November 2017
Queensland Sporting Hovercraft Club
AUSTRALIAN HOVERCRAFT FEDERATION Inc (Qld Branch)
Dear Air Cushion Vehicle enthusiast,
The Queensland branch of The Australian Hovercraft Federation held a planning meeting on Tuesday,
21st November 2017, at the Coopers Plains Library in Orange Grove Road.
This meeting was attended by:-
| President:- | Ben Woodhead |
| Vice President:- | Kim Allen |
| Treasurer:- | Phillip Audsley |
| Secretary:- | Steven Odgaard |
| Publicity Officer:- | Steve Stephens |
Other members attending were Dieter Renisch, Micheal Stephenson, Angus Kerr, Cle Sheck, Dwayne Morgan, Larry Franks, Les Taylor, Arthur Stead and Peter Venn.
Welcome to visitor: Caroline Hunter.
Apologies: Herman Ferreira.
Cruise report - Muriel St, Redland Bay - Sunday 12th November 2017.
Redland Bay Channel to Logan Cable Ski Park via the Logan River.
Outgoing tide, 24 deg C with a stiff 18 kph SSE breeze.
The last club cruise was held on Sunday 12th November 2017, launching from 96 Muriel Street, Redland Bay courtesy of Peter and Elaine Venn. This cruise was in support of "Make a Wish Australia".
Ben Allen was given a red carpet welcome after his family approached the club president via "Make a
Wish Australia". James and Claire Allen drove from Lambton in Newcastle, NSW to bring their sons John
12 years and Ben 10 years, and friend Will Ross to Queensland to see and ride in a hovercraft.
Ben’s Mum said he is so excited about Sunday, he is bursting with excitement!
11 craft were lined up on parade to begin the cruise for a noble cause.
Those attending the cruise with craft were:-
| Peter Venn | Turbo TP6 powered by Subaru EA81 | |
| Elaine Venn | Expo Turbo 240 | |
| David Venn | Hoverjet powered by Rowena 2 stroke | |
| Ben Woodhead | Turbo XP 960 | |
| Les Taylor | Turbo 235 Superwedge / Yamaha PE 485 | - Phoenix. |
| Kim Allen | Turbo Wedge 240 | - Zesty. |
| Michael Stephenson | Turbo Wedge 240 / Rotax 582 65hp | - Baffle. |
| Steve Stephens | Turbo Wedge 240 | - No Wheel Drive. |
| Larry Franks | Universal UH18-SPW | - The Norm. |
| Dwayne Morgan | Revtech Rocket / Yamaha PE485 | |
| Steven Odgaard | Bill Baker Vehicle 2 | - Static Display |
After the usual short runs on the passage, the main cruise left at 9:38 am and headed up the Logan River for shelter from the strong winds. The final destination was the Cable Ski Park near Ferry Road Carbrook.
Ben Woodhead carried Ben Allen in the Turbo XP 960, Steve Stephens carried his mate Will Ross in the “No Wheel Drive” Turbo Wedge 240, Les Taylor carried his brother John Allen in the “Phoenix” Turbo 235 Superwedge, Peter Venn carried his Mum and Dad (James and Claire Allen) in the TP6, Kim and James Allen went in “Zesty” but returned early for an errand at home, Larry Franks took his passenger in the Norm UH18-SPW, and Michael Stephenson did the filming while Dieter Renisch took command of the “Baffle” Turbo Wedge 240.
 Craft Line-up |
 Ben Woodhead |
 Ben leads the way |
 Phoenix |
Peter Wilkins has retired and sold the cable ski business to Tony Hartono. When the fleet of craft landed
on the grassy area near the ramp at Carbrook, Tony came over to investigate. On learning that this was
a charity event, Tony graciously donated a box of ice creams to the children, the parents, and the crews,
and made them feel very welcome.
Larry landed on an island in the Logan River but became stuck on uneven ground and had to be towed
off by the safety boat.
All returned safely by 11:30 am.
 No Wheel Drive |
 Steve and Will |
 Cable Ski Park |
 Angle parking |
Other attendees:- lan Lind of Ormiston, David Venn, Thomas Venn, Ruth Venn, Lucinda and Layla Baxter,
Narelle, Gowan, and Calum Woodhead.
Les Taylor folded away the port-a-Ioo at 12:45 pm and after a refreshing lunch at Elaine's diner, most
had departed by 1:30 pm.
Peter Venn and Larry Franks went for an afternoon cruise with family members and then Larry Franks
demonstrated the power of the Norm with a trust test at 2:00 pm.
 Line up of craft ready for the November cruise |
Matt McEachan - Redlands LNP member was confirmed to attend our "Make a Wish Australia" cruise for a brief visit between pre-election engagements before our “Make a Wish Australia” guests arrived. An e-mail was sent to his office later:
To Redlands Electorate Office,
Hi Alicia,
please pass on our appreciation to Matt for the time he was able to spend with the members of the Qld Sporting Hovercraft club at Peter and Elaine Venn's place today. We wish him success and would welcome him to come down again if he would like to try hovercrafting. The "Make a Wish" recipient-family (Claire, James, John, Ben, and Will), arrived about half an our later, and had an extremely enjoyable day with an extended cruise up the Logan River to the Cable Ski Gardens where the owner; Tony Hartono generously supplied free ice creams to the kids as well as all the hovercraft owners and passengers.
Cheers,
Steve.
QPWS news:-
Qld Parks and Wildlife Service advised that the annual trans-equatorial migration of wading birds has
begun and they MUST NOT be disturbed. They need to replenish their fat build-up after their marathon
flights, so they can safely rest, breed, and prepare for the return trip in a few months. The Southern
Moreton Bay Marine National Park and wetlands have international significance, and have long been
recognised by the RAMSAR convention.
QPWS will issue heavy fines for disturbing or "putting them to flight". An excellent brochure "Shore Birds
in Moreton Bay" is available from www.derm.qld.gov.au It includes plenty of good pictures and
information that all hovercraft users should be familiar with.
Also check out the latest edition of the handy booklet "Qld boating and Fishing Guide" at www.fisheries.qld.gov.au
Other Local News:-
Christmas party invitation from Les and Sandy Taylor Barbecue at their place 3rd December. 17 Waratah
Close, MacKenzie 11:00 am.
Keira Elisha King born 13th November 2017. 8lb 1oz. Mum and bub doing well.
Congratulations to our Secretary Steven Odgaard who has now served us extremely well for 30 years
and 1 month so far! He intends to retire for a well-earned rest at the next AGM which will mark the end
of a record-breaking accomplishment. His attention to detail and record-keeping will be hard to surpass.
Thanks Steven, from all of us.
Interstate News:-
Christmas Party HCV 9th and 10th December 2017 from Di Marshall
Queensland State Rally:
The next next Queensland State Rally will be held at Lake Coolmunda over the 4 days: 6th to 9th of July
2018. Powered sites at the caravan park can be secured by phoning Troy or Idalia on 07 4652 4171 or
0418 665692. There will also be plenty of unpowered sites near the waters edge. Quiet generators are
ok during daylight hours.
The lake has proven to be one of the most suitable hovercrafting destinations in Australia, as confirmed by
the successful "Sam Waugh Memorial AHF National Rally 2017".
Next club cruise:-
The next club cruise will be held on Sunday 17th December 2017 at Muriel St, Redland Bay.
Meet at 9:00am at 96 Muriel St, Redland Bay for a launch into the Redland Bay Channel.
UBD Reference - Map 267 B-9.
Contact for the event is Steven Odgaard on 0400 798 404.
Next Queensland branch meeting:
The next club meeting will be held on Tuesday 16th January 2018 at 7:30pm.
It will be held in the Coopers Plains Library at 107 Orange Grove Road, Coopers Plains.
There is plenty of parking at the rear of the library building via Bosworth Street off Orange Grove Road.
UBD Reference - Map 200 D-13.
Anyone with an interest in air cushion vehicles is welcome to attend.
We discuss technical topics and plan cruises.
Regards
Steven Odgaard
QSH secretary