b'CLUB SPOTLIGHT LAND ROVER OWNERS CLUB OF VICTORIAW hat do you do if you have interests inhe became an accredited driver trainer for many ADVENTURING TOGETHER - 300 CLUB TRIPS FOR 3 CLUBSBY: PRUE HASLERindustrial archaeology, early Australianyears. When Four Wheel Drive Victoria reviewed the explorers, botany, Australian bush andAdventure Activity Standards for their Trip Leader deserts, Australian history, the greatGuidelines, John was part of the FWDV group that outdoors, 4WDing, the night sky, adventures anddeveloped the Guidelines. An important aspect want to share these interests with other people? Youof running trips for John is sharing his historic, lead 4WD club trips. botanical and local knowledge with participants, John Haslers lightbulb moment was seeingand for many years he produced an A4 bound book the Leyland Brothers film of their 1966 West Eastfor each participant on each trip. Crossing of Australia in 2 Land Rovers. Yes, LandSo where has John run trips? Many trips featured Rovers could be used to explore Australia. However,the High Country to the Simpson Desert, the Flinders the seeds of his desire to explore the AustralianRangers and the Grampians, the Victorian Deserts and the bush were set in 1959 when an outbackto trips featuring the Victorian Volcanoes, trips family trip in their Consul saw them camping in dryfeaturing old gold mining areas, old bush sawmills riverbeds and in station woolsheds with a familyand railways, snow trips, Far East Gippsland, a background interest in natural history. West East trip across Australia with 18 vehicles First joining the Land Rover Club of Sydneyand featuring guests Mike and Margie Leyland (a in 1974 and then the Land Rover Owners Clubhighlight). A multi convoy trip into Wonnangatta of Victoria (LROCV) in 1976 when he moved towas also a highlight with around 65 vehicles taking Melbourne, John led his first trip in 1981 to thepart. Day trips included the Central Highlands right closed Moe Walhalla Railway in his Series 3 LWBup to Mt Cobbler & Mt Stirling. Land Rover. After buying a Range Rover in 1982Keeping a 4WD vehicle in trip worthy condition John joined the Range Rover Club of Victoria (RRCV)for that many years can be a challenge, and it is in 1983 and commenced running joint club trips.important to John to be able to carry everything When Graeme Walsh was President of the newlythat might be required for emergencies. So, a well formed Pajero 4WD Club, he asked John if he couldserviced heavy duty 4WD is important. These have run some trips for the Pajero Club so joint club tripsincluded a couple of Series Land Rovers, the Range were run for the 3 clubs from 1989. Rover, a 60 Series Toyota, a 4.2l GU Patrol cab Starting out slowly John worked up to his busiest(carrying our trusty Trayon slide on camperstill year in 2002 when he ran 18 joint club weekendgoing strong after 20 years) and now a 79 Series trips. Safety is key foundation to his trips and soLand Cruiser. 16 TRACKWATCH| Spring 2025'