chump_boy posted:

It has a say because there is noone there to stop them! We need a rational group of people to be able to turn around and say "No, thats not right. Here are the facts you are looking for..."

We need a group to have a media strategy, to try and stop this type of shyte proliferating. A bad article gets written? This group should bombard the paper with well written facts, both to the editor, and to the feedback pages. It would not take long for the group to become so called experts, then people would start to listen.

If anyone is interested, my email address is chumpion at tpg dot com dot au. It is a darn site better than what we are doing now......

Chump

chump_boy posted:

Does anyone know of any near Parramatta where the trips are not run by a bunch of old guys on a power trip, and actually understand that a 4WD can do a bit more than a fire trail?

I have 2 small kids, and an expensive 105 series, so not looking for anything too extreme. Just some decent people that like to get out and have a bit of fun...

vitara posted:

Hi there chump_boy try misty mountain tours Run by Ken and Olga up at meadlow bath Were from Glenmore Park near penrith. I know what you mean by either total rat bags and give us 4wds a bad name or the old ones which they call 4wding and I could take my vx commodore down it with a 2 inch lowering kit not lifted by 2 inch's. They run some great day tours and weekend ones plus even monthly tours around oz. Regards Vitara

chump_boy posted:

Thanks for that, but not really what we are looking for. I'm sure the tours are good, but we are after a club.

There must be one somewhere that suits us, it's just a matter of finding it. I guess I'll have to do the leg work...

lol

Chump

vitara posted:

Fair enough chump_boy there is an actual 4wd club it's called blue mountains 4wd club if that's of any help Regards Vitara

chump_boy posted:

Cheers,

I'll look them up.

CHump

chump_boy posted:

I agree totally. We need a group of 4WDers to start writing to these magazines, and start letting the press know what normal 4WDers think about the image they portray.

I can imagine some guy looking at buying a 4WD, buying a magazine, then deciding not to because they look like a pack of waynkers!

There are a couple of us that are going to start emailing, writing, and calling up radio stations, but in an organised way. Email me at chumpion at tpg dot com dot au if you want to give it a try.

It's better than whats happening now.....

chump_boy posted:

Mabey part of the campaign could be to continually ask Horny Screwboy where in the pedestrian council charter it says anything about 4WD's?

Keep asking him pedestrian questions, like what safety measures has he devised in the last 12 months for pedestrians, and what his education plan has been, and how successful has it been.

See, not only is he saying what he wants about us, there is noone following up on what he is supposed to be doing in the Pedestrian Council. Lets turn the tables a bit.

Part of a letters to the editor campaign could be to start asking tricky questions in public forums about Pedestrian safety. Harry would have to answer them if enough questions were asked in different papers, and it would keep him away from us for a while.

Kinda like fighting fire with fire. It will only take a little organisation, and only about 10 minutes of peoples time.....

glenno(qld) posted:

ACA , you cannot be serious.

Member - Steve (ACT) posted:

Only as far as while we all think they are crap, the rest of Australia seems to listen to them. Was thinking of the viewer size of the show, not the quality.

Any show would do but between ACA and today tonight they have the constant ad's and seem to be trusted by many as a reliable news source.

I hate the show they stitched up my Uncle even after they had received legal papers proving their infomation was wrong!

It was just a suggestion

Member - Steve (ACT) posted:

Actually seeing the two shows are in comptetition with each other would be good to get one one our side. If they can make us look so bad, surely they could also edit and spin to show us in a good light.

Sandy

Member - Pesty (SA) posted:

Waste of time , shows like ACA are full of crap, giving Harold Wanker air time then getting into there 4wd company cars and going to the next story

Cheers

chump_boy posted:

So in 10 years time when the high country is all closed off because some greenie group decided it was too fragile, you won't complain?

Or when they put tar roads along all the 4WD tracks, so everyone can see this fine country without doing any damage, you'll just say oh well, I always had a soft spot for small cars anyway.....

I just think something needs to be done now, so I'm not telling my kids about how it used to be in years to come.

The trouble with not worrying about these other people is that these other people are getting listened to, and we are not. It is hardly insecurity, more concern for my way of life.

Willem posted:

>So in 10 years time when the high country is all closed off because some greenie group decided it was too fragile, you won't complain? <

So greenies are the target now? They must not have an input into society but your group can?

Negativity gets you nowhere. There are that many 'What if's' in life. Complaining just streses you out

This argument about access started in the mid 1970's resulting in a "Think Tank' in Canberra in 1979. This was about access for everyone not just 4x4 recreationalists. Some areas have been closed off to the public over the ensuing years normally for valid reasons such as fragile eco systems etc. On the whole there are many places in this vast country to visit without a problem. Just see how the sales of 4x4's and Camper Trailers and Caravans has exploded over the past 10 years putting pressure on the environment in the whole.

Life is an ever changing journey and nothing will stay the same. Maybe in 10 years time the concept of going places with your 4x4 will have given way to another mode of transport. Remember horse and the carriage? They are gone.

Australia is the most overgoverned country(apart from India) in the world with 3 different tiers of government all vying for their own slice of the cake. Laws and rules are being passed all the time some of which are draconian, especially if you read the fine print. No one can compete with these ever changing laws or know what they stand for until such time you get involved directly or indirectly. But if you want to have a say against any impending laws and rule changes then you must put your hand up and do something!

Now I have suggested what you should do. An alternative to my sugestion would be to stand as an independant at your next state or federal elections. But I would go the association way.

You feel strongly about it? THEN DO IT!!!!!

robak (QLD) posted:

"see this fine country without doing any damage"

There's a thought.

Eric from Cape York Connections posted:

Robak i agree with you but when mags and the like adveritise go hard or go home what chance have we got.

all the best
Eric

chump_boy posted:

Thats a good call, and I agree with the bank analogy.

The trouble is banks are here to stay - everybody needs them. Everyone does not NEED a 4WD, so little regulations here and track there will eventually take their toll.

It will get to a stage soon where enough tracks will be closed, they will justfy further track closures. The argument will be track x and y have closed, so I will now close track z.

When that happens, it is too late...

Sky Pilot posted:

I agree with that. The media will put the spin on the story that is the most spectacular from their point of view. As they say, "Never let the facts stand in the way of a good story."