TRAX 4WD Fellowship

Saturday 20th June saw our “shortest day of the year” trip to the Kurrajong Radio Museum and Burralow Picnic ground at Kurrajong.

Trip Leader Phillip Favaloro writes:
“We all met at the radio museum and were greeted by Ian (the Proprietor). Outside was an array of different types of aerials. Inside it was wall to wall radios and the buzz of Morse keys. There was the Broadcast Control Room and even a room full of AWA equipment. Ian spoke to use about the history of radio and was very informative. Lunch was supposed to be at Burralow picnic area but the gates were locked. We ended up at Upper Colo Reserve for lunch and stayed until late afternoon”.

TRAX Fax version

Kurrajong Radio Museum
20^th June 2015

I had organised for everyone to meet at 9:30am at the museum. On the way we passed Peter & Laura who were on the side of the road. They followed us  but I lost sight of them at the Nelson turn off. Near Kurmond we heard Truck on the  CB and replied.  He was not far away and Disco One informed me he was a few cars behind.

We arrived at the museum and was greeted by Ian, the owner.  He had Anzac biscuits and was going inside to put the kettle on for morning tea. We waited for everyone to arrive before going to inside.  Peter had stopped off at Richmond markets.  Hugh and Dagmar were last to arrive. There were six vehicles in the trip’s convey.

Outside was an array of different types of aerials. Going inside it was wall to wall radios and the buzz of Morse keys. We all wondered around for a while and then had some morning tea. There was the Broadcast Control Room and even a room full of AWA equipment. There were radios from the outback, tanks, ships and aircraft. There were car radios, aerial wires with spider webs and even an emergency communications port. You had to yell.  I even found a mobile phone. They called them bricks. Ian even had a pair of Playmaster speakers from the 70s.

If you have an old radio that needs repair then maybe Ian can get it working for you. Or you could just donate it to the museum. He has purchased expensive equipment and paid little for it. People just add to his collection.

Ian then gathered us together and spoke to use about the history of radio. He demonstrated some of the early radios and broadcasting equipment. It was interesting to hear about who he knew and who had visited the museum. Ian was very informative. We had our last look before leaving.

After we thanked Ian for showing us his collect of radios, we headed up the hill to Barrowlow picnic ground. I was leading and reminded the group of convoy procedures.  Eventually we were on Barrowlow Rd when we came across as vehicle coming towards us. We reached the gate and found it locked, so we decided to try the other entrance at Paterson Ridge Fire Trail. Matt lead us to our new destination and guess what, the gate was locked. Burrowlow was off limits.  Now  to plan C. We decided to go down to Wheeny Creek.  The picnic area is beside the road and should not be locked off.  We ended up at Upper Colo Reserve for lunch. The area is in a more sunny location and stayed until late afternoon. We went home via the Putty Rd. and Windsor.

Looking forward to the next trip. See you on the tracks and our next trip.

trips@trax.org.au

The Glen

The Glen – Abercrombie National Park –  Multi club event – June 2015 long weekend

The NSW 4WD Association held a multi club event at The Glen on the June long weekend. The Glen is a new addition to the Abercrombie NP and was lease hold land used for farming. There have been a few working bees to clean the place up and this was a relaxing weekend to say thank you.

We were meeting at Felled Timber Rd. Porters Retreat between 9 & 9:30am on Saturday.  I decided to go up Friday and stay at Black Springs. I arrived in the late afternoon and decided to check out the meeting place 15 minutes up the road just past Shooters Hill Rd.  I returned and set up camp, had tea and went to bed. The alarm was set for 7:00am.  I was hoping to get up and leave by 8:30.

The place was cold and I awoke to frost on the car and tent. I started to pack up and everything was cold and wet.  Including me. A bowl of cereal and two hours later I was ready to leave.  Needless to say l arrived last.  At least I didn’t have to get up at 4am.

I went and introduced myself to the others and spoke to Lee (the organizer). We waited until 9:30am and headed off to The Glen. I was Tail End Charlie. On the way we spotted some wild emus. We crossed a water way a few times and on the other side was The Glen. There is nice flat area for camping.  Every one hustled for a good spot.  Lee knew / found the best spot.  After we had set up, Lee gave us a guided tour of the area.  We checked out the huts, shearing shed. There is still a lot of cleaning up needed to the area. Today was just a relaxing day. Happy Hour was scheduled for 4pm and the fire place prepared. When the time came the fire was lit and food came out.  The sun was setting and you could feel the cold.  The fire was raging but it was time for dinner.  So I went back to my tent and cooked and ate my meal. Others were doing the same. Some of use spent time back at the fire before going to bed.

The next morning we rose had breakfast and we were going for a drive about 10am. Lee gathered use together for a briefing and Ken from Black Diamond was leading the trip. Lee was going Tail End Charlie.  There were a few staying behind and relaxing.

Our drive would be taking us around the perimeter of the park. Our first stop was Ledinghams Hut and it is a wattle and daub hut (timber and mud). We went to The Beach for lunch.  A stretch of sand by the Abercrombie River. The drive was uneventful except for one section and the scenery was beautiful. There was one steep section.  One vehicle got winched up and Lee guided use through. We walked the track to find the best line. There were a few women who felt it better to walk than take the drive.  Lee’s wife Nicole showed the boy’s how to do it and made it look easy as she crawled the Landcruiser up the hill. We arrived back at camp after dark. Thank goodness a few people stayed to light the fire and organise happy hour.

The weekend was coming to an end. It was Monday and time to go home. We all had breakfast and wait for our tents to dry. A few packed up early and headed off. The rest of us waited and headed of together.  We went to Licking Hole Hut for lunch. This is a historic cattle yard where they put out salt for the cattle to lick. We then drove back to the meeting place at Porters Retreat. I turned left towards Shooters Hill while everyone else turned south and home.

TRAX flew the flag and I look forward to the next multi club event.

See you on the tracks and then next club event.

trips@trax.org.au