Bundaberg 4WD Club Inc's Brad Praed shares the story of life members Ian and Elizabeth Jones.
The beginning of December 2019 marks 20 years of Bundaberg 4WD Club membership for Ian and Elizabeth Jones.
To mark the occasion, a presentation of a new club shirt, a plaque and cake were on hand with the committee taking the opportunity to present the couple with their life membership.
In this day and age it is rare for people to stay in one group and reach this time of attachment.
The club congratulates Ian and Elizabeth for sticking with us.
Early on we learnt who was in charge of decisions, with Elizabeth being the type to voice her opinion and not holding back.
Ian is the quiet achiever who organises the car and camper.
The first trip with the club was an extended trip to Fraser Island, a spot still special to them both.
Plenty of trips for life members
Over the years they have partaken on some of the club's biggest trips.
Extended touring to South Australia via the Flinders Ranges and surrounds, the Birdsville races, the Snowy Mountains, and Cape York.
Fraser Island trips featured over the time with opportunities to catch worms aplenty, but alas, not one to be had.
Fishing wasn’t a favourite pastime for Elizabeth either, with Ian having to bait the hook and remove the fish as well.
His job was made a little bit harder the day and eagle came down and grabbed the fish as it lay on the beach, waiting for Ian to remove the hook.
It was a sight to see as it flew of with fish in its claws, line still attached to the rod and Elizabeth running after it all.
Kenilworth is another spot where we as a club enjoy spending time catching up with our sister club, The Ipswich 4WD Club.
Many nights have been spent socializing with them, at the bowls club in particular.
One such night brought about some great laughs as Elizabeth, who was out on the dance floor busting out her moves, bent down to pick up what she thought was a scrunchy, only to find it was some female attire which is usually worn on the other end of the torso.
Oh, the laughs we had all the way back to camp, roaming up the middle of the main street.
Her sins over the time have been released, with being blessed and receiving Holy Communion at one such camp.
Over the time the duo have had the soft top Jeep, the GU Patrol and now the Pajero, with an assortment of camping styles from tents, soft floor camper, Jayco Penguin and now the tandem axle pop top Jayco (which managed to loose one of it’s wheels between Bundaberg and Ban Ban Springs without Ian noticing and never to be found.
Ever-lasting friendship through club
Elizabeth has been a keen camper, but not so much a four wheel driver as she has mentioned on many a trip out and about.
Just goes to show that the group they hang around must be pretty good to keep them coming back for 20 years.
The club is grateful for their support over the years, and their donation of a shed to our club campsite is one that will be in use for years to come, especially at our Christmas in July/ Camp cook-off weekends.
This just touches on some of the events in their club attendance and members congratulate Ian and Elizabeth on this special achievement and for their continued friendship with many more stories to tell out and about.
- Other news: Volunteer Marine Rescue recognises life members
