b'FFrroommtthheeVPricees idPerenstidentAt the February, 2020 Board meeting re-establishment ofthe Board received the resignation of their lives.our President, Michael Martin. A Our Federal Government has estab-member of the TLCCV, Michael had lished the National Bushfire Recoverybeen with the Board nearly seven years, Agency with an initial fund of $2b. Onefirst as an ordinary Board member, then of the key tasks of this agency is toFOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIA Vice President and recently as work with stakeholders in bushfireThe peak representative body for all President. This period of time has seen affected communities.It is to beVictorian four wheel drivers since 1975 our Association strengthen its position modelled off the Victorian Bushfireas an effective peak body, advocating Reconstruction and Recovery Authorityfor the needs of our members and grow- created after the 2009 Black SaturdayVictoria Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc. ing our relationship with our landPO Box 292 Mitcham Vic 3132 managers. We offer Michael our grate- bushfires. Perhaps a dubious honour,Phone 03 9874 7222 yet recognition of what works.Fax 03 9874 7233 ful, hearty thanks for his work and wish Closer to home, the Victorian Govern-Email office@fwdvictoria.org.au him and his wife all the very best for ment has created a new permanent,Website www.fwdvictoria.org.au their new found freedom to travel and dedicated agency to work with localABN 40 891 301 368 go four-wheel driving across this great communities impacted by the fires. ThisASSN A0013539S land of ours. agency, Bushfire Recovery VictoriaRTO 21605 We have all noticed a massive change (BRV), will be wholly focussed on thePrint Post PP 100005076 has taken place across the Australian needs of Victorian communities, willBOARD OF MANAGEMENT landscape in recent weeks, burning into work closely with locals and ensurethe land a message about the power of recovery projects are locally driven andEXECUTIVE the natural phenomenon of fire. Victoria include local people in the recoveryPresident has been subjected to this massive work.BRV is to be headed up byVice President Colin Oates (Off Peak change in various parts of our state. Former Chief Commissioner of Police,4WDClub)Secretary In our state of Victoria there is a genuine Ken Lay with Lee Miezus, the DeputyDavid Crainean (Pajero 4WDClub) heartfelt response to the needs of those Secretary at the Department ofTreasurer Doug Mitchell affected by the bushfires. Many of our Environment, Land, Water and Planningfour-wheel drive club members are as CEO.Lees extensive experience ofBOARD MEMBERS engaged in helping people as part of fire and emergency managementDavid Roberts (Toyota 4WDClub), Kat the recovery process, spending their includes the recent recovery at WyeMarmara-Stewart (MJOC, Gippsland & weekends and any spare time they can River. Our state authorities areWandering Four Wheelers 4WDClubs),find to help out wherever they can. We recognising the lengthy process ofFred De Gooyer (LROC). are very thankful to those club members recovery after fires.STAFF who have been able to help in the ways Premier Daniel Andrews adds, TheChief Executive OfficerWayne Hevey they can and would encourage you to work ofBushfire Recovery Victoria will(Just Mates 4WDClub) continue and do all you can to encour- focus on the most pressing priorities Office Administrator Alison McLaughlin age others to join in. This generosity of but just as importantly, make sure were(Mansfield Alpine 4WDClub) spirit is part of the Australian way of life; there for the long haul. Our Premier hasAccounts Karl Norman you help a mate when es down. Its an a good point, we will all need to beProjects & Events Officer Ian Fletcher unbeatable approach to take when your there for the long haul. Victoria is still(Melbourne Jeep Owners Club) mates been overtaken by an uncontrol-Training Officer Sheila Douglas lable event and looks around to see going through the long haul followingwhats left and theres very little. the 2009 bushfires.TRACKWATCH Theres been one thing the members of So where are we at with many fires putEditor Brian Tanner (Toyota Land Cruiser our affiliated clubs and their members out by the recent rain while others stillClub of Victoria, Geelong FWDC) burn in those parts of our country whereEmail editor@fwdvictoria.org.au have always doneget in and help we all like to go, stay, enjoy and returnIndividual Contributors when help is needed. Where the impact home? There are many ways in whichBrian Tanner, Ian Fletcher, Wayne Hevey, of the current crop of fires has hap- we can help. Our four-wheel drive clubRussel Dent, Nigel Smith, Alan Sellars, Andy pened, help is going to be needed for a members are amongst the most willingHolland, Ronald Maskell, Carey &Meredith, number of years, not just weeks and helpers. Some have already beenPhil and Gill Leach months. Sustained effort to recover from working to bring essential supplies toProduction Brian Tanner these 2020 fires will need sustained people whose needs are for food andenergy and commitment from all our water. There are already amazing2020 Copy Deadline next issue communities and governments to stories of our fellow Aussies being very1st May for June 2020 issue enable people to cope with the sudden, grateful and moved to the point of tears 1st August for September 2020 issue dramatic change they face and the1st November for December 2020 issue1st February for March 2021 issue All material appearing in Trackwatch magazine is copyright.Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent. Freelance contributions and submissions areAdvertising ceo@fwdvictoria.org.au welcome by this magazine. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, etc. The opinions expressedby contributors are not necessarily those of Four Wheel Drive Victoria. All statements made, although based on informationbelieved to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. Thepublisher reserves the right to omit or alter any article or advertisement. Advertisers agree to indemnify thepublisher for allDesign and Artwork by Brian Tanner damages or liabilities arising from the published material.Cover pix: Mallacoota firesTRACKWATCH MARCH 20201'