Oka owners group newsletter

I was just thinking about Breakfast when Robbie appeared and invited me to join them for Breakfast. Jurgen had a huge breakfast cooking, Bacon, Eggs, Toast, Coffee and Pancakes. It was really nice too, thanks Jurgen! After breakfast Jurgen, Robbie & Warwick went for a walk. I found a map which was available at the entrance of the Reserve and thought to myself I would do a walk to Wilhermina Falls – about 1–2 hour walk from our camp. Murrindindi Scenic Reserve is absolutely beautiful made up of variety including Mountains, Mountain Ash, damp fernfilled gullies, waterfalls and rocky creeks. About half an hour into my walk, following the Murrindindi Creek, I found Jurgen, Robbie & Warwick walking along the track following the Murrindindi Creek.

I joined them and we headed up towards Wilermina Falls. I soon worked out we were playing Arnold Swarzenegger in Predator as we walked along, I even witnessed Jurgen’s hand disappearing down a log with a monster grabbing it from inside. Very convincing for a minute, the kids seem to enjoy letting their imagination run wild. If you have seen the film Predator, it’s similar kind of country to Murrindindi, dense rainforest etc. We soon reached a viewing platform overlooking Wilermina Falls. The falls drop 75 metres down a steep granite rock face. Really lovely! With my binoculars I could see people walking up the top of the falls. We weren’t quite that energetic to make it to the top, but enjoyed what we saw from the viewing platform. When we got back to the camp site (just after lunch) Jurgen started packing up and the others returned from their 12 km walk. They had a great walk seeing a historic tramway and old sawmill site along the way.

Bernard & Flash headed back to the Murrindindi Cascades to pick up Flashes Landcruiser, so I jumped in Bernards car and went down with them to check it out. I saw the Ferns camp spot along the way where we had our OKA rally last year (a few km’s down the road from our camp). It is now closed off temporarily for revegetation. I didn’t get a chance to visit the Cascades last year but glad I did this time around as it was well worth a look. Another beautiful waterfall and it had a great power of water running down over granite rock amongst very dense rainforest.

When I returned Jurgen was still slowly packing up. He left around 5pm. The rest of us stayed until the next day when we packed up and headed for home. Geoff & Annette still had another 4 weeks leave from work so they were heading up towards the Murray River (somewhere a little dryer/warmer than Murrindindi).

I had the rest of the week off so the OKA and I headed down to Mansfield and south of Jamieson towards Woods Point. I even bumped into the local Mansfield tour OKA coming the other way from Jamieson, with the driver giving me a wave.

I really enjoyed the Jamieson area, heaps of fantastic camping areas right along the rivers/creeks. I would like to spend more time in this area and plan to visit again in the near future. I tried a little trout fishing without any luck, but managed to catch two really nice yellow bellies at Lake Mokoan near Benalla on

my way home. I was happy, it ended a really enjoyable week away. 5

INSURANCE

On The continuing saga of insurance, a phone call from Reg Stirling of Victoria who operates 2 coaches, provided the information that he used to insure with the Australian Bus & Coach Association??(not sure of the title) but found it cheaper to insure through Lumleys. An email from David & Janet Ribbans (below) reports that Wesfarmers have bought Lumleys, and since that time I know that the Australian Wheat Board (AWB Ltd) have bought Landmark from Wesfarmers. This is a very tangled web, but it seems that Lumleys is the way to go, but you can insure with CMCA, Wesfarmers or your favourite insurance broker and all end up with the same company! Perhaps we should have a word with the ACCC!

******* *

Lloyd, Rowena,

Thanks for the newsletter, some useful info. On the continuing saga of insurance, Kim Dennis of Australian Adventure Travel in Perth tells me they have always insured their vehicles (including Okas) through Wesfarmers. I also note that in October 2003 Wesfarmers competed the purchase of the Lumley's Insurance company to bolster their own insurance business, so maybe now there will be a more certain source of Oka insurance.

Kind Regards, David and Janet Ribbans

Hi Marj & Lloyd,

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. The newsletters you attached are really great.

You asked me to tell you a bit more about myself so here she goes. I came to Australia from Germany in 1978, then 18 years old. I just loved Australia, especially the bush. I got myself a Daihatsu F 10 and my love for 4x4's was born. The little thing seemed to be able to go anywhere and when bogged to the axles you just cut off a small tree and leaver it right out of the rut.

Later I got a Series 3 Landover station wagon I had that for 15 years a true love / hate relationship. Anyway the thing taught me a lot about automotive repairs and engineering ( and nearly send us broke).

I saw the my first Oka at the Warrigal Field Day probably in 1992, fell in love immediately and vowed that one day I'd own one. After a few years I had modified my Landover into a Dualcab Ute it had turned out really neat since they are basically meccano set. We have 4 children and the front bench seat was great because the whole family fit in and the 6 x 4.5 foot tray was really handy around our hobby farm.

No such luck with any other off the shelf Dualcab except of course the Oka. When Claudia (my wife ) and I were looking to replace the old Landy the closest thing that fit the bill was the Dualcab Landover turbo diesel and we were not going to have that, no way no more rattles leaks etc. etc. etc. Besides a good second hand one was about $28.000.

When I found the oka in Nerang Queensland for $33.000 at a truck dealer Claudia said "go for it". I send my friend Allen who lives up there to have a look for me. The dealer e - mailed me some pictures and all looked good,

too good. I was very excited. I rang the dealer (trying to be as calm as possible) I said that if I was buying a truck in Melbourne I would expect to haggle something off the price and all prices are usually loaded up for that reason.

He agreed with that and so I offered him $28000. He said he'd check with his boss and I prayed. Well God answered my prayer. They accepted the offer and I was off to pick up my baby. Since then my appreciation for the Oka has only grown. It is twice the 4x4 in every aspect.

Here are some details of my oka.

Year on compliance plate 1993, chassis number 088.

The Oka was used as a service vehicle for a big dredge by Newman's a big building company. I believe they sold it because the Oka could not carry enough load (my friend Allans intelligence).

When they bought It, it was a dualcab but they took the back cab off and put it in storage and fitted a tray body. When they sold it they put it back into its original configuration. That explains why the rear seats & cab are in such good condition.

The Oka had 190000 on the clock and since August 2001 I have clocked another 30000 without any major trouble. One new exhaust pipe. One new starter motor.

The vehicle has some minor rust mainly in the bottom of the front doors and where the sheetmetal is joined to the tube frame. Also the engine is using a bit of oil, approx. 1l / 1000.

My mate a truck diesel mechanic reckons this is due to glazing and probably caused by the vehicle idling for

long periods with the airconditioning running, this must be common in service vehicles in hot areas. I figure that I can live with that and the motor will still live a long time provided one keeps the oil up to its level.

I am getting 16l / 100 km and am ecstatic about that. The landy v 8 used to use 28l and my 6 Series B.M.W. uses 16l as well. Peter Furlong reckons he is getting better than that still. What are your experiences?

Now I better come to an end I don’t normally write that much but I just love talking about my Oka. I know of another

6 Oka's in Melbourne , on the Mornington Peninsula and Drouin. My address is: Jurgen Mauracher

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78 Roberts Road Mornington 3931

Phone:[phone]

I'll be in touch soon again. Jurgen

Jurgen, a few years ago we read about fishermen using EPRS (end rust protection system) on their Landcruisers that they drove into the salt water to pull their net in. As ours had a couple of little patches of rust on the bottom of the driver’s door, we decided to ring the manufacturers of the EPRS and was told they only use about as much power as a clock, so fitted one to the Oka. As far as we can tell, the rust patches haven’t got any worse or any bigger, but it also pays to keep in mind that we live in a very dry climate and I wouldn’t know how good they would be on the coast. We get around the same fuel consumption as you are, as long as we keep the speed down. Being aerodynamic like a house brick, they sure can suck the juice into them if you put the pedal to the metal.

Lloyd

FOR SALE:

Thanks Lloyd and Marj, but we did get the newsletter OK.

I have some bits for sale if you hear anything on the "grape vine".

- 6 @ 19 inch rims and tyres.

- complete bus body with a/c, seats, seatbelts, full length pack-rack etc.

and I am looking for 16 inch rims.

Merry Christmas and safe travelling, Peter and Margaret [e-mail]

Lloyd’s Joke:

A woman sees a friend and notices that she is taking short steps, so she asks “what’s wrong with you?”

Friend replies “Nothing, I’m fine!”

They yarn awhile and when the friend leaves, the first woman notices she is still taking short steps, so she asks “Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with you?

“No, I’m fine” replied the friend. “Oh, do you mean the short steps? I’m going to a nudist ball tonight, so I have the hair in curlers.”

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Hi everyone,

OKA OWNERS GROUP

(PUTTING PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT FIRST)

NEWSLETTER February 2004

Well, we saddled up and went down south to Mexico to do the Victorian high-country week-end with Rowena’s group and had a very relaxing time looking around that area and camping on the King River. We all felt for Leigh Goldsmith who accidentally lost his pet quarrion. I guess most have lost a pet at some time so we knew how he felt.

As usual it was a great learning curve, finding out about modifications, where to source parts, trips etc. It was great to meet all the Mexicans and put faces to names (we were surprised to find they all spoke English). We had a great weekend. If you need any sort of parts, try Paul Nott – he has a wealth of information.

This month (February) we had to go to Sydney, so were able to arrange this to coincide with Michael & Virginia Hession’s get-together. This weekend was also a little ripper, with 15 Oka’s attending, and more bums in the air looking under Oka’s. This is always interesting as there are no two Oka’s the same. Michael spoke on how he found so much useful information in Collyn River’s books. If you would like to put a plug in the next newsletter, Collyn, just send it in.

Congratulations must go to Rowena, Michael and Virginia for a great effort in organising these weekends. This is what keeps the Group alive. (Thanks too to Sophie, who held the gate open for all the Okas).

One of the suggestions to come out at the Sydney meeting was that we hold a National Ralley. As Rowena is already planning a trip through Far Western New South Wales and to Innaminka, it was suggested that this become our National Ralley, with the focal point being Innaminka. It has been suggested that we meet up at there on the first weekend in July, with some members meeting up with Rowena in Broken Hill and others at Tibbooburra. If you look at Rowena’s projected itinerary, she then proposes a couple of other directions to travel. As far as the Parsons go, we are planning to travel to Kalumbaru in July/August, and are happy to go via Innaminka to meet up with anyone else who might be there, and then proceed by Haddon’s Corner, Birdsville and then north to Boulia and to Alice Springs by the Plenty Highway before setting off along the Gary Junction Road to the W.A. coast, than to Broome and points north. If anyone would like to tag along with us or to meet up with us, we would be more than happy.

You West Australians have been pretty quiet – how about letting us know if you are still out there. We hope to be in the north of W.A. this July, but more on that later. We now have a few Oka Owners in South Australia as well. Maybe you people could get together and share ideas too.

Lloyd has been having a bit of trouble with his fuel gauge flapping around from time to time. He thinks he must have a female sender because it is a bit erratic –(How is that for bravery? He said he was sorry, girls, and please be gentle with him!). Perhaps someone might tell him how to fix the problem.

John Hendriks has the new Oka Owners Group Website up and running. Congratulations John on your excellent site. John has organised this so that members must register, and then use their password. This is to ensure that access is only for members, that our privacy is assured, and that members can contribute to this website and edit their work. John assures us that it is simple to use, and already many members have accessed it. We will include directions later in the newsletter. The website is still under construction and it is great to see that he is

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taking all suggestions on board and working out the best format. Website Address: http://

oka.carsbyweb.com.au

VICTORIAN OKA RALLY

When: 12^th – 14^th March 2004

Cost: $5 per vehicle per night

Directions: from the intersection of the Melba Highway (Yarra Glen Rd) and Murrindindi Road (at Devlins Bridge), turn east and travel 12km to the reserve.

Murrindindi is approximately between Yea & Toolangi, Victoria.

Please bring firewood.

Please contact Rowena Paterson – RSVP: 8^th March 2004

Ph: 03 5823 2732 (ah) 03 5833 5710 (work)

Email: [e-mail]

INNAMINKA South Australia - OKA TAG ALONG TOUR

Expression of Interest

Hi all,

I am currently planning a trip up to the Broken Hill NSW area mid June visiting Mungo/Kinchega & Mutawintji National Parks. Then I hope to be in Broken Hill early July and was wondering if anybody would like to join me on a trip from Broken Hill to Innaminka SA?

The idea would be to meet in Broken Hill and head up to Tibooburra (Sturt National Park) then across to Camerons Corner and up to Moomba & Innaminka (visiting Burke & Wills Dig Tree etc). After visiting Innaminka we could head across the Channel Country of Queensland towards Thargomindah or the other option could be to head up to Birdsville. This trip would be approximately for 2 weeks.

If you are up towards the Northern Territory or Queensland and would like to come along on the trip, a possibility could be to meet halfway at Innaminka?

These are my ideas/suggestions. If you are interested in this trip I would like to hear from you. Your ideas or suggestions are very welcome.

Please contact Rowena Paterson

Ph: 03 5823 2732 (ah) 03 5833 5710 (work)

Email: [e-mail]

MANSFIELD & THE HIGH COUNTRY

Written by Rowena Paterson

WOW, what a fantastic roll up for our January weekend trip from Mansfield up to the High Country with 10 OKAs & 3 small 4WDs in attendance.

On the 9^th January 2004 we all decided to meet at the High Country Caravan Park in Mansfield. It was great to see Peter & Sharon Furlong & family (duel cab towing a 5^th wheeler), Lloyd & Marj Parsons (single cab), Jurgen Mauracher & son Robbie (duel cab), Rowena Paterson (Multi cab), Leigh Goldsmith & daughter Annie (tour bus), Warwick & Beryl Oliver (camper/bus), Michael & Virginia Hession & family (Multi cab), John & Dianne Smithard (duel cab), Janine & Darren Visser & family (Multi cab) & Paul Nott & friend Ian Jones (duel cab). We also had 2

Lloyd & Marj Parsons

Where: Murrindindi Scenic Reserve Bush Camp Facilities: toilets available

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non members tagging along including: Greg & Maree Boyle & family & Marese & Vincent McDonagh in Nissan Patrols. John & Dianne spent Friday night at a friends place near Mansfield due to the Caravan Park not allowing their dog.

I had also organised the Mansfield Courier Newspaper to come down during Friday afternoon to take photos and to write an article about our OKAs, so at about 3.30pm Paddy from the Mansfield Courier turned up. Paddy chose Jurgens OKA for the photo. He then asked Jurgen and myself to stand in front of the OKA proposing a toast with two beers. Paddy asked us a lot of questions for the newspaper article including why we like and own OKAs etc. Jurgen had one answer for Paddy that summed it all up “OKAs are just ACE mate, just the best, Australian made mate”.

Friday afternoon & night was spent getting to know one another and checking out each others OKAs. The Furlongs black OKA certainly created a lot of interest. Only six black OKAs with petrol motors were made. They were shipped over to the Middle East (and as far as Peter knows) three came back to Australia and were converted back to diesel power.

Saturday morning John & Dianne returned to the Caravan Park from their overnight stay out of town. Shortly after Geoff & Sandra Wilkinson turned up in their Toyota 4WD. Geoff & Sandra own a single cab OKA/camper but due to a mechanical problem were unable to bring it along. It was still good that they could come on the trip and meet everybody.

After we all had packed up we left the caravan park and headed down the main street of Mansfield to take a photo of all the OKAs together. We backed them into a carpark and everybody jumped out taking plenty of photos. It did look fantastic seeing all the OKAs together. After we had taken our photos we headed out in convoy towards Mirambah, a little township at the bottom of Mt Buller. Most of us had UHF contact which was useful. Greg & Maree Boyle lead the way and pulled over at the Mt Stirling turn off at Mirambah so everybody could catch up.

We lost one OKA who kept going along the road heading up to Mt Buller. The Hessions then disappeared up Mt Buller road to try and catch the Olivers before they reached the summit. A few minutes later the Hessions returned with the Olivers following. After that we were all together ready to tackle the circuit road around Mt Stirling.

Greg lead the way warning us of any on coming traffic as we drove around the mountains which was really helpful. The circuit road is actually a 2WD road, a few corrugations in places but other than that not a bad road. I couldn’t help but notice the convoy of OKAs travelling along the road below me and above when travelling down into the valley. I was situated in the middle of the convoy and seeing nothing but OKAs travelling amongst the mountains was certainly a sight I hadn’t seen before.

We had decided to keep driving until we reached King hut on the King River. The track down to King hut was 4WD with a few small creek crossings along the way. We reached King hut just after lunch and decided to camp there for the night. It also gave the kids a chance to go fishing and gold panning. After lunch Greg Boyle, the Hessions, Olivers, Smithards, Vissers & Furlongs decided to drive back up to Craigs hut while the rest of us were quite happy to relax for the afternoon and head up to Craigs hut the next day.

So the remainder of us at King hut stoked up the fire and enjoyed the surrounds and beautiful weather. Leigh had brought along his pet bird (Cockatiel) all the way from Alice Springs. During the afternoon he placed the cage in a tree along side his OKA. A little while later Vincent McDonagh said to me that the bird was gone, it had flown away and when I looked across at poor Leigh he was busy looking for his bird. Apparently Leigh had opened the cage and the bird quickly crawled up his arm flying into the wind. The cage remained in the tree for the rest of the afternoon with the door open hoping the bird would return but unfortunately it never did.

Late afternoon Gregs Patrol and the OKAs returned from the Craigs hut trip minus the Smithards who were camping for the night up near Craigs hut hoping to get some stunning sunset/sunrise photos.

Saturday night after dinner was spent sitting around the camp fire having a laugh & chat. I even brought out a couple of didgeridoos for entertainment with Sandra Wilkinson giving me a helping hand on the tapping sticks. Thanks Sandra! I even explained some of the secrets of didgeridoo playing and was doing really well until I was asked to play an OKA rhythm. I had never attempted an OKA rhythm before and it turned out to be harder than what I thought (and it certainly didn’t help when I kept laughing).

The next morning we all left King hut camp site with some of us heading up to Craigs hut and others heading down towards Bindaree falls, further south. Jurgen headed up to Craigs hut first with the rest of us not too far behind. I put my OKA into 4WD low range to tackle the track into Craigs hut. It was steep in some places with large grooves in the track, but the worst part of it was towards the end not far from the hut. A steep track with rocks appeared in front of us and I must admit it did look a little daunting from my point of view but the OKAs loved it, tackling it head on with no problems whatsoever. Paul managed to drive in most of the way in 2WD, so it proved how good an OKA is! As we reached the top we noticed John & Dianne watching us as we came up the track with their OKA parked down the bottom on a clearing. After we passed John & Dianne we headed up the track a little and Craigs hut appeared with a magnificent outlook over the mountain ranges. We all managed to take many photos. Craigs hut was originally a set used in the film the “Man from Snowy River”. The Mansfield Alpine 4WD club rebuilt Craigs Hut back in 1993, since then it’s become a very popular 4WD destination.

Jurgen left us early as he had to go back to Melbourne. So the rest of us headed back down to where John & Dianne were camped on the clearing to have lunch. We only had myself, the Parsons, Vissers, Goldsmiths,

Smithards, Wilkinsons, McDonaghs & Paul & Ian left. After lunch the Smithards & Wilkinsons decided to head 3

further over towards Mt Stirling. The rest of us headed down the Craigs hut track back to the circuit road. We then headed down to the base of Mt Buller. Leigh suggested a trip up to Mt Buller so we all decided to follow except for the McDonaghs who headed for home. We had five OKAs left so we all headed up to Mt Buller in convoy.

Once we reached the top we backed the OKAs into a car park took some more photos of the OKAs (of course) and then walked up to the summit to take in the magnificent views of Mansfield, Lake Eildon, Mt Buffalo and the fields and chair lifts below us that are normally covered in snow during winter. Leigh was very impressed with the view telling us that it was the best weekend ever, and coming from Alice Springs it certainly would be a change for him. After the Mt Buller visit we headed back to the caravan park in Mansfield where we caught up with the Boyles & Furlongs. They hadn’t been back long from their trip to Bindaree falls. They told us that the Hessions and Olivers tagged along with them down to Bindaree falls then left across country towards Licola.

A group of us decided to head out to the pub in town for dinner (and get a little more OKA talk in) before we all went our separate ways. After dinner Paul & Ian, the Boyles & Vissers headed back to Melbourne. The remaining OKAs, including myself, the Parsons, Goldsmiths and Furlongs spent the night in the Caravan Park before all departing the next morning.