b'In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIA Islander peoples today.The peak representative body for allVictorian four wheel drivers since 1975Victoria Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc. FROM THEPO Box 6/27 Thornton Cres, Mitcham 3132 PRESIDENTPhone 03 9874 7222 W elcome to 2024 with Email office@fwdvictoria.org.auWebsite www.4wdvictoria.org.au a summer that is ABN 40 891 301 368 becoming more and ASSN A0013539S more unpredictable RTO 21605 as time goes on. We are into the bushfire season so Print Post PP 100005076 make sure you prepare your trips with that in mind. BOARD OF MANAGEMENTThe Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria conducted EXECUTIVE their annual 4x4 Show at Lardner Park south of President Eric Bishop (TLCCV) Drouin again this year. We were extremely pleased Vice President Fred De Gooyer (LROCV) to see that the Victorian land managers, DEECA, and Secretary Ian Fletcher (MJOC) Parks Victoria our partners in the Victorian Advisory Treasurer Albert Giorgini (LROC) Committee to the Minister of Environment as well as BOARD MEMBERS the Office of the Conservation Regulator were all there Gordon Porter (Everest 4WD Club), David van Zantenand extremely well represented. A very successful (Albury-Wodonga 4WD Club, Wangaratta 4WD Club),show indeed.Athol Clayton (Victorian Police Four Wheel Drive Club)The most pressing issues we have at the moment and John Toogood (Yarra Valley 4x4 Club).STAFF are that Wayne Hevey is retiring in July this year Chief Executive Officer Wayne Hevey and a replacement is becoming very important. The (Just Mates Amarok Club of Vic 4WD Club) Board has employed a specialist HR Company to Office Administrator Jo Somerfield (Pajero 4WD Club) source the right person to head up a Not-for-Profit Accounts Di Hodgson organisation. We will never find another Wayne so Projects & Events Officer Daniel WhitbyRTO Compliance Micah Spedding the right person must be sourced. It is intended for TRACKWATCH that person to have a long-term handover so it will Editors Four Wheel Drive Victoria team be prudent to employ that person around April. Email editor@fwdvictoria.org.au We are predominantly interested in someone from Individual Contributors Wayne Hevey, Eric Bishop,within the FWDV fraternity with the right skills to Daniel Whitby, Greg Rose, Marcel Gompert, Mat Mason,manage the Association.Prue Hasler, Andrew Mortlock, Ellen-Jane Brown andThe next issue is the recent VEAC report David Jenkinson. 2024 Copy Deadline next issue covering Central Highlands from Melbourne East to 9th February for March 2024 issue approximately Walhalla North to Seymour and West 10th May for June 2024 issue to Alexandra. In our view we need to investigate if 9th August for September 2024 issue it maintains an unknown agenda for the future of 7th November for December 2024 issue the Victorian State forests and the like which may Advertising projects@fwdvictoria.org.au be amalgamated into National Parks. However, Design and Artwork by Jaz Effect Design the Board has decided to go in hard on this one Cover picture: Dry Gully track recovery 4 - AMAROK Clubto establish the full agenda within this report. of Victoria. This matter is high on the agenda of the Victorian All material appearing in Trackwatch magazine is copyright.Advisory Committee which we share with DEECA Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden withoutand Parks Victoria. Should you read the report and prior written consent. Freelance contributions and submissions are welcome by this magazine. No responsibility is acceptedfind anything that bothers you please contact the for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, etc. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of FourFWDV office and register your observations or Wheel Drive Victoria. All statements made, although based oncomplaints. At this moment we are concerned that information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any article or advertisement. Advertisers agree to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material. TRACKWATCH|March 2024 3'