Issue 633 | Nov - Dec 2025
President’s Track Notes
President’s Report December 2025
OMG! Thanksgiving and Black Friday are behind us, only two weeks until Christmas and three weeks until another year ticks over. In keeping with the season, let’s all reflect, give thanks and look forward to what next year will bring.
Big shout out to our volunteers who have taken responsibility and stepped into the engine room of the club. There are two main forms of volunteering: trip leader volunteers and volunteers who are keeping the club running by doing Management Committee roles. There are some people who are generously going above and beyond to do both. As a club member, please take the time to reflect on our club trips and what club membership has given you. Effectively, our volunteers have gifted you that. Please think about how you respect and acknowledge what has been gifted to you over the last year and how you might contribute next year.
Daryl O’Rafferty has generously volunteered to lead a big trip next year. The initial options Daryl has put forward are Cape York, Victorian High Country and Simpson Desert. Daryl is asking members to express interest in one of these options or other options that members put forward. This is a fantastic opportunity that will give lifelong memories to those who do the trip – thanks Daryl.
I have just come home from the club Christmas weekend at Leyburn. It was a great opportunity to catch up with people whose travels have taken them elsewhere and give people impromptu Troopy tours. Saturday was the big day of a delicious Christmas lunch at the Leyburn Hotel and camping in Chris and Ruth’s backyard. The traditional present swap and festive games too. Santa visited too after his sleigh needed to be recovered by Cam in his Jimny. Santa had an eerie resemblance to Mark Hastings and took quite a shine to our MC and trip leader Kel!
There were a couple of other recoveries needed on Saturday. How does this happen at a Christmas Party? Well, Chris negotiated with Kel to take people for a one hour tour from 9am to a 4wd park that is under development in Leyburn. So the drive to the park took 20mins where we met the owner who is also a former moto-cross and drift champion, chatted a little and set off on a 15min easy drive loop that would give us an overview tour of the park. To cut a long story short, 10 mins into the easy drive Troopy John had his rear diff pumpkin perched on top of a large rock, his passengers bailed out and took off into the bush while recovery took place. Danno and Kim got hung up on a log in their Colorado (the XXL 80 series stayed at home this time) and did some damage to their steering rack during recovery leaving a decent amount of steering fluid behind. Danno and Kim and the Colorado are still in Leyburn at the time of writing… I’m reaching for the rude rod.
So, most of you have probably done some quick calculations and have worked out that our chances of being back at camp for Santa to visit at 10am were low (okay non-existent). I was merely a hapless tourist in the back of Daryl’s car along with Aaron, Daryl driving and Rocket Rod in the front passenger seat. As time passed, Aaron and I started practicing non-verbal versions of “it wasn’t me” while we waited in convoy behind the broken Collie. Someone handed me a phone and suggest I talk to Kel. I suggested that Chris needed to talk to Kel and various drivers jockeyed to avoid the honour of being first back at camp. Later that day Chris delivered a masterclass in grovelling when he came face to face with Kel. Well played Chris, Kel was speechless. Phew!
What a great weekend! Thanks to Kel for organising, to Mel for supporting Kel, to Chris and Ruth for having us in their backyard and to everyone else who pitched in to make it all happen - a wonderful weekend.
Season’s greetings to you all.
Stay safe and have fun.
Robbie
Danny Power
President, Brisbane 4WD Club Inc
Recap of Last 2 Months
Here’s a quick recap of the events and trips we’ve enjoyed over the past months:
- Border Ranges Tour By all accounts, this was a fantastic trip. Thank you John for arranging this great trip.
- November General Meeting dont forget you can join online for the meeting if you cant travel.
- Induction & Club Trip @ The Springs Thanks Matt & Gareth
- Burger Run Nindigully Pub. The photos in the Trip Report showed the fun had by all. Thank you Daryl for running this social.
- Offical Opening of Harrison Payne 4WD Track
- Brisbane 4WD Club Xmas Party Leyburn Hotel 57 members registered for the event
- December General Meeting Christmas Raffle drawn!
You can read our latest Trip Reports by clicking on the ‘News’ tab on the app.
The past two months have seen some fantastic trips and socials run with the club. Dont forget its not too late to get in your trip reports to the Editor. All reports submitted count towards next years trophy day!
4x4, Caravanning, Outdoor & Recovery Gear
Premium, Long-Lasting 4X4 & Caravanning Products For Serious Adventurers.
https://tredoutdoors.com/
Welcome New Members!
Please join us in welcoming the following new members to the Brisbane 4WD Club:
- Jannick Clausen & family
- Kliment Dmitriev & family
- Robert & Tracey Forster
- Mark Keilar
- Gina Maloney & family
- Melanie Robinson & family
- Joseph Tegan
- Joseph Vujevic
We’re excited to have you as part of our 4WD family and look forward to seeing you at upcoming events!
Happy Birthday
November & December Birthday Shout-Outs:
- Marcus Battistin
- Alan Blakey
- Matthew Boyd
- Caden Broughton
- Evelyn Cleeland
- Deborah Crawford
- Kliment Dmitrieve
- Mel Fisher
- Glen Hodgkinson
- Suzzanne Howell
- Jeff Keech
- Michelle Lipovich
- Brenda Marment
- Alyssa Marment
- Sandy McKinless
- Kylie Moon
- Karrl Mullins
- Daniel Powell
- Danny Power
- Heidi Power
- David Ross
- Kevin Shaw
- Virginia Sloane
- Errol Smith
- Tracie Thompson
- Scott Townsend
- Sarah Von Schill
- Joseph Vujevic
- Lisa Waldon
- Lyall Ward
- Rachel Wicks
We hope you all have a fantastic day and enjoy your celebrations!
10% off workshop hire for Club Members!!
https://www.brisbane4wdclub.org/linkstat.cfm?page_id=2929871
Upcoming Trips
- Dig In Volunteering Day: 20th December
- Annual Brekky at Bribie Island: 4 Jan 26 - Trip Leader Brenda
- Amamoor Forest Weekend: 30 Jan - 01 Feb 26 - Trip Leader John
- Gordon Country: 27 Feb - 01 Mar 26 - Trip Leader Paul
- K'Gari Cleanup: 8-11 May 26 - Trip Leader Rachel (REGISTRATIONS CLOSED)
Be sure to register early and visit the Events tab on the app for full event details!
Want to Lead a Trip?
If you're interested in running a trip or event for the club, we'd love to hear from you! Whether it's a day trip or a weekend adventure, leading a trip is a great way to contribute to the club and share your 4WD experience with others. Reach out to us if you're ready to take the lead.
Brisbane 4WD Club Members get 15% off. Just use the code B4WDC15
https://www.brisbane4wdclub.org/linkstat.cfm?page_id=3131821
Brisbane 4WD Christmas Event 2025
A big thank you to Kel for organising this years Christmas Social. The photos show a great time was had by all at the Leyburn Hotel.
COMPETITION TIME
Congratulations to the winners of prizes from the weekend.
Pass the parcel 1/2 way prize
Hardkorr head lamp
Dale Waterson
Pass the parcel main prize
Darche solar light
Mark Hastings
Candy cane game
Cheryl and Steve Sydenham
2 x casks of wine donated by our President
Winner of best decorated camp site
Daryl and Katie
Runner up
Marcus and Narelle
Thank you Kel.
From The Editor's Desk
Merry Christmas & Safe New Year to all. See you in 2026!
If you’ve got any trip photos, write-ups, or fun moments to share — we’d love to include them in future editions. Just flick them through to: editor@brisbane4wdclub.org
Thanks
Michelle Manton
Hardkorr Australia - ****GET 10% OFF ****ONLINE ONLY ****
https://www.brisbane4wdclub.org/linkstat.cfm?page_id=2277667
