Just to let you all know:

I am planning on putting up a bunch of member profiles on the sydneybiodiesel.com site to show that we are a bunch of real people with real everyday cars and not some hidden bunch of weirdos (well, some of us, maybe).
The idea is to pixellate the faces and number plates in every photo to make a point about the silly tax excise laws in Australia. For those of you who make their own, the pixellation will be an obvious requirement, but for those who have bought legitimately through our purchasing group, it is done as solidarity/protest.
The first of our members - biofuelbaby has volunteered his story here.

I'd appreciate it if you could all send me a similar brief profile, just have a look at his one and copy the format with your own story/details. If you have a photo of you with your vehicle, please send it to me too - I will pixellate it before publishing.

I'll be posting my own one up next (just waiting for the first sunny day so I can take a nice photo). Once I have a few up there, I'll build a proper section for them and link them all from the front page.

Please help me make the site look a bit more "real".

Cheers,

__________________
Robert Fyvie
Site Admin
Sydney Biodiesel Users' Group and Australian Biofuel Users


......................................................
2007 Mazda 6 Diesel ..................................2000 Peugeot 306..........................2001 Landrover (retired)
2L Turbo charged (Common Rail) ...................XTdt 1.9L Turbo ............................Freelander TD4 (Common Rail)
on B100.................................................. ...on B100.......................................on B100

I love it! It makes me feel so rebelious, just like the French underground resistance in WWII. Even the dog is pixelated - what a hoot.

Nice one Geewhiztoo - but I have to inform you that I have already seen photos of your dog on a wanted poster up at the local cop shop. I think it was your dog at least - it had a French beret on but I couldn't quite see the face of course ... viva la resistance!

Cameron

The first rule of Biodiesel Club is you do not talk about Biodiesel Club.
The second rule of Biodiesel Club is you do not talk about Biodiesel Club...

Seriously guys, perhaps we could get some sort of publicity/sympathy for our cause with silly stunts like this. Whether we spin it with echos of the French Revolution, or Fight Club, perhaps we can at least get our cause heard and understood.

Maybe we won't change the nation, but it's worth trying. We might make some small difference.

Hey, get me some profiles and I'll post 'em. More photos including pets/family members are encouraged too!

__________________
Robert Fyvie
Site Admin
Sydney Biodiesel Users' Group and Australian Biofuel Users


......................................................
2007 Mazda 6 Diesel ..................................2000 Peugeot 306..........................2001 Landrover (retired)
2L Turbo charged (Common Rail) ...................XTdt 1.9L Turbo ............................Freelander TD4 (Common Rail)
on B100.................................................. ...on B100.......................................on B100

It seems to me to be a public perception image problem as well. I have mentioned to my work colleagues what I have been researching only to find I am the butt of their jokes behind my back. Taunts of tree hugger and fringe dweller flow freely. Well, I like trees and I am somewhat of a Greenie and I do live on the fringe of Brisbane so what! Still it seems that the perception is I am not to be taken seriously so they laugh at me. Well who's going to be laughing soon when the fuel runs out!!!
There was an article last wednesday night on ABC 7:30 Report programme about the viability of bio in Aus, so the message is getting out there.
It's all about public perception and credibility. As long as positive information is circulated and any hear say, unsubstantiated negatives similar to what is doing the rounds about ethanol destroying engines, can be put down, we will have a chance. It seems the public are confused about ethanol and bio being the same thing.
I was at the Nissan Patrol club meeting last night and thought most of them drive diesels, what a wonderful captive audience to introduce bio to. Maybe in the near future once I get all set up.

I know what you mean. I am also the butt of many jokes in my office. It's amazing how many ill-informed people still choose ignorance. I think that one of the most common misconceptions is that the only people who use biodiesel are blokes with 20+ year old cars who mix up dodgy stuff in their sheds with flies buzzing around. I'm really glad/proud now that I drive a newish car to wear the sticker on the back and actually demonstrate to the rest of the ignorant mass that it is possible, as I am doing it. The more of us that are willing to show ourselves, the better.
Oh, and I'd also be happy to have any QLDers (or anywhere else) shown in the profiles on the Sydney Biodiesel site too.

__________________
Robert Fyvie
Site Admin
Sydney Biodiesel Users' Group and Australian Biofuel Users


......................................................
2007 Mazda 6 Diesel ..................................2000 Peugeot 306..........................2001 Landrover (retired)
2L Turbo charged (Common Rail) ...................XTdt 1.9L Turbo ............................Freelander TD4 (Common Rail)
on B100.................................................. ...on B100.......................................on B100

I've just posted up my own profile here:

http://www.sydneybiodiesel.com/content/view/62/9/

Now it's your turn - send me your story. Just use the same headings: Name in forum, location, vehicle, Interest in biodiesel, other comments. Add a photo if you can and send it to me.

__________________
Robert Fyvie
Site Admin
Sydney Biodiesel Users' Group and Australian Biofuel Users


......................................................
2007 Mazda 6 Diesel ..................................2000 Peugeot 306..........................2001 Landrover (retired)
2L Turbo charged (Common Rail) ...................XTdt 1.9L Turbo ............................Freelander TD4 (Common Rail)
on B100.................................................. ...on B100.......................................on B100

Good one Robert, I support your views entirely. I'll submit my own profile as soon as I can get a suitable photo. I'm asking Santa for a digital camera, but I'll try and borrow one before then.

I only discovered biodiesel about six months ago, but already I have had to stop talking to my friends about it because they think I've gone completely bonkers. 'You take old fish & chip oil and do what to it?'

I also know a few people with diesel cars who look down their noses at me and think that Biodiesel is some sort of effluent from industrial sewage. Still, it's their loss.

Hey, I know what you mean. I often get excited and ramble on about biodiesel. I've realised from the social cues I get that most people just think I'm mad (well, maybe I am just a little).
At the end of the day the results will speak for themselves and hopefully the common unwashed masses will start to accept biodiesel better. I long for the day that when people think about "diesel" they do not automatically associate it with "distillate" or mineral diesel, but with a fuel that runs in a Diesel engine, preferably bio based. It is only a matter of time before bio mixes in mineral diesel become more commonplace. The people who laughed at us will probably forget ever having done so and will probably just accept that biofuels are the norm.
I'd like to think that we will all be a part of shaping the common perception of alternative fuels in the future.

Re the "looking down their noses" bit - you are right, it is strange what some people believe. Ain't prejudice and ignorance wonderful bedfellows? Since I've put the "I prefer biodiesel" sticker on the back of my car, I've been paying particular attention to ensure that I am the most courteous driver I can be. I don't want to sully the good name of biodeisel by bad or inconsiderate driving. With this in mind, I have noticed the following:

Most people in petrol cars do not even blink/think about the sticker. Diesel is something for trucks. They may look a bit confused and just think that maybe I am some weirdo greenie sympathiser, or somehow associated with the trucking industry. They would not think I'm actually driving the car on biodiesel (you can't do that! )

Most people in diesel cars immediately get an attitude when they see the sticker. "Bloody weirdo - I bet his car won't go as well as mine with the real raw fossil power of dino diesel - ha, I'll show him!" I find that people will try really hard to overtake me, even if they didn't need to once they see the sticker, just to prove a point (and I am already going well over the limit). I've even had a case of a diesel hilux who didn't understand the "keep left unless overtaking" rule (as so few drivers do), who kept almost passing me, backwards and forwards a few times on the M2. They would usually end up behind me, but still sit in the right lane. I would keep left, only crossing in front while overtaking. After some roadworks, when we all had to slow down, they came up right behind me and obviously had a good chance to check out the sticker. After the roadworks, I moved left and resumed my speed. The Freelander is actually quite a responsive little engine and does not lack any pep. I pulled away much faster than the hilux, which still trailed in the right lane, however the car in front of me in the left lane needed overtaking. With a puff of black smoke, the hilux behind me went hell for leather to reach me as soon as I put my indicator on. It was trying to close the gap so I could not overtake it. I put my foot down a little and easily moved in front with ample room to still overtake. The Hilux actually beeped it's horn twice, as it tried to approach me, almost as if it were sure that I would not be able to overtake and it would have to slow behind me. I of course easily pulled into the right, swiftly overtook and then moved back into the left. The poor Hilux, still belching black smoke tried in vain to even reach the point that I had overtaken from. I made sure I put my hand up in a gesture of thanks. Down the next hill, the hilux came hurtling past me (and I was already 10ks over the limit), as if it had something to prove. I made a show of offering my hand in a sweeping motion past me, as if gesturing that I would like them to overtake me, smiled and waved "thankyou" again. I was a little bemused at the attitude that this driver had taken once they saw I was one of those “hippie commie lefty pinko bio freaks”, especially the beeping of the horn bit. (Most people will flash the lights first - the horn is normally the last resort!). I'm 100% certain that would not have happened without the biodiesel sticker on the back (it had never happened to me in 4 years of driving the same car, the same way on the same roads).

I'd like to get some stickers, or wheel covers made that say things like "I pollute less than you" etc. Just to rub it in even more. Maybe I just enjoy being a fringe dweller too much and feel the need to antagonise the ignorant mainstream...

__________________
Robert Fyvie
Site Admin
Sydney Biodiesel Users' Group and Australian Biofuel Users


......................................................
2007 Mazda 6 Diesel ..................................2000 Peugeot 306..........................2001 Landrover (retired)
2L Turbo charged (Common Rail) ...................XTdt 1.9L Turbo ............................Freelander TD4 (Common Rail)
on B100.................................................. ...on B100.......................................on B100

Robert,

nice effort with the profile, is your daughter drinking the biodiesel?? I know it's better for everyone but i would wait a while to take it that far??

i still feel a little 'left out' driving round in my holden ute but i am moving ahead with my aim of purchasing a diesel, i was interested in hearing all your problems as i mentioned earlier and thanks for your reply's.

I think you should feel proud of your efforts so far, don't worry about the odd wanker on the roads, there are plenty of them.

If i do join the ranks soon i want to get a sticker made up that says

'I'm running on Biodiesel' What are you doing for the planet? Do you think that's a bit harsh?

keep it up

darren