b'CLUB SPOTLIGHT FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIACenter spreadTHYEARSANNIVERSARYL ets celebrate! The Victorian Four-wheel Driveand no air bags, we now carry in our rigs all the mod-Club (VFWDC) is hitting the big 5-0, and werecons like 12V fridges, high-tech winches and LED ready to party! Its been half a century oflighting.adventure and camaraderie, and were gearingLooking back over the years, weve run many trips up for some serious fun. Weve rolled out the birthdayto places such as the High Country, Cape York, Simpson cake - its got so many candles on it that youd think weDesert and Tassie. Weve even covered some of the were sitting round a campfire! Grab yourself a coldlesser traveled routes such as following the Tropic of bevvy, settle in and join us as we raise a toast to ourCapricorn, the Anne Bedell Highway, Canning Stock rich history and the amazing memories weve madeRoute and the Gibb River Road. along the way.Many of our longer term members have enjoyed From our humble beginnings back in 74 whenwatching their kids grow up with the club, starting founding members Rob McKay and Dennis Cousinsout as backseat passengers to eventually wheeling dreamt up trips (think Simpson Desert type stuff!) atit on their own.But even after our kiddy members a church hall in Dandenong to being one of the drivinghave all but grown up, they just love busting out the forces and a foundational member club of Four Wheelmarshmallows when were around a campfire.Drive Victoria, its been quite the ride In the spirit of volunteering, we have on many Here at VFWDC, weve seen it all!From the daysoccasions been involved with things like the annual of waitlists and maxed-out memberships to our firstOxfam Christmas tree deliveries, clean up the bush and trips to Bells Flat (its so secret that you wont findtrack clearing exercises, supporting Blaze Aid after it now that Thompson Dam sits over it) and beyond.bush fires and providing other forms of community Were a very proud, diverse and all-inclusive cluband event based support.that promotes and values our everyone is welcomeAs we look back on the past 50 years, we cant help philosophy.but wonder what the future holds. Will we stick to the Safety and education have always been at oursame old rutted tracks or start to blaze new trails in core, with proficiency courses led by our very capableour plug in EVs and hybrids? Whatever comes next, team of volunteer instructors, and a strong focus onwe know well face it together, with the same spirit of responsible off-roading. Youd be amazed at howadventure thats kept us going all these years.much additional confidence our members have afterSo if youre up for it, come join us for a month-long completing their driver training, often passing with flying colours. celebration, including a camping weekend away at Our fleet has evolved over the years too, fromAberfeldy (the closest that we could get to our clubs classic Cruisers and Patrols to more modern rigs likefirst bush camp down at Bells Flat) and a special Rangers and Discos (thats also bush speak for thedinner at Club Noble. Heres to 50 years of friendship, folks at Parks Vic attending a bush dance!).From firstcommunity, and unforgettable adventures. Hip hip having fourbies with no seat belts, no air-conditioninghooray and a very happy 50th birthday VFWDC!14 TRACKWATCH|September 2024'