Annual Far East Gippsland Track Clearing with Parks Victoria
Date and time: 8.30am, Saturday 21 October 2023 to 3.00pm Sunday 22 October 2023
Description: Please contact your trip leader if you are unsure of any of the following requirements for this trip.
The Annual Far East Gippsland track clearing, gate opening and track assessment event with Parks Victoria (PV) is on again and here is your opportunity to explore some remote parts of Far East Gippsland, practice your chainsaw and/or track clearing skills and work with Parks Victoria. PV and the local remote community appreciate the work we do each year.
PV manage the event and safety is a high priority. The Pajero 4WD Club and the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria will also be joining us.
We are seeking both certified chainsaw operators and helpers. The Snowy River National Park, Northern Alpine National Park and Errinundra National Park are spectacular locations with some interesting 4WD tracks.
There will also be an opportunity for a smaller group to volunteer on the Thursday and Friday to assist PV with some more specialised assistance such as clearing walking tracks. This will be advertised as a separate trip.
We will be camping at Wilson’s Hut campground which has picnic tables, fire pits and drop toilets. The hut also has a fireplace. Please bring all your food, water and cooking equipment with you. You can bring your camper trailer or van to Wilson’s Hut Campground (no power) if you wish although you may need to return to the campground after the Sunday activities to collect the van.
The PV Rangers will be providing a thorough safety briefing on the Saturday morning and each convoy will be carrying a PV Trunk Radio for regular safety check ins during the weekend.
There is the possibility that PV will provide a BBQ dinner on the Saturday night and a spotlighting tour looking for Greater Gliders and other nocturnal animals. The Friends of Errinundra may join us for the evening. Further information will be provided in due course.
RACV TotalCare or equivalent plus Ambulance subscription are highly recommended. The nearest town with supermarkets is Orbost. We will be travelling in a remote area so please be self-sufficient. The work requires a reasonable level of fitness.
Drivers must have completed the club Proficiency Driver Training course (or equivalent).
Parks Volunteers are all required to have a Working With Children Check (WWCC). This is free for volunteers.
If you do not have a WWCC card, it is free to apply for one and only takes 10 minutes online plus a visit to the Post Office for those without a Service Victoria account.
Last fuel stop is at Orbost although there is fuel in NSW at Delegate (restricted hours).
Be prepared for cold and wet conditions and bring all your food, water, camping and cooking gear for the weekend. It has snowed in previous years. Morning tea and lunch will be in the bush each day.
No pets or firearms.
Maps and references:
- 4WD Touring SE NSW and East Gippsland, Craig Lewis and Cathy Savage
- Vicmaps 1:50K Murrindal-Yalmy, Deception Deddick, Goongerah-Ellery, Murrangower- Bemm River
- CMA NSW 1:50K Delegate
- Hema - East Gippsland and the Sapphire Coast
- Rooftop Maps: Snowy River, McKillops Bridge, Lakes Entrance Cann River, Orbost, Delegate
Weather: Please review the weather forecast for Bendoc but please be prepared for cold and wet conditions for camping and working in the bush. We will be travelling at a high altitude so it will be colder and possibly wetter than Melbourne.
Equipment: Well prepared high clearance 4WD vehicle with low range (or equivalent), good quality All Terrain tyres as a minimum, a 5 watt UHF radio with vehicle fitted aerial, front and rear recovery points, rated snatch strap and 2 rated shackles.
Additional Equipment required: Chainsaw with all required Personal Protection Equipment for certified chainsaw operators, leather working gloves, strong work boots, rated drag chain, air compressor and tyre gauge, Maxtrax or similar, axe, hand saw, eye protection. First Aid kit.
Trip Standard: Medium with possible hard sections
Fuel: a full tank Orbost
Distance: Melbourne to Bendoc via Orbost 475kms. Plus up to 250kms on forest roads and bush tracks including extended sections in 4WD
Duration: 2 days although it is highly recommended that people travel to Wilson’s Hut Campground on the Friday prior.
Convoy limit: 15 vehicles from RRCV. There will be a number of mixed club convoys working in the bush and these will be organised on the Saturday morning to balance chainsaw operators and helpers.
Passengers & non-member participation: If you wish to bring a passenger that is not a partner or your child visit they must register as Temporary Members to join in. See our website for details.
Temporary (Guest) Membership
Temporary Members are NOT allowed to drive without speaking to the Trip Leader first. This is to ensure that the driver and vehicle are sufficiently prepared for the trip.
Meeting arrangements: 8.30am Saturday meet at the Wilson’s Hut Campground for the PV safety and trip briefing.
Trip Leaders: John & Prue Hasler 0439 890 688 p.thwait@bigpond.net.au
