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194812

The Sydney Bushwalker.

A monthly Bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St., Sydney.

No. 169. December, 1948. Price 6d.

EditorAlex Colley, 55 Kirribilli Avenue, Milson's Pt.
Production and Business ManagerBrian Harvey
Production AsstPeter Price
Sales and SubsBetty Hurley
Typed byJean Harvey and Jessie Mqueen
Maps typed byJo Morris

Contents

Page
Editorial - Back to the Charcoal 1
At our November Meeting 3
Social Notes for December 4
The Greater Blue Mountains National Park 5
Extract from the Annual Report of Parks & Playgrounds Movement 8
Lean Days in Nature ProtectionAllen A. Strom10
The New Book“The Girl in the Twirl”12
The Bushman's Handbookletter from Brian Harvey14
Greenly Island Declared a Sanctuary 15
Children's Annual Christmas TreatRene Browne16
Back Numbers of the Magazine on Sale 16
Tragedy on the CoxL.S.B.A.17
Federation NotesBrian Harvey17

Advertisements

Page
Fifteen Years Ago - Paddy's advt.18

Editorial - Back to the Charcoal.

After a few years of regrowth the bush was ready to burn during the first hot dry spell. This occurred a few weeks ago. Consequently Kuring-gai Chase, National Park, the Heathcote Primitive Reserve, Garrawarra Park and Era are again wholly or partly burnt out. All the bushcraft associations, marksmen, wild flower gatherers, and the rest of those who seek profit or pleasure at the expense of the bush couldn't wipe out the flora and fauna so effectively even if they tried.

There is no question that the fires could be put out - most of them with little difficulty. The Forestry Department is continually putting out bush fires over large areas. What is required is men, transport and fire-fighting equipment. These essentials could be found if enough people cared about the condition of our reserves. One of the main difficulties, however, is that, for the greater part of the year, very few men and very little equipment is needed, while for a few days of the year thousands of men and a great deal of equipment might be needed. Where can the men and equipment be found for these vital few days? Given an appreciation of the effects of fires all the men and equipment necessary could be found - in the army. This suggestion will probably be received with jeers; but why not? The greater part of army organisation is directed towards getting men and equipment to the right place quickly. A great deal of time and money is spent in such training. Why not do the same training with a useful objective? They are the right sort of men and they have the right sort of equipment - trucks, tractors, earth-moving machinery, scrapers, water tanks, etc. What's more the army might come to like it. One of the reasons why men won't join up in peace time is that it seems a pretty aimless life. A real peace-time job, requiring leadership, speed, skill and co-ordination might prove an attraction. And the enemy to be fought is even more devastating, in the long run, than the Japanese. If this suggestion is impracticable it is still possible to find the men and the equipment, given the will. It would be possible to form volunteer brigades who would be recompensed by the State for loss of working time.

It will probably be a long time before public opinion will sanction the use of the army or the expense of a properly equipped fire-fighting organisation large enough to cover our present reserves, while it is extremely doubtful whether the Cumberland County Council has ever faced the problem of controlling fires in the proposed “green belt”. But as an immediate objective it might be possible to induce the authorities to make funds available for fire control over a small selected area. The ideal area would be National Park, which is already fairly well roaded. Should fires be controlled over such an area for a few years visitors would soon be amazed to find koalas, possums, wallabies, bower birds and many other kinds of birds and animals, which have been burnt to death or starved in the deserts of sand and charcoal, returning to the bush. There is no reason why they shouldn't become friendly - like the bears in Yellowstone Park or the wallabies at Jenolan. Such an example would be the best argument for general fire control.

If kindness to animals and love of the bushland is not a strong enough argument there is, in addition, a pretty persuasive financial inducement. There is little doubt that the first place the U.S. air tourists would go with their dollars would be the National Park, where, at Sydney's backdoor, they could see the unique and loveable Australian animals in their natural state. As it is they don't care two hoots about our bridge or the G.P.O. It's Koala Park and the Zoo that they make for first.


At Our November Meeting.

Reported by Jim Brown.

The President was in the chair and about 50 members were present.

As there were no new candidates for flannel flowers, we were able to devote attention almost immediately on that hardy perennial - the Narrow Necks. Marie Byles reported that action was continuing: Mr. Best of the Tourist Bureau had written to the Dept. of Lands, and Mr. Hodgson of the Blue Mountains Council was being contacted. Both these gentlemen were eager to help keep the Narrow Necks area in its natural state, but Mr. Hodgson felt that it need not necessarily be made purely a bushwalker preserve.

Some further light was thrown on the timber cutting in the north western Blue Labyrinth, previously reported. It appeared that a Mr. James had secured a lease of 14 years duration over Portion 228, Parish Linden, ostensibly for purposes of growing an orchard. The ground was being cleared, but as the gradients were about 1 in 3 the chances of successfully growing fruit seemed remote - indeed it could be a bad excuse for taking off the forest. The Conservation Bureau of the Federation had already written to the Under Secretary for Lands and it was resolved that we should double-shot the guns by writing to the Minister for Conservation.

After the Social Secretary had told us fairy stories about the 21st Birthday Party, the Treasurer appeared to give us the facts of life. It seemed we were in the red to the tune of £11. 9. 9d. after allowing for official guests and subtracting the £30 voted for the occasion. In fact it seemed certain some “donations” were outstanding; if they were not forthcoming we should have to make up our minds whether the Club would finance the deficit, or whether to bill the Organising Committee. (At this ominous rumblings from Eric Rowen representing the Organising Committee.)

It was with relief that we decided to re-elect the present Ski Section Committee: some were for abolishing the Committee entirely, but others held with ungracious tolerance that we may as well have a Ski Section Committee, presumably because it cost nothing. Tom Moppett indicated that he did not wish to continue as Convenor, and Frank Leyden was elected in absentia, and subject to his acceptance.

A report was made that the phenomenal dry spell, coupled with the incursions of beasts into the enclosure, had done considerable harm to the trees planted at Era. It was not due to bush fires, as another statement had suggested. This was followed by same discussion on the chances of arresting bush fires which had penetrated almost as far as our camping spots at Era. Bill Hall thought fire breaks may help, and Don Frost suggested that an army of men would be needed if fires were to be controlled with rakes, as suggested by Marie Byles. In any case, why should the rakes be stationed “way over at Burning Palms?” No decision was reached.

The Social Secretary now repented her earlier mildness and sought to make amend, for her “storks and cabbages” stories with an announcement that the Christmas Dance to be held in the Club Room on December 17th would cost elevenpence per head for supper. This raised the old chestnut, can we charge admission? Ancient ordinances were quoted, old minutes were consulted, the Treasurer passed in the middle of his recollections as someone entered the meeting to be encouraged “Go on Dormie, it's no one you're talking about”, and it was finally decided to dun everyone for 11d. - just in case a certain 38 guests who attended the 21st Birthday Party should turn up with their friends.

Growing reckless as the meeting drew to a close, it was moved that Alex Colley be re-imbursed to the extent of £5 from Magazine funds for unfair wear and tear on his typewriter. The motion was carried, the beneficiary dissenting.

In spite of so much business, including the storm about the tea cup, the meeting closed at the highly respectable hour of 9.5 p.m.


Social Notes For December.

The Christmas Dance.

This year, on 17th December we are holding our dance in the Clubrooms. Dancing will be from 8 till 12, the floor will be fast and the orchestra super (3 piece this time). Supper will be served at lld. per head. The ballet, which was not seen to the best advantage at the Dungowan, will be repeated at the Christmas dance, so even if you don't dance, you will find the ballet well worth a visit to the Club on that night. Yes, we can guarantee you a really bright time.

Swimming Carnival.

January 19th & 20th - Sandy Bend - George's River. Publicity may be a bit early but we want this function to be a great success. Remember, we want your support. Last year's carnival was most disappointing to the organisers, so this year, I think we could make a special effort and attend.


The Silent Foot Of Time.

Yes, folks, the sands are running out. This is the second-last edition before the Annual Subscriptions expire in January. We know Christmas is near - so buy yourself a lasting present. Just fill in the enclosed slip and hand it to any of the Magazine Staff - with your cash. Subscription rates are the same as last year - your copy held in club-room for 5/- per annum - or posted home for 6/6d. Don't delay - do it now. If not already a subscriber - be in it - make sure of your copy!


The Greater Blue Mountains National Park.

In order to inform members about this magnificent conservation project we reproduce below some extracts from notes prepared by Myles J. Dunphy, who, through the N.P.P.A.C. was the originator of the scheme. A map of the proposed park is printed on the next page.

1. Importance of Scheme. The Greater Blue Mountains National Park protect is the most important national park scheme ever proposed in New South Wales or, probably, in Australia. The chief consideration is its human value, its value in relation to living. In this respect it is more important than the larger Kosciusko State Park, despite that park's enormous potentials in terms of water supply and hydro-electric power. Parts of the Blue Mountains area will be water catchment areas but the real, intrinsic value of this rugged, scenic tract of country will be realised in two ways: as a great recreational parkland and tourist resort for millions of people, deliberately planned as environment and easy of access; and its value as a preserved wilderness or primitive area, replete with its characteristic topographic features, fauna and flora.

2. Population served. Of the 2 1/2 million persons who reside in the State about 1,700,000 live in the County of Cumberland, between Bulli, Broken Bay and Nepean River, including Sydney and environs, Parramatta, Manly etc. In addition the following population centres are reasonably close to the proposed national park: Newcastle and Hunter River Valley towns, Gosford and the nearer coastal towns in the north, Bathurst and Orange cities, Oberon and other inland towns in the west; and Wollongong city and other towns of Illawarra, Cambewarra and Southern Highlands districts, such as Kiama, Nowra, Moss Vale, Bowral, etc. in the south.

3. Extent. The overall extent of the project, as tentatively designed in 1932 is about 1,750 square miles. For purposes of comparison, Kosciusko State Park is 1,800 square miles.

5. Planning. The promoters of the project have in mind the region carefully planned into five main types of areas:

(a) Areas occupied by towns and villages, together with sufficient land, suitable for the purpose, to allow for reasonable future expansion without destruction of the main plan.

(b) Areas required for productive purposes such as farming and orchard land, grazing land, quarries, mines, state forests, etc., but not for national forests, forest reserves, or flora reserves as constituted under the Forestry Act, for the reason that such types of dedication and reserves would be and are inimical to the national park project.

© Areas required for necessary public services such as water catchment areas, sewage works, sanitary depots, abbatoirs, rubbish dumps, and the like.

(d) Areas at present occupied by town parks, reserves for public recreation required to be developed as inner or town parklands for domestic and tourist use, including scenic lookouts, motor-camping areas, swimming pools, golf-links, sports ovals and playing-fields. These areas are administered by the local government authorities and cannot be parts of the national parkland unless specially transferred for that purpose.

(e) and (f). Areas which can be classified as “tourist developmental areas” and “primitive areas”, the two components of the national park, planned thus to produce the best ultimate use of the national parklands, their scenery, wild-life, flora, bushland environment and other amenities.

6. Future planning. It is fortunate that only the Central Blue Mountains Towns and tourist resorts in addition to Kurrajong and Colo, Burragorang Valley and Jenolan and Wombeyan Caves, have been developed to meet the requirements of the tourist industry. This circumstance will allow of an interesting piece of regional planning later. Even when the tracks and localities best suited for primitive areas have been delimited, and allowing for existing tourist areas, there still will remain unique opportunities for the establishment and maintenance of “tourist developmental areas” within the national park. These should include community motor-camps, chalet-sanitaria, hikers' hostels and club camps, all designed to a master plan, and allowing for private enterprise to establish and maintain standards of service under the control of the national parks authority. The haphazard development of tourist amenities would ruin the places concerned.

7. Administration. The Greater Blue Mountains National Park should be planned and administered by a national park authority appointed under the special national park Act, and preferably composed of ex officio representatives of the bodies and parties concerned in the use of the national park. For instance, the City of Blue Mountains Council, on account of the relative importance of the Central Blue Mountains and the established tourist industry, should have two or more representatives. The several shire councils concerned should be represented. Also motor touring, bushwalking and hiking, conservation, park-planning, wild-life protection and scientific interests should be represented, in addition to the usual Government nominee. Under its own Act any number of members could be appointed. But the City of Blue Mountains Council should have a preponderant representation.

9. Preservation of natural amenities. The preservation of natural amenities looms large in the scheme. Since the major industry of the region depends upon scenery and salubrious living conditions for tourists and vacationists, these two values must be maintained to the maximum extent. Apart from the aesthetic aspect it is sound business.

The scenic environs of the towns should be preserved by planning to this end. Ruined scenery is depressing, grieves many, and at least annoys most people. It is a very bad advertisement for both local authorities and State Government. Unique rock sculpture, remarkable native flora and entrancing scenery are not only interesting and inspiring but also have a value in cold cash - a value which continues to be an asset until it is depreciated. The mountain towns sell the benefits from fine scenery, healthy air, good accommodation and various amenities. It stands to reason that bad will, careless planning, rubbish dumped in wrong places, uncontrolled poaching of trees, flowers, ferns and wild-life, and other damage wrought by selfish, anti-social persons, together with bushfires damage and bad service, can and do discourage visitors, and lead to acidulous criticism and intense dissatisfaction.

Another important point is overcrowding. Where population and recreation intensities are too great the value of environment, particularly natural environment, decreases by being rubbed out. Where people and vehicles are concentrated too closely, as in some motor-camps, these unfortunate results are obvious. On the other hand it is true, also, that where services are spread too widely, they become too costly. The solution is the design and creation of a number of centres surrounded by preserved natural amenities and serviced by created amenities.

10. General use of the national park. The national parklands, as designed, constitute a belt of country about 110 miles in length. Although at present the Central Blue Mountains towns and city of Katoomba provide the bulk of the services required by the hundreds of thousands of visitors who stay there for short or long periods each year, the national park eventually will provide a much greater field of service. In time the population areas outside the perimeter of the national parklands (refer to “Population served”), with enhanced numbers, will be provided with almost direct access routes into adjacent parts of the national parklands. Nowhere else in the world will it be possible for millions of citizens to reach a national park in such short distances. The nearest parallels are San Francisco, Oakland and Sacramento, in relation to Yosemite National Park; and Olympia, Seattle and Tacoma, in relation to Mt. Rainier National Park, U.S.A.

13. Finally this point is stressed: the creation of a Greater Blue Mountains National Park, controlled by a separate and representative authority, will not stultify the development of the population centres but will enhance the general interest and outdoor attractions by preserving the outer environment. For one thing it will tend to prevent the outer confines of the towns from degenerating farther into uncared-for wilderness, a repository for the town's rubbish from its shops, new buildings, backyards and gardens, ruined by poaching timber-getters, wild-flower and fern pickers, and the prey of any nefarious enterprise which unsocial persons can set afoot.”


Extract from the Annual Report of the Parks & Playgrounds Movement.

“Year after year the Movement spends by far the greater part of its time protesting against the misuse of park-lands. As in past years, numerous attempts were made to obtain park sites for buildings to be used for purposes having no connection with public recreation. Fortunately some of the schemes were brought to the notice of the Movement in time for successful counter action, but others were pushed through speedily, and with little publicity.”

Remember the Slogan Hands off the Parks and report to the Movement any attempt to build on park-land in the suburb in which you reside.“


The Southern Blue Mountains Reserve for Preservation of Fauna and Flora.

This area was gazetted as a reserve in 1937 after the presentation of a petition organised by Messrs. Lowndes, Pelham and other members of the Warrigal Club. They ignored the N.P.P.A.C. and Federation but made use of the groundwork prepared by these and other bodies over a number of years.

The Narrow Necks.

On the map of this area printed below the different types of land making up the area are shown. Action proposed by the Narrow Necks Committee is as follows:-

Classification areas may at once be classed as Recreational Reserves. If this is not done, they might be utilised for some other purpose and the scenic beauty destroyed. It is therefore urged that the Lands Department at once reserve these lands for Recreational Purposes and a Reserve for the preservation Of fauna and flora.

Mining Conditional Purchase areas: The owner of these (Alfred Herbert North) may at any time covert to freehold. There would probably be no objection, from the scenic point of view, to mining operations being carried on as long as the coal was taken by the existing route near Orphan Rock and not over the surface land of Narrow Necks. It is therefore urged that the surface of these lands down to a certain depth be resumed by the Lands Department. The cost of this would be very small, because the value would be the value of a bare right to convert the surface to freehold, the owner having paid nothing whatever off the purchase price of the freehold.

The freehold lands have just been purchased for £450. It is urged that the surface of these be resumed by the Lands Department, leaving the mineral rights untouched, and that if this Department cannot find the money for this purpose the Premier be approached to make the necessary funds available, in view of the fact that it is a matter of importance to the public as a whole.


Lean Days In Nature Protection.

By Allen A. Strom.

Some very disturbing facts concerning Nature Protection are apparent in the November issue of The Sydney Bushwalker.

The reply by H.A. Lindsay concerning his book “The Bushman's Handbook” goes far to convince the gullible that his work is not only a desirable treatise but a necessary adjunct to the education of Australian children because of “the bearing which my book has on the defence of Australia”. There also stands a great body of irresponsibles and worthless people who only await the sanction given by this book wreak havoc upon the Australian Wildlife, whose only crime is that it cannot defend itself. To many thousands of the people who read the book, the idea of living off the land is nothing short of a “rat-bag” pleasure that will never be used as a means of sustenance because they will never have the opportunity nor the inclination to go into those wild places that Mr. Lindsay speaks about. The natural conclusion then is that the near city districts will become the roaming ground of “the living off the land crank” who must, according to the authority, practise his “skill” and not listen to a few talks on the subject. And this is no suggestion of “the prophet”. Already The Bushcraft Association is at work in our own National Park filling the heads of impressionable youth with actions that put destruction before preservation. The Wild Life Preservation Society protested to the Federation of Bushwalking Clubs concerning the article which it published in the 1947 Bushwalker Annual, but was told that living off the land was just another point of view. Obviously another point of view, and so much so as to be psychologically opposed to Nature protection. Some of us have throughout the years continually stress the need for education if Australia's natural fauna and flora are to be conserved for posterity. We hope that the young people will want to protect them because their knowledge of bushland things has stimulated their interest in them. This rubbish of “living off the land” will inculcate a habit of destruction and nothing that the advocates will try to say about conservation will be taken seriously. On all hands we are meeting youngsters who want to give “it a go” and the arguments that have gone on in this Club and in the Federation show clearly that the gunman in our midst is finding support and confidence from the sage sayings of the Bushmen Experts. The Federation is in no small part responsible for this rapid growth in the undermining of true Nature Protection. The admission of clubs whose activities and constitutions are dubious has lead to a severe diluting of the original principles. The incident of the Narrow Necks is exemplary and presents the very disturbing fact that as the body of bushwalkers has grown many of the very fine ambitions have been lost amidst the mediocre consideration of selfish pleasures. Two items under “Federation Notes” by Brian Harvey indicate clearly that irresponsibles have taken charge of Federation affairs because Federation has extended an open door to all and sundry instead of stipulating a standard for affiliation - the true purpose of any Federation. It would seem apparent that very shortly all that the Sydney Bushwalkers have stood for in the past will have no concern for a Federation that opens bushwalking to ridicule.

And lastly, bushfires are again ravaging so-called primitive areas. A motion to form volunteer bands to fight fires in the Era area was lost, not without some justification, for the matter of fire-fighting in reserves is a national one and the little that we could do to such a limited area is quite useless. If a body of men (and/or women) is in charge of a National Reserve then it is in their “Trust” and must be protected against all manner of destruction including fire. Some time ago at the Federation I saw the Chairman of the National Park Trust (Mr. Whiddon) shake his had in despair when control of bushfire was mentioned. This attitude is most unconvincing, particularly when no real attempt is made to reduce the desecration. If the Trust cannot handle the situation, then let us agitate for a body that can. Anyhow the present membership of the Trust would not make one hopeful of having action that understood true Nature Protection. Nature Protection is nation wide - it needs the skilled attention of a trained personnel, the financial backing of a Commonwealth Department. The more voices that we raise in this direction the sooner will public opinion determine the action of the Government. Let all those who would make themselves “safe” in the bush first make the bush safe for the generations yet unborn.


Congratulations.

To Tim and Gloria Coffey - on 9th November, a son Paul. He has been entered on the list of prospective Tigers.


The New Book.

By “The Girl in the Twirl”.

Over a glass of milk my friend “The Gent in the Tent” and I, “The Girl in the Twirl” worked out a few ideas. By 10.30 we had drawn up the “Prospectives Advisory Council”. Our main idea was to save prospectives from a great deal of trouble in finding walking friends. (I use the term “walking friends” in its strictest limits.) In the past it has rent our respective heartstrings to hear prospectives say after their first walk, “Why didn't they warn me about him (or her) when I joined!”

First we must state that this is not a cook-finding bureau. We have merely drawn up a list of vegetarians, cheese-eaters, nude-bathers, co-tenters and those who like to walk through the park on Friday nights. Snorers and candid camera fiends are labelled generically “Menaces”. No mention has been made of ear-bashers for, as my friend “Dazed and Amazed” says, all members fall into that category.

Very shortly we expect to hear something like this:

The scene is Friday night. A would-be leader, foiled on every hand by our council, mopes round dejectedly. It looks as though he will be the only one on his walk on Sunday. Slowly the door opens; a bright, fresh face peeps in, then withdraws hastily. The would-be leader (W.B.L.) creeps over and in best detective story style pulls open the door. Before the damsel can recover he starts talking, he has to.

W.B.L. “I'm leading a test-walk to Scandal Park on Sunday. Will you come?”

Prospective (P) (recovering her wits) “Well, wait till I look up the council's report on you (reads): “A fair risk where there is a track and signposts”. Not listed under “Menaces”. Next Sunday? Who else is going?

“W.B.L.” The Fox will be there.” (P. looks furiously through her lists.)

W.B.L. “You wont find him under F. Look under C.”

P. ”… commonly known as the Fox, the Doctor, or the Old Boy. Several girls have of late been enmeshed in his sticking plaster. Knows what exposure to give them. Has been known to make up to six attempts to get a girl's age but usually succeeds over coffee and ice-cream. Is recommended as a tea-maker and alarm clock.“ Will the “Crack in the Back” be there? The guide book says “he is a constant contributor to the magazine. Anything you do will be taken down, cooked up, and printed against you. Girls, beware!” I don't think I should go, he is coming.

W.B.L. “Oh, how true, how true!”

P. “If the Fox goes I suppose the Faery Queen will be there. Is it really true that the Fox makes her cook six different sorts of soup and four choices in desserts. What's this? The book says she has already put one foot into a grave.”

W.B.L. “Lord Claude mentioned that he might come”.

P. (screaming with delight) “Oh, Claudie. The book says he is a “distinguished bachelor”. I wonder what they mean by “distinguished”.

He makes passion (turning over page) custard beautifully. Easter '48. Claude spent a night on a mountain with three girls, the only girls in the party. He is the most sought after man in the Club.” “Oh, I'll just have to meet Claude!”

W.B.L. “Jack L…”

P. “With his telephoto lens? Look, I'm very sorry, but I'm playing golf next Sunday.”

(“A Prospective Guide to Better Bushwalking”. Available from W. Gillam. Free.)


Social Night 19th November.

The Social Secretary and her helpers gave us a very pleasant evening of games and dancing, After some initial hard work to get people away from food lists etc., a few members overcame their shyness (?) and teams were soon kneeling on the floor sucking up dried peas with straws (confectionery type). Six girls, six men, twelve matches and two lifesavers (confectionery type again - not Bondi kind) put on a most hilarious show. A paper hat-making competition brought out some rare talent too. This was followed by an hour or two of dancing as Rene Browne stayed on to play for us.


Berry Taxi Service.

Cars meet all trains at Berry. 6-passenger car service can be arranged to Woodhill, Cambewarra and Berry Mountains.

Reasonable charges. 'Phone Berry 10 for bookings.

24 hour service.

Proprietors - Lee and Blissett, Queen Street, Berry.


Letter To The Editor - The Bushman's Handbook.

Sir,

As a member of the publication staff of this magazine I feel I cannot permit the readers to be misinformed by some “facts” in Mr. Lindsay's letter, in the November issue.

Mr. Lindsay states no attack was taken against “Wontolla”, “Outdoors and Fishing” etc., only his book was “singled out for criticism”.

“Wontolla” was the author and publisher of a series of 6 or 7 brightly-coloured and well-illustrated pamphlets on snares and log-fall traps distributed in handfuls to the children of customers of the five branches of a large Sydney chain store last year. The hapless bird or animal was depicted on the front page. “Jungle Gadgets” - he called them - fun for the kids on their next holiday (a Roman holiday no doubt). A high ideal for the child mind in the preservation of the fauna of Australia. No wonder we need a Birds and Animals Protection Act.

The matter was discussed at the Federation Meeting of 15/7/47, when “Wontolla” the publishers and the Chain Store were the subjects of a full-calibre broadside protest, which brought “Wontolla” in person before the Federation Council on 16/8/48 to explain his “harmless gadgets”. (Ex Federation Minute Book). The Store was dismayed at the reception the pamphlets received and realising their offensive nature, withdrew them.

Both the Federation and The Sydney Bush Walkers were invited to contribute to “Outdoors and Fishing”. Federation Minutes of 20/1/48 read, inter alia, “that in view of the occurrence therein of an article on blood sports, Federation cannot see its way clear to support “Outdoors and Fishing”. A similar attitude was adopted by the S.B.W.

On 18/11/1947 the Federation wrote to the Boy Scouts Association protesting against the display of details of a log-fall trap at the Scouts Exhibition at the Sydney Town Hall. (Ex Federation Minute Book). Fun for the Boy Scouts, but not for the victim, though death would no doubt be sudden.

So much for the “facts” that we don't take action!!

However, we don't attack every journal which incites the killing of birds and animals and carving up of plant life. Even Encyclopaedia Brittanica gives all the details. When the military necessity arises there are good grounds provided the text book is a military handbook and not a commercial enterprise as is Mr. Lindsay's effort.

The bushwalkers in Sydney are fortunate in having adequate supplies of dehydrated foods to see them through their trips. No doubt Mr. Lindsay came into contact with these during the War.

I am pleased the author admits he made an “awful blunder” in assuming the N.S.W. bushwalkers would be interested in his teachings. N.S.W. is the home of bushwalking in Australia and he was a trifle presumptuous in his conclusions. Mr. Lindsay as a member of an affiliated club should have had the courtesy to confer with the Federation before making the mis-statement in his book that… there is a large and ever-growing body of men and women who are definitely interested in this type of study… Sydney has thousands of them on the rolls of the Federation”. If these “thousands” go into the bush “to learn its ways, with very little talking but a great deal of demonstration and practical work”, destruction and breaking of State laws must follow. The so called “bushman” (whatever that term means I do not know) in Central Australia cannot be regarded as a bushwalker by any stretch of the imagination. “Bushmen”, as we know them, have no values when it comes to burning off large areas of our walking country to provide feed for their cattle.

Brian Harvey.


Greenly Island Declared A Sanctuary.

Last year members of Adelaide Bush Walkers, in collaboration with the South Australian Museum, made plans to land on Greenly Island, lying some 20 miles off the southern tip of Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. The main object of the trip was to make a thorough survey of the island to ascertain its value as a sanctuary, to prepare an accurate map of the place and to see if it could be declared a sanctuary if it should prove suitable for one.

At a cost of £40 a fishing cutter was chartered to take the party to the island and to bring them back again 10 days later; after waiting for suitable weather the party managed to get ashore on the small granite ledge which forms the only practicable landing place - all the rest of the coast being steep cliffs - and accomplished the work which they had planned. A full account of their experiences appears in the Bushwalker Annual for 1948. The hardest part of the job was encountered after their return; their first pleas to have the place declared a sanctuary were rejected on the ground that the island was already sufficiently protected by its isolation and the difficulty of landing there. The assistance of the Field Naturalists Section of the Royal Society and of the Flora and Fauna Advisory Committee of S.A. was then enlisted and a renewed application was finally granted on October 28th this year.

From H. A. Lindsay (we think)

(Good work! but mind - no bushcraft on the Island! - Ed.)


Children's Annual Xmas Treat.

This function, which is to be held on Sunday 19th December this year, took place for the first time in 1929 when children from The Sunshine Homes were taken to Lilyvale for the day. It was such a success and the children enjoyed themselves so much that we felt it would be worth repeating. At the same time we thought these children had been well catered for in this respect whereas the children from Surry Hills and nearby districts, as far as we could ascertain, were more or less overlooked. So we arranged to take out the children who attended the Surry Hills Free Library and Kindergarten.

Since then it has been an Annual event, and I would suggest to any members who have not been to one of these outings that they come along and sample the pleasure of giving joy to the children. Also I would like to make an appeal to any who can do so, to save or beg and donate any butter coupons they can, as the butter situation is rather hard. Also any old bathing costumes would be very welcome and much appreciated both by the helpers and the children.

Finally, please come along and help - you'll love it!

Rene D. Browne.


Back Numbers Of The Magazine On Sale.

The following back numbers of the magazine may be obtained from Brian Harvey or Betty Hurley in the Club Room for 3d. a copy:

1938March, May.
1939June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
1940January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
1941February, March, April, May, 0ctober, November, December.
1940February, April, May.
1943February.
1944October, December.
1945July, August, September, November, December.
1947March, May, September, October, December.
1948January, June.

The October, 1948 (21st Anniversary Number) has been reduplicated and is available in the Club room or at Paddy's. (Price 6d.)


Who taught him millinery during his convalescence? Oh me neck!

Can the visitor who served Roley with morning tea in bed see in the dark?


Tragedy Of The Cox.

In the height of the summer a few years ago a young prospective Member of the Coast and Mountain Walkers, with his mate, walked out over Clear Hill, on the Splendour Rock, and so down to the Cox, via the Yellow Dog Range. The day was hot, water scarce, and he wore no hat. He collapsed on the Cox bank, became unconscious, and, we regret to record, passed away that night. A terrible tragedy indeed and one which could have been avoided and should not be repeated with a little care. For sunstroke, or heatstroke, is no respecter of persons, however tough that individual may think he is. Wear a hat during the next three months on your walks, even on overcast days, for the rays still pass through the clouds.

A predisposing factor is the carrying of a heavy pack on a very hot humid day, with its attendant exhaustion. The onset of the symptoms may be gradual, with complaints of headache or drowsiness dizziness and nausea with flushed face. The skin is hot and dry. On the other hand the victim may suddenly collapse. The pulse is rapid (normal 72 beats per minute) and the breathing noisy and difficult. Artificial respiration is necessary if breathing ceases. Temperature may rise to 107°F. The patient should be laid in the shade with head and shoulders raised. Douche the body with cold water, apply wet packs especially to the head and spine, as these parts are congested. Continue until relieved and temperature reduced, when patient should be given plenty of fluids. It will be wise for the recovered patient to avoid the midday sun by walking in early morning and late in the afternoon on return journey to civilisation.


Federation Notes.

By Brian Harvey.

National Park. Reports have been received of the cutting of vehicular tracks to give access to shell-grit near Bundeena and of large scale wildflower cutting by Bundeena residents. A meeting to discuss these and other Park matters will be held soon.

Lost and Found. The Lands Department is to be requested to delete from maps the “Negotiable Routes” shown on the Grose and Warragamba Rivers. Many inexperienced parties become lost on these rivers.

Kosciusko State Park. Federation disapproved of the planting of conifers as they were very vulnerable to fires and would be the envy of timber getters. Burning off by “experienced bushmen” is the prime cause of denudation and wholesale soil erosion. (See “Fire or Water” by Jocelyn Henderson.)

The Bushwalker Annual. is expected by Xmas. A Business Manager is required.


Fifteen Years Ago.

Fifteen years ago a small yellow-backed booklet, not very well printed, appeared. Its title was “Bushwalking and Camping”. The second edition, published in l938, was a much more ambitious book; and each succeeding issue has seen amendments or improvements incorporated. The fourth edition is now ready and despite the rise in printing costs, the price is unchanged at 2/-. I wish once again publicly to thank those walkers who by their contributions of articles and photographs have helped to make this book the success it has been. I feel it has done much to establish a code of walking standards throughout Australia.

News on the Rucksack Front.

Paddy is pleased to announce that he has secured supplies of special alloy steel which will reduce the weight of a steel frame by eight ounces and yet giving the same strength as a standard steel frame. Supplies will be available after Christmas. No change in price.

Proofing Nylon Groundsheets.

Paddy is pleased to report that proofed nylon groundsheets can be recoated at a small charge.

Ponchos.

Special lightweight variety weighing only 2lbs. 2ozs. still available, price £1: 0: 0.

Play tents.

Reduced prices to clear 5'x4' calico wall tents stencilled with bright designs complete with pegs, poles and cord, reduced from 32/6 to 27/6. Just the thing for the budding bushwalker.


Paddy takes this opportunity to wish all Bushwalkers a happy Christmas and a good New Year.

Paddy Pallin. Camp gear for walkers.

327 George Street, Sydney. 'Phone BX3595.


194812.txt · Last modified: 2017/05/05 12:42 by tyreless

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