b'In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VICTORIA S ince the AGM its been a busy 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 Islander peoples today.FROM THEPRESIDENTtime for the Board, and I would like to welcome our The peak representative body for all two newest members to the Victorian four wheel drivers since 1975 board Robyn and Gareth.Victoria Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Inc. In October Craig and I had a face-to-face PO Box 6/27 Thornton Cres, Mitcham 3132 meeting with Steve Dimopoulos MP who holds Phone 03 9874 7222 several ministerial portfolios being Minister for Email office@fwdvictoria.org.au Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Website www.4wdvictoria.org.au Events and Minister for Outdoor Recreation. The ABN 40 891 301 368, ASSN A0013539S, RTO 21605 meeting was very productive, and we discussed Print Post PP 100005076 many of the activities that clubs are involved in such as track clearing, clean up the bush, invasive species TRACKWATCH removal, camp hosting, volunteer training and other Editors Four Wheel Drive Victoria team programs. For the 2024 financial year period clubs Email editor@fwdvictoria.org.au contributed to more than 15,000 volunteer hours. Individual Contributors Craig Ryan, Eric Bishop, This would be the equivalent of eight full time Daniel Whitby, Manda Gladstone, Gareth Milloy, Prueemployees if employed at DEECA or Parks Victoria Hasler, Sue Markham and Vivian Lee. needed to complete these tasks. I am also aware that 2025 Copy Deadline next issue not all volunteer hours are reported back and would 15th February for Summer 2025 issuelike to encourage clubs too report back no matter 15th May for Winter 2025 issuehow small the work or time15th August for August 2025 issueFollowing on, in November we were invited to 15th November for Spring 2025 issue participate in a Recreation and Tourism Stakeholder Advertising operations@fwdvictoria.org.au Workshop in Shaping the Future of Victorias Design and Artwork by Jaz Effect Design State Forests with the Great Outdoors Taskforce. Cover picture: Toyota Land Cruiser Club VictoriaThe workshop was a great opportunity to meet with other community and interest groups, all who expressed similar interest in a caring for All material appearing in Trackwatch magazine isour forests and parks. We know that accessing copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictlyour forests for 4WDing, recreation and tourism forbidden without prior written consent. Freelanceand improving our biodiversity and conservation contributions and submissions are welcome by thisefforts can go hand in hand. We are hopeful that an magazine. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicitedoutcome of the workshop is to create and develop manuscripts, photographs, etc. The opinions expressedopportunities where we can find new ways of by contributors are not necessarily those of Four Wheelworking together and prioritising projects based Drive Victoria. All statements made, although based onon each stakeholders knowledge and experience. information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannotIf you havent done so we invite you to complete be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be acceptedthe Great Outdoor Taskforce survey by 12 Jan 2025. for error or omission. The publisher reserves the rightThere is both a written and a map survey where you to omit or alter any article or advertisement. Advertiserscan provide feedback on specific areas which can agree to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.TRACKWATCH|Summer 2024 3'