| Ridge and Ruts - September 2025 edition |
|
The Four Wheel Drive Victoria 50th Anniversary is now one month away, taking place from 17 to 19 October. Ticket sales and camping spots are filling fast. Bookhere
The National 4x4 Outdoors show was deliveredfrom22-24 August,withover32,000 peopleattending. FWDV partnered with Saber Offroadandpresenteda new activation for live recovery demonstrations across the three days.
FWDV has boosted its partnership with DEECA to support visitation data in State Forests by placing TRAFx vehicle and pedestrian counters in strategic locations.This data is important as DEECA uses it to plan how resources areallocatedfor maintenance, upgrades to facilities (including 4WD tracks), patrolling and compliance, and other key activities. By supporting DEECA to collect better visitation information, we will becontributing tovaluable insights that help highlight the importance of recreation in state forests and strengthen the case for further investment.
The first of three Clean up the Bush special projects in partnership with DEECA and Parks Victoria will be delivered over the next nine months. The first one will be at Mt Disappointment on 15 November 2025, with further details and how to get involvedhere
The 4WD Regional Representatives meeting is scheduled for 8-9 November in Thornton, with key delegates across the state attending, including Parks Victoria and DEECA, to discuss boosting ways to advocate for continuous track access, wins, challenges, strategy, and more.
The new trial of the rolling volunteer data link is progressing with already 1,183 volunteer hours in two months, with 13,310 KMs travelled for volunteering already submitted. Clubs and members can submit post-projectshere
Track clearingconductedby clubs and the community will commence across the state in late Octoberto ensure tracks are available for visitors to safely access remote parts of parks throughout the year.
View the Parks Victoria seasonal road closureshereand DEECA closureshere
Craig Ryan and FWDV Team
|
|
Join Us for Four Wheel Drive Victoria’s 50th Anniversary Celebration!
We’re turning 50 and you’re invited to celebrate with us!
From17 to 19 October, Four Wheel Drive Victoria will be hosting a special50th Anniversary EventinMerrijig, and we’d love to see you there. This milestone marks five decades of adventure, advocacy, and community in the four wheel drive world, and we’re pulling out all the stops to make it a weekend to remember.
Expect a fantastic lineup of activities, entertainment, and opportunities to connect with fellow four wheel drivers from across the state. Whether you’re a long time member or new to the community, this is your chance to be part of something truly special.
All are welcome — bring your family, friends, and club mates!
Tickets are on sale now, so don’t miss outtickets here
Let’s celebrate the journey, the people, and the passion that have made Four Wheel Drive Victoria what it is today. We can’t wait to see you there!
|
|
National 4x4 Show a Resounding Success for Four Wheel Drive Victoria
Four Wheel Drive Victoria was proud to be part of the National 4x4 Outdoors Show, which proved to be a fantastic event for the off-road community. The show was buzzing with energy, and our stand attracted a steady stream of visitors keen to learn more about responsible four-wheel driving, track access, and club membership.
A huge thank you goes out to the incredible volunteers from our affiliated clubs who generously gave their time to assist on the Four Wheel Drive Victoria stand. Their enthusiasm, knowledge, and friendly approach made a lasting impression on attendees and helped showcase the strength and spirit of our community.
We also want to acknowledge the clubs that hosted their own stands at the show. Your displays were engaging, informative, and a great representation of the diverse experiences and opportunities available through club membership.
Events like these highlight the importance of collaboration and community in the four-wheel drive world. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the show such a success - we couldn’t have done it without you!
|
|
What's On:
October 2025:
6: FWDV Annual General Meeting
17-19: FWDV 50th Anniversaryregister here
November 2025:
8-9 Regional Representatives meeting #2 2025 - at Alexandra
15 Clean up the Bush project, Mt Disappointment
19-23 November - Friends of Wonnangatta Valley
The Friends of Wonnangatta Valley have requested four helpers for 2 days or eight helpers for a day. If more were willing to help the Green Hut also needs a clean-up. Any rakes, brooms, whipersnipers or mowers would be helpful. Hats, boots etc also needed. Contact them directly or feel free to contact the FWDV office.
https://www.facebook.com/friendsofwonnangattavalley
|
|
Victorian 4wd Centre
Last year, Four Wheel Drive Victoria and the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria jointly purchased a factory in Rowville with a view to developing the site to become their permanent home.The factory is currently vacant following completion of demolition works removing the majority of the existing office fit-out.LROCV has been able to use the property for mailing nights and special interest group meetings, and will continue to do so until building works commence.
While the process has taken longer than anticipated, there has been considerable work undertaken by a joint Property Management Committee (PMC) who together with an architect, Graeme Parker from Building Designed – Warragul, have been working on developing a design that meets the requirements of both parties.The design is now essentially finalised, floor plans, elevations and other diagrams produced and so the PMC is now able to move forward with other consultants.
A building surveyor, Watershed Building Consultants, has been engaged to review the plans to ensure they meet building code regulations.Watershed will remain engaged as we require building permits and certification on completion.A civil & structural engineering firm, Chris O’Brien & Co has been appointed to design and calculate all the structural requirements for the mezzanine construction and the PMC is working with MEP Engineering to identify the mechanical requirements related to air movement and ventilation, which will result in a design we can take to mechanical contractors to obtain quotes for supply and installation.
At the same time, submissions have been made to Knox Council to request a Change of Use permit, which is necessary to support our intended uses being both a ‘place of assembly’ and ‘office’.A submission was also made requesting a reduction in the number of Council mandated car parking spaces, as there is minimal parking on-site, but plenty of roadside parking in the court and surrounding streets.This latter request was supported by a traffic impact assessment report developed by RedSquare Traffic. The PMC also reached out to many local businesses who have generously agreed to allow after hours parking in their spaces further increasing parking availability.
Knox Council are completing their final review of the submissions and we expect their approval to be given shortly.
The final cost to complete the project has not yet been determined however now that a design has been produced and initial contractors engaged the PMC is working to develop a detailed cost plan and identify funding requirements for further review and approval by the owners.The PMC comprises of four FWDV committtee and three LROCV committee, with FWDV being the chair for the next 12 months
Multiple fee proposals have been sought prior to all engagements and the PMC selected contractors based on experience, capability and price to ensure a competitive outcome for the owners.It is anticipated that much of the building work will be able to be completed by volunteers with support from registered contractors where required.The PMC will be calling for interested volunteers to register their willingness to support the project.Current floor plans have been uploaded to both LROCV and Four Wheel Drive Victoria websites for review by members and the PMC will continue to provide updates as the project continues.Please direct any queries topmc.vic4wdcentre@gmail.com
|
|
New volunteering data submission link
Clubs are now starting to use the new volunteering data submission link which is great. The data is for activities such as track clearing, hut-rebuilding, clean up the bush, flora and fauna projects, disaster relief, community/special work, and much more.
Data will then be reported to the government, Parks Victoria, DEECA, and other relevant bodies frequently.
Note that the FWDV link will not replace the Parks Victoria (PV)ParkConnect(PC) platform, as that is for approved PV activities. Clubs, members, and groups are encouraged to still use and submit via PC, but our preference is to submit via the FWDV link as a priority and step one.
Process:
1) Clubs or groups to assign one representative to collect the requested information from each activity.
2) One representative to submit the information as soon as possible, post-project/activity.
View and submitvolunteeringhere
The live link is also available via the resources section on the FWDV websitehere, and will be available on our social media platforms shortly
|
|
4wd Courses with FWDV
The Proficiency Courseis a non-accredited course. This means that you still receive a high level of training, but you are not assessed. To view course outline: click here
For the ladies, we have a ladies only course with our wonderful female instructors:
Theory via Teams -22nd October (evening session) and Practical at Toolangi training ground - Sunday 26th October 2025. Click hereto enrol.
For all other Proficiency 4wd courses, see here
Upcoming Accredited 3 Unit Courses
Note all sessions must be attended.
This is an accredited course which combines the following 3 units of competency.
- FWPCOT3325 - Operate a 4wd on unselaed roads
- FWPCOT3326 - Recover four wheel drive vehicles
- FWPCOT3329 - Perform complex 4x4 operations
For more information regarding our Accedited 4wd courses, clickhere
To learn about the difference between an accredited and non accredited course please view our student handbook byclicking here.
Use the link here to find upcoming accredited courses:4wd training
For 4wd Training FAQ's:click here
Please click on the club members discount code to obtain your discount when enrolling into a course.
RTO 21605
|
|
Welcome New Clubs - Jatt 4x4 Club
Welcome to our newest affiliated club, Jatt 4x4 Club. We are looking forward to seeing you out on the tracks and involved with FWDV.
|
|
Lifeblood
Demand for blood reached record levels over winter, coinciding with the highest appointment cancellation rates since the pandemic, severely impacting the blood supply. If you’ve never donated before, now is the time to starthttps://links.lifeblood.com.au/ASlj/bhp5fxh7. Donors of all blood types are needed, help us find them by spreading the word. #lifebloodau
|
|
Slithering into snake season - from DEECA
As temperatures rise, snakes become more active, emerging from a period of reduced activity to seek food and mates. While they may be more visible, snakes generally pose little danger to people when left alone.
Lachlan Clarke, Manager Statewide Wildlife Advisory Services at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) said: “Most snake bites occur when people try to capture or kill them.”
“The most effective way to stay safe is to simply leave them alone. This includes keeping pets on leads in areas where snakes are known to occur," he said.
Remember:
- Keep your yard tidy,clear away clutter like timber piles and rocks.
- Supervise pets,keep dogs on a lead and watch pets closely in high-risk areas. If you suspect a bite, seek immediate veterinary care.
- Dress for the occasion,when out walking, wear long pants and proper shoes.
- Don’t try to catch or harm a snake. Call a licensed snake catcher instead.
- In the case of a bite, call 000 immediately.
Snakes are protected under theWildlife Act 1975, and capturing, harming, or killing them is illegal. You can report wildlife crime to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.
For more information contact DEECA on 136 186.
For essential snake bite first aid information, visithere
|
Follow us on social media!
|
|
Having trouble reading this email?View it in your web browser.
The message was sent toiantfletcher@gmail.com. If you do not want to receive these emails from Four Wheel Drive Victoria in the future, you canunsubscribe.
This is an authorised email sent byFour Wheel Drive VictoriausingrevolutioniseSPORT.
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Four Wheel Drive Victoria. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Four Wheel Drive Victoria (and revolutioniseSPORT) accept no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.
Powered by
 |
|
|