Clubs suck.
I tried a few clubs when I lived in Melbourne. The biggest things that turned me off were,
- Committee's, I understand clubs need them, but most have their head buried up their arse and won't do anything they don't want to do. If you just want to go up the Craig's Hut for example, you have to submitt the request through them, elect a trip leader, provide a route card, bla, bla, bla bla.......
Instead, ring a couple of mate, and just drive there.
- Recovery training. I hold a certified recovery course certificate (work requirement completed through a RTO) and the clubs I looked at wouldn't recignise it. I had to attend "Ol'mates" training. Why, because he has been driving for 20 years and knows everything. Not certified, not a registered as a certified RTO and I had to pay him for the privilege.
- if you want to go out with another club member, you cannot. You have to invite everybody else. A simple day trip turns into an over complicated mission.
- like most clubs and associations these days, the committee have been around since the 60 Series was introduced and don't like change. Too many old farts justifying their positions. It's a 4wd club, not the local council........
- what finally turned me off, I went to one clubs meeting to see how they operate. I was invited by another forum member from another forum. Sounded promising, so I gave it a go. Nope, instead of talking about 4wd's, they spent 50 minutes discussing what shade of purple should the clubs shirts be.
Never been to a club since.
But my biggest gripe, is these clean up days like the one on Fraser Island. I have always wanted to help clean up the island or local forests, but I cannot. Fkn clubs get in, unless you are a member, you cannot participate. I have every right to be there as they do.
My advice, go along to a couple of clubs and their meetings, you will soon relies what club suits and what doesn't.
Or, jump onto a social media webpage and get yourself onto a tag along.
