Warwick takes on another water crossing and cruises out the other side.
By Anthony Gomes
Regardless of recent improvements in things such as road conditions over the past few years, the Cape York region can still be considered as a remote location. Areas such as infrastructure and natural weather patterns can at times deem some locations isolated for extended periods of time.
For locals who call the cape their home, the geographical remoteness can be quite a challenge. With it come financial constraints such as increased fuel costs and freight charges. Things that we take for granted can be quite a challenge for people living in the cape. Take for example a trip down to your local 4WD specialist to browse the latest selection of lights or winches for your pride and joy. For most of us, this is no more than a half hour round trip. For those in the cape it becomes a full days drive just to get there.
Someone who is well aware of all these factors is Warwick Grimwade, manager of TJM Cairns.
Warwick has lived and worked in the cape over a number of years, including working as a tour guide for a season, working from Punsand Bay with a local tour guiding company and resort maintenance (vehicles, and general maintenance), and also working at the Bamaga local garage. It becomes obvious that the cape is in his blood.
One thing's for sure, this vehicle is set up to take on the cape conditions.
Warwick has a mechanical background and had worked as a mechanic for seven years before moving to the cape.
Following his time in the cape, he then set out to go tripping around Australia for 12 months experiencing first hand places such as the Canning stock route, Birdsville track, Simpson desert, Kimberleys, Western Australia, Victorian highlands, Gunbarrel, and basically any track he could find.
Following this, he was then given the huge task of setting up the TJM shop in Mount Isa. Over time, the business was built up to become very successful. This experience in itself gave Warwick a good insight to some of the most popular problems associated with vehicle failure. It became obvious that not only are quality components needed, but also good education goes a long way for the general public for a safe four wheel drive experience.
Just short of ten years in Mt Isa, he then moved back to Cairns to manage the TJM store. This move was the cayalyst for developing the concept of the Cape vehicle. The idea was to service these remote areas and bring the goods and products to the public, providing a personal touch and not just a voice over the phone.
The concept was to fit the vehicle with not only the best quality products, but products that were suited specifically to the conditions of the region. These were not necessarily the most expensive products either.
Warwicks’ earlier background working and living in the cape certainly gave him the experience needed to do this. In effect, the project vehicle became a mobile showroom where honest advice was a priority. Over time, the benefits of this vehicle became obvious as it not only allowed people across the cape to view first hand the latest in off road products in their own backyard with no obligations to purchase, but it also allowed cape residents to talk to Warwick in an informal environment. After a season of driving the Cape and Gulf roads with the project vehicle, you can be pretty sure that the products on this vehicle are certainly suited to the local environment.
The view heading south from Mapoon along the beach.
With the new year now in full swing, Warwick is set to continue on the success of last year so be sure to drop in and have a chat with him if you see him on the road, or simply drop in to the TJM store in Cairns for some honest advice on fitting your vehicle out correctly for the Cape conditions.
Read more in the 2008 Cape Yorker magazine. Order your copy online.