ROOKIES'
TRAINING DAY
Parish the thought - let
the games begin!
Special Report from new members, John and
Rose Parish of Sunbury - August '04
As recent purchasers of a new GU Nissan Patrol, (a
decision made after a many hours of research and discussion, mostly
with myself), we were keen to start using it. You see, we wanted to
begin our SAD tour (See Australia and Die). You know, like the rest
of the baby-boomer population that has lived in Australia and has
yet to see it in any detail!
And so, we needed to be trained in how to use a
“Fourby” properly. Once we purchased the big white Nissan truck, it
had to be set up for the trips we were dreaming of—this
I could arrange—and secondly, we needed to make
contact with like-minded persons. The list of four-wheel drive
clubs were scanned to find some close to home. Alas, the Nissan
Club is based in Clayton and visas were just about needed for that
kind of travel. (The Visa stamp looks just like City link
account!). A couple of phone calls to Four Wheel Drive Victoria
identified CITYWEST as a likely club and this was confirmed by via
contact with someone called “The Rev”.
“The Rev” dropped off pamphlets to us and we
discussed it all again. Lots of questions about the desirability of
joining a ‘religious’ 4x4 club—but we decided to go to a
meeting and see what we could discern. (Rose said she swore too
much for her to join a club run by a Reverend!) We attended our
first meeting and after the interesting talk on GPS’s we were, er,
‘converted’ - and joined on the first night! During all this
time I was setting up the Nissan. Rose time and again would say,
“You don’t need to get everything done at once”. I would answer, “I
am not, I am doing it one job at a time. We need to do some of this
up front to do it properly. Besides it is not costing much.” (I
kept on insisting it was not costing much at all, and that seemed
to work OK!) Next we needed to do the basic 4X4 driver proficiency
course to cover the general operations and to allow Rose to
experience what was involved. (I grew up in the Mildura region and
was used to early 4X4 bush vehicles, but not the sophisticated
trucks of today, however.)
Thursday Theory Class: Rose and I turned up
in a cold RSL hall in Greythorn, as directed, and joined two other
members of the club who are trainee instructors. About 12 others
were present, and all novices it seemed, as well. I’m not sure
about Ray from the new Victorian Police 4X4 Club. It seemed to me
he had done a bit of driving before. There was good-natured ribbing
about various 4X4 vehicles occurring throughout the night, and we
were surprised no one really sprang to the defence of Nissans.
(Perhaps it is recognised that they don’t need any defending at
all, really!)
It was a very interesting night. The theory basics
were covered and the instructors tried to make us aware of the
wonderful topics they were required to cover, such as the Code of
Conduct while off-roading, and the basics of 4X4 vehicles. Even
thought I felt I knew it all, to Rose’s complete surprise, I did
not - and I learned some interesting things from the instructors
that I had not considered to date.
For example ...
- The constant reinforcement of the need to keep your vehicle
under control and not have the wheels losing traction, was the
major thing for me; and to reflect on the dangers of keeping the
vehicle in gear and under power on slopes.
- Personal safety
- Vehicle safety
- Environment safety was emphasised over and over.
- Emergency Recovery on slopes.
All a bit esoteric and theoretical at this point, and by 10.15PM
we were sent off with instructions to find our way to the wilds of
Werribee on Saturday. On Friday evening we prepared our food and
clothes for a cold day. In the morning we added some thought to
taking a boat as is seemed it had rained all night. Surely it would
not be on, it would be postponed. No, the morning found little rain
falling so we headed off.
Missed a turn-off on the way and Rose corrected me. (A minor
miracle in itself! Not sure if the miracle was me missing or Rose
correcting). Down the hill and into the 4X4 driving range. Uh, oh -
mud and water everywhere. At the end of the day this was true for
both the inside and the outside of the Nissan. Wind
from the south - and direct from Antarctica. Cold and strong. Long
coats and maximum time in vehicles with heaters on full blast was
the order of the day.
We were split into two groups and we managed to somehow have
Milton and Mark attached to us as well. We were well catered for in
instructors. First off, we had an inspection of vehicles, the
pointing out of key features, and important things such as recovery
points etc. We will not mention the old Subaru that appeared part
way through the vehicle inspection. The Sub was without many
features considered essential for normal on road driving! Like
unlimited speed for example. It seemed to dart everywhere over the
day. The only thing that stopped it was the logs, due to clearance
issues and only then because the instructors stopped it. Someone
said it was not roadworthy but I didn’t have a good look at it,
myself.
Back to the inspections and our Nissan was finally approached.
“Now here is a vehicle obviously with lots of money spent on it”,
the instructor started. “Heaps of money spent on extras”. “Great,
thanks Will”, I thought. I’d told Rose it was all cheap. Sprung! We
examined the 50mm lift and heavy-duty shocks – it passed
muster OK. Now it was on to the obstacles — this was fun. Not
even the cold was noticed as those outside vehicles walked up and
down in the mud instructing and observing. The Nissan was baptized
in 4X4 low range, baptized in mud, rocks, logs, ditches and sundry
other obstacles and we enjoyed driving it.
Rose went first in most obstacles, and by the sound of the
screams and squeals, it was going well. This was serious fun, and
serious training, as the instructors continually reinforced the
basic steps. Lunch was in the hut while we were sharing our
experiences with other participants. There was genuine excitement
by all in what they were doing. After lunch, it was back into
various aspects of mud - and more mud. Mud in hollows, mud in
ditches, mud in water - mud in your eye!
Finally, we did some river crossing, and had lessons on snatch
straps, including watching a Nissan saving another Nissan. Not so
muddy. Most of the mud was now inside the vehicles! The day ended
with the ceremonial presentation of Proficiency Certificates.
Instructors deemed we had done sufficient suffering in mud and
cold, and had not damaged vehicles or persons so we all passed.
We both appreciated the patient and very experienced instructors
and their style of delivery. It was a great day and we greatly
appreciated learning the techniques needed to safely operate a
vehicle off road, and how to protect our environment at the same
time. It was good fun—but we were both glad to get home.
When I got home, I went to wash the Nissan and remove most of
the mud, and to get dinner. A long day ended with hot showers and
Fish ‘n Chips. Rose and I loved the experience and sincerely
recommend it to all. I now know Rose appreciates all the work
I HAVE to do on the truck rather than pruning the
trees. The training is fantastic for novices. Just try not to do it
after heavy rain, and on one of the coldest days of the year. Oh
yeah, does anyone need some topdressing—I have to find a home
for all the mud removed from the carpets? Anyone sell rubber
mats?
- John & Rose Parish
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