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194901 [2016/04/17 19:44] – kennettj194901 [2016/04/17 21:05] (current) – [Federation Notes] kennettj
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 By H.A. Lindsay. By H.A. Lindsay.
  
-Bushwalkers say of themselves "Some walk, some walk and talk, and some only talk". In regard to conservation, there are also many who only talk and as their talk consists mainly of verbal tripe and purple frogfeathers, its value to the cause is a minus quantity. No good purpose is ever served by airing theories based upon pious hopes; a fallacy is still a fallacy, no matter how earnestly it is stated. Only work based upon sound, scientific lines can achieve those results which are the irrefutable proof of success.+Bushwalkers say of themselves "Some walk, some walk and talk, and some only talk". In regard to conservation, there are also many who only talk and as their talk consists mainly of verbal tripe and purple frog feathers, its value to the cause is a minus quantity. No good purpose is ever served by airing theories based upon pious hopes; a fallacy is still a fallacy, no matter how earnestly it is stated. Only work based upon sound, scientific lines can achieve those results which are the irrefutable proof of success.
  
-From the dawn of the age of reason until some 700 years ago, learned men fooled away their time in discussing and in theorising. Virgil stated that swarms of bees, bred in the rotting carcases of , animals - he never went close enough to the stinking mass of corruption to see if the buzzing. insects. were bees Or blowflies. Aristotle stated that the heavier a" body, the faster it would fall - he never made the simple experiment of testing it out,. No wonder that Omar Khayam, the possessor of a fine Mathematical brain, said that he learned nothing from this "Great argument" of the doctors and sages. It holds good today; arguing and theorising leads but to the blind alleys and is a sigh of mental darkness.+From the dawn of the age of reason until some 700 years ago, learned men fooled away their time in discussing and in theorising. Virgil stated that swarms of bees, bred in the rotting carcases of animals - he never went close enough to the stinking mass of corruption to see if the buzzing. insects. were bees Or blowflies. Aristotle stated that the heavier a" body, the faster it would fall - he never made the simple experiment of testing it out,. No wonder that Omar Khayam, the possessor of a fine Mathematical brain, said that he learned nothing from this "Great argument" of the doctors and sages. It holds good today; arguing and theorising leads but to the blind alleys and is a sigh of mental darkness.
  
 Roger Bacon set men on the right road when he told his pupils to adopt experiment and observation and to build upon the rock of the facts thus ascertained, rather than to try to stand upon the quicksands of twisting facts to fit theories. Science has gone forward with strides of ever-increasing length since that day. The most successful conservation schemes in the world have had sound foundations in the form of facts and have been carried out by practical people who had some personal interest in the work. One example comes from America and what I have to say about it is not taken from the book written about it, nor from the film which tells the story, but from what I was told by Americans who had helped to carry it out. Roger Bacon set men on the right road when he told his pupils to adopt experiment and observation and to build upon the rock of the facts thus ascertained, rather than to try to stand upon the quicksands of twisting facts to fit theories. Science has gone forward with strides of ever-increasing length since that day. The most successful conservation schemes in the world have had sound foundations in the form of facts and have been carried out by practical people who had some personal interest in the work. One example comes from America and what I have to say about it is not taken from the book written about it, nor from the film which tells the story, but from what I was told by Americans who had helped to carry it out.
  
-Some 20 years ago the American gun clubs - you know, those dreadful people who go out in the open season to shoot game birds and animals-- became aware that the numbers of Wild ducks and wild geese were decreasing every year. The bird lovers the people who want to protect anything which grows feathers - had noticed the same thing and they put forward the theory that if those wretched hunters would only stop shooting, everything would be all right. Sad to say; the ducks didn't collaborate, for they went on decreasing in the spots where they were totally protected. Then the duck shooters decided to DO SOMETHING. They enlisted the aid of scientists who spent years in the painstaking research work which alone can reveal the truth, and finally they were able to announce that the chief cause of the decline in duck numbers was lack of breeding grounds. Swamp reclamation, the building of levees to control floods and the spread of settlement had spoiled most of the breeding grounds; the cure was to turn seasonal waters into permanent ones. +Some 20 years ago the American gun clubs - you know, those dreadful people who go out in the open season to shoot game birds and animals became aware that the numbers of wild ducks and wild geese were decreasing every year. The bird lovers the people who want to protect anything which grows feathers - had noticed the same thing and they put forward the theory that if those wretched hunters would only stop shooting, everything would be all right. Sad to say; the ducks didn't collaborate, for they went on decreasing in the spots where they were totally protected. Then the duck shooters decided to DO SOMETHING. They enlisted the aid of scientists who spent years in the painstaking research work which alone can reveal the truth, and finally they were able to announce that the chief cause of the decline in duck numbers was lack of breeding grounds. Swamp reclamation, the building of levees to control floods and the spread of settlement had spoiled most of the breeding grounds; the cure was to turn seasonal waters into permanent ones. 
  
 Then the duck shooters formed the syndicate known as "Ducks Unlimited" and set to work. With the use of earth-moving equipment they raised the outlet levels of swamps in waste lands and thus turned them into permanent lakes which would no longer go dry before the ducklings were old enough to fly. The bird lovers had no hand in it; they were not going to "help breed ducks to be slaughtered" and refused to assist, but the fishermen did lend a hand, because more permanent waters meant more places in which they could catch fish. Today America has more wild ducks, wild geese and other aquatic birds than at any other time within living memory - because of the practical work of the duck shooters. Then the duck shooters formed the syndicate known as "Ducks Unlimited" and set to work. With the use of earth-moving equipment they raised the outlet levels of swamps in waste lands and thus turned them into permanent lakes which would no longer go dry before the ducklings were old enough to fly. The bird lovers had no hand in it; they were not going to "help breed ducks to be slaughtered" and refused to assist, but the fishermen did lend a hand, because more permanent waters meant more places in which they could catch fish. Today America has more wild ducks, wild geese and other aquatic birds than at any other time within living memory - because of the practical work of the duck shooters.
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 It is a bad policy to tell people that they should not do a thing. It is bad from the psychological angle as it raises resentment; it harms your cause because you are liable to be classed as an impractical crank and it isn't constructive. Best results are achieved by encouraging people to take positive action by doing something. There are no lack of sound conservation activities to be started in this way. We can stop talking about timber destruction and turn to planting trees; I am now writing an article for an agricultural paper, based upon 20 years of practical experience in which I planted 4,890 trees, which sets out how it can be done by planting economically valuable trees. It deals with S.A. conditions, of course, but I'll forward a copy of it to the Federation in case some of the hints in it will be helpful. One of the species mentioned in it is that botanical miracle, the athel tree, which will grow on a rainfall of a few inches a year and flourish almost anywhere, including the margin of a salt lake. It is a bad policy to tell people that they should not do a thing. It is bad from the psychological angle as it raises resentment; it harms your cause because you are liable to be classed as an impractical crank and it isn't constructive. Best results are achieved by encouraging people to take positive action by doing something. There are no lack of sound conservation activities to be started in this way. We can stop talking about timber destruction and turn to planting trees; I am now writing an article for an agricultural paper, based upon 20 years of practical experience in which I planted 4,890 trees, which sets out how it can be done by planting economically valuable trees. It deals with S.A. conditions, of course, but I'll forward a copy of it to the Federation in case some of the hints in it will be helpful. One of the species mentioned in it is that botanical miracle, the athel tree, which will grow on a rainfall of a few inches a year and flourish almost anywhere, including the margin of a salt lake.
  
-There is endless scope in Australia for a Ducks Unlimited scheme, modified to suit our conditions. The first step is to enlist the collaboration of landowners who have suitable permanent waters on their properties. You attract ducks to them by sowing seed rice in the shallows; for nesting places you collect hollow logs about four feet long and with an internal diameter of about nine inches. One end is blocked with,tightly packed brush and the other is cut away so as to leave a shelf on which the nesting duck can alight - a mighty important point. These are then put up in the Y forks of smooth-barked trees which foxes can't climb, some 9 feet from the ground, and lashed firmly in place with fencing wire to serve as sites for wild duck nests. Be sure that they can't rock about as ducks 'won't use them if they wobble. I've put up over 200 of them in my time and they are used year after year. There are miles of coastal sand dunes which can be planted with the Norfolk Island pine, which will grow with its roots almost in the sea, gives good shade for campers, helps to hold the sand and is the only tree in the world which the prevailing winds can't distort. The list could be extended indefinitely and everything is tested and practicable. +There is endless scope in Australia for a Ducks Unlimited scheme, modified to suit our conditions. The first step is to enlist the collaboration of landowners who have suitable permanent waters on their properties. You attract ducks to them by sowing seed rice in the shallows; for nesting places you collect hollow logs about four feet long and with an internal diameter of about nine inches. One end is blocked with,tightly packed brush and the other is cut away so as to leave a shelf on which the nesting duck can alight - a mighty important point. These are then put up in the Y forks of smooth-barked trees which foxes can't climb, some 9 feet from the ground, and lashed firmly in place with fencing wire to serve as sites for wild duck nests. Be sure that they can't rock about as ducks 'won't use them if they wobble'. I've put up over 200 of them in my time and they are used year after year. There are miles of coastal sand dunes which can be planted with the Norfolk Island pine, which will grow with its roots almost in the sea, gives good shade for campers, helps to hold the sand and is the only tree in the world which the prevailing winds can't distort. The list could be extended indefinitely and everything is tested and practicable. 
--But it is a job for those who work on conservation; those who do nothing save tell the other fellow what he mustn't do or who confine their activities to talking and airing theories can go on in the same old way, while those who want to see results will get the blistered hands, the backaches and the tired legs inseparable from doing the things which really count.+But it is a job for those who work on conservation; those who do nothing save tell the other fellow what he mustn't do or who confine their activities to talking and airing theories can go on in the same old way, while those who want to see results will get the blistered hands, the backaches and the tired legs inseparable from doing the things which really count.
  
 (We cannot agree with Mr. Lindsay's views on the ignorance of bushwalker conservationists, most of whom know both the philosophy and practice of scientific method. Some have had long experience in conservation work. The S.B.W. would certainly oppose the breeding of animals for use as targets. Nor would the Club, which is primarily a recreational walking Club, exhort its members to continuous hard labour in the (We cannot agree with Mr. Lindsay's views on the ignorance of bushwalker conservationists, most of whom know both the philosophy and practice of scientific method. Some have had long experience in conservation work. The S.B.W. would certainly oppose the breeding of animals for use as targets. Nor would the Club, which is primarily a recreational walking Club, exhort its members to continuous hard labour in the
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 The moral of these episodes lies in a fact interesting to walkers. Under the conditions of the fire insurance policy now issued by the associated insurance companies, a policy covering the household furniture and personal effects of a residence, flat or guest-house automatically extends to cover walking gear against fire whilst temporarily removed (including in transit) to anywhere in the Commonwealth, up to an amount not exceeding 10% of the interest so insured. Under the Householders Comprehensive policy this extension is 20%. No additional premium is chargeable under either type of policy for this extended coverage. The moral of these episodes lies in a fact interesting to walkers. Under the conditions of the fire insurance policy now issued by the associated insurance companies, a policy covering the household furniture and personal effects of a residence, flat or guest-house automatically extends to cover walking gear against fire whilst temporarily removed (including in transit) to anywhere in the Commonwealth, up to an amount not exceeding 10% of the interest so insured. Under the Householders Comprehensive policy this extension is 20%. No additional premium is chargeable under either type of policy for this extended coverage.
  
-So if such a misfortune should come your way, don't forget yout,e eligible to make a claim under your policy. Single members living with their people can claim under their parents' policy if not otherwise covered. Naturally articles undergoing heating or drying processes are not covered, so if you burn the soles out of your sodden footwear or a hole in your favourite towel, you're not in the event. But if your pack is burnt, say, in a service car, you're O.K. If in doubt about it, consult your insurance office. In conclusion, Paddy, being an ex-insurance clerk, may again be permitted to smile. (N.B. This is not a free ad. for Paddy.)+So if such a misfortune should come your way, don't forget you are eligible to make a claim under your policy. Single members living with their people can claim under their parents' policy if not otherwise covered. Naturally articles undergoing heating or drying processes are not covered, so if you burn the soles out of your sodden footwear or a hole in your favourite towel, you're not in the event. But if your pack is burnt, say, in a service car, you're O.K. If in doubt about it, consult your insurance office. In conclusion, Paddy, being an ex-insurance clerk, may again be permitted to smile. (N.B. This is not a free ad.for Paddy.)
  
 -------------- --------------
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 They both jumped up and looked round in mild surprise. They both jumped up and looked round in mild surprise.
  
-Little  Billy was lying on the floor and saying in short sharp gasps "Curse the Fox, Curse theFox":+Little  Billy was lying on the floor and saying in short sharp gasps "Curse the Fox, Curse the Fox":
    
  
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 By "Straggler". By "Straggler".
  
-Everything had gone very well on Ken Meadows recent Colong Caves trip, It ha. Veen. a comfortable, if dusty, bus ride to Yerranderie, a good 'camp site' on the river track, and a leisurely walk to the Caves, where the younger members had exhausted themselves tearing through caverns and squeezing through "squeezeholes".+Everything had gone very well on Ken Meadows recent Colong Caves trip, It had been a comfortable, if dusty, bus ride to Yerranderie, a good 'camp site' on the river track, and a leisurely walk to the Caves, where the younger members had exhausted themselves tearing through caverns and squeezing through "squeezeholes".
  
-For the retUrn trip "The Rabbits.' checked out as usual, the moderates -a little later, leaving the leader and a coxple of his mates to bring up the rear :aTicl collect any of the folk who might sag by the wayside. , All was :tell until' QolOn g Saddle where The Rabbits" decided to go. by: Track and'four..oi:7hers decided to go by the vehicle track. and_Byrn.,esSwa* to Yerranderie... It is the latter four on Whom this story cehtres. +For the return trip "The Rabbits' checked out as usual, the moderates a little later, leaving the leader and a couple of his mates to bring up the rear and collect any of the folk who might sag by the wayside.  All was well until Colong Saddle where The Rabbits decided to go by the river track and four others decided to go by the vehicle track and_Byrnes Swamp to Yerranderie. It is the latter four on whom this story centres.
-In Oolong Swamp, the rabbits (real ones)'and froos were plentiful and created quite a diversion. So much 8o that the four breakaway 8 missed the Yerranderie turn, and, having no landmarks in the Mist, went South on to the Oberon Stock routes. Then followed the long trek seeking Yerranderie thrOugh the mist.. It seemed that we would reach the.Wollondilly before we would reach Yerranderie. +
-John Broughton was the fifist to come out at theYerranderie Road Junction and was in the act of climbing over a fence to' seek confirmation of our position and,, perhaps, a cup of tea from a nearby house, when 'a sharp=eyed MeMber"of the' party, passing in our +
-15 special bus (which shouldhave joined at Yerranderie) spotted +
-John ands of course S-tOPpect-the bus - to find out what he was doing there, no doubtl The general rejoicing at the re-union with four "certain to have to spend Sunday night out's" was shortened when Gladys Martin-neatly threw a spanner into the works by sweeting reninding us:thAtring l em back Alive Meadows" had remained in Yerranderie in an effort to locate the four wanderers, who had been now located by. such sheer co-incidence. +
-It looked like the party returning to the Metropolis without it leader. However, it. didn!t take a great deal of discreet - +
-hinting to coax the bus driver to return to Yerranderie and pick up the leader'. +
-And after all that we reached Camden in time for 7.25 p m. train - the one we intended to catch, anyway.+
  
 +In Colong Swamp, the rabbits (real ones) and roos were plentiful and created quite a diversion. So much so that the four breakaway missed the Yerranderie turn, and, having no landmarks in the Mist, went South on to the Oberon Stock route. Then followed the long trek seeking Yerranderie through the mist. It seemed that we would reach the Wollondilly before we would reach Yerranderie.
  
 +John Broughton was the first to come out at the Yerranderie Road Junction and was in the act of climbing over a fence to seek confirmation of our position and perhaps, a cup of tea from a nearby house, when a sharp eyed member of the party, passing in our special bus (which we should have joined at Yerranderie) spotted John ands of course stopped the bus - to find out what he was doing there, no doubt! The general rejoicing at the re-union with four "certain to have to spend Sunday night out's" was shortened when Gladys Martin neatly threw a spanner into the works by sweeting reminding us that "Bring-em back Alive Meadows" had remained in Yerranderie in an effort to locate the four wanderers, who had been now located by such sheer co-incidence.
 +
 +It looked like the party returning to the Metropolis without it leader. However, it didn't take a great deal of discreet hinting to coax the bus driver to return to Yerranderie and pick up the leader.
 +And after all that we reached Camden in time for 7.25 p m. train - the one we intended to catch, anyway.
  
 ====== Swimming Carnival February 19 & 20 ====== ====== Swimming Carnival February 19 & 20 ======
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 **IT DOESN'T GO ON FOREVER** **IT DOESN'T GO ON FOREVER**
  
-Yes,,it's come to an end. Y'ou good folk who subscribed to this Magazine last year are again reminded that -7our annual subscriptian expires with this issue - 4nscotb,,6r words, it's +Yes,it's come to an end. You good folk who subscribed to this Magazine last year are again reminded that -your annual subscription expires with this issue - in other words, it's fizzled. Let us know by remitting promptly, if you want to renew. If sending by post, please use the form inserted in this magazine. And have you told us your new  address? Make certain of your copy by subscribing. The first copy starts with the February issue. Be in it with the latest!! 
-fizzled.. Let us know by remitting promptly, if you want to reneld. If sending by post, please uSe the form inberted in this magazine. And have you told us your new _address? Make certain of your copy + 
-by 'subscribing. The first copy starts with the February issue. Be in it with the latest!! +ANNUAL RATES: Posted 6/6d. Held in Clubroom 5/-. Subscribers joining during year will be charged pro rata until January, 1950. BRIAN HARVEY Business Manager.
-ANNUAL RATES: Posted 6/6d. Held in,Clubroom +
-Subscribensjoining during year will be charged pro rata until January, 1950. +
-BRIAN HARVEY Business Manager.+
  
 ====== Federation Notes ====== ====== Federation Notes ======
- 
  
 by Brian Harvey by Brian Harvey
-NATIONAL PARK: Proposed date of meeting of conservational bodies meeting has :not yet been fixed.. Any information concerning destruction of Park bushlands will be welcome.. + 
-BUSHWALKER ANNUAL is still in the hands of the:printer but should be on sale this Month. +NATIONAL PARK: Proposed date of meeting of conservational bodies meeting has not yet been fixed. Any information concerning destruction of Park bush lands will be welcome. 
-BOUDDI NATURAL PART Working Bee is set down for weekend of May 7787 + 
-BRISBANE BUSHWALKERS have been formed with present membership of 85 in a period of four months, showing live interest in the North. Club has intimated desire to affiliate. ,Tack Whitton,+BUSHWALKER ANNUAL is still in the hands of the printer but should be on sale this Month. 
 + 
 +BOUDDI NATURAL PART Working Bee is set down for weekend of May 7/8. 
 + 
 +BRISBANE BUSHWALKERS have been formed with present membership of 85 in a period of four months, showing live interest in the North. Club has intimated desire to affiliate. Tack Whitton,
 21 Upfield Street, East Brisbane, should be contacted for Queensland walking information. 21 Upfield Street, East Brisbane, should be contacted for Queensland walking information.
-CARRYING OF RIFLES: The C.M.W. supported by the S.B.W. made an unsuccessfill,atteQpt- to place a motion on the books condemning the carrying of rifles by members of any affiliated club. A motion was carried that the Federation regards the use of rifles and other firearms in the bush, other than by bona fide country dwellers for the extermination of imported pests, with considerable + 
-alarm." I also view with alarm that delegates from affiliated clubs cannot read their constitutions whereby they gained affiliation with the Federation. +CARRYING OF RIFLES: The C.M.W. supported by the S.B.W. made an unsuccessful attempt to place a motion on the books condemning the carrying of rifles by members of any affiliated club. A motion was carried that the Federation regards the use of rifles and other firearms in the bush, other than by bona fide country dwellers for the extermination of imported pests, with considerable alarm. I also view with alarm that delegates from affiliated clubs cannot read their constitutions whereby they gained affiliation with the Federation. 
-CODE OF BUSHWALKING ETHICS is being. prepared by Federation President, staHTOTtier. Knowing Mr. CottiertShigh regard for + 
-conservational objects and high ideals in bushwalkersl behavious, I foreshadow some lively objections by some. Of the newer clubs' who have no ideals to Maintain (expt onPaper):' +CODE OF BUSHWALKING ETHICS is being. prepared by Federation President, Stan Cottier. Knowing Mr. Cottier's high regard for conservational objects and high ideals in bushwalkers behaviours, I foreshadow some lively objections by some of the newer clubs who have no ideals to maintain (except on paper). 
-17 + 
-ANNUAL FEDERATION REUNION: The River Canoe Club has recommeriTeda spo76-77-the-Nepean, opposite Fitzgerald's Creek for the next reunion. The spot has good camping, swimming and canoeing and the Camp Committee would like to hear our Club's reaction to this suggestion.+ANNUAL FEDERATION REUNION: The River Canoe Club has recommended a spot on the Nepean, opposite Fitzgerald's Creek for the next reunion. The spot has good camping, swimming and canoeing and the Camp Committee would like to hear our Club's reaction to this suggestion.
  
 ====== Births Marriages and Engagements ====== ====== Births Marriages and Engagements ======
    
-Our hearty congratulations and best wishes to +Our hearty congratulations and best wishes to Joan and John Hunter, who are the proud parents of twins. Betty and Jack Rose, who now have a son. Norma Phillips and Russ Wilkins, who were married, last week.
-Joan and'John Hunter, who are the proud parents of twins. Betty and Jack Rose, who now have a son. +
-Norma Phillips and Russ Wilkins, who were married, last week.+
  
-And to the two recently engaged couples - Kath Hardy and Zim Brown; Norma Barden and Eric Rowen.+And to the two recently engaged couples - Kath Hardy and Jim Brown; Norma Barden and Eric Rowen.
  
 ------------------- -------------------
  
-Mounting a spur on the divide between the Clycle and Endrick we came upon an open expanse of flat sandstone. On the rock lay a number of large stones. Strange to find them there on top of the range; stranger still to find they were arranged in rows.+Mounting a spur on the divide between the Clyde and Endrick we came upon an open expanse of flat sandstone. On the rock lay a number of large stones. Strange to find them there on top of the range; stranger still to find they were arranged in rows.
  
 Then the significance of the place dawned upon us. We were looking upon an aboriginal Bawra ground, perhaps undisturbed since the last initiation ceremony somewhere in the early part of last century. No, not quite undisturbed - the outlines of a kangaroo were too neat for the aboriginals - this symbol had been rearranged by whites. But thereat we were sure was genuine. The central pattern was a large oval, perhaps 20 yards long, divided by a partition running down its long axis. The situation was magnificent - high above the great gorges and sandstone walls of the upper Clyde - a place that could not be overlooked, so that the women, and members of other tribes, could not witness the secret and solemn rites of initiation. The scene was unchanged since that last sad corroboree. Only the people were missing. Then the significance of the place dawned upon us. We were looking upon an aboriginal Bawra ground, perhaps undisturbed since the last initiation ceremony somewhere in the early part of last century. No, not quite undisturbed - the outlines of a kangaroo were too neat for the aboriginals - this symbol had been rearranged by whites. But thereat we were sure was genuine. The central pattern was a large oval, perhaps 20 yards long, divided by a partition running down its long axis. The situation was magnificent - high above the great gorges and sandstone walls of the upper Clyde - a place that could not be overlooked, so that the women, and members of other tribes, could not witness the secret and solemn rites of initiation. The scene was unchanged since that last sad corroboree. Only the people were missing.
 +
 +--------
  
 Mr. E. Caines Phillips advises that canoeing map No.46 of the Fish and Macquarie Rivers (Tarana to Bathurst) is now available. Mr. E. Caines Phillips advises that canoeing map No.46 of the Fish and Macquarie Rivers (Tarana to Bathurst) is now available.
194901.1460886278.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/04/17 19:44 by kennettj
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