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Four Wheel Drive NSW & ACT, INCABN: 51 879 448 402PO Box 1371, Parramatta, NSW, 2124Phone: 1300 4WD NOWThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Meeting Opened at 9.45 by Craig ThomasCraig welcomed all Delegates and vistorsQuorum: 25 Clubs and 42 members attending - applogies - Jackaroo 4WD Club, Bungarribee 4wdc (with proxy)Craig thanked the Host Club The Minutes from the February were presented Put forward by Matt barnesSeconded by Jim SkinnerAccepted by ALL
Lots of things are happening, so let’s see if I can wrap it all up into one report. It is a bit hard to separate all the different things that are happening as they all seem to be intertwined, the show, AAAA, 4WD Action and national parks have all smashed into one massive train wreck.
The owners of 4wd Action cannot understand why everybody hates them, they keep calling themselves the little guy while they are spending millions just on advertising. They complain about everybody and refuse to talk or listen to anyone else and then say that we should all talk with one voice, but it appears that one voice has to be theirs. The Association has tried repeatedly to talk with them and they just keep refusing. It looks like they treat everyone that they come into contact with the same way. Even with this happening we will not entertain the thought of banning them from our Adventure Show.
It is now pretty much common knowledge that Roothy and 4WD Action are planning more rallies, but unless they are prepared to talk to the people that they are say will not listen to them we will not be supporting them. From where I am sitting it looks like Roothy is using these to push his political aspirations with the Outdoor Recreation Party and the magazine gets to sell more mags.
I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the AAAA show at Darling Harbour recently and this turned out to be a very productive day, the manufactures that where there were surprised that we would be willing support them to produce and sell a quality product, they have never really thought of working with us. This will be an ongoing project.
With the elections coming up we will be inundated with politicians trying to get our support, so far the only one that we have given this too is Alan Hay. He will be touring the state shortly and when we get his agenda we will let clubs in the areas he will be visiting know. It will be up to the clubs and individuals to decide if they want to be part of it or not, but I would think it is in everybody’s interest to at least go along and see what he has to say.
The Adventure Show is shaping up to be bigger and better, with the International Motor Show being cancelled the manufacturers are looking for other ways to promote themselves and it looks like we are high on their lists with several already signing up. We will be focusing a lot more on the volunteers this year to make the experience more enjoyable both for the volunteers and our visitors.
We are trying something new this year, it sort of started last year in Port Macquarie where the committee ended up in the same motel and we spent the day and evening together, we sorted more things than we ever did. So this year we have decided to expand on it and we have the exec and regional chairs staying together and have put an agenda together to work on a couple of topics and also get to know each other a little better.
Last thing, Tony Vaughan is leaving us to follow his family to North Queensland, we will miss his input and leadership at the DTU, he is incredibly passionate about training. I think everyone knows that but it is his passion for the average club member and the importance of them that I will really miss. I hope all goes well for you and you will always be welcome if you return to NSW.Geoff Northcott added:Australian Standards, do not reflect the way 4wder's use items, 4wders ues things differently EG Roof rack do not say how to mount the rack it only mention the movement of luggage on the roof rack.Craig mentioned the idea of going forward to put manufacturers products through testing for "how we use them" We could partner with AAA. Once this is setup it would be handed over to NationalQuestion: From Rob MatysiakAre there any legal ramification if we endoresAnswer: No, we are only endorsingA good dicscussion was generated was from the presidents report between all present, some points following
Question: Roger SheathWho is Simon Christie standing forAnswer: Outdoor Recreation Party VIC
Adventure Show
Additional discussion was held with more information from Craig.
Craig also
Since last meeting the focus has been on furthering communications with some of the land managers, trying to take a proactive approach to volunteer or community activities, continuing on with a track classification project.
4wd Consultative CommitteeA meeting was held on 8th of March with National Parks and Crown Lands. The meeting was quite constructive and highlighted the positive position that the 4wd association has with these bodies due to our support of National Parks, constructive efforts at the local and regional level with such activities track maintenance projects that occur around the state.The NPWS, Crown Lands and Forests are in the middle of a restructure through the Department they are all part of. This restructure is having an impact down to regional level with roles and responsibilities changing. We don’t yet know the outcome. This is having an effect on things like track maintenance and signing of an MOU with all parties.
Track ClassificationThe main activity here has been the organisation and completion of a project – caves to Caves to use as a demonstration of the utility of the project.Following the finalisation of this activity we will be looking at further projects to see how they can be used regionally.
Track Maintenance/Community ProjectsIn the Blue Mountains this has been affect severely by absence of the ranger and the restructuring of the park responsibilities. Let’s hope we can continue what was started earlier this year.I have been endeavouring to get a communication list from senior NPWS staff of regional managers to communicate with them regarding potential projects we can work with.As an association we need to capture and publise the activities that are happening – such as track maintenance, convoy for kids, training or other activities that happen regionally.Next 3 Months Activites
Question: Peter FenwickHow many track classifiers do we have trained in NSW?Answer: 60How many tracks have we classified?Answer: nonePeter then added he has heard that two tracks have been classified at the WatagansResponse: the Asoociation has not heard of this or recieved anything on the watagan track classifcationChris Keys added one track is being classified by the Association, Caves to Caves and this will be completed with RAW data by the Weekend of the 25th and 26th May 2013Question: Roger SheathHave we come to any conclusion with the Land managersAnswer: no we need an exampleQuestion: Roger SheathWhat format are we usingAnswer: Not sure of the name, although it is something in the mapping technology
MEMBERSHIP REPORT FOR MAY 2013 QUARTERLY MEETINGWith respect to affiliations for 2012-2013 we still have one Club outstanding who has not responded to either email and/or mail requests. They have been invited to this meeting on the basis that they cannot vote or be counted for quorum purposes so I await developments.During the last 3 months another Club has folded however I am in correspondence with two new ones (being established) and a third which is already functional. One on the mid north coast, one in the southwest country and one in the Sydney region. Hopefully they will come to fruition.As mentioned at February’s meeting a reminder that our affiliation fee for 2013-2014 will rise to $19.00 per membership (inc. GST). For those who wish to revisit this decision it is in the August 2011 Quarterly Meeting minutes on page 4. This is the first increase in 9 years and invoices will issue by months end and fees are due and payable on 1 July – this year please! During a recent trip to Broken Hill I made contact with someone from the Silverton 4WD Club. I had previously written to the Broken Hill 4WD Club and received a response from the above Club. Club is inactive and judging by the activity in Broken Hill since my last visit 3 years ago when there was significant activity and optimism on the mining front this seems to have diminished. Even Silverton seems to have closed a few shops. If you have any questions when you receive your invoice please contacts me and when making payment always quote your Club name & invoice number. Updates for State Forest stickers will only be issued to members of financial Clubs.4WDNSW&ACT Club website details – after 18 months we are still a long way from having all Clubs listed which causes significant problems with communications. Please advise your Club that failure to provide this information, and maintain it, precludes them from being up to date with, or even aware of, current issues. If you are experiencing problems in this respect please let me know via email. All of us are working toward making this Association run more smoothly and we all have a part to play in achieving this.INSURANCE REPORT FOR MAY 2013 QUARTERLY MEETINGSIO’s from all States met in Adelaide on Saturday 6th April. In previous years we had met twice annually at the same time as the 4WDAustralia General Meetings. In Adelaide it was decided that in future we would meet only once each year on a trial basis to determine whether or not that was sufficient.To provide some background I attach as part of this report my last State report to the above meeting which I do for every national meeting. Whilst this is always asked for it is not always provided by all States. I don’t want to go through it at this meeting however it may provide some interest to Delegates. The main points you will note from it are
The reason I have included this report is to demonstrate that insurance cover in this State is taken seriously. We initiated the ability for all States to ensure that non affiliated Clubs did not receive the benefit of affiliated Club premiums. This is the first year the process has been instituted and unfortunately we were the only State who acted upon it. In fact it came to light from our insurance providers during discussions that NSW is the only State that questions, raises issues and is generally focused on these matters or maybe, just a pain in the neck.. Anyhow I have to say that at these meetings are always open and TCIS very forthcoming and to us non insurance professionals, helpful.Some of you may recall that years ago Clubs were encouraged to have their own Insurance Officer position to promote the products available through TCIS which were seen as beneficial to all parties, including both the National Council and State Associations. My feeling is that those days have passed and that a centralized approach is much better. I have been in this position for nearly 6 years and am still learning. However there is no reason why individual members cannot access the TCIS website which has been significantly upgraded over the last 12 months to source information for themselves.
Current Cash Position as at: 15 May 2013Cheque Account Balance: $10,574.10 CrInvestment Account Balance: $45,082.99 CrTOTAL FUNDS ON HAND: $55,657.09 Cr
Notes:BAS currently being prepared (with accountant)
Current Cash Position Movement 1 Jan 2013 to 15 May 2013Combined Accounts Balances at 1 Jan 2013:$58,610.24 CrReceipts: $7,908.50 CrPayments: $10,861.65 DrTOTAL FUNDS ON HAND at 15 May 2013: $55,587.09 Cr
Notes:Receipts mainly late affiliation fees, TCIS insurance rebate, track use fees. Payments mainly annual ASQA (ex VETAB) Fee, annual ACMC affiliation, ongoing track maintenance expenses. One-offs Alan Hay campaign donation & Exec accommodation for this quarterly meeting. Year-on-Year Comparisons: Jan-May PeriodYear Receipts Payments 2013 $ 7,465.60 $10,858.902012 $31,854.45 $33,529.902011 $36,323.46 $52,375.78
Notes:2013 includes ‘one off’ campaign donation to Alan Hay $2k, one-off Exec accommodation $2.5k. RFDS donation & Mower purchase prior to this.2012 includes $25k in from ‘Maxi’ account, and $25k out to repay loan from 4WDA, $2.5k donation to RFDS (from show)2011 includes loans in $35k, transfer out to ‘Maxi’ $25k, ‘one-off’ container purchase $2,200, website hosting cost $5,700Year-on-Year Comparisons: Jan-May PeriodYear Receipts Payments2013 $ 7,465.60 $10,858.902012 $ 6,854.45 $ 8,529.902011 $ 1,323.46 $27,375.78
Notes:2013 includes ‘one off’ campaign donation to Alan Hay $2k, one-off Exec accommodation $2.5k. RFDS donation & Mower purchase prior to this.ADJUSTED*2012 includes $25k* in from ‘Maxi’ account, and $25k out* to repay loan from 4WDA, $2.5k donation to RFDS (from show)2011 includes loans in $35k*, transfer out to ‘Maxi’ $25k*, ‘one-off’ container purchase $2,200, website hosting cost $5,700General Comments:The main sources of income at this stage remain:
Our main costs incurred are:
Significant savings have been made on website hosting, rationalising phone costs, and agreement by Executive to minimise claims for expenses.Summary & Reminders:The Association is in a sound position, with thanks to last year’s committee and the current committee. As noted at previous quarterly meetings, it is hoped that the Show will provide some financial returns in future.Affiliation renewals will be due soon, AND I’M NERVOUS!!!Please make sure your club records it’s name in the “description” field if direct crediting the Association so we know who it is from!!Question: Roger SheathDo we have a list of liabilitiesAnswer: No
The Technical is based around the work being done with the ACMCThe ACMC are working on two pieces of work:
The discussion moved on to:
Question: Jim SkinnerRMS were going to keep a Data base of all cars and there Modification, are they still keen to do thisAnswer: NoQuestion: Ian BassWhat will happen in ACTAnswer: They have implemented VSB14, you have to comply with VSB 14Question: No name givenIs there an issue when travelling over the border?Answer: Yes, however there is a set of uniformed road rules, however you must comply with your stateQuestion: Roger SheathDo you have friends in the RMSAnswer: YesWe want (Safe/Practical/Afordable) Statement: Ian bassWheel track on a 76 Landcruiser, you can not change more than 30mm, unless you change complete axel
Over the last quarter we have seen both our website members and Facebook followers increase. We now have around 400 members on the website and over 500 likes of the Facebook page.
It would be good to have more members signed into the website, but more importantly we are not there yet with all Presidents or Delegates signed up. In essence as this is about club representation so long as we at least have the President, Delegate or Secretary signed up as a member then all correspondence coming from the mail outs and posts should be available to all clubs.
Each week we get more and more members signing up, so although the take up is not earth shattering it is slowly growing and there are some clubs that we haven’t seen or heard of for a long time having a presence on the site.
Over the past 12 months we have also had a dramatic decrease in the amount of money that our web presence has cost us. To reiterate we now pay $120 per year for our website. This is in comparison to $660 per month it was when I came onto the executive as Communications Manager. True the website isn’t without it’s foibles but the quality of information and the ease of it to put up and access is much easier than the previous site.
We are now in the process of getting up all the new DTU information and this will shortly be available in two ways: special access for DTU specific material to accredited trainers and open access to general DTU documents for registered users.
As for Facebook we are finding this is a very useful way of communicating on all aspects of 4WDing and things associated with 4WDing. Vist http://www.facebook.com/4wdnow and hit Like!
Finally, we are also now in the position to looking at spending marketing dollars to push the Association into more of the public eye. Obviously the issues with EMG / 4WD Action / Roothy has demonstrated the power of Facebook marketing. We are not a full time organization and feel that some paid promotional posts via Facebook are a good way to go. For as little as $50 we can extend our reach to 1,000s of users. This generates likes and then the next time we do it we extend our reach again. Firstly we need to look at a budget for marketing (which ever since I have been on the executive, we’ve never had) and then how to use this to its greatest effect. In effect I think a modest amount of $5,000 over the 12 months should be at least a starting point. That does not mean that we have to spend this, but at least have a ceiling on where we could go. This also does not just have to restrict itself to on-line marketing either.
Craig Thomas added that there is a working Bee on the 26th May. If your club is available please talk to Ken TimminsREGIONSNational Peter Fenwick
There is a report in America stating the the 4WD add $148 Billion to the economy. National would like to get a sililar report to show how much we all contribute to the Austrailia economy.
Sydney - Jim Skinner
Hunter - Rob Kelly - presented by Craig Thomas
South Coast - Lee Dunstan
Bruce "Wombat"Close - Central Coast 4WD club4WD gathering is on in 2014 over easter 18-21 April at Dungogit is a chance to see old friends and make new friendsPlease refer to the website www.4wdgathering.org.au this will be put on the association wesite as a link. Estimates cost will be around the $200 to $250 mark for all meals, entertainment etcRob Knight - Lithgow 4WDC(Please note Rob started this line of questioning and no names were provided afer Robs inital question)Question: What is being done about track closures?
Beef Stake CreekAnswer: It was not graded properly, NP did not do the right thing in this instanceWatagansAnswer: The Watagans are operated by National parks, 4 x State Forests and 1 x conservation area groups these are all in the same region and it is not alway the NP that close the roads. However the roads are gated during and after heavy rain due to some who want for this type of weather and rip up the tracks. It has been noted that a Heavily modified Blue 60 Series and Suzuki are involved. Hunter main trialAnswer: Craig mentioned we can get access for Maintenance. If we can bring monitory value to the surrounding areas, it would make it easier to get them opened. We are working on these
Lime BurnersAnswer: We are trying to get this opened upDaniels point roadAnswer: Generally no damage. At the end of the track, 10 mins to exit point major 4 wheel driving required. Comp trucks use this to test their 4 x 4's. Private properties are have their gates ripped off. Owners have taken videos of this. Police are now involved.There was a gerneral discussion on Camera and Radios for use of obtaining evidence of wrong doerBridal Track - Ian Weal
Answer: The "Bluff' as it is called is dangerous and unrepairableQuestion: Grant Picman (Secretary)Grant put forward that the information provide by Geoff Northcott (Technical) was very informative and that he could not get all that infor into the minutes
All agreed, Grant has ask for Geoff to provide a comprehensive summary of his report to be submitted outside of these minutesMeeting Closed 1.20pmNext Meeting to be held on Saturday 17 August 2013 on the Central Coast, details to be sent ASAPMinutes taken by Grant Picman Secretary NSW and ACT 4wd Association
