193601
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- | ,/, | + | ====== The Sydney Bushwalker ====== |
- | + | ||
- | 4.ye, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | 718IP ' | + | |
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- | "THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER" | + | |
A Journal devoted to matters of interest to Members of The Sydney Bush.Walkers, | A Journal devoted to matters of interest to Members of The Sydney Bush.Walkers, | ||
- | No. 27. JANUARY,1936. | + | No. 27. January,1936. |
- | Publishing Committee: | + | | ** Publishing Committee**: | |
+ | | Miss Brenda White (Editor). | ||
+ | | Misses Dorothy Lawry & Marie Byles, | ||
+ | | Messrs. Myles Dunphy, Graham Harrison & Jack Debert. | ||
- | Miss Brenda White (Editor). | + | ===== Editorial ===== |
- | + | ||
- | Misses Dorothy Lawry & Marie Byles, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Messrs. Myles Dunphy, Graham Harrison & Jack Debert. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | EDITORIAL. | + | |
The Publishing Committee extends sincere wishes that health and prosperity will attend you all in 1936. | The Publishing Committee extends sincere wishes that health and prosperity will attend you all in 1936. | ||
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What is this big idea of picking on one place for the event, and then everyone going somewhere else? Last year the programme said " | What is this big idea of picking on one place for the event, and then everyone going somewhere else? Last year the programme said " | ||
- | But quite a few members of the Club were camped-at Era - some at "Lower Bugville" | + | But quite a few members of the Club were camped at Era - some at "Lower Bugville" |
- | Various members of the Coast and Mountain Walkers were also camped at Era, although their programme stated "North Era", so there must be something very attractive about this little spot, at anyr ate to those at the combined campfires, if we can judge by the fervour with which they sang the old song: "Put me on the Train for Era". | + | Various members of the Coast and Mountain Walkers were also camped at Era, although their programme stated "North Era", so there must be something very attractive about this little spot, at any rate to those at the combined campfires, if we can judge by the fervour with which they sang the old song: "Put me on the Train for Era". |
- | The weather, as is usual at that place and that time of the year, was anything but typically Australian Summer, still those who were lucky enough to be dawn over the whole holiday period struck some fine days but has anyone thought of asking the weather man what has happened to Sunny New South Wales that the first week-end of the year should be such as to wash the remaining campers out of Era? | + | The weather, as is usual at that place and that time of the year, was anything but typically Australian Summer, still those who were lucky enough to be down over the whole holiday period struck some fine days - but has anyone thought of asking the weather man what has happened to Sunny New South Wales that the first week-end of the year should be such as to wash the remaining campers out of Era? |
- | 2 | + | ===== Dirty Weather on Mount Solitary. ===== |
- | DIRTY TEATIER 07 MOUNT SOLITAI-CC. | + | The urge to climb has led to some cold and uncomfortable camps, and August Bank Holiday week end proved no exception. Ninian [Ninian Melville], Reg and I left by the 6-35 train for Wentworth Falls on Friday night with the intention of climbing Mount Solitary from the North East extremity and exploring generally. We camped that night in the shelter of the pine trees at the sanitorium, and next morning at breakfast the Scot arrived all done up in many layers of shirts, sweaters, and singlets, complete with woollen balaclava and gloves. |
- | The urge to climb has led to some cold and uncomfortable camps, and August Bank Holiday week end proved no exception. Ninian, Reg and I left by the 6-35 train for Wentworth Falls on Friday night with the intention of climbing Mount Solitary from the North East extremity and exploring generally. We camped that night in the shelter of the pine trees at the 2anitorium, and next morning at breakfast the Scot arrived all done up in many layers of shirts, sweaters, and singlets, complete with woollen balaclava and gloves. | + | The previous day the papers had predicted gales of wind, torrential rain, hail, and dust storms; we had read, shivered, and hoped for the best, but when Scotty averred that light snow had already fallen we jeered - but as if to prove him quite sane, snow began to fall then and there, and we ate our breakfast with the food rapidly freezing on the plates. |
- | + | ||
- | The previous day the papers had predicted gales of wind, torrential rain, hail, and dust storms; we had read, shivered, and hoped for the best, but when Scotty averred that light snow had already fallen we jeered - but as if to prove him suite sane, snow began to fall then and there, and we ate OUT breakfast with the food rapidly freezing on the plates. | + | |
Lunch was much warmer and very pleasant, in a sylvan glade on Kedumba Creek. Here we came across Maisie Frost and another girl who were going through the Burragorang Valley. | Lunch was much warmer and very pleasant, in a sylvan glade on Kedumba Creek. Here we came across Maisie Frost and another girl who were going through the Burragorang Valley. | ||
- | Before descending the Kedumba Track we visited a lookout in order to understand the lay of the land and obtain pictures of Mount Solitary. The gale proved so fierce that | + | Before descending the Kedumba Track we visited a lookout in order to understand the lay of the land and obtain pictures of Mount Solitary. The gale proved so fierce that it was all we could do to stand against it with one leg braced at the back and every muscle taut as a bow string. Far to our right we could see great masses of snow cloud blotting out Katoomba and Leura, and round us the wind shrieked and whistled while the trees bent far over, the leaves and branches threshing and writhing like live things. |
- | + | ||
- | it was all we could do to stand against it with one leg braced at the back and every muscle taut as a bow string. Far to our right we could see great masses of snow cloud blotting out Katoomba and Leura, and round us the wind shrieked and whistled while the trees bent far over, the leaves and branches threshing and writhing like live things. | + | |
- | At 1-30 we left Kedumba Creek and headed up the lower slopes of Solitary, making for a projecting mass of rook almost on the extreme East corner and 2,000 ft. above us. Easy going at first and no harder than the slopes of Era, but as we climbed the ground | + | At 1-30 we left Kedumba Creek and headed up the lower slopes of Solitary, making for a projecting mass of rock almost on the extreme East corner and 2,000 ft. above us. Easy going at first and no harder than the slopes of Era, but as we climbed the ground |
At 1,500 feet we ran into sleet, and from then on the climb was almost straight up. We worked our way under the great bare mass of rock, round its Northern face, up a precipitous water course at the back, and finally on top. A short rest in the lee of the top edge and we faced the wind once more to gain a glimpse in the now clear air of the surrounding valley over 2,000 feet below. | At 1,500 feet we ran into sleet, and from then on the climb was almost straight up. We worked our way under the great bare mass of rock, round its Northern face, up a precipitous water course at the back, and finally on top. A short rest in the lee of the top edge and we faced the wind once more to gain a glimpse in the now clear air of the surrounding valley over 2,000 feet below. | ||
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Our route now lay along the North edge of the mountain and we made our way as best we could for a mile or so, crossing over at last on a ridge running obliquely to the Southern side, where we camped in a gully under a 20-ft. overhang, at 5-30 p.m. It was too late to explore for a better campsite so we put up with what we had and made the best of it. | Our route now lay along the North edge of the mountain and we made our way as best we could for a mile or so, crossing over at last on a ridge running obliquely to the Southern side, where we camped in a gully under a 20-ft. overhang, at 5-30 p.m. It was too late to explore for a better campsite so we put up with what we had and made the best of it. | ||
- | The gale tore down the gully through the overhang in wild tempestuous gusts, bringing with it snow, dirt, and twigs, with a roar like an express train, and nearly every time this was followed by the wind turning right round and blowing up the gully with equal velocity. Plates, spoons, knives, billies, tents and clothinl-Were | + | The gale tore down the gully through the overhang in wild tempestuous gusts, bringing with it snow, dirt, and twigs, with a roar like an express train, and nearly every time this was followed by the wind turning right round and blowing |
- | round as if by a huge spoon, and smothered in dirt. | + | The billies had to be weighted with large stones even when hanging on the fire, and at last we wrapped ourselves in every article |
- | + | ||
- | 3 | + | |
- | + | ||
- | The billies had to be weighted with large stones even when hanging on the fire, mid at last we wrapped ourselves in every of clothing we possessed with the tents as extra covering, and slept with th3 snow beating in upon us. | + | |
Morning dawned clear but with no abatement of the wind. Snow lay on the ground though much of it had been blown away; water was a difficulty as a dry winter had transformed the water course into a dry ditch with only one small pool at the extreme end on the cliff edge, which contained several gallons of very dark liquid. Otherwise there was a little soak from some moss - but very little. | Morning dawned clear but with no abatement of the wind. Snow lay on the ground though much of it had been blown away; water was a difficulty as a dry winter had transformed the water course into a dry ditch with only one small pool at the extreme end on the cliff edge, which contained several gallons of very dark liquid. Otherwise there was a little soak from some moss - but very little. | ||
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Our most interesting find was a sheltered gully on the spur to the South of our camp which contained a watercourse and good water which looked permanent. | Our most interesting find was a sheltered gully on the spur to the South of our camp which contained a watercourse and good water which looked permanent. | ||
- | Monday was still boisterous; we left camp about 10 o' | + | Monday was still boisterous; we left camp about 10 o' |
- | About 1,000 feet dawn the track flattened out and we followed the old tramway track to the mine shaft at the foot of the Ruined Castle, a pile of rocks rising above the tree tops like the battlements of a mediaeval fortress, in the middle of the long spur between the foot of Solitary and the Eastern side of the Narrow Neck Peninsular. | + | About 1,000 feet down the track flattened out and we followed the old tramway track to the mine shaft at the foot of the Ruined Castle, a pile of rocks rising above the tree tops like the battlements of a mediaeval fortress, in the middle of the long spur between the foot of Solitary and the Eastern side of the Narrow Neck Peninsular. |
Here we had our first wash in two days, a shave, and a spot of lunch. Peter Page and party arrived soon after us and we exchanged comments and reminiscences of our trips over Solitary and the weather in general. | Here we had our first wash in two days, a shave, and a spot of lunch. Peter Page and party arrived soon after us and we exchanged comments and reminiscences of our trips over Solitary and the weather in general. | ||
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An hour's easy walk along fern clad slopes through thickly timbered ground below the " | An hour's easy walk along fern clad slopes through thickly timbered ground below the " | ||
- | BARNEY. | + | ** Barney**. |
- | CAMPING | + | ===== Camping ===== |
- | + | ||
- | When I lie down in camp at night, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | With boughs for curtains, stars for light, And with my head upon the ground | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Hear night' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Swept o'er my soul and from its keys, | + | |
+ | When I lie down in camp at night, | ||
+ | With boughs for curtains, stars for light, | ||
+ | And with my head upon the ground\\ | ||
+ | Hear night' | ||
+ | Those marching stars, this moon-drenched land, | ||
+ | Stir me with thoughts as if a hand\\ | ||
+ | Swept o'er my soul and from its keys, | ||
Drew deep, majestic harmonies. | Drew deep, majestic harmonies. | ||
- | When I return with weary feet | + | When I return with weary feet\\ |
- | + | From long bush miles and stony beat,\\ | |
- | From long bush miles and stony beat, Eager to lay my knapsack | + | Eager to lay my knapsack |
- | + | And change rough garments for a gown;\\ | |
- | And change rough garments for a gown; I look with what delight again, Upon a snowy counterpane. | + | I look with what delight again,\\ |
- | + | Upon a snowy counterpane.\\ | |
- | My room with cleanly welcome greets, And ohl how fair the cool white sheets. | + | My room with cleanly welcome greets,\\ |
- | + | And oh! how fair the cool white sheets. | |
- | Don't know who wrote this but hope you like it E4t | + | |
- | -4 - | + | ---- |
- | OUR " | + | Don't know who wrote this but hope you like it.\\ |
+ | Ed. | ||
- | After months of waiting I rescued her on a free Friday night (so generously donated to club members by an over zealous social committee) at the club. She was surrounded by people and nigh snowed under with a pile of maps. So I dragged her off to a - , was going to write quiet corner, but there never is such a thing at the Sydney Bush Walkerst club rooms on a Friday night. Anyway | + | ===== Our " |
- | I managed to secure an interview. "What first attracted you to the S.B:N.Club, Dorothy?" | + | After months of waiting I rescued her on a free Friday night (so generously donated to club members by an over zealous social committee) at the club. She was surrounded by people and nigh snowed under with a pile of maps. So I dragged her off to a - , was going to write quiet corner, but there never is such a thing at the Sydney Bush Walkers' |
- | "The fact that the world is round and large and that the party I used to go walking with had hied themselves to the four corners of this happy old place commonly known as the world" was the forthcoming reply. Out came my notebook and pencil. Already I was wwming | + | "The fact that the world is round and large and that the party I used to go walking with had hied themselves to the four corners of this happy old place commonly known as the world" was the forthcoming reply. Out came my notebook and pencil. Already I was warming |
- | " | + | " |
- | "You seem to remember that trip quite well, Dorothy11. | + | "You seem to remember that trip quite well, Dorothy" |
"Well Jack, I have every reason to remember that week-end camp. It was the first time I ever had anything taken by a rat". | "Well Jack, I have every reason to remember that week-end camp. It was the first time I ever had anything taken by a rat". | ||
- | "Still you could not hold that against the Dunes, for after all they are vegetarians" | + | "Still you could not hold that against the Duncs, for after all they are vegetarians" |
- | "I had previously seen the preliminary notices of the S.B.W. in occasional Sydney Morning Heralds, but I was totally opposed to organised walks. My attitude towards them was much the same as the Bush Walkers showed towards the Mystery Hikes and tikers. Quite probably, out of idle curiosity, I would have arrived at the clubrooms one day to ascertain what ogres these organised walkers appeared like in the flesh and blood. Still the remarks on the club interested me. I kept on walking like Felix, and about a month later I joined in on an official walk. After all, these organised walks, as run by the S.B.W., were not so terrible. So I just drifted into the club". | + | "I had previously seen the preliminary notices of the S.B.W. in occasional Sydney Morning Heralds, but I was totally opposed to organised walks. My attitude towards them was much the same as the Bush Walkers showed towards the Mystery Hikes and 'ikers. Quite probably, out of idle curiosity, I would have arrived at the clubrooms one day to ascertain what ogres these organised walkers appeared like in the flesh and blood. Still the remarks on the club interested me. I kept on walking like Felix, and about a month later I joined in on an official walk. After all, these organised walks, as run by the S.B.W., were not so terrible. So I just drifted into the club". |
"On looking through the club records, Dorothy, I find you very early became prominent in helping run club affairs" | "On looking through the club records, Dorothy, I find you very early became prominent in helping run club affairs" | ||
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"All your life, Dorothy, you have been to the fore in public life, have you not?" | "All your life, Dorothy, you have been to the fore in public life, have you not?" | ||
- | |||
- | - 5 - | ||
"Yes, I suppose I have. Somehow it runs in the family. Nevertheless you may, Ripley or no Ripley, believe it or not, I am shy". | "Yes, I suppose I have. Somehow it runs in the family. Nevertheless you may, Ripley or no Ripley, believe it or not, I am shy". | ||
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"Not so difficult with the members. They were so free and easy themselves. It is only when the occasion is really formal that the shyness prevails" | "Not so difficult with the members. They were so free and easy themselves. It is only when the occasion is really formal that the shyness prevails" | ||
- | " | + | " |
+ | |||
+ | "On account of being a lightweight camper I always endeavour to make an article serve two purposes. So whenever an article got damp I dried it by the fire." (The following really should be censored. I am sure if the club's Board of Censors notice it I shall be shot out of the club. Still for us who know the good natured Dorothy of ours, it is too rich to pass by.) " | ||
- | "On account of being a lightweight camper I always endeavour to make an article serve two purposes. So whenever an article got damp I dried it by the fire." (The following really should be censored. I am sure if the club's Board of Censors notice it I shall be shot out of the club. Still for us who know the good natured Dorothy of ours, it is too rich to pass by.) " | + | "You are recognised as a great wood gatherer". |
- | "You are recognised as a great wood gatherer" | + | "I prefer gathering wood to cooking" |
"But surely you can and do cook on trips, Dorothy?" | "But surely you can and do cook on trips, Dorothy?" | ||
- | "Oh yes, but not when I can get out of it. I cook only when I am on my awn or when there is no one els in the party who can cook". | + | "Oh yes, but not when I can get out of it. I cook only when I am on my own or when there is no one else in the party who can cook". |
"After long years of office on so many committees and sub-committees, | "After long years of office on so many committees and sub-committees, | ||
- | "I must admit I do. But it is so intensly | + | "I must admit I do. But it is so intensely |
"Do you prefer long trips with only ladies in the party?" | "Do you prefer long trips with only ladies in the party?" | ||
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"What did you think of Tom's remarks that he has outlived the nick name of " | "What did you think of Tom's remarks that he has outlived the nick name of " | ||
- | "Well in my opinion he still deserves to be called "Mandeiberg". The only thing that protects him is that he has earned so many other nicknames. At present he is 'The Hooey Merchant', | + | "Well in my opinion he still deserves to be called "Mandelberg". The only thing that protects him is that he has earned so many other nicknames. At present he is 'The Hooey Merchant', |
+ | |||
+ | "And after all your trips the bush still appeals and calls you?" | ||
"The appeal of the bush is so great that if I do not manage to go out walking for three weeks I become bad tempered at home. Then the family insist upon my going out. The congenial company is very grand and the club campfires are really wonderful" | "The appeal of the bush is so great that if I do not manage to go out walking for three weeks I become bad tempered at home. Then the family insist upon my going out. The congenial company is very grand and the club campfires are really wonderful" | ||
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"Just before you took over the duties of Secretary, Dorothy, there were rumours of war; prominent members spoke about the club passing through a crisis. In your opinion are things better now?" | "Just before you took over the duties of Secretary, Dorothy, there were rumours of war; prominent members spoke about the club passing through a crisis. In your opinion are things better now?" | ||
- | "WWell, the club is going on all right. Of course it is not for me to say that the electing of a woman secretary is a backward step. There have been no resig.- nations | + | "Well, the club is going on all right. Of course it is not for me to say that the electing of a woman secretary is a backward step. There have been no resignations |
- | + | ||
- | " | + | |
- | from a desire to evade further inquisitions, | + | " |
(If any member wishes to sue "The Sydney Bushwalker" | (If any member wishes to sue "The Sydney Bushwalker" | ||
- | THE BUSH WALKER. | + | ===== The Bush Walker ===== |
(In the track of Rupert Brooke.) | (In the track of Rupert Brooke.) | ||
- | I have been so keen a walker; filled my lungs So deeply with the fragrance of the gums, | + | I have been so keen a walker; filled my lungs\\ |
+ | So deeply with the fragrance of the gums,\\ | ||
+ | Their tang, their scent, their aromatic breath,\\ | ||
+ | Their life invigorating, | ||
+ | These are mere words! They lack the power, the strength,\\ | ||
+ | To lift the head, each step give added length\\ | ||
+ | As do the mighty trees in vibrant life.\\ | ||
+ | Yet, ere the City's grim and noisy strife\\ | ||
+ | Drowns all, I would shut out the noise awhile,\\ | ||
+ | So peace can be remembered with a smile\\ | ||
+ | That smooths the furrowed brow, and finds again\\ | ||
+ | Friends and brothers in one's fellow-men.\\ | ||
+ | Why do we fight, who are crowded here, hemmed in\\ | ||
+ | By walls, machinery, and ceaseless din?\\ | ||
+ | Components these of madness and despair!\\ | ||
+ | Speed is a cage - we are all imprisoned there;\\ | ||
+ | A curse; - and we live beneath it, you and I;\\ | ||
+ | The goal itself: - so we rush, and slave, and die\\ | ||
+ | Yet, by the walker' | ||
+ | And change, and almost take another shape,\\ | ||
+ | And so keep sanity still, and come to peace,\\ | ||
+ | Wide-spread, | ||
+ | And simple things give pleasure; wants are few -\\ | ||
+ | To soothe jangled nerves, strength renew,\\ | ||
+ | Out in the empty lands, gazing, or glancing .... | ||
- | Their tang, their scent, their aromatic breath, Their life invigorating, and pungent death. | + | These I recall:\\ |
+ | Blue wavelets, sunlit, dancing,\\ | ||
+ | Chased by a breeze; a beach of golden sand;\\ | ||
+ | An eagle above me soaring; the wide land\\ | ||
+ | Beneath my feet; and rest after a climb;\\ | ||
+ | Oranges; and full many a view sublime;\\ | ||
+ | A scarce-seen, | ||
+ | And trees themselves, that sway to every breeze,\\ | ||
+ | Standing straight and stately, friended or alone.\\ | ||
+ | Then, the fine friendliness of birds, full-grown, | ||
+ | Knowing not man; and the liquid notes\\ | ||
+ | Of lyre-birds; butcher-birds; | ||
+ | Joyous and free, through sundrenched air; the calm\\ | ||
+ | Serinity (( [sic] )) that is the mountain' | ||
+ | The homeliness of a little fire, with tent close by;\\ | ||
+ | Then hot food, and fresh tea; a darkening sky;\\ | ||
+ | The comfort and joy of the big camp-fire, | ||
+ | Flames leaping, while the fairy sparks fly higher,\\ | ||
+ | Into the night, and the cold dark.... | ||
- | These are mere words! They lack the power, the strength, | + | Comrades,\\ |
+ | And gay laughter, and song, and talk! Great Shades,\\ | ||
+ | And pleasing thoughts of lesser men are here;\\ | ||
+ | Thoughts of our own; voices beautiful, or queer;\\ | ||
+ | Frogs in chorus, too; on bracken beds\\ | ||
+ | We sink to sleep, and silvery shafts of moonlight\\ | ||
+ | Slanting through trees, add magic to the night;\\ | ||
+ | Fast-driving clouds, hiding | ||
+ | Coldness of dawn; bird-calls greeting day;\\ | ||
+ | Wind; and sunshine; deep pools in creeks;\\ | ||
+ | Lapstones; and long, steep ridges, crowned with peaks;\\ | ||
+ | The range-filled view; and trailing smoke of a train;-\\ | ||
+ | All these have brought me joy, and will again\\ | ||
+ | Whenever I escape, by secret thought,\\ | ||
+ | Or with my rucksack, from the city. There' | ||
+ | Can keep me from them while I' | ||
+ | Yet do I leave them, join in the fuss and talk,\\ | ||
+ | Fight the old fight for bread, enslaved by goods,\\ | ||
+ | And insatiate appetites, timid moods.\\ | ||
+ | - Oh, why do I yield, when, out there, freedom waits,\\ | ||
+ | And all that's left of leisure, that creates\\ | ||
+ | Beauty' | ||
- | To lift the head, each step give added length As do the mighty trees in vibrant life. Yet, ere the City's grim and noisy strife Drowns all, I would shut out the noise awhile, So peace can be remembered with a smile | + | And the great god, Pan,\\ |
+ | Retires, and watches, waits, withdraws, as man\\ | ||
+ | Destroys | ||
+ | His source of food, and dies. | ||
- | That smooths | + | Nature returns.\\ |
+ | Oh! dear, green Earth! Oh! Mountains, deep within\\ | ||
+ | Your hearts | ||
+ | To peace, and living Beauty, there enshrined, | ||
+ | Guard them, and thee, forever, from mankind! | ||
- | Why do we fight, who are crowded here, hemmed in By walls, machinery, and ceaseless din? Components these of madness and despair! Speed is a cage - we are all imprisoned there; A curse; - and we live beneath it, you and I; | + | D. Lawry. [Dorothy Lawry] |
- | The goal itself: - so we rush, and slave, and die Yet, by the walker' | + | ===== Things We Haven' |
- | These I recall: | + | ** Sky Hooks**: These useful gadgets eliminate the necessity for poles, trees, sticks and swear words in pitching your tent. Being made of the best quality chromium plated cupra-supra-heterodyne, |
- | Blue wavelets, sunlit, dancing, Chased by a breeze; a beach of golden sand; An eagle above MR soaring; | + | Hang your tent from sky hooks and dispense with poles and guys (of all sorts). Suspend your billies on sky hooka (use the small vertical adjustible type) and be independent of fire-sticks, |
- | Beneath my feet; and rest after a climb; Oranges; | + | The horizontal sliding sky hooks are rather too weighty for one person to carry (weight 16 lbs 16 ozs) but for a party a set is absolutely indispensible for crossing creeks; even small gullies may be crossed with their aid without losing height. The inventor is at present engaged in perfecting |
- | A scarce-seen, | + | As we said before however these useful gadgets haven' |
- | Of lyre-birds; butcher-birds; | + | In the meantime Paddy is constantly adding to his range of camp gear for walkers. Have you seen his new storm capes which are a very much improved cape groundsheet? |
- | The homeliness of a little fire, with tent close by; Then hot food, and fresh tea; a darkening sky; The comfort and joy of the big camp-fire, Flames leaping, while the fairy sparks fly higher, Into the night, and the cold dark.... | + | His 1936 model de luxe steel frame rucksack is something Paddy is especially proud of. New features include a zipp pocket in the flap and leather corners to the side pockets. |
- | + | ||
- | Comrades, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | And gay laughter, and song, and talk! Great Shades, And pleasing thoughts of lesser men are here; Thoughts of our awn; voices beautiful, or queer; Frogs in chorus, too; on bracken beds | + | |
- | + | ||
- | We sink to sleep, and silvery shafts of moonlight Slanting through trees, add magic to the night; Fast-driving clouds, hiding the moon; the grey Coldness of dawn; bird-calls greeting day; Wind; and sunshine; deep pools in creeks; | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Lapstones; and long, steep ridges, crowned with peaks; The range-filled view; and trailing smoke of a train;- All these have brought me joy, and will again Whenever I escape, by secret thought, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Or with my rucksack, from the city. There' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | - Oh, why do I yield, *hen, out there, freedom waits, And all that's left of leisure, that creates Beauty' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | And the great god, Pan, | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Retires, and watches, waits, withdraws, as man Destroys the face of the earth, and kills, and burns His source of food, and dies. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Nature returns. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Oh! dear, green Earth! Ohl Mountains, deep within Your hearts the bushland keep! May we who win To peace, and living Beauty, there enshrined, Guard them, and thee, forever, from mankind! | + | |
- | + | ||
- | D. Lawry. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | 8 OR. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | THINGS WE HAVEN1T YET INVENTED. (No. 1) | + | |
- | + | ||
- | .......... | + | |
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- | SKY HOOKS: These useful gadgets eliminate the necessity for poles, | + | |
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- | trees, sticks and swear words In pitching your tent. Being made of the best quality chromium plated cupra-supra-heterodyne, | + | |
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- | Hang your tent from sky hooks and dispense with poles and guys (of all sorts). Suspend your billies on skY hooka (use | + | |
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- | the small vertical adjust ible type) and be independent of fire-sticks, | + | |
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- | The horizontal sliding sky hooks are rather too weighty for one person to carry (weight 16 lbs 16 ozs) but for a party a set is absolutely indispensible for crossing creeks; even small gullies may be crossed with their aid without losing height. The inventor is at present engaged in perfecting a sailing sky hook, which will enable the wearer to glide with the wind at a fixed | + | |
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- | altitude. Our readers will be kept posted with the progress of | + | |
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- | this and other startling new inventions. | + | |
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- | As we said before however these useful gadgets havenit | + | |
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- | yet been invented, but you may rest assured that when they are, Paddy will stock them. | + | |
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- | In the meantime Paddy is constantly adding to his range of | + | |
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- | camp gear for walkers.' | + | |
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- | very much improved cape groundsheet? | + | |
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- | aluminium billies? Paddy has had them Specially made to suit the requirements of walkers and they have caught on. If you need a new billy have a look at these. | + | |
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- | His 1936 model de luxe steel frame rucksack is something Paddy is especially proud of. New features include a zipp pocket in | + | |
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- | the flap and leather corners to the side pockets. | + | |
New price list now out. Get hold of one. | New price list now out. Get hold of one. | ||
- | Phone B 3101. | + | |\\ \\ Phone B 3101.|F.A.Pallin, |
- | F.A.Pallin, | + | ===== Kanangra Walls and Kowmung River, ===== |
- | 312 George Street, | + | November, 1931. Edited M.J.D.\\ |
+ | 20/ | ||
- | (over Hallams opp.Wynyard Station). | + | Our party - George King, Aubrey Winton and I - left Sydney on the Friday, in Roy Hudson' |
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- | KANANGRA WALLS AND KOWMUNG RIVER, | + | |
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- | November, 1931. Edited | + | |
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- | 20/ | + | |
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- | Our party - George King, Aubrey Winton and I - left Sydney on the Friday, in Roy Hudsonls | + | |
Up and over the Mountains we made good time and finally pulled into a clearing on the right of the main road at the Jenolan Road turnoff at River Lett, about 12-30 a.m. | Up and over the Mountains we made good time and finally pulled into a clearing on the right of the main road at the Jenolan Road turnoff at River Lett, about 12-30 a.m. | ||
- | We camped the night without a fire, awing to shortage of fuel, but we had a good sleep and arose at dawn on Saturday. On the road early we set out for Oberon, via Tarana. Here further refreshment and final additions to supplies were obtained, then we set out on the road to Jenolan Caves, via Edith, the same route by 'which we returned from Kanangra in 1929. | + | We camped the night without a fire, owing to shortage of fuel, but we had a good sleep and arose at dawn on Saturday. On the road early we set out for Oberon, via Tarana. Here further refreshment and final additions to supplies were obtained, then we set out on the road to Jenolan Caves, via Edith, the same route by which we returned from Kanangra in 1929. |
- | On this present trip we carried, in addition to our usual survey and photo gear, an altimeter, which proved both instructive and useful. The OberonJenolan | + | On this present trip we carried, in addition to our usual survey and photo gear, an altimeter, which proved both instructive and useful. The Oberon-Jenolan |
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- | building a roadway for the car, for about 60 feet around a fallen tree (this time we forgot an axe). Our 1929 camp at Budthingeroo Creek (Luther' | + | |
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- | the swamps were fairly dry this year, we skidded only once, but from Cunynghamele | + | |
Camped at Morong Creek. While the others prepared camp Aub. and I walked 2 miles to Rocky Top, now heavily foliaged, somewhat obscuring the view, and decreasing that pre-historic effect we noticed previously. | Camped at Morong Creek. While the others prepared camp Aub. and I walked 2 miles to Rocky Top, now heavily foliaged, somewhat obscuring the view, and decreasing that pre-historic effect we noticed previously. | ||
- | On Sunday 8th. November the party separated at Morong Creek. We packed our | + | On Sunday 8th. November the party separated at Morong Creek. We packed our Swags and bade farewell to Hudson and Castles, and as the car set out for Sydney, we disappeared into the bush for the week's adventure. This came soon. Within 1/4 mile we saw our first snake. In less than 2 miles we were at Rocky Top, 4160 feet, taking compass shots to Kanangra, Colong, Burragorang, |
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- | Swags and bade farewell to Hudson and Castles, and as the car set out for Sydney, | + | |
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- | we disappeared into the bush for the week's adventure. This came soon. Within 1/4 mile we saw our first snake. In less than 2 miles we were at Rocky Top, | + | |
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- | 4160 feet, taking compass shots to Kanangra, Colong, Burragorang, | + | |
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- | Whilst observing the wonderful panorama we received the first drops of rain which proved to be the advance party of four hailstorms. However, we reached the Camp Cave at the Walls dry, but only just in time. The country was very dry, water being unobtainable, | + | |
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- | - 10 - | + | |
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- | soon the rain ceased. | + | |
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- | After lunch and half ar. h-;T:.1.-; reclining on the wooden dance plr.tform in the Cave, we ascended the steel ladders to see the viaw. At tho top we were caught | + | |
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- | in another storm, so, setting backs to the rain and wind, we watched hailstones bounce on the edge of the walls and pass into the abyss ' | + | |
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- | We saw some marvellous effects of the storms, which were accompanied by | + | |
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- | lightning and thunder. Standing on the Walls we observed the formation of | + | |
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- | clouds in the gorges below. Away in the distance near Katoomba the valley was | + | |
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- | filled with clouds whilst above them was clear atmosphere. Above this again | + | |
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- | was a second series of clouds, and whilst we watched we saw huge lightning discharges pass from one series to the other, a distance of perhaps 1000 feet. | + | |
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- | While this display was in progress in the distance, white misty clouds were being born in Kanangra Gorge below us, and on facing east, we saw dense white mists come blowing up from the valley there and which, being deflected upward | + | |
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- | by the walls, resembled jets of steam blowing towards us. During all this display thunder rolled and echoed, the whole giving an awe-inspiring spectacle. Towards late afternoon the clouds settled dawn on us, completely obliterating all view beyond 200 yards. | + | |
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- | We made back to camp, prepared tucker of bully beef, rice and bread, dined heartily, and after placing our plates and mugs under drips from the walls, to be washed clean, we yarned around the fire. When later we turned in the mist became heavier, lightning played with increasing frequency, each flash being | + | |
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- | followed later by a roll of thunder. The lightning became more vivid and the time interval between flash and thunder decreased, while the sound increased. | + | |
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- | The storm-centre was rapidly approaching our camp cave. The lightning became | + | |
- | inceasant and the thunder rolled continuously, until a sudden flash, brighter than usual, accompanied simultaneously by a terrific crash, caused | + | Whilst observing |
- | at the rocks above our bunks, decided I could do nothing, so attempted | + | After lunch and half an hour's reclining on the wooden dance platform in the Cave, we ascended the steel ladders to see the view. At tho top we were caught in another storm, so, setting backs to the rain and wind, we watched hailstones bounce on the edge of the walls and pass into the abyss below. We weathered this storm and continued across the plateau only to be caught in the third hailstorm, from which we sheltered in a cave on the south side of First Narrow Neck. After this we were not again wetted. |
- | Fortunately I succeeded. What happened after, may be known to George | + | We saw some marvellous effects of the storms, which were accompanied by lightning |
- | Monday broke fine but cloudy. | + | We made back to camp, prepared tucker of bully beef, rice and bread, dined heartily, and after placing our plates and mugs under drips from the walls, to be washed clean, we yarned around the fire. When later we turned |
- | or 300 feet, followed by one hugh steep talus to the creek away dawn below. I hope that photo was worth the risk taken. We measured the depth of the gorge by trig. methods. The height from the walls to the creek is 1119 feet. This is also the depth which Kanangra Brook tumbles in a series of waterfalls (the Kalang Falls). Farther dawn Kanangra Creek (the Grand Gorge) the depth beoomes | + | Monday broke fine but cloudy. We spent the day in photography and rough surveying. One photo necessitated my laying on the stomach and holding the camera over the edge of the walls. I looked down - the vertical drop was 200 or 300 feet, followed by one huge steep talus to the creek away down below. I hope that photo was worth the risk taken. We measured the depth of the gorge by trig. methods. The height from the walls to the creek is 1119 feet. This is also the depth which Kanangra Brook tumbles in a series of waterfalls (the Kalang Falls). Farther dawn Kanangra Creek (the Grand Gorge) the depth becomes |
This day we covered practically the whole of the plateau and made a rough survey, to correct existing maps. Whilst sitting on the edge of a wall we were startled by a small hawk which swooped towards us from the rear and rushed past about 10 feet distant. The sound, being unexpected, certainly gave us a start. | This day we covered practically the whole of the plateau and made a rough survey, to correct existing maps. Whilst sitting on the edge of a wall we were startled by a small hawk which swooped towards us from the rear and rushed past about 10 feet distant. The sound, being unexpected, certainly gave us a start. | ||
- | We noted some wonderful lightning effects on the great Thurat Spires; as the sun sank they threw great shadows over the gorge. Towards evening storms were raging in Burragorang, | + | We noted some wonderful lightning effects on the great Thurat Spires; as the sun sank they threw great shadows over the gorge. Towards evening storms were raging in Burragorang, |
- | presented a beautiful pict,are, we being ten 4, c) fifteen miles away, in the late sunlight. | + | On Tuesday, 10th. November, we arose early and had a shower under rock drips and breakfasted on porridge, toast and cocky' |
- | On Tuesday, 10-C1,. Novenbcr, We arose early and had a shower under rock drips and breakfasted cn 7oorridge, tot cad cocky' | + | We traversed the saddle to the junction of Gingra Range, passing on the way a strange conical rise on the top of the range, surmounted by a large rock, aptly named " |
- | Kanangra, we set for Hovirau' | + | Wednesday was spent on the Kowmung. Our campsite was opposite an enormous vertical wall on the river, about 500 feet high. In the morning |
- | We traversed the saddle | + | After lunch we started upstream getting into gorges which continue upwards |
- | on the Kowmung River. Total descent for the day, 2610 feet. | + | Next day, Thursday, owing to a shortage of ready-made tucker George stayed in camp to cook damper, while Aub. and I went hunting for a suitable route out to Kiaramba |
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- | Wednesday was spent on the Kawmung. Our campsite was opposite an enormous vertical wall on the river, about 500 feet high. In the morning we went downstream, disregarding the rain, which ceased about 10 a.m. A few great bluffs stand back from the river, at places starting from the water' | + | |
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- | After lunch we started upstream getting into gorges which continue upwards | + | |
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- | to Christy' | + | |
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- | thick growth along the bases of cliffs. At a late hour we had to turn back. About here we saw a platypus in a deep pool. | + | |
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- | Next day, Thursday, owing to a shortage of ready-made tucker George stayed in camp to cook damper, while Aub. and I went hunting for a suitable route out | + | |
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- | to KiaraMba | + | |
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- | which led to a grassy, ti-tree flat just beyond certain bluffs. We climbed | + | |
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- | higher to 450 feet in order to get a photograph of the country, and on the way back Aub. caught a rather rare specimen of mountain grasshopper, | + | |
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- | reposes in Sydney Museum. | + | |
After our morning' | After our morning' | ||
- | While resting in camp during the afternoon, preparatory to the morrow' | + | While resting in camp during the afternoon, preparatory to the morrow' |
- | tramp to Yerranderie, a lone stockman, with one defective eye and a typical bushman manner, came into camp. He was of Yerranderie. Over a pannikin | + | Next day, Friday, 13th. November, we breakfasted early and broke camp, with much lightened swags we crossed the river. Here we delayed |
- | -12 - | + | We now turned to the serious work ahead. To be brief, we certainly tracked the horse, whose rider seemed to have no idea of grades. We traced the tracks straight up steep spurs, through rough gullies, over broken stones, and, in short, over a most adjectival, unmentionable sort of track! Only two happenings relieved the awful climb. We saw two lyrebirds playing on the mountain side, and again, when we were resting, two black cockatoos with red-spotted tails, amiably pulled nuts from the twigs of a tree we were reclining under and playfully dropped them down upon us. |
- | tea we yarned. He said he had come from Yerranderie by the shortest route, which did not agree with that planned by ourselves. We decided to track his horse back. He, true son of the mountains, stated the journey could be done in an hour and a half, provided no stops were made, but as he had taken his time he | + | We left the Kowmung River at about 8-30 a.m. and climbed continuously, with a couple |
- | had occupied three hours on the journey. This was from Yerranderie | + | Soon we were on a good stock route track, making for Byrne' |
- | Jack Zucchetti | + | Made good time to Yerranderie, |
- | mounted, bade us good-bye and vanished downstream around a bend. | + | On Saturday, after breakfast we took some photographs, |
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- | Next day, Friday, 13th. November, we breakfasted early and broke camp, with | + | |
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- | much lightened swags we crossed the river. Here we delayed and co-ordinated | + | |
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- | our efforts in catching a young wild duck. After photographing him we released the little fellow. As he swam away his tail wagged so violently with the joy | + | |
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- | of freedom, that we almost feared physical disaster would result. | + | |
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- | We now turned to the serious work ahead. To be brief, we certainly tracked the horse, whose rider seemed to have no idea of grades. We traced the tracks | + | |
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- | straight up steep spurs, through rough gullies, over broken stones, and, in | + | |
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- | short, over a most adjectival, unmentionable sort of track! Only two happenings relieved the awful climb. We saw two lyrebirds playing on the mountain side, and again, when we were resting, two black cockatoos with red-spotted tails, amiably pulled nuts from the twigs of a tree we were reclining under and playfully dropped them down upon us. | + | |
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- | We left the Kaumung River at about 8-30 a.m. and climbed continuously, | + | |
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- | the top of KiaraMba Range. Here we made observations for position and rested (altitude 2000 feet). | + | |
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- | Soon we were on a good stock route track, making for Byrne' | + | |
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- | colour and taste we decided to have afternoon tea on Black Hollow Creek. Tucker being now dawn to one damper, a pound of oatmeal and half a pound of treacle we contemplated some porridge, quite a novelty for afternoon tea. Unfortunately, | + | |
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- | Made good time to Yerranderie, | + | |
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- | Jack found an old spring-mattress which we successfully installed in a shed, already occupied by a paddy calf and an 0.3. spider. We killed the spider. | + | |
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- | On Saturday, after breakfast we took some photographs, | + | |
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- | we set out for the local hostelry, Jack accompanying us. We found that the | + | |
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- | main building of this oft-occupied house had been burned down. The side rooms in which we have slept on several occasions are now the bar and living quarters. | + | |
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- | We went out with Jack and his mate Ryan to do a survey job of a mining venture | + | |
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- | they were interested in. After a hot morning we dined at the hotel. A | + | |
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- | thunderstorm approached. Over a mug of beer we said farewell to Jack and | + | |
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- | departed in the mail-car in pouring rain and in due course arrived safely at Camden, and later at our homes, after a wonderful trip. | + | |
Oliver Glanfield. | Oliver Glanfield. | ||
- | - 13 - | + | ===== Dere Hedditor, ===== |
- | Dere Hedditor, | + | De other day i was gayzing fru a kopy of de Sidney bush knockerbout or sum such name by which your klub konducks er magazine of sorts and me optics red in a heartical heded "the Federashun - a whiskey" |
- | De other day i was gayzing fru a kopy of de Sidney bush knockerbout or sum such name by which your klub konducks er magazine of sorts and me optics red in a heartical heded "the Federashun - a | + | Furver many hours wear spent discussing the suggested Federashun in a reel estate offis and 2 or free meatings was eld at Mockbells with Miles Dunfee, Harrold Chardun, Laurie Drake and Jack Debit. Sos i opes i wont corse a sensashun wen i sez the twenty thirst of July 1932 wass not the Federashun' |
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- | whiskey" | + | |
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- | who was the reel inventor of the federashun. Orlrite, now let mee | + | |
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- | tell yous that bloke wot synes that dare heartical dont no nuffink, cos i likes ter bee fare minded an eye kan tell your hole bloomin | + | |
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- | publishin kommittee they ort 2 b hash shamed of erlowing such errors | + | |
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- | 2 get intwo de paper. i was only er orfis boy at the tyme sir butt i | + | |
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- | well remembers back in 128 a feller wot was kalled Drake frequently | + | |
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- | discussing the hole highdeer of Federashun. So if onour goes were honer is dew Drake deserves the title of inventing the Federashun. | + | |
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- | Furver many hours wear spent discussing the suggested Federashun in a reel estate offis and 2 or free meatings was eld at Mockbells with Miles Dunfee, Harrold Chardun, Laurie Drake and Jack Debit. Sos i opes i wont corse a sensashun wen i sez the twenty thirst of July 1932 wass not the Federashun' | + | |
Orace the orfis boy. | Orace the orfis boy. | ||
- | PARKHILL PARK. | + | (( Dear Editor, |
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- | Although I have been sunbaking for fifty years I caught a cold in my back at Era Beach a couple of Sundays ago. It put me off work. Most Bushwalkers have a restless nature which prevents them keeping still and resting. I am one of | + | |
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- | them. I remembered that Mr. A. Parkhill, Commonwealth Minister for Defence, not so long ago gave us a new park area on the North Head peninsula, and which, | + | |
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- | if I remember rightly, was said to be a pretty good thing, containing a wealth of wild flowers in an undisturbed state, because the area had been locked up | + | |
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- | for many years. | + | |
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- | I decided to visit this Parkhill Park, and arriving at Manly I strolled | + | |
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- | around to the Ocean Beach and went up the steps at the dressing sheds at South | + | |
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- | Steyne. Up on top I soon got bushed in dead-end streets and beat about until put right by a bread-carter. He directed me to Darley Road and then to go | + | |
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- | straight onward. Arriving at the gate, a bronze tablet informed me that this | + | |
- | -14 - | + | The other day I was gazing through a copy of the Sydney Bush Knock-about or some such name by which your club conducts a magazine of sorts and my optics read in an article headed "The Federation |
- | was the entrance to the Park but a new notice board right in front of it said " | + | Further many hours were spent discussing |
- | Here WAS a snag, but after reflecting that I had come a long way for the purpose of seeing the place I slipped in unobserved. As I went along the road | + | Horace |
- | I saw a lot of notices telling people not to leave the road. | + | ===== Parkhill Park. ===== |
- | Along the way I was enjoying the wonderful views and the splendid wild flower show. The flowers were all out at their best. All of a sudden | + | Although |
- | across | + | I decided to visit this Parkhill Park, and arriving at Manly I strolled around to the Ocean Beach and went up the steps at the dressing sheds at South Steyne. Up on top I soon got bushed in dead-end streets and beat about until put right by a bread-carter. He directed me to Darley Road and then to go straight onward. Arriving at the gate, a bronze tablet informed me that this was the entrance to the Park but a new notice board right in front of it said " |
- | flowers. I saw a large gang of men spoiling everything. Walls had been erected, and without making my presence obvious I saw that great gun-pits were being dug. I thought we had enough guns in our parks already without having this one spoiled. I came to the conclusion that apparently the Defence Department had changed its mind about the park and now wanted it back for its awn purposes. | + | Here was a snag, but after reflecting |
- | I proceeded towards North Head and was presently rewarded with a wonderful | + | Along the way I was enjoying the wonderful |
- | This Parkhill Park is the best situated park we have and I hope that W. Parkhill and the Defence Department will leave us this little strip of land | + | I proceeded towards North Head and was presently rewarded with a wonderful view right down to Ben Buckler outside and our beautiful harbour inside. The view was just as if I were in an aeroplane. |
- | at least. I found out later that the Defence authorities had taken back most of Parkhill Park, leaving a small strip at North Head, but nobody may go there until the gun-emplacements have been completed, and this work might take as long as two years. | + | This Parkhill Park is the best situated park we have and I hope that Mr. Parkhill and the Defence Department will leave us this little strip of land at least. I found out later that the Defence authorities had taken back most of Parkhill Park, leaving a small strip at North Head, but nobody may go there until the gun-emplacements have been completed, and this work might take as long as two years. |
I notice that if one is not satisfied with the views they have left the Quarantine Cemetery open for one to ramble in and read the tombstones. That is very gracious of them. The road I followed to Quarantine Reserve had a barbed wire fence on each side. If they do not eventually wire in the cliffs I can recommend this place as being a better viewpoint than the Gap or the Harbour Bridge and a far better spot to throw your troubles from and lob a good two hundred feet onto solid rock below. | I notice that if one is not satisfied with the views they have left the Quarantine Cemetery open for one to ramble in and read the tombstones. That is very gracious of them. The road I followed to Quarantine Reserve had a barbed wire fence on each side. If they do not eventually wire in the cliffs I can recommend this place as being a better viewpoint than the Gap or the Harbour Bridge and a far better spot to throw your troubles from and lob a good two hundred feet onto solid rock below. | ||
Line 495: | Line 352: | ||
The White Abo. | The White Abo. | ||
- | -15 - | + | ===== S.B.W. 8th. Annual Entertainment. ===== |
- | S.B.W. 8th. ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT. | + | Away back in the middle of last November the Sydney Bush Walkers staged their annual entertainment. Variation was attained by moving from the St. James Hall to the Savoy, and the change was a happy one. Briefly the night went this wise:- |
- | Away back in the middle of last November | + | Rene D. Browne and orchestra served up music. Then four Italianos sang their stuff whilst extras trooped across the stage to a supposed theatre. Unbeknown to most in the audience this indicated they (the audience) were now inside a theatre. Peter Page warbled and eight sumptuously dressed Spaniards, the females displaying nut brown shoulder blades and the menfolk resplendent in white satin, did a dance act with tempo lacking a tingle. By this time the spectators were in a merry mood to enjoy the playfully prancing piggy pranks. A well acted play about a dog was too long - the play not the dog, it might have been different had we seen the object of her affection. In a shorter sketch an eye treat by the name of Marion successfully extracted money from a nervous noodle. A ballet beautiful helped |
- | Rene D. Browne and orchestra | + | The latest scandals were cut short when the orchestra |
- | their stuff whilst extras trooped across | + | The final scene was the ever popular array of boys and girls looking very service-like in khaki shorts and shirts, some singing, others trying |
- | now inside a theatre. Peter Page warbled and eight sumptuously dressed Spaniards, the females displaying nut brown shoulder blades and the menfolk | + | Other folks did things, so if you are interested try and secure a copy of the programme. After it was all over I found myself moving along with the mob to the Monterey and after struggling for service lingering |
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- | resplendent in white satin, did a dance act with tempo lacking a tingle. | + | |
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- | By this time the spectators were in a merry mood to enjoy the playfully | + | |
- | + | ||
- | prancing piggy pranks. A well acted play about a dog was too long - the play not the dog, it might have been different had we seen the object of her affection. In a shorter sketch an eye treat by the name of Marion | + | |
- | + | ||
- | successfully extracted money from ,a nervous noodle. A ballet beautiful helped to blow the cobwebs away and made Dame Care just a woman men forget. An interval specially staged by stage men Douglas and Chardon came as a relief to those desiring to consume milk shakes ad lib at a shop around the corner. Those not wishing to look on the milk when it was white talked, and how! | + | |
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- | The latest scandals were cut short when the orchestra blared forth more music. Everybody acted well in the tale of the Toad Island Turquoise and the fowl's standard was very high. A very original and clever skit on bush walkers past, present and future provoked oodles of mirth. The Bs0 Boys' Ballet went with a successful swing with Dunc assuming proportions of a pinnacle as mine host of the tuck shoppe. Four frantic-for-freedom puritans, so dumb and demure they thought Rex Beach was the name of a seaside surf spot, then sang their theme song. | + | |
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- | The final scene was the ever popular array of boys and girls looking very service-like in khaki Lorts and shirts, some singing, others trying to. The camp fire comedy concerning a king went over big and received AAA. Then came a masterpiece for those to whom the camp fire scene acts as a magnet, an appropriate poem by Dorothy Poet Laureate. And as the embers of the fire burnt lower and lower, Ernie Austen helped the fade out with The Bush Night Song. | + | |
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- | Other folks did things, so if you are interested try and secure a copy of the programme. After it was all over I found myself moving along with the mob to the Monterey and after struggling for service lingering | + | |
So help me bob, | So help me bob, | ||
- | Jack Der Bert. | + | Jack Der Bert. [Jack Debert] |
- | + | ||
- | -16 - | + | |
- | " | + | ===== " |
- | The term, a comparatively mild one, is not my awn; it was the strongest epithet that an English girl, a visitor, could find to describe a half-mile scramble through very thick, semi-tropical scrub flanking the gorge of Minnamurra Creek, some 10 miles inland from Kiama. | + | The term, a comparatively mild one, is not my own; it was the strongest epithet that an English girl, a visitor, could find to describe a half-mile scramble through very thick, semi-tropical scrub flanking the gorge of Minnamurra Creek, some 10 miles inland from Kiama. |
- | That she had cause to use the term, all members of the party agree. To us the going was bad, but to one used to the lanes and ordered beauty of the English countryside, | + | That she had cause to use the term, all members of the party agree. To us the going was bad, but to one used to the lanes and ordered beauty of the English countryside, |
- | Our Objective | + | Our objective |
As we were all travelling solo and had planned to sleep out, when the weather looked doubtful on Saturday morning, we all took tents, the result being seven tents for nine people, and, although we left two in Kiama, we still had sufficient tents to cover at least twenty people. | As we were all travelling solo and had planned to sleep out, when the weather looked doubtful on Saturday morning, we all took tents, the result being seven tents for nine people, and, although we left two in Kiama, we still had sufficient tents to cover at least twenty people. | ||
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Jamberoo offers a delightful variety of scenery; close at hand are quiet country roads, with cultivated lands and small farms; then, as the road winds along the banks of the creek, come the inevitable casuarinas, with tree ferns. | Jamberoo offers a delightful variety of scenery; close at hand are quiet country roads, with cultivated lands and small farms; then, as the road winds along the banks of the creek, come the inevitable casuarinas, with tree ferns. | ||
- | The road, once a well-used thoroughfare to Robertson, winds up hill by an easy grade, each bend giving some fresh view of the coastal scenery. At last | + | The road, once a well-used thoroughfare to Robertson, winds up hill by an easy grade, each bend giving some fresh view of the coastal scenery. At last we came to the plateau, from which, looking west, we could see Robertson. Then, shortly, we reached the Power Line, and a wonderful lookout. Below us was heavy bush, further away green fields, and then the sea. North we could see headland after headland reaching into the sea, whilst southward our view was blocked by Saddleback Mountain. |
- | we came to the plateau, from which, | + | Our leader now pointed out our objective, or, rather, where our objective lay in a deep gorge, and the route he proposed to take, which for a short distance followed the course of the Power Line down over a steep spur, which we negotiated by the aid of iron ladders placed where they could be of the most use. At the foot of the spur we turned to our left, and, after a sharp scramble through the bush, came into a clearing, once a homestead, though the only evidence of the fact now remaining consisted of two or three fenceposts and two lemon trees, liberally laden with ripe fruit. |
- | 17 - | + | A pause whilst we gathered a few lemons and chased a black snake, and then, giving a metaphorical hitch to our pants, and hauling up our socks in earnest, we started through the scrub. |
- | + | ||
- | shortly, We reached 1e Power Line, and a wonderful lookout. Below us was heavy bush, further away green fields, and then the sea. North we could see headland after headland reaching into the sea, whilst southward our view was blocked by Saddleback Mountain. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Our leader now pointed out cur objective, or, rather, where our objective lay in a deep gorge, and the route he proposed to take, which for a chortdistance followed the course of the Power Line down over a steep spur, which we negotiated by the afLd of iron ladders placed where they could be of the most use. At the foot of the spur we turned to our left, and, after a sharp scramble through the bush, came into a clearing, once a homestead, though the only evidence of the fact now remaining consisted of two or three fenceposts and two lemon trees, liberally laden with ripe fruit. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | A pause whilst we gathered a few lemons and chased a black snake, and then, giving a metaphorical hitch to our Pant's, and-hauling up our socks in earnest; we started through the scrub. | + | |
The tangle is terrific, and it is necessary to keep moving backwards and forwards to avoid steep cliff faces, and at the same time keep proper direction. It was, therefore, upwards of an hour before our leader and one or two others arrived at the Falls, with sufficient time to spare for a swim before the girls arrived. | The tangle is terrific, and it is necessary to keep moving backwards and forwards to avoid steep cliff faces, and at the same time keep proper direction. It was, therefore, upwards of an hour before our leader and one or two others arrived at the Falls, with sufficient time to spare for a swim before the girls arrived. | ||
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Having washed the scars and dust of battle off in a glorious, cold pool at the foot of the falls, we dressed and returned to meet the others as they came through the fringe of the scrub. With pardonable pride in our Australian bush, we asked our visitor for her views on the walk. The answer was candid, | Having washed the scars and dust of battle off in a glorious, cold pool at the foot of the falls, we dressed and returned to meet the others as they came through the fringe of the scrub. With pardonable pride in our Australian bush, we asked our visitor for her views on the walk. The answer was candid, | ||
- | "A lousy walki", | + | "A lousy walk!", |
- | and then, to show her aptitude for learning, she added in biting tones, "A bloody, lousy walk!" | + | and then, to show her aptitude for learning, she added in biting tones, |
+ | |||
+ | "A bloody, lousy walk!" | ||
Both epithets were newly learned, and our visitor was entitled to use them. Badly scratched by lawyer vines, a leech clinging affectionately to her leg, she looked far from trim, but her naive use of the adjectives amused us highly, and her accent, hitherto slight, became more marked as the description continued. | Both epithets were newly learned, and our visitor was entitled to use them. Badly scratched by lawyer vines, a leech clinging affectionately to her leg, she looked far from trim, but her naive use of the adjectives amused us highly, and her accent, hitherto slight, became more marked as the description continued. | ||
- | Whilst the men scouted around for a mislaid member, the girls bathed, and when next we met, at lunch, the sorrows and tribulations of the morning had | + | Whilst the men scouted around for a mislaid member, the girls bathed, and when next we met, at lunch, the sorrows and tribulations of the morning had been relegated to a back place, and only the humour and pleasure were remembered. |
- | + | ||
- | been relegated to a back place, and only the humour and pleasure were remembered. | + | |
As time was limited, we made a quick lunch, and started off to Jamberoo, but were fortunate in persuading a lorry driver, whom we met a few hundred yards from camp, to drive us into Kiama, where we were in plenty of time to catch our train after inspecting the blue metal quarries. | As time was limited, we made a quick lunch, and started off to Jamberoo, but were fortunate in persuading a lorry driver, whom we met a few hundred yards from camp, to drive us into Kiama, where we were in plenty of time to catch our train after inspecting the blue metal quarries. | ||
- | On the train, as is usual, we discussed the walk, and our visitor informed | + | On the train, as is usual, we discussed the walk, and our visitor informed |
- | us that she had done three things that week-end which she had never done before; the first, to walk, or scramble, through rough scrub; the second, to swim in a mountain pool in the nude; and the third, to travel in a lorry; but she forgot to mention the fourth, and this we are sure she had never done before to call a delightful stroll, "A bloody, lousy walk". | + | "Doug." |
- | "Doug.ti | + | ===== Social Notes. ===== |
- | -18 - | + | On November 19th. the 8th. Annual Concert of the Sydney Bushwalkers was given at the Savoy Theatre, Sydney. There was a record attendance and the standard of entertainment was in every way equal, if not superior to the forerunners. The Plan was well booked quite early and everybody was most enthusiastic about this annual effort. There was a substantial profit of over £23:0:0 (( 23 Pounds )) which reflects great credit on the organisers and the support given By the Members. |
- | SOCIAL NOTES. | + | Mr. J. Nangle gave a very interesting talk to Members on the 22nd. November entitled "Stars and their uses, their time and position." |
- | On November 19th. the 8th. Annual Concert of the Sydney Bushwalkers was given at the Savoy Theatre, Sydney. There was a record attendance and the standard of entertainment was in every way equal, if not superior to the forerunners. The Plan was well booked quite early and everybody was most enthusiastic about this annual effort. There was a substantial | + | On Sunday 15th. December the Annual Children' |
- | + | ||
- | profit of over 23:0:0 which reflects great credit on the organisers and the support given By the Members. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Mr. J. Nangle gave a very interesting talk to Members an | + | |
- | + | ||
- | the 22nd. November entitled "Stars and their uses, their time | + | |
- | + | ||
- | and position." | + | |
- | + | ||
- | On Sunday 15th. December the Annual Children' | + | |
- | + | ||
- | was held at Lilyvale. A very fine day was spent by both helpers and children. The Social Secretary wishes to record | + | |
- | + | ||
- | her thanks for the very generous help accorded her on this day. | + | |
- | + | ||
- | Those members attending worked very hard to make the day a very entertaining and enjoyable one for the children present. | + | |
Congratulations to Ada Burling and Clem Armstrong on their engagement, | Congratulations to Ada Burling and Clem Armstrong on their engagement, | ||
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to Dot and John Hellyer on the birth of a daughter. | to Dot and John Hellyer on the birth of a daughter. | ||
- | RENE D. BROWNE, | + | Rene D. Browne, |
Hon. Social Secretary. | Hon. Social Secretary. | ||
- | |||
193601.1418947888.txt.gz · Last modified: 2014/12/19 11:11 by elddawt