Established 1975 OCTOBER 2020 - Overland-4wd-club
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Established 1975
OCTOBER 2020
In this issue
Social Distance Reminder
Meet & Greet - Mt Crawford
High Country 2021
Caurnamont Christmas Trip
Oratunga Trip Reports
The Overland 4WD Club Inc is a member of the South Australian Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc
Club Management & Officers
COMMITTEE
Welcome
President Trevor Burford president@overland4wd.com
The Overland 4WD Club
meets the second Wednesday Vice President Jim Crosby vicepresident@overland4wd.com
of the month, at The Lights
Community and Sports Centre, Secretary Maria Dean secretary@overland4wd.com
244-270 East Parkway, Lightsview
Treasurer Michele Corbett treasurer@overland4wd.com
(cnr Hampstead Road).
Meetings commence at 7.30pm Training Co-ordinator Jim Corbett trainingofficer@overland4wd.com
Meeting dates are subject to change if Trips Officer Steve Nechvoglod tripsofficer@overland4wd.com
falling on a long weekend or public
holiday and no meeting is held in Committee (1) Welcoming Bruce Cates welcoming-officer@overland4wd.com
January.
Please refer to page 3 of this magazine Committee (2) Social/Supper Gavin Svanborg social@overland4wd.com
for current meeting dates.
Committee (3) Merchandising Val Plowman merchandise@overland4wd.com
Our website has up-to-date club
information and articles on past and
APPOINTED CLUB OFFICERS
upcoming events.
If you are visiting tonight, we welcome Magazine Editor Carolyn Abbott editor@overland4wd.com
you and your family to our club.
Webmaster Ida Atherton webmaster@overland4wd.com
Association Delegate Les Butler
Natural Resources Advisory
Overland Four Wheel Drive Club Unit Delegate (NRAUD)
Jim Crosby vicepresident@overland4wd.com
of South Australia Incorporated
ARBN 63 370 634 800 Public Officer Martin Galbreath public_officer@overland4wd.com
Postal Address Social/Supper Caroline Svanborg social@overland4wd.com
PO Box 536
Enfield Plaza Welcoming Officer Steve Dalton
South Australia 5085
Merchandising Val Plowman merchandise@overland4wd.com
Email
information@overland4wd.com Minutes Sec - General Barbara Burford
Minutes Sec - Committee Cecilia Littlewood
Website
http://www.overland4wd.com CLUB LIFE MEMBERS
UHF Radio Martin Galbreath Ron Manning Graham Sparks
The Club utilises UHF Channel 24
when travelling Overland Sponsors and Advertising
The club acknowledges the valuable support that sponsors offer and, in return,
General Meetings
we ask our members to support our sponsors by seeking their advice and
Second Wednesday of the month,
quotation when considering a product or service. For advertising in our club
commencing at 7.30pm. magazine, please enquire at secretary@overland4wd.com
The Lights Community and Sports
Centre
244-270 East Parkway
Lightsview SA 5085
Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily
those of the Overland 4WD Club of SA Inc, unless specific reference is made to the article.
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 2
2020 CLUB PLANNER CONTACT
Guest Speakers
October
3-5 Black Cockatoo Trip Kerry & Maria
October
No guest speaker
14 General Meeting, 7.30pm
17 Social Drive and Lunch - Verdun G&C Svanborg We are meeting at the
21 Committee Meeting Lights Community Centre
23-25 Adelaide 4WD Adventure Show P Pyman
November
Start time: 7.30pm
1 Meet and Greet Drive P Pyman
11 General Meeting, 7.30pm
18 Committee Meeting
27-29 Christmas Weekend, Caurnamont M Corbett/M Dean
December
9 General Meeting & AGM
2021
January
13 Social Night - details to follow later TBC
March
14-27 Victorian High Country T&B Burford
2020
General Meeting Dates
February ................. 12
March ..................... 11
April ....................... 8
May ........................ 13
June ....................... 10
July ........................ 8
August ................... 12
September ............. 9
October................... 14
November .............. 11
December .............. 9
Getting old… Closing dates for magazine articles
Just before the funeral service, the undertaker came up to the Please submit all articles for the
very elderly widow and asked, "How old was your husband?" magazine at least 7 days prior to the
advertised meeting date.
"98," she replied. "Two years older than me."
Late submissions will be published in
"So, you're 96," the undertaker commented. the next issue.
She responded, "Hardly worth going home, is it?" editor@overland4wd.com
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 3
President’s Report - October 2020 Greeting Members, At the last meeting the adherence to the COVID-19 requirements was a lot better. We know that they are an absolute pain but they are there for our own good. This most galling part is the inability to have supper and the after meeting social get-together. The after meeting activities are probably the most important part of the meeting. They allow us to catch up with our friends and to get to know the newer members. Still, I guess there is light at the end of the tunnel and “this too shall pass”. Hopefully we can get back to our normal meeting activities in the near future. We also had the advice that we are required to have a short term liquor licence to have BYO alcohol at the AGM. This is because we have the meat tray raffle and the lucky squares from which the Club gains a financial benefit. So, we MUST have a liquor licence. We have confirmed this by several means including an email from Business and Consumer Affairs. The licence is $95 for the one-off meeting. The Committee will discuss this further and come up with a proposal. Hopefully C-19 restrictions will be lifted by the December meeting and we will be able to have our normal light meal. If not, then the need for a liquor licence goes away! Speaking of the AGM – now is the time to start thinking about who you would like to represent you on the Club Committee. All positions including President and Treasurer will be declared vacant and thus open for election. Vice-President and Secretary are halfway through their two year terms. If you think that a fellow member would be a worthwhile Committee Member please approach them to sound out their feelings on the matter. If you think you can offer something to the Club by standing for a position then please talk to a current Committee member. It should be noted that only Primary Members can hold the position of President. To para-phrase the former President of the USA, John Kennedy, “Ask not what your Club can do for you but what you can do for your Club”. The committee has started a Calendar of proposed trips for next year. Some of these will need Trip Leaders. Trip leading and planning is NOT difficult and there are many Members available for advice or mentoring. Please consider leading one of these trips. The most important Sunday Meet & Greet for the year is coming up on 1 November. This is the Meet & Greet following the 4WD show and it is extremely important that we have a good roll up to show prospective members that we are an active Club. The Trip folder will be at the October meeting. Details are in the Trips Section of this Magazine. There are still a few spaces for people to staff the stand at the show. Please sign up via the Trip Folder at the October meeting. As you all know, the 4WD Show is our prime recruiting activity and, without new members, the Club will wither and die. Barbara and I could not make the Black Cockatoo Weekend Trip due to a prior commitment (actually it was my birthday and the family had planned a function for me and we also had to “grand-dog” sit on the Saturday). I look forward to reading the Trip Report and listening to the verbal report at the meeting. See you at the October meeting. Trevor The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 4
Trips and Events 2020-2021
It is mandatory for all vehicles to carry anti-virus, anti-bacterial hand sanitiser to the standard required by the
COVID-19 regulations. The Trip Leader can ask to see it and if you don’t have it, then you can be asked to obtain
some or not participate in the trip.
All participants must follow current Government Health Guidelines and complete the necessary paperwork required
for attendance at all club functions.
The Club COVID-19 Safety Plan, as well as the COVID-19 Contact Form, is in all Trip Folders. When you arrive at a
trip meeting point you will have to fill out the Trip Registration form AND the COVID-19 Contact Form. It is mandatory
for ALL trip participants to be listed on the COVID-19 Contact Form.
Adelaide Hills Social Gathering - Lunch at Verdun
Saturday, 17 October, 2020
Maximum attendance of 30 people due to hotel capacity
Overview: Saturday (not the usual Sunday)
Social gathering and drive, ending with lunch at Stanley Bridge Tavern, Verdun, at 1pm
Trip Leaders: Gavin 0401 125 759 and Caroline Svanborg 0407 749 409
Meet: Melba’s Chocolate Factory, Woodside at 10.30am. Departing for drive at 11.30am
Distance: Approx 30km plus return home
Cost: Your meal and drinks at lunch stop
Adelaide 4WD Adventure Show / Boat & Fishing Show
23 - 25 October, 2020
Overview: Please consider volunteering over this weekend to help man our stand at the Show. Please jot your
name down in the Trip Folder if you can help.
Christmas Social Weekend, Caurnamont (near Mannum)
27 - 29 November, 2020
Trip Leaders: Michele Corbett and Maria Dean
Distance: Approx 100km from Adelaide
Meet: Lakeside Camping Ground, 248 Craignook Road, Caurnamont
Accommodation: Easy access for caravans, camper trailers and tents
Cost: Camping fees $20/car/night, payable on arrival.
Notes: Dogs on leads welcome. BYO all food and supplies. Toilets and showers are on site. No power.
Kayaks and fishing welcome. No watercraft with motors
Club Social Night
13 January, 2021
Overview: Details to be confirmed, closer to the date.
Victorian High Country
14 - 27 March, 2021
Maximum of 6 vehicles - vehicles must have low range and high clearance
If Victoria places restrictions on the number of people in a group, it will have to be last on, first off.
Overview: This will be a base camp trip with daily excursions to the iconic tracks in the area. We plan to camp in
Dargo, Knockwood (near Jamison) and Sheepyard Flat.
Trip Leaders: Trevor and Barbara Burford
Terrain: Very steep descents and ascents, tracks and dirt roads, river crossings
Skill Level: Intermediate or higher
Meet: Bright, Victoria - to be confirmed closer to the event
Accommodation: Suitable for swags/tents, camper trailers and genuine off-road caravans.
Cost: Fuel and supplies. Most campsites free.
Notes: No pets or firearms. Fire restrictions will be in place.
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 5
Meet & Greet Drive
Sunday, 1 November, 2020
Meet ‘n’ Greet Drives are an excellent way to see how we do
things, meet club members and enjoy some of the more out of
the way places close to Adelaide.
Join us for our next drive on Sunday, 1 November
Meet 9am for 9:30am start at Price’s Bakery,
corner The Golden Way and The Grove Way, Golden Grove
Take a drive via the back roads to Mt Crawford where we will explore the fire tracks in
the normally closed sections of the forest.
Morning tea and lunch can be bought at Price’s or Mt Pleasant Bakery, or pack your own.
The drive will be about 150 km.
There ae NO facilities in the forest.
Please bring a UHF CB radio, if you have one (the Club uses channel 24).
No pets allowed.
IMPORTANT
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING INFORMATION
Unfortunately the club will not be able to provide the traditional pizzas at this year’s General
Meeting/AGM on 9 December, 2020, due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
After advice from the Department of Business and Consumer Affairs (who are responsible for
Liquor Licencing), we are unable to BYO alcohol to the AGM without an appropriate licence.
Given that we cannot supply a light meal, the Committee has decided to not apply for a
licence. So – please, no alcohol at the AGM.
The General Meeting and AGM will still go head with the General Meeting commencing at
7.30pm, followed by the AGM immediately after.
At the AGM, the members will elect the committee for 2021.
The positions of President, Treasurer, Trips Officer, Training Officer, three Committee Members
(Social, Welcoming & Merchandising) and all officer positions will be declared vacant.
Please consider nominating for one of these positions. The Club needs your support to continue.
A nomination form and position descriptions are provided in the body of this magazine.
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 6
Saturday Social Event
Adelaide Hills Social Gathering - Pub Lunch
Woodside to Verdun, Saturday, 17 October, 2020 Enjoy a scenic drive through the
Adelaide Hills to the Woodside
Chocolate factory. An iconic South
Meet at Melba's Chocolate Factory, Woodside, for self guided tour
Australian family-run business,
and cholesterol boost (approx 1hr). This will be followed by 30km Melba’s Chocolates & Confectionery
drive to Verdun via scenic routes (approx. 60% unsealed roads), produce some famous sweet treats.
ending with lunch at Stanley Bridge Tavern, Verdun, at 1:00pm
The Stanley Bridge Tavern is
Bring: A healthy appetite famous for its country front bar with
Do not bring: Diagnosed high cholesterol level! an open fire and original shingle
celling. A large open beer garden
Trip limited to 30 people due to hotel capacity so pop your name on hooded with tall gums and festoon
the trip sheet if interested, to secure your spot. lighting is an ideal setting for long
lunches and balmy summer evening
Trip Leaders: Caroline 0407 749 409 and Gavin 0401 125 759 dining.
Christmas Social Weekend, Caurnamont
27 - 29 November, 2020 Come and enjoy nature at its
best at this family orientated
Come and celebrate Christmas with your Club friends on the banks of tranquil setting, with sweeping
the Murray River. views of the beautiful Murray
cliffs. The lagoon is a locally
Fun, friendship, fresh air, fishing and kayaking (sorry, no power boats). recognised bird sanctuary.
When: Fri 27/11 to Sun 29/11 Situated in the picturesque
Where: Lakeside Camping Ground lower Murray, 90 minutes from
248 Craignook Rd, Caurnamont (near Purnong) Adelaide, Caurnamont is
located between Bowhill and
Cost: $20 per night per site (cash payable to trip leaders when you Walker Flat.
arrive) Sit back, relax, throw in a line,
Easy access for Caravans, campers, tents and swags. kayak, canoe or swim.
Dogs welcome on leads.
Toilets and showers available but no power…. more details to follow.
REGISTER NOW
Trip Leaders: Michele Corbett and Maria Dean
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Overland4WDClub
Go to the Overland 4WD Club page on Facebook and
click on this box. The link will open in Google Maps and
show you the camping ground and how to get there.
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 7
Trip details Victorian High Country 14 - 27 March, 2021 This trip is a re-program of this year’s March trip that had to be cancelled due to the fire and flood problems closing the roads in Victoria. The trip will commence in Bright (at a point to be determined) on Sunday the 14th and end at Sheepyard Flat on Saturday the 27th. This will allow those people who work to have to use the minimum amount of their holidays. Adelaide to Bright, and Sheepyard Flat to Adelaide, are both about 10 hours driving. This trip is limited to a maximum of 6 vehicles. Vehicles must have low range and high clearance. It will be a base camp trip with daily excursions to the iconic tracks in the area. Base camping will be in Dargo, Knockwood (near Jamison) and Sheepyard Flat (just off the Mansfield to Mt Buller Road). Most campsites will be free. Swags, tents, camper trailers and SMALL, single axle, genuine off road caravans are all OK. We will be travelling on the dirt, Dargo High Plains Road, where there is a long steep descent into Dargo. It is highly recommended by Parks Victoria that full size caravans do not attempt the road. There could be other long steep ascents and descents on dirt roads when towing. Each vehicle will be required to carry a full set of recovery and safety equipment. A list will be given to each participant at the pre-trip meeting. No pets or fire arms; and fire restrictions will be in force. This trip is restricted to a driver skill level of intermediate or higher. There will be steep, rocky ascents and descents and deep river crossings. Please note that if there are restrictions on the number of people in a group, then it will have to be last on, first off. More information, closer to the date. Trip Leaders: Barbara and Trevor Burford The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 8
Snake Bites
Overland Club Website
Member Access Australian snake venoms are complex mixtures of toxic
substances which can cause a range of effects on humans,
Get copies of previous magazines, including death. The neurotoxic effect from a venomous bite can
download club forms, request a library quickly kill by causing breathing failure. Other significant effects
copy from the “Members Only’ section of include bleeding due to your blood being unable to clot and
the website. life-threatening muscle damage caused by kidney failure.
Not signed up? Request access by emailing
webmaster@overland4wd.com and SNAKE BITE RECOGNITION
providing your member ID. Venomous snake bites may be painless and without obvious bite
marks. Life-threatening effects may appear within minutes in
massive envenomation, especially in children. With mild
envenomation, life-threatening effects may not be seen for
How to submit articles for hours.
publication in the Club
Magazine SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Paired fang marks, but often only a single mark or scratch
Trip reports, interesting articles, photos mark may be present
and information on events can be • Headache
submitted for publication in the Club • Nausea and vomiting
Magazine. • Abdominal pain
• Please send through your trip reports as • Blurred/double vision, or drooping eyelids
quickly as you can. It is nice to read • Initial collapse or confusion followed by partial or complete
about current events. recovery
• Difficulty speaking, swallowing or breathing
• Articles can be written in Word or • Swollen tender glands in the groin or armpit of the bitten limb
Publisher, or type them up in an email.
• Limb weakness or paralysis
• Please send photos separately, • Respiratory weakness or respiratory arrest.
rather than placing them within your
document. SNAKE BITE MANAGEMENT
• Articles for the magazine can be 1. Commence resuscitation if needed prior to any other
emailed to editor@overland4wd.com treatment.
2. Keep the patient at rest, reassured and under constant
• The cut-off day for articles is at least 7 observation
days before the meeting. Any articles 3. Apply Pressure Immobilisation Technique.
received late, will be published in the
4. Call 000 and request Ambulance for transport to a medical
following issue.
facility
If you have any feedback or comments
regarding the magazine, please let the NOTE:
Editor know. • DO NOT cut or incise the bite
• DO NOT use an arterial tourniquet
• DO NOT wash or suck the bite
• DO NOT kill the snake for identification purposes. This
increases the risk of becoming an additional patient and
identification of venomous snakes can be made from venom
present on clothing or skin using a Venom Detection Kit.
• Antivenom is available for all venomous Australian snake
bites
Article submitted by Quintin Robinson
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 9
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 10
Overland Four Wheel Drive Club
of SA Incorporated
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of
the Overland Four Wheel Drive Club of SA Incorporated
will be held on Wednesday, 9 December, 2020,
commencing just after the General Meeting
at The Lights Community & Sports Centre,
244-270 East Parkway, Lightsview,
(corner Hampstead Rd & East Parkway).
14 October, 2020
By Order of the Committee
Maria Dean
SECRETARY
NOMINATION FORM
Committee and Club Officer positions of the OVERLAND 4WD CLUB of SA Inc.
Annual General Meeting to be held just after the General Meeting on
Wednesday, 9 December 2020.
Position of Nomination:
Person Nominated: (nominee’s signature)
Nominated by: (Name) (Signature)
Seconded by: (Name) (Signature)
PLEASE NOTE: Nomination form must be completed in full – including nominee’s signature
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 11The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 12
I would like to offer a huge thank you to club members who gave me their leftover knitting
yarn and also to those who purchased beanies. Thanks to your kindness and generosity,
I was able to send 63 small knitted teddies, 24 small beanies, 48 medium beanies as well
as $110 to the charity group in my home town. The teddies will be added to the
‘Shoeboxes of Love’ that are sent overseas to the extremely poor children. The cash will
be used to purchase pencils, biros and colouring books, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Many, many thanks, Kerry
And yes, I have already started on next year’s teddies!
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 13Merchandising
Club Merchandise
ORDER ONLINE OR AT CLUB MEETINGS
On-line orders - simply email your order to merchandise@overland4wd.com
Payment by bank transfer to Overland 4WD Account:- BSB 805-007, A/C 000 776 621
Reversible Vest Stadium Jacket Geneva Jacket
Rugby Tops
$48
Polo Shirt
Hats
ITEM SIZE PRICE
Stadium Jacket XS-58cm, S-62cm, M- 65cm, L- 68cm, XL- 71cm, 2XL- 74cm, 3XL- 77cm $72.00
Geneva Jacket - Mens S- 57cm, M- 59cm, L- 61cm, XL- 63cm, 2XL- 65cm, 3XL-70cm, 5XL- 78cm $76.00
Geneva Jacket - Ladies S- 49cm, M- 52.5cm, L- 56cm, XL- 59.5cm, 2XL- 63cm $76.00
Reversible Vest XS- 54cm, S- 57.5cm, M- 60cm, L- 62.5cm, XL- 77.5cm, 2XL- 80cm, 3XL- 70cm $61.00
S- 70cm, M- 72.5cm, L- 75cm, XL- 77.5cm, 2XL- 80cm, 3XL- 81cm, 4XL- 82cm,
Polo Shirt - Mens $33.00
5XL-83cm
8- 46cm, 10- 48.5cm, 12- 51cm, 14- 53.5cm, 16- 56cm, 18- 58.5cm, 20- 61cm,
Polo Shirt - Ladies $33.00
22- 63.5cm, 24- 66cm
Shirt – Mens XXS- 32cm, XS- 34cm, S- 36cm, M- 38cm, L-41cm, XL- 43cm, 2XL- 45cm,
$57.00
Long Sleeve 3XL- 48cm, 4XL- 50cm, 5XL- 51cm
Shirt - Mens XXS- 32cm, XS- 34cm, S- 36cm, M- 38cm, L-41cm, XL- 43cm, 2XL- 45cm,
$51.00
Short Sleeve 3XL- 48cm, 4XL- 50cm, 5XL- 51cm
Beanie - Roll Up Black, Charcoal, Red *red comes with black outline of map and kangaroo* $18.00
Beanie - Roll Down Black, Charcoal, Red *red comes with black outline of map and kangaroo* $15.00
Cap $20 - Sand flag $10 - Stick on Badge $3 - Cloth Badge $3
ALL MEASUREMENTS ARE CHEST MEASUREMENTS
Measure from under arms across fullest part of chest
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 14Driver Development
4WD South Australia Club members can participate in club events and trips to help improve
The Overland 4WD Club is a member their skills in four wheel driving and recovery techniques; to learn
of Four Wheel Drive South Australia about vehicle maintenance and trip planning. Our experienced club
(4WD SA). 4WD SA is the peak body members are available to assist and support those members that are
for four wheel driving in South Australia keen to develop and improve their skills.
and it is affiliated with the National 4WD The club regularly organises events and social weekends, designed to
Association of Australia. develop off road driving skills to a level required for many club trips.
The Association, through the Club Social driving enables members to practise their driving skills without
Support Unit (CSU), provides guidance pressure.
and resources to clubs, to help club Members are welcome to bring along visitors and friends to many of
members improve their four wheel these club events, too.
driving techniques and skills, and how
to better handle their own vehicles in Do you have questions about driving and recovery?
different terrain.
Is there something specific you want to do or learn?
Let the Trip Leader or a committee member know and we’ll see what
we can organise.
Club Advisors, Trainers & These trips are regularly held throughout the year and are advertised
Assessors in the magazine and at meetings. Register for these events and join
the fun!
ASSESSORS
Ralph Abbot Martin Galbreath
Mark Abbott Harry Malone
Barry Anderson Peter Pyman
Norm Baker Geoff Thompson
Gary Christian
TRAINERS
Judy Christian Mark Whitworth
Mud map shows meeting
point for Peake trips
15 September 2020
Bedourie Simpson Desert Oasis roadhouse razed by fire
Fire has ripped through the Bedourie ‘Simpson Desert Oasis’
roadhouse. Roadhouse owner and Diamantina Shire Mayor Robbie
Dare said the roof had collapsed and 95 per cent of the building was
destroyed in the fire which started around 3.30am Tuesday morning,
15 September. Cr Dare said the accommodation area of the
roadhouse was still standing but the main building containing the
shop and restaurant were destroyed.
The fire is a blow to the small town of 150 people with the roadhouse
being the main meeting place in Bedourie and the only place which
sold fuel and groceries. The nearest fuel is Birdsville, 200km south
or Boulia, 200km north.
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 15Trip report
The Oratunga Experience by Cecilia Littlewood
Sunday 30th August – Saturday 5th September
For many years large teams of volunteers have been working on Gum Creek, Alpana and Oratunga stations,
eliminating cacti.. Even if the very last cactus on each of those stations was eliminated they would still be surrounded
by properties carrying cacti. (A quote from Ralph Abbot’s cactus cull report - 2019).
Oratunga sheep station lies on the traditional lands of the Adnyamathanha people. Since June 2011, a group of
largely Overland 4WD Club members spend a week treating wheel cactus in the station on the Glass Gorge Road, west
of Blinman.
This year, the Oratunga Cactus Cull
has been a logistically difficult one
to organise due to the presence of
COVID 19 in our lives. Ralph Abbot,
our leader extraordinaire, had to
change his plans several times to
comply with rules, and at the last
minute his crew at Oratunga had to
shrink to 10… (although the
maximum allowed changed AGAIN,
and we had 4 more ‘old hands’ join
us at the last minute).
So, on Saturday, 29 August, Alan and I drove up from Adelaide, arriving mid-afternoon to set up our camper, and join
the others – Trevor and Barbara Burford and Ralph Abbot, for drinks on the homestead verandah. Gini, who is the
owner, usually lives part of her life in Melbourne lecturing at the university. She had, of course, ended up in South
Australia, unable to return Melbourne, and has been able to live here on her property for the last 6 months. As we
had come to Oratunga last year, we had already met Gini (and Skye, her greyhound) so it was lovely to catch up with
her again.
As most of the others were due late Sunday, we were lucky enough to have time during the day for a drive to Second
Springs with Ralph, Trevor and Barbara. We visited Gum Creek to collect live cochineal to be used to kill cactus.
We were taken to see 3 stone markers, created by Geographer-at-Large Eames Demetrios, from USA, who had
contact with Gini some years ago. Later, Gini led us to a spring where there were many tadpoles, and we were able to
hear frog calls. It was wonderful to see this oasis, as there is so little water around, and Gini was more than a little
excited!
In the evening we gathered with the others for a briefing on the work for Monday, and learned that our group would
be tackling the hills directly behind the property.
On Monday, we collected our poison, drill and spray cans ready for the day’s work, and made sure we were sun
screened, hatted, and suitably attired…. We found out QUICKLY that this was NOT going to be an easy walk. We had
to scramble over shale and rocks, while acting like mountain goats!!!
When looking for cacti, the team (of 5 in our case), spreads out 50 meters apart, and a member calls for assistance
once a cactus is spotted. It is exciting when you spot your first cactus (ask Maria Dean and Michele Corbett!!!), but
when you think about it, the less cacti you find, the better the result of the past years’ eradication efforts! So….we are
happy to say – on Monday – we found only ONE! It was a heavy day’s work, and I MAY have suggested to Alan that
we wait till nightfall, and quietly pack up and leave.
The process for our team was:
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 16Oratunga continued Find the cactus Use drill to bore holes down through the pad Use poison injector to fill the hole Mark the cactus with pink spray paint so next year’s crew will know it’s been treated. That night, THANK GOD, Gini had prepared soup and apple crumble for our dinner, for which we were very grateful. Ralph assured us that the next day would be less arduous, so after quick drinks in the common room, we retired for the night. Nights at Oratunga are beautiful – clear skies, and a perfect canopy of stars, and as it turned out an amazing full moon experience, and once the generator shut down absolute silence. Tuesday was a much cooler start, and our team, as promised, had a much flatter area off Glass Gorge Road to sweep. Unfortunately, the group of Bike Riders had a more difficult task. (Bruce Cates will report on this group using cochineal). We once again, only came across one cactus. Wednesday ended up a rest day, so we went for a drive led by Trevor and Barbara. We had a trip through Moolooloo Station, stopping at the Artimore ruins for a photo experience (we had to – HAVE YOU EVER TRAVELLED WITH MARIA???), and we found a rusted out truck in a creek bed among other interesting things. Some of the wildlife we spotted were lizards catching a spot of sun, kangaroos in the distance, and a couple of daddy emus leading a multitude of babies out of the way of pesky 4WDs. The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 17
Oratunga continued Later we had booked in for dinner at the Blinman Pub which was a pretty decent meal! It was a great time to swap stories of who had spotted the most cacti! The next two mornings saw more walking, with some altercations with low lying dead branches on trees, determined to stab us in the eye, and a powerful wind that managed to steal a couple of hats (which we thankfully could retrieve). We are so lucky to be given this opportunity to see this part of the Flinders, as the views from the hill tops were magnificent, and worth the climb. On these days, we ended up finding a few more cacti close to river beds, and Michele with her eagle eye, spotted one up on a ridge – thankfully, she and Jim climbed up to deal with this one. Friday, we knocked off a little earlier, as some of us were leaving early Saturday, and needed pack up time. Friday night, we headed up to the Blinman Pub again, as it was PIZZA NIGHT, and we had it on good authority (Barbara and Trevor) that their pizzas were delicious. They were right in their evaluation, and everyone had a great feast! Next morning, most of us packed up and said goodbye to Gini for another year. She was having some more visitors staying in the shearers’ quarters, so had a day of cleaning and preparing. Ralph and Bruce were heading through Peterborough to assess their cactus problems, with which our club is looking to help in coming years. I know many of the current club members have taken part in the cull in previous years – it’s hard work, but it’s great to see that progress is being made. I encourage anyone who wants to come next year to go for it, as the camaraderie felt with the other volunteers, the invitation to use private 4 WD tracks and the scenery are a good payback for the work you do! There was often the chance for many good belly laughs too. I’d like to thank Ralph Abbot (with one t!) for all the work he puts in, prior to, and during these culls. He coordinates so much more than the Overland Club’s contribution at Oratunga, working on other properties as well. There are many other members past and present, who have been coming for several years, who have contributed so much. To know that we are helping our beautiful outback in just a little way is a great feeling. The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 18
Oratunga Highlights The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 19
Oratunga Cactus Cull 2020 by Bruce Cates
I set off on Sunday, as usual, for the drive to Wednesday our group tackled an area that we had
Blinman and Oratunga for the annual Cactus Cull treated last year, not far from the homestead on the
trip. This year the Cactus Cull took on a slightly South side of the Glass Gorge Road. The top of this
different format and Ralph was presented with a particular hill had been covered in cacti last year
number of extra challenges organising and running and about a dozen of us spent a whole day treating
the trip. The group was much smaller than usual them. We treated all but about three big gnarly ones
due to the COVID-19 restrictions but we still that we attached some cochineal to and, to our
managed to be productive and have a good time in surprise, the cochineal had flourished. A few small
the process. The crew was made up of our club ones had sprouted over the last twelve months but
members plus Brian, Katie, Maggie and Tim, all of these all had cochineal on them as well.
whom turned up on Monday as late inclusions to the
The decision was made to harvest cochineal from
group.
this area the following day and spread it further
The week started on Monday with a group search of along the Mount Samuel track later in the week.
a previously unexplored area. We walked about We walked a few kilometres further South to check
1.5km directly North of the homestead and back previously uncharted territory to find almost no cacti,
again, over fairly steep terrain, with a good covering another pleasing result. A long day of walking was
of vegetation. Fortunately, or unfortunately for Maria tidied up with a meal and a few coldies at the
who was on her very first trip and so hoping to find Blinman Hotel that night.
her first cactus, we found very few cacti and the
ones we did find were very small. Not finding Cacti
in an area seems disappointing while you are
walking but it is a good thing for the environment
that they are not there.
Thursday was spent gathering cochineal from the
top of the hill and treating some cacti spotted along
the Glass Gorge Road the previous day. As is often
the case we discovered new groups of cacti while
looking for other things. Some good specimens
were discovered close to the road and very suitable
as good breeding sites for cochineal. Not having to
carry them too far back to the vehicles when
harvesting is much more convenient that climbing to
Tuesday we split in to two groups with Brian, Katie, the top of a hill.
Maggie, Tim and me venturing off to check a
On the way back along the Glass Gorge Road, we
previously treated area on the Mount Samuel Track.
stopped for lunch at a spot known as First Spring; a
We treated the cacti we found but pleasingly the
lovely oasis with natural spring water filling some
numbers were quite low. In the previous years we
pools of rock in a dry creek bed. On the way out
had found large numbers in this area so the hard
Katie spotted a very large cactus growing inside a
work is certainly paying off. It was also very pleasing
bush of some sort. The cactus was at least 1.8
to see some plants in this area infected with
metres high and we had walked right past it on the
cochineal.
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 20Oratunga Cactus Cull 2020 continued
support vehicle greatly enhanced the process and
enabled us to cover a lot more territory than would
have otherwise been the case, well done Barb. This
should go a long way to helping eradicate the cactus
from this area along the Mount Samuel Track. After
a long day of walking we headed back to the ranch
and just made it in time to head to the Pub for “Pizza
night”.
Ralph, Trevor, Barb and I all headed out together on
Saturday for the trip home. After a couple of detours
to Alpana Station and Gum Creek station to drop off
the equipment, we headed for Peterborough.
Parnaroo Station is a property about 20km to the
East of Peterborough. We inspected a paddock on
Parnaroo Station that is heavily infested with cacti
and Box Thorn bushes. One area in particular has
way in without any of us seeing it. The bush was
cacti in every direction, as far as the eye can see.
covered in thorns, of course, so it took three of us to
The sheer number of cacti on this property is
carefully attach some cochineal infected pads to the
staggering and the prospect of tackling them seems
cactus.
overwhelming at first. However, the encouraging
thing about this property is that the land is flat and
the cacti are very close together. This makes it an
ideal candidate for cochineal and spreading
cochineal is far less labour intensive than drilling
and poisoning.
The week at Oratunga was physically demanding
but enjoyable and, as always, the company was
Friday we recruited Barb to our group as the great. Many good stories were shared while walking
logistics and transport officer. She drove her vehicle, up and down the hills as well as after dinner at the
fully laden with cochineal infected pads, along the Shearer’s quarters. Happy Hour each afternoon,
Mount Samuel Track, while the rest of us walked the while watching the sun setting behind the hills, was
hillside looking for prime candidates to put them on. also a highlight and a much anticipated part of the
We found a number of good cacti to place the day. Well done to Ralph for his good work, under
cochineal onto and spread the cochineal a long way trying and constantly changing conditions.
down the Mount Samuel Track. Having a mobile
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 21TIPS + TECHNIQUES + TOOLS + TOYS This is the place where you can write up anything to do with 4WD vehicles, camping, photography, fishing, cooking or anything else that Members may find interesting. Interview with MaxTrax's Brad McCarthy By 4x4 Australia I am driven to explore; it’s in my genes. I have an innate desire to see what’s over the horizon, down the track or around the next bend, and I just love exploring our amazing planet. The more remote, challenging and treacherous the adventure, the better. So, 30-odd years ago, when I finally got sick of constantly having to retreat from challenging tracks in my Ford Laser, I bought my first 4WD (an ex-Army Land Rover), and I’ve been exploring Australia by 4WD ever since. I’ve traversed the Simpson Desert, Cape York and Fraser Island more times than I can count, and I’ve explored practically every off-road location in Qld, as well as countless other places around Australia and in the USA. In 1999, I turned my passion into my career when I researched, field-checked, wrote and self-published my first 4WD guidebook, Dirty Weekends in South East Qld, in my spare time. Following its instant success, I quit my ‘real job’ as a plumber and went on to publish three more 4WD guidebooks on Qld. It was while field-checking routes for a Dirty Weekends guide to North Qld and Cape York in 2001 that I got bogged on a remote beach with the tide coming in, and the path that my life would take changed forever. I was travelling alone, as I often still do, and despite having all of the traditional vehicle recovery gear on-board, spent six hours recovering the vehicle with a hand winch. Once it was finally on solid ground, I lay sprawled on the beach, covered in black mangrove mud, sunburnt, dehydrated, exhausted and covered in sandfly bites, and I thought to myself, “There’s got to be an easier way than that!” When I got home from the trip, I started researching alternative solo recovery equipment, but I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I started designing my own. Four years of R&D, and numerous prototypes later, Australian-made MaxTrax was launched onto the 4WD world, and instantly won a renowned magazine award for ‘Best New Product under $500’. Since then our company has grown from our first year of selling solely on the 4WD show circuit to supplying all of Australia’s major outdoor and 4WD retailers, and to distributors and customers all over the world including the Australian, US and French militaries; the United Nations; NGOs; mining, energy and exploration companies; government agencies; emergency services departments; lifeguard services; desert racers; 4WD trainers; tour guides; and weekend warriors. Our mission has always been to produce the very best 4WD recovery tracks available so that our customers can depend on them when a successful recovery can sometimes be a matter of life or death. We don’t rest on our laurels, and we’re always looking at ways to improve our products and create new ones that make 4WD recovery better, faster, safer, simpler and easier. We’ve recently released our MaxTrax Xtreme, with replaceable metal teeth, designed with direct feedback from our military customers. It’s manufactured on the Sunshine Coast, and we’ve won a ‘Good Design Awards Gold’ for our efforts. We’ve also been working hard on a comprehensive high-quality vehicle recovery system that will be released before the end of this year. Our tagline is ‘Take the easy way out!’ and our mission has always been about making vehicle recovery safe, simple, quick and easy. The Australian 4WD products industry has a well-deserved reputation for inventing and producing the best 4WD equipment in the world, and MaxTrax, a little Aussie family company, is very proud to be a long- standing member of that community. Now that I have a great team to take care of the day-to-day running of the business, I get to do what I truly love, which is to go bush as often as possible, to test new products, gather promotional content, and meet our customers. I also get to push the boundaries, and from personal experience, that’s where great ideas come from. Meet the Expert: Brad McCarthy; Owner, MaxTrax Experience: 4WD guidebook author; founded MaxTrax in 2005 Sourced with thanks: https://www.whichcar.com.au/opinion/maxtrax-brad-mccarthy-interview The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 22
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 23
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 24
Remembering the Past 10th SEPTEMBER 1906 . . . the first Australian licence plates and drivers licence are issued. The first petrol-driven car to be manufactured in Australia is believed to have been produced by Harry A Tarrant in 1897. After modifications and improvements, Tarrant produced a second vehicle in 1901, which he named the Tarrant. This was followed by a number of improved designs, including the first fully enclosed body made in Australia, and later models included locally designed and manufactured engines, gearboxes and rear axles. Other vehicles began to be imported from 1900 when a Benz No 1 Ideal arrived in Sydney. Australians gradually embraced the concept of the motor car and the horseless carriage gained in popularity. With the increased number of automobiles came the need for more rules and controls. In 1888, Karl Benz became the first man, worldwide, to obtain written permission to drive his automobile on public roads after citizens in Mannheim complained about the noise and smell from his vehicle. In 1903, Prussia became the first European state to make a driver’s licence compulsory, and it was soon followed by other European nations. South Australia was the first Australian state to pass a Motor traffic Regulation Act, doing so in 1904. This was followed by the first driver’s licence in Australia, issued in Adelaide on 10 September 1906. The recipient was Dr William Arthur Hargreaves, a chemist and government analyst, born on 29 October 1866 at Ipswich, Queensland. Hargreaves had moved to South Australia in 1899. Trained as a chemist, Hargreaves had an interest in vehicles and fuel sources, and examined the feasibility of alternative fuel sources during World War I and II, even powering his own automobile on a mixture of molasses and petrol as World War I came to a close. Licence plates and drivers licences were introduced in Victoria and New South Wales in 1910. Pictured: Driver's licence belonging to SA scientist Dr William Hargreaves, which was the first one to be issued in Australia in 1906. Courtesy: The Advertiser. https://www.facebook.com/rememberingthepastaustralia, sourced 10 September 2020 The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 25
Out and about in SA… Carrieton
Small town in 'Gum Tree Country' in the northern offered smaller blocks to wheat farmers. It called the
Flinders Ranges settlement Yanyarrie Whim.
Carrieton is a tiny town with a population of around 40 * Carrieton was surveyed in 1879. At the time the area
people in the middle of the Flinders Ranges. It is noted was characterised by extensive stands of timber and
for the beauty of its location and located 91 km east of native scrub which included native pine, black oak and
Port Augusta, via Wilmington, and 308 km north of mallee. Lots were sold for £2/10/-.
Adelaide on the RM Williams Highway, via Clare and * In 1881 the railway from Orroroo to Quorn opened
Jamestown. Carrieton to traffic and this saw the area prosper.
Today it is a stark reminder of the difficulty of farming * The Carrieton Public School opened in 1882.
this area on the edge of South Australia's vast desert. * The local Police Station was opened in 1884.
* By 1885 the town had a population of around 120
Origin of Name
people. The railway station was opened that year.
Carrieton was named after Lucy Caroline, a daughter of
* By the mid 1880s the town had a school, library, band,
the SA Governor Jervois (1877-1883). She lived briefly in
assembly room, agricultural show, race course, two
SA before marrying William Purey-Cust and returning to
banks, literary society and railway station.
England where her husband became a Canon at Lincoln
* In 1888 the town was renamed Carrieton.
Cathedral.
* In 1889 St Raphael's Roman Catholic Church was dedi-
Things to See and Other Attractions in the Area cated.
Aboriginal carvings * By the 1890s the town's population was over 200.
An interesting collection of Aboriginal carvings (of * In 1886 a drought was broken by 50mm of rain in ten
unknown age and origin) are located exactly 9 km minutes.
north-east of Carrieton on the Belton Road. The carvings * From 1917 to 1937 the main Sydney-Perth railway line
are on the right hand side of the road. passed through the town.
* A drought lasting a decade affected the area in the
Johnburg 1920s and 1930s.
The road from Carrieton to Johnburg is pleasant and * By 1968 the area has been so sparsely populated that it
scenic. Johnburg is a fascinating example of a town that has been unable to field either a football or a cricket
died. It was named after Major John Jervois the second team.
son of SA Governor Jervois (1877-1883) and proclaimed * The railway closed in 1970 and slowly the facilities
in 1879. This was a period of good seasons and started to close. The Carrieton Rural School closed in
settlement occurred immediately. Unfortunately the 1997.
season of 1879-80 was followed immediately in
1880-1881 by drought and the town was decimated. https://www.aussietowns.com.au/town/carrieton-sa
Johnburg, lies some 40 km north of Goyder’s Line.
In periods of drought (one drought lasted for a A derelict house at Johnburg
decade between the 1920s and 1930s) cropping
has been impossible and the farmers have been
unable to make a living. It is a lesson in the harsh
reality and unreliability of desert farming.
History
* Prior to the arrival of Europeans the area was
home to the Adnyamathanha Aboriginal people.
* A pastoral lease to Coonatto Station was granted
to Alexander Grant in 1853. Grant built a stone
tank, troughs and a well which provided water for
passing teamsters from Burra.
* The government resumed the lease in 1876 and
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 26A P LAC E WH ERE ME MBERS AR E W ELCOME TO BUY, SELL, E X CH ANGE OR
REQU ES T I TEMS, FO R UP TO 3 MONTH S, AT NO COST
AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT
ONLY $200 FOR THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!!
The Club is offering to members, family and friends the following package of AV equipment which is
now surplus to our requirements with the recent move to the Lights Community and Sports Centre
for our monthly general meetings.
The package includes:
• A Mipro wireless amplifier – model no. MA-707E
• A Mipro wireless microphone – model no. ACT-30H
• 2 x external speakers – 35w, with fully adjustable stands
• A lectern – with fully adjustable stand
• A microphone sand – fully adjustable
• An Epson data projector – model no. EMP-S5
• Custom made protective canvas bags for all equipment
• All the necessary cables and adapters
• Instruction books
For further details please contact Jim Crosby on 0401 125 509
REMEMBER When disposing of your old vehicle, please remove your club stickers, as the person you sell it to may not be
as concerned with the do’s and don'ts of four wheel driving as you are.
The Overland 4WD Club of SA Incorporated October 2020 │ Page 27You can also read
