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 =====The Sydney Bushwalker===== =====The Sydney Bushwalker=====
  
-A monthly Bulletin devoted to matters of interest to The Sydney Bushwalkers, 5-Hamilton Street, Sydney+A monthly Bulletin devoted to matters of interest to The Sydney Bushwalkers, 5 Hamilton Street, Sydney
  
 ====No.121  January, 1945 Price 6d.==== ====No.121  January, 1945 Price 6d.====
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 By David D. Stead. By David D. Stead.
  
-What famous bushwalker was it who said that the death adder is sum +What famous bushwalker was it who said that the death adder is sum snake? Probably the one that discovered that one of the main differences between snakes and lizards is that a snake has no eyelids - it sees out of its snaked eye! Should a snake bite you while you are on a trip on no account bite it back ac most Australian snakes are poisonous.
-snake? Probably the one that discovered that one of the main differences +
-between snakes and lizards is that a snake has no eyelids - it sees out of its snaked eye! Should a snake bite you while you are on a trip on no account bite it back ac most Australian snakes are poisonous.+
  
-But to be a  little more serious, one might say of the average person's knowledge of snakes that it isn't the things they don't know that matter, +But to be a  little more serious, one might say of the average person's knowledge of snakes that it isn't the things they don't know that matter, it is the things they do know that aren't true.
-it is the things they do know that aren't true.+
  
 Quite a large volume could be filled with popular, but erroneous beliefs about snakes, but at the moment it is merely proposed to deal with a few of the commoner fallacies and mention some points of interest regarding snakes, finishing up with a brief description of some of our commonest local snakes. Quite a large volume could be filled with popular, but erroneous beliefs about snakes, but at the moment it is merely proposed to deal with a few of the commoner fallacies and mention some points of interest regarding snakes, finishing up with a brief description of some of our commonest local snakes.
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 1. The death adder does not sting with its tail. It does not need to - its business end is its head and is sufficiently deadly not to require any assistance from a stinging tail. The spine at the end of the tail is used as an anchor in soft sand or soil to increase leverage and so assist the numerous belly plates or scales on which all snakes travel. Each of these plates is, of course, attached to a pair of ribs and the harmonious movement of these ribs backwards and forwards which cants the scales so that the rear edge catches on almost microscopic irregularities of surface, is only one of the many wonderful ways in which living things have adapted themselves to their environment over a long period. 1. The death adder does not sting with its tail. It does not need to - its business end is its head and is sufficiently deadly not to require any assistance from a stinging tail. The spine at the end of the tail is used as an anchor in soft sand or soil to increase leverage and so assist the numerous belly plates or scales on which all snakes travel. Each of these plates is, of course, attached to a pair of ribs and the harmonious movement of these ribs backwards and forwards which cants the scales so that the rear edge catches on almost microscopic irregularities of surface, is only one of the many wonderful ways in which living things have adapted themselves to their environment over a long period.
  
-2The fangs of a snake are not to be confused with its tongue which it darts in and out of its mouth continually; this is so obvious that I hesitate to mention it but I have heard bushwalkers speak of the fangs when referring to the tongue. The tongue is used as a sensory organ and possibly assists a combined sense of taste and smell by carrying back into the mouth microscopic odorous particles. The fangs are a pair of hollow or grooved teeth through which the vemom is injected into the victim.+2The fangs of a snake are not to be confused with its tongue which it darts in and out of its mouth continually; this is so obvious that I hesitate to mention it but I have heard bushwalkers speak of the fangs when referring to the tongue. The tongue is used as a sensory organ and possibly assists a combined sense of taste and smell by carrying back into the mouth microscopic odorous particles. The fangs are a pair of hollow or grooved teeth through which the venom is injected into the victim.
  
 3. Snakes do not swallow their young when danger threatens and disgorge them afterwards. Despite the accounts of otherwise reliable witnesses this feat is quite impossible. Large snakes frequently consume small ones, possibly their own offspring, but the digestive processes of reptiles are very rapid and after even a brief period in the stomach, the contents would be very dead, and snakes have no special compartment between the mouth and the stomach in which to conceal young snakes until danger passes. Some of our snakes, notably the black and the tiger, bear living young, and many times an adult female must have been killed and cut open and a number of fully developed living young found in the oviducts which to an ignorant person might have been mistaken for the stomach. 3. Snakes do not swallow their young when danger threatens and disgorge them afterwards. Despite the accounts of otherwise reliable witnesses this feat is quite impossible. Large snakes frequently consume small ones, possibly their own offspring, but the digestive processes of reptiles are very rapid and after even a brief period in the stomach, the contents would be very dead, and snakes have no special compartment between the mouth and the stomach in which to conceal young snakes until danger passes. Some of our snakes, notably the black and the tiger, bear living young, and many times an adult female must have been killed and cut open and a number of fully developed living young found in the oviducts which to an ignorant person might have been mistaken for the stomach.
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 Must tell you about the only day we had off while we were in Wales. I climbed Snowden after all - and mists don't look much better from the top of Mt. Snowden than from the top of any other mountain. The rain and the fine hail and the cold wind, however, were a bit exceptional, and I don't quite remember an occasion when the edges of my ears and my eyebrows, the top part of my cheek and to a lesser extent the whole windward side of my face felt quite so painful - somewhat like my feet felt the last time I crossed the Cox in winter time. Must tell you about the only day we had off while we were in Wales. I climbed Snowden after all - and mists don't look much better from the top of Mt. Snowden than from the top of any other mountain. The rain and the fine hail and the cold wind, however, were a bit exceptional, and I don't quite remember an occasion when the edges of my ears and my eyebrows, the top part of my cheek and to a lesser extent the whole windward side of my face felt quite so painful - somewhat like my feet felt the last time I crossed the Cox in winter time.
  
-We set out from Colwyn Bay at the early hour of 7.10 a.m. and caught a train from Llandudno to Bettws-y-coed (pronounced Bettoos-ee-coid). There round the hours of 9 to 10 we wandered up and down amongst the various hostelries looking for some breakfast. No one wanted to give us any and we began to be very impressed with the efficiency of British food rationing and the shortage of +We set out from Colwyn Bay at the early hour of 7.10 a.m. and caught a train from Llandudno to Bettws-y-coed (pronounced Bettoos-ee-coid). There round the hours of 9 to 10 we wandered up and down amongst the various hostelries looking for some breakfast. No one wanted to give us any and we began to be very impressed with the efficiency of British food rationing and the shortage of domestic staff when we found a shop selling some rather miserable but very acceptable apples. Shortly afterwards we found a place which agreed to provide a meal and produced some quite good bacon and eggs (dried - scrambled), and toast and marmalade.
-domestic staff when we found a shop selling some rather miserable but very acceptable apples. Shortly afterwards we found a place which agreed to provide +
-a meal and produced some quite good bacon and eggs (dried - scrambled), and toast and marmalade.+
  
 We then caught a bus to some unpronouncable Welsh village and then hitch-hiked on a R.A.F. transport to some other equally unpronouncable village. We walked a short distance along a road and then took the Pig track to Snowden. We then caught a bus to some unpronouncable Welsh village and then hitch-hiked on a R.A.F. transport to some other equally unpronouncable village. We walked a short distance along a road and then took the Pig track to Snowden.
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 We soon ran into showers and these became more frequent as we neared Snowden. Before we entered the cloud area we were thoroughly wet. We soon ran into showers and these became more frequent as we neared Snowden. Before we entered the cloud area we were thoroughly wet.
  
-Emerging on the other side of the cloud we found a crofter's cottage where we were able to relax to tho accompaniment of a cup of tea and a bread and cheese sandwich. Went past more streams and lakes and so down to a bus and train home through Carnarvon.+Emerging on the other side of the cloud we found a crofter's cottage where we were able to relax to the accompaniment of a cup of tea and a bread and cheese sandwich. Went past more streams and lakes and so down to a bus and train home through Carnarvon.
  
 Shall have to write you a lyric on the English pub - its easily the best of all the English Institutions even though the beer is weak compared with pre-war. Shall have to write you a lyric on the English pub - its easily the best of all the English Institutions even though the beer is weak compared with pre-war.
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 Things were going beautifully (not a snake to be seen) when quite suddenly Peter shot vertically into the air to the amazing height of fifteen feet, (both David and I are quite sure on this point) and while suspended there he uttered the magic word "snnnnnake". Things were going beautifully (not a snake to be seen) when quite suddenly Peter shot vertically into the air to the amazing height of fifteen feet, (both David and I are quite sure on this point) and while suspended there he uttered the magic word "snnnnnake".
  
-He came down shortly afterwards and the three of us surrounded a small clump of reeds into which our quarry had disappeared. Peter and David were armed with short sticks and carefully I separated the grasses until the black body of our +He came down shortly afterwards and the three of us surrounded a small clump of reeds into which our quarry had disappeared. Peter and David were armed with short sticks and carefully I separated the grasses until the black body of our victim was exposed. One! two! and the sticks held him firm; a little wait and then his head came into view; the hindmast stick (it is so difficult to tell which is the front or back end when a snake is all coiled up) was moved to a position just behind the head. The next move in this "Saga of the Swamp" was enacted by David, in went his hand, and his thumb and forefinger clamped themselves about its neck and a black snake about four feet long was withdrawn from its retreat. Very carefully I photographed the final stage, then popping the catch into David's bag we made off towards the rest of the party.
-victim was exposed. One! two! and the sticks held him firm; a little wait and then his head came into view; the hindmast stick (it is so difficult to tell which is the front or back end when a snake is all coiled up) was moved to a position just behind the head. The next move in this "Saga of the Swamp" was enacted by David, in went his hand, and his thumb and forefinger clamped themselves about its neck and a black snake about four feet long was withdrawn from its retreat. Very carefully I photographed the final stage, then popping the catch into David's bag we made off towards the rest of the party.+
  
 When we reached them the snake was emptied out on to the road for all and sundry to see and "admire" whilst we explained and demonstrated how it was done by re-catching and re-bagging the specimen. When we reached them the snake was emptied out on to the road for all and sundry to see and "admire" whilst we explained and demonstrated how it was done by re-catching and re-bagging the specimen.
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 Then up comes the inevitable gust of wind, away goes a shower of sparks over the trail and the fire is off again. If that particular jumpover cannot be controlled the whole party must retreat to another line of defence, and start the whole job over again. Even without the gust of wind the fire will very likely sneak across the trail in a section that was carelessly raked, or it may invisibly creep along between the bark and the wood on the underside of a big log that someone was too tired to chop right through. Then up comes the inevitable gust of wind, away goes a shower of sparks over the trail and the fire is off again. If that particular jumpover cannot be controlled the whole party must retreat to another line of defence, and start the whole job over again. Even without the gust of wind the fire will very likely sneak across the trail in a section that was carelessly raked, or it may invisibly creep along between the bark and the wood on the underside of a big log that someone was too tired to chop right through.
  
-It is because of this danger that the experienced forester tries to hold his own men back to conserve their strength until this time in order to do what is called the "mopping up". This consists of completely extinguishing the remains of the fire for a distance sufficiently far back from the edge of the trail to prevent any possible chance of a spark blowing across. Dead trees and trees with broken dead branches in their tops are particularly dangerous and must be felled even though they be up to twelve feet in girth. A single spark landing on the top of broken stub in the top of a tree will smoulder away and eventually send out sparks which will carry the fire over the trail. A hollow tree roars like a blast furnace and showers the countryside with sparks. A stump may be completely burnt out yet carry fire along one of its roots to pop up on the other side of the trail a week, maybe two weeks, afterwards. Mopping up therefore means cutting trees, grubbing stumps and examining ashes and the ground beneath them with the naked hand. A fire is not considered as being extinguished until the naked handnd,Can play with +It is because of this danger that the experienced forester tries to hold his own men back to conserve their strength until this time in order to do what is called the "mopping up". This consists of completely extinguishing the remains of the fire for a distance sufficiently far back from the edge of the trail to prevent any possible chance of a spark blowing across. Dead trees and trees with broken dead branches in their tops are particularly dangerous and must be felled even though they be up to twelve feet in girth. A single spark landing on the top of broken stub in the top of a tree will smoulder away and eventually send out sparks which will carry the fire over the trail. A hollow tree roars like a blast furnace and showers the countryside with sparks. A stump may be completely burnt out yet carry fire along one of its roots to pop up on the other side of the trail a week, maybe two weeks, afterwards. Mopping up therefore means cutting trees, grubbing stumps and examining ashes and the ground beneath them with the naked hand. A fire is not considered as being extinguished until the naked hand can play with it happily. Mopping up is hard, dreary work and often means many burns
-it happily. Mopping up is hard, dreary work and often means many burns, + 
-For moping up you cannot have too much water, a thousand gallon tanker-waggon with powerful pump which will force the water into the tiniest +For mopping up you cannot have too much water, a thousand gallon tanker-waggon with powerful pump which will force the water into the tiniest cracks of logs or stumps is the thing, if you have one. If you haven'and in rough country, the humble knapsack water-container with Ladywood spray is worth its weight in gold. This has an adjustable nozzle like a hose and it is surprising how far five gallons of water will go when sent out through a fine nozzleIt has a fine mist spray which is used for damping down grass and a fine needle spray for cutting into ash bed and the insides of logs and stumps
-cracks of logs or stumps is the thing, if you have one. If'yoil havealt and in rough cOuntry,the humble'knapsack water-container with Lad'ywbo'+ 
-spray isworth its wetght in gold. This has an adjustable nozzle like a hose ana it is surprising how far five gallons of water will go when sent out throul a fine nozzleIt has a fine mist spray which is used for damping +Even though a fire may be thoroughly mopped up by careful and conscientious men there is still a good chance that it will break out again, and to prevent this or to control the new fire should it break out again, the trail must be patrolled for several days after the mopping up has been completed, There are cases on record where small fires in logs and rubbish have been raked over and doused with water to the extent of twenty gallons of water per square yard and yet some hot ember has been missed or thrown aside and has started up again the next day. If therefore the preliminary work of extinguishing the fire is not to go for nothing, a great deal of work must be done for a long time afterwords. 
-done, eeass and a fine needle spray for cutting inta ash bed and 'the insides of legs and stumps, + 
-Even though a fire may be thoroughly mopped up by careful and conse-;ee tceue men there is still a good chance that it will break out again, +=====Notice Re Monthly Meeting===== 
-and 0 lercvnt this or to control the new fire should it break out again, + 
-the frai.T. must be patrolled for several d ys after the mopping up hoe been +Notice is hereby given that the Monthly General Meetings will in future start at 7.45 p.m. and the Annual General Meeting will commence a 7.30 p.m. It will be appreciated if the people who do not attend the General Meetings, but who stay outside, would make just a little less noise, thereby enabling those who do, to at least hear themselves talkMembers will realise that the acoustics of the Clubroom leave much to be desired so that silence of members attending the meeting is essential if the President's voice is to be preserved and the business of the meeting to be expedited. 
-8. + 
-cmpleted, There are cases on record where small fires in 1.ogs and rubbish 11:vc' been rak-A over and doused with water to the extent of twenty gallons of water per square yard and yet some hot ember has-been missed or thrown aside +=====Request For Bushwalker Annual===== 
-and has started up again the next day. If therefore the prcliminary work + 
-of extinguishing the fire is not to go for nothing, a great deal of work must be done for a long time afterwords. +Would the correspondent who wrote recently requesting old copies of the Annual please communicate with the Editor of The Sydney Bushwalker, 
-yomTnT RE MONTHLY MEETING + 
-Notice is hPreby 7,-:.-?cn that the Monthly General Meetings will in future start at 745 etelJa the 2nnual General Meeting wal com:tence a 7.30p m. +=====Map Notice===== 
-It will be R1J:pliate if the people who do not aUelid Ge1e2a1 1e bflS, but who stay o-ni,51d1 would make just a little lees ric,J.Es, thereby enabling thnse who do, to at least hear themselves talkMembers will realise that the acoustics of the Clubroom leave much to be desired so that silence of members attending the meeting is essential if the President's voice is to be preserved and the business of the meeting to be expedited. +
-.. +
-REQUEST FOR BU9HWALKER ANNUSL +
-Would the corres o.ondent who wrote recently requesting old copies of the Annual please communicate with the Editor of +
-The Sydney Bushwalker, +
-MAP NOTICE +
 Please note that a further map has been completed by the Topographical Section River Canoe Club of N.S.W. Please note that a further map has been completed by the Topographical Section River Canoe Club of N.S.W.
-MAP No.25 + 
-Cenoeists Oh rt of Hawkesbury and Macdonald Rivers (from Cattai Creek to Wisemants Ferry and, from St.Albans to Wisemants Ferry sections) --- with the completion of this map, the whole of the Hawkesbury system has been mapped for canoeing purposes from Maldon on the upper Nepean, and from Cox Junction on the Warragambal to Brooklyn, nine separate maps embracing these distances. +====Map No.25==== 
-Maw produced by this section will in future be placed on exhibition in Paddy Pallinfs store for periods of about one month. + 
-ABOUT PEOPLE +Canoeists Chart of Hawkesbury and Macdonald Rivers (from Cattai Creek to Wisemans Ferry and, from St. Albans to Wisemans Ferry sections) --- with the completion of this map, the whole of the Hawkesbury system has been mapped for canoeing purposes from Maldon on the upper Nepean, and from Cox Junction on the Warragamba, to Brooklyn, nine separate maps embracing these distances. 
-Although conditions in the bush were not ideal, due to drought + 
-and be,shfireL,rost gple enjoyed their camping at Christmas time. Quite +Maps produced by this section will in future be placed on exhibition in Paddy Pallin'store for periods of about one month. 
-a crowd f,pr at helidays nt EraA few returned home for Christmas Day and on went backWater problem was eased considerably by the thoughtfulneee, and in&enuity of Harry Ellis who did things with pipes and concre ue so thaL very little water was made a considerable supply. + 
-Peer Pace being on leave was at Era and made the camp fire seem like old Limes when he sang several songs for the crowd.+=====About People===== 
 + 
 +Although conditions in the bush were not ideal, due to drought and bushfiresmost people enjoyed their camping at Christmas time. Quite a crowd spend their holidays at EraA few returned home for Christmas Day and then went backWater problem was eased considerably by the thoughtfulness and ingenuity of Harry Ellis who did things with pipes and concrete so that very little water was made a considerable supply. 
 + 
 +Peter Page being on leave was at Era and made the camp fire seem like old times when he sang several songs for the crowd. 
 Also enjoying leave from soldiering was Alan Hardy (Dormie Long to most of us). Dormie also obliged with vocal items. Also enjoying leave from soldiering was Alan Hardy (Dormie Long to most of us). Dormie also obliged with vocal items.
-Another Tiar'cv t..7av170:3. io Kr:,70ii.::ko even livc-iglinE7 to + 
-mako the trip poesmblelo.0 were unfortunate enough to s'c rike extremely wintry conditions, snow, blizzards etc. After having anticipated very warm weather even to the extent of omitting warm clothes the cold was +Another party travelled to Kosciusko, even wangling an extra day to make the trip possiblebut were unfortunate enough to strike extremely wintry conditions, snow, blizzards etc. After having anticipated very warm weather even to the extent of omitting warm clothes the cold was rather a setback. Being confined to huts for some time is not an ideal way of spending Christmas holidays. 
-rather a setback. Being confined to huts fOr some time is not an ideal way of spending Christmas holidays. + 
-We hear that Brian Harvey is another on leave. He was in-Sydney for Christmas and we believe may be here for a while.+We hear that Brian Harvey is another on leave. He was in Sydney for Christmas and we believe may be here for a while. 
 And now for the younger generation. Mr, and Mrs. Bill Mullins doing things in a big way, are now parents of twin sons. Apparently the problem of names for the youngsters was not solved when we read the birth announcement, but we hope to hear all about that later. And now for the younger generation. Mr, and Mrs. Bill Mullins doing things in a big way, are now parents of twin sons. Apparently the problem of names for the youngsters was not solved when we read the birth announcement, but we hope to hear all about that later.
-Mary Stoddart has done the right thing and presented her husband + 
-with a son and heir. He, the son and heir, is-being calledRobert Brian. +Mary Stoddart has done the right thing and presented her husband with a son and heir. He, the son and heir, is being called Robert Brian. 
-Mr. and Mrs. Alan Rigby have another son. Although we do not see the Rigby family very often we hope they will 'see this and accept our congratulations. + 
-The meet shortage presented no problems to one large carpet snake +Mr. and Mrs. Alan Rigby have another son. Although we do not see the Rigby family very often we hope they will see this and accept our congratulations. 
-we knowGoing down the track from Blackheath to Sincarpia New Year weekend we met a large snake that had just caught his dinner. The dinner being a ring tailed 'POSSUM. The /possum realising the injustice of things generally was putting up quite a struggle but several thick coils wound round him made breathing rather difficult and he gave in. Both snake and dinner had gone when we returned but We would like to have Fonn his girth, + 
-LETTERS FROM THE LADS +The meet shortage presented no problems to one large carpet snake we knowGoing down the track from Blackheath to Sincarpia New Year weekend we met a large snake that had just caught his dinner. The dinner being a ring tailed 'possum. The 'possum realising the injustice of things generally was putting up quite a struggle but several thick coils wound round him made breathing rather difficult and he gave in. Both snake and dinner had gone when we returned but we would like to have seen his girth. 
-S,L, t)" DEBERT Was away down south Dunk, on a tour of inspection during the weekThere w, 50mile an hour gale blowing and the aircraft travelled crabwise from place to place. The ceiling of cloud was low and every now and again we would hcore to deviate from our course to circumnavigate a dark front. + 
-Later on I stood on a rocky headland at Albany (a delightful spot) and admired the glorious 'Lew, The gale was whipping the seas into a turmoil and even the waj ofs of Princess Royll Harbour-'King George Sound would have done credit -L,) the Bay of Biscay at its worst. The wild elements of nature entered into ma soul. They were exhilarating and though wind blown and battered I was invigorated, +=====Letters From The Lads===== 
-The gale was terrific and I watched the seas breaking over the southern 'vide of Eclipse Island. Terrific waves broke right over the headland. 1a4te:on, when it was safe to open my map case, I checked up on the let Military map and found the spray went over 150.feet high. Sounds tall but now I know why I had to lean into the wind when I was admiring the view. I had to brace my legs and lean over at 45 degrees. Even then I felt that at any moment I would be carried off my 'perch, + 
-The country Was not unlike rarts of our National Park, but the immense granite he.,1dlands and rockyoutcrops made the place so much more impressive than our sandstone. The wild flowers were amazing - thousands of flowrs of so many varieties, +====S.L.J. Debert==== 
-I could write for hours on the wild flowers of this State. Then I could fill pages on the amount of sand it possesses. May be one day I shall sit around agood old campfire and tell you and others of the good and bad points of this State, of its extreme mineral wi -lth and its untouched opportunities etc. But for now I've other things to write of. + 
-Later on my driver picked up papers in town for the personnel of another unitReading matter for the troops, I find myself staring at the front cover picture of a female figure. A figure too well known to need introduction. +Was away down south Dunk, on a tour of inspection during the weekThere was a 50 mile an hour gale blowing and the aircraft travelled crabwise from place to place. The ceiling of cloud was low and every now and again we would have to deviate from our course to circumnavigate a dark front. 
-Hell clouds pass before me. Shades of lengthy discussions at S.B.J. meetings flit before my eyes. Dark shldowc lock acl ucn the st!ago, ChardonsRigbys, Rices, Dunphys, Prydes - yea even censorehips Th une time catch cry of the die bards We do not want publicity". My great aunt. Ye Gods and little fihes how have the mighty fallenPublicity is not wanted and here's the Federation (who turned "hiking" into a science - Did it? Or was it late in the piece?) - the cream of the hiking world, not just the milk of the ca'au-Z,, the cream mind you having three full Pix rages, Pix of all papers. Go voli'.6 there be a flutter in the committee roomsOh. well times have + 
-1` +Later on I stood on a rocky headland at Albany (a delightful spot) and admired the glorious view. The gale was whipping the seas into a turmoil and even the waters of Princess Royal Harbour - King George Sound would have done credit to the Bay of Biscay at its worst. The wild elements of nature entered into my soul. They were exhilarating and though wind blown and battered I was invigorated
-Your letter Dunk of 18thOct,. remains unanswered1 As a SpeCial-Xiat. effort I'm trying 4t-gtrite''youn afew lines befor the festive season begins. Thanks for your ietter DunkThere's little chance of my tUrning up at the club for many moons.Once one gets over to W.A., it is diffi cult to return + 
-IMI.11=n+r...11.+n aw+..r r+rrr r-a-.-.  +The gale was terrific and I watched the seas breaking over the southern side of Eclipse Island. Terrific waves broke right over the headland. Later on, when it was safe to open my map case, I checked up on the 1st Military map and found the spray went over 150 feet high. Sounds tall but now I know why I had to lean into the wind when I was admiring the view. I had to brace my legs and lean over at 45 degrees. Even then I felt that at any moment I would be carried off my perch
- ITP111.1i  + 
-11. +The country Was not unlike parts of our National Park, but the immense granite headlands and rocky outcrops made the place so much more impressive than our sandstone. The wild flowers were amazing - thousands of flowers of so many varieties
- ..111.1. + 
-east. This stte;is alMiDet like another country. One has to pass a dictation test 'before one ean return to Australia. Have been here so long I now have doutts as to my passing. +I could write for hours on the wild flowers of this State. Then I could fill pages on the amount of sand it possesses. May be one day I shall sit around a good old campfire and tell you and others of the good and bad points of this State, of its extreme mineral wealth and its untouched opportunities etc. But for now I've other things to write of. 
-You and the Service Committee deserve an occasional letter for the exeellent work you all do. Don't think I'm lacking appreciation of the good + 
-deeds done. I'm a busy man with lots to do. Still the old club and its activities hold a pl ace in my heart. +Later on my driver picked up papers in town for the personnel of another unitReading matter for the troops, I find myself staring at the front cover picture of a female figure. A figure too well known to need introduction. 
-Wish I had bee4 at the hell yearly meeting. I might have aided with the rebelst, for there is a lot in what they say in spiJe of Marie'paseioned + 
-appeal for'Myles, Tom etc. After all it is a walking club(the old phrase Dunk) +Hell clouds pass before me. Shades of lengthy discussions at S.B.W. meetings flit before my eyes. Dark shadows look across the stage, ChardonsRigbys, Pices, Dunphys, Prydes - yea even censorships. The one time catch cry of the die hards "We do not want publicity". My great aunt. Ye Gods and little fishes how have the mighty fallenPublicity is not wanted and here's the Federation (who turned "hiking" into a science - Did it? Or was it late in the piece?) - the cream of the hiking world, not just the milk of the cocoanut, the cream mind you having three full Pix pages. Pix of all papers. Gee won'there be a flutter in the committee roomsOh. well times have changed. 
-or is it? I do feel members, older members especially, could make an effort to  + 
-lead one walk a yearOf course age, inability and sickness must be considered. Still the club should liver be allowed to become top heavy with talking members, who seldom-go out arid yetturn up in force when the word get p around the meeting might be a hectic one. It is so easy to lose touch with the young e'and walking members unless one does go out with them every now and again, +Your letter Dunk of 18th Oct. remains unanswered. As a special Xmas effort I'm trying to write you a few lines before the festive season begins. Thanks for your letter DunkThere's little chance of my turning up at the club for many moons. Once one gets over to W.A., it is difficult to return east. This state is almost like another country. One has to pass a dictation test before one can return to Australia. Have been here so long I now have doubts as to my passing. 
-Am afraid I haven't changed much. Don't know if you ever hear anything of meIwrite to Doris Young occasionally and tell her of my travels around this vast state. I get around lots and have now seen most all parts of Australia except,a little bit between Drysdale and Wyndham and I've still hopes of seeing that.  + 
-Some months ago I went out on a day's walk with a Sgt.Jessie Wakefield, an A..A.S. once a member of the Hobart Walking Club, and three other people. Jessie knew many of the S.B.W. People. Had met them in Tasmania. A W.A.A.A.F. Officer, Elizabeth Turner(one of the party) said she was a member of the S.B.W. I didn't-know her and so asked her when she had passed the committee. She then admittedshe had joined up before the committee had let:her inDo you remember her at all? She is tall and not unlike Flo Allsworth. We had a great day and walked and talked as only walkers can. One of theiparty - an elderly officer:came out with an attache case and'carried it all the way. I neverthought I'd see the day when I'd lead a walk with a member of the party carrying an attache case,..still.I gave him hell and; wehad great fun. +You and the Service Committee deserve an occasional letter for the excellent work you all do. Don't think I'm lacking appreciation of the good deeds done. I'm a busy man with lots to do. Still the old club and its activities hold a place in my heart. 
-see L.J.Drake occasionally,,No doubt some of the old timers will remember him. He the same and pent his regards to those who knew him. + 
-He was responsible for my hitti4g,the news headlines in the local evening paper+Wish I had bee4 at the half yearly meeting. I might have sided with the rebels, for there is a lot in what they say in spite of Marie'passioned appeal for Myles, Tom etc. After all it is a walking club (the old phrase Dunk) or is it? I do feel members, older members especially, could make an effort to lead one walk a yearOf course age, inability and sickness must be considered. Still the club should liver be allowed to become top heavy with talking members, who seldom go out and yet turn up in force when the word gets around the meeting might be a hectic one. It is so easy to lose touch with the younger and walking members unless one does go out with them every now and again
-over walking that 100 miles in 24 hours. Since the item appeared I am'usually+ 
-told to walk when I.ask'foi tranenort+Am afraid I haven't changed much. Don't know if you ever hear anything of meI write to Doris Young occasionally and tell her of my travels around this vast state. I get around lots and have now seen most all parts of Australia except a little bit between Drysdale and Wyndham and I've still hopes of seeing that.  
- + 
-That reminds me I was 'over at Cape Naturaliste the other day',Another one Of the corners of-Australia. I had cOmpleted my business and as the transport had to await other officers, I set off to walkI strolled along thoroughly enjoying the beauties ofthe countryside.  +Some months ago I went out on a day's walk with a Sgt. Jessie Wakefield, an A.W.A.S. once a member of the Hobart Walking Club, and three other people. Jessie knew many of the S.B.W. People. Had met them in Tasmania. A W.A.A.A.F. Officer, Elizabeth Turner (one of the party) said she was a member of the S.B.W. I didn't know her and so asked her when she had passed the committee. She then admitted she had joined up before the committee had let her inDo you remember her at all? She is tall and not unlike Flo Allsworth. We had a great day and walked and talked as only walkers can. One of the party - an elderly R.A.A.F. officer came out with an attache case and carried it all the way. I never thought I'd see the day when I'd lead a walk with a member of the party carrying an attache case, still I gave him hell and we had great fun. 
-It was all v ery charming. There Were rocky headlands and inlets "together with lovely sandy beaches. The sparsely timbered undulating hills were covered with coastal scrub not unlike our Lambert Peninsula country. The whole countlAys ide abounded with wild flowers, most of whiO were unknown to'me. There were thousands of the tree kangaroo paws - a most fascinating flowerThe car picked me up in 14: hours after I had covered 7 miles, + 
-My work is most interestingAm on the A.O.C's staff as Area Defence Officer. Briefly that makes me resronsible to the A.O.C.for the ground defence of our dromes, strips, units etc. in w.A. I have lots of liaison work with both the Army and Navy. Am also responsible for defence training of all pereonnel,+see L.J. Drake occasionallyNo doubt some of the old timers will remember him. He is still the same and sent his regards to those who knew him. He was responsible for my hitting the news headlines in the local evening paper over walking that 100 miles in 24 hours. Since the item appeared I am usually told to walk when I ask for transport
 + 
 +That reminds me I was 'over at Cape Naturaliste the other dayAnother one of the corners of-Australia. I had completed my business and as the transport had to await other officers, I set off to walkI strolled along thoroughly enjoying the beauties of the countryside.  
 + 
 +It was all very charming. There were rocky headlands and inlets together with lovely sandy beaches. The sparsely timbered undulating hills were covered with coastal scrub not unlike our Lambert Peninsula country. The whole countryside abounded with wild flowers, most of which were unknown to me. There were thousands of the tree kangaroo paws - a most fascinating flowerThe car picked me up in 1 3/4 hours after I had covered 7 miles
 + 
 +My work is most interestingAm on the A.O.C's staff as Area Defence Officer. Briefly that makes me responsible to the A.O.C. for the ground defence of our dromes, strips, units etc. in w.A. I have lots of liaison work with both the Army and Navy. Am also responsible for defence training of all pereonnel,
 etc. etc. etc. etc.
-FETYERATION REPORT 
-The Federation had so- many matters to consider that its Hovember meeting laeLect for three hours. Two of the matters considered were a report from delegates to the recent "SAVE THE TRES" Conference, and the electien Nrd instruction of delegates to a Conference on 1st Dezember regarding Fe-.0SCIUSKO STY1e3 PARK AND PRIMITIVE AREAS therein. Briefly, the Federation is suneorting Myles Dunphy's suggestions. 
-A Forestry Advisory Council and an annual "Saire the Trees" Confrence having been recommended by the first conference, Federation placed on record that its aim is re-efforestation and it will sup7?ort any move to achieve it. MrjJ-yborn and Mr,Streel weve appointed Federation representatives, Other appointments made 
-were; e:Y.re Jcliyi Officer; Mr. 3hema,k ef the Y,L3Ramblers 0 Club - uonfener of a Commi'L,tee to be appointed to arrange a F0eRATION PARTY in 1945. The Committee will consist of Club representatives, probably their Social Secretaries. 
-The questions of JOINT BOOMS or a Co-operative society were raised, but the matter was referred to Mr.Frank Duncan to draw up a schema and submit it to Federation for consideration. 
-Word was received that the recent successful 1W)ERATION RE-UNION at"Leonay" had benefitted the Nepean District Hospital,Penrith by L5'.10,0$150 people signed the attend nce log and eleven Clubs were represented. 
-NEW RESERVES: The Secretery to the Trust has been congratulated an the dedication of the new UTLEY PRIMITIVE PARK. 
-The Forestry Commission has stated that the FOR2ST ON MT.CORICUDg will be kept in a primitive state. 
-The new De-partment of Conservation is looking into the suggestion to reserve the WALEUMBUNGLES as a flra reserve and State Forest. 
-There was no definite news about ERA as the State Budget was still before Paeliament, 
-The Youth Hostels Association will probably rent shacks at Little Garie as a trial. Another possibility for a hostel is that area is just south of Maynerdsl, or Maynard& property i%self. 
-The National Fitness Council is planning to buy the land at the top of the PALLISADES and add it to the Patonga Fitness Camp so thet the through route for hikers will always remain available. 
-BINNABURRA, LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK is private property and the Owner wants 
-prior 71.0q-.::_c.,Lif any bucbwalkere irtend to visit the property. Otherwise they are liab!:J i;c) got a hostile reception, 
-The last business was probably the m est important, It was decided to refer to the Clubs a suggestion that bushwalkers appoint a committee to undertake RESEeRCH OF THE PREVENTION OF BUSHFIRES by various means - not merely by bureug firebreaks when fires are raging, and not merely to save houses but ale n-e bush itself. The matter is to come up for discussion at December Feciaeat i_on meeting, 
  
 +=====Federation Report=====
 +
 +The Federation had so many matters to consider that its November meeting lasted for three hours. Two of the matters considered were a report from delegates to the recent "Save The Trees" Conference, and the election and instruction of delegates to a Conference on 1st December regarding Kosciusko State Park and Primitive Areas therein. Briefly, the Federation is supporting Myles Dunphy's suggestions.
 +
 +A Forestry Advisory Council and an annual "Save the Trees" Conference having been recommended by the first conference, Federation placed on record that its aim is re-afforestation and it will support any move to achieve it. Mr. Wyborn and Mr. Stead were appointed Federation representatives. Other appointments made
 +were Miss Grace Jolly, Publicity Officer; Mr. Schumack of teh Y.M.C.A. Ramblers Club - Convener of a Committee to be appointed to arrange a Federation Party in 1945. The Committee will consist of Club representatives, probably their Social Secretaries.
 +
 +The questions of Joint Rooms or a Co-operative society were raised, but the matter was referred to Mr. Frank Duncan to draw up a scheme and submit it to Federation for consideration.
 +
 +Word was received that the recent successful Federation Re-Union at"Leonay" had benefitted the Nepean District Hospital, Penrith by £5.10.0. 150 people signed the attendance log and eleven Clubs were represented.
 +
 +====New Reserves====
 +
 +The Secretary to the Trust has been congratulated on the dedication of the new Oatly Primitive Park.
 +
 +The Forestry Commission has stated that the Forest On Mt. Coricudgy will be kept in a primitive state.
 +
 +The new Department of Conservation is looking into the suggestion to reserve the Warrumbungles as a flora reserve and State Forest.
 +
 +There was no definite news about Era as the State Budget was still before Parliament.
 +
 +The Youth Hostels Association will probably rent shacks at Little Garie as a trial. Another possibility for a hostel in that area is just south of Maynards', or Maynards' property itself.
 +
 +The National Fitness Council is planning to buy the land at the top of the Pallisades and add it to the Patonga Fitness Camp so that the through route for hikers will always remain available.
 +
 +Binnaburra, Lamington National Park, is private property and the Owner wants
 +prior __notice if any bushwalkers intend to visit the property__. Otherwise they are liabe to get a hostile reception.
 +
 +The last business was probably the most important, It was decided to refer to the Clubs a suggestion that bushwalkers appoint a committee to undertake Research Of The Prevention Of Bushfires by various means - not merely by burning firebreaks when fires are raging, and not merely to save houses but also the bush itself. The matter is to come up for discussion at December Federation meeting.
194501.txt · Last modified: 2016/01/14 08:34 by tyreless

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