The Wanderer

editorial@cmca.net.au Welcome to the June edition of our Club magazine. Being the time of year that it is, there’s something of a winter travel theme. Although I did not have the opportunity to try it out in the right conditions, I reckon the Trakka Jabiru J2M AWD that I reviewed for this issue is well suited for winter travel. It’s not particularly large but it is equipped for travel in wintertime conditions. As it happens, by the time you read this, I should be heading north on a grey wave-style motorhome trip from Perth to Broome. Along with my wife and another couple, we are planning on doing some serious exploration of the west coast of Western Australia. It’s an area of WA that I’ve never been to, and we’ve…

Firstly, as this is the last month The Wanderer will be produced by Emprise Group, I want to thank the entire team for their efforts over the years. My thanks also to Rob Gallagher. Recently, the Board undertook a review of the magazine from a production, publishing and advertising perspective. In the longer term, the Board decided to move to a new publisher. While initially the magazine will look and feel the same, over time, some new and improved aspects will be introduced, along with a larger multimedia presence. Members will be surveyed for their thoughts as well. At our Board Meeting back in April, we also approved the new Members Code of Conduct and the accompanying Complaints and Disciplinary Procedure. Both are available on the CMCA website under Benefits>Club>Club…

richardbarwick@cmca.net.au BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION As previously advised in May’s edition, there is one vacant position on the Board of Directors this year. Nominations close at noon on Friday, 2 June 2023. The Board is focused on representing members at the highest level including government and industry. The Directors are your elected representatives who welcome suggestions and constructive feedback from members. They also try to attend as many events as they can including chapter meetings, state rallies, combined rallies and national rallies. If you would like to receive a Nomination Pack, please contact NHQ or visit the CMCA website so we can send one out to you as soon as possible. Nominations close with Returning Officer Michelle Wilson at noon on Friday, 2 June 2023. Michelle can be contacted via…

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that weakens bones to the point they break easily, especially after an injury or fall. Unfortunately, many people do not realise they have the disease until they have suffered a fractured bone and it is then that the diagnosis is discovered. Throughout Australia, however, osteoporosis is quite common, especially for people over the age of 50. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with the causes and risk factors of the disease, as well as treatment and lifestyle changes that will assist you in the management of symptoms. SYMPTOMS Osteoporosis is often referred to as a ‘silent disease’ as unfortunately, in the early stages, there are relatively no symptoms indicating that there is a problem. However, once the disease has set into the body, there…

VANSafe Queensland – an initiative of Caravanning Queensland in partnership with the Queensland Government – was launched in early April and events will continue throughout 2023. Established in response to the rapid rise of recreational vehicle ownership over the past few years, the free Caravan Safety Check Program educated and supported recreational vehicle owners with the information they need to tow confidently, safely and compliantly. Open to all owners of motorhomes, campers and caravans, the education program included workshops, displays and masterclasses and was a safe zone for all attendees, meaning no fines or breaches were issued. Attendees could also get their RV combination inspected and weighed for safety and compliance. Total registrations of RVs have increased by over 20 per cent in the past five years in the Sunshine…

Research published by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) has found that Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) reduce the likelihood of motorists being involved in non-night-time multi-vehicle crashes. DRLs are fitted on the front of a motor vehicle and are designed to automatically switch on when a vehicle is driven to increase the visibility of a vehicle to other road users during the day. The study found that DRLs can reduce non-night-time multi-vehicle crash involvement by 8.8 per cent. The study assessed the relationship between crash risk and the fitting of DRLs using data on crashes that were reported to police in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia between 2010 and 2017. There were 119,606 casualty crashes in the database, of which 11,013 crashes were found to involve…