AUSTRALIA DAY STANNARY HILLS

2005 FIRST FLEET TRIP

26/01/05

Captain: Roger Millroy GQ Patrol

First Officer: Margaret Ramke

Navigator: Naomi Dawson

Fleet:

· The Pennington’s 80 Series Wagon

· The Stephenson’s GU Patrol

· Steve & Lyn 75 Series Tray back

· The Schubert’s GU Patrol

· The Britton’s Range rover

· The Edwards GU Patrol

· Terry Toyota Surf

· Sam 100 Series

· The Mulcahy’s 100 Series

· Mick & Sally Toyota 4 Runner

· John & Louisa Rodeo ute

· The Musumeci’s Triton

· The Fichera’s 100 series

The Standard:

The track was wet, wet and wet. This meant mud. Mud and mud.

The Recoveries:

Too numerous to count, apart from my first sinking of the Patrol, Terry and Mick & Sally doing a dual surf/4 runner snatch out, the Britton’s and Schubert’s recovery and the finale of Sam’s major bog exiting Stannary Hills.

Minties moments:

• Discovering a fence across the track and losing immediate bearings!
• The smile on Karen’s face with her new muddies!
• Remembering the Righteous brothers song ‘You’ve got that sinking feeling’
• Having Naomi walk the water crossings to check the depth!
• Watching Jamie get airborne in the GU
• John & Louisa for a flawless drive in their standard Rodeo (except for the mud chains!!)
• Afternoon tea at Irvinebank under shady trees
• Checking out the Vulcan Mine and town tour (For those who stayed a bit longer)

Thankyou:

• Sam for doing a fantastic job as recovery captain!
• Margaret for jumping in Sam’s car to give me a break! ( Ha!)
• To everyone on the trip for following convoy procedure and great teamwork that made a safe and fun day!!

Roger

Trip Leader