2003 Offsring 4WD Trip

Well what a 4WD trip, everything went to plan just perfectly. On time, on schedule, no major breakdowns or accidents, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. This was to be the first Off-Spring 4WD trip to Gray, though I did recognise one or two from previous Siblings trips to Gray on this 4WD trip.

This 4WD trip was in fact the 7th annual 4WD event to Gray and the 8th CanTeen 4WD trip as we have done two this year.

Yanchep activities.

Arriving - Lancelin.

Nat... What are you doing?

It all started with CanTeen getting in touch with the 4WD fraternity via someone that no one can remember who took the very first trip on. Though Opposite Lock, Eureka 4WD, Rob Robson and Western 4WDriver have all played a part in the early years.

I have participated on 7 of these 4WD trips and have done two of them this year. I have lead in the capacity of convoy trips leader for the last 4 of the 7 4WD trips. A HUGE amount of organisation goes into the setup of these trip, such as...

Liaising with the Army to gain access via the bombing Range
Liaising with the Dandaragan Shire and CALM office that we will be in the area, seeking any particular requirement we had to take on board such as...
- Obeying fire bands.
- Restricted access to certain areas and negotiate access.
Liaising with CanTeen.
Liaising with Drivers from West Coast 4X4 and Armadale 4WD Clubs.
And then putting the whole thing together, 2 itinerary's, one for the CanTeen Members and one for the drivers, then marrying them up so that everything flowed.

Negotiating high tide.

George on descent.

A special thanks has to go to Natalie Long and her team of leaders, especially Maria as it was her first trip out in the elements. Seb and Jenny for doing such a fine job of team leaders over the weekend.

Also a HUGE thanks to the Gray Shack Community. Their hospitality... one word that comes to mind... PRICELESS. These guys put in a HUGE effort to make the Members of CanTeen feel very comfortable in sometimes trying conditions and they have NEVER hesitated for the past 7 years to open their doors of warmth and open friendly kindness to CanTeen. These people are some of the most open hearted people I have ever met and they all NEED a medal for what they contribute in this area and especially with what they so unselfishly contribute to CanTeen. The Gray Shacks are under review and could be cleared, this would be a great shame and a loss for the community.

A special thanks must go to the drivers for putting such undivided trust into the trips leader. This trip would not have gone nearly as well without the full and unquestionable support of my team of driver volunteers. On many occasion you were all congratulated by your passengers on a regular basis. Anyone could go and ask any of the Members of CanTeen... what do you feel was the best part of the weekend? and the answer was always the same... the 4WDing! I personally congratulate all of you for your contribution over the weekend. You ALL helped make this trip an absolute pleasure to lead from the front.

The Pizza Hut

Sock wrestling

Gotcha!

Some word of encouragement to the Members (young people) of CanTeen... none of us live in a perfect world and not many of us truly understand why circumstances happen the way they do, it is indeed a weird world we live in. I suppose some of you might one day ask yourselves, 'why do you drivers take us on such 4WD trips when you can take your own families and do your OWN thing?' Well, its like this guys, we like to have a perfect world too! and when we are out there in the bush, its as close to a perfect world as we think we can get and I know I am speaking on behalf of ALL the drivers when I say this... its just fantastic sharing OUR perfect world with young people like you... and you can all now appreciate what we experience when we get out in the great outdoors. Its a chance to share OUR PERFECT WORLD WITH YOU! And the only reward for us that keeps us happy is listening to you guys coming out of your shells and just being yourselves. And I think most of you all achieved that by the feedback I was getting on the radio's on the way home. Just fantastic. Onya guys ;-)

Chris & Michelle's Camp

Beautiful Indian Sunset

Hope to see you next year ;-) Enjoy all the pics, trip reports and good luck, take care - God Speed everyone... up and down that mighty great 4WD track in the sky (hey Brettski?) and above all, keep all ya black rubber facing DOWN!

Cheers for now,

Froggy - Driver trips leader.

West Coast 4X4 (Inc) 4WD Club

Website: http://www.westcoast4x4.com.au/

West Coast 4X4 (Inc) 4WD Club... Just 4WDing.

Get ya gear OFF - road!