I was born in Box Hill, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, December the 23rd of December. 1959, to Barbara and Mervyn Couper, Middle of three sons... Michael the youngest and Graeme the eldest. 

The Couper family moved over to Perth. Western Australia in 1968 on holiday. The family never went home to Melbourne from this Western holiday. The incentive to stay in Perth was due to Mothers health as she is an Asthmatic. Her asthma had notably improved by the climatic conditions here in Perth, Western Australia.

My education was state school based in primary school and onto private education in secondary school - namely 'Wesley College'. Went onto achieving a trade certificate in the Printing Industry, toped the industry in being a lecturer of the trade within Central Metropolitan College of TAFE. I was in this industry for the better part of 20 years.

My 4WD interests date back to the early 80's. It was my brother-in-law (Neves Brooks) that got me interested in this awesome recreational activity.  He introduced me to the WA 4WD Club of Western Australia, but I did most of the early 4WD trips with a group of very good friends... Mark (Captain) and Dave Peacock and Paul Robertson (Robbo). Captain and his brother Dave went onto starting a driver training organisation called '4WD Encounter', They still were very much involved in 4WDing but did concentrate more on the commercial side of the activity. I lost contact with them for sometime whilst they were operating such a worthy organisation. Robbo stayed in contacts with me off the beaten track from the very early days, early 1980's. 

In the mid to early 90's, another group of very good and dear mates, Julian Matthews (The Hooligan) and Dave Welch (Scrounger) and I started an unofficial 4WD group (internet based - communications) simply called 'West Coast 4X4'. Captain got involve in West Coast 4X4  in the mid to late 90's. Captain and I identified the need for West Coast 4X4 to become an official 4WD club due to litigation issues related to 'duty of care' whilst in a group off-road. Captain and I went about setting a constitution. One that would be unique to the easy operation of a 4WD club. West Coast 4X4 is now referred to... in it's full entirety, West Coast 4X4 (Inc) 4WD Club and was incorporated in 1997. 

West Coast 4x4 (Inc) 4WD Club senior (loyal and honorable) members work very hard at containing any negative politics and place a real emphasis on continuous improvements in all areas in terms of the smooth running of this fantastic and very active 4WD club. I am still very proud to be part of this incredible 4WD club, enjoying the company of great, loyal and honorable friends, enjoying great activities and great times together.

With the help of my wife, I now run and operate Ultimate 4WD Training with the help of key West Coast 4x4 (Inc) 4WD Club members, our focus now is directed at the commercial sector but still enjoy training at the recreational level, its just good fun.

The last 25 years of 4WDing for me has been a fantastic fulfilling experience. I have met some very wonderful people that I do not make any excuses for stating they are all very good friends. We have enjoyed some great times off-road together and only the rare occasions, not so good times working on constitutional and structural projects behind the scenes. At the end of the day, we are still all MATES! and still enjoy very much each others company around good campfire off the beaten track ;-)

I will be 4WDing as long as I am physically capable. It will be a very, very, very sad day when that horrible day cometh and 4WDing has to be given the flick! In the mean time its all about...

JUST 4WDing!

Keep Wheelin, Folks!

 
www.ultimate4wdtraining.com.au | 08 9402 9248 | 0428 519 250 | info@ultimate4wdtraining.com.au

Some Trivia...

Froggy has only EVER owed 3 4WD vehicles, they were/are...

• 1976 40 Series SWB Land Cruiser 2F 4.2L (bought 2nd hand)

• 1989 62' Series LWB Land Cruiser 3F 4L (bought brand new)

• 2006 Series IV Nissan Patrol - 3L intercooled turbo diesel (bought brand new)