Subaru 4WD Club of Vic - February 2016 magazine online version
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February 2016 (Issue 422) Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc. Reg. No. A – 0006149J / FWDV Member PO BOX 2456 Mount Waverley VIC 3149 www.subaru4wdvic.com.au
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The monthly magazine of the Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc., online version for February 2016
Transcript of Subaru 4WD Club of Vic - February 2016 magazine online version
February 2016
(Issue 422)
Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc.
Reg. No. A – 0006149J / FWDV Member
PO BOX 2456
Mount Waverley VIC 3149
www.subaru4wdvic.com.au
2 | P a g e
Volks-Baru Subaru and Volkswagen Specialist
Parts and Service Centre
We will smooth out your motoring costs with extremely
competitive prices, offering trade discounts to all Subaru 4WD Club
of Victoria members on all parts and repairs.
John Bailey
1362 Heatherton Rd
Dandenong North 3175
Phone: (03) 9793 5655
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CONTENTS
Intro 4
Committee 5
From The President 6
Upcoming 7
Next Meeting - Tuesday February 23rd 7
March Meeting (CHANGE OF DATE & VENUE!!) 8
Trips and Social Events 8
Long Term Future Planning 11
Trip and Recovery Gear 12
Trip Reports 13
Australia Day Weekend 13
Trips Summary 18
Member Tricks and Tips 22
DIY Rear Drawers 22
Buy and Sell 28
Club Resources 28
Member Items for Sale 29
Minutes 30
Editor Notes 36
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INTRO
The Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc. was originally formed over 30 years ago by an enthusiastic
group of Subaru owners. Today the club has expanded to include all Subaru 4WD and AWD
vehicles, as well as all other makes of AWD, light 4WD and crossover/soft-roader type vehicles.
The club aims to participate in the exploration of the Australian countryside without damage to the
environment, vehicle or individual. Visitors are most welcome to attend the club’s General
Meetings and contact committee members regarding participation in club activities.
The club relies on membership fees to offset its running costs, including insurance. Membership
fees are payable each year, due on 31 May. Fees for the 2015/16 year were agreed at the general
meeting in April 2015 and are as follows:
Member rates:
Single: $120 (Seniors card - $110)
Joint/family: $140 - (Seniors card - $125).
One off joining fee of $10 ($20 for Joint/Family) also applies
All annual fees include FWDV affiliation and trip insurance: $47
Non-member trip fee:
A trip fee of $15 per adult non-member applies (for insurance purposes)
Please contact the membership officer for further enquiries.
Email: [email protected]
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COMMITTEE
Stephen Whittaker
(President)
Dale Rebgetz
(Vice President)
Peter Bellis
(Secretary)
Bob Marshall
(Treasurer)
Duncan McCrae
(OM: General Committee)
Dan Conlon
(OM: Editor)
Jean Bellis (OM:
Social Coordinator )
Jamie Scott (OM:
Trips Coordinator)
Meredith Dale
(OM: Venue
Coordinator)
Mike Dale
(OM: Website/
Magazine Content)
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FROM THE PRESIDENT
President’s Report: February Magazine
Welcome to the February Subaru 4WD Club magazine!
As you may know, this year is a particularly significant year for
this club. It marks our 40th year! Forty years exploring
Australia in Subarus! We will celebrate this occasion later in the
year. We’re asking you to lock in 24 & 25 September – the
weekend before the Grand Final Day long weekend.
We will be heading to Echuca for the party where we will enjoy
afternoon drinks on a paddle steamer, an optional ‘Port After
Dark’ guided lantern tour and then dinner at the renowned Radcliffe’s restaurant right
in the Echuca Port precinct. After a huge night celebrating, we will then enjoy a big
breakfast cook up Subaru 4WD Club-style!
So, save the date and more details will be out soon for what will be a sensational
weekend. Sincere thanks to David Wilson for his fantastic efforts in arranging
everything so far – thanks, Dave.
Our traditional ‘welcome back’ BBQ was once again a great success at our January
meeting – the first for 2016. It was great to see so many faces – new and familiar –
at the BBQ. Sincere thanks to Peter and Jean for cooking all of our food – it’s greatly
appreciated. Thanks to everyone else who helped and who cooked treats too –
Maddy, those cupcakes were brilliant!
There were even some other familiar faces at the BBQ. Previous member, Doug
Greenall, was a surprise having recently acquired (on the down-low) a 2007 XT
Forester – the same model and colour as the one he’d sold just 18 months ago! It
also has a whole lot more daylight underneath it than a standard Forester. Doug and
his wife Michelle have recently welcomed a little man into the world. So, hopefully, we
will see the family out and about on the tracks soon. Great to have you back, Doug,
Michelle and now Billy.
There are MANY things I love about this club and that would have to be up there with
one of the top reasons; it brings people together and back together. No matter how
long you’ve been away from the club, when you come back, you know you’re coming
back to a pretty awesome place with good people, good trips and good fun.
Another little surprise was the acquisition of a mint-condition Brumby by Dale and
Jan. It looked a treat in the car park. The little beast was in fantastic nick – cannot
wait to see it out on the tracks (maybe also with extra daylight underneath it!).
Congratulations, Dale and Jan.
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During this month, we had a really well-run trip by Mike and Meredith to Castlemaine.
I could attend just one night and a day due to other commitments but enjoyed every
minute of it and, from all accounts, it was a fabulous trip. Looking forward to ‘Fines
and Fun’ at this month’s meeting to see who’s been dobbed in.
On the cards this year is our all-important club training. We are conscious of the fact
that this training has taken some time to get off the ground. But it is now close to
coming to fruition and we will in the very near future have a weekend dedicated to
training new (and even older, more experienced) members in the theory and practical
components of four wheel driving. Looking forward to this soon.
The Club Photo Competition is on at this month’s meeting. Hopefully, you’ve entered
your favourite pics. The entries last year were stellar, so be sure to come along to
vote for the winners of the various categories this year.
Looking forward to your company then where you can catch up on the latest club
news, hear trip reports and mingle with other members. In the meantime, enjoy the
February magazine and I’ll see you at the meeting and/or out on the tracks –
wherever we may be heading!
UPCOMING
Next Meeting - Tuesday February 23rd
Date: Tuesday the 23rd February at 8pm - Meetings are the Last Tuesday of every
month (except December)
Venue: South Camberwell Tennis Club, 332 Burke Road, Glen Iris
At this month’s meeting we are running the
photo competition. Come and join us and
vote for your favourite photos.
I would like to thank Katie and Edith for
collating all the photos.
Door Prize: come along to win a prize at
this month's meeting.
Venue Coordinator
Meredith Dale
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March Meeting (CHANGE OF DATE & VENUE!!)
The March Meeting (22th March) will be held at Berwick Subaru (1 Prestige
Place, Narre Warren), there will be chance to test drive vehicles from 6pm and the meeting itself will then be held there at 7:30pm. Venue Coordinator
Meredith Dale
Trips and Social Events
We have some great trips planned for 2016 and others that have started to be
planned. So it looks like we are going to have another great year with the club.
This year we will again run most trips with a convoy limit. So if a trip fills quickly
there is the opportunity for someone to run another trip on the same weekend.
If you have an idea for a trip or event during 2016 please let Jamie and Jean know.
If you don’t want to lead it someone else may.
If you want to run your first trip or event, again talk with Jamie or Jean. We will
provide you with a mentor who can give you advice or can be a co leader with you.
We have a Trip Leader pack that includes a check list and other helpful items to assist
you.
Belgrave Cameo Cinema
Trip Leaders: Jan and Dale Rebgetz – [email protected]
When: Saturday 5th March
Location: Belgrave
Meal: 6pm at the Reel Café.
Movie: Movie and time to be advised.
Trip Standard: Social
Details will be emailed out to those who have indicated they are attending.
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Tonimbuk - Bunyip
Date: Friday 26th – Sunday 28th February (option to come for a day or the whole weekend, can also stay Sunday night if you want)
Trip leader: Jamie Scott [email protected]
Trip Standard: Social to Easy ● to Medium ■ to (extremely) Difficult
with chicken tracks or alternatives.
Location: Tonimbuk with camping on Private Property and Jamie will give you the address. Suitable for Campers and tents. Everyone needs to be completely self-sufficient for water.
Plan:
Friday: Meeting Time from 12-noon
Saturday: One easy Trip
One extremely difficult trip
Night run medium
Sunday: fun and Games Challengers for Drivers, passengers and vehicles
Lunch at a winery – TBC
Lake Cobbler
This Trip has reached Convoy Limit.
When: Saturday 12 – Monday 14 March (Labour Day Long Weekend)
Trip Rating: Medium ■ (to be confirmed)
Convoy Limit: 8 vehicles (potentially 10, TBC)
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Trip Leader: Stephen Whittaker, [email protected]
The Labour Day Long Weekend will be a fantastic weekend for all involved – a fun,
social, interesting and scenic trip. This moving trip will commence at Mansfield,
where we will meet in the main street mid-morning. After fuelling (via the servo and
the bakery!), we will head for:
Tolmie,
Powers Lookout,
Whitfield,
Paradise Falls,
Lake Cobbler,
The Staircase,
King River,
Huts: King Hut, Mt No. 3 Hut and Tomahawk Hut
Likely camp for the first night is Lake Cobbler and for the second night Tomahawk Hut
or a trackside camp depending on how busy it is out on the tracks.
More details to come in the lead up to the trip.
Buckland Valley
When: 12th – 14th March 2016
Trip standard is medium ■ to difficult ♦.
Organised by 4WD Victoria. Based in the Buckland Valley at Beveridge’s Station Day trips of various standards Evening entertainment and catered Dinner on Saturday.
Further details: see Track Watch December 2015 p 20-21
Disputed Border
This Trip has reached Convoy Limit.
Trip Standard: Medium ■
Trip Leaders: Jean and Peter Bellis - [email protected]
The Full length of VIC/SA border) Friday 25 March to Sunday 3rd April 2016 (Easter 25-28th March)
Further details will be emailed out to those attending this trip.
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Jean and Peter Bellis [email protected]
Simpson Desert
When: 17th July 2016 for 3 weeks
Trip Leader: Dale Rebgetz - [email protected]
11th Australian 4WD Gathering
When: 19th – 22nd August 2016
Where: Barmera, South Australia (2 hours west of Mildura) Loveday 4x4 Park.
40th Anniversary Celebrations – Save the Date
Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary during 2016.
When: Saturday 24th to Sunday 25
th September 2016.
Where: Echuca, with events getting underway late afternoon Saturday.
More details to come as soon as they are finalised.
Robe
When: 29th Oct to 1st November
Where: Robe, SA
Trip Rating: Medium ■ (to be confirmed)
Convoy Limit: TBC
Trip Leaders: Lee Wegner & Duncan McCrae
Long Term Future Planning
2017 Central Australia
Kangaroo Island?
Fraser Island
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2018 Cape York
2019 Canning Stock Route Simpson Desert – re-enactment of the 40th anniversary of the
Club’s 1974 crossing from Macumba Station to Purine Bore
Trip and Social Contacts
• Trip Coordinator: Jamie Scott • Social Coordinator : Jean Bellis • [email protected]
TRIP AND RECOVERY GEAR
The aim of all Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc. trips is to have an enjoyable
experience in the bush, increasing 4WD’ing skills and experience, whilst maintaining
the highest regard for the safety of individuals, the vehicle and the environment. As a
driver you have ultimate responsibility for the safety of your passengers and vehicle.
It is the responsibility of any participating driver to contact individual trip leaders for
clarification of individual trip requirements and standards.
Financial members are encouraged to participate in as many trips as possible to
increase confidence and experience. Visitors are welcome subject to the payment of
the appropriate levy to cover insurance, but after two visits, should consider
membership. Non-financial members are not covered by insurance and may not
participate until payment is received.
Individual drivers with concerns or queries regarding their vehicle and the trip
standard should contact relevant trip leaders. The Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc.
recommends that each vehicle carry the following items or equipment on every trip:
1. Personal details form as
specified by FWDV, copy to
Trip Leader
2. Two rated D- Shackles
(minimum 3.2t)
3. Rated snatch strap
4. Recovery Points, Front &
Rear; plus optional bridle
strap, according to vehicle
design;
5. AM (27Mhz) Channel 5 or
UHF (477Mhz) Channel 16 CB
Radio. Ideally in car but hand
held are ok provided
sufficient battery(s) to last
the trip.
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6. Fire Extinguisher, accessible
to the driver
7. Spare Tyre (full size)
8. Jack and wheel Brace, or
equivalent
9. Emergency Supplies
(matches, food, water and
clothing)
10. Sufficient Fuel, Oil and Water
for the trip and delays
11. A Tyre Pressure Gauge;
Compressor (according to the
trip)
12. An Axe, Bow or Chain saw;
13. A Sturdy Shovel (collapsible
shovels are no good)
14. Spare Parts (appropriate to
the nature of the trip)
15. A Tool Kit
16. Personal First Aid Kit
17. The Vehicle Manual
Any vehicle not carrying at least the first five (5) items of equipment should contact
the individual Trip Leader before leaving. Any Club member unsure about any of the
items of equipment listed above are advised to contact the Trip and Social
Coordinator or the Trip Leader concerned.
All Trip Leaders carry a complete First Aid Kit in case of emergency. All non-
emergency medical needs are expected to be meet by individuals own medical
supplies.
TRIP REPORTS
Australia Day Weekend
A smashing good time in Castlemaine
Edith Fullalove & Michael Dale
Thursday 21st January
Meredith and Sandy headed up to Mt Alexander, Leanganook Camp ground, to assure
we got a good place to camp for the weekend. Thanks ladies.
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Friday 22nd January
Meredith had to return to Melbourne to attend to a personal issue and returned to Mt.
Alexander with Mike.
Graham, Kerry, Darryl, Alan, Edith and Peter arrived Friday at different times during
the day and evening and setup camp.
Saturday 23rd January
Saturday morning started with a 4km walk along the West Ridge walking track, a section of the Great Dividing Trail which links Castlemaine and Bendigo. Meredith ferried everyone who wanted to go on the walk to the chosen starting point (the telecommunications towers which was the highest point of the walk) and the trail would take everyone back to the camp site. While the name of the track suggests a walk along the ridge, it in fact takes you along the side of the mountain, in and out of gullies and scrambling over rocks and fallen trees. It was a great walk, passing Shepherds’ Flat lookout and Dog Rocks.
Paul arrived while we were out walking and set up his tent.
When we all got back from the walk we had lunch and waited for Tim and Jack to arrive and set up.
We then headed out for an afternoon drive, taking in some of the local sights of Mount Alexander. The first stop was Langs’ Lookout (next to the communications tower) which had magnificent Northern views of the area. We then went to the top of an old granite quarry (there are over a dozen quarries on the mountain), and then drove down into the quarry itself for a look around the site and the old abandoned equipment still there.
We then headed to The Oaks for afternoon tea via a track which was a tiny bit overgrown in places which allowed for the adding of memories to some of our cars. We did get out and do a bit of manual pruning of overgrown branches at one point. The Oaks was initially a plantation of Valonia oaks to supply tanning material to local tanneries. However this variety of Oak could not be established due to insufficient draining and a variety of other Oaks were planted (Holly, Cork, English, Algerian and Bristle Oak). The arrival at The Oaks was met with a chatter of talk from a group of Chaffy birds. Meredith and Edith soon managed to silence that racket, with one of their own!
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On our way back to camp we had to stop for an echidna that was crossing the road and some good pictures of the spiky ant eater were obtained.
On the return back to camp a little confusion happened for some when Edith and Meredith changed vehicles. Some thought it sounded funny that Tail End Charlie was
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telling the convoy which way to turn and the directions were being acknowledged by the Trip Leader.
In the evening we had dinner at the Five Flags Hotel in Campbells Creek. Here Stephen joined us.
Sunday 24th January
Sunday morning was an early rise as we had a big day ahead of us. The aim was to make our way along a series of tracks to the Chocolate Mill (just North of Dalesford). One of the trip leaders had procrastinated on exactly which tracks to take due to various reasons (too easy, too out of the way, too overgrown with a 6m tree in the middle of the track!). Finally he bit the bullet and took a gamble on a series of mostly un-named tracks (off White Gum Track) which should provide some interest. In this he was correct!
The first was a bit of a faux pas by the driver of the lead car - their usual roles having been swapped as only Mike knew the planed route and was hence navigating. While climbing a short steep hill the navigator realized the convoy needed to turn right at the top of the hill, and told the driver as much. The driver misunderstood this, assuming it was a directive to move to the right of the track, and thereby taking it as a slight on her driving abilities and the line she was taking, decided to let the navigator know what for. It was alas at this moment that the navigator, not really
focused on anything but the map, decided to pass these instructions on to the rest of the convoy. The driver not realising the send button was down on the radio, had a few choice words broadcast to anyone in range of a UHF CB radio!
Never the less the convoy progressed until a track intersection was encountered which was not on the map. This caused a bit of confusion and some scouting. Some errant fence wire was picked up by the vehicles of Mike and Meredith, and Peter and Edith. The later requiring some tools to safely remove it from the underside of the car. Continuing along the un-named track, the intrepid trip leaders finally found their way back to White Gum Track.
The convoy then made their way South along White Gun to Telecom. This was a great track with some nice climbs and descents. Towards the end of Telecom track there was a particularly steep and rocky descent, with each vehicle taking their turn to descend. At some point during the descent we hear Kerry’s voice over the radio, “our oil light has come on”. They made it down to the bottom without incident, and Graham proceeded to investigate the issue. Despite his efforts (and yes the car had plenty of oil in it), the oil light would not turn off. It was decided that Peter and Edith’s Pajero would tow the Outback to somewhere a bit more convenient for further investigation. So morning tea was had on the side of a 2WD road while further investigations were done. This however still amounted to naught and a decision was made to tow them into Vaughan Springs and leave their vehicle there for the rest of the day, and pick it up later and tow it back to camp. It was this towing that allowed Peter and Edith ‘fine immunity’, which as you will read about later, came in handy.
Lunch was had at Vaughan Springs and those that wanted to try out the giant slide had a turn. We then had a group photo around the slide.
We headed out of Vaughan, to Guildford where we climbed up the lookout which had 360degree views of the surrounding area. We then headed to the Chocolate Mill,
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where it was time for chocolate and afternoon tea. Chocolate was purchased, drunken or eaten or all three. Yummy! The lamington’s that Paul and Stephen had sure seemed rather large.
After leaving the Chocolate Mill we headed into Leslies Road, Sawpitt Gully Road, Porcupine Ridge Road, Helge Track, and Italian Hill Track where we stopped for a second afternoon tea and a play on the hills. It was pick your poison? There were five different hills of veering degree of difficulty for vehicles to be tested on. Lots of dust was produced by all and a fun time as well, “Dusty” (Peter and Edith’s Pajero) lived up to his name on the hills and poor “Shiny” (Stephens silver Forester) got covered in dust. Daryl broke a water bottle on one climb and water poured out his tailgate. We got a group shot with cars and their drives (see magazine cover).
At this point Stephen left us to head home and the rest of the convoy headed back into Vaughan so we could get Graham and Kerrie’s car back to camp. Tires were aired up, Peter and Edith towed Graham and Kerry, while Alan and Sandy went ahead to let us know of oncoming vehicles or road hazards. It was also noted around this time that Paul’s car was making a high pitched noise when breaking and it was nick-named “Squeaky”
Mike, Meredith and Paul picked up some wood for a campfire that evening.
Monday 25th January
The Monday morning saw Graham on the phone to Subaru to sort out his car. The conclusion was that it would be safe to drive into Bendigo to have it checked out. The rest of the group went to meet Martin at Eureka Reef for a walk around the old mining site. The trip leader failed to find the correct turnoff (as about only 1 in 5 streets on his map were signed ) and we had to call Martin for directions.
Martin had downloaded the pod cast of the walk and he was happy to play tour guide. The walk retraces the steps of the diggers who experienced life on an 1850’s gold field. The walk took a little over an hour and was very enjoyable and informative with the audio commentary.
We then headed to the Garfield Wheel which contains the stone foundations of one of the world’s largest water wheels. The 24-metre diameter water wheel had 220 wrought-iron buckets and revolved once every 55 seconds. It was constructed in 1887. Peter managed to climb up to the top of the foundations.
Tim and Jack headed home, while the rest went back to camp for lunch. We heard from Graham and Kerry that their car was fine, and now with a new name, “Oily”. Paul, Sandy and Alan packed up to go home.
That afternoon it was only Mike & Meredith and Peter & Edith that was motivated to try some tracks. Mike decided he wanted to checkout another un-named track (off Railway Dam Road). This was a nice track that climbed then followed a ridge with spectacular views. We then met White Gum Track and then onto Reservoir Track, followed by Morgan Track. Morgan Track was a narrow windy track, pretty much unmaintained , and at times coming very close to the aqueduct. We stopped for a late afternoon tea and to correlate the GPS coordinates with the map to ensure it didn’t become a night drive. Towards the end of Morgan Track it formed a T intersection that had a large ravine in front of it. To the left it ended up driving down into the ravine, to the right it skirted the ravine and back onto a main gravel road.
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TRIPS SUMMARY
Trip Date Leader(s) Standard
Next Meeting February 23rd See you there
Twilight Cinema March 5th
Jan and Dale Rebgetz -
vice-
president@subaru4wdv
ic.com.au
Tonimbuk
Weekend
Friday 26th –
Sunday 28th
February
Jamie Scott
au
Easy ● to
Medium ■
to Difficult
with
chicken
tracks or
alternatives
Lake Cobbler
This Trip has
reached Convoy
Limit.
Saturday 12 –
Monday 14 March
(Labour Day Long
Weekend)
Stephen Whittaker,
president@subaru4wdv
ic.com.au
Medium ■
(to be
confirmed)
Buckland Valley 12th – 14th March
2016
Further details, see
Track Watch December
2015 p 20-21
Medium ■
to difficult ♦
March Meeting.
Held at Berwick
Subaru
March 22nd. Test
drive from 6pm,
Meeting from
7:30pm
Meredith Dale (Venue
Coordinator)
venue@subaru4wdvic.
com.au
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Disputed Border
This Trip has
reached Convoy
Limit.
Friday 25 March to
Sunday 3rd April
2016 (Easter 25-
28th March)
Jean and Peter Bellis -
events@subaru4wdvic.
com.au
Medium ■
Simpson Desert 17th July 2016 for
3 weeks
Dale Rebgetz- vice-
president@subaru4wdv
ic.com.au
Medium ■
11th Australian
4WD Gathering
19th – 22nd
August 2016 See you there
40th Anniversary
Celebrations
Saturday 24th to
Sunday 25th
September
More details to come
Robe, SA
Saturday 29th
October to
Tuesday 1st
November
Lee Wegner & Duncan
McCrae
events@subaru4wdvic.
com.au
Medium ■
(TBC)
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We then followed Jacobs Track and found an area that was out of bounds. It contained a large area of toxic mine tailings, with signs saying no swimming or drinking! We caught glimpses of a large body of water, but didn’t have time to investigate a good viewing position. We drove down an un-named side track where we met a gold prospector weighing his finding for the day. He had 0.1 grams of gold, worth about $4 with the current price. We followed this track until it stopped at a shed on someone’s property. The owner came and had a talk with us (very friendly – no issue there). Apparently Parks Victoria had closed the track at his property (no sign of road closure earlier), so there was nothing left to do but back track.
We decided to check on what Graham and Kerry were doing for dinner. They had been sightseeing on their way back from Bendigo. We said we would meet them at a hotel in Castlemaine for dinner. Mike however decided to check out one more track first, The Monk Track. We only had a very short time, so we didn’t explore any side braches.
We met Graham and Kerry just as they arrived at the hotel, which was alas closed. We then went to another hotel in Castlemaine which was also closed. While we were discussing (over the radio) what to do for dinner, a third party recommended the Five Flags Hotel in Campbells Creek. Having been there two nights earlier, it didn’t take much convincing, so we headed there for dinner. Meredith rang them to ensure they were open, and they remembered her from before. So we got a booking and headed there for another great meal in their outside dining area.
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Tuesday 26th January: Australia Day
After breakfast we all started packing up. Mike, Meredith, Peter and Edith then decided they had time to go back and look at The Monk Track again. We said our goodbyes to Graham, Kerry and Darryl who were still packing up.
We arrived at the bottom of the track; M & M unhitched their camper for the track. Peter and Edith went up the track to see if the Forester would be able to get up the track. We tackled this track from the other end to what we had done yesterday. At the top Peter had a little accident turning his vehicle around and backed into a broken tree branch, breaking his rear window. We removed all the glass and headed down to the bottom. When we got down M & M helped us cover the window with a tarp. Mike decided he wanted to have a better look, so Peter offered to take Mike up in his truck, and who is Peter to say no when it comes to tracks. It was decided that it wasn’t suitable for the Forester due to a large hole in the track which could not be avoided without driving into an even larger hole. So we then all drove around to the other end of the track and went to the top of The Monk. There you could see the start of the channel that relayed water down to the aqueducts. Peter and Edith came down the hard way and M & M took the easier way back. The camper was hitched up again and we headed off for home.
Trip participants
Michael and Meredith
Peter and Edith
Sandra and Alan
Kerry and Graham
Tim and Jack
Paul
Daryl
Stephen
MEMBER TRICKS AND TIPS
DIY Rear Drawers
By Dan Conlon
Following several trips with
plastic tubs and occy straps it
was time to organize the back
of the car a little bit, so I set
about getting some drawers.
First stop was
http://www.4wdsupacentre.co
m.au/ (my go to for bargains)
but they didn’t have anything
under $650 so after a bit of
planning I made a set for $240
plus the cost of a six pack. The
project took about 24 hours,
split over a few days….it’s
possible the omission of beer
could cut this time down.
Size: I’m not including measurements as your boot may be a different size to mine,
also I measured a lot of stuff on the fly. Though the rear floor area taken up by the
draws is roughly 70cm deep and 95cm wide, and the drawers are about 65cm high.
Mounting: if
your Subi is
like mine
then you’ll
have 4
square tie-
downs, two
behind the
seat and two
at the rear. I
bolted the
wooden frame to these.
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Getting out your spare tyre: The whole assembly is hinged behind the seat so by
unbolting the rear two bolts you can pivot the whole thing up on the front two enough
to get the spare tyre out.
Material used:
70mm x 35mm pine
42mm x 19mm pine
Piano hinge
2 x 600mm 90kg heavy duty
drawer runners
Several sheets of thin ply
40mm, 30mm and 10mm
screws. About 40 of each.
4 x 8mm bolt and nut, 8 x
square washer to fit
4 x sure strap (large)
Mesh tie down
Regular tie down strap
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My steps…..
1. Cut timber for base as per above, started with the cross beam
just behind the rear seat (the one that attached to the two tie-
downs) as that gave the width measurement to use throughout.
2. Created and assembled base for fridge
3. Attached draw sliders to inner side of frame and outer side of
drawer
Note: this
shows
two
70mm x
35mm
lengths in
the centre
when I
only
ended up
using one
Detail of the join at the hinge
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4. Test
5. Build drawer for right hand side and attach to runners
a
6. Add verticals, I used 42mm x 19mm
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7. Add cross beams to make a roof. I used 42mm x 19mm. The
cross beams ran both length-ways and across to form a grid
that then sat and was screwed to the top of the verticals.
8. Cover with ply where appropriate
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9. Cut custom shaped stopping piece to fit between drawers and
boot. Should be snug but not too tight, this will stop the drawers
moving while driving. As rule of thumb if it fits down between
the drawers and the plastic strip that runs along the back (see
arrows below), then the boot will close.
10. Add sure straps as mount points for the fridge, then use a tie
down strap to mount fridge
11. Add mesh, get creative with mount points. The hooks the seats
clip to when they go back is a good one (even if your seats are
back). As are the tie down points in the roof.
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All done…….enjoy!!
BUY AND SELL
Club Resources
We have plenty of resources to sell. We may have many, some or none of the
following items so if you are interested in any of these then please come along to the
club meeting and I will be very happy to sell them to you. Correct change will be
much appreciated.
Short sleeve blue chambray shirt w/logo (Size 14) - $30.00
Long sleeve blue chambray shirt w/logo (Size M) - $60.00
New Style Red Polo Shirts (M, L, XL, 2XL) - $30.00
Hat Oiled Skin size 55 - $20.00
Hat Safari size 59 - $20.00
New Style Vest - $60.00
New Style Jacket - $70.00
Blue Polo Shirt - $15.00
Large Sew on Badges - $3.50
29 | P a g e
Small Sew on Badges - $2.00
Fuel Filter Plastic x 45deg. - $5.00
Fuel Filter Plastic x 90deg. - $5.00
Fuel Filter Plastic x Straight - $5.00
eFlare HZ510 Red with Base - $55.00
Wheel Nuts [Set of 4] - $1.60
CV Boot Clamps Large & Small - $3.00
CV Joint Grease - $4.00
MSP Engine Formulation (oil additive) - $50.00
For substantial discounts on all general automotive spare parts, oils, filters, shocks,
etc., please see me for details.
Resources Officer: Dale Rebgetz
Email: [email protected]
Member Items for Sale
Item: Forester Aluminium Bash Plates
Details: made from 6.0mm construction grade aluminium
Cost: $300 for club members, $330 for non-members. Fitting can be arranged.
Contact: David Wilson, [email protected]
Item: Set of 4 alloy rims from Outback 1997 model
Cost: $120.00 ONO
Contact: David Wilson, [email protected]
Item: Roof console to hold CB and lights and switches for Outback
Cost: $100.00
Contact: David Wilson, [email protected]
Want to sell something Subaru/off-road related? Contact
The club makes this space available free of charge to members wishing to buy or sell
items. Please note that the Motor Car Trader Regulations 1998-22(4) require that
vehicles for sale advertisements must contain: (a) the cash price of the vehicle and;
(b) the registration number if registered or the engine/chassis numbers if
unregistered.
30 | P a g e
MINUTES
General Meeting
Minutes
The general meeting of the Subaru 4WD
Club of Victoria Inc was held on Tuesday,
26th January 2016 at the South Camberwell
Tennis Club starting at 8:16pm.
1. Present
Peter Bellis, Jean Bellis, Jessica Walsh,
Peter Fullalove, Edith Fullalove, Ruth
Marshall, Bob Marshall, Phil Milkins,
Elaine Milkins, Michael Dale, Meredith
Dale, Dale Rebgetz, Jan Rebgetz,
Anthony Saunders, Andrew Jantke,
Lisa Jantke, Duncan McCrae, Lee
McCrae, Peter Mynard, Katie Mynard,
Stephen Whittaker, Peter Devine, Matt
Chaplin, Graham Gill, Kerry Gill, Tim
Folliard, Dan Conlon, Damian Stock,
Dot Greiveson, Martin Foot, David
Wilson, Anthony Wilson, Justin Wilson,
Les Scott, Rick Koster, Peter
Landouris.
2. Apologies
Jamie Scott, Bev Davison, David
Denver, Jessica Moloney, Paul
Saleeba, Lynette Mudford.
3. Visitors
Dennis Scambler, Doug Greenall.
4. Welcome
Contact Jamie for any questions: [email protected]
31 | P a g e
A welcome and new year’s greetings
was extended to all members and
visitors.
Thank-you to Meredith for the food for
tonight’s barbecue, Peter and Jean
Bellis and Peter Devine for doing the
cooking. Many thanks to Dot
Grieveson for nipping down the street
to get some more bread.
5. Minutes of the Previous General
Meeting
5.1. The minutes of the November
2015 General Meeting were
accepted without amendment
after being moved by Edith
Fullalove and seconded by Katie
Scambler. 5.2. There was no business arising
from the minutes.
6. Correspondence
6.1. In
Magazines from various 4WD clubs.
6.2. Out
None.
7. Reports
7.1. Resources 4x4 magazines for
members to take.
New club members are
entitled to club shirts at a
discount. The club has
some sizes in stock.
7.2. Editor
Seeking trip reports and
trip photographs. Other articles are also
appreciated.
7 . 3 . T R I P A N D S O C I A L
Trip attendance sheets are
at the front for filling in for
upcoming trips.
Plenty of long weekends
coming up in the year for
opportunities to organise
and run trips. 7.4. Venue
Photographic competition
will be occurring at the
February meeting.
March meeting at Berwick
Subaru will be brought forward a week to Tuesday
22nd March due to the 29th
clashing with the Disputed
Border Track trip.
Seeking suggestions for
future meetings.
7.5. Membership.
Have received some
membership enquiries.
Anthony Saunders was presented with his club
nametag.
7.6. Treasurer
Current bank account
balance is $8,511.46
7.7. Secretary
Next committee meeting is
next Tuesday, 2nd February,
2016 at the Bellis’ home. 7.8. Vice-President
Nothing to report.
7.9. President
This year is the club’s 40th
birthday. There will be
some large celebrations later
in the year. Details of
events will be published in
February. We will be
seeking contact details of previous members so that
they can be invited to
participate.
8. 2015 Annual Awards Presentation
The following awards were presented:
Clubman of the
year – Peter Bellis
Clubwoman of the
year – Jean Bellis
Bent Valve – Peter
Bellis
Bogger – Michael
Hartshorne Jacked Up – Dan
Conlon
Other annual awards presented at
the Christmas party in November
were:
Burnt Billy –
Lynette Mudford
Piggy Bank –
Jamie Scott
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Silver Socket –
Rick Gain
Membership award – Jessica
Walsh for 5 years.
9. General Business
9.1. Rick’s 1985 Leona has just
clicked over 100,000km.
9.2. Battery recycling – have
already received quite a
few. Will earn about $700 a pallet load.
9.3. Fundraising – will be doing
the chocolate drive in the
next month.
9.4. ARB – are selling hinges for
radio antennas that allow
them to be fold down for
going under low clearance
objects.
9.5. Vehicle modifications – in 2015, the vehicle
roadworthy laws stated that
vehicles that have
electronic vehicle stability
control were not able to be
modified. However, after
testing in the USA last year
that proved that vehicle
height modifications had no impact on stability
performance, the
regulations have been made
less restrictive.
Consequently, vehicles with
ESC can now be modified.
10. Fines and Fun
10.1. Nametags
David Wilson, Les
Scott.
10.2. Last to Meeting
Peter Landouris.
10.3. Trips
10.3.1. Christmas Trip
David Wilson –
delaying trip by
one day.
Edith Fullalove –
losing the map
before the trip started.
Peter Devine – for
getting stuck on
the way to Mt
Pinnabar.
Martin Foot – flat
tyre on the way to
Mt Pinnabar. Peter Bellis – flat
tyre on the way
through Indi
country.
Dennis Scambler –
for catching a
rainbow trout
within a few
minutes of
stopping for lunch. Dorothy Grieveson
– for not packing
the bathers.
David Wilson – for
telling people not
to worry about
bathers.
Rick Koster – for
washing his car in the river.
Stephen Whittaker
– for also washing
his car in the
river.
Rick Koster – for
losing his roll of
toilet paper on the
track.
Les Scott – for losing his lunch
box on the track
into Dartmouth
Dam.
Jamie Scott – for
breaking his
Brumby on the
play exit at the
campsite. Dale and Jan
Rebgetz, Peter
and Jean Bellis,
Jamie Scott, and
Martin and Dot –
for not tackling a
very challenging
track.
Dale and Jan
Rebgetz, and Martin and Dot –
for heading into
Corryong
afterward for
coffee.
Dennis Scambler –
for not pinning his
33 | P a g e
tow hitch after
assisting in the
recovery of Peter
Devine.
10.3.2. Christmas Party Les Scott – sitting
on Santa’s knee.
10.4. Total fines collected - $14.20.
11. The Lucky door prize was won by Dot
Grieveson.
12. The next meeting will be held on
Tuesday 23rd February 2016
commencing at 8pm.
13. Meeting closed at 9:26pm and was
followed by supper whilst Stephen
Committee Meeting
Minutes
Minutes of the meeting of the committee of
the Subaru 4WD Club of Victoria Inc held on
Tuesday 2nd February 2016 at the home of
Jean and Peter Bellis starting at 7:40pm.
1. Present
Jean Bellis, Peter Bellis, Jamie Scott,
Bob Marshall, Dale Rebgetz, Stephen
Whittaker, Duncan McCrae, Dan
Conlon, Meredith Dale, Michael Dale.
2. Quorum
A quorum was achieved with all
committee members present.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
3.1. Minutes of the December 2015
meeting were accepted without
amendment.
3.2. Business Arising from the
Minutes and Outstanding Actions
3.2.1. Bank account
signatories.
3.2.2. Club’s cupboard. Have problems finding a
locksmith who can
access the blank
(evidently these are
kept in the USA).
3.2.3. Ongoing 4WD Education
/ Awareness.
3.2.4. Membership renewal form.
3.2.5. Electronic version of
other Subaru 4WD Club
magazine – links now
being circulated in the
email with the link to
the club’s magazine.
3.2.6. Request for advertising
in club’s magazine by
AllDrive Subaroo
4. Correspondence
4.1. In
4WD Victoria
“Clean up the Bush” –
collection phase at Ballarat.
List of general meeting
dates for 2016.
Anthony Saunders – club
nametag for wife.
Martin Foot – purchase of
pair of 17” steel rims for
2014 Forester by the club
as a resource. Committee decided
not to proceed.
Enquiry about cost of
mechanical repair to a
Subaru Liberty.
4.2. Out
None.
5. Reports
5.1. Resources
Nothing to report.
5.2. Trip and Social
Report circulated.
Details of future trip and
social events elsewhere in
the magazine. The AFL Grand Final public
holiday on the Friday before
is gazetted again for this
year.
Suggestion for trip to Robe
on Melbourne Cup weekend
– proposed by Duncan and
Lee.
5.3. Venue Report circulated.
34 | P a g e
Details of future monthly
meetings elsewhere in the
magazine.
Future possibilities – visit to
Ringwood Trade centre (need to give David Wilson
some dates), tree man (via
David), Rob Pepper, 4WD
tyres.
5.4. Membership
Report circulated.
Membership application
Have received a new
membership
application and a re-joining membership
application.
After reviewing the
applications, the
committee passed the
following resolutions:
RESOLUTION The committee resolved
to accept the membership
application from Doug and
Michelle Greenall
RESOLUTION The committee resolved
to accept the membership
application from Dennis
Scambler and Janice
Crozier.
Family member – what is
the scope of the
membership type “Family”? The issue of the scope
of the membership
type “family” was
raised with the
committee. The club’s
constitution defines a
family/joint
membership as “may
be granted to a family
or couple”. The club’s constitution is silent
on the definition of
family.
Name tags for children –
the committee agreed that
the club would fund the
cost of the initial name tags
for members’ children,
given the club’s current
positive financial situation. 5.5. Editor
The editor will be absent
during April (he will be
getting married).
Therefore, need either
someone else to do the
editing or the magazine is
published early. Michael
offered to do any final
editing prior to publishing. Magazine distribution by
post
o Martin has
highlighted that
due to the recent
postal pricing
increases the
cost of posting
the printing and posting the
magazine, it is
now starting to
get very
expensive. It
was agreed that
the receiving of a
printed and
posted magazine
be made an “opt in” option at an
additional cost,
not the current
“opt out” option.
o New membership
form needs to be
amended (Dan
offered to do) to
provide such option.
5.6. Treasurer
Report circulated.
Current bank account
balance is $8,645.16.
Monies from last week’s
barbecue was $179.75.
5.7. Secretary
Nothing to report
5.8. Vice-President Nothing to report.
5.9. President
Nothing to report.
6. Sub-Committees
6.1. Communications
35 | P a g e
Some changes have been
made to the club’s website
in regards to the
photograph gallery to
improve loading speed. 6.2. Community Involvement
Oxfam Christmas tree
delivery – had 3 vehicles
from the club as part of the
effort to deliver over 3,500
trees and raise just shy of
$330,000.
Nerrina Forester, near
Ballarat – second phase of
“Clean-up the Bush” is on 2nd / 3rd April 2016.
6.3. Constitution Review
Convoy rules – Jessica and
I are currently reviewing
the by-law governing trip
convoy rules.
6.4. Education / Training
4WD Victoria has just
released their training dates for 2016.
Membership application
form – should include any
information about prior
4WD and other appropriate
courses.
Club 4WD driver instruction
/ trip leading instruction –
Stephen to follow up with
Jessica.
7. 40th Birthday Celebrations
Proposal received for a weekend
event at Echuca, camping
overnight nearby (24/25
September). River cruise on a paddle
steam late Saturday with
appetisers and drinks (limit
– 95 people).
Walking tour through the
wharf afterwards for an
additional $15 per person
Two-course dinner at a
nearby restaurant at
7:30pm.
Quoted cost is $80 per
person. Bus back from/to the camp
site – $300 to $400 per bus
charter.
Camping - $45 per powered
site. Currently investigating
other options.
Need to seek some
sponsorship from Subaru.
Deposit to be paid with
application. The club will partially
subside the event –
restricted to current
members.
Merchandise – need to start
thinking about it and organising
it.
Possibilities – caps, club
sticker (with 40th year), photograph book, video,
thermo mugs.
Former Members – when do we
issue an invitation and how wide?
Will run only the one event.
8. General Business
Club’s “iconic drive” – Jamie
suggested the trip in the Morwell
River area. Needs to be
documented.
9. Next Meeting will be held on Tuesday
1st March 2016 at 7:30pm at the home
of Dale Rebgetz.
10. Meeting closed at 10:25pm.
36 | P a g e
EDITOR NOTES
Thanks for all the contributions again this month!
Just a couple of things from me:
In an effort to BE GREEN AND SAVE PAPER please let me
know via email if you currently receive a paper version of this
magazine and would be happy with an email version instead
Any interesting articles you find and want to share, or if you
would like to write an article for the magazine in the
member's tips and reviews sections, let me know!
The deadline for submissions for next month is:
Tuesday 8th March
As always please send emails to: [email protected]
