The year has passed with a lot of action and attention by the Association. As we reflect on 2025, it’s clear that our commitment to our members, our land, and our shared values has never been stronger.
Brand Relaunch & Member Engagement
This year saw a major brand relaunch, including a fresh new logo, a redesigned website, and the rollout of Member Jungle to manage club information and communications. While the onboarding of clubs took a little longer than planned, the system is now live and serving as a vital tool for connecting with our members.
The next step is to ensure our new brand is visible everywhere—so if you have a sticker, stick it on! Peter’s “Show Us Your Sticker” competition is, at this stage, an exciting idea aimed at boosting our brand presence and driving engagement across our Facebook and website platforms. However, it is still in the concept phase and will require committee approval, as well as consideration of some external assistance, to get it up and running.
This campaign, once launched, will help show that we are more than just insurance providers—we are a vibrant, active community.
Conservation & Education
A highlight of the year was our first Conservation and Education Day at Black Fellows Hand (Maiyingu Marragu) in August. The event was a resounding success, bringing together members, local Indigenous leaders, and the Sydney District 4×4 Club for a day of learning, stewardship, and connection. Special thanks to Auntie Helen and Bushy from Back to the Bush Indigenous Incorporated for sharing their knowledge and passion for traditional land care.
As we look to expand these efforts, it is vital that we call on Bushy and Paul to review what has been achieved in Western Australia with the Wilbinga Shacks initiative. Their expertise and perspective will be invaluable in assessing how the successful WA model—built on collaboration, stewardship, and community engagement—can be adapted and adopted in other regions across the country. By leveraging these learnings, we can ensure our conservation and education programs have a lasting, nationwide impact.
The day at Black Fellows Hand reinforced our commitment to responsible recreation and cultural respect, and we look forward to working with Bushy, Paul, and our state teams to bring similar initiatives to more areas in the coming year.
Strategic Values & New Initiatives
This year, we established ARMA’s five strategic values—Freedom, Community, Advocacy, Responsibility, and Heritage—as the foundation for our planning, communications, and member engagement. These values guide everything we do, from defending access to public lands and fostering member connection, to advocating for recreational motoring interests, promoting ethical recreation, and honouring our shared heritage.
Importantly, we have already begun to put these values into action through several projects, many of which have benefited from the expertise and input of Geoff Couper. In Western Australia, we have formed a dedicated sub-committee comprising Geoff Couper, Jeff Trewick, and Tony Allender. This team has been instrumental in driving initiatives such as the Wilbinga adoption agreement and broader stewardship efforts.
The strength and effectiveness of this WA sub-committee demonstrate the value of local leadership and collaboration. As we move forward, it is essential that we establish similarly strong sub-committees in every state. By empowering local teams, we can ensure that our strategic values are not just words, but active drivers of positive change and member engagement across the country.
Paul’s new Climate and Land Stewardship plan is already shaping our future programs, and we encourage all members to get involved as we roll out pillar-themed campaigns and events in 2026.
Visibility in the Community
A key part of our success this year has been our increased visibility within the 4×4 and recreational motoring community. We have maintained a strong presence at major national 4×4 shows, as well as at smaller, local events across the country. Our new branding made a significant impact at these events, drawing many positive comments from visitors to our stands and helping to reinforce our refreshed identity.
A special thank you goes to Craig Upton, former committee member and President of Sydney Districts 4×4, for his invaluable assistance in getting our merchandise created for these shows. His support helped ensure our brand was well represented and memorable.
These shows are more than just opportunities to showcase our brand—they are vital moments for direct, face-to-face communication with our members. Meeting members in person allows us to put faces to names, answer questions, and hear firsthand what matters most to our community. These interactions help us stay connected, responsive, and relevant. Our commitment to being present at these events demonstrates that we are here for our members, actively listening and engaging to ensure the Association continues to serve their needs.
Special Acknowledgements
A special shout out and thank you goes to our current President, Bruce Fenwick, who is currently enjoying a well-earned break. Bruce is a founding member of ARMA and has served on the committee in various capacities since 2019. His dedication and leadership have been instrumental in shaping our Association from the very beginning.
We also want to acknowledge the outstanding work of Guy Camelleri as Insurance Officer this year. Guy has managed multiple claims, some of which have been quite out of the ordinary, with professionalism and care—ensuring our members are well supported when they need it most.
A heartfelt thank you to Peter Cole for his tireless work as Treasurer and for his efforts in implementing and managing Member Jungle. Peter’s commitment to both our financial health and our digital transformation has been invaluable.
A special thank you also goes to Paul Barrett, our Media Manager, who created and wrote the entire rebranding project. Paul’s vision and dedication were instrumental in shaping our new identity, and his work on this project has been truly outstanding.
Looking Ahead
While we celebrate these successes, there is still much to do. We must continue to grow our brand, expand our conservation and education efforts, and ensure our programs reach every corner of the country. Our focus remains on serving our members—listening to your feedback, advocating for your interests, and building a stronger, more connected community.
In Memoriam
We also pause to remember the loss of Ashley Thompson (SA), a true team player whose presence at shows and within our community will be deeply missed.
Thank you to all members, volunteers, and partners for your dedication and support throughout 2025. Here’s to another year of adventure, stewardship, and community.
Freedom • Community • Advocacy • Responsibility • Heritage
P.O. Box 7451 Baulkham Hills B C, Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153
arma.net.au