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--- 194410 [2017/11/09 13:33] – tyreless
+++ 194410 [2017/11/16 13:15] – tyreless
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 |Goodman's Advt.|11|
 |Backyard Bushwalking (Paddy Pallin)|12|
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-EVOLUTION
+=====Evolution.=====
-by "UBI.
-BT'ISazie 1943. Eni..er c=servative traveller from the South to whom trevelling lriEtake in a -r.:17't olaGE cLr with a second class ;;...ok'et Tms a
+by "Ubi".
-.1;:eT.7.,- at "hf tchiy;g"', -...: had
-.L1 fcr jf,,c4a1 Ta117,1. and IorG7)e.:;ed
+Brisbane 1943. Enter conservative traveller from the South to whom trevelling by mistake in a first class car with a second class ticket was a moral sin and who weel remebers his first attempt at "hitching". I had missed the train up the Blue Mountains for my official walk and I suspected that no one likely to be present knew the country. I thought of every possible means of making the journey to Faulconbridge and could see no alternative but to attempt to "hitch" from the Nepean bridge. Many a criminal must have committed murder much more light heartedly than I, for the first time, raised my thumb. To add to my confusion and injured feelings the first car turned off the road a few hundred feet in front of me and the second car when it pulled up proved to be a taxi. My gratitude was immense but I did not know at the time that to "hitch" a taxi is, amongst professionals, a very bad faux pas.
-tnat 11:1 ona ;!;..z,7;w 1 thought of c-7ciry
+So in Brisbane 1943 I naturally first surveyed the orthodox methods of transport and made my maiden trip by train at Xmas, the alleged season of good-will towards man. Realizing that it is well nigh impossible to get a pack on teh trams, and living close to the city, I eschewed this method of transport from teh beginning, first making quite long journeys by foot rather than face the problem of getting on a tram and, just as important, getting off again. Innocently, with the rest of the crowd I milled into that railway compartment with my pack, only to find that in the whole carriage there was not a rack 1arge enough to hold it nor was there room to put it on the floor. I was dejectedly contemplating nursing it for the whole journey when the idea occurred to me to place it in the luggage van so I rushed along at one staion and was remonstrated with by the guard on account of the possibility of holding up the train. The train took only four and a half hours to dash over 67 miles of flat country so of course every second was valuable. There was no accommodation of any kind on the train and, not being in the least degree hot, no water. The return trip was made in a motor train of such ancient vintage that Stephenson's "Rocket" would have felt ultra-modern in its company and which moved so wildly that I was quite alarmed. However I sustained no injury beyond a lump on the forehead where I was flung against the window. These experiences caused me to enter the cautious phase of my life as a traveller.
-:77 F-:vr;aGot,hrl f5r and cou'id ese nc alter-
- -
+The South Coast beaches and sunshine next attracted me. On this line is daily enacted a drama having some of the features of the Hampden maze and some of the riddle of the Sphinx. A train leaves Brisbane which is not one but consists really of two halves - ordinarily the sheep going to Southport or the goats off to Coolangatta are shepherded to their respective compartments by notices and railway officials, but this occasion being a holiday, everyone was confused and there was much speculation as tp which half went where. Zero hour came at a small platform in the middle of the bush where the ceremony of breaking the train takes place and here a large crowd, myself included, was pushing up and down the line in the rain endeavouring to discover which train was which. Just as I made sure of my portion it began to disappear and I frantically after it until a yelling official told me that it was just going to be parked somewhere temporarily. Eventually one finds oneself on the move again but if one has been facing the engine now one has one's back to it. The whole operation can be understood if you are prepared to diligently study it and include a daylight inspection of the junction but it is wiser to get into the correctly labelled portion of the train and try to ignore anything that happens. (Even if you are pn the wrong "bit" you are sure of quite a pleasant weekend).
-.1i; but to 'Pe7r7-n MfAny a orir,.:nal
-ti-1;7,-1 1., for the first
+A grand old "mixed" brought us back from Canungra. The "mixeds" are like elderly, portly 1adies - you do not expect them to be fast and they have no pretensions so you can be tolerant. The two compartments attached were full so we obtained permission to ride in a half-empty truck which proved luxury travel both for sight-seeing and for coolness. All track records were broken in a 48 mile run occupying five and a quarter hours.
- r7LiFed r;x colfu_ar arc' e r,r,;s firFt
-oar uld off 1-ie r. 1.-4v fot in f:nt cf -- ana F7!?(I.d
+The whole train position was wicked but we soon decided that we would not complain, not even ae we dug ourselves out of the coal dust, as long as there was a train but we quickly realised that the few convenient times were quite inadequate for walking trips.
-whin n Y!A, Yy .7117:ery: LI not
-krvjw Y; the i roo that rttc1-2' a twKi i, 61=,L7L,t 71:':c1eLs:LcaalF, a very
+One day a local happened to mention that a lift could be arranged to his district by milk lorry from a Brisbane factory and that news was a seed which did not fall on stony ground. I interviewed the milk receiving department and, as a result, lay in wait for a truck coming from Beaudesert, the centre of a regton almost famous for its walking attractions. As I stood on the corner I missed what was probably the only opportunity which will ever come my way of getting rich quickly. The case I carried was apparently the snare, for I had to keep up a constant conversation telling Allied servicemen, who inquired both openly and covertly, that I was not dealing in black market whisky. To one thirsty enquirer for a drink "around here" I pointed out that there was a large milk depot opposite but he disgustedly replied "Ugh, that stuff 'd kill me".
-bacl
-So in Brisbane 1PL4.3 I n!?,tlirally fir 5't Eurveyed the orthodom metboOs of tral-2.P7D=t a77. mi LTtrc,.t73 he al ca,yu of
+Several weeks later we commenced our Easter trip on this milk lorry, each one perchd on an empty can. The noise of the empty cans was terrific, particularly as we made several detours over rough country roads nor was the riding very smooth so we arrived at our destination somewhat battered. I have had many trips on this lorry since, the last one being so violent that I was unable to sit down in comfort for many days afterwards, besides nearly putting my thumb out of joint. It would happen on that occasion when I was some miles from the station at the end of my trip that a chap should offer to take me there on horseback.
- tswakrda. ihat 1:77 fr.7aci17.71 to cet a
-paf: th(, r;zo tc-, the I c,7:-Ncd Llethod of
+Next morning we completed our journey by service bus but on the roof as the inside was crowded. This concession was as pleasant as the open railway truck and we enjoyed it as much. The return trip should have been made by the same bus but we missed it by a mere two or three hours so after exhausting every avenue we decided to try to stop a goods train on the [illegible] line. This was accomplished without difficulty and within fifteen minutes we were aboard the train and snugly stretched out in our sleeping bags on the floor of the guard's van. On reviewing transport expenses we found that we had travelled 40 miles by lorry, 35 by service bus and 60 by train for 6/6d. To crown it all the tram conductress, thinking we were soldiers, gave us concession fares.
-trans-po'rt f--ron. the -13tr,=, lrg by loot 1:nther
-thn cd'-.HH,.. :q a t77:tm an:11st (7.171 im-rortant, getting
+The denoument of this trip had most valuable repercussions, for this line passes through excellent walking country adjacent to Lamington National Park though the only passenger train is the daily express each way at a very inconvenient time. However I heard that it was possible to travel up by goods train so one Friday night found us infiltrating the goods yard - crawling over sidings and under trucks on the track of an alleged early departing train. We found it and gradually got to know the "ropes" as the Army says, with the result that we now ring up during the day to enquire the hour of departure of all "goods". Of course chance looms large in our arrangements but it is quite true to say that we have never been seriously put out at any time.
-of '1.17,7ri;-Jcntwin -6he re-7; of t?.-: oro775. I-m=ed into that railway
-csompa:ctment with y pa,:7-r.,, only to t*:: d that in the wijole carriage there was not a rack 1arecnou-n to h-)1d it nor was there room to rut it on the;.flotir. I was de'jec:t ey ciat,.:1171ating =sing it for the whole journey when the ideaoccurre(i to EG to -olae it in the luggage van so I rushed along at one staion and was remon7rtrated with by the guard on account of the possibility of hcle..illg up th:a train, The train took only four and a half hours to dash c-ver 6:-/ miles of flat country so of coarse every second was valuable, There
+At one station, most strategically placed, all trains stop and it is here that we plan to finish all our walks in this country. Upon arriving one enquires when the next goods is expected - it may be in half an hour or it may be in six hours. In the former case we skip tea, in the latter we adjourn to the beautiful creek only one hundred yards from the station and dine from the remains of our food then perhaps sleep on the station secure in the station master's promise to wake us when it is time. On one occasion I arrived in Brisbane at 3.30 a.m. and on another occasion at 5.30 a.m. but the chances of not arriving before six on Monday morning are very remote.
-w5z:5 no aocc=dation of any kind on the train and, not being in the least degree hot, ncl.Taater, The return trip wos made in a motor train of such ancient
-vintage that rteensen'5 "Rocket" would have felt ultra-modern in its company and which moved e wildly that I was quite a2armed, However I sustained o...
+Increasing knowledge brings finesse. Local people mentioned that trains would sometimes stop right near the border which would save us a six mile, though pleasant, road walk. Our first engine driver was dubious on account of the steep grade but said that the train wbuld be moving so slowly at this spot that if he slackened speed a little we could jump off quite easily. So selecting an empty truck each we waited until the driver blew the whistle to let us know the location - for it was night - then jumped. We never walk up that road now. Of course I tell my Queensland friends and those from other States that such convenience can be expected only on a N.S.W. line.
-injury beyond a lump 011 the forehead where I was flung against the window,The exp,:rienoes cauoed me to enter the cautious phase of my life as a traveller, -
-The South Coast beaches and sunshine next attracted me, On this line_ is daily en atod a drana having some of the featur,7?s of the Hampden:Maze and soma of the ric'idie of the 5 1 A train leaves Brisbane which is nat =qt. r
+(to be concluded)
-but consists really of 7Wr", ordinaril7 the hoeD going to Scuthnort
-or the goats off to Coolanr7attR are she-pherf':,-,(.1 to theiresi,Deot L;nmpArt,.
+----
-mente by notices and rail7a7 officials, but this Occacion'being a h. 1,-Iday, everyone was confused nnd therc... was much speculation as ti which half went where, Zero hour came nt a snail pThtfor..7 in the 1,11.1.1z- of the hush where the ceremony of breaking the train takes place and ha-re a'largl my-,;cif included, wao 11.!Jh:13 up and down t'fac line in the rai.!2 endeavo-J.ring to discover which train ':vas wti,:;h, Just as I ma: ie sure of my -oortoa, it began to dise,rpear ard I franotioall7 o fter it uil a yellinR official told me that it was z u2,.t going to be parkod somewhere temporarily, 4ven,. tually one finds oneself on the move -again but if one has been facing the
-,
+=====Stanzas From "An Australian Symphony".=====
-engine now one hs'.s one's back to it. The whole operation can be understood. if yc.L1 are prepared to diligently study it and include a daylight inspetion of the jl noti(:n bIlt it Ls vlser to get into the- correotly labelled pc:tion cf the t7aim and try to ig ncro azything that happ6na (E7en if you are cn the wrong "bit" you are sTare of quite a pleasant weohend).
-A grand ol,_i "mixed" brought us 174..4.ck from Canurgra, The "mixeds are like eleerly1 pclrtly 1aclit-7,s - you do not cxpect iten tl bo fast and t'ley 77.ave no pretensirts so you oan be tolerant. T!:e ..,.w., coE.7)artren',:n attahed were full -so_ vie obtained pe'rmissjon to ride in a h1lf-ei7ty t],-.1Ack whioh pr7ed luxury
+The silence and the sunshine creep\\
--
+With soft caress,\\
-travel bth for 5ight-eeing and for ocio17,es3, All track record were broken in a 48 mile run occupying iive and a quarter ho7lre.
+O'er billowy plain and mountain steep\\
-The whole train position was wickod but we soon deciged that we would not collpiain. not even ae we (11.7.g ourselves out of ths, coal dust2 ar 1,3ng as thr,re 7as a train but we cluikay realised that the few convenient times were quite inadequate for walking trips,
+And wilderness--\\
-One day a local hRrpened to mention that a lift. could be arrq nged to his district by milk lcrry from a Brisbane fac:tory and that news wao a seed which did not fall on etoz, ground,. 1 inter7Lowed the mil7.r. receiving department and. aa a result, :.ay in wait for a trwik ccming fx-om Beaudooert, tha centre of a regton a:imoct famous for :74. 2 wa.:_kne at;,rar.,tion, As 1 stood on the cornel, I missed whPt was probably the only cmportunity which will ever ccire my way of gttl_ng rich quickly, The case I ca2red was apparently
+A velvet touch, a subtle breath?\\
-the snare. o-,' I had to keep up a constant Gonversation telling Allied servicemen; who inquired both openly and covertly, that 1 was no,t dealing in black market whisk7 To one thirst,y enquirer for a drink "around 12,3re." I pointed out that there was a large milk depot opposite but he disgustedly replied "Ughs that stuff !6. kill me",
+As sweet as love, as calm as death,\\
-Se'V.ral wc:ek3 later we commenced our Easter trip on this milk lorry, each one perehd on an empty can, The nriFe cf the smrty (:-an7,; VVi t,,rrific, particularly as we ma-le severeFa detours over roi.:.7:h colIntry Tear, ror was thi', riding very smooth so we arrived at our destnation 5c,mcwh battcrd, I have
+On earth, on air, so soft, so fine,\\
-lar0 many trips on this lorry sin,..,e7 the 7,6i-. en? bang sc; 7.iclnt 7.t I, vas irnable, to it don in comfort for many c-lays aftF;rwars. -17)e,F,s n(,.arly puttinz my thumb out of joint, it wov ld haripen on thF:t oc,7ariion when I was some milea fro.1.4 7:he station at the end of my trip thnt a ca t sould offer to take ma there on hcreehack,
+Till all the soul a spell divine\\
-Next mo:iing we completed -our jcurney by service bl:s-bUt on the
-roof as the InSt de was crowd:,)d, This cc.,Ecess3.on77,u as p1PR7)xt as the open raiaw2 truc0,7, =,/i d we encyed it es 2T_').11, ,The Te'd1).-rn t.7.1r Flic-Od h,.1. been made by ti-17, ;:-,ane bus,bat we missed it by a mare two or -none hcurc so af'-.er exhallsting every avenue we ciecitacd to try to step a goods tr;.:Jn on the
-line, This was ac-complished. without difficultfy and within fifteen
-mf_n utes -7.e were aboard the trein ar2A snugly citretch,:,(1 out in our E.:_eerf ng bags
-on the floor, of the guards van On rf..0:75. .7.,s tracpo-J:t e..x penss we found thilt ':,:e had travlled 40 miles by lorry. : b7 =.%er'Tif.:e bus and 60 by train for 6f3a. To crtwn it all the tram conductreEol thin:King we. weresoldiers, gave us ,qoapior44 fares,
-r-, ,
--ne (rto'aemnt of this trip had most valuable repenTacsions3 for this line passes th6af l'h eellert walking country adjacent to Lamingtoa National Park though the cLlly passenger train is the daily express each way at a very Inc-On-
-e i
-venient time. However I heard that it was veesible to travel up by goods train so one Friday night found us infiltrating the goods yard - crawling over sidings and under trucks on the track of an alleged early departing train. We found it and gradually got to know the "ropes" as the Army sys, with the result that we now ring up during the day to enquire the hour of departure of all "goods". Of course chance looms large in our arrangements but it is quite true to say that we have never been seriously put out at any time.
-At one station, most strategically placed, all trains stop and it
-is here that we plan to finish all our walks in this country. Upon arriving one enquires when the next goods is expected - it may be in half an hour or it may be in six hours. In the former case we skip tea, in the latter we adjourn to the beautiful creek only one hundred yards from the station
-and dine from the remains of our food then perhaps sleep on the station secure in the station master's promise to wake us when it is time. On one occasion I arrived in Brisbane at 3;30 a m0 and on another occasion at 5.30 a m. but the chances of not arriving before six on Monday morning are very remote.
-Increasing knowledge brings finesse. Local peonle mentioned that trains would sometimes stop right near the barder which would save us a six mile, though pleasant, road walk. Our first engine driver was dubious on account of the steep grade but said that the train wbuld be moving so slowly at this spot that if he slackened speed a little we could jump off quite easily. So selecting an empty truck each we waited until the driver blew the whistle to-let us know the location.- for it was night - then jumped. We never wal4 lp that road now.. 0 eeursP I tell my Queensland friends and those from other States that such convenience can be expected only on a N.S.W. line.
-- ;
-(to be concluded) ;
- STANZAS FROM "AN AUSTRALIAN SYMPHONY".
-The silence and the sunshine creep
-With soft caress,
-O'er billowy plain and mountain steep
-And wilderness--
-A velvet touch, a subtle breath?
-As sweet as love, as calm as death, On earth, on air, so soft, so fine, Till all the soul a sioell divine
 O'ershadoweth.
-The grey gums by the lonely creek; The star-crowned height;
-The wind-swept plain; the dim, blue The cold, white light;
-The solitude, spread near and far.
-Around the camp-fire's tiny star;
-, The horse-bell's melody remote;
-, The curlew's melancholy .note
-Across the night.,
-.George Essex Evans.
-peak;
-,
-SEPTEMBER WEEK END TO CLRLONIS
-Garrai,
-It hea 'ceen uelnotonous jou7ney, aeew&-cl sz,ccii and outside driLzlir g ren and L heavy ocrez-7e-!t eky, 7eAdd,c1C:y howe7ez, as oe a,Yeroached
-Lawson, everycne e: et ao If Mc:trifle& It wrtg: cnewn3: in Sep';eelber!
-Thera re.E.fel tYein windr-w?, and lniY;. pf ee-.!,(natea eee'-'ersation where
-berere c,:eryene hr,d bPcn and bo-ed, Aa elimbed ':rem ol. e mountain
-tezA to Enetar the ,ec'cno beeane Lere utt moe'e 'oeeuttrul, The rincw had been
-:1:Lng some and. rerc t, oesidc T,he railway and the te whieh at finei, were ju teprink:.ed wi-eh eln:)w beoame heavily laden with their wh.:L:e buraen.,
-Ke,;;eer obe, a biec,us tevn,. but thic aay it ws bifui The roof
-tops; the lawns, and the roadway were eom-eletelv covree2 with snoArt and each
-shrub and WE1-9 an exci-eicite thing, The japonaoas we:ce amenrest the most beautiful, as the red of the flowers-glowed beneath the man tn cf ancw
-We took the bus out to the golf links (our bare le v h:e71n7 bee-n bombarded with k.,ncs w balls by the local lade) and here the loveldnes wae breathtakira., Tne links were just one huge white,-expnee, an'a the trees between the fairwaTs each had an individual beauty, They wore eyprus and seendry English trees which vied with o ar gums in lovely silhoueeetes,
-It was still nowing as we left the bu and pror:eeded towards the Tnvills Hcle, The track was slipnery arvi the weighted bushea-emtherod 119 with snow as we cesLeried, In the coma.' & shelter of the Hole itFelf we found patches of anor and the way was slow end awkward, We loe.,hed aheadtoa mest extraordinazy eight The valley seemed filled with mist which h'ed trIkon cee. a
-golden light from the resting sut,and through the mist there wao a shaft of sunlight striking the orange faces of the Narrow Neek, As we orent from the white tops into the green valley we regretted leaving behind to much lcveliness,
-However it was quite dark and we hurried on our way. In the dark? sometimes in the raini and by torchlight it-ras a slow re?cgres. but when we reFei:,hed the read near Duncans there were stars o7erhead and a brilliant coli3L neEP in the air,
-We arrived at Carlon's bcut hours later than our sehedule - a somewhat cold, tired and very hungry t.J:io but still eed, YErs. Canon' served us with one of her typical dinners: and did we erjey it;
-We were ontert'lined es,rcie-nd the firc by o grout of lade from Lithgow, and when Zinally we Plipred very contentedly !ecneath our blaakets, it vas very pleasant for c=nt_.c net to have to 'worry about tent poles ana-gathering b-racken
-and dead leaves' for a bed,
-Next morning was bright e nd clear with a coo: b:ocese - excellent for wa7lring., After a hearty b:eeakfr-i_et (includin crm on :)1),- norrldge -and
+The grey gums by the lonely creek;\\
-M) we tock the sawmill track and as we roaehed the higher slopes the views across the valley were fine Our,rout t: we,s via h:itcholl/F Creek on to
+The star-crowned height;\\
-the Narrow Necks, The creek was full of tall tree.;ferlls and other attractive foli_age, Not so pleasant were the lawyer 7f,nes hich la7,erated our leRs, We came Pt length to the tree in which some thoughtful Soul had (pme tme
+The wind-swept plain; the dim, blue peak;\\
-ilaced nails to assist-, those not quite sufficiently monkeylike to climb without
+The cold, white light;\\
-We had 1,revious1y looked at this tree from above but hesitated to deocemq with --tp,acka In case_we could not get up again, -(Would suggest that f aryoT going thou11 that way they take a supply of good strolig nails ate these at preoen, in the tree have served their day), The ;party having safely negotiated th.5_2 hazard/ we made our way to the overhang at the top of Yitchellls Croek, and hzed lunch. with the clan pouring down upon us, When we reache the re,in trai eaong the Narrow Necks the wind had dropped? and vis:Ibiltty was. ex,I;ellaff7,-, We aced once acain, as we always do? the lovely valleyE; and ridges extendis i-nto the T3urragorang and beyond, and the cloud shadows and 61ilaight gave an. overchangingovarietY to the Megalong Valley, We had time to be''Icfsurely, to pause when we wanted to., and joy of joys - we had no
+The solitude, spread near and far\\
-ioa7y rc..to- s, I es;.7;ure you it je3 a good thing to go away for a ek and with a pair of pyjamas and Sundays lunch? ..
+Around the camp-fire's tiny star;\\
-laTe-M0:=70-ING BOUDDI NATURAL PAPK,
+The horse-bell's melody remote;\\
-Marie B,Byles.
+The curlew's melancholy note\\
-The possibility cf getting rid of me,squi by mean of flah first cane into ny miud from hearing that the Army Medical Corp was stocking with fish certain malarial streams in North Queenel,-nd, Enquiries from the Board of Health showed that there was ij ttle danger of dengue or malaria from our Sydney streams, but that did not alter the ionpleasahtness of mosquitoes in our popular Bouddi Ee..t:YTj Park,
+Across the night.
-The enouiries wero pursued and it was discovered that a fish called
-Gambuoa AE- Iela found the moFquito. larvae the most delectable of foods, that Mr. Meac'..ow2 the Newcastle Health Inspector had some of these estimable fish under his flare, that if they were placed in fresh water to begin with, they did not mind getting aoolimat!_zed to the salt lagoons, and best of all that they were very prolific breeders, Mr, Meadows kindly gave me full directions about feeding them on rolled oats and putting them in the streams, and rang me up when he had IrJt a kerosene tin full (about 200) on the train for Woy Woy, Eckhart Heilpern (131)ch Club) and Laurie Raynor (S.B.W.) collected them here and transported them to Putty Beach and Maitland Bay.
+George Essex Evans.
-Cu: attempt to "fish" the first stream was -done by gingerly dipping a cup
-into the kerosene tin and after the third or fourth try landing one tiny fish about an inch long, and placing him (or her) in the pool, LY.,r Rquai7.-tr
+----
-;ee% 70 had managed to catch eight fish, and praying thot the sexes were
-p2:riT,372i7 ri. xcd, we went on to the next stream, There was then a long coni-e:ciPer171- as to whether it might be possible to pour the fish out The mocity consideed they would either come but en masse or stop at the bottom, EventlIally Laurie stopped the debete (rather unlike his usual self;) and started to rur. Much to our delight about 25 fish swam out happily into the pool. We then started off over the hill to Maitland Bay, Eckhart conceived the brilliant idea of putting the kerosene tin in his rucksack, But it did not work. The water slopped out of the holes, and we found? not only water, at the bottom
+=====September Week End To Carlons.=====
-of the paclk. but one of our /precious fish, So there was nothing for It but to carry the tin in the hand, not the easiest or lightest thing to carry along the rough rather overgrown footpath, where Eckhartls giant frame was usually bent
-double tn get under the trees.
+E. Garrad.
-However, the job is now done. The streams at Putty Beach and Maitland Bay have all been "fished, and we shall do the one at Little Beach, 14hich never
--11...............
+It had been a monotonous journey. Crowded train, slow spped, and outside drizzling rain and a heavy overcast sky. Suddenly however, as we approached Lawson, everyone sat up as if eletrified. It was snowing in September! There was a rush to train windows, and lots of animated conversation where before everyone had been quiet and bored. As we climbed from one mountain town to another the scene became more and more beautiful. The snow had been falling some time and there were deep banks beside the railway line, and the trees which at first were just sprinkled with snow became heavily laden with their white burden.
-d:r1c,:e, when we have the. nextworking bee in May 1945, At th s.Ame working bee wri a,cnncree dam. rl t TjrLr '&7?ae7h halc,W the 1:'.eFt of all the
-aroF in thE perhrrIE 7ve at th(? s.-mo
+Katoomba is a hideous town, but this day it was beautiful. The roof tops, the lawns, and the roadway were completelv covered with snow, and each shrub and tree was an exquisite thing. The japonaoas were amongst the most beautiful, as the red of the flowersglowed beneath the mantle of snow.
-So ,I;(7 T.7,c(1, There only one littI tr:rZnIe, and 1,1,,5.i; is tha the
-fiEih ycung nn in th f,.)-2m of egg.9
+We took the bus out to the golf links (our bare legs having been bombarded with snow balls by the local lads) and here the loveliness was breathtaking. The links were just one huge white expanse, and the trees between the fairways each had an individual beauty. They were cyprus and sundry English trees which vied with our gums in lovely silhouettes.
-an*Ipt 2,f the rieayil 1.17 thcf,r die: 7tnd is this ri7k with
-rega t fs1.3s,-Jt th7- ,7;tromoi and e-ien th Ii ;.e loaokh lagoorol
+It was still snowing as we left the bus and proceeded towards the Devil's Hole. The track was slippery and the weighted bushes smothered us with snow as we descended. In the comparative shelter of the Hole itself we found patches of snow, and the way was slow and awkward. We looked ahead to a most extraordinary sight. The valley seemed filled with mist which had taken on a golden light from the westing sun, and through the mist there was a shaft of sunlight striking the orange faces of the Narrow Neck. As we went from the white tops into the green valley we regretted leaving behind so much loveliness.
-Synr q,1 c-. 7romisix y.-)un gr%duRP,
-inJ-cnt a fich whi ( rf!-In r,o ind--PtrutabIc as mc;squ.:.;:o
+However it was quite dark and we hurried on our way. In the dark, sometimes in the rain, and by torchlight it was a slow progress, but when we reached the road near Duncans there were stars overhead and a brilliant coldness in the air.
-thon we only pray to the rain enc,t to icint us a drought like
-the last
+We arrived at Carlon's about 1 1/2 hours later than our schedule - a somewhat cold, tired and very hungry trio, but still excited. Mrs. Canlon served us with one of her typical dinners, and did we enjoy it!
-FIEWO 1?. 7 S
-The arrival of the notice of the Hai '1F=7-1.y C7crncra:l. Moeting with its
+We were entertained around the fire by a group of lads from Lithgow, and when finally we slipped very contentedly beneath our blankets, it was very pleasant for once not to have to worry about tent poles and gathering bracken and dead leaves for a bed.
-frightrY:ninp; threats and ghncltay .L.,.:12410.tic)usly into
-the hox%cs of glan-j unsuf;'net!ting Burhwalker. Such G3.71P:1, ;:urned ap en Sect,
+Next morning was bright and clear with a cool breeze - excellent for walking. After a hearty breakfast (including __cream__ on our porridge and jam!!!) we took the sawmill track and as we reached the higher slopes the views across the valley were fine. Our route was via Mitchell's Creek on to the Narrow Necks. The creek was full of tall tree ferns and other attractive foliage. Not so pleasant were the lawyer vines which lacerated our legs. We came at length to the tree in which some thoughtful soul had some time ago placed nails to assist those not quite sufficiently monkeylike to climb without aid. We had previous1y looked at this tree from above but hesitated to descend with packs in case we could not get up again. (Would suggest that if anyone is going through that way they take a supply of good strong nails as those at present in the tree have served their day). The party having safely negotiated this hazard, we made our way to the overhang at the top of Mitchell's Creek, and had lunch with the sun pouring down upon us. When we reached the main tracak along the Narrow Necks the wind had dropped, and visibility was excellent. We admired once again, as we always do, the lovely valleys and ridges extending into the Burragorang and beyond, and the cloud shadows and sunlight gave an everchanging variety to the Megalong Valley. We had time to be leisurely, to pause when we wanted to, and joy of joys - we had no heavy packs. I assure you it is a good thing to go away for a week end with a pair of pyjamas and Sunday's lunch! ...
-th, the day of the meting7 that we '12,.rnec t the date hae, been vi.-Aously marked on most calendars for Rr7..me hirr.(4,
-kart from some eneral DI:sinc,ss the really belia, portion of the
+----
-notice read7
-, "To consider the foll(,wing motion by Mr. A,Wy1-.c:n;
+=====De-mosquito-ing Bouddi Natural Park.=====
-that the following be inserted in Section 3 aftor Dub-2ection (a) of the Con!l-titi,ztion,
-bb, "M:mbers are ex-cected to lead at leaPt oue,. walk per year if requected,
+Marie B. Byles.
-Tailure to comnly w.L1 result in trancr?n:e memb-;.r-
-f-:ip. The Committee may waive this rule in e-7. 111 cases," 6, "T:1 ,-;oactor the following motion moved by Mr, J,Eunicr,
+The possibility of getting rid of mosquitoes by means of fish first came into ny mind from hearing that the Army Medical Corp was stocking with fish certain malarial streams in North Queensland/ Enquiries from the Board of Health showed that there was little danger of dengue or malaria from our Sydney streams, but that did not alter the unpleasantness of mosquitoes in our popular Bouddi Natural Park.
-the foilowing be ins;:rrtf.,d in Seotioa 5 after su')-section (a) of h Cont:titutien,
-bbb, "YclYbPrs who do not complete three or more walks with the club - year shall be automatically tranr-ed to nz...n-active list. The Cummittee is to use its discretion in exceptional circumct nces,"
+The enquiries were pursued and it was discovered that a fish called Gambuoa Aginia found the mosquito larvae the most delectable of foods, that Mr. Meadows, the Newcastle Health Inspector had some of these estimable fish under his care, that if they were placed in fresh water to begin with, they did not mind getting acclimatized to the salt lagoons, and best of all that they were very prolific breeders. Mr. Meadows kindly gave me full directions about feeding them on rolled oats and putting them in the streams, and rang me up when he had put a kerosene tin full (about 200) on the train for Woy Woy. Eckhart Heilpern (Bush Club) and Laurie Raynor (S.B.W.) collected them here and transported them to Putty Beach and Maitland Bay.
-Fighting words to Bushwaakrrs, But they rose to the occasion full hcmse,
-pt*7_rri.-.Dz spachsE; by tht) owcsi'c ion anc9. intertions an', the meeting
+Our attempt to "fish" the first stream was done by gingerly dipping a cup into the kerosene tin and after the third or fourth try landing one tiny fish about an inch long, and placing him (or her) in the pool. After about a quarter of an hour we had managed to catch eight fish, and praying that the sexes were properly mixed, we went on to the next stream. There was then a long controvery as to whether it might be possible to pour the fish out. The majority considered they would either come out en masse or stop at the bottom. EventlIally Laurie stopped the debete (rather unlike his usual self!) and started to pour. Much to our delight about 25 fish swam out happily into the pool. We then started off over the hill to Maitland Bay. Eckhart conceived the brilliant idea of putting the kerosene tin in his rucksack. But it did not work. The water slopped out of the holes, and we found, not only water, at the bottom of the pack, but one of our precious fish. So there was nothing for it but to carry the tin in the hand, not the easiest or lightest thing to carry along the rough rather overgrown footpath, where Eckhart's giant frame was usually bent double to get under the trees.
-wa2 almost :pre-war. Old members who perhanr haven =t ce.,:n a tr;:lck for years encIT,c,d li-ol:ta their hideouts (m.,rlious cor7ice PMl,) and entred the ring
-to dc, in the war against rogimentaticm,
+However, the job is now done. The streams at Putty Beach and Maitland Bay have all been "fished", and we shall do the one at Little Beach, which never dries, when we have the next working bee in May 1945. At the same working bee we proposed to make a concrete dam at Tiny Beach below the best of all the camping spots in teh park, and perhaps we may stock this at the same time.
-.Tr, A,!JTcoz n and Mr,J,Hunter e=7,.ch touched 6.rlicptel7 if inPistently on the
-c:ec;acionce of the Club as a wr,)Akil ag clab md had oPv2ral 5u-01)ort:.s9 There worsr( f] against the m,-tic,r Po well Mario'ByLt:o L;c,-.7-0 a vc,ry forceful epeo..h the git of which 3,,,ened to be thi m.:-)E.t of the od miero h e not go
+So far, so good. There is only one little trouble, and that is that these fish bring forth their young alive, like sharks, and not in the form of eggs. This means that if teh streams dry up, they die, and there is this risk with regard to most of the streams, and even the little brackish lagoons, around Sydney. It is therefore up to some promising you science graduate, who wants his B.Sc. to invent a fish which produces spawn as indestructible as mosquito larvae. Until then we only pray to the rain gods not to send us a drought like the last.
-on ctii cial alks were those 77ihn were of kind
-or Rrtrar for the c11:,b. The others appo r%=ntly wE:rc really f1L.-ut the
+----
-birth rate and were dcing something practr3cr,I about it. Otfc7_,i):1 tiae
-birr.,12 rrlt-e are thingo apart. Lfter thia and oe-elal or c hcs in 1-1- ,,cn we
+=====Fireworks.=====
-did i:;hink the Walks Secretary had an awful for 0,Ea1es,
-May To r,uggest that Mr,Wyborn refrains from a7Dcar :Lntor-
+The arrival of the notice of the Half Yearly General Meeting with its frightening threats and ghastly alternatives, arrived unestatiously into the homes of many unsuspecting Bushwalkers. Such a crowd turned up on Sept. 8th, the day of the meeting. that we suspect the date had been viciously marked on most calendars for some time.
-t'izLEd in the birth rate to lead walks, as El cJ":rcnac, 1i:to II-r,ert,
-Ch,Col'oerF, M.Harrison and others all ga've mo ueiene. sprecn:
+Apart from some GeneralBusiness the really beligerant portion of the notice read:
-you guos ea it, The motions' were &,,atcd.
-,
+. "To consider the following motion by Mr. A. Wyborn:
+that the following be inserted in Section 5 after sub-section (a) of the Constititution.
+bb. "Members are expected to lead at least one walk per year if requested. Failure to comply will result in transference to non-active membership. The Committee may waive this rule in special cases."
+. "To consider the following motion moved by Mr. J. Hunter:
+That the foilowing be inserted in Section 5 after sub-section (a) of the Contstitution:
+bbb. "Members who do not complete three or more walks with the club per year shall be automatically transfered to non-active list. The Committee is to use its discretion in exceptional circumctances."
+Fighting words to Bushwalkers. But they rose to the occasion. A full house, stirring speaches by the opposition and sarcastic interjections and the meeting was almost pre-war. Old members who perhaps haven't seen a track for years emerged from their hideouts (marvelous service P.M.G.) and entered the ring to do battle in the war against regimentation.
+Mr. A. Wyborn and Mr. J. Hunter each touched delicately if insistently on the increasing decadence of the Club as a walking club and had several supporters. There were several against the motion as well. Marie Byles gave a very forceful speech the gist of which seemed to be that most of the old members who did not go on official walks were those who were doing a large amount of work of some kind or another for the club. The others apparently were really concerned about the birth rate and were doing something practical about it. Official walks and the birth rate are things apart. After this and several speeches in teh same vein we did think the Walks Secretary had an awful nerve expecting leaders for his walks. May we suggest that Mr. Wyborn refrains from asking any who appear deeply interested in the birth rate to lead walks, as a refusal often offends. Tom Herbert, Ch. Colberg, M. Harrison and others all gave impassioned speeches.
+Yes, you guessed it. The motions were defeated.
+----
 LET= FROM. THE-LADS AND LASSES
 Letters wore received frem the fol1evein3 members durirg September;. Jack Ade ns Bruce Simps_on Jeen Pny