2009- Exploroz The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 02:59
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So another year comes to an end, and we sit back now and look back on the year. Lets have a think about whats been the big news over the last year.

What do you think have been some major changes to Exploroz/4wding/Caravaning/Touring industry this past year? I am pretty sure us 4wders had a minor win with the new legislation that was to be brought in. The price of fuel has surely dropped, although the price of tyres and rego has gone up. It seems that recovery gear and poor recovery techniques had a bad year with a few unfortunate deaths. The road tolls dont seem to be getting any better nationwide. Cars seem to be getting safer also, and more fuel economical, even while achieving more power then previous. Did the economic crisis deter alot of people from travelling this year?

Im sure many others have more to add, more important incidents/happenings etc.

Exploroz has grown in size and stature, heaps of new members, advertisers and users, and still the best site on the net. Lots of new gear in the shop and alot smoother and better site overall. Seems the 2009 Exploroz Gathering was another success, and will be remembered for a long time to come. The photo competetion held this year was unreal also. Must say a big thankyou and congratulations to the Exploroz team, for getting the site to what it is today. Also a pat on the back to fellow members. On a different note, this year was also a hard year for many people, losing loved ones and fellow Exploroz comrades and i think it would be nice for people to remember and reflect on these people and the good times and memories that were shared.

What changes do you think we might see in 2010? Do you think we will see Oil prices drop(stupid question), bullbars banned, recovery gear with instructions and warnings, less deaths on roads (hopefully).

I know one thing is for sure, every year comes new gadgets and gizmos for this type of lifestyle that are always must haves. Most Items just keep getting better and better and make life easier and easier. Always look forward to new items and most of all working smarter, not harder.

Anyway what do you think was important in 2009?

Cheers

Kroozer
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 07:45

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 07:45
For us it has been the massive effect and change in enviroment in our shire of Murrindini Victoria where over 120 people died in the feb 7 fires , contributed to by a council and local parks bureaucracy that insisted apon such madness
as not letting people cut trees that adjoined there houses, clear brush etc etc.

Robin Miller

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Reply By: Member - Allan B (QLD) - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 07:48

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 07:48
Some things did not change however.

Oils still "Aint Oils" Sol.

No consensus on tyres.

Batteries still boggle.

The war between Waeco and Engel continues.

And the mysteries of amps and amphours still befuddles some.

Ahhhh......the Forum is alive and well! LOL

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: Member - Wamuranman - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 07:55

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 07:55
In 2007 oil went to $147/bbl oil – then the GFC hit forcing demand down and lower oil prices. But economic recessions do end and eventually the world will pull out of this downturn and enter a growth phase once again– with increasing demand for oil forcing prices up.

More than one-quarter of our crude production comes from just 20 oilfields. Most of these massive oil fields were discovered about 50 years ago. Another 50% of global oil supply comes from about 110 other fields, with the remaining production is produced by approximately 70,000 smaller fields. The natural rate of decline in fields past their peak was approximately 9%.
Of the list of those 20 largest oilfields, every one of them has passed their peak production. For example Russia recently surpassed the Saudis in crude production
Look whats happened to the once mighty Canarell oil field in Mexico.
Discovered in 1976, the Cantarell field was the second largest oil producing field in the world at one point. In its prime Cantarell was pumping out 2.1 million barrels per day. Since then, the field has been decreasing capacity. Production started to decline at a rate of 14% per year. Today, production has fallen to half a million barrels per day.
On average the world uses 200,000 litres of crude oil (or its equivalent) every second of every hour 24/7. Its true that there is much oil yet to be discovered or exploited – but in general the cost of doing so from such new discoveries will be significantly higher.
There is no doubt IMHO that fuel costs will continue to increase – and when the world rises from this economic slowdown – the rises will be rapid and significant.

Cheers

AnswerID: 394329

Follow Up By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 10:31

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 10:31
Not wanting to high jack Kruzers topic - but received this yesterday.

Here's an interesting read, important and verifiable information :

About 6 months ago, the writer (not me) was watching a news program on
oil and
one of the Forbes Bros. was the guest. The host said to Forbes, "I am
going to
ask you a direct question and I would like a direct answer; how much oil
does the U.S. have in the ground?" Forbes did not miss a beat, he said,
"more
than all the Middle East put together." Please read below.

The U. S. Geological Service issued a report in April 2008 that only
scientists and oil men knew was coming, but man was it big. It was a
revised report (hadn't been updated since 1995) on how much oil was in
this area of the western 2/3 of North Dakota , western South Dakota , and
extreme eastern Montana ...... check THIS out:

The Bakken is the largest domestic oil discovery since Alaska 's Prudhoe
Bay,and has the potential to eliminate all American dependence on foreign
oil.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates it at 503 billion
barrels. Even if just 10% of the oil is recoverable..... at $107 a
barrel,
we're looking at a resource base worth more than $5....3 trillion.

"When I first briefed legislators on this, you could practically see
their jaws hit the floor. They had no idea." says Terry Johnson, the
Montana
Legislature's financial analyst.

"This sizable find is now the highest-producing onshore oil field found
in the past 56 years," reports The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. It's a
formation known as the Williston Basin , but is more commonly referred to
as the
'Bakken.' It stretches from Northern Montana, through North Dakota and
into Canada . For years, U. S. oil exploration has been considered a dead
end. Even the 'Big Oil' companies gave up searching for major oil wells
decades ago. However, a recent technological breakthrough has opened up
the Bakken's massive reserves.... and we now have access of up to 500
billion barrels. And because this is light, sweet oil, those billions of
barrels
will cost Americans just $16 PER BARREL!

That's enough crude to fully fuel the American economy for 2041 years
straight. And if THAT didn't throw you on the floor, then this next one
should - because it's from 2006!

U. S. Oil Discovery- Largest Reserve in the World

Stansberry Report Online - 4/20/2006

Hidden 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the Rocky Mountains lies the
largest untapped oil reserve in the world. It is more than 2 TRILLION
barrels. On August 8, 2005 President Bush mandated its extraction. In
three and a half years of high oil prices none has been extracted. With
this
motherload of oil why are we still fighting over off-shore drilling?

They reported this stunning news: We have more oil inside our borders,
than all the other proven reserves on earth. Here are the official
estimates:

- 8-times as much oil as Saudi Arabia

- 18-times as much oil as Iraq

- 21-times as much oil as Kuwait

- 22-times as much oil as Iran

- 500-times as much oil as Yemen

- and it's all right here in the Western United States .

HOW can this BE? HOW can we NOT BE extracting this? Because the
environmentalists and others have blocked all efforts to help America
become independent of foreign oil! Again, we are letting a small group of
people dictate our lives and our economy.....WHY?

James Bartis, lead researcher with the study says we've got more oil in
this very compact area than the entire Middle East -more than 2 TRILLION
barrels untapped. That's more than all the proven oil reserves of crude
oil in
the world today, reports The Denver Post.

Don't think 'OPEC' will drop its price - even with this find? Think
again!
It's all about the competitive marketplace, - it has to... Think OPEC
just
might be funding the environmentalists?

Got your attention yet? Now, while you're thinking about it, do this:

Pass this along. If you don't take a little time to do this, then you
should stifle yourself the next time you complain about gas prices - by
doing NOTHING, you forfeit your right to complain.

--------

Now I just wonder what would happen in this country if every one of you
sent this to every one in your address book.

By the way...this is all true. Check it out at the link below!!!

GOOGLE it, or follow this link. It will blow your mind.

http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1911


Dunc
Make sure you give back more than you take

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Follow Up By: get outmore - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 14:04

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 14:04
sorry but the last part is the giveaway - its chain mail B.S

Pass this along. If you don't take a little time to do this, then you
should stifle yourself the next time you complain about gas prices - by
doing NOTHING, you forfeit your right to complain.

--------

Now I just wonder what would happen in this country if every one of you
sent this to every one in your address book.
0
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Follow Up By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 14:45

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 14:45
Not true, unfortunately...


FactCheck
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Follow Up By: obee1212 - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 23:25

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 23:25
So the greatest news story of the millenium didn't make it to the newspapers or television......

yeah
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Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 09:38

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 09:38
Hi All

Being a relatively new member since Feb 2007 or in other Forums they call you a Junior Member?,

* The Cook and I have experienced our first Exploroz Gathering at St George, met some great people with similar interests.

*Gained a few Helpfull Hints from other peoples experiences,

*Probably upset a few with some Replys to Threads,

*Hopefully made a few laugh with some of my Threads,

*Copped it on the Chin with some Good Humoured Replys or Followups,

*Was Deeply Saddened by the Passing of Members,

*Wondered why the Heck that I spend so much time on this particular Forum?
(Yes we do have a life, with other interests,)

Cheers
AnswerID: 394340

Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 11:41

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 11:41
Daza

"The Good, The Bad, The Ugly"

well....you got 2 outta 3 there LOL .........:-))
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Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 12:22

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 12:22
Yeh well I don't mind being God and Bad or should that be Good and Bad.
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Reply By: Member - steve. B... (NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 13:28

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 13:28
Hi All

As a new member May 2009 - my partners, X. Trail and T. Van went on our first big trip. After first getting some very valuable advise from the more learned members of this Forum. We set out on our adventure to Cape York. I suppose that was the blooding for the urge to travel under the stars of this great country. 8000 klms in four weeks.
I have experienced my first Exploroz Gathering at St George. Never imagine when we set off, I would have such a great time meeting so many people with similar interests. It was great to see a few faces behind the names.

As far as 2010 goes. If it get better. Someone will step in and try and spoil it for us. On the down side, can it get any worse than it is?

To everyone that has given me so much good advise, I thank you. To those I have not met in person, here's hopping I will in the near future. I wish you and yours " Seasonal Greeting. A Happy and Healthy 2010 "

Lets keep this forum Number One.

Steve. B...

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AnswerID: 394368

Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 16:53

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 16:53
The issue of Moderation seemed to rock the boat a fair bit.



Cheers.......Lionel.
AnswerID: 394394

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 00:19

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 00:19
lets hope they have life jackets on.. LOL
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Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 13:16

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 13:16
Moderation was a good inclusion.

It has weeded out most of the unnecessary off topic threads, bad language & personal attacks!

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Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 17:22

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 17:22
right on que!
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Reply By: Member - Flynnie (NSW) - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 23:06

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 23:06
2009 was the year we bounced back. Gloom and doom and so on and we went out there and did it. 2010 should be a year of new confidence.

For your specific 2010 questions, oil prices up, bull bars much the same, talk but no action, recovery gear more expensive because of the need for manufacturers to insure against misuse and litigation. Deaths on roads will continue to accurately reflect changed age profile of drivers and ks travelled and little else.

With the likelihood of fuel prices rising with the global recovery and maybe even more so if the ETS is introduced there has never has been a better time to explore Australia. Do it now. Not someday that never comes.

In a way 2009 was a difficult year. There has been a lot of attention on fatalities of young motorists. I am in a job where I only deal at the edges with road fatalities of the young. 2009 was far and away the worst year I have experienced. Too many deceased records and too many talks to young males to take a little more care driving. I do not know how the Police, Ambulance, SES, RFS, CFS etc handle it. It must surely take a heavy toll of them being called repeatedly out to fatalities and sometimes knowing the deceased and their families. I think the effort they make is not fully appreciated or even understood by the community. On a brighter note I have also seen young drivers who have a very mature responsible attitude to driving and are a great hope for the future.

Something I would like to see is safer bullbars. Not banning this or that, just tidying up what we already have. I live well inland and am still amazed how many rocket launcher type fishing rod holders are on bullbars. We can and must do better.

I hope to see a shift to simpler travel. You can do an awful lot with a car or 4x4 and some camping gear. It is not necessary to sell the house to fund some really good travel around Australia.

Make 2010 the year of exploroz

AnswerID: 394441

Follow Up By: obee1212 - Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 23:28

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 at 23:28
I reckon it's safer to take a solo sail around the world in a small yacht than to drive to the jetty.

he he

Owen
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Reply By: Richard Kovac - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 00:02

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 00:02
"Anyway what do you think was important in 2009?"

You became a member on the 16th Mar 2009. :-)

Cheers

Richard
AnswerID: 394447

Follow Up By: Member - Kroozer (WA) - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 01:55

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 01:55
Yeah sure did, and how good it did feel when i signed up.

Cheers
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Reply By: Mandrake's Solar Power- Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 11:13

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 11:13
2009 and Exploroz will always be remembered as the year a business started .
From small beginnings to small increases my little business has flourished - fortunately for me I don't rely solely on the income -
The Jeep and Tardis went on a massive trip and ended up at St George and we had a great time meeting new people and visiting places only ever seen in photographs .. 2010 will be a quiet year , a preparation year for the 2011 Kimberley and WA wild flower run from June to September .. God willing .

My thanks to everyone that helped along the way ..

Rgds

Mandrake
AnswerID: 394481

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