ lunch
(sprint cars, demolition derby, fireworks)
Saturday 18 April 2015
DATES:
TRIP LEADER:
Danny Power
MOBILE: 0437 471 627
MEETING PLACE: 63 Colebard St West, Archerfield
TIME:
from 4.00 pm
COST:
$25 / adult http://www.brisbanespeedway.com.au/events.asp
COMMENTS:
We usually sit at corner 1 & 2 (far end from the
entrance). BTO chairs/blanket. Food and drinks available at venue.
11
BBQ Mt Mee
DATES:
Sunday 3 May 2015
TRIP LEADER:
Carol Moore
MOBILE:
0418 740 439
MEETING PLACE: Dayboro Bakery
TIME:
0900 hrs
TYPE OF EVENT:
Social/ Recruitment drive
LAST FUEL:
Dayboro
PETS:
No
COMMENTS:
Bring a non-club member friend, a light drive
through Mt Mee followed by a BBQ lunch at the Gantry after the
drive.
Trophy Day at Sharp Park
DATES:
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May
TRIP LEADER:
Dylan Roberts
MOBILE:
0418 181 588
MEETING PLACE: 3095 Beechmont Rd, Canungra
CATEGORY/RATING: Social
COST:
$6 per adult per night, $3 per child per night.
DRINKING WATER: BYO
PETS:
Yes
TOILETS:
Flushing
SHOWER TYPE:
Hot
COMMENTS: Annual Trophy Day to recognize those most active in
the club. Trophy Presentation on Sunday.
Come for the day or camp for the whole weekend.
Platypus camp site.
12
Rocks Riverside Park BBQ Lunch
DATES:
Sunday 21 June 2015
TRIP LEADER:
Danny Power
MOBILE: 0437 471 627
MEETING PLACE: At the Park
TIME:
From 1000hrs
COMMENTS:
BBQ Lunch and a social gathering in one of the
newer parks in Brisbane. Child friendly park with historic links to past.
Drags at Willowbank
DATES:
TRIP LEADER:
COST:
Winter Nationals
Saturday 6 June 2015
Woolli
MOBILE: 0424 293 922
$50 full tickets, $35 students
RACQ Motorfest
DATES:
Sunday 12 July 2015
TRIP LEADER:
Vince Housemann
COMMENTS:
Park a couple of cars at the show to exhibit
what we do, how we do it and what joining a club is about. Mostly hang
around and have a chin wag with others
Christmas in July
DATES:
TRIP LEADER:
MEETING PLACE:
www.hosannafarmstay.com.au
Friday 17 and Sunday 19 July 2015
Tracie Thompson
MOBILE: 0417 618 242
Hosanna Farm Stay, Lot 4 Tunnel Rd,
Stokers Sliding NSW
PETS:
Yes
COST:
Please book/pay direct to Hosanna 02 6677 9023 . Cabins
$148, Huts $98, Camping – powered $17 unpowered $14 per person
COMMENTS:
Plenty of onsite activities, short drive to glow
worms. Adult present exchange bring a present
each to the value of $10-$15
13
Ormeau Day Trip
The Navara of Vics was keen to show us around Ormeau so I
convinced my driver to fuel up and follow him. Ormeau, that’s over the
river isn’t it? I think we had all the relevant paperwork in order to head
south of the river. I met up with an 80 ute driven by Rosey at the BP
(us petrol cars can’t go past one with a small sniff).
Getting to the meeting point we found the Navara and a 100 series
with Matt and a Jeep (yes, I don’t understand) with his driver Colin
waiting patiently. We had to wait till my driver fuelled up with coffee
before setting off. But alas a few more cars turned up. A Pajero with
Michael pushing the peddles and another 80 (a whole one this time)
with Andrew behind the wheel.
Some of the drivers looked around the others cars but we were
just keen to get going. Geez those humans can talk about not much. The
80 ute was keen to show off his new tray and suspension. Any way we
finally got all the guys in and got going all the way around the corner to
pick up, oh no it’s a female. Oh well at least she’s not in me!
14
Yahoo we’re deflating tyres so the fun must be about to start. Into
4wd and away. Up an incline and onto the dirt, finally. A few little ruts
and holes but no real problems. The jeep threw a few rocks back down
the hill at me but I managed to dodge them all. A few more turns, ruts,
rocks and things. Now this is what us 4 wheel drives live for. Can’t
seam to convince our drivers to take us out more. Something about
money an wives an chores an. What a lot of hog wash, just take us out
and let us rev and roar.
We came to a rather long and steeepish hill. The Navara seemed to
spin a few wheels and reverse a bit, but he did Nissan proud as usual.
The rest followed without too much drama except the Jeep cleared a few
loose rocks off the track for me. Thanks Jeepy. Reaching the top was
exciting and the view out over the Gold Coast to the ocean seemed to
excite the humans (yawn). We just want more dirt. There was plenty of
grass that tickled the under bellies and some muddy puddles. I don’t
really like the puddles cause it sticks to my under belly and it’s hard to
scratch when you only have four rubber wheels.
We reached the end and turned around. Heard something about
some police on the road out. I was keen to meet up with them and have a
bit of a rev, never had time with a police car before. We went back the
way we came and met some motor bikes and the Crime Stoppers wagon
back down the hill. The people had a bit of a chin wag again and then
down another track where the bike riders said there was some fun bits.
A little dried up creek with a steep bank to drive into and out. Now this
is more like it.
We turned around again to head out a different track. That dang
Mitsubishi popped a tyre so we had to sit around while the humans
reinflated it. Poor old Mitsi had people crawling around under him
poking and prodding. I feel for you man, shoulda spat some diff oil on
them. On the road again and back to the Navara residence. The humans
sat around again while we sat on the road winking at the little hot sports
cars that drove past.
In the eyes of the 4.5 Patrol. Thanks Vince for taking me out to play,
you’re the best.
Vince
15
[email protected]
16
Graham Blackman
Tracey Brettle
Rex Bruce
Kieran Cahill Anne Cahill
Greg Facey
Nella Gerner
Jordan Himstedt
Irene Jones
Rebecca Jones
Jayden Moore Ann Robson
Jane Sampson Vic Thomas
Les Wellard
17
MARCH 2015
18
APRIL 2015
17
24
16
23
7
10
9
21
28
27
14
20 Student Free Day
Mag Deadline
13
Tuesday
Tuesday
8
1
Wednesday
25
18
11
4
Wednesday
29
22
15
Fraser Is / Springs 4WD Park
6 Easter Monday
3
2
Monday
31
Monday
30
30
23
16
9
2
Thursday
Meeting
Committee
Meeting
Committee
26
19
12
5
Thursday
Friday
24
17
8
15
4
28
21
Saturday
5 Easter Sunday
Sunday
Mt Glorious
29
Mt Coot-tha
22
Speedway
25 ANZAC Day
18
11
26
19
12
Fraser Is / Springs 4WD Park
3 Good Friday
27
Mag Deadline
20
10
14
Sunday
Moreton Is
1
Outdoor Super Expo
7
Saturday
Club Induction & Recovery prac @ LMP
13
6
Friday
MAY 2015
19
JUNE 2015
23
30
22
29
9
16
Queens bday
15
8
F-Is C-up
2
26
25
1
19
18
Monday
12
5
11
4
Monday
Tuesday
Tuesday
24
17
10
3
27
20
13
6
Wednesday
Wednesday
25
18
11
4
28
21
14
7
Meeting
Committee
Thursday
Meeting
Committee
Thursday
Friday
26
Saturday
13
Willowbank
6
Sunday
17
10
BBQ Mt Mee
3
31
24
Trophy Day Sharp Park
Saturday
14
7
Sunday
27
20
28
Rocks BBQ
21
Sundown National Park
Friday
30
23
16
9
2
Fraser Island Clean-up
Mag Deadline
19
12
5
29
Mag Deadline
22
15
8
1
1500 Challenge
Australia Day Long Weekend
at LCMP
Sounds like a winning combination already!
This long weekend was about buying a 4WD including extras, for a
maximum spend of $1500.00 and having fun.
There were four teams who participated in the Brisbane 4WD Club
inaugural 1500 Challenge. The teams included Rosie and Vince in
their Ford Maverick (Aussie Pride), Glen and Brett in their Hilux
(Chugga Lux 2), Graeme and Michael in their Disco (Saturday Night
Fever), Neil and David with Dylan in reserve in their Jeep Cherokee
(King of Hazards).
With a rainy and very wet Friday, it looked like the weekend was
going to be a wet one. After the last few weekends of getting the
Disco ready, we were going no matter what. Club members started
arriving in the afternoon and into the early hours of the morning on
Saturday. Girlish giggles, tent poles and pegs getting banged into the
ground at 1:30 am. Let’s say that it has a very distinct sound!
20
Anyway, back to sleep.
What felt like only a short time later, our alarm went off at 5 am.
Vince and Rosie with those girlish giggles, unloading their
Maverick off the car trailer and revving the ring off it.
(I think they were a bit excited about the weekend!)
With the rain clearing to a beautiful Saturday morning, more club
members rolled in.
The first event for Saturday morning was to line up the challenge
vehicles for the show and shine. It was then up to fellow club members
to choose their favourite vehicle. Some of us had a few more family
members than others when it came to vote.
Then it was down to the challenge track. (Ye ha). I won’t bore you with
every challenge, but it consisted of drivers and navy’s, reversing roles
and negotiating the vehicles over a series of challenges. This included
over rocks, logs, tyres, jump ups, jump downs, ditches on a designated
course and getting scored accordingly for the weekend.
Thanks to Neil and David for the reccy they did a couple of weeks
before, to sus out all of the tracks.
21
The final challenge, and perhaps the most entertaining of all was
the mud bog hole.
Matt was our official scorer (thanks mate!)
and jeez did we have
fun.
Happy hour Sunday afternoon was trophy presentation, have a guess
who won?
The winners were ………… and ............... in their ...............
That will go down in history!
Monday morning we had an Aussie Day brekkie put on by Danny,
Heidi and Rhiannon at their Australiana decorated camper
(Thanks guys).
We all packed up at our leisure and made our way home.
With the great time we all had, I am sure we will be doing this again
very soon. So get a team together and go for it. It doesn’t have to be
super expensive, if you get together a team of four, you can get
involved for as little as a few hundred dollars each.
Start looking on Gumtree, you will be surprised what you can find!
We all must thank Neil Brown for making all of this happen,
everybody for helping out and we can’t forget the spectators for
cheering us on. And by the way, everyone’s vehicle finished and
drove back to camp.
Michael Connors
22
http://www.caddystorage.com.au/
23
We have all heard about Bernard O’Reilly finding the survivors
of the Stinson wreck, but perhaps you, like us, had not read
the actual account of just how remarkable this feat was. There
would have been NO one else in the world to work out where, let
alone have the bush skills, tenacity, endurance and local
knowledge to even attempt this.
Ron n Rhondda
From The ARCHIVES
THE STINSON CRASH.
Whispering Wheels Sept 1981
Taken from the book “Green Mountains and Cullenbenbong” by
Bernard O’Reilly, who discovered the Stinson crash.
PART 1 THE SEARCH.
On Wednesday, 17th February, 1937, day broke sullenly
without the usual rich reds and browns which attend a
Queensland mountain sunrise. A pale, grey scum had spread
itself over the sky from the sea, deepening in colour from the
distant coastline; an occasional puff of cool wind from the
south-east combined with the ominous sky in heralding one of
the most violent cyclones which ever swept our mountain top.
All through the day the peculiar scum of unbroken cloud
gradually deepened in colour from pale grey to dull leaden, and
the breeze, though somewhat erratic, steadily freshened.
Next morning, I awoke with the jungle roaring like an
angry sea. Stinging, hard-driven rain bit my face like sleet,
and low, wind- blown clouds tore through the jungle trees and
over the ridge-tops like white race—horses. It was a wild,
wind—swept, boisterous day, but not unpleasant to mountain—
dwellers, who are accustomed to having their weather served up
on the same rugged, lavish scale as their scenery.
Before dawn on Friday, I awoke to find my little house
shivering from the hammer blows of a raging cyclone, and at
dawn I went out to find the air full of flying leaves, and with
every gust, a crash from the jungle told of the destruction
being wrought. A conservative estimate of the wind velocity
over the McPhersons all that day would be eighty miles per
hour. Naturally, no aeroplane would have taken off under such
conditions, and I have since learned that the ferocity of the
hurricane was confined to the upper air, and the wind at
Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane, was not abnormal.
I had no means of knowing that over twenty miles away to
the west, across great jungle-clad ranges and gorges, three men
were struggling from the wreck of a stricken air-liner. Next
morning calm resigned, the trees in the open were mostly
stripped of their leaves and many of their branches, and had a
peculiar old-world wintry look.
From my cousin’s house at ten o’clock that morning came
my first news of the missing airliner. He had received it over
the radio, with the further information that it had last been
seen south of Coffs Harbour.
24
Our anxiety concerning it grew as the days went on; it was
almost personal anxiety. Those splendid machines flew over the
house twice daily. They were links with civilisation, and we
looked forward eagerly to their comings and goings. We even set
our clocks by them.
For the week that followed, there was enacted the most
intensive aerial search in Australian History. Australia’s Air
Force and nearly every civil aeroplane on the east coast joined in
combing the whole route. Exact figures are not available but it is
well known that many thousands of pounds were expended on the
search. Since then recent history has shown that the U.S.A.
Government spent five million dollars on the fruitless search for
Amelia Earheart. Finally it was decided to abandon the search.
Anxiously we stood by the radio during news sessions hoping
for word. Little hope was left to us when we heard that the liner
was missing over the wild Hawkesbury country near Sydney, and
then, when the wreckage ‘was seen’ out to sea off Palm Beach, we
regretfully said ‘Good-bye’ to Captain Boyden and his gallant
company, and considered the sad chapter closed.
By the time a week had gone by, it had been established
beyond all doubt that the Stinson had been lost south of the
Hawkesbury. Not only had it been ‘seen’ and ‘heard’ by casual
observers, but its appearance had actually been recorded in the
log of a steamer off Barrenjoey Heads. Even the people who lived
at the head of Widgee Creek and who had seen the plane go into a
cloud bank, perhaps a bare four minutes before it crashed, were
forced to believe the over-whelming weight of evidence supplied by
press and radio. This being the case, why in the name of all that
is sane and reasonable, should a man go out in search nearly four
hundred miles away from where the plane was last seen. We now come
to Friday, the eighth day after the crash, and the day in which my
great idea was born.
In the morning, while we worked, my brother and I talked
quite a lot about the Stinson. He had seen it go over the previous
Friday, flying into the wind towards the cloud banked McPhersons,
holding its ordinary course toward Lismore, While I was waiting
for lunch I dug into a few old newspapers. Thanks to the break in
our communications through the cyclone and the flood to follow, I
had scarcely seen a newspaper during the week. They were full of
theories & counter theories concerning the missing airliner and
one prominent paper published two days after the plane was
reported missing, assured us, in type which extended across the
front page, that the machine had got to within fifteen minutes of
its destination in Sydney. In a maze of contradictory evidence and
theories advanced by six different papers, I gleaned one definite
fact, and that fact was to send me out on my search.
It was the definite report that on the afternoon of Friday,
the 19th, people had waited in vain at Lismore for the arrival of
the airliner. Explanation of the planes omission to call at
Lismore was that it had gone directly down the coast from Brisbane
to avoid the bad weather over the mountains;
25
But by this time, I was in possession of the fact that the
plane had not gone down the coast. Hundreds of people in my
district had seen it disappear into the ranges towards Lismore;
people waited in vain for its arrival in Lismore. It dawned upon
me that the answer was lying somewhere up in the jungle and
gorges of the McPherson Range.
By this time my plan was definitely formed. Including the
area over the New South Wales border, there are roughly eighty
thousand acres of unbroken, trackless jungle on the McPherson
Ranges, in most of which visibility is limited to ten yards, to
suggest that one man could thoroughly search such an area is too
absurd for words. There must be a plan of action. Next morning I
telephoned my friend, Bob Stephens, at the head of the Albert
River. He and his immediate neighbours were the last people to
see the plane in flight, and from him I got a final check-up on
the position and its approximate course, I had a copy of the
latest Aerial Survey Map of the McPhersons. This was
reconstructed from aerial photographs taken at 14,000 feet, and
though lacking in minor detail, was the best available guide to
the typography of the range.
On this map with an ordinary foot rule and pencil, I drew
a straight line from the point where the airliner was last seen,
along the line of flight towards Lismore, as I believed it to
be. This plotted line contacted four high mountain ranges, and I
reasoned that, if the missing liner was to be found in this
locality, it would necessarily be on the northern slopes of any
of these four. Such was the plan of action; it looks very plain
and ordinary now, but it had one great advantage, it worked.
From our house there is a riding track to Mount Bithongabel
– a glorious lookout point on the border of New South Wales
about 4,000 ft above sea level. To this point I planned to ride,
so an old chestnut mare was quickly saddled. After reaching this
point and sending the mare on her way, my plan was to follow the
backbone of the McPhersons west to the first of the four high
lateral spurs, where I reasoned that the unfortunate liner may
have crashed. For another two miles I was assisted by the track
to the “Valley of the Echoes”. From here on it was trackless,
lawyer—vine jungle. And what was it like? Imagine trees growing
so closely together that their tops interlace leafy vine that it
would be actually possible to travel for miles on the tree-tops
without coming to earth, so dense that it lets in only an
occasional chink of sunlight on a bright day; dripping with
moisture from the eternally brooding clouds.
Visibility is limited to ten yards by a tangle of tough
green vine as dense as wire netting, and covered with murderous
thorns. Great logs left by cyclones lie in the way — but do not
stand on one, you will go knee deep into a wet pulpy morass,
which is half fungus. Travelling in the jungle on a cloudy day
is like travelling in a dense fog, and you can navigate by
reckoning only. You can see by the map that there are so many
ridges and so many gorges between you and a given spot, so you
26
check them off as you go.
No course in this country can be exactly straight; you tack about
to find the easiest way down the cliffs and the easiest grade up
the other side of the gorge, but you know by your map that the big
lateral ranges are running from South to North, and if you cut them
at right angles, you must be going west, The Northern and Eastern
slopes are always matted with the heaviest growths of lawyer and
raspberry vine, while southern slopes give way to forests of fern
trees and great clusters of Lilies. Also, the southern side of a
tree is heavily covered with lichen and moss, while the northern
side shows a smooth bole. It is a great help to have acknowledge of
trees and shrubs which bloom in this area. Down in the lower
jungles at the foot of the ranges, a certain species of tree will
bloom six weeks earlier than the same species on the loftiest
heights. At the lower levels, the tree will be going to seed, while
at two thousand feet it will be blooming, at 4,000 ft it will be in
early bud, so with a good local knowledge of plants, it is possible
to estimate your altitude very accurately, and since altitudes are
marked on the map this is a very important thing. The same sliding
scale applies to the nesting of birds, so that all nature is
willing and anxious to help. The Prevailing winds in the McPhersons
are from the south, and all trees in exposed places have a heavy
lean to the north. Late that afternoon I located a camp site which
marked the farthest point of a previous exploration.
Climbing out of a gorge after breakfast next morning tension
increased, for I was climbing the first of the four lateral ranges,
any one of which I reasoned that the wreck might be. By 8 am, I was
on the summit of its southern extremity, Mt. Throakban, enveloped
by white clouds. Here I was on Throakban at last, waiting for the
clouds to lift sufficiently to permit me a view. For 15 minutes I
stood in cool moist wind, looking into a grey blank, and then
suddenly the racing clouds split, and a vast green sea of ranges
and gorges came into view to the west. It gave a good view of the
three remaining ranges in the plotted line of flight. Here and
there were creamy white splashes which I knew to be trees in bloom,
and then suddenly I saw something which made me jump. Eight miles
away by the map, on the third range, “Lamington Plateau” just where
it swelled up to join the border range, was a tree-top which was
light brown. In spring, when trees are getting fresh leaf growths,
it is not uncommon to see a brownish tree-tops, but this was late
summer. The tree must have been dying; what had caused that?
Natural causes? No; trees dying that way die a branch at a time.
Lightning perhaps? But why in all that ocean of trees was this one
freshly killed tree situated where the straight pencil line crossed
my map? Fire? No natural fire had occurred in that dripping rain
forest since the world began. But a hundred gallons of petrol.
Swiftly the clammy clouds swooped down again; I put down my head
and tore into the soaking green jungle, in my haste to traverse the
gorges and jungled ranges which lay between me and that clue. The
going was all blind; I did not see that tree again until I was
twenty yards from it eight hours later. Hours of climbing and
descending went by. PART 2 “THE DISCOVERY” CONTINUED NEXT MONTH .
27
Club Induction
New club members: After joining the club, you are required to complete our
Club Induction before attending any trips rated higher than “EASY”.
Driver Experience: Conditions on some trips rated MEDIUM or above may
prove too difficult for inexperienced drivers even after the Club Induction.
You should advise the Trip Leader of your driving experience and vehicle
equipment prior to signing up on the trip.
Trip Ratings: Trip Leaders—it is up to you to correctly rate your trips.
Make allowances for effects of weather on your trip and how it can effect the
novice 4wders.
*NOTE* some 4wds do not have the required recovery points, please contact
the Club Induction Assistant if unsure.
Trip Guide Lines
Brisbane Four Wheel Drive Club trips are categorised as follows.
Scenic: Bitumen, gravel surface, no 4x4 driving, lookouts, vantage points of
the local area and other points of interest.
Easy: Off road formed tracks, some 4x4 driving. no steep inclines, no
deep creek crossings. (No C.I. required)
Medium: Off road, bush terrain, medium grade inclines and side slopes, easy
to interesting creek crossings. (C.I. required)
Hard: Off road, rough terrain, steep inclines, steep side slopes, rough
creek crossings, possible towing. (C.I. required)
Extreme: Off road, rough terrain, very steep inclines, steep side slopes,
difficult creek crossings, possible winching and probable towing. (C.I.
required)
Trips are rated by the Trip Leader at the time of reconnaissance. However,
track conditions can change dramatically between reconnaissance and the trip
date. These changes can alter the rating of a trip without the knowledge of
28
Vehicle Inspection
Inspector:
Lance Walters
0409 618 043
Every new vehicle to the Club must be inspected for recovery points and
required equipment by a Club Induction Assistant prior to attending a Club trip.
The vehicle must be registered, be maintained in a roadworthy condition
and have a minimum of Third Party Property Insurance, however,
full comprehensive insurance is preferred.
Safety Equipment: must be carried on all trips
UHF radio – car mounted will give better range, but hand-held is the minimum
requirement.
First Aid Kit - suitable for the amount of occupants in that vehicle.
Fire Extinguisher let’s hope it is never required.
Recovery Equipment: must be carried on all 4WD trips
Non-winch vehicle
Rated recovery points - front and rear – inspected and approved.
Snatch Strap - 8000kg min, should be rated 2-3 times higher than GVM.
Dampener Blanket - regulations state compulsory use with snatch strap.
Rated Bow Shackles - 3.25 tonne minimum rating.
Shovel – you’re using it, so make sure it’s comfortable to use.
Axe or Bowsaw - a bowsaw is easier, however, an axe is handy for chopping
firewood.
The above items are a minimum requirement for each club vehicle that attends
a 4wd trip.
SPOT CHECKS MAY OCCUR.
Winch equipped vehicle: as for non-winch vehicles, plus the following:
Leather gloves - must be worn when handling winch cable or chains.
Tree Trunk Protector – to protect the environment.
Bow Shackle - 4.75 tonne minimum rating for use with the tree trunk
protector.
Each member is able to, and should, add to the above items as they see fit.
29
Brisbane 4WD Club General Meeting
12 February 2015 The chairperson opened the meeting at 7.39 pm
Apologies: Del Thompson, Peter Morris, Diana Kateley, Sharon Quinn, Andy Cooke,
Tony Appleton, Lance Walters, Brett and Linda Krey, Debbie Auld.
Visitors: Lester and Nella Gerner, Mick Jordan, Ben Armistead, Melanie Bartlett
Secretary: I move that the minutes from the January General Meeting as printed in
the February issue of Whispering Wheels Magazine are a true and accurate record
of proceedings and they be adopted accordingly.
Seconded By –
David Lord
Business Arising: Nil
All in Favour
Correspondence: as per filing (read out correspondence)
Seconded By: Paul Hogan
All in Favour
Treasurer: I submit the treasurer’s report as a true and accurate record of the
clubs financial position as at the end of January 2015 and move that the report be
adopted Seconded by: Vic Thomas Business Arising: Nil
All in Favour
Vice President: Tracie Thompson showed a cup that was left at Comslie Breaky –
Michael Elliott collected.
Membership Officer: Carol Moore advised that she will be running a membership
drive coming up to renewal time, basically a bring a friend with a 4wd day to try and
increase our membership numbers.
Trip Coordinator: Vince Hausmann brought up about safety and recoveries on our
club trips, we all need to make sure we adhere to the requirements and be weary of
everyone’s safety. If you are the driver of the vehicle in a recovery or guiding
position it is best to nominate one guide to help you out of a situation rather than
having 2 or 3 people all giving directions. Please be mindful of recoveries and safety
procedures when out on club trips. Verbals
Landcruiser Mountain Park –
Shane Rose - Beach Drive – Matt Zander; $1500 Challenge – David Lord
Upcoming Ormeau – 15th February – Vic Thomas; Inglewood - 21st –22nd February
– Dylan Roberts; Moreton Island –27th February - 1st March– Shane Rose;
Recovery Weekend – 13-15th March – Vince Hausmann/ Lance Walters/Dylan
Roberts; Club Induction – 13th-15th March – Brett Lonergan; Fraser Island
Easter Trip – 3rd April – 10th April – Brett and Molly Lonergan; Fraser Island
Clean Up – 29th May – 1st June – Heidi and Danny Power
Social Coordinator:
Verbals
Breaky On The Beach – Vic Thomas
Upcoming Trips- Ozi Explorer Training – 13th February – Brett & Molly Lonergan
Outdoor Super Expo – 7th/8th March – Shane Rose;; BBQ Mt Cootha – 22nd March
– Danny Power;; Mt Glorious BBQ – 29th March – Tracie Thompson; Demolition
Derby – 18th April – Danny Power; Bring A Friend Membership Drive – 3rd May –
Carol Moore; Trophy Day – 16th – 17th May – Dylan Roberts; Willowbank Drag
Racing – 6th June – Brett Krey; Rocks Riverside Park – 21st June – Danny Power;
Christmas In July – 17th – 19th July – Tracie Thompson
30
Club Induction Officer: Brett Lonergan is running the next club induction weekend
prior to Easter. It will be on the 13th to 15th of March held at Landcruiser Mountain
Park. For more information please see Brett.
Club Induction Assistant: Absent. Kevin Shaw will be inspecting tonight.
Assistant Secretary: Dylan Roberts advised raffle prizes for tonight are an Evacool
led light, Australian 4x4 road atlas donated by Brett and Linda Krey, tyre repair kit, 3
piece cook set donated by Brett and Molly, TJM key ring. Major raffle tickets are also
being sold tonight we now have four major prizes include a Winch donated by Glen
Keighley , LED driving lights donated by Anton Nielsen and a Storage Box donated by
Caddy Storage. Major Raffle tickets $2 each or 6 for $10.
Web Master: Absent. Please send photos through to the webmaster of trips so
they can be uploaded to Facebook and the website.
Editor: Heidi Power reported that the next magazine deadline is the 20 th February.
Heidi will be putting in a video link to the next magazine.
Purchasing Officer: Molly Lonergan would like members to score their choice on the
preferred club shirt displayed on the notice board (5 to choose from) so we can
move this forward on designing a new club shirt. Molly has all products available for
purchase from the club shop.
Association Delegate: Shane Rose went to the presidents meeting a few weeks
back. The association paid for presidents from northern clubs to come down for the
meeting. Shane advised that the association has purchased a card printer, the idea is
that each club with supply a list of members and cards be made for financial
members with association details on one side and club details on the other, this will
be moved forward sometime this year. The association hall has had a lot of work
done on it and looks great, it is up for hire for anyone that would like to use it.
General Business: David Lord discussed the 2016 Corroboree and talked about
arranging a subcommittee and asked for members to please get involved. David will
keep everyone up to date in moving the event forward. David Lord discussed our
club Facebook page and asked if everyone can keep the content appropriate. Shane
Rose also added please be mindful of things that are posted in the Facebook group
and remember that everyone views the club Facebook page and can see the items
that are being posted. Tracey Brettle would like to move a motion that the executive
committee signatories on our club account are also authorised to be able to approve
payments via internet banking. 2nd By: Arthur Morris All In Favour Motion Carried
Sargent at Arms: As per fine book - assisted by Jayden Moore.
Rude Rod:
Terry Scott to Dylan Roberts
Raffle:
Dylan advised the raffle raised $90 tonight.
Evacool LED Light - Shane Rose, Road Atlas – Ross Edwards, Tyre Repair Kit - Kieran
Cahill, Cooking Set - Paul Hogan, Thermal Cup – David Lord , Thermal Cup – Kieran
Cahill, Key ring – Calam Learmonth The Chairperson closed the meeting at 9.43pm
31
Treasurers Report
-January 2015
CHEQUE ACCOUNT
BANK BALANCE
BALANCE AS AT
01-Jan-15
$6,136.57
INCOME
Raffles (Net)
$107.00
Major Raffle
$80.00
Interest
$0.78
TOTAL INCOME
$187.78
$6,324.35
EXPENSES
Rocket Printing
$226.39
Postage stamps trophy day (D Roberts)
$76.99
TOTAL EXPENSES
$303.38
BALANCE AS AT
$6,020.97
31-Jan-15
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT
BANK BALANCE
BALANCE AS AT
01-Jan-15
$8,125.25
INCOME
Interest
$67.58
TOTAL INCOME
$67.58
EXPENSES
WITHDRAWALS
INTEREST WITHHELD
TOTAL EXPENSES
BALANCE AS AT
31-Jan-15
$8,192.83
Accounts Summary
Profit & Loss No 1 Acct $
6,020.97
Investment Acct $
8,192.83
Petty Cash - Treasurer $
100.00
Petty Cash - Assistant Secretary $
60.00
Petty Cash - Property Officer $
100.00
32
Total $
14,473.80
Club
Clothing
Polo Shirt - Green with Embroidered Club Logo
$28.50
Cotton Drill Shirt - see Andy if required
$20.00
Cap with club logo
Stickers
Club Emblem
‘Brisbane 4x4 Club’ windscreen
$4.00
$13.00
Club Stubbies
Stubby cooler
$6.00 each or 2 for $11.00
Recovery Gear
Snatch Strap - Heavy Duty
Tree Trunk Protector
Rated Bow Shackle
Recovery Blanket
Small & Large
First Aid Kits and Fire Extinguishers
available on request
Talk to Molly at the meetings
[email protected]
33


















Keep to the laws and regulations for 4WD vehicles.
(They may change from state to state)
Keep to constructed vehicle tracks. Do not drive “off road”
Keep the environment clean.
Carry your own - and maybe other peoples - rubbish home.
Obey restrictions on use of public lands.
Respect National Parks and other conservation areas.
Obtain permission before driving on private land.
Leave livestock alone and gates as found.
Keep your vehicle mechanically sound.
Take adequate water, food, fuel and spares on trips.
In remote areas travel with another vehicle.
Respect our wildlife.
Stop and look, but never disturb or chase the animals.
Respect other recreationalists right to peace and solitude in the
bush.
Obey all fire restrictions. Extinguish your fire before leaving.
Don’t let your exhaust emit sparks.
Help in bushfires, emergencies and search and rescue if you
are properly equipped and able.
Join a 4WD club and support 4WD touring as a responsible
and legitimate recreational activity.
This Code Is Valuable Only If You Observe It !
34
35
Goodyear Autocare
36