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NEW OUTBACK SKILLS TRAINING PACKAGE FOR REMOTE AREA MINING & RESOURCES PERSONNEL
NEW OUTBACK SKILLS TRAINING PACKAGE
FOR REMOTE AREA MINING & RESOURCES PERSONNEL
A new outback skills training package designed for the resources and mining sector has been launched by Queensland 4WD training company Olsen’s 4WD Tours and Training. Combining Four-Wheel-Driving, Basic Bush Survival Skills and Basic Bush Mechanics, the package is ideal for companies employing workers in remote areas.
In the last year Olsen’s have delivered Basic and Advanced 4WD courses to more than 300 personnel working for some of Australia’s leading mining companies as well as to employees of government departments, private organisations and private individuals. Special Mining and Forestry 4WD courses and the new Low Risk Driving course have been in huge demand.
The two new short seminars in Basic Bush Mechanics and Basic Bush Survival Skills last just half a day and can be combined with accredited 4WD training courses or booked independently. The presentations can be delivered in Townsville, Mackay or on-site and cover such topics as vehicle capability, recovery and emergency equipment, risk management, typical problems encountered in the bush, emergency communications, and basic bush survival techniques.
The seminars are based on life experiences and formal mechanical and bush survival courses attended by David Olsen. David has been operating in remote areas for more than 30 years. His expertise and that of his partners who combined have more than 40 years experience in Africa and Australia, including Special Forces experience means you are being trained by persons in the know. David has extensive mechanical experience from a motor racing background and extensive experience as a bush mechanic. David’s partners are qualified diesel fitters and mechanics.
Says David “Our outback skills training package is ideal for mining or resource companies wanting to provide invaluable basic knowledge to their employees who work and drive in remote areas. We have a commitment to providing the highest level of customer service to our clients and to training our students to become capable, confident, responsible and environmentally-aware. All our trainers are experienced and articulate and able to convey information to students ranging from novices to highly experienced participants.”
Olsen’s 4WD Tours and Training offers accredited 4WD and towing courses in conjunction with Getabout Adventures of NSW (RTO No. 90547).
For more information, contact David or Justine at Olsen’s 4WD Tours and Training
on (07) 4789-3289 or admin@djolsen.com or www.djolsen.com
36 Octagonal Crescent Kelso Queensland 4815, Australia ~ Phone 61-7-4789-3289 ~ Fax 61-7-4789-3298
Mobile 0488741609 ~ e-mail: admin@djolsen.com ~ web: www.djolsen.com
ABN 35677653618
Broken Wheel Studs- Simpson Desert
Now Offering Training in the Brisbane Region
We are now offering 4WD and Tow-Ed training in the Brisbane region. We’ve been doing quite a bit of corporate 4wd training in the south east of QLD over the years as demand allows, but now we are in a position to offer this training all the time. We will shortly add those courses to our online booking system at www.djolsen.com
David Olsen
Director, Olsen’s 4WD Tours and Training
36 Octagonal Crescent , Kelso, QLD 4815
4WD Training
Tow-Ed Training, Learn to Tow with Confidence
Defensive Driver Training
Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane
Phone: +61 7 4789 3289
Fax: +61 7 4789 3298
Tow-Ed Mackay – Learn to Tow Your Trailer or Van with Confidence
Every person who does the Tow-Ed training says “this ought to be compulsory”. We think that says it all.
Join us in Mackay on Sunday Oct 26 2010 and learn to tow your trailer or van with safety and confidence.
Nolans Brook to The Top
The crossing of Nolans Brook is always interesting. Many people just do not take enough care, and that is why 20 cars per week are drowned there in peak season.
Our crossing preparation was like a military operation, and the campers looking for entertainment gathered to watch, probably keen to see some carnage. Everyone crossed safely, and to our surprise there was loud applause and many compliments from the gathered throng.
North of Nolans can be pretty exciting. The trip is certainly not over once you get through Nolans Brook. We did not travel to the Jardine this year due to earlier delays, instead we went on to Bamaga and to Loyalty Beach. The following day we drove and walked to the tip and celebrated our safe arrival.
Join us on our 2011 Cape York Tag-Along Tour. Book at www.djolsen.com
Cape York 2010- Dalhunty to Nolans Brook
With regret we left our great campsite on the Dalhunty, but looking forward to the adventures ahead. The first would be Gunshot Creek. Despite what many beleive Gunshot isn’t always Gunshot, just as oils aint always oils. Every year it changes, and several times throughout the year it changes. When you arrive at it, the mutiple entry points used in years past may be completely unsuitable. In the last few years the south-bound traffic has dug away at the bottom of each bank entry/exit, and the resulting bog-holes are bottomless. Prior to our arrival, a vehicle had been recovered from there at considerable cost to the unfortunate owner. I had a go after many hours of earthworks but got bogged and had to winch out. Not wishing the same outcome for my clients, we elected to do the bypass.
I continued along the OTL and many adventures later we met at Cockatoo Creek, our camp site for the night. Cockatoo creek has always been a favorite campsite. In the past careful bathers could find small pools to swim in. New crocodile warning signs deter swimmers now.
In the morning we progressed up the track to Fruit Bat Falls always a favorite and beautiful place, where we enjoyed a swim under the falls. From there it was on to Twin Falls/ Elliot Falls, another favorite. As tour operators we have less rights than Joe Public- we pay a fortune to National Parks for the priveledge of being told where we can’t camp, and Elliot Falls is one of those places.
The rest of the OTL is always a blur of creek crossings and very interesting 4wding, and then comes Nolans Brook……
Olsen’s 4WD Tours and Training
www.djolsen.com
Cape York 2010 Kalpower to Dalhunty
From Kalpower we journeyed through the Lakefield National Park across Hann crosing where we stopped for morning tea and a bit of exploring. Across the Nifold Plains where the magnetic termites mounds abound, we continued, eventually to Musgrave where we had a lunch break.
Now on the PDR we travelled northwards. This is perhaps the most boring part of the trip, travelling long dusty miles on a gravel road. Still we made our fun along the way, arriving at Moreton telegraph Station campground in time to set up relax, have showers and enjoy a cold beverage. A few went fishing in the Wenlock while others did some exploring of the history of the telegraph station. The grassy campsite was welcome, and we had a good campfire in the big fire circle.
Next morning we were off again up the PDR to Bramwell Junction, the beginning of the OTL. We made a short stop for photographs before setting off on the famous track. Palm Creek is the first creek crossing and often has a difficult entry. we did some earthworks to ensure no vehicle damage and all negotiated it easily if tentatively. Ducie Creek was her usual self. Deep and dark, but all negotiated it easily despite bonnet deep water.
We continued up the track negotiating washouts and creeks all the way until I, playing silly buggers with my hat and a termite mound, slipped into a washout. A short recovery operation ensued, using a high lift jack and a hand winch to pull the car sideways.
Once moving again we wound our way to our camp site on the Dalhunty River. A nice little swimming hole provided some entertainment while others fished.
Come join us on our next tour of Cape York. Book at www.djolsen.com
Cape York 2010 Townsville to Kalpower
Day one saw us heading west out of Townsville to Thornton’s Gap. We made a quick visit to our friends at the old Eureka before continuing on to Undara, dodging 53 meter ore trucks along the way. We had a great camp site at Undara with an excellent camp kitchen.
On the second day the troops did a 2 hour tour of the Lava tubes before we set off again to Mount Garnet and then along one of my favorite tracks along a disused railway line. We had a short stopover at Australia’s only BYO pub, where we enjoyed a cool softdrink before continuing through the Devonian epoch limestone cliffs to Chillagoe.
Our plan was to then travel via the Palmerville – Maytown road that was newly acquired by the Cook Shire Council. On arrival at the gate of Palmerville Station, we had an altercation with the property owner. He is well known by many people including the local police for repelling people from his property. He claimed (incorrectly) that we could not travel on the road. Given his reputation, I elected not to expose participants to the possibility of physical harm from this fellow and instead called the Laura Police who set him straight about the legalities of travel on the road. We have now advised as many people as possible that the road is open and available for travel, and that if you have any trouble with the Mr Struba to call the police at Laura.
Once away from Palmervile, we located a very attractive camp site for the night. Phil got slightly bogged in the sand requiring a winch out, but after that all went well.
From there it was on to Laura. We normally get to Laura via the Old Coach road. Since this was not possible now, we made plans to change the itinerary and do it on the return trip.
Kalpower Crossing on the Normanby River was our next planned stop. The road from Laura, via Old Laura to Kalpower is lined with huge trees and is very dusty. We often have to stretch the convoy out here to avoid dust. This requires a bit of careful management to ensure everyone stays in contact.
Kalpower is a great site, spoiled only by the bollarded camp sites. Why do we need the bollards???? The waterhole on the river is home to a very large Estuarine crocodile, which keeps the fishermen on their toes. We did not see the big one, but saw one smaller crocodile. The camp site at Kalpower was a great place to get the camp ovens out and do some baking. I made a damper using my secret recipe, and got the thumbs up from all.
Why not join us next time for a Cape York Adventure. Book at www.djolsen.com
Half way through the Cape trip
We’ve made it to the tip of Cape York. We are settled in a Loyalty beach after the usual exciting trip.
I’ll update in better detail and with photos soon but highlights are-
– denied access to Palmerville- Maytown illegally. Cops sorted out property owner but we elected not to travel after time lost.
– Gunshot creek absolutely impassable but we had fun trying.
– beautiful swimming atthe falls.
– great views over the ocean now.
Cape York 2011 4WD Adventure – tag-along in 2011. Book at www.djolsen.com
A $400 Roof Rack for My 4WD
The new Obieco box on the back of the Nissan has three Rhino rack uni-strut type assemblies running across front, middle and rear of the box. They are somewhat peaked in the middle. I needed to fit some kind of rack to allow tying down of swags etc but did not want to fork out over $1000 dollars. Whatever I came up with would have to be strong because I walk up there and carry large quantities of firewood at times.
While getting some other bits and pieces in Capral I noticed some aluminium walkway 6 metres long and 600 wide. It was very heavy duty mesh designed for elevated walkways. I figured at $400 a sheet, it would make a very strong and economical roof rack, so I purchased a sheet.
I cut two lengths to fit the racks front to back. At 600mm wide they would not fir all the way across the rack, so I left a small gap in the middle allowing the mesh to come out towards the edge of the box. I bolted it down with large washers and 10mm high-tensile bolts.
I am pretty happy with the result.
Fitting the New winch
Some of you may be surprised to learn that I did not have a winch fitted particularly doing what I do, however over my 30 years of off-road driving, I’ve hardly ever found a front mounted electric winch to be of significant enough use to warrant having one. Of course I have had them over the years on various vehicles, but not on this vehicle. I’ve always erred on the side of caution and almost never needed to winch. When I have to, I use a hand winch. Since it is usually my clients who get bogged, the portability of a hand winch is handy.
Finally however I decided that given the amount of winch training we do as a training organisation, I’d best fit a winch rather than use the clients’, or my other trainer’s vehicles. These days there are some great winches available at low prices, so after lots of research I decided to give the Tigers11 winch a try. I’d seen a few of them working out on the tracks and thought there were many attractive features, not the least of which was the price. I bought the 12000lb winch with plasma rope.
The winch was delivered to my house, and despite very minor damage to the switch cover it arrived intact. I watched the DVD which advises to buy the winch from someone who can offer warranty, and I must say I agree with that.
Fitting it to the Nissan (ARB) Commercial bar was not as easy as I had hoped. Eventually I relented and removed the bullbar which made the job very simple. Removing my bullbar is not simple, with 3 antennas and water connections running to it, as well as earth straps- it took some time.
I’ll post an update with pictures as soon as I complete the wiring.
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