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 __Socrates__: May thy shadow lengthen and thy tribe increase; may thy dreams be sweet and thy rewards for virtue manifold. Goodnight.
+----
+=====Era Deserta.=====
+By "K.M."
+For a variety of reasons I was not at the clubrooms during the month or so before Christmas, and was therefore completely in the dark as to holiday plans. Several members, encountered in the wild lunch-hour shopping scramble, shook their heads when I asked: Are you going to Era?
-ERA DESERTA.
-By /V
-For a variety of reasons I was not at the clubrooms during the month or so beforG Christmas, and was therefore completely in the dark as to holiday plans. Several members, encountered in the wild lunch-hour shopping scramble, shook their heads when I asked: Are you going to Era?
 "No" they said, "but there's sure to be a good crowd".
-"Yes, I suppose so" I answered, thinking of last year's tenamaxit conditions, when cooking arrangements were so neighb-o-uTly that a flipped egg or beans sautbs were ju st as iikA4ly to land_ ID someone else's frying pan as In on.GTa. own,.
-,
+"Yes, I suppose so" I answered, thinking of last year's tenement conditions, when cooking arrangements were so neighbourly that a flipped egg or beans sautes were just as iikely to land in someone else's frying pan as in one's own.
-_ .
-.'_, .,._) . .',...!; 7, -',., -.J -, 1.,1
- . , .,.
-- - t ') T
-Chr istmciS Eve Saw rne, f ed with, 'goo dw ill anct ra1lot', for- conviviality, 'alight at Viat rfa1,1 and soar; thQ platform- faces. Not an one. Not oven the- aarftal-like :outline- of the
+Christmas Eve saw me, filled with goodwill and a1l set for conviviality, alight at Waterfall and scan the platform for familiar faces. Not an one. Not even the camel-like outline of the genuine bushwalker. Travellers there were, laden with impossible looking burdens, but they were definitely not bushwalkers.
-genuine bushwalker. Travellers there- we,reL.,- laden with impossible
-looking jp.,4rde)as , but they, wore d,efiniteli y not buShwalko rs s'
+Feeling a little dashed I boarded the bus in company with these outsiders, and from the Lookout descended the track alone.
-I r
-Feeling a little dashed,I.13,9'8,t4S-P4 Incompant-withthoso
+Soon, I thought, I shall descry the bevy of tents upon the sward and ant-like figures engaged upon their lawful occasions. But the dress-circle was deserted; not a flicker of life up at Dead Horse; no cheerful smoke spiring on thie still evening air. Ah, at last - a gleam of white - there was a tent beneath the palms. Closer inspection discovered two youths in residence, and another tent, uninhabited, set snugly amongst the lillipillis. Its owners were returning the next night, the lads informed me.
-outsiderS, and froth; th'e' tookeut deS,cencled the traek.-alone... -
-, Soon, I thought, I shall descry the bevy of tents upon the sward and ant-like figUres engaged upon their lawful occasions. But the dress-circle was deserted; not a iflicker of life up at Dead Horse; rio cheerful smolce siii,r4P6 on thie still ,evening , air. Ali, at -last -
+This then was the sum total of the population: three, at Era, on Christmas Eve.
-a gleam Of white - there AR as a t_orit beneath the palms. -Closer
-inspection discovered two youths, ip residence, an another tent, uninhabited, 0 ont 'ahugly amongst the lillipillis. Its owners ,Ware
+Philosophically I made my way to my usual boudoir in the lantana thicket - designed originally, I understand by Dot Batler to accommodate herself and elder daughter. All was much as I had left it last January, but the scrub was fresher and greener than usual owing to the spring rains.
-returning thle'pext :night the lads ,informed,
-This then was the sup, tot4 oX.tpDcApui40ipx...v, thre eir-1,a;,t,', E. Christmas''Eve.
+Darkness descended before I had finished my evening meal, and as Christmas Carols were obviously not to be expected, there was nothing be do but go to bed. The mosquitoes indeed indulged in rather more carolling than I cared about; a patter of rain-drops and a few stirrings of the humbler creation amongst the fallen leaves broke the stillness from time to time, but the night passed peacefully enough.
-Philosophically I made my way to my ,usual boudoir in the lantana thicket - designed originally, I understand by -Dot Batler to - agcommod at ,.harself and., older --daught "NS- - - left it last January, but the scrub was fresher and greener than,usual owing to the spring rains.
-Darkness descended before I had finished my evening meal, and as Ohristm4s Carols were obviously not to be expected, there vva,s nothing be do but go to bed. The mosquitoes indeed_ indulged In rather more carDlling than I cared about; a patter of rain-drops and" a few
+Christmas morning dawned clear, and the cantata of bird notes began - butcher birds, clear and beautiful, the Peter! Peter! of Jacky Winters, chirpings of blue wrens, crack of whip-birds, and crows very high and desolate, voicing their gloomy view of the universe.
-stirrings -of the humbler creation amongst the fallen leaves broke the stillness from time, to time, but the night passed peacefully enpugh.
-Christmas morning dawned clear, -and tlike' cantata of bird notes began - butcher birds, clear and beautiful, Peter!, Peter; of Jacky
+I emerged from my lair pining to greet someone with "Merry Christmas!" but my two fellow-inhabitants were not yet abroad. I tried the conventional phrase on three rabbits nibbling the lawn near my front door, but they fled in alarm. I hailed a lizard as he darted out of the scrub, but one glance of his haughty eye told me that he was a gentleman of ancient lineage, owing fealty doubtless to that old serpent called Satan, but coldly indifferent to anything so new-fangled as Christmas festivals.
-Winters, chirpings of blu e' wrens,--, crack of whip-birds, and crows very high and desolate, vaioing their gloomy view of the universe.
-I emerged from my lair pining to greet someone with ',Merry ChristmasIbut my two fellow-inhabitants were not yet abroad. I tried the
+No it was not a convivial scene: in fact I never remember having such a quiet Christmas; but two incidents made my visit to Era worth while. The first happened while I was dressing.
-conventional phrase on three rabbits nibbling the lawn' near my front
-door-, but they fled in alarm. I -hailed a lizard as he darted out of
+I gazed idly at an object on the leafy floor of my bedroom and recognised it as a hen egg. Strange, I thought, I should not have imagined there were domestic fowls hereabouts. As the old brain emerged from its morning mists, it dawned on me that the egg was part of my luggage. I examined it and found that it was cracked but not lost. The paper wrapping of it had disappeared. Its fellows, in a tin placed in the fork of a tree, were intact, but a paper bag containing macaroni, a slab of cheese and a package of salt, had vanished holus bolus. Certainly I had heard various rustlings in the night but nothing to indicate such a large-scale robbery.
-the scrub-, but one glance' of his haughty eye told me that he was a gentleman of ancient' lineage,. living' fea lty doubtless to that old serpent called Satan, but coldly' indif"fer4nt to anything so new-
-fangled as Christmas festlivaId'.' 4'"
+I pictured rat pere lugging home his treasure-trove to the missus and kids, pointing out to them the succulence of the cheese and the excellence of the pasta - best quality, fatta all'uova. A Christmas dinner straight from heaven. I only regretted that he did not return the salt, as I felt sure it would be wasted.
-No it was not a convivial scene: in fact I never remember Jaavingsuch a quiet Christmas; but two incidents made' my visit to-Era worth while. The first happnod.
+The second incident was the thrilling vision of his grace the lyre bird, stepping delicately among the rocks as I went to fill my water-bag at the pool. He scratched unconcernedly for provender in the leafy mould, speaking an occasional word of cheer to his lady, similarly engaged at a little distance up the bank. For the first time in my life (and I am getting on now) I beheld this miracle of loveliness, with the famous tail streaming and gleaming in the morning light. Something unique in the way of Christmas presents, you will agree. Yes, decidedly this Christmas, 1946, was a memorable occasion.
+----
+=====Brer Fox.=====
-I gazed idly at an object on the le:Ify floor of my bqdroom and recognised it as a hen egg. Strange, I thought, I should not have
-imagined there were domestic fowls hereabouts. As the old brain
-emerged from its morning mists, it dawned on hie that the egg was part
-of my luggage. I examined it and found that it was cracked but not
-lost. The paper wrapping of it ttad disappeared. Its fellows, in
-a tin placed in the fork of a tree, were intact, but a paper bag containing macaroni, a slab of cheese and a package of salt, had
-vanished holus bolus. Certainly I had heard various rustlings
-in the night but noshing to indicate such a large-scale robbery.
-I pictured rat pore 110.gging home his treasure-trove to the missus and kids, pointing out to them the succulence of the cheese and the excellence of the pasta - best quality, fatta all'uova. A
-Christmas dinner straight from heaven. I only regretted that he
-did not return the salt, as I felt sure it would be wasted.
-The second incident was the thrilling vision of his grace the lyre bird, stepping delicately among the rocks as I went to fill my water-bag at the pool. He scratched unconcernedly for provender in the leafy mould, speaking an occasional word of cheer to his lady, similarly engaged at a little distance up the bank.. For the first time in my life (and I am getting on now) I beheld this miracle of loveliness, with the famous tail streaming and gleaming. in the morning light. Something unique in the way of
-Christmas presents, you wi.4.1 agree. Yes, decidedly this Christmas,
-, was a momorable occasion.
-Bror Fox.
 (Extract from a letter by Mr. H. A. Lindsay, President of the Adelaide Bush Walkers.)
-"We tender our sincere thanks for your aid and the many helpful things which you have sent us. The latest is a copy of your
-magazine for December. In it, however, the writer saw something
+"We tender our sincere thanks for your aid and the many helpful things which you have sent us. The latest is a copy of your magazine for December. In it, however, the writer saw something which staggered him, to say the least. It was an account of how some Bushwalkers __released a fox from a trap.__"
-which staggered him, to say the least. It was an account of how
-some Bushwalkers. released a fox from a traz."
+"The writer does not question the humanitarian motives which prompted the act, but takes this opportunity to point out that an act of that kind can have serious repercussions, to say the least. In the first place, there is the legal aspect - if the Act is the same in N.S.W.. as here, the man who set that trap has the law entirely wrong. Next, speaking as one who has always been interested in flora and fauna protection, I can state definitely that the fox is one of our biggest curses. It has almost exterminated the stone-plover, or curlcue, from big areas of country. It is fast exterminating the lowan, or mallee hen. It aided in the extinction of our prettiest wallaby, the Toolachi. It is playing havoc with many of our ground-nesting birds. It keeps down the wild ducks by killing the ducklings and it is an unmitigated pest to sheep men and poultry farmers. (The writer has seen more than a score of lambs killed in a single night for the sake of their tongues alone, and 200 hens killed by one fox in a single night.)
-"The writer does not question the humanitarian motives which Prompted the act, but takes this opportunity to point out that an aot of that kind aan have serious repercussions, to say the laast. In the first place, there is the legal aspect -- if the Act is the same in N.S.W.. as here, the man who set that trap has the law
-entirely wrong. Next, speaking as one who has always been intarostGd in flora and fauna protection, I can state definitely that the fox is one of our biggest curses. It has almost exterminated the
+"Far worse than the ordinary fox is one which has lost a leg in a trap. After that, he is 'trap-shy' and, unable to hunt in the ordinary way, he is forced to kill easy prey, such as hens, for a living. I am afraid that your members' "good-deed" is one which won't get a favourable reception from farmers or sheep-men."
-stone-plover, or ourlcue, from big arose of Gountry- It is fast
-exterminating the Iowan, or malle-e hon. It aided in th4?,-Gxtination
+"From the experience of the better part of a lifetime in the bush, r can state very definitely that it is wrong to interfere with any trapped animal, save to put it out of its misery - even that can lay you open to trouble if the animal is being trapped for its fur, as lying dead in the sun can ruin the pelt commercially, although the S.P.C.A. will usually back you up if you can prove that the man who set the trap had neglected to visit it. Even when you find that opossums are being taken illegally, it is bad policy to do anything whatsoever save to inform the nearest Fisheries and Game Inspector or the Police. But to let our most destructive pest go free is something which cannot be condoned."
-of our prettiest wallaby, the Toolachi. It is playing havoc with
-many of our ground-nesting birds.' -''It keeps down the wild ducks by killing the ducklings'and it lean unmitigated pest to sheep men. and
+"The above is written in the hope that it will be taken in the spirit in which it is written - an attempt to point out that something has boon done which is a very serious mistake indeed and liable to react on the club as a whole."
-poultry farmers. (The writer has seen more than a score of lambs
-killed in a single night for the sake of their tongues alone, and 200 hens killed by one fox in _a angle night.)
+----
-"Far worse than the ordinary fox is one which has lost a leg in a trap. After that, he is 'trap-shy' and, unable to hunt in the ordinary way, he is forced to kill easy prey, such as hens, for a
-living. I am afraid that your members"good-deed' is one which
-won't get a favourable reception from farmers or sheep-men."
+=====Your Optometrist - F. Goodman, M.I.O.=====
-"From the experience of the better part of a lifetime in the bush, r can state very definitely that it is wrong to interfere with any trapped animal, save to put. it out of its misery -- even that can lay you open to trouble if the animal is being trapped for its fur,_. as lying dead in the sun can ruin the pelt commercially, although the S.P.C.A. will usually back you up if you can prove that the ram who set the trap had neglected to visit it. Even when you find ' that opossums are being taken 'illegally, it is bad policy to' do anything whatsoever save to inform the nearest Fisheries and Game
-Inspector or the Police. But to let our most destructive pest go
+Optometrist and Optician. 20 Hunter Street, Sydney. Tel. B3484.
-free is something which cannot be condoned."
-"The above is written in the hope that it will be taken in the
+Modern methods of eye examination and eye training. Careful spectacle fitting.
-spirit in which it is written -- an attempt to point out that something has boon done which is a very serious mistake indeed and liable to react on the club as a whole."
-YOUR OPTOMETRIST
+Fixing an appointment will facilitate the reservation of time for giving you proper attention, but should you be unable to ring us beforehand, your visit will be welcome at any time you may choose to call.
-F. GOODMAN, 11. If O.
-Optometrist and Optician
+----
-Hunter Street, Sydney.
-'Phone B 3438
+=====Jogging Along With Johnston.=====
-Modern methods of Eye Examination and Eyo Training Careful Spectacle Fitting.
-r-
-r Fixing an appointment will facilitate the reservatin
-, of time forgiving you proper attention. But,should C.
-you be unable to ring us beforehand, your Tisit will be welcome at any time you. may shoose to call.
-(,f:/J-CCGCL:ZeZZOCC.411CCAZ,Z@CCAWMCI:-.0 _
-_.
-rfi
-(1) Gq1
-Iplalagt_ALEE_EiLLiallaI2E
 by "Skip"
-My star being not in the ascendant, and I not being pleasant in the sight of the almighty gods of pecuniary, dispensation my walk started from Leichhardt this summer's eve, some time after the train bearing my walking companions to be, hsd departed from Central.
-In my ignorance - also have I many things yet to learn - I was certain that some huge machine on at least eight and possibly ten wheels would bear me to Mt. Victoria in, about half the time taken by the property of the New South Wales Government Railways. Still, fortune
+My star being not in the ascendant, and I not being pleasant in the sight of the almighty gods of pecuniary dispensation my walk started from Leichhardt this summer's eve, some time after the train bearing my walking companions to be, had departed from Central.
-smiled fair upon me, and after having boon exhorted in one vehicle "Not to remember the number plate" and having been plied with cigarettes and the offer of a furnished cottage,for six months in another, not forgetting the cove in the '28 model truck who must surely have obtained his licence in the U.S. an whose claim to have passed all six cars between Lapstone and Lawson was decidedly
-not to be denied. I found myself at Mt. Victoria station at
+In my ignorance - also have I many things yet to learn - I was certain that some huge machine on at least eight and possibly ten wheels would bear me to Mt. Victoria in about half the time taken by the property of the New South Wales Government Railways. Still, fortune smiled fair upon me, and after having been exhorted in one vehicle "Not to remember the number plate" and having been plied with cigarettes and the offer of a furnished cottage for six months in another, not forgetting the cove in the '28 model truck who must surely have obtained his licence in the U.S. and whose claim to have passed all six cars between Lapstone and Lawson was decidedly not to be denied. I found myself at Mt. Victoria station at midnight with a walk to the Falls still before me. This I accomplished and laid me down beside four non descript hummocks at the shed and slept.
-midnight with a walk to the Falls still before me. This I accomplished and laid me down beside four non descript hummocks at the shod and slept.
-In the morning said hummocks crystallised into human shape and form, there being one Doug Johnston and his friend Mac - another Doug I believe, and a Bernie and his friend with whom we conversed by many and varied means. The official leader presumably having had no notification from anyone was therefore not there. The Johnston bloke thereon became our gUiding light and him we followed through thick and thin, mostly thick. This fine young fellow had had no intontion
+In the morning said hummocks crystallised into human shape and form, there being one Doug Johnston and his friend Mac - another Doug I believe, and a Bernie and his friend with whom we conversed by many and varied means. The official leader presumably having had no notification from anyone was therefore not there. The Johnston bloke thereon became our guiding light and him we followed through thick and thin, mostly thick. This fine young fellow had had no intention of keeping to the official route anyway, and so it came about that four stalwart lads followed his footsteps into the unknown.
-of keeping to the official route anyway, and so it came about that 'four stalwart lads followed his footsteps into the unknown.
-The official route is no good to this explorer in the making. So back along the road we go, and after much consulting of compasses and maps we strike off in a northerly direction following a ridge - the
+The official route is no good to this explorer in the making. So back along the road we go, and after much consulting of compasses and maps we strike off in a northerly direction following a ridge - the wrong one of course. It was pleasant walking, releived by an occasional view, and brightened by a few wildflowers, mostly flannel flower. A short ridge this, as after about a mile it descended into the Grose. The steep side of one of them was surprisingly marshy, and beautifully green. We investigated a splash of red a little distance upstream and came upon an unforgotteble colour combination of flaming bottle brushes, bright green grass, and a clear blue sky.
-wrong one of course. It was pleasant walking, reloived by an occasional view, and brightened by a few wildflowers, mostly flannel
-flower. A short ridge this, as after about a mile it descended into
+Following downstream the gallant band came upon some difficult terrain. We kept half way up the hillside, yet even here as often happens, life was one mad scramble. Further down I detached myself from the main party and staggered along a fairly steep but open slope, yet was it covered enough with growth to conceal many cunning pitfalls. The Grose I reached some little time after my companions, having had to negotiate a small cliff at tha end.
-the Grose. The steep side of one of them was surprisingly marshy,
-and beautifully green. We investigated a splash of red a little die-' tame upstream and came upon an unforgotteble colour combination of flaming bottle brushes, bright green grass, and a clear blue sky.
-Following downstream the gallant band came upon some difficult terrain. We kept half way up the hillside, yet even here as often happens, life was one mad scramble. Further down I detached myself ftom the main party and staggered along 'afairly steep but open slope, yet was it covered enough with growth to conceal many cunning pitfalls. :110 Grose I DcGaehod some little time aft,Qr my aompanions, having had to negotiate a small nliff at tha 4411d.
 I can't claim that the Grose was any improvement on its tributary. The river bed was one mass of jumbled rock and piled up vegetation. Yet if one took to the hills one found oneself fighting a losing battle against shale slopes and lawyer vine. And so, after much
-alternation between hillsides and gully we came upon Victoria Falls Ok.
+alternation between hillsides and gully we came upon Victoria Falls Creek.
- Happy De y1 But such was not as yet to be. Our hero - that
-little man out there in front - decided that ease and luxury were not for such as we, that the thorny road was to lead us to redemption
+O Happy Day! But such was not as yet to be. Our hero - that little man out there in front - decided that ease and luxury were not for such as we, that the thorny road was to lead us to redemption and Blue Gum. Truly a fine upstanding young fellow. He will go far, without me. However, by taking the track which ambles half way up tha hillside we were well rewarded with the view of Mt. King George in the afternoon sun. And soon after this, O joy, we came back to firmer terra. Hero the Grose slept in the last shadows of the afternoon, the tall pale blue gums standing guard without so much as a whisper between them. Further down, beside the fallen tree, near where the stream awakes and busies itself with the destruction of itself, we camped.
-and Blue Gum. Truly a fine upstanding young fellow. He will go far,
-without me. However, by taking the track which ambles half way up
+Of the few parties camping down there we were the last to leave. But this was of small matter as the official route had further been changed to encompass Govett's. Near the junction we called a halt and watched the Mac go a swimming. I should here make mention that we were now three, as Bernie and friend had departed earlier in order to get their coupon books or something of the sort. At the junction we did our duty and tidied up the small cave which some lowly animals had left in a disgusting state, and douched their fire. We met them later and had words with them, pitiable long panted sack-carrying objects.
-tha hillside we were well rewarded With the view of Mt. King George in
-the afternoon sun. And soon after this, 0 joy, we c'ame back to
+And now we began to see our true form. On this never ending climb the party spread out and soon lost sight of one another. I was full satisfied at arriving socond at Govett's. This, O my reader, was my first visit thereto, and thus you know my sentiments. Little water was coming over, and the slight wind broke it up and caused it to sway from one side to the other. There was a general dampness all about, and the disappearance of the sun behind the falls ended our after lunch spine bash. Happily we splashed up the track, dodging drops of water here and there and examining with delight the sundews, orchids and other little plants growing on the ledges and in various clefts and cracks. As I panted up the stairs I wondered at the pioneering spirit that made possible the entrance to the valley below.
-firmer terra. Hero the Grose slept in the last shadows of the afternoon, the tall pale blue gums standing guard without so much. as
-a whisper between them. Further down, beside the fallen tree, near where the stream awakes and bust-es itself with the destruction of itself, we camped.
+At the top we held small conversation with a tourist type who didn't seem at all impressed with our experiences. In disgust we took the homeward road whereon we met some friends of Mac's and s St. Bernard who was exceedingly ill equipped. In Blackheath we came once more upon Bernie, and the four of us partook of various delicacies according to our individual tastes at a pleasant little cream and jam and scone shop of past acquaintance.
-Of the few parties camping down there we were the last to leave.. But this was of small matter as the official route had further been changed to encompass Govett'd. Near the junction we called a halt
-and watched the Mac go a swimming. I should here make mention
+And so I took me to the road once more, and was duly set down near Grace Bros. after travelling the full distance on the loading truck of a pinch bar convoy. Be seeing you.
-that we were now three, as Bernie and friend had depsrted earlier in order to get their coupon books or something of the sort. At tlait junction we did our duty and tidied up the small cave which, some
-.lowly animals had luft in a disgusting state, and douched their fire. We met thoM later and .ad words with them, pitiable long, panted sack- carrying Objects.
+----
-And now we egnn to see'our true form. C* this never ending climb
-the party spread out and soon lost sight of one another. I was full
+=====Cycling From Albury To Hotham And Moruya.=====
-satisfied at arriving socond at Govett's. This, 0 my reader, was
-my first visit thereto, and'thus%you know my sentiments. Little
-water was coming over, and the slight. wind broke it up and caused it
-to sway from one side to(the other. There was a general dampness
-all about, and the dissPpearance of the sun behind the falls ended our after lunch spina bash. Happily we splashed up the track, dodging, drops of water here and there and examining with delight the sundews, orchids and other little plants growing on the ledges and in various clefts and cracks. .As. Ipanted up the stairs I wondered lat the pioneering spirit that made possible the entrance to the valley below.
-At the top we held small conversation with a tourist type who didn't seem at all impressed with our experiences. In disgust we took the homeward road whereon we mbt,some friends of Msc's and s St. Bernard who was exceedingly ill equipped. In Blackheath we cams. ono-0 more
-upon Bernie, and the four of us partook of various delicacios according, to our individual tastes at a pleasant little cream and jam and scone shop of past acquaintance.
-Ara so I took me to the road once more, and was duly sot down near Graco Bros. after travelling the full distance on the loading truck of a pinch bar aorm9y, Be seeing you.
-.
 by "M.G."
 Victorian Tourist Bureau leaflets tell Us of the immense pop9ibilit les of the North-East district, the pastoral and Agricultural activities. The Hume Reservior is mentioned, which is ton miles from