Bairnsdale Four Wheel Drive Social Club Inc recently hosted a 4×4 car meet at Bunnings Bairnsdale to bring together four-wheel drive enthusiasts from the region to show their vehicles and learn more about four wheel driving in the region.
The evening event proved popular with an estimated 40 vehicles present as well as a number of people passing by who dropped in to see what was happening.
“We are very grateful to Bunnings for providing us with a perfect venue as well as free barbecue supplies and a coffee van,” club secretary, Johanne Toohey said.
“The Bunnings car park on a Friday night in summer is quite busy and it was a great way to bring exposure to the club. It was nice to see so many club members and visitors attend with their vehicles.”
“When Bunnings presented the club with the opportunity to run an event such as this I thought it would be great for club members to get together with members of the public and share their passion for four-wheel driving,” past Bairnsdale Four Wheel Drive club president, Andrew Johnson said.
“Having seen the success of the classic car club rallies and attending several of their events myself I believed it would be a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with the community.”
There were a number of vehicles set up for display on the night proving to be very popular.
Ranging in age and size from Suzukis to utes, European 4WDs and the traditional Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan rigs, there were even a few slide-on camper units and a 4WD campervan.
All types of setups, from stock to heavily enhanced rigs, provided opportunities for many discussions.
Attendees on the night were able to take home brochures and maps provided by Parks Victoria as well as information bags from Four Wheel Drive Victoria with whom the Bairnsdale club is affiliated.
A number of attendees expressed interest in learning more about the activities of the Bairnsdale club and were able to learn about the benefits of membership.
“The club is very welcoming of families, we currently have some multi-generation family club members,” long time club member Alan Stockdale said.
“It was great to have some of our younger members display their vehicles at the 4×4 meet and I enjoyed having my daughter attend to display a 4WD as well.”
The club is pleased to advise a follow-up event has been scheduled for Friday, March 21 2025 beginning at 5pm in the Bunnings car park.
Members of the community are invited to attend, to bring their vehicles and wander around looking at the other cars.
Other recent club activities have included the ever-popular sunset desert trip in Western Victoria led by experienced trip leader David Raeburn, a number of four wheel drive trips in the local High Country region and running the club’s annual major raffle which raised $1150 for the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service Oncology Unit.
The Bairnsdale Four-Wheel Drive Club is a family oriented club including members with extensive 4WD and local high country knowledge and experience.
One of the primary objectives of the club is to maximise the safety of members and their vehicles, other people and the environment while participating in a socially relaxing activity.
The club enjoys strong partnerships with Four Wheel Drive Victoria and Parks Victoria, including a role in cleaning up the bush and maintaining a number of historic huts.
The Bairnsdale Four Wheel Drive Club meets on the second Thursday of the month at Club Eastwood for a social meal and general meeting.
Interested members of the public are invited to attend to learn more about the club and meet members. Further information regarding the club can be found on their website or by contacting them via email.
