b'The Largest Single 4WD ClubWorking Bee in Australia?As told to Prue Hasler by the late John CribbesHas there been a weekend event Jordan Divide Track to Red Jacketwhere 300 4WD club members and Violet Town Spur Track toworked on one project in the one examine historical gold miningarea? artefacts. This permission wasIn the early 1970s there was a granted subject to a Ranger beingdrought and the current water at the front and the rear of thestorages were inadequate. The convoy.decision was made to build the On the way in the Ranger at theThomson Dam, which would take 15 rear was delayed at Matlock andyears to accomplish. In about 1978 followed the convoy in a short whilethe Jordan Valley was closed to the later. When he caught up with thepublic - this was to protect the water group having lunch at Jericho, heF catchment as water was being expressed disbelief that 20 vehiclesAs reported in Trackwatch December diverted from the Jordan River at had travelled along the tracks with1985 Swingler into the Thomson Yarra so little evidence.Forty kilometres of track are now clear Tunnel - as an interim measure to Late in 1984 John started lobbyingfor use by Victorian four wheelers in the boost Melbournes water supply until the MMBW to reopen the tracks inThomson Catchment area. Closed since the Thomson Dam was completed. the Thomson catchment which had1970 these tracks were cleared and Over 30 years ago the late John not had any traffic in the previousopened by members of the Victoria Cribbes was a member of the Land seven years.John was givenAssociation of Four Wheel Drive Clubs Rover Owners Club of Victoria permission to organise 4WD Clubsas a major community service. (LROCV), and knew many of the to undertake the cleanup. On the 30th November, 1985 over 280 Melbourne Metropolitan Board of With the assistance of the Victorianmembers descended on the Thomson Works (MMBWnow Melbourne Association of Four Wheel DriveCatchment area where clubs and Water) Rangers in the closed catch- Clubs (now Four Wheel Drivemembers were allocated specific tracks ment.In March 1983 John applied Victoria) and John Haslers detailedand cleanup tasks. for permission to take a party of solo survey of all the tracks on footOver 100 vehicles, 63 chainsaws, 32 LROCV members along B.B. - and bicycle over approximately brushcutters and lots of enthusiasm sawthe 50 sq mile catchment thoroughly Melbourne Herald - Monday December 2nd 1985examined and cleared by the members.The majority of fire access tracks werecleared, track maintenance undertakenand future tasks earmarked for furtherattention.Three cemeteries were also tackledwith blackberries and undergrowthcleared from historic sites at Jericho,Red Jacket and Aberfeldy. The NewChum Mine site was cleared of trees,which had taken root through the top ofhistoric kilms. The kilms are over 100years old and of special significance inthe history of gold exploration inGippsland.The Hon. Robert Lawson MLC of theNatural Resources &EnvironmentCommittee toured the restoration worksand paid high compliment to the work ofthe Association.The Shire of Narracan also sentcongratulations to the work of the Clubs.The weekend cleanup was co-ordinated by Association vice-presidentJohn Cribbes who did a fantastic job inbringing together the number of Clubsand private assistance from severalmajor companies. Great job John!14 JUNE2021 TRACKWATCH'