Over the next couple of years , I ran trips to further investigate the Erica Walhalla section of the Moe Walhalla Railway . Trips in following years featured my interest in industrial archaeology including old sawmills , timber tramways and early mining sites . My other interests of botany and the early explorers also informed and influenced my trip planning , and this continues to this day . As my confidence as a trip leader grew , I commenced running weekend trips , enjoying sharing the bush and the evening campfire with so many club members and their families . Being a new father of twins in 1978 I purchased a Series 3 Land Rover for my adventures . In 1983 I purchased a Range Rover 2 door and I also joined the recently formed Range Rover Club . I commenced running combined Club trips to include members of the Range Rover Club and included the Pajero 4WD Club in these trips in 1989 when LROCV member Graeme Walsh was President of the Pajero 4WD Club .
Over time trips diversified in destination and duration . Visits were made to the High Country , East Gippsland , the Otways , the Grampians , various Goldfields in Victoria , snow trips , the Volcanic Plains , the Upper Murray , Snowy Mountains , Blue Mountains . Further afield visits have been made South Australia ’ s Limestone Coast , Kangaroo Island , Flinders Ranges , the Corner Country , and many times across the Simpson Desert . In 1980 the Old Ghan ran its last trip and Dad and I travelled on this train . In 1990 and 2005 I organised club trips along the route off the Old Ghan . Trips to Queensland to visit the Central Highlands including the Bunya Mtns , Carnarvon and associated Gorges including Mt Moffatt , Ka Ka Mundi and Salvatore Rosa as well as the outback .
In the Northern Territory , Central Australia surrounding Alice Springs has had some attention . The Plenty Highway , Hay River , East and West MacDonnell ’ s and Ayers Rock , The Olgas , Mt Connor and the Finke Gorge have been destinations . Western Australia provided the destinations along the Canning Stock Route and the Bungle Bungles .
I have long had an interest in the explorers Burke and Wills and have read extensively on the subject . Over the years we have led 3 trips from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria and one from Melbourne to Birdsville . We have participated in the Burke and Will Historical Society and attended conferences since the foundation meeting in Cloncurry QLD in 2003 that Prue and I attended .
With the variety of destinations , weather , vehicle types , and varying levels of trip participant driver experience , I became aware of the need for some driver training . Initially sponsored by the Range Rover Club , I enrolled as a Trainee Instructor with Four Wheel Drive Victoria and attended many Theory nights , practical days , and instructor updates to learn as much as I could about driving techniques and presentation . Training took place at Valley Farm near Narbethong , in the bush near Gembrook and Glenburn and later at the Melbourne Proving Ground near Werribee . After certification as Club Instructor , I conducted coursed for LROCV members from 2001 , leading them to the Association issued Proficiency Certificate . Courses were run once a month in the first years with the help of trainees Tony Corke and the late Richard Tye . I moved to the Public Instructor role for many years and mentored trainees from the LROCV as well as smaller clubs affiliated with Four Wheel Drive Victoria .
Training in various aspects of trip leading has continued to assist in maintain a strong focus on safety .
The 40 th Anniversary of the LROCV was in 2003 and Prue and I organised the club birthday weekend at the Licola Lions Village . With a variety of accommodation and camping options , a dining hall for the Saturday night Birthday Dinner , a large oval for a group vehicle photo and 9 high country trips organised , over 60 people enjoyed a weekend of adventure and sharing new and old stories .
We organised a major event in 2005 being a multi club trip into Wonnangatta . The mixed club convoys travelled 10 different routes into the Valley with trip leaders from the LROCV , Pajero and Range Rover Clubs . Many new friendships were made over the weekend with around 65 vehicles attending , another memorable weekend . Perhaps this weekend could be repeated ?
After returning from a Central Australian club trip in 2005 , Prue was reading Mike and Mal Leyland ’ s book “ Where Dead Men Lie ”, the story of their West East crossing of Australia in 1966 and remarked that next year ( 2006 ) would be 40 years after their trip . So was born the plan to celebrate the 40 th Anniversary of the West East Crossing . With a total of 23 vehicles from 4 clubs participating in various sections ( 18 vehicles were the most in the convoy at any time ), we travelled