Jackaroo 4WD Club Victoria’s Premier all make 4Wd touring club

june 2016

Backhouse Beach - page 6

Month Date Event Details

June 5 Deadline for Newsletter items

15 Committee Meeting

15 General Meeting - Insurance

15 - 18 Driver Training (Proficiency)

July 10 Deadline for Newsletter items

20 Committee Meeting

20 General Meeting - Soup & Sausage Night

23 Follow Burke & Wills trip

tba Cape York Explorer

August 7 Deadline for Newsletter items

17 Committee Meeting

17 General Meeting

20 Intermediate level training course

23 - 14/8 Burke & Wills trip

tba Cape York Explorer

September 7 & 10 Proficiency Training Course

11 Deadline for Newsletter items

17 & 18 Redcastle Cemetery cleanup 21 Committee Meeting

21 General Meeting

26 - 30 Volcanic Trail II

30 - 2/10 Little Desert trip

Club Calendar

The Jackaroo Club of Victoria

Box 297, Fairfield 3078

www.jackaroo4wdclub.org.au

President: David Dobson 9728 3550 or 0430 286 168 dtdobson@bigpond.com

Vice President: Ian Blainey 0458 444 656 Ian_anne1@bigpond.com

Secretary: Chris Rogers 9481 4769 or 0425 795 858

rogers_chris@optusnet.com.au

Treasurer: John Dudley 5429 5087 or 0412 948 361 rjdudley@bigpond.com

Trip Coordinator: Michael Martin 9730 1465, 0427 973 014 bunda491@yahoo.com.au

Membership Officer: Rod Tamblyn 9735 0698 or 0427 884 603 rodtamblyn@optusnet.com.au

Editor: Harry Richards 9878 8908, 0408 142 107 harryjr42@optusnet.com.au

Librarian & Clothing: Ian Marr 0413 546 178 iamarr@optusnet.com.au

Property Officer: Mark Eames 9431 6400 or 0401 998 172 eamesm@tpg.com.au

Committee: Philip Johnstone 9807 9096 or 0417 014 636 Graeme Mitchell 9467 4759 or 0490 119 840 Paul Trouse 0408 003 383

Next Meeting

Your insurance questions

answered

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday

15th June at the Fairfield Bowling Club,

commencing at 7.30pm.

Wayne Hevey from 4WD Victoria and Tony

Webster, a director of Affinity Insurance,

will be along to explain the details of the

insurance cover supplied as part of your

yearly membership.

They will go through the details of what

you are covered for and how to make a

claim, should that becomes necessary. Any

questions you might have will also be

answered.

If you can’t attend for some reason and

you have a question, please pass it on to our

Secretary before the meeting and he will

endeavour to get an answer for you.

Slideshow

Greg Moore has been through his archives

and found a number of old photos from

trips of yesteryear.

He has put them together in a slideshow

for the meeting. It should be interesting

to remember some of those trips and to

see whether the years have been kind to

some of our longer term members.

Look for great subscription offers

Sponsorship The Club has been fortunate in obtaining significant support from a number of companies for our Tri-State Gathering at Clunes. Their generosity is very much appreciated and was of immense assistance in the successful running of the event. Throughout this Newsletter, you will note advertisements for these generous organisations. Please repay their faith in our Club by using their facilities and products whenever you can. And don’t forget to mention the Club whenever you do. It is your support which will determine whether we continue to receive these sponsorships in the future.

Backhouse Beach

28th April - 2nd May

Participants: Michael & Jan Martin (Trip leaders) Greg & Noelene Moore Ian & Ann Marr Cleve Warring & Jenny Peter & Heather Watts Mark Eames & Stella Harry & Jill Richards Colin & Sue Cameron Rod & Bonnie Tamblyn (& Winston) Greg Inglis Peter Gwynn (guest) Stan & Ann Ciesielski (guests) Jan Martin & Harry Richards report: Our annual camping trip to the Murray River in the N.S.W. Cottadidda forest, up-stream of Cobram/Barooga, went for five days from 28th April to 2nd May, although most people came for a shorter time than that. We had an excellent turn up of 22 people, despite the problem of blue green algae which made the water a no-go zone. The water actually looked quite good, no longer with the oily green sheen it had

when the site was checked a couple of weeks previously. Still, there were big warnings in Cobram about having no contact with it, so we found other ways to enjoy ourselves. The Martins were the first to arrive on Thursday afternoon, in overcast, but warm weather. Five others arrived later. The access track through the forest was in good condition, apart from a couple of large potholes. We had the beautiful Backhouse Beach camping area to ourselves after the only other campers packed up at the first sign of rain (or maybe it was our presence). In the twelve years the Club has been making this annual trip, we have more often than not, been the only campers. One unforgettable year, we shared the camp with about fifty teenagers on a school canoeing trip. When they pulled the canoes up and started pitching their tents, we considered moving elsewhere. But

they were surprisingly quiet. Next morning, as they were leaving, their teachers told us that had been their fifth night and they had finally worn out their youthful exuberance and flattened their batteries. The river itself was very high, probably because water had been released from Lake Mulwala to flush out the algal bloom. There wasn’t a beach at the campsite, just the high sandy plain above it. But the river changes each year we come, so probably next year the beach will be back. An early and prolonged Happy Hour was enjoyed and we went to bed with the threat of rain imminent. Friday morning dawned overcast, but warm. Colin went off with a chainsaw and supplied us with some excellent river red gum for the campfire. More people trickled in and set up camp. The accommodation ranged from canvas pyramid tents to basic to luxury caravans. Unfortunately for us, but not the farmers, the rain arrived, along with high winds. It rained for most of the day and all our fire-wood got soaked. Undaunted, we enjoyed a longish Happy Hour huddled under Greg’s annex.

Night fell and Harry and Jill arrived after something of an adventure. Greg said later, he noticed some lights in the distance and, while he considered it odd, gave it no thought. The lights were in fact, Harry and Jill who, in the blackness of the night, had taken a wrong turn and found themselves on a narrow, muddy, genuine 4WD track with nowhere to turn around with a caravan in tow. They had to proceed with caution,

stopping every fifty metres to check the track ahead, the depth of puddles, washa-ways, etc. Eventually they arrived at a camping area on the river where they were able to turn around and return back along the track .to where they had turned off incorrectly. The “detour” was only four kilometres but it took them one hour to traverse. Safely set up at camp and after chats all around, it was off to bed for all. The morning dawned cloudy with a pleas-ant temperature. The campfire was soon resurrected and we sat around chatting about all sorts of things.

Some of us went into town to stock up on a couple of things while another group went for a walk. They ambled down the track which Harry and Jill had stumbled on the

A morning chat around the fire

The river was quite high

previous night. Greg commented later that Harry had done a great job to traverse it successfully. The afternoon passed by and the campfire was stoked up for the traditional camp oven cookout. Half a dozen camp ovens contain-ing a variety of meals, were placed in the wonderful glowing red gum coals. While waiting for the camp ovens to cook, Harry and Jill produced a couple of pizzas cooked on Harry’s Weber Q. They were accepted with gusto and appreciation.

In time, the meals were ready and the various roast chicken, beef, lamb, etc. meals were eaten around the camp fire. A pleasant evening chatting under the stars, with much laughter and sharing of snacks, was enjoyed by all, before people gradually drifted off to bed. At around 1.45am, an almighty storm hit the camp. For about an hour, brilliant light-ning flashes, crashing thunder and heavy rain hit the campers. There was no chance of sleeping through it. So heavy was the rain, some of us were concerned we may be isolated by the track in becoming impassable. Cleve and Jenny were in a tent. He got up during the storm and found that, while he and Jenny were quite dry inside, their tent was surrounded by water. The storm passed and in the morning we rose to a sunny day. While there were some puddles around, in general the area was dry, such is the draining qualities of the spot. Later that morning, a number of the group went into Cobram for a coffee. Surpris-ingly, the track back to the highway was quite dry, although there was some water in the gutters alongside. As the afternoon progressed, a number of

attendees packed up and headed home. Needless to say, the weather improved by the minute. It was a good day to linger and explore some of the muddy bush tracks.

Rod & Winston were handling the pace ...

Michael & Peter were not

The Cottadidda State Forest is recovering well from previous drought conditions. The main lagoon has water in it again and we saw several pelicans. But the young river red gums, which had started growing in it when it was dry, have now been inundated and died. After the team’s firewood gathering efforts, there was still plenty of wood for a big camp-fire on Sunday night. Those remaining enjoyed a pleasant evening around it before retiring. Next morning, one by one, we packed and returned home, satisfied we had enjoyed yet another wonderful weekend on the Murray. This trip is always held in the first weekend in May, as the fire restriction period in NSW forests ends about then. Although May is about the end of the reasonable camping weather in Victoria, it is usually a few degrees warmer on the Murray than in Melbourne.

The beach we use faces north west and captures the sun all afternoon. We hope some more Jackaroo Club mem-bers will join us in 2017.

Harry, I think your step needs some attention.

It was a fine day for a walk

Ron Taylor

Award

Each year, the Club honours a member

who has made a significant contribution to

the well being of the Club and the enjoy-

ment of members.

Ron Taylor was a popular member in the

Club’s early days and played a noteworthy

role in its development.

He unfortunately passed away on a club

trip and a decision was made at that time

to honour his name with an annual award.

If you think any member has made a con-

tribution to the Club over the past year

which is worthy of being honoured with

this award, please let David Dobson know

before our next meeting.

Previous winners have been:

1995 Colin Files

1996 Robert Searle

1997 Greg Moore

1998 Chris Smith

1999 Graeme Mitchell

2000 Adrian Morris

2001 Peter Snare

2002 Alan Dash

2003 Ian Blainey

2004 Margaret & Colin Ritchie

2005 Brad Riddington

2006 Wayne Peterken

2007 Helen & Rocky Tompkins

2008 Harry Richards

2009 David Dobson

2010 Jan & Michael Martin

2011 Philip Johnstone

2012 Stuart Trevena

2013 John Dudley

2014 Chris Rogers

A Sample of Tyrepliers Products

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Len Beadell Highways Trip 1st July - 1st August

Last month we left our travellers at Well 33 on the Canning Stock Route. Linda McElhenny takes up her report.

18th July 14 degrees

As we headed off down the Gary high-

way to Kitson Track, we came across

some people who had been driving the

Eagle Highway, which they’d found

heavily overgrown. We were the first

people that had seen for four days.

Kitson Track proved to be very narrow,

corrugated with brown/black stones on

top of sand. In the middle of the track

were some small termite mounds which

acted like little speed humps.

The land had been burnt previously, so

vegetation on the sand dunes showed

signs of new growth.

It was strange to see so much red sand

on the dunes. For most of the trip, the

beautiful red sand of the dunes was cov-

ered by some form of vegetation.

The track is not used very much and at

times there was quite high spinifex in the

middle of the track.

Back on Gary Highway, we came across a

young camel, about 1-2 years old, with a

lovely fluffy coat. I’m not sure whether

this is an age thing, or his winter coat.

We came across a lot more camels on

this stretch. Sometimes a single animal,

or a pair, or a herd. They are the most

ungainly of animals, especially when they

run down the road in front of the con-

voy.

The track to Veevers Crater was very

overgrown, good pin striping vegetation.

Leigh and Christine decided not to go

because of this and decided to look for

a campsite for the night and gather

some firewood.

The rest of us drove the 16kms to the

crater along the track which was very

corrugated and overgrown so that it

scratched everything in sight.

Barry’s VHF/UHF aerial was

bent three times and the phone

aerial on the windscreen was

pinged three or four times.

Veevers is a pretty crater, only

a quarter the size of Wolfe

Creek Crater. It had a lot more

vegetation than Wolfe Creek,

but was much steeper to get

down. Cleve and Ian climbed down.

Back to the junction with Gary High-

way, we found a camp in a clearing

nearby. We put a piece of cardboard

on the ashes of a previous fire and it

lit up immediately.

This was probably a fire from a camper

the previous night. It was a reminder

that a fire can look out, but there can

still be plenty of heat underneath.

19th July 16 degrees.

Today was Cleve’s significant birthday

so the day began with each of us wish-

ing him a happy birthday.

I did not have a birthday

card, so I found a lovely

small gum shoot and wrote

his birthday wish on that.

He was thrilled and put it

on his dashboard.

Our trek continued down the

Gary which proved to be

very narrow with bushes

scratching the vehicles.

Lots of camel tracks were

evident.

Morning tea was at the sign post for

the Tropic of Capricoen. We presumed

this to have been done by Len, as it

used the same letter punches on the

aluminium.

The journey involved numerous stops to

cool shockers and check under the vehi-

cles for spinifex as it was quite high in

the centre of the track.

There was plenty hooked around the

cross members, chassis and bash plate,

but thankfully, none around the exhaust

pipes.

Camp that night was a designated

campsite on the Gary Highway, 15kms

north of the Eagle Highway turnoff. It

was a very nice large area.

It was time to celebrate Cleve’s birth-

day. Everybody chipped in with some

food and drink and we even had some

party hats and balloons.

Cleve cut his birthday

cake (a hedgehog

slice I had made the

previous evening) and

Gemma and Jenny

presented him with a

“rocking chair” walk-

ing stick and hearing

aid.

A great time was had

by all.

20th July 11 degrees

On our way to Lake Cohen, we passed

the junction of the Eagle and Gary

Highways. The dunes as far as you can

see are covered in thick spinifex, with

a few small gums and shrubs.

Lake Cohen is a marshy area often

used by migrating birds. We saw a

couple of water birds in the distance

and a lot of small birds.

Around the lake are bands of various

types of vegetation - silver leaved

bushes with purple flowers, small scrub

mallee, native grasses and small green

shrubs.

Noticeable too, were some five metre

high eucalypts looking very healthy. By

the waters edge we could see where

camels had got stuck in the mud while

trying to get water.

From the lake we entered the Gibson

Nature Reserve and headed off to

McPhersons Pillar. Along the way, we

came across a clearly defined resting

place for camels.

McPhersons Pillar is a huge rock on top

of a hill, covered with native grass and

spinifex, with a rocky ascent/descent.

The pillar was named after Giles McPher-

son, a prominent gold prospector and

explorer, who later died in Alaska

searching for gold.

Mulgan Rockhole had a lot of crystal clear

water in it. It did however, contain a

large piece of thick bright green algae.

There were plenty of well worn animal

tracks in straight lines through the rocks

and shrubs. I assume they led to water,

food, or a place for the night.

Our passage from here was on a clay

track, in places nice and flat where you

could pick up speed, but then came deep

washaways followed by corrugations.

There was an abundance of wild flowers on

both sides of the track. Purple, yellow,

pink, white, mauve, blue and maroon

pastels were pleasant to the eye.

At Everard Junction, there is a metal

box which holds a visitors book. There

were actually three visitors books and

lots of business cards.

One of the business cards was for

Russell Guest 4X4 which had Connie Sue

and Anne Beadell’s names written on the

back when they did a trip out here in

2004.

Camp that night was about half kilome-

tre from Mt. Everard. Just as the sun

was about to set, the ladies went for a

walk along the track.

The sun on the gold/brown/red rocky

escarpments was just wonderful to see.

You needed to be quick to take a photo

though, as the sun set very quickly and

you lost all that wonderful colour.

Another terrific campfire which we sat

around and mulled over the day’s high-

lights and what is to come. Of course,

Gemma’s marshmallows were welcome.

21st July 16 degrees

Not long after leaving camp, we came

upon a Jayco Dove (2007) which had

the suspension torn right out and the

jockey wheel bent in half back along

the drawbar. By the state of the

wreck, it hadn’t been that long since it

had come to grief.

Our next stop was at Mt Beadell.

There is a huge information board here

telling the story of Len and his work.

At one point we came upon a young

dingo on the track. He had found some-

thing to eat and did not intend moving

until he had finished it. He looked in

good condition.

All the vehicles successfully negotiated

the rock ledges, drop offs, potholes

and deep ruts the track threw at us

and we arrived at the Warburton Road-

house late in the day.

Rain had been threatening all day and

as we set up camp, some large drops

fell. Dinner was cooked in the camp

kitchen and, as it was getting colder,

we all retired to bed.

There we must leave our travellers until next month when the report of this trip will conclude. Meanwhile, Barry and Linda’s preparations for their next trip are well advanced - following in the footsteps of Burke and Wills. You are invited to join them. Refer to the upcoming trips page 23.

It had a lovely photo of him in his

later years.

On top of Mt. Beadell is a replica of

Len’s theodolite in a cyclone cage.

This was placed there by the National

4X4 Council.

The Heather Highway junction came

up and this was where we turned off.

The sign post (with an old boot on

top) said “Warburton 126kms”.

The “highway” was rough, with deep

washaways. In places you had two, or

three, options of the track to take.

Spinifex surrounded the track and our

aerials and side mirrors took a beat-

ing.

Retrace the track followed by Burke & Wills as closely as possible from Bulla

in Victoria to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Stops along the way at Lake Mungo,

Menindee, Mutawinji, Tibooburra, Thargomindah, Innamincka, Coongie Lakes,

Birdsville, Diamantina, Boulia, Cloncurry, Normanton and various accessible

sites to do with the expedition. There will be a number of multi-night stop-

overs and the trip will end at Karumba

Meeting Time & Place: Bulla. (Date & Time TBA, possibly Sat 23/7)

Convoy Limit: 6 Fuel Requirements: Enough to cover 600kms

Trip Standard if Dry: Easy/Medium If Wet: Medium/Hard

Trip Leaders: Barry & Linda McElhenny 0427 330 676

Special Requirements: Vehicles should be in tip top condition, Trip will be on Outback

roads that are maintained to varying degrees. A Desert Parks Pass will be needed. Extra food

and water should be carried to allow for delays, or breakdowns. OK for off road campers.

Currently registered: Barry & Linda McElhenny., Harry & Jill Richards, Mark Eames, Colin & Sue

Cameron (+ friend), Leigh Wagstaff & Chris (visitors)

Cape York Explorer July & August (Dates to be finalised)

Follow Burke & Wills 23 July to 14 August

Ad Hoc trip to the Top End. See Weipa, Jardine River, Chillie Beach, Seisa, etc.

Meeting Time & Place: Mareeba Qld. (Date & Time TBA)

Convoy Limit: 6 Fuel Requirements: Fill up at Mareeba, then readily avail-

able on trip

Trip Standard if Dry: Medium If Wet: Hard

Trip Leaders: Robert & Helen Hume 0447 215 799

Special Requirements: The trip does not have a firm itinerary and is very flexible. Road

conditions may not be kind to caravans and campers. Suggest leave caravan at Mount Carbine,

or Laura. NSW and SA members are welcome.

As the Burke & Wills trip (see above) will finish in North Queensland, the start of this trip

could be coordinated with the end of that trip if any of those participants is interested in

joining this trip.

Contact Rob Hume for more information.

Currently registered: Robert & Helen Hume, Laz Meszaros (SA Club)

Annual Redcastle Cemetery Cleanup 17 & 18 September

Intermediate Driver Training Saturday 20th August An advanced driver training course for those who have completed the Profi-

ciency Course and wish to improve their 4WD skills further.

The course will be conducted at the Werribee 4 x 4 Centre and will take all

day. It is a full day course, with one on one instruction - one driver per in-

structor.

Anyone interested in going on trips rated Hard or Difficult, should give this

course some thought.

For details contact Ian Blainey 0458 444 656 or ian_anne1@bigpond.com

Currently registered: Barry Gough

Annual clean up of the cemetery which we maintain. Option to make it a week-

end trip, camping overnight at Dargile Camping and Picnic Area, which is suit-

able for caravans. Or come on Sunday for the cleanup.

Meeting Time & Place: Heathcote Bakery at 9.30am or at campground

Convoy Limit: no limit

Fuel Requirements: Full tank ex Melbourne

Trip Standard if Dry: Easy/Social If Wet: Easy/Social

Trip Leader: Graeme Mitchell 9467 4759 or 0490 119 840

Special Requirements: Bring gardening tools such as rake, shovel, saw, axe, whip-per snipper, weed sprayer, chain saw and anything else which could be useful.

Work gloves and boots are recommended. The Club will provide a BBQ lunch,

but BYO chairs, drinks, plates, cutlery, etc.

Currently registered: Graeme & Gayle Mitchell, Jan & Michael Martin, Cleve Warring

& Jenny, Ian & Ann Marr, Greg Inglis, Nancy & John Dudley, Rod & Margaret

Nicholas

Volcanic Trail II Monday 26th to Friday 30th September A follow up to last year’s Volcanoes trip, visiting sites we missed last time.

Also visit some interesting little villages and a longer stop in Hamilton. The

trip will meet Little Desert participants at Serviceton.

Meeting Place & Time: BP Servo on the Geelong Bypass at 9.30am

Convoy Limit: 8

Fuel: Full tank ex Melbourne and available all along the way

Trip Standard: Easy

Trip Leader: Harry Richards 9878 8908 or 0408 142 107

Special Requirements: Suited to caravans. As with last year, some small walks to sites will be taken

Currently registered: Harry & Jill Richards, Ian & Ann Marr, Graeme & Gayle Mitchell

Little Desert Trip Friday 30th September to Sunday 2nd October

Alan Dash’s 24th foray into Victoria’s desert country looking for birds, wild-

flowers, orchids and items of interest. Camping at the Serviceton Recreation

Reserve, which has all facilities.

Meeting Place & Time: Serviceton Rec Reserve whenever you get there

Convoy Limit: 10 Fuel Requirement: Full tank ex Nhill

Trip Standard if Dry: Medium If Wet: Medium. May be slippery

Trip Leader: Alan Dash 0407 568 700 or 9311 3628

Special Requirements: Be prepared for sand driving (suitable recovery gear &

tyres) and for possibly cold, or wet weather. Bring some firewood if you can.

Caravans and campers OK. All facilities and some powered sites available.

Currently registered: Alan & Betty Dash, Cleve Warring & Jenny, Ian & Ann Marr, Graeme &

Gayle Mitchell, Harry & Jill Richards.

Tail End …

Some thoughts on wine drinking ...