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-THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER
+======The Sydney Bushwalker.======
-A monthly Bulletin of matters of interestto the Sydney Bush Walkers,- C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St., Sydney.
-,
+A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St., Sydney.
-No. 189- :UGUST=, 656 Price 6d.
-Editor.: flex Colley, 55 Kirribilli Av., MilsonTs Point Production and Business Manager:
+----
-Reporters: Jim Brown, Kath McKay Sales and Subs: Shirley Evans ,Production Psst: Bill Gillam
-Brian Harvey -- Typed by 7c2n Tr:r7;.:y
+===No. 189. August, 1950. Price 6d.===
-....-=.,. Page
-CONTENTS
+|**Editor**|Alex Colley, 55 Kirribilli Ave., Milson's Point|
+|**Production and Business Manager**|Brian Harvey|
-- Conservation Again 1
+|**Reporters**|Jim Brown, Kath McKay|
-Pt the July General.Meeting 2
+|**Sales and Subs**|Shirley Evans|
-The Forbidden Months, by Ray Kirkby 3
+|**Production Asst**|Bill Gillam|
-Norfolk Island and Bushwalking, by Marie B. Byles 6
+|**Typed by**|Jean Harvey|
-How Dry We Are, by Jim Brown, drawing by Mary McGregor 7
-Signs and Portents, byi'Mecrschum" 10
+=====In This Issue:=====
-Unexplored Territory 11
-amera Kapers, by Brian G. Harvey 12
+| | |Page|
-Era Working Bee, by Jack Wren 12
+|Editorial - Conservation Again| | 1|
-Fashion Notes, drawing by Ron Parkes 13
+|At the July General Meeting| | 2|
-Letter to the Editor from Leader, King's Birthday
+|The Forbidden Months|Ray Kirkby| 3|
-Weekend Trip 13
+|Norfolk Island and Bushwalking|Marie B. Byles| 6|
-A Plan for Nature Protection, lecture by Men Strom 14
+|How Dry We Are|Jim Brown, drawing by Mary McGregor| 7|
-Federation Notes, by Brian G. Harvey 17
+|Signs and Portents|"Meerschaum"|10|
-Let There Be Light - Paddy's Advt. 19
+|Unexplored Territory| |11|
-EDITORIAL -
+|Kamera Kapers|Brian G. Harvey|12|
--
+|Era Working Bee|Jack Wren|12|
-LConservation
+|Fashion Notes|drawing by Ron Parkes|13|
-Since the Era resumption there has been a noticeable lack of initiative in conservation work. There have been several opportunities for members to do good works, but they havenft taken them. Not long ago, for instance, a number of members on a walk in Kuring-gai Chase
+|Letter to the Editor from Leader, King's Birthday Weekend Trip| |13|
-s aw evidence of recent timber stealing, but none of them thought to report it to the Trust. Quite a few have seen the litaestone quarry near Bungonia Gorge, but nobody thought anything should be done about it. Then there w as V the Fedcration!s report that some of our members were with a truck party that left an unsightly mess outside a hut at Kosciusko. If the Club does nothing about this allegation, then the Code of Ethics, and'our delegates' fight to make Clubs enforce decent decent standards of conduct, becomes just so mucA hooey.
+|A Plan for Nature Protection|lecture by Allen Strom|14|
-.
+|Federation Notes|Brian G. Harvey|17|
-There are a number of people capable of doing useful conserva tion work, and many who will come in when things get started.
-Working bees, for instance, have usually been well attended -
+=====Advertisements.=====
-though there weren't so many at the last one. Several people were willing to give substantial help in raising funds for Era. And some of our members do useful work outside the Club. But the initiative for our projects and protests comes from just two or three people. One at least of these people is getting rather tired of the thankless task of trying to get things moving.
-A good opportunity to discuss our next moves in conservation
+| |Page|
-will be presented at our half yearly meeting in September. This usualTy attracts some of the older member2, who could do a lot of useful
+|Let There Be Light - Paddy's Advt.|19|
-work and put us on the right track. A discussion on conservation might well be placed on the agenda for the meeting.
-AT TEE JULY GENERAL MEETING.
+----
-.4.
-By Jim Brown,
+=====Editorial - Conservation Again.=====
-Vice President Arthur Gilroy took the chair for the July
-Meeting, which was sparsely attended by about 45 members, the majority of Wham maintained a melancholy silence throughout. Perhaps it was the continued dreary weather, or maybe members had exhausted their repertoire on the lively debate in June, but it
+Since the Era resumption there has been a noticeable lack of initiative in conservation work. There have been several opportunities for members to do good works, but they haven't taken them. Not long ago, for instance, a number of members on a walk in Kuring-gai Chase saw evidence of recent timber stealing, but none of them thought to report it to the Trust. Quite a few have seen the limestone quarry near Bungonia Gorge, but nobody thought anything should be done about it. Then there was the Federation's report that some of our members were with a truck party that left an unsightly mess outside a hut at Kosciusko. If the Club does nothing about this allegation, then the Code of Ethics, and our delegates' fight to make Clubs enforce decent standards of conduct, becomes just so much hooey.
-fell to the usual speakers to say what little there was.
-Correspondence contained a letter from the Federation, complaining of untidy campsites left by a party near Rennix Gap at Kosciusko over King7s Birthday Week-end, and alleging that several Sydney Bush
+There are a number of people capable of doing useful conservation work, and many who will come in when things get started. Working bees, for instance, have usually been well attended - though there weren't so many at the last one. Several people were willing to give substantial help in raising funds for Era. And some of our members do useful work outside the Club. But the initiative for our projects and protests comes from just two or three people. One at least of these people is getting rather tired of the thankless task of trying to get things moving.
-Walkers had been included in the party. Alex Colley moved that we write to the Federation to enquire if they could furnish the names of our members concerned, but the motion lapsed for want of a
-seconder. Dormie then tried his luck and succeeded with a motion
+A good opportunity to discuss our next moves in conservation will be presented at our half yearly meeting in September. This usually attracts some of the older members, who could do a lot of useful work and put us on the right track. A discussion on conservation might well be placed on the agenda for the meeting.
-that we advise the Federation we were endeavouring to determine which S.B.W. members were involved, since the meeting seemed unable to offer any information on the incident.
-Mention of the Federation?s Annual Meeting and election of office bearers brought enquiry whether any of our members were prepared to accept jobs in the Council: Brian Harvey pointed out
+----
-that the nominations for billets in Federation were not limited to delegates from the Clubs. Nothing concrete emerged from the disc"ussion.
-Some small consternation followed a motion by Alex Colley that the Walks Secretary, who was already noting the numbers attending official trips, should report on the walkw which were not led in the current programme, as he felt some leaders approached the matter in an irresponsible manner and even cancelled walks. Kevin Ardill sought to move an amendment to find that there was yet no seconder
+=====At The July General Meeting.=====
-for the motion:, he promptly seconded - to discover that he could not move his amendment.
-Arthur Gilroy pointed out that Kevin could speak in support, and Kevin seized the opportunity to observe that he considered we
+By Jim Brown.
-should also know why such walks were not led. As both J over and seconder c'oncurrearThn this roint it was added to the motion.
-Dornie spoke of Era again. He pointed out that there had been alterations in the Cabinet, and tbat the post of JIinister for Lands had changed hands. He thought it was an opportune time to place our case regarding Era, its amalgamation with Garftwarra and the preservation of Garawarra as an independent Trust, before the new Minioter. He pointed out that there was evidence that shack building
+Vice President Arthur Gilroy took the chair for the July Meeting, which was sparsely attended by about 45 members, the majority of whom maintained a melancholy silence throughout. Perhaps it was the continued dreary weather, or maybe members had exhausted their repertoire on the lively debate in June, but it fell to the usual speakers to say what little there was.
-was still going on at Era on the resumed lands, and that some one might even commence building on Portion 7, and moved that we
-communicate this to the Minister, with a request that a policy for
+Correspondence contained a letter from the Federation, complaining of untidy campsites left by a party near Rennix Gap at Kosciusko over King's Birthday Week-end, and alleging that several Sydney Bush Walkers had been included in the party. Alex Colley moved that we write to the Federation to enquire if they could furnish the names of our members concerned, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. Dormie then tried his luck and succeeded with a motion that we advise the Federation we were endeavouring to determine which S.B.W. members were involved, since the meeting seemed unable to offer any information on the incident.
-the government of Era be framed at an early date. This motion, after being amended to include reference to sha ck building, was carried.
-In a surprisingly genial atmosphere Bobs Chapman and Bull were
+Mention of the Federation's Annual Meeting and election of office bearers brought enquiry whether any of our members were prepared to accept jobs in the Council: Brian Harvey pointed out that the nominations for billets in Federation were not limited to delegates from the Clubs. Nothing concrete emerged from the discussion.
-elected Room Stewards for the next two months, and "there being no further business the meeting closed at 8.55 p m.
-THE FORBIDDEN MONTHS
+Some small consternation followed a motion by Alex Colley that the Walks Secretary, who was already noting the numbers attending official trips, should report on the walks which were not led in the current programme, as he felt some leaders approached the matter in an irresponsible manner and even cancelled walks. Kevin Ardill sought to move an amendment to find that there was yet no seconder for the motion: he promptly seconded - to discover that he could not move his amendment.
+Arthur Gilroy pointed out that Kevin could speak in support, and Kevin seized the opportunity to observe that he considered we should also know __why__ such walks were not led. As both mover and seconder concurred on this point it was added to the motion.
+Dornie spoke of Era again. He pointed out that there had been alterations in the Cabinet, and that the post of Minister for Lands had changed hands. He thought it was an opportune time to place our case regarding Era, its amalgamation with Garawarra and the preservation of Garawarra as an independent Trust, before the new Minioter. He pointed out that there was evidence that shack building was still going on at Era on the resumed lands, and that some one might even commence building on Portion 7, and moved that we communicate this to the Minister, with a request that a policy for the government of Era be framed at an early date. This motion, after being amended to include reference to shack building, was carried.
+In a surprisingly genial atmosphere Bobs Chapman and Bull were elected Room Stewards for the next two months, and "there being no further business" the meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.
+----
+=====The Forbidden Months.=====
 By Ray Kirkby.
-A receht writer in his "Guide to Tasmania" emphasised that you should not walk there before the end of November or after late March. That is very true indeed but much pleasure comes from doing what one should not. However, the dictum started me thinking of a few jaunts I have made in the forbidden months. Even as I commenced to write, I remembered that a friend and I once set out to get to Wellington Falls'from Hobart one Sunday b fter a heavy fall of snow. All went merry, comparatively speaking, until we began to ascend the North West Bay River, rock hopping on the snow-covered stones. It was not long
-' before my companion landed wt-deep in the frozen water and I was sufficiently sympathetic to agree that we had better retreat. That
+A receht writer in his "Guide to Tasmania" emphasised that you should not walk there before the end of November or after late March. That is very true indeed but much pleasure comes from doing what one should not. However, the dictum started me thinking of a few jaunts I have made in the forbidden months. Even as I commenced to write, I remembered that a friend and I once set out to get to Wellington Falls from Hobart one Sunday after a heavy fall of snow. All went merry, comparatively speaking, until we began to ascend the North West Bay River, rock hopping on the snow-covered stones. It was not long before my companion landed waist-deep in the frozen water and I was sufficiently sympathetic to agree that we had better retreat. That night war was declared which determines the month as September. I am prepared, in this instance, to admit that we left a warm bed, that we would go back to one and that we had a few rums on the return trip in front of the fire at the Fern Tree Hotel.
-night war was declared which determines the month as September. I
-am prepared, in this instance, to admit that we left a warm bed, that
+There was one day which needs no diary to recall to my mind. We were ski-ing at Lake Fenton and late Saturday afternoon I had the misfortune to break a ski and there were no spares. Nothing daunted, I announced that on the morrow I would walk to Lake Belcher. I have three vivid memories of scenes and events of the day - three only.
-we would go back to one and that we had a few rums on the return trin in front of the fire at the FernTree Hotel.
-There was one day which needs no diary to recall to my mind. We
+The first is of ploughing across Wombat Moor in the teeth of a biting Winter wind in snow up to my knees looking for the track to the lake. I hoped - and I think it proved so - that as soon as the track began to drop a little into the valley it would be distinguishable by the volume of water running on it and washing away the snow.
-were ski-ing at Lake Fenton and late Saturday afternoon I had the misfortune to break a ski and there were no spares. Nothing daunted, I announced that on-the morrow I would walk to Lake Belcher. I have three vi ld memories of scenes and events of the day - three only.
-.
-The first is of ploughing across Wombat Moor in the teeth of a biting Winter wind in snow up to my knees looking for the track
-to the lake. I hoped - and I think it proved so - that as soon as the track began to drop a little into the valley it would be distinguishable by the volume of water running on it and washing away the snow.
 The second picture is of a small patch of trees which must have been burnt just before the Winter. The trees were unharmed but leafless and on their blackened twiggy branches the snow was lightly lying. There were only two colours - black and white.
-I have arrived, in the third Scene, at the outlet to the lake. There is nothing viE'ible but water, snow, mud and button grass and the eye is able to travel a little way through the sleet up the mountain sides into the murk. It is lunchtime so I do the best I can with my bread and butter and tin of pork and beans. To sit down is, of course, out of the question, and even standing time is limited by the penetrating cold. The butter I had to abandon, as it was unspreadable, so that desolate place was little brightened by bread and frozen pork and beans;
-Another chap and I decided to walk through the Reserve commencing early in October. We both had good excuses - he was just about to go into the Air Force and I was just about to return to Sydney. We spent the weekend at the beginning - October holiday weekend - ski-ing on Mt. Rufus with a party which took our skis back to Hobart and left Us at Lake St.Clair. The following day we set out to 01.12mb Mt. Hugel, a quite ridiculous idea, for there was no track from Hugel Lakes up and at the Lakes, several thousand feet below the summit, the snow was knee deep. We plunged up the mountainside for quite a long way and anyone knowing the Tasmanian bush even without snow will know what that means. Finally snow storms broke over us and forced us to the belief that it was not worth the effort. (Only now do I realise how idiotic this attempt in newly fallen snow was.)
+I have arrived, in the third scene, at the outlet to the lake. There is nothing visible but water, snow, mud and button grass and the eye is able to travel a little way through the sleet up the mountain sides into the murk. It is lunchtime so I do the best I can with my bread and butter and tin of pork and beans. To sit down is, of course, out of the question, and even standing time is limited by the penetrating cold. The butter I had to abandon, as it was unspreadable, so that desolate place was little brightened by bread and frozen pork and beans.
-The following day we made the wearying trek around Lake St.Clair with very heavy packs, stopping half-way to make a little diversion up Mt. Olympus. Once again we did not get far on account of deep snow and storms as soon as we got any distance up. Torrential rain during the next day was our saviour though we did not realise it at the time. For it washed away most of the newly fallen snow and left only the hard snow of the Winter. We chose this delightful day to visit Lake Marion and reached our destination. I cannot now remember the miseries endured but I do remember the sullen, threatening waters of the lake and an occasional glimpse of the fierce, snow spattered, black rocks of the Guardians towering above. We were so wet that we just walked fully-clad through all streams encountered.
-From that day onward, we reaped our rewards. Climbing Ossa was exhilarating. We picked a continuous snow slope on which walking was now easy as the snow was fairly hard. The slopes at times
+Another chap and I decided to walk through the Reserve commencing early in October. We both had good excuses - he was just about to go into the Air Force and I was just about to return to Sydney. We spent the weekend at the beginning - October holiday weekend - ski-ing on Mt. Rufus with a party which took our skis back to Hobart and left us at Lake St. Clair. The following day we set out to climb Mt. Hugel, a quite ridiculous idea, for there was no track from Hugel Lakes up and at the Lakes, several thousand feet below the summit, the snow was knee deep. We plunged up the mountainside for quite a long way and anyone knowing the Tasmanian bush even without snow will know what that means. Finally snow storms broke over us and forced us to the belief that it was not worth the effort. (Only now do I realise how idiotic this attempt in newly fallen snow was.)
-.
-were so steep that steps had to be kicked. One final hanging gulley led to a portal between large rocks to the top where gentle curves of snow covered the monoliths between which in Summer yawn groat gulfs. Visibility was perfect with heavy white cantles emphasising the surrounding peaks. Who would avoid October in the Reserve? This was one of the most pleasant -climbs I have had with firm snow to walk up from the base to the summit.
+The following day we made the wearying trek around Lake St. Clair with very heavy packs, stopping half-way to make a little diversion up Mt. Olympus. Once again we did not get far on account of deep snow and storms as soon as we got any distance up. Torrential rain during the next day was our saviour though we did not realise it at the time. For it washed away most of the newly fallen snow and left only the hard snow of the Winter. We chose this delightful day to visit Lake Marion and reached our destination. I cannot now remember the miseries endured but I do remember the sullen, threatening waters of the lake and an occasional glimpse of the fierce, snow spattered, black rocks of the Guardians towering above. We were so wet that we just walked fully-clad through all streams encountered.
+From that day onward, we reaped our rewards. Climbing Ossa was exhilarating. We picked a continuous snow slope on which walking was now easy as the snow was fairly hard. The slopes at times were so steep that steps had to be kicked. One final hanging gulley led to a portal between large rocks to the top where gentle curves of snow covered the monoliths between which in Summer yawn great gulfs. Visibility was perfect with heavy white mantles emphasising the surrounding peaks. Who would avoid October in the Reserve? This was one of the most pleasant climbs I have had with firm snow to walk up from the base to the summit.
 The commanding Darn Bluff is known to all who have been in the Reserve or seen a Tasmanian tourist booklet. Up Barn Bluff we toiled after a night of sago snow and, on the way back, took to our usual method of descent - sitting on our ground sheets, we tobogganned down all the snow slopes. Ted started off but soon heard frantic cries from him telling me to desist. I gained his side, then Ted told me how the combination of precipitous slope and icy surface had almost landed him at the bottom too soon. His white face was sufficient confirmation for me so we took the top slopes very gingerly and on foot.
-By a curious contrast, the very next day, we found the snow on Cradle Mountain in such a rotten state through melting that it would have been extremely danFerous to walk over it. I have a photo of the mountain taken that day, many days after any rain, in which you can clearly see half a dozen huge waterfalls cascading down the side coming from the melting snow.
-\
+By a curious contrast, the very next day, we found the snow on Cradle Mountain in such a rotten state through melting that it would have been extremely dangerous to walk over it. I have a photo of the mountain taken that day, many days after any rain, in which you can clearly see half a dozen huge waterfalls cascading down the side coming from the melting snow.
-I do not advocate walking in Tasmania in the dead of Winter but for those who would like the possibility of greater adventure and beauty, I think a walk where huts are available is likely to offer more than walking in mid Summer when there might not be a skerrick of snow. However, as is well known, mid Summer walking
-can be quite difficult, so walking in earlier months could be limited to a struggle from hut to hut. It depends an 7.our luck! If you are thinking of walking in the unauthorised months, first seek expert advice and an independent opinion of your walking ability and endurance, else do not al_ow your wraiths to haunt me
+I do not advocate walking in Tasmania in the dead of Winter but for those who would like the possibility of greater adventure and beauty, I think a walk where huts are available is likely to offer more than walking in mid Summer when there might not be a skerrick of snow. However, as is well known, mid Summer walking can be quite difficult, so walking in earlier months could be limited to a struggle from hut to hut. It depends an your luck! If you are thinking of walking in the unauthorised months, first seek expert advice and an independent opinion of your walking ability and endurance, else do not allow your wraiths to haunt me.
-KOSCIUSKO SLIDES There was a big attendance at the Club Room to see the slides of Kosciusko taken by Professor Macdonald and
-Mr. Swinson. The trip was arranged to include views of most of the
+----
-high lights of the Kosciusko-Khancoban-Geehi area. Some of us had
-been there and enjoyed seeing favourite haunts, while those who had
+====Kosciusko Slides.====
-not been will know something about it when planning their trips.
-Probably nobody had seen all the unusual views presented. Maps of the route, and Mr. SwinsonTs entertaining commentary, made the trip and the slides into a continuous and interesting narrative.
+There was a big attendance at the Club Room to see the slides of Kosciusko taken by Professor Macdonald and Mr. Swinson. The trip was arranged to include views of most of the high lights of the Kosciusko-Khancoban-Geehi area. Some of us had been there and enjoyed seeing favourite haunts, while those who had not been will know something about it when planning their trips. Probably nobody had seen all the unusual views presented. Maps of the route, and Mr. Swinson's entertaining commentary, made the trip and the slides into a continuous and interesting narrative.
-We hope that some of the inarticulate S.B.W. photographers will note and at least try to caopy.
-.
+We hope that some of the inarticulate S.B.W. photographers will note and at least try to copy.
-NORFOLK ISLAND AND BUSHWALKING.
+----
+=====Norfolk Island And Bushwalking.=====
 By Marie B. Byles.
-gust before I left for Norfolk Island I met another bushwalker also planning to go there. So in spite of the expense others will probably follow. It takes about the same time to reach this island as to reach Jamberoo. It costs about 14/- for Jamberoo and 40 for
-- Norfolk. But it IS worth it. It has the same lovely grass and jungle as Jamberoo, but Jamberoo is the despair of the photog-rapher, while at Norfolk Island a picture awaits you whichever way you point the camera. Tall symmetrical Norfolk Island pines raise from the green grassy lawn short-cropped by the cows and horses; and cling precariously from the cliffs where a turquoise sea breaks in white waves on black rocks; little farms nestle among the trees and the jungle; eighty miles of dirt-roads bordered by the close-cropped grass offer delightful walking, but there is plenty of virgin jungle for those who like the rough stuff and patches of lantana for the really tough ones; the island does not breed mosquitoes (anyhow between April and October), sandflies, leeches or,ticks, and you lie in your tent on a balmy night, too warm for a sleeping bag, and no mosquitoes break your sluMber. It is like a lovely park land from another world, with none of the pests belonging to the world we know.
+Just before I left for Norfolk Island I met another bushwalker also planning to go there. So in spite of the expense others will probably follow. It takes about the same time to reach this island as to reach Jamberoo. It costs about 14/- for Jamberoo and £40 for Norfolk. But it is worth it. It has the same lovely grass and jungle as Jamberoo, but Jamberoo is the despair of the photographer, while at Norfolk Island a picture awaits you whichever way you point the camera. Tall symmetrical Norfolk Island pines raise from the green grassy lawn short-cropped by the cows and horses; and cling precariously from the cliffs where a turquoise sea breaks in white waves on black rocks; little farms nestle among the trees and the jungle; eighty miles of dirt-roads bordered by the close-cropped grass offer delightful walking, but there is plenty of virgin jungle for those who like the rough stuff and patches of lantana for the really tough ones; the island does not breed mosquitoes (anyhow between April and October), sandflies, leeches or ticks, and you lie in your tent on a balmy night, too warm for a sleeping bag, and no mosquitoes break your slumber. It is like a lovely park land from another world, with none of the pests belonging to the world we know.
 There are delightful camping spots everywhere, but few streams, and water - as well as permission to camp - should be got from a neighbouring farmhouse. There is none of the agony of firelighting in the similarly beautiful bush of New Zealand; the wild tobacco-wood lights up as easily as cigarettes in a non-smoker! The people are gentle, and kind, and the wild birds remarkably tame.
-It is difficult to avoid hitch-hiking because everyone offers you a lift. We were*picked up by the Administrator in his car on the way down to Kingston, the civic centre, where the ruins of the former convict settlement are happily passing into decay and oblivion. The ghosts of those days of horror have long since been laid to rest by the happiness of the Islanders, who are descended, not from the - convicts, but from the Mutineers of the 6Bountyh, and their do facto Tahitian wives. They speak a language of their own, but also English. *There are Mainlanders, as well as Islanders, but they are intruders, so to speak.
-The only defect of Norfolk Island is that their inhabitants are no better farmers than most, and in a land Which ought to be flowing with milk and honey (but which cannot import as easily as other countries whf,ch pursue had farming methods) there seems to be a perennial food-shortage. You can count on fruit all the year round (much of which grows wild) and vegetables in the spring. But do not count on the milk or the honey, let aloro the ogs, butter and cream. Tho friend who entertained me supplied no with all these things, but she planned months ahead to do so.
+It is difficult to avoid hitch-hiking because everyone offers you a lift. We were picked up by the Administrator in his car on the way down to Kingston, the civic centre, where the ruins of the former convict settlement are happily passing into decay and oblivion. The ghosts of those days of horror have long since been laid to rest by the happiness of the Islanders, who are descended, not from the convicts, but from the Mutineers of the "Bounty", and their de facto Tahitian wives. They speak a language of their own, but also English. There are Mainlanders, as well as Islanders, but they are intruders, so to speak.
-But there are always sweet potatoes, kumeras, and what does7. food matter when you have the fascination of a tropic isle, without the disadvantages of the tropics, a lovely park-land to roam in with your camera and an historical baCkground to ponder over? It is the only land near Australia, I know, with the charm of a foreign country and the fascination of an historical one.
-HOW DRY VE ARE.
+The only defect of Norfolk Island is that their inhabitants are no better farmers than most, and in a land which ought to be flowing with milk and honey (but which cannot import as easily as other countries which pursue bad farming methods) there seems to be a perennial food-shortage. You can count on fruit all the year round (much of which grows wild) and vegetables in the spring. But do not count on the milk or the honey, let alone the eggs, butter and cream. The friend who entertained me supplied me with all these things, but she planned months ahead to do so.
-By Jim Drown. WRKE UP TO YOURSELVES,'
-Sydney's average annual rainfall for many years was 46 inches. Last year it was almost 60 inches. This year, up to the date of writing (July 21st) 63 inches have fallen, with almost half the year still to go. Your guess is to good as mine for 1951
+But there are always sweet potatoes, kumeras, and what does food matter when you have the fascination of a tropic isle, without the disadvantages of the tropics, a lovely park-land to roam in with your camera and an historical background to ponder over? It is the only land near Australia, I know, with the charm of a foreign country and the fascination of an historical one.
-So, WAKE UP TO YOURSELVES1 M-iat was good onouga for our fathers is NOT good enough for us (quotation from somebody). We are still expected to use the same rucksacks, sleep in the same kind of sleeping bags on similar groundsheets, shelter in identical tents - use all the same type of equipment as the distinguished founders of our Club. That may have been all right for 4e-inch-ayear walkers. It is NOT, I say again NOT, good enough for us. Walkers: Rise in Your legions and force vested interests to give us a fair go I Demand bettor conditions for Walkers;
-Take the old, passe, outmoded groundsheet. You are supposed to sleep on it - with or without an underbody of bracken laboriously hewed with a puny knife, or strips of bark painstakingly and individually collected in the forest. "What comfort does it give you? None; That protection from the flooding ground did it afford at your last Reunion? iTegligiblel It is high time we replaced groundsheets with a collapsible rubber dinghy of the typo used by airmen during the last war, This would be at once a soft couch for weary 11m:es and would, under prevailing weather conditions, swiftly become water-borne, adding the sbothing motion of the tide to your care-unravelling sleep. And you, my walker friend, would sleep warm and dry.
+----
-Of course, special tents would be needed. After all, if the water (and your raft-bed) continued to rise, you would presently come into contact with the roof and as everyone knows, this induces leakages. Your tent must rise too, and tmis opens two possibilities:
-(1) Have your dinghy-groundsheet fitted with sockets so that the tent is erected on the raft, or
+=====How Dry We Are.=====
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+By Jim Brown.
- i 1/4, /e. 1 / / /
-,
+===Wake up to yourselves!===
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+Sydney's __average__ annual rainfall for many years was 46 inches. Last year it was almost 60 inches. This year, up to the date of writing (July 21st) 63 inches have fallen, with almost half the year still to go. Your guess is to good as mine for 1951...
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+So, **wake up to yourselves!** What was good enough for our fathers is NOT good enough for us (quotation from somebody). We are still expected to use the same rucksacks, sleep in the same kind of sleeping bags on similar groundsheets, shelter in identical tents - use all the same type of equipment as the distinguished founders of our Club. That may have been all right for 46-inch-ayear walkers. It is NOT, I say again NOT, good enough for us. Walkers! Rise in your legions and force vested interests to give us a fair go! Demand better conditions for Walkers!
-/ / ,./ I
-I / / ' if I / 7
+Take the old, passe, outmoded groundsheet. You are supposed to sleep on it - with or without an underbody of bracken laboriously hewed with a puny knife, or strips of bark painstakingly and individually collected in the forest. "What comfort does it give you? None! What protection from the flooding ground did it afford at your last Reunion? Negligible! It is high time we replaced groundsheets with a collapsible rubber dinghy of the type used by airmen during the last war. This would be at once a soft couch for weary limbs and would, under prevailing weather conditions, swiftly become water-borne, adding the soothing motion of the tide to your care-unravelling sleep. And you, my walker friend, would sleep warm and dry.
-........
-/,- //
+Of course, special tents would be needed. After all, if the water (and your raft-bed) continued to rise, you would presently come into contact with the roof and as everyone knows, this induces leakages. Your tent must rise too, and this opens two possibilities:
-/
-.,- / fli, / r 1 '1,z,f'::=7.-.:=-,--
+  - Have your dinghy-groundsheet fitted with sockets so that the tent is erected on the raft, or
-7 ...e1;. 1/ i " ' 'I,/ 44N a, ,,\\
+  - Have telescopic tent-poles (Dormie's will serve as a prototype), fitted with floats so that, at a predetermined level the poles will extend themselves.
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-....
+In the case of (1) an anchor will be necessary if you wish to remain with the party in accordance with the Code of Ethics. Era and similar recognised camping spots should be furnished with buoys.
--.7=7 - 2.---
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+Of course, some sort of groundsheet will still be necessary for those occasions when it is fine enough to travel per foot, and since all walking equipment should be dual-purpose, this should be adaptable as a sail for your rubber dinghy. Well, a sail demands a mast, you say. Of course! But you have your telescopic, aluminium-alloy tent poles, and your special jury-rig adjustment for your dinghy. Also, you have special lightweight Paddymade blades which may be attachcd to your tent pole-mast for use as paddles when the wind is not in your favour. The same blades may also be used as entrenching tools if it ever becomes fine enough to camp on firm ground.
-:--A7.47--.
-/ 47/
+The era of the hobnail is past, of course. With delicate rubber boats they will be outlawed, but there seems to be a future for the "flipper" contrivance as used by Frog Men in the last war.
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+Similarly our outlook on cooking fires must change; research was carried out as early as New Year week-end at Birdie Creek, on floating fires, and whilst only moderate success was encountered, it was established that the blackfellow's type fire can be adapted to modern conditions. A more stable and less porous platform than that used at Birdie will be required, and preferably the fireplace should be moored to the tent or others may use your carefully nurtured blaze as it floats past (another breach of the Code of Ethics). It seems certain, however, that the day of the billyhook is gone - after all, the tripod type fire is so prone to capsize in any sort of swell, and looks very silly when afloat anyway.
-,'/ .:7-
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+Cooking equipment will also undergo a sea-change in order to obviate the risk of foundering, flooding or drifting overnight. Two courses seem possible, either:
-/0
+  - the present type squat billies, fitted with screw tops, anchor cable and bilge keels. Frying pans to be counter-balanced against the weight of the handle-stump.
-/ / /
+  - A complete reversal of design to favour the stove-pipe variety of billy, about 4" in diameter by 2'6" high, with a compartment (or blister) around the bottom to accommodate stones and other ballast for firm anchorage.
-z.........:-,.... ........-4.-------
-\-2.....:_ _
+Some years ago Paddy promised to incorporate war time discoveries in his equipment. This is his opportunity. I have yet to work out applications of FIDO and PLUTO for walkers' equipment, but as both dealt with inclement and fluid conditions, I feel some adaptation can be found.
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+I have also to evolve some method of carrying all this gear when the dinghy is not in use and it must be transported on back. Pack animals appear to be useless as there would not be room even for mules on the rafts. Apart from which, there are a few conventions which must remain. Perhaps one of the tent poles could be used as a kind of reinforcement for the walker's backbone to hold him erect under his colossal load. The trailing end of the pole should have a boss to fit two or three different attachments - a small wheel for dry conditions, a miniature ski for snow work, and a variety of float or toboggan for water and mud. There is a flaw in this suggestion, for if the telescopic tent-pole cum paddle cum mast cum artificial backbone should suddenly fold up while being used as a spine brace, the unfortunate walker would be borne down and perhaps crushed or drowned under his burden.
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-) Have telescopio t7.-poles kDoriulels will serve as a prototype), fitted with floats so that, at a predetermined level the poles will extend themselves.
-In t1-1 oiase of (1) an anchor will be necessary if you wish to remain with the party in accordance with the Code of Ethics. Era and similar recognised carving spots should be furnished with buoys.
-Of course, some sort of groundsheet will still be necessi,ry for those occasions when it is fine enough to travel per foot, and since all walking equipment should be dual-purpose, this should be adaptable as a sail for your rubber dinghy. Well, a sail demands a mast, you say. Of bourse' But you have your telescopic, aluminium- alloy tent poles, and your special jury-rig adjustment for your dinghy. Also, you have special lightweight Paddymade blades which may be attachcd to your tent pole-mast for use as paddles when the will& is not in your favour. The same blades may also be used as entrenohing tools if it ever becomes fine enough to ca:4) on firm ground.
-The era of the hobnil is past, of course. With delicate rubber boats they will be outlawed, but there seems to be a future for the '?flipper" contrivance as used by Frog Men in the last war.
-Similarly our outlook on cooking fires must change; research was carried out as earlys as New Year week-end at Birdie Creek, on
-floating fires, and whilst only moderate success was encountered, it was established that the blackfollowis type fire can be adapted to modern conditions. A more stable and less porous pl atform than that us ed at Birdie will be required, and preferably the fireplace should be moored to the tent or others may us e your carefully nurtured blaze as it floats past (another broach of the Code of Ethics). It seems certain, however, that the day of the billyhook is gone - after all, the tripod type fire is so prone to capsize in any sort of swell, and looks very silly when afloat anyway.
-Cooking equipment will Labo undergo a sea-change in order to obviate the risk of foundering, flooding or-drifting overnight. Two courses seem possible, either:
-(a) the present type s quat billies, fitted with screw tops, anchor cable and bilge keels. Frying pans to be counterbalanced against the weight of the handle-stump.
-(b) A complete reversal of design to favour the stove-pipe
-variety of billy, about 4" in diameter by 2T64 high, with a compartment (or blister) around the bottom to accommodate stones and other ballast for firm anchorage.
-Some years ago Paddy promis ed to incorporate war time discoveries in his equipment. This is his opportunity. I have yet
-to work out applications of FIDO and PLUTO for walkers1 equipment, but as both dealt with inclement and fluid conditions, I feel some adaptation can be found.
-I have also to evolve some method of carrying all tbis gear when the dinghy is not in use and. it must be transported on back. Pack
-animals appear to be useless as there would not be room even for mules on the rafts. Apart from which, there arc a few conventions
-which must remain. Perhaps one of the tent poles could be used as a kind of reinforcement for the walkerTs backbone to hold him erect
-under his colossal load. The trailing end of the pole should have a boss to fit two or-three different attachments a small wheel for dry conditions, a miniature ski for snow work, and a variety of float or toboggan for water and mud. There is a flaw in this suggestion, for if the telescopic tent-polo cum paddle cum mast cum artificial backbone should suddenly fold up while being used as a spine brace, tha unfortunate walker would be borne down and perhaps crushed or drowned under his burden.
 Some arrangement will have to be reached with the Railways and hire car owners to enlarge carriage doorways and reinforce luggage racks and carriers, but then, if present conditions continue, there will be no trains and roads will be closed most of the time.
-It is apparent from the foregoing that the Walking Movement has a battle ahead - first to convince the die-hards who would water down our conditions that such reforms are vitally necessary,
+It is apparent from the foregoing that the Walking Movement has a battle ahead - first to convince the die-hards who would water down our conditions that such reforms are vitally necessary, then to design and produce the up-to-date gear outlined above. I am aware that I am raising the standard of revolt, that I may place myself outside the pale with those wet types, the conservatives. They shall be liquidated.
-then to design and produce the up-to-date gear outlined above. I am aware that I am raising the standard of revolt, that I may place mys elf outside the pale with those wet types, the conservatives. They shall be liquidated.
-Vialkers! Now is the hour. Strike for your welfare and comfort in the stormy days ahead. Your emblem the water lily - your slogan - "How dry we arer
+Walkers! Now is the hour. Strike for your welfare and comfort in the stormy days ahead. Your emblem the water lily - your slogan - "How dry we are!"
+----
 SIGNS .AND PORTENTS.
 By ilMeerschaumn. There was a large whitewash mark right round the Hall.