2008-06

June 2008

SUBARU 4WD NEWS

Meetings of

THE SUBARU 4WD CLUB of WESTERN AUSTRALIA INC.

are normally held at

7.30pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the

Wembley Community Centre (Joan Watters Building) 40 Alexander Street, WEMBLEY W.A.

Subaru 4WD Web Site: http://www.subaru4wdclubwa.asn.au

WA 4WD Association (Inc): http://www.wa4wda.com.au

SUBARU 4WD CLUB NEWS

SUBARU 4WD CLUB of WESTERN AUSTRALIA INC

P.O. BOX 434, SOUTH PERTH, W.A. 6951

2008 COMMITTEE

(Home Phone)

PRESIDENT: Simon Newton 9450-5953 [email protected]

SECRETARY: Robert Griffiths 9250-6270 [email protected]

TREASURER: Tony Richards 9386-7705 [email protected]

SOCIAL ORGANISER: Keith Wilcox 9344-6830

TRIPS CO-ORDINATOR: David Peck 9275-5617

EDITOR: Jim Wilcox 9306-8222 [email protected]

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Peter Andruszkiw 9440-4075

Geoff Hayden 9447-5698

Martin Southwood 9349-0182

Keith Low 9459-3358

Wendy Griffiths 9250-6270

MERCHANDISE: Tony Richards 9386-7705

WEB MASTER: Karl Boeing 9341-5087 [email protected]

4WD ASSOC DELEGATE: Tony Richards 9386-7705

M’SHIP CO-ORDINATOR: Keith Low 9459-3358 [email protected]

PROPERTY OFFICER: Peter Joensson 9447-3658

LIFE MEMBERS

Fred Offer, Keith Anderson, Jonel Householder, Ray Stewart,

Ian Johnson, Peter Andruszkiw and Ron Caunce.

SUBARU 4WD CLUB of W.A. INC

Presidents Report June 2008

Welcome Members.

On our trip to Lochada over the Anzac LWE we noted a few jobs needing attention that we could not carry out at the time.

The battery that runs the lights and counter in the toilet / shower block was dead, a cistern was crook and the fibro wall in the shed needed painting.

Reg, Jim, Chris, Joy, Greg and myself have just spent 3 days on a return trip to complete these tasks so all is well and working.

We had rain on the way up and back but none while we were there but it was much cooler than before, even in that short time. But no Flies or Mozzies!

Your Committee has been working on updating the name badges and we are pleased to say they will soon be ready for distribution at no cost to you, the members. We encourage you to use them otherwise we have wasted your money, we won’t know who you are and you will be forever called MATE regardless of gender.

Our membership is over 50 and increasing so it would be nice to know each others names, makes for a friendlier club.

Please accept my apologies for absence at the next GM.

Those of you who have been camping with me may have noticed that I have been marking territory more often than the average male Dingo. So, on the day of the next GM I will be in hospital for a minor operation to have the Radiator bored out which will fix the problem. A message for you Blokes out there, these problems can turn you from Hero to Zero very quickly indeed, its not just getting older, it’s a sign something is wrong so see the Doc and check it out, it may not only save you discomfort and inconvenience, it may save your life. Do it now!

Had to postpone our trip to the NT so hope to be fit for the Casserole in the Shed night. See you there.

Your President,

Simon Newton.


TRIP CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT

Trip Coordinators Report June 2008

Jim’s mother’s day trip around Gnangara Pines on May 11 was enjoyed by a number of members and visitors, including a V8 Land Rover that asked to tag along. What surprised me was by the time he did 93 Km he had used half a tank of fuel as he was getting 23 lt/100 Km. With a bit of totally biased information from the rest of us over the radio he was talking about going down to a Subaru dealer afterwards because he was so impressed by what the Subaru could do.

Unfortunately this report went in before the long weekend bush camp to the Helena and Aurora ranges so I have no idea how it went. There were five cars listed as going so I look forward to hearing the trip reports from them.

Peter’s Mundaring powerlines trip on June 22nd is always popular and a good chance for visitors and new members to come and try one of Perth’s classic tracks with the confidence of being shown how to drive within the limits of our vehicles.

See the promo on the next page for more details.

The trips to the Pierre Repaire and Karijini trips are getting very close. Its time to start preparing your vehicle, don’t leave having it serviced until the week before the trip because you want to know everything is all right before you go.

Suggestions please for a day trip on Sunday 13th June for those not going on the Pierre Repaire and Karijini trips.

See you out there David Peck


TRIP PROMOTIONS/INFORMATION

Mundaring Day trip June 22nd

Our regular Power line trip is on again. A chance to learn or hone up our skills in some hilly /rocky country. This area close to Perth gives us a chance to practice in terrain that you may come across when venturing up north or down south and you have to make a decision as to whether you can successfully and safely get in and out or just get through. As they say, do it often enough and it becomes easy.

Meeting spot : Corner Great Eastern Hwy and Flynn Rd. turn into Flynn Rd and there is an area on the right that makes a nice meeting spot. If you miss the turn off the next signage will be Lakes turnoff to YORK.

Meeting Time : 9.15 for a 9.30 am start. As a guide around 45-60 mins from Perth centre.

What to bring: Picnic lunch, morning/afternoon nibbles, good footware camera hats etc. We may let our tyres down, so tyre pump and gauge. If you are new to the Club just bring yourself, we will have gauge and pump for you.

Finishing time: Opportunity for those that need to leave after lunch to do so. For the rest I would expect that we would be heading back to Perth around 3.30-4.00pm . There is a further option for those who have no time constraint at the end of day.

Difficulty : We have had first timers on this run and they have enjoyed the day. Likewise the experienced driver can also be challenged. We have also done this run at night.

CONTACT: For more info contact me on 9440 4075.

PETER ANDRUSZKIW


Casserole in the Shed with Xmas pud.

Saturday June 14th

This year instead of going bush for Xmas the committee has decided on a less labour intensive activity for the small band of workers and everybody bring a plate of soup, casserole or dessert to share as we have done on previous progressive dinners, only we will be stationary in my new shed. So if it is raining we will all be snug and dry

See Keith and put down your favourite dish on the trip sheet so that we don’t end up with 15 of one dish and nothing else.

Please also bring a small plate of pre dinner nibblies to share and if we have a large group a few extra chairs may be required.

BYO drinks, knifes, forks, spoons and plates.

See you in the shed starting around 5.30pm for nibbles.

Address: 218 Lakelands Drive, Gnangara (corner of Sydney Road)

Phone Jim; 93068222

Last chance: get your name and dish down at the meeting


Karijini to Coast:- (Newman from 16th July):

“Despite the apparent harshness, the feeling of space and stark openness is one of the most compelling attractions of this region. Horizons are wide, and the possibilities endless” 1.

The vast Pilbara beckons you to luxuriate in cool pools in secret valleys – oasis in an endless landscape of rusty raw colours. Beautiful scenery, gnarled gums, spinifex plains and rugged vistas with space for all.

Join this trip at Newman on the 16th July, or travel in a convoy from Perth. An itinerary has been done, but it may change to suit the majority as we travel. You can join or leave according to your available time. Eventually we will emerge on the coast near Coral Bay on 26th July and travel back to Perth. You may connect after Ian Johnson’s Pierre Repairre trip leaving Perth on 5th -15th July via the Carnarvon Ranges (conditions apply).

This is a casual trip, so no rush with time to relax. It’s camping all the way, sometimes in the bush, and we have been able to reserve some tent sites in the exclusive Karijini Eco Retreat [thanks Simon] – excellent!

Karijini NP is vast, rugged and beautiful with deep pools and waterfalls where the Fortescue River has carved its way down through layers of ancient colourful rocks – a slice through geological time.

In Millstream/Chichester NP there are freshwater pools, including the pretty Chinderwarriner Pool, Crossing Pool, Deep Reach Pool and Python Pool. Both Crossing Pool and Deep Reach Pool offer basic camping facilities along with Snake Creek The park also has fantastic walk trails as well as a number of scenic drives around the park.

We may have a meeting of participants (or those interested) to discuss tactics, tyres, spares, equipment and whatever can be shared. Suggestions and assistance welcome.

Cheers, David Peck.

For details please contact David Peck. 9275 5617 [email protected]


Pierre Repairre and/or Carnarvon Ranges (July 2008 school holidays.)

Blue Hills & Red Ridges 1

In July 1991 many people repaired Well 6 (Pierre Spring) on the Canning Stock Route (CSR). Maintenance is again required entailing a variety of jobs with or without tools. We have been invited back to lend a hand – a great opportunity to assist in the preservation of a truly beautiful and historic place on the CSR. Ian Stockbridge and the Geraldton 4WD club are supervising this worthwhile project which should take 3 - 4 days on site. Leave Perth 5th July, Wiluna to Granite Peak station then a short section on the famous CSR from Well 5 to Well 6 arriving at the idyllic camp spot on 7th July.

After the well project, return home the same way, or enhance the adventure to the scenic Carnarvon Ranges on 11th July.

For all of the above, you will only need I jerry can of extra fuel from Wiluna to Kumarina.

“looming blue out of the sandplain, changing to bril-liant red – a huge mass of crazily tilted sandstone” 2

The Carnarvon Ranges are connected by a track winding through sand dunes and spinifex plains with many places of tranquil beauty, endless walks, hidden waterholes and a panel of Aboriginal paintings arguably the best in WA outside Kakadu. Exit +- 15th July via Neds Creek or Beyondie Station to the G.N. Hwy at Kumarina. Home; or adventure on with David Peck’s Karijini to Coast trip! [departs Newman 17th July].

You could also join up just for the Carnarvon Ranges section.

Have a look at your diary now. You may do so with your Subaru or other make of 4WD. You will love it!

This promo is deliberately short on info – please ask for more details.

Contact Ian Johnson 9448 5419 [email protected]

Please note Ian will be away 22nd April to 25th June – but meanwhile Jim Wil-cox and David Peck have all the details.

Cheers, Ian Johnson

1 Title of Peter Muir’s book about his days between the RPF and CSR.

2 The Late Alex Harris [environmental journalist] about the Carnarvon Ranges.


East of Armadale

This trip is taken out of 4WD days out of Perth and includes good for-estry tracks and firebreaks with no extreme sections, and is therefore suitable for everyone.

It will pass through Wandoo woodlands, home of the Numbat but it is unlikely we will see any as they hide at the first sign of danger. When I did this trip previously I was surprised at the number of kangaroos we saw both in the bush and on adjacent farms as we travelled up the fire-breaks.

Stops are planned at Sullivan rock (with the opportunity to climb the nearby 500 metre high Mount Vincent) and Christmas tree well.

Total distance approx 240 km

Put your name down on the trip sheet or give me a call.

Contact: David Peck 9275 5617 home or 9477 8928 work

Meet at: Coventry’s car park - 2888 Albany Hwy, Kelmscott (corner of Davis St & Albany Hwy)

When: Sunday 24th August

Time: 0845 for a 0900 start

Bring: Morning tea / lunch, CB radio.


CAMP OVEN COOKOUT

16th August - Dwellingup Chalet & Caravan Park

Picture this: A huge cooking fire, and the smell of smoke in the cri sp, bush air. Tarps and tents in the forest mist. Fifteen camp ovens, containing everything from cheesecake to curry, baking under watchful eyes. Starters, mains, side dishes and desserts, all served out of the white-hot ashes. Thirty-two absolutely satisfied Subaru club members!

That was our last Camp Oven Cookout, and it is time to do it again. Get ready for the best meal you’ll ever have – and the best instruction you’ll ever receive in how to use your camp oven. Work with experts as we all pitch in to make damper, bread, roasts, stews, dumplings, cakes, pies – anything is possible in a camp oven!

Our location is Dwellingup, at the Dwellingup Chalet and Caravan Park, with good camping facilities and chalets for the faint-hearted.

One unique feature of previous cookouts was experimenting with wood. We tried Illyarie, Banksia, Banksia Nuts, Snappy Gum, Mallee Root and also used charcoal briquettes and the usual jarrah off cuts. The fuel used can make a huge difference to the way you use your oven. So bring all the wood you can lay your hands on, and we’ll repeat the experiment.


We also had an assortment of camp ovens: the usual cast iron, a fabulous and fanciful African camp pot with legs, a spun steel camp oven, and a tin bedourie. This year we hope to see some Cobb cookers, too! Again, the type of oven you use will make a difference. Camp oven cookery is an art, not a science!

Over the years we’ve proven that ANYTHING can be cooked in a camp oven – breads, soups, stews, roasted meats, hot cross buns, quandong pies, cheesecakes, even a soufflé! So come along and help us stretch the boundaries.

Location: Dwellingup Chalet and Caravan Park. If you are going to camp, please let me know and I will reserve a camp site for you – the cost is $20 per unpowered tent site for two people. For chalets, please book direct on 9538 1157 (ring for rates and accommodation info – from $30 to $150 per night).

Time: Arrive any time you like (no convoy). We will start the cooking fires at 12.00 on Saturday. Make sure you arrive well ahead of the time needed to prepare your dish. Where possible, desserts are cooked first then set aside so the camp ovens can be re-used to cook mains. Damper for afternoon tea, drinks at 5.30, and dinner when it is ready - hopefully 7.00.

Food: Sign up to bring something for dinner. Not everything will require a camp oven (salads, etc). Ring to discuss or sign up at the meeting.

Bring: Normal camping gear. There are showers, toilet, water, etc. Bring wet weather gear and pole/tarps if you have them – just in case.

Wood: Bring your own if you are able – ring to discuss. It doesn’t need to be special wood; off cuts will be appreciated for the campfire.

Need Help? If you are a first timer, ring to discuss the types of dishes that can be easily cooked in a camp oven. If you would like to learn, but do not yet have a camp oven, you can borrow one! Ring for information. If you need some basic info or ideas for new recipes, check out a new site that has appeared since our last cookout: http://www.aussiecampovencook.com/index.htm

Info: Nina McLaren 0427936566 or 9448-5419 or [email protected] or speak to Ian or Simon at the next meeting.


BARRABUP SANCTUARY – LWE 27-29 September Barrabup Sanctuary is situated 8km west of Nannup at ‘Quigup’ on the Old Barrabup Rd. It has a private campground which I have booked for the Queens Birthday long weekend in September. The camp holds 12 vehicles, 25 adults + children but we can fit in a couple more if need be.

The property contains 60 Hectares of mainly Jarrah/Marri association with Blackbutt, Banksia and River Gum along the Blackwood River. There is a diversity of habitat, ranging from river flat to ironstone ridge.

There are over 100 recorded varieties of Native orchids, which mostly flower in September, but some of which can be seen all year round. The property has a particularly high occurrence of native fauna, possibly due to its fire history in recent years, and birdlife abounds.

Barrabup Sanctuary is being developed as an open zoo, park and arboretum, with plans for the complete eradication and exclusion of cats, dogs and foxes with the gradual re-establishment of the original native flora and fauna.

Contact me or get your name down on the list at the next meeting as places are limited. Anyone wishing to stay down longer please contact me as soon as you can and I will try and arrange it with the Sanctuary. You can view their website

www.barrabupsanctuary.com.au for further information.

Depart: Saturday morning 8.30am for an 8.45am prompt start

Meet: Coventrys car park, corner of Albany Highway and Davis St, Kelmscott

Fuel: Full tank (there is a filling station almost opposite Coventrys)


Bring: Everything for camping including food, water, drinks, nibbles etc.

Cost: $10 per person/night. Children under 12 free.

Contact: Keith Wilcox 9344 6830, 0413 266 245 or email [email protected]

LOCHADA TRIP – OCTOBER

From Thursday 9 October

To Tuesday 14 October

9 to 12 October is the last four days of the October School Holidays

Saturday 11 October a BBQ and some drinks will be catered for by DEC Geraldton Region for all members attending the trip, in apprecia-tion for the work we have carried out over the past adoption period and the formalisation of the current agreement.

During this period we will be erecting Track Name signs supplied by DEC throughout the property and we will also be developing a map of drives and highlights of the area. This will be an excellent opportunity to see areas of the stations you may not have seen before as many of the tracks have not been covered by the Club on past trips.

Enquires to Reg – 0417 096 417

More details over the coming months.

Pre trip notes will be sent to members registering their interest.

Get your names in early on a first come basis. Depending on condi-tions in the past we have had to set an upper limit for people attending

the trip.


Movie & Meal Social – Saturday 26 July

Another evening of Movies on the big screen. Not sure what is on offer yet but we can make a choice closer to the date. Those wanting to can grab a meal at Sizzlers before the movie. Get your name to me by email, phone or leave a message on my answering machine to advise me if you are coming.

Date: Saturday 26 July

Time: 6.00 pm at Sizzlers or about 7.00 pm for the movie.

Where to meet: Greater Union cinema complex, Liege Street

Innaloo.

Contact: Keith Wilcox 9344 6830


My new MY09

This is not an April 1st joke, but on that day I drove my new Forester MY09 XS out of Peel Subaru’s yard as their third sale. As with any new car I took a little while to get used to the new layout and extra controls, it felt a bit like sitting in the cockpit of a small plane. The layout is very similar to the Tribeca with the analogue dials for engine speed, speedometer and the fuel gage which all do a full swing when the engine is started. By the way this display test can be programmed on or off with the trip meter con-trol switch. The drivers seat can be adjusted in height which I personally set to maximum to improve my posture position; this makes me sit on a throne when a passenger is with you since their seat can not be adjusted in height. It did not take me long to do a day trip to Greenbushes for work and this was a very comfortable drive with an improving fuel consump-tion. Initially driving around town the display was 9.6ltr/100km and on the highway it dropped to 8.6ltr/100km. As the days went by I discovered little extras with the controls, one being that when the car is parked in the ga-rage and the back door is left open for a long period that the interior lights

Desert Sands.

Dullsville to Birdsville!

Planning is underway for a crossing of The Simpson Desert, a 30 day trip starting May next year. This will be a Subaru only trip. If your vehicle is not suitable there will probably be the opportunity to share with someone so don’t hesitate to apply. The plan is as follows.

Perth to Laverton, Anne Beadell Hwy to Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, SA. Dal-housie Springs, NT across the Simpson to Birdsville. QLD. Birdsville Track to Marree, SA then through the magnificent Flinders Ranges to Port Augusta and home across the Nullabor.

A minimum of 6 club trips required including 2 trips of 3 days or more and ex-perience in on the move bush camping ( caravan park camping doesn’t count ) and the ability to get along with people 24 hours a day for 30 days.

A good sense of humor and adventure essential. Organize your holidays or long service leave now and acquire the necessary experience if you don’t have it already. The triplogs are from Explor Oz, you can view the route on the web or loan my file of print outs.

Register your interest ASAP as the closing date is February 2009 to allow time to obtain the necessary permits.

Contact trip leader Simon Newton. 94505953 or the Presidents Email.


will go off all together. At night time the interior lights will come on as soon as the engine is switched off and before a door is opened. The nor-mal delay function will switch the lights off. This works also the other way around by inserting the keys only the lights will come on too. Little extras I never enjoyed with my Forester MY04 X. On the 21st April I packed my belongings and work gear for a field trip to the Goldfields. During my drive to Kalgoorlie the fuel consumption was 7.8ltr/100km travelling at 110km/hr and without the E light coming on I arrived at my destina-tion. Some days later with a full tank and an extra 20ltr jerry can I set off to go to a mine called Darlot some 120km north of Leonora. With dislike some 70km north of Leonora I took the 52km Darlot gravel road. It is a pity to take a brand new car with less then 2000km on the clock already on a gravel road, but I use my car for work and earn money with so off I went. The speed limit on this access road is 80km so the fuel economy dropped to 6.8ltr/100km. It was not until the next day when I took the gravel roads to Laverton that I got to know so more features of this excel-lent car. In a soft sandy spot at about 40km/hr the yellow slip indication light came very briefly on and the car drive control kept everything under control. The same thing happened a little while later again in another spot. I could not get a better fuel economy then 6.8ltr/100km when I was travelling happily in fifth gear with the air-conditioner on and a little less then 70km/hr or around 1500rpm when road conditions allowed. My des-tination was Sunrise Dam on the other side of Laverton in total 270km which took me just over 5.5 hours. Around Sunrise Dam mine site a feral cat decided to cross my path and I think he though that’s a nice car and stopped. I did my environmental bit and drove on. My route back to Kal-goorlie the next day had some rough passages on Mt. Celia Road and Yarri Road in total just over 320km. About 28km before Kalgoorlie the engine told me the petrol was running out. I deliberately wanted to find out how far I could go after the E light came on, which proved to be 140km with the 10ltr left. All in all I managed to get 850km out of the 60ltr full tank again with 6.8ltr/100km. I used the jerry can to get me going again and completed my trip to Marvel Loch and back to Perth. The gravel road gave very little dust penetration to the interior due to im-proved rubber sealing and the metal door frame around the windows. In conclusion from a very happy owner of the new Forester MY09, Subaru has build a very good 4wd very suitable for the Australian outback.

ThanksThanksThanksThanks,

Peter Van der Wedden


SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE WEBSITE

The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) has released a new innovative website for the Shark Bay World Heritage Area - www.sharkbay.org

The site covers all aspects of Shark Bay from its World Heritage values and visitor information to natural history and intriguing culture. Material on the website is ideal for improving your knowledge and as a source of information

The website is valuable to anyone wanting to know more about the area or who are intending to visit the area. The “News” section will give the latest information on the area including any closures etc.

If you require any further information Rory Chapple at the DEC Gerald-ton office on (08) 99215 955 or email [email protected]

New Guidelines for Generator Use at Campsites

The Department of Environment and Conservation has developed a new set of guidelines which outlines all the campsites throughout the State where generators can be used and the times they can be operated. The guidelines also provide information on how to minimize the risk of wild-fires and how to reduce disturbance to other visitors when using genera-tors. These guidelines are applicable to both commercial operators and the general public.

The Guidelines for Generator Use at Campsites information sheet is now available for download from the Department's website www.naturebase.net/existing_operators. Copies will also be available at DEC district and regional offices and park gates.

DEC advises all visitor centres to print and make available copies of the information sheet for the public. Commercial operators are also advised to keep a copy in each vehicle for quick reference.


CLUB CALENDAR

June 2008

S M T W T F S Wed 4 Committee Meeting

Tue 10 General Meeting

Sat 14th Casserole and pud in the shed

(see page 6)

Sun 22nd Mundaring power line track

(see page 5)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30

July 2008


Tue 8 General Meeting

Sat 5 onwards Pierre and Karijini trip

(see pages 7 and 8)

Sun 13 Day trip for those not lucky

enough to be away

Sat 26 Movie and meal evening

(see page 14)

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

August 2008


Tues 12 General Meeting

Sat 16 Camp oven cookout

(see page 10)

Sun 24 East of Armadale

(see page 9)

31 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30


Potential members are most welcome to come along on any Club activities before joining. Please phone the Trip Leader for further information.

Register with the trip leader if you are wanting to join a trip or social. Also contact the trip leader if you have to cancel, we don’t want to wait for someone who does not turn up!

Some trips are ideas only and may be subject to change. Some of the later trips need trip leaders – volunteers please.

SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

School Holidays: 5th to 21st July and 27th Sept to 3rd October.

Public Holidays: 29th September.

September 2008


Sat 6 Restaurant meal


Sun 14 Day Trip - Moore river

Wed 17-24 Plumridge lakes trip

See Jim if interested

Sat 27 to Mon 29 LWE Barrabup

Sanctuary (see page 12)

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30

October 2008



Thurs 9-13 Lochada

(see page 13)

Sat 25 Annual dinner

Dec 6th: Xmas party

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31


TRIP & SOCIAL REPORTS

Gnangara Pines Trip. Sunday May 11th.

A few storm clouds on the way to Jims as well as being Mothers Day made me wonder if anyone else would turn up but there were a few keen for a day out.

Jim, Gerard and Joy, Outback H6

Dave, Forester 2.5

Razvan and Iona, XT

Craig, Di and Rebecca, Modified L

Simon, Brumby Ute

Jims new shed is looking good and after inspection we let down tyres and headed off into the Pine Forest. Loads of rubbish on the road in prompted me to think this was the road to the tip but Jim says this IS the tip for those who can’t be buggered going to the council tip.

The tracks got softer and softer until a steep hill ground the Brumby to a halt. This apparently earns a trip report or perhaps forgetting tyre pump and gauge had something to do with it. Anyway, tyres down to favoured pressure (almost flat) then away, no problem.

The others, with the benefit of observation adjusted theirs at the bottom of the hill. Weather clearing, we stopped for Morning Tea, still lots of rubbish around. Dave found a jack and I found a roof rack among the piles of old tyres and asbestos sheets. Councils will just have to make it easier and cheaper to dispose of these items or illegal dumping will continue like this. There must be more asbestos at Gnangara than Wit-tenoom!

Joy gave us a talk on the Geology of the area: during the Glacial Peri-ods (Ice-ages) all the water is locked up in the polar ice caps so it is very cold and arid, with extremely strong winds and sea-level drops; the central desert red sand dunes blow out over the Swan Coastal Plain to form the Bassendean Dunes, which include the Gnangara Mound; huge mega-dunes formed (e.g., the one I bogged on) like in the Sahara Desert today; the last Ice-age ended about 10, 000 years ago and the dunes have become vegetated with the once colored sands turning white on the surface as the oxides leach out in the rains. On our way again following the gas pipeline track past a huge sand mine where the colors of the sands can easily be seen in the deep pit, white, yellow and


orange deeper down.

A stop in a wetland area that Joy visits on a regular basis in her work with monitoring the groundwater levels in Gnangara. The Watercorp bore fields in Gnangara provide 60 % of the domestic water supply for Perth’s northern suburbs, mostly from the Leederville Aquifer (500 m deep) and the Yarragadee aquifer (1000 m deep). There are a surpris-ing number of wetlands in the Pine Forest, nestled in the hollows be-tween the dunes and maintained by the groundwater in the surficial sand aquifer. Most of the wetlands are damplands (basins where the ground is water-logged in winter but no water above the surface). We were shown drill holes and a piece of equipment with the rather techni-cal sounding name of Piezometer. Not technical at all really as its just a piece of plastic pipe sunk into the ground to measure the water table, close to the surface here. Joy said that this first wetland had humic sandy sediment and swamp paperbark (Melaleuca rhaphiophylla) and we would be seeing some other wetlands with different sediments and vegetation.

Sure enough, we stopped for lunch, at a peat-filled sumpland (basin with water above surface in winter) that was vegetated with bullrush and native sedges before continuing on deep rutted tracks around the clearfelled pines. A lump of wood clobbered the exhaust which promptly sprang a leak. Jim almost collided with a Land Rover Discov-ery coming along a side track, its occupants neither shaken nor stirred as they asked if they could tag along.

On to the triple sandhill climbs, most making it to the top after a few goes. The Landy just walked up with V8 motor and diff locks, very im-pressive it was too. Not so impressive is its fuel consumption! Brumby had one go which only served to make the exhaust louder so withdrew before it broke in half. (Inspection later revealed a crack in the front pipe, now replaced)

Another wetland visit after this, totally different from the earlier ones, this being a huge area of diatomaceous earth, a grey-white compacted rock, very light to handle, the remains of trillions of small aquatic crea-tures from wetter times when this area was a lake or sumpland. Now it is high and dry. Vegetation was different too- some small sedges, shrubs and Eucalyptus rudis on the perimeter. A large trench looks an ideal spot for some water crossing training, the only requirement being water!


Heading back to the main road, Mr Landy was impressed by the Su-baru’s performance, particularly the fuel consumption. We may acquire a new member soon!

Chastised at one point by a bus company operator for using HIS CB channel (16) He was informed, very diplomatically I thought, that CB is not private or reserved but we changed channels anyway to stop this jerk pestering us further. Pump up tyres on the main road and into the thick of the Barbagallo Raceway traffic, a booze bus not helping the flow but they were quick. Many thanks to Jim for his organization and Joy for her commentary and information on this important area of Perth.

Simon Newton.

Lochada – Anzac LWE 08

Friday 25 April

I had agreed to lead a small convoy of 3 cars from the Gull Service Sta-tion in Middle Swan on Friday. Apart from my Forester, Robert and Wendy were in Robert’s Outback and visitors Craig and Diane Allen and their daughter Rebecca came in Dianne’s turbo L model. The trip leader, Simon, and other members, had gone up early.

We all basically arrived at the same time and got away on time at 8.00. Our first stop was at Moora. From Moora our next stop was at Carna-mah for fuel and a snack. From there we headed for Perenjori, but did-n’t get very far before Craig called on the radio to advise that something was wrong with the steering and brakes on the L and he was pulling over.

It didn’t take much time to identify the problem. Something looked a bit strange with the passenger front outer CV joint and, when he took the wheel off, the axle nut fell into the wheel! The split pin had broken, the nut had come off and the axle was in the process of separating from the hub assembly! Talk about close! Thankfully, all Craig needed to do was tighten the nut, insert a new split pin (fencing wire) and we were on our way again.

We arrived at Lochada at about 1.00pm, put up our tents and had lunch. I had made radio contact with the others and they were out on the sta-tion tracks and would be returning soon.

Later that afternoon, we had an unexpected visit from Neil Hamilton, who was a scientist working with DEC to control the local population of


foxes, wild dogs and feral cats. He talked to us about what he was doing and how. Of the things that he mentioned, the one thing that stands out in my mind is the fact that DEC plan to drop some 75,000 poison sausages all over the DEC properties in the area within the next few months!

The rest of the afternoon was quiet (bliss!), followed by nibbles and then dinner (snags – what else would I cook!?) and then that time that I most look forward to – sitting around the camp fire underneath a magnificent star covered sky! And to top if off, Robert and Wendy had brought their high powered telescope enabling us all to get a very close look at Saturn (and it rings) and the moon. Incredible!

“Incredible” is also probably a fair word to use to describe the midge plague that infested the camp site at night. Even though I wore long trousers, shoes and a long sleeved shirt, I still ended up with bites on my hands. Next time please remind me to bring and use an insect repellent! Scientific note - there are two main types of midges: biting midges, which are more commonly known as sandflies and the non-biting variety called Chironomids.

Saturday 26 April

Up at a leisurely hour for breakfast, in time for a 9.00am departure heading east to explore station territory, some of which had not previ-ously been visited by the Club.

Our first stop was Kitchen Well, alongside the vermin proof fence. It is


also the site of what we call the emu grave yard, as it is strewn with emu bones. Seemingly, the emus got to the fence and then died where they stood, apparently from lack of water.

From Kitchen Well, we continued east on past South Italian Bore, which was full to the brim with water, and then to Old Karara, where we had a quick look around. We then had some difficulty locating the track to Euro Bore, but were lucky enough to be able to ask direc-tions from a local contractor who just happened to be at Old Karara spraying for weeds.

On the way to Euro Bore, we passed Blue Bell Bore, eventually reaching Euro Bore without mishap, only to find a much better track coming in from the north. Any hope we had that Euro Bore had not been visited by the Club before was quickly dispelled when we found one of our windmill blade signs proudly standing in front of the bore.

After leaving Euro Bore, we headed south-east, following a track that we hoped would lead us through the middle of some higher rocky country and then north back to the main road. Unfortunately, the track we were following east came to a dead end and we had to turn around and head back. Mind you it was an interesting drive, with a few (dry) creek cross-ings that we had to negotiate.

Thankfully, we found a track south along a fence line and, apart from visiting Murray Bore by mistake (due to a navigation error by yours truly, we overshot the Rothsay Road turn off), it was all reasonably plain sail-ing from there on. On the way back, we stopped at Karara, as Simon wanted to say hello to Peter and Julie and let them know we were in the area.

On the track back into camp, we found Dave and Jason and Jack pulling out fence posts – they had only arrived earlier that afternoon. So, we stopped to help them for a bit (we needed the firewood) and got back into camp at about 4.30.

I had dinner early that night to avoid the insects, followed by another evening sitting around, and enjoying, the camp fire (and trying hard not to get bitten by the midges!

Sunday 27 April


We headed off at 9.00 to visit the lake south of our campsite, which was full of water. It was quite a sight. Interestingly, this was the only real evidence seen of the storms, rain and flooding that had prevented the Club from coming to Lochada at Easter. Well, that is, apart from the photos that Simon had on CD of the floods.

After that visit, for those who had to return to work on Monday, it was unfortunately time to head home. For the 5 cars in this group, the trip was uneventful, punctuated only by a pleasant lunch stop at Moora.

My thanks to Simon for a most enjoyable trip.

Tony Richards.

Lochada - Sunday 27 April

Most of the group packing up to leave which is a shame, a nice clear morning. Before departure however, a trip to the lake was in order as it should be full of water after the flood that cancelled our proposed trip here at Easter.

About 20 minutes’ along the now dusty track we came to the dune on the edge of the lake and all climbed up for a look. Indeed, full of water. Some waded into it, rather shallow, about 100ml of water and 200ml of black sticky mud that threatened to confiscate my thongs.

And very, very salty, crystals of salt glistening on the lakes edge in the sun. Time for the convoy to head off leaving only 7 of us in camp. We spent some time rolling up wire and taking it to the tip that had been planned for the previous day had we not been late back and ex-hausted. Just about to go for a run to Kadji when 3 people drove in for a look around, probably just as well we were there at the time. Off to Kadji when they left, Dave, Jason and Jack leading, Anne staying in camp tidying up.

Only a few muddy patches and a shallow water crossing on the track, Rob and Wendy making a splash! Not much useful at the homestead now, not even at the dump. Jason did his best Arthur Daley imper-sonation trying to sell the old cars at the car dump, no takers; it seems wheels are in demand on the not so modern motor car.

A most pleasant evening around the fence post camp fire and I think all will agree, a successful trip continuing the clubs commitment to DEC.

Simon Newton.


Lochada ANZAC day trip Monday 28th April

We were half expecting overcast skies and rain when we awoke but it was reasonably clear and not cold at all. As before the flies were every-where soon after sunrise and all were wearing fly nets as they packed up camp.

We left camp at 10 o’clock with David, Jason & Jack leading the way with Wendy & Robert in the middle and Simon & Anne at the rear tow-ing their camper trailer. The idea was for David to get some practice leading trips and the first turn off the main road out of Lochada he missed and we had to do a U turn to get on the right road. We stopped at Carnamah for fuel and morning tea before heading off again. We en-countered a few showers as we drove down the Midlands road and de-cided to stop at Bindoon for lunch. David again missed the turn to Bin-doon in Moora and we had to do another U turn. Lunch was about 1:30 at the park in Bindoon and the showers had cleared by then, so it ended up being quite pleasant with a few people going to the bakery instead of making their own lunch. From there it was an easy drive back to Perth early enough to avoid the afternoon rush hour. Thanks to Simon for or-ganising the trip, and the company of those who went.

David Peck

Friday 25th April

I was one of the lucky ones with time on my hands as I drove up a day early on Thursday. This was a luxury I have not often enjoyed so after a peaceful and leisurely breakfast, I really looked forward to the day ahead. Weather was perfect; our trip leader reported the minimum was about 10 degrees overnight, and the forecast was warm and sunny.

The plan for the day was to investigate DEC’s sightings of long necked turtles at Turtle pool on Kadji Kadji station, so 5 cars set off at 10 am. The appearance of the turtles was no doubt mainly due to the recent heavy rain falls in the area. It was great to see plants and trees looking green and healthy and lots of new ones sprouting. Although the surface had dried out, you only had to dig down a couple of centimetres to feel damp soil underneath. (After looking at the pictures Tony displayed later that day, which were taken by DEC, it wasn’t hard to see why as the whole area had turned in to one big lake)

So after a morning tea stop at the old homestead we ventured up to Turtle pool, and it wasn’t long before we spotted a baby turtle. The ex-


citement of seeing one urged us to sit and wait for more and it was worth it as we enjoyed seeing what we think were two adults and two babies! Someone told me Turtle pool used to be a sacred site and I can see why as it is a beautiful spot. While we sat watching the turtles underneath the surface occasionally popping their long necks just above the water was quite mesmerising. I went for a short walk down the creek to see how far the water was running and when I came back Karl, Fiona, Keith and Teleah all looked like they were quietly meditat-ing! Not a word was being said as they sat on the rocks looking in to the water.

After tearing ourselves away we returned back and had a lei-surely after-noon at camp with others arriv-ing from Perth. Then about 4.30 pm, we had a surprise visit from

one of the local DEC Rangers. He gave us an interesting talk on the area; in particular about the work they were doing in regard to cat bait-ing. They are really putting a lot of effort in to the feral cat project, which is great to see.

So after the talk it was time for drinks and nibbles and then dinner around the campfire. There were a lot of midges, flies and mosquitoes to contend with which made things a bit uncomfortable for a while. But after the bugs had gone to bed, the evening was magic. We watched the moon slowly appear on the horizon, Rob and Wendy set up their telescope so we could all see Saturn and its rings and gave ourselves a lesson on astronomy, so was a relaxing end to a very enjoyable day. Thank you to all for great company and Simon for leading us around. Josan

P.S. these are long neck tortoises and not turtles.


MINUTES

The Subaru 4WD Club of WA Inc Minutes of May 2008 General meeting

Held on Tuesday 13th May at The Joan Watters Centre Wembley

Meeting Opened: 7:35pm

Attendances: 18 Visitors None

Apologies: Ursula Joensson , Diane Jackson, Tom Minto & Jenni, W Griffiths

Previous Minutes: Accepted taken as read (Tony, Josan)

Business Arising: Nil

Correspondence in:


1. Flying Doctor Mag April - Flying Doctor Fun Month Leaflet

2. TCIS Insurance renewal documents

3. Town of Cambridge - Room hire February $46

4. Expo Statement (printing March/April) $314.60

5. Membership - Duncan / Samantha Leighton (17 Sovereign Place Forrestfield) - No payment (new car?)

6. Membership - Gary Gleeson (93 Lake Monger Drv Wembley) - No Payment (car 2007)

7. Membership - Courtney Wheatley (163 Flinders St Mt Hawthorn) - Cheque $50

8. Environment and conservation News Mag

9. Town of Cambridge - Letter - Advice on safe use of cables

10. Magazine - 4x4 action (ARB advertising)

11. Magazine - Subaru 4WD Club Victoria April

12. Westpac Statement -> 24Apr ($7400.92)

13. Magazine - Toyota Land Cruiser (Twin Diffs) - April & May

14. Cheque - $100 from Subaru - 2 * membership

15. Magazine - Suba News - Qld

16. Magazine - Bull Sheet (SA)

Correspondence out:


Treasurer’s report:

Tony pointed out that the previous internet payment of $66 was for two year domain renewal. A further payment has been made of a single year of hosting.

Mention was made of the insurance payment made through 4WD Asso-ciation:

Non-4WD Association insurance quotes were obtained, they ranged $2800-$3010 which is far more than the $600 we currently pay with 4WD Assoc. Even including the $15 per head membership fees. The current arrangement are still far preferable.


Refund for 1/2 years membership made to Courtney Wheatley (having joined 6 months into year)

Actual Bank Balance $ 7,400.92

Less Unpresented Cheques $ 0

Reconciled Balance $ 7,400.92

Petty Cash $ 32.00

Total Funds Available $ 7,432.92

Treasurer’s report : Accepted as read


Merchandise

Merchandise – all polo shirts = $23.00 and jackets = $35.00 and beanies = $11.00. Long sleeve shirts – only available with no pocket in blue. These will be discussed at next committee meeting.

Editor’s Report .

Tony was temporary editor last month, now back with Jim. Note that two new Forester ads have appeared in the mag.

Membership Report:

Total 45(plus 7 life). Four new members last month.

Trips (Trip & Social)

Lochada trip - a good turnout, 8 cars in total. Dry throughout, Fenc-ing taken down, Simon was on site early and did much of the pre-paratory work. Some interesting driving on the 2nd day.


• Gnangara pines - 5 cars attending. A good time had be all.

• May LWE - Helena / Aurora Ranges - all arranges - promo in Mag (4 cars so far)

• 22 June Powerline trip - Promo to appear in next months mag.

• July's Pierre & Karijini trip already has a good attendance.

• 30 July - Day trip, suggestions please

• 24 Aug East of Armadale (from 4wd days out of Perth) - Bush tracks and fire breaks.

• 14 Sep - Moore River

• 27/29 Sep - Barrabup - promo in Mag (may be limited to max 12 vehicles)

• Reg - having consulted with DEC suggested the next Lochada trip should be 9 - 14th of October. Also DEC plan a BBQ for the 11th Oct.

• 22-23 May Jim, Simon & Reg going up to Lochada to do some repairs.

• 25 May - Social bike ride (see mag)

• 14 June - Casserole @ Jims, please ensure your name is on the list along with the dish you'll be bringing.

• 26 July - Movie & Meal night

• 25 Oct - Dwellingup Annual Dinner

DEC Report (Reg)

DEC have issued guidelines for the use of Generators on DEC camp sites. This should help clear up any miss-understandings. Generator use allowed 8AM - 9PM only. In addition their are a number of gen-erator free sites. These rules apply to the majority of sites. Although a few have slight variations (eg Karijini has a 7AM start) Permission is needed outside of these hours, and only generally given on medical grounds.

Reg also brought along photos from Lochada during the flooding which delayed our original trip. Showing flooding levels. Reg had maps and details of water flows in the Lochada area.


Web

The forums continue to be quite heavily used. A lot of junk emails are arriving through the forum. These are automatically rejected, but then clog up the email folder. Trip reports - could we please ensure any suitable reports for the site are forwarded.

4WD Association

4WD Association – Simon and Tony attended the April meeting - notes as follows:

• Jan Smith (Auditor) has signed off on the accounts for the last financial year;

• 4 Clubs declared unfinancial (membership ceases) – Quad Drive, Go Bush, Bush Bappos and All Breeds;

• Easter – fines at Lennard Track for chopping trees down;

• Perth 4X4 - erected shelter at both ends of the Mundaring power line track;

• Need a Club to do Beaurepaires’ visits;

• Mark Skeels has registered Association on tourism website as part of the 2020 promotion;

• Earth 4X4 - looking to compile a national database of 4WD tracks;

• National 4WD Council Report – issued 570 CSR permits to March 08;

• Website – looking at using other web page software

• President’s meeting – 1st week in November.


• Looking at leasing premises with storage!! (Discussed, and generally not thought a good idea)

General Business

Sids & Kids Convoy notice (charity drive) will be featured in next mag.

Jim indicated he was taking a trip out to Plumridge Lake Sept 17-24 if anyone else fancied a trip out. Not an official club trip.

Reg indicated that sharkbay.org website is worth a look for some in-teresting maps.

Tony has had a close look at the new Forester, and pointed out the noticeable slope in it's rear storage area.

Meeting Closed : 8.46pm

Robert GRIFFITHS

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE HELD BY

THE SUBARU 4WD CLUB OF W.A. INC.

Please send articles to the Editor by the Thursday before the end of the month (earlier is better). Email: [email protected] in Word format or plain text;

Soft copy articles preferred by email, diskette or CD.

Subaru 4WD Club WA Website: http://www.subaru4wdclubwa.asn.au

2008-06

Documents

Transcript of 2008-06