News / Articles

Four Wheel Drive Victoria turns 50 this year and has a celebration and event in planning, 'save the date' for the weekend 17-19 October. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The association recently made some changes to the Trackwatch magazine distribution for a more digital engagement approach, and after feedback, we will be consulting with clubs more to find ways to get hard copies to these members who would still like copies posted out. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement changes.

Congratulations to the following clubs for celebrating anniversaries. Werribee District 4WD Club for 40 years, Idlers 4WD Club of Victoria Inc for 30 years, South Gippsland 4x4 Camping & Caravan Club for 35 years.

FWDV recently held a 4WD Regional Representatives meeting in the Otways with over 20 reps from all over Victoria, including key personnel from DEECA and Parks Victoria. Some new actions and progress will be tabled and addressed.

Thank you to those clubs and members who recently conducted camp hosting activities in Victoria, and for the fantastic work various clubs and members have performed at Narbeview Wildlife Shelter and a working bee at Lake Cobbler Hut.

The Great Outdoors Taskforcereceived 4,149 submissions to its Engage Victoria survey on the Future of Victoria's State Forests.Consistent themes emerged across the engagement and many common challenges and complementary priorities were put forward. There is strong support, and a shared understanding across 4WDing and stakeholders, that we need to manage forests in a way that balances conservation, recreation, and economic opportunities within Victoria.

The report will be submitted to the Minister for Environment in mid-2025.

Further information about the progress of the Taskforce’s work can be foundhere.

Craig and Team

What's on 2025

May:

27 (theory) and 31 (prac) Proficiency 4WD course

June:

17 (theory) and 21 (prac) Proficiency 4WD course

26 & 28-29 Accredited Chainsaw Course

27-29 Mildura Outdoor Show

https://www.outdoorlivingcaravanexpo.com.au/mildura/

July

15 (theory) & 19-20 (Prac) Accredited 3 unit 4WD course

August:

22-24: National 4x4 Outdoors Show at the Melbourne Showgrounds

https://4x4show.com.au/melbourne

October:

6: FWDV Annual General Meeting

17-19: FWDV 50th Anniversary

Meet - Robyn Burke

Board Member FWDV

Life Member of the Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria Inc.

After purchasing a Pajero 4WD it seemed appropriate to join the Pajero Club, which in hindsight was the right choice. We loved the inclusiveness of the members and found that there were plenty of trips to participate in just about every weekend.

Outback trips were always on the agenda and we just about covered all the iconic places and tracks in Australia. Over the years we graduated from a tent to a campervan and now to a Vista Crossover. My favourite trips were to the deserts and the more remote the better.

The wonderful friendships I have made through the 4WDriving Association are testament to the camaraderie that is shared in the love of 4WDriving.

FWDV Accredited Chainsaw Course

We are pleased to announce the next Accredited Chainsaw Course as per the following details.

The pricing for the chainsaw course for members is $495.00 per student (note general public are charged $950.00 each, therefore proving a great member benefit).

The course comprises 2 nationally recognised units of competency:

FWPCOT2254 Maintain Chainsaw. This unit addresses the following topics.

Plan and prepare for maintenance.Conduct chainsaw maintenance.

Complete maintenance records and clean up.

FWPCOT2273 - Trim and cut felled trees. This unit addresses the following topics.

Prepare for trimming and cutting

Visually assess felled trees

Plan cutting

Use chainsaw to trim and cut trees

Complete equipment maintenance

Safety is emphasized throughout the course and ensures that WHS requirements are demonstrated.

Dates & Times:

Theory – Thursday evening 26th June 2025(approx 4 hours)

Time – 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start

Location – FWDV Office - 6/27 Thornton Cres, Mitcham

Practical – Saturday 28th& Sunday 29th June2025 (2 full days)

Time – 8:00am for a 8:30am start to approx. 4pm

Location:Pakenham – exact location point TBC

Pre Course:

• Please use manual enrolment form attached below and return to the FWDV office.
• Note on the form which FWDV club you are a member of and whether or not you have your own chainsaw and if it is electric or petrol.
• Ensure all fields are completed including USI number (to find or create a USI please go tohttps://www.usi.gov.au/)
• Participants will be provided with a Learner Guide to download and read and a Theory workbook to download, print and attempt the answers prior to the course. Hard copy Learner Guides will be handed out at the Theory session.

Personal requirements:

Camping - available on site

BYO chair, camping gear and food & beverages.

Clothing to suit weather conditions including hat.

If you feel unwell prior to the course, please DO NOT ATTEND THE COURSE and notify our Office as soon as possible.

Chainsaw Practical:

• Each participant MUST HAVE OWN PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUPMENT (PPE) Helmet, Ear muffs, Visor, Safety chaps or trousers, Hi-Vis safety vest, Steel cap/solid boots and Leather gloves. NOTE: failure to comply with PPE gear will exclude you from participating in the course.
• Your chainsaw must be operational, in good working order, comply with Australian Safety Standards and you are required to bring the specific operation manual
• 5 Litres fresh fuel (unleaded, not E10)
• Bar Oil (if using own chainsaw)
• Mixing Oil (if using own chainsaw) – please do not mix prior to the course
• Plastic wedge/s (150mm or 200mm)
• Small stump vice
• Chainsaw sharpening kit (ensure file matches chain pitch)

Please note the attached ‘Student Equipment Requirements to Participate’ document.

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Enrolment Form

Student Equipment Requirements to Participate

RTO 21605

FWDV Proficiency and Accredited 4wd Courses

Proficiency Course in May 2025
This is a non accredited training session.
Theory:27th May 2025, evening session via Teams
Practical:31th May 2025, all day at the Toolangi Training Ground

or

Theory:17th June 2025, evening session via Teams
Practical:21st June 2025, all day at the Toolangi Training Ground

The course covers the following topcs:

• Basic understanding of four wheel drive vehicles and their technical aspects
• Four wheel drive techniques
• Recovery techniques
• Driving in a range of terrain
• Water crossings

Please note both sessions must be attended.

Participants wil be presented a Certificate of Particiapation.
Club member: $255.00
Non club member: $440.00

Accredited 3 Unit Course in April 2025
Theory:15th July 2025, evening session online via Teams
Practical:19th and 20th July 2025, both days at our Toolangi Training Ground

All sessions must be attended.

This is an accredited course which combines the following 3 units of competency.

• FWPCOT3325 - Operate a 4wd on unselaed roads
• FWPCOT3326 - Recover four wheel drive vehicles
• FWPCOT3329 - Perform complex 4x4 operations

The course covers the following topics:

• Basic understanding of four wheel drive vehicles and their technical aspects
• Four wheel drive techniques
• Recovery techniques including:
  • Winching with an electric winch
  • Using a hand operated winch
  • Recovery with traction aids
  • Kinetic recovery
• Driving in a range of terrain
• Water crossings

Candidates who are assessed competent in the unit requirements will be awarded a statement of attainment.

Club member: $495.00
Non club member: $950.00

To learn about the difference between an accredited and non accredited course please view our student handbook byclicking here.

For more information please see the FWDV website:Click here
RTO 21605

Congratulations to the following clubs for celebrating anniversaries.

Werrribbee District 4wd Club - 40 years

Idlers 4wd Club of Victoria Inc. - 30 years

South Gippsland 4x4 Camping & Caravan Club - 35 years

We would love to see any pictures or add an article to Trackwatch to help celebrate.

National 4x4 Outdoors Show

22-24 August 2025 - Melbourne Showgrounds

Viewhere

300 Club Trips for three Clubs - John Hasler

'Written by Prue Hasler'

What do you do if you have interests in industrial archaeology, early Australian explorers, botany, Australian bush and deserts, Australian history, the great outdoors, 4WDing, the night sky, adventures and want to share these interests with other people? You lead 4WD club trips.

John Hasler’s lightbulb moment was seeing the Leyland Brothers film of their 1966 West East Crossing of Australia in 2 Land Rovers. Yes, Land Rovers could be used to explore Australia. However, the seeds of his desire to explore the Australian and the bush were set in 1959 when an outback family trip in their Consul saw them camping in dry riverbeds and in station woolsheds with a family background interest in natural history.

First joining the Land Rover Club of Sydney in 1974 and then the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria (LROCV) in 1976 when he moved to Melbourne, John led his first trip in 1981 to the closed Moe Walhalla Railway in his Series 3 LWB Land Rover. After buying a Range Rover in 1982 John joined the Range Rover Club of Victoria (RRCV) in 1983 and commenced running joint club trips. When Graeme Walsh was President of the newly formed Pajero 4WD Club, he asked John if he could run some trips for the Pajero Club so joint club trips were run for the 3 clubs from 1989.

Starting out slowly John worked up to his busiest year in 2002 when he ran 18 joint club weekend trips. Safety is key foundation to his trips and so he became an accredited driver trainer for many years. When Four Wheel Drive Victoria reviewed the Adventure Activity Standards for their Trip Leader Guidelines, John was part of the FWDV group that developed the Guidelines. An important aspect of running trips for John is sharing his historic, botanical and local knowledge with participants, and for many years he produced an A4 bound book for each participant on each trip.

So where has John run trips? Many trips featured the High Country to the Simpson Desert, the Flinders Rangers and the Grampians, the Victorian Deserts to trips featuring the Victorian Volcanoes, trips featuring old gold mining areas, old bush sawmills and railways, snow trips, Far East Gippsland, a West East trip across Australia with 18 vehicles and featuring guests Mike and Margie Leyland (a highlight). A multi convoy trip into Wonnangatta was also a highlight with around 65 vehicles taking part. Day trips included the Central Highlands right up to Mt Cobbler & Mt Stirling.

But the key to all these adventures is the people.

Narbeview Wildlife Shelter

The Melbourne Jeep Owners Club members were at Narbeview Wildlife Shelter over the weekend of March 29 and 30. Members volunteer twice a year helping Rod and Shelley with physical work at the shelter.

Members and some locals arrived early on Saturday morning and after a briefing from Rod on what work was planned, one of the large enclosures, that was damaged from a tree falling on it, was dismantled and works done.

Shelley currently has over 35 wombats including three month old little ones with no fur, small ones enjoying doing zoomies, to adults all which must be fed on a regular basis with multiple milk bottle feeds each day for the young ones.

Rod and Shelley do a great job and obviously having people attend working bee’s help, but they continue to need our financial help and any donation is appreciated.

Narbeview Wildlife Shelter is a self-funded, non-profit, animal rescue centre. Please see their website to see how you can help:click here

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