Monthly Bulletin of The Sydney Bushwalkers, C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown Street, Sydney.

- Ardennes.

Stretch out your hand,
cool from the touch of the sea,
stretch out your hand to me.
Here on the sand
lay your loved body down
beside me, slim and brown,
and let the benison
of summer sun
descend, and bring content,
nay, ecstasy.

In silence lie,
and with our heads low bent
receive the sacrament,
the large communion
of earth and sea and sky.
From these, blest trinity,
pure streams of healing run -
the chalice of the sun
brims golden wine,
so coma, drink deep, drink long;
and in the saving torrent, harsh with brine,
cure the soul's wrong.
Lie still, lie still, and rest
upon the earth's warm breast,
and rise renewed and strong.

Lifers? A discussion on the question, “Should we have Life M.entership,” by the bush(ed) philosophers, Socrates & Anopheles. F:n,:,rates: Consider the Bushwalkers, 0 Anopheles, in form so like humans, to the common man mere persons, distinguished only by a propensity to seek out the rough and stony places shunned by men of reason. Yet withal, persons of infinite variety. Anopheles: To me, they, all look passing similar, differing from the untutored savage Only in the possession of the latest accessories of light-wei-ght camping. Socrates: Indeed, no,'Anopheles. They may look similar as they - cower beneath their groundsheets when the enrits team about their heads; but their varieties are legion and distinct, and their social structure governed by rituals most complicated, as is shown in the Constitution, or Schedule of Rites. They are divided into the active, the not-so,active, the non-active, the financial, the unfinancial, the legally unfinandial (or Honorarj), not to mention the prospect, the-suspect, and the “annual” variety who, like a God, speaks but once a year—at the Ides of March. Observe that these distinctions are based upoa money, acttvity or loquacity, Honourl it would seem, has no place in their morality. Anopheles: Why nould it? They do not walk for honour. Socrates: Quite so, Anopheles; but they do not only walk. And think that in their lives they are not without virtue; nor are they beyond. redemption, AE22112122: That's what you think–er–I mean, thy analysis gay be correct. 9ocrates: Yes, if thou perusest'their Constitution thou shalt find TELC7Cause 5 subsection (f) thereof that their virtues, though not seven, are at least threefold. Which puts them three up on the barbarians. ' Anal-eles: Of what three virtues dost thou speak? nbrates: It is written that those who aspire to be translated from suspect to the felicity of Membership shall have sociability, stamina and regard for the ClubTo qelfare. Anopheles: lierein I differ, These are not virtues, but rather conarFlons laid down for the exclusion of those who might prove disagreeable to members. Honour is based on different premises. S–ocrates. In part thou art right; they-may incaude sociability and FTFEY;la for thip reason, But yet one virtue remains, so that they are only six-sevenths saVages.. Regard for the Club's welfare is surely a virtue? Anopheles: What, 0 poSer of,riddles, dioes regard for the Club's welfare mean? I have heardid thvt it means not making urReemly, notelsa in trains. ' 3, Socrates: TLly view is dim, 0 Anol,)heles. Does not regard for the Club's welfare mean doing the Club's work? And does not this work fall always on the shoulders of the willing few who give of their time and labour for the benefit of many? 4.112pheles: It would be virtue if it broUght no reward. SoorgTJET And does it bring reward? To me, there seems but Tittle recoMiaonse, and I feel that 'those who show outstanding zeal should be compensated therefor. Anopheles: It's rewards are many, 0 Soc. There is pleasure in cooperative effort and the good-fellowship that ensues, in the interest of the job—and most of the work is interesting–and, for those who like it, in the we of the Prospectives. Even the Members sometimes respect the Committee. Socrates: These sentiments may move some to take office, but often the cares of their tasks outweight the pleasures you catalogue. Indeed there are many who continue only by reason of the. constancy of their natures, because tiey feel that work may be poorly done when they resign, and they continue long after interest has waned. This labour goes unrewarded. Surely the work of these is worthy beyond the bounds. of thy definition? Anopheles: There may be some who fit thy description, but, as Hartigan has said, is it really necessary? Is there any reason. at all why, asa club of more than 300 members, there should not be enough hands readily to perform all the allotted tasks? Why should one, or 'a few, do so much that they are wearied by the task? Socrates: My dear Anopheles,..shall we run our lives on pure necessities? Shall we divorce all sentiment, all show of gratitude? As for there being “enough hands”, dost thou not remember how, quite often, when the President has asked for nominations for some 'position there has been silence. that When he went further,'and asked,for volunters,silence bas again fallen, until at last some. meffiberfrom among the willing few has at last got up and voldlateered to take on just another job that others were unwilli,Ag to do?, Anopheles: The truth of thy-observations is irrefutable. But it was not always so. ES5.x years ago it was considered an - honour to iork on the Oommittee. The more onerous tasks were divided up so that the joys I have enumerated might be suffused among the many. Socrates: The prolific help of the past cannot run our club Anopheles: All observation is of the past. If we do not learn from the past, let us quit philosophy at once. Socrates: Last year is the past, and there were difficulties then, Anopheles: There have been' and ;there will be difficulties', but they will become less now that people have more leisure. Socrates: Presumably you infer that the war curtailed the time that could be devoted to walkingand its manifestations; then. how did our memb,arWo ip inraQ.943. during the. yoarc4 cyr -turmoil? noloheles: Membership may have grown,“but I entreat thee to recall \—-TEE=E-Terhaps half the club was either at the war or labouring prodigiously,. The art of walking was almost forgotten. Socrates: One and a half time has the earth pursued its orbit since —-277.-5-re-ascbnded from Barth, yet recently when a representive - was required for the Federation Reunion Committee, one was zhon whose shoulders were already bowed by two Herculean tasks. Surely some of the leisured could have carried the burden? .4.422.a a,L._-es: One at least would have done so–one who had been away , at the war. Socrates: That point is thino.=-shall wo say there will be sufficient for the labours. But thou has said that a was an “honour” to work on Committee; thou wilt:congede that the “club's welfare” makes some inroads upon their leisure. Might not those who labour be reWarded by a manifestation of gratitude? Might not that gratitude be shown by conferring upon such people (the chosen few who'have laboured most diligently), “Life Membership?” After all, it is a practice in most sporting and other societies to confer this token honbur upon special people. Ano4heles: I recoil from the prospect' 'Consider tho invidious task of the committee going through the membership list and distributing the halos.–he is worthy–he is not. How on earth or in heaven could they draw the line ,between the worthy and the unworth1y7 Consider, too, the feelings of those whose partLcular friends were turned down. And the feelings of those who were judged not quite worthy. At first it might be done In good faith. But such is the frailty of human purpose that soon the easy course would be taken-r-that of admitting all Ai() wore proposed, because none would incur disfavour by suggesting that so-and-so did not really do quite enough to be admitted to the band of the chosen. No, as I have said before, Bushwalkers join the club, not for honour, but for the'non-competitive recreation of walking and the cheer of good company. What work they do brings its own reward. So long as they take an. active part in the Club's affairs they have their reward. Socrates: “Such is the frailty of human purpose”—shall we not give Slisnks to those whn are not frail? “Oonstder, too, the feelings of people who friends” stand for the Presidency and are turned down; the teGlings of those who stand for any of the seven major offices and are deamed not worthy. Life has It disappointrents, my friend. And as to taking the “easy course,” is Committee to be accused of “frailty of purpose?” We could prevent the admission of all who were proposed by conferring life-membership on, say, no', more than three per year. Bushwalkers join “for the. non-competitive recreation of walkine– and yet, “six years ago' there were often several canditates for a vacancy. Is this not ,competition? - A11219121es; It is if we place the commitae in a class apart. But, fortunately for our very democratic club, this has never ocourzad, What respect the committee was accoraaa was bad on i>orall,.,ritY and efficiency as ,coarmitt'eye memb-ears,, What .alae club. worker want? Socrates: It is probably a great feature of those who do the most that they would ask the least by way of token reward. But I do feel that it would be a pleasant gesture if some people each year were accorded gratitud e by election to life-membership. If we do not truat the Committee, than we could do it at the Annual Gneeral Meeting—whfch would give even the “annual” members a sayi Anoloheles: It would not work, as present members would not know many of the people who have done most for the club and therefore would not vote for them. Why Bushwalking should be regarded aS a life intore st I do not know. Nrgaallyv people n the altj walk for a few years, and then find oth.::r Intorosts as tn::y merry or grow 'older. This is as it should be. If they retain sufficiont interest in the club, they will remain members or transfer to non-active membership. If they do not, they will remain good friends with-their walking companions. Inevitably many life-members would never come near the club; why bother about them when they have lost-interest? Socrates: It would not work? It works with great accord elsovtore. The present members would not know who had done most? This is intended primarily for those who are doing most at any time, and the mmbers do know these. As to bushwatking not being a life interest,–there aro many perennials in our midst. Those to whom we would show gratitude would be of this last kind. Anopheles: No, my Socrates. I fear thy wisdom is no wisdom. As thou thyself hast said, those who do most ask little. Why should we emb*rrass them by a token gratitude? But lot us not ramble in this wise for ever Orion dips his sword at the ascension of the Scorpion, and it is time that thou'an4 I were wrapt in slumber. ' Let us pursue this argument anon Until then, goodnight, Socrates: May thy shadow lengthen and thy tribe increase; may thy drm ba neet and thy rewards for virtue manifold. Goodnight. 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,. , _ . .'_, .,._) . .',…!; 7, -',., -.J -, 1.,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 genuine bushwalker. Travellers there- we,reL.,- laden with impossible looking jp.,4rde)as , but they, wore d,efiniteli y not buShwalko rs s' I r Feeling a little dashed,I.13,9'8,t4S-P4 Incompant-withthoso 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 - 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 returning thle'pext :night the lads ,informed, This then was the sup, tot4 oX.tpDcApui40ipx…v, thre eir-1,a;,t,', E. ChristmasEve. 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 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 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 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,. living' fea lty doubtless to that old serpent called Satan, but coldly' indif”fer4nt to anything so new- fangled as Christmas festlivaId'.' 4'” 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. 6 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, 1946, 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 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 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 stone-plover, or ourlcue, from big arose of Gountry- It is fast exterminating the Iowan, or malle-e hon. It aided in th4?,-Gxtination 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 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.” “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 free is something which cannot be condoned.” “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.” YOUR OPTOMETRIST F. GOODMAN, 11. If O. Optometrist and Optician 20 Hunter Street, Sydney. 'Phone B 3438 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 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 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 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 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 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. 0 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 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, 0 joy, we c'ame 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 bust-es itself with the destruction of itself, we camped. 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 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 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. 11. 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 Albury, at the junction of the Murray and Mitta Mitta rivers. This point is referred to, as the gateway to glorious scenic tours, that have their climax in the heart of the Australian Alps. With this information at hand, the writer. loft Albury one Saturday evening in December, intending to aab thi-s-region for the first time. Cycling was chosen in preference to walking, because of the desire to travel five hundred miles in one week. The road from Albury was followed through Wodonga, and thence up the valley of the fast flowing news river. Hero is unfolded a typically Australian landscape, with gro-n pasturos, tree lined highways, golden wheatfiolds, in short, the real Australia that lies beyond the busy commercial life of million-peopled cities. Fifty miles of the Kicwa valley were seen before the road made the ascent to Tawonga Gap look-out, running abreast of a giant electric transmission line, before descending to the Ovens River. ' In this locality, extensivo pine foreSts are seen, with the rocky escarpments of Mt. Buffalo in the background. The Ovens River was followed through E=ietville, after which the ascending mountain highway climbed a number. of slaty ridges, which were timborad with mountain ash. At the end of a twenty Miles climb the road is known as the Alpine road, and, twines round the heads of the Ovens rising to over 6000feet near the summit of Mt. HO-them. From Mt. HotAam Trig 'station,, a superb cyclorama, is seen, embracing mountain peaks too numerous to mention.' In the same locality, the Chalot was visited, and a bro?.kfast of steak and eggs, much ap,Dreciated. Another point of interest was the hug,.) telescope there, which enabled one to view the snow drifts on Feathertop and Bosong at close range. From the Chlet, Austrtha,s highest through motor road now starts to dasend in the direction of Omoo, in GipL)sland. Crystal clear mountain streams are seen running among the basalt rocks and snow guMs and here and th-orki h3reford cattle grazing on the snow grass. Beyond Omoo, the main Dividing Range is crossed at Tongio Gap, and the excellent highway followed for miles down the Tamba River vslley, eventually bringing the traveller to Gippsland Lakes Entrance. From this popular holiday resort, the Princes Highway ambrecod vast areas of H:Ackly timberc :sountry, with the grassy flats of the Siaowy River. at ”:lbost, a pleasant contrsst. another -,Atration on the road, nortb atardi w tho f4;rn tree gullies of Froi_n_il.)a..loury to Hotham and Moruza. 12. Euehre Creek Valley, while beyond Cann River came the scenic bushland of Frummer Mountain National Park. After crossing the N.S.W. border, the town of Eden, on Twofold Bay was reached, and so the trip continued through Bega, Brogo Pass, Narooma, and Bodalla, to it's completion at Moruya. That Man Again. “Paddy”. Through Paddy's notes on Backyard Bushwalking, he has found a number of others interested in the propagation of native plants from seed. At a come-by-chance meeting of a group of enthusiasts it was agre3d that it would be a good idea if an exchange were set up. As a rule when a person gets seed he gets far more than he actually needs and would readily pass some on to a fellow enthusiast. Likewise if the germination is successful he has so many seedlings he doesn't know what to do with them. Paddy therefore suggests that a Mutual Aid group be formed (no meetings: no rules: no subs:). Its purpose being to pass on (free of cost) surplus supplies of native plants to interested persons. Those wanting seeds or plants or those who have them to spare are invited to communicate with Paddy. A portion of this page and a notice board in Paddy's shop will be available for the purpose. Tips on methods of securing germination could also be swapped. Here's one right now. Faddy has got some very healthy seedlings of Sturts Desert Pea. Aftesr several unsuccessful attempts involving scalding and soaking the seed he tried cutting through the hard imperious skin of the tiny seed by rubbing it on fine sandpaper. The effect was miraculous. Seeds which had remllined hard after weeks of soaking swelled in a few hours and germinated readily. It now remains to be seen if the plants can be reared to maturity. More of this anon. xxxxxxxx'xxx In addition to the Willesden Japara tents Paddy mentioned last time, he has now got stocks of best quality white japara tents in stock BiZeS. Phone. B 3101. Paddy Pallin Camp Gear for Walkers. 327 George Street. SYDNEY. ,STORK STAKES: Bushwalker-production is still with lib. jean and ToETUTTETTFgve a daughter, Nancy. A real light-weight effort, this: weight at birth, 61134 llozs. 14. GOSSIP. odd ing Bells. On January 13th, Ray Birt became Mrs. “Peter” Paso. This grand bushwalker event took place at Clifton Gardens, with the club's most popular “best man,” “Mouldy” Harrison, and Dorothy Hasluck in attend- ance. They insistod that the bride wear her hat to cut the cake. At Xmas, Vera Phillips, one of the club's earliest members, married Mr. Eska Riordan, an ex-P.O.W. Forestry Cadet. Is this an S.B.W. infiltration into the Forestry Commission? Immmomampemai…111.=1=1.1…..1.1……… Off to N.Z. Mouldy Harrison is off again – to Now-aealand on a “business” trip. He assures us it is business, but we have authoritative information that ho will be 137king up Jack Hunter. …..worea.. Jeane Mannell came down from Griffith, and for a time throw off the cars of the family, to pay a visit to the club. +. Whilst walking through Tasmania, some Melbourne Bush Walkers gave voice to their admiration of the etc:up brown of JennI's limbs. At first, a puzzled look fleeted across her face, but swift the lucid answer came; “Oh, I come from New South Walesi” Fine publicity this: to show the Victorians that ours is a land of darkness: THE S.B.W. REUNION – MARCH 15-16th. Who has the Prize Dampers? Would the holders please roturn to club, as-they are required for the Damper Contest. Place for Reunion will be fixed at February General Mooting. At Garrawarra there's a hut with roof, floor and no walls. At Frenchman's Cap (Tas.), there's a counterpart with walls and no roof or floor; And Roley pitched his tent inside it.. Is it cold in Tassio? You ask Roleyi Indeed, to combat the “fifty-below” 1:em2Gratures, he has decided to grow hair and beard: