b' News from FWDVCEO NewsI would like to make In late November we had the opportunity Four wheel drive funding boostcomment on the to meet with the Hon. Lily D Ambrosio,incredible response Minister for Energy, Environment and $10.5 million has been allocated by theyou, our members have Climate Change, accompanied by her Victorian State Government to upgrademade and continue to make, in the two senior advisors along with Sarah seven of the states iconic 4WD tracks,volunteering efforts to assist our farmers Crute, Richard Wadsworth, Scott as well as other tracks and facilitiesand friends who have suffered enormous Edwards from DELWP, Kylie Trott, across Victoria.losses due to the fires over the recent Graeme Baxter, Bart Smith from PV at The 4WD tracks marked for upgrademonths. I have been amazed and the Mansfield DELWP/PV offices. The include Wonnangatta, the Otways,pleased at the uptake of willing helpers aim of this event was to transport the Snowy River, Davies Plain, Grampians,since the call went out shortly after the parties up to Telephone Box Junction Mallee and River Red Gum Drive.new year came in, with numerous and then onto Circuit track to Craigs An additional $945,000 will improve sixactivities being carried out right across Hut, where we could discuss not only campsites in the Alpine National Park,the state. the wonderful scenic outlook but more Howqua Hills and Mansfield StateAlmost immediately the Victorian Police importantly why we are so passionate Forest, with better signage and toilet4WD Club and their Blue Green Crew, about the landscape we travel in. This facilities, and new fire rings and picnicthe Werribee 4WD Club, the Albury then led to the discussion on our tables.Wodonga 4WD Club all called for attitude to the social and economic The investment will boost tourism indonations of food and or money used to benefits which stem from four-wheel rural and remote communities - support-purchase necessities which were then drivers pursuing their pastime, enjoying ing local businesses and jobs. Four-delivered to central points for transport the outdoors and spending money in wheel drive clubs, along with conserva-and future delivery to those in need. isolated communities which have been tion and tourism operators, inject moreThese further actions were then well affected by policies and decisions from than $120 million into the regionalsupported by numerous other members governments past and present. economy annually.from our Association clubs such as the The funding which has been promised Camping and recreation in VictoriasIdlers, Mansfield, Just Mates, Gippsland, to develop more camping areas and National Parks contributes $2.1 billion toRange Rover, Amarok, LROCV, Club facilities along with the upgrading of the the states tourism industry each year4x4, Bairnsdale, Pajero, Toyota 4X4, seven existing iconic drives across the and supports more than 20,000 jobs. TLCCV, MJOC, Midweek, Otways, state, was also a topic of discussion In making the announcement, MinisterNissan, Pioneer, Peninsula clubs as well and we as FWDV representatives, were for Energy, Environment and Climateas Ironman 4X4. If there are other clubs encouraged by the positive attitude and Change Lily DAmbrosio said, Four-not mentioned it would be because we commitment made by the Minister. As wheel driving is a great way to explorehavent yet received any documentation part of our Victorian 4WD Strategic Plan, Victorias great outdoors, and thefrom them, and I would ask that you do working alongside the land managers, it improvements being made to thesesupply this information via the forms on is up to all of us to endeavour to make vehicle tracks and campsites will makeour website and that have been sent to the most of the opportunities being that experience even more enjoyable.your clubs. presented and continue to work towardsWhilst there was a major effort out of the the best possible outcomes and allow Were upgrading campgrounds anddistribution centre in Bairnsdale of food, this Strategic Plan to continue on into 4WD tracks to make family holidayswater and essential items to those the distant future. more fun and affordable.effected in the Eastern Victoria regions, We were certainly fortunate and verywe also had other groups able to get thankful to have had this day with the Volkswagen Group donatesthrough the road blocks to put immedi- Minister, her advisors as well as our $2.5 million to Australianate work into cleaning up burnt fences other colleagues with the question beingand other materials allowing for the posed by others as to how we made bushfire relief and recoverycommencement of the rebuilding phase. this happen? The answer is simply that Volkswagen Group has donated $2.5The despair and bewilderment on the we as an Association, have for many million to aid in the relief and recoveryfaces of those unfortunately caught by years now continued to ask questions from the catastrophic bushfires thatthis catastrophic event, brought a tear about what we can do in the way of burnt in eastern and southern Australia. to even the strongest of people who assistance to our respective govern-attended these situations. We need to ments and their land managers, with Volkswagen Group Australia\'s managingbe conscious of the fact that this effort respect and honesty allowing a director Michael Bartsch said, $500,000will need to be ongoing for many conciliatory conversation to take place. had been designated for the firemonths going forward, and that this We have, by using this approach, been services and the relief of those affectedreconstruction of fences and therefore able to build working relationships by the fires; $1 million would belivelihoods, is about keeping up the whereby we are invited into areas of channeled towards organisationsmotion of activity when the fires are conversation where our input makes a involved with endangered wildlife; thecompletely gone and things seem to highly valuable contribution. Such is the remaining $1 million would go towardshave become normal again. Our regard those in power have for the re-forestation. Association has shown in the past the Associations history of volunteering and "Volkswagen has been part of Australianwillingness to continue in this regard production of unbelievable results. We life since the 1950s. Therefore, we stepuntil things are completed, and I am all should be proud of belonging to an up both to assist those at forefront ofsure we will do the same again judging Association that others look up to and this crisis and to aid in in what will be aby the wonderful response we are aspire to emulate, not only in Victoria protracted recovery," Mr Bartsch said.seeing presently. Please refer to our but across the country also.website and facebook page for up to Wayne Hevey date news on where things are CEO, FWDVhappening or simply call the office.TRACKWATCH MARCH 20203'