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