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--- 198311 [2014/11/30 12:47] – kclacher
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-THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER
+====== THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER ======
 Established June 1931
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 DUPLICATOR OPERATOR:	Phil Butt.
-NOVEMBER 1983.
+====NOVEMBER 1983.====
 That Old Tree by Brian Holden  2\\
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 Social Notes for December  Jo Van Somers	16
-THAT OLD TREE.\\
+=====THAT OLD TREE.=====
 By Brian Holden.
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 Let us view that tree in isolation from Man. He is not needed to dignify it with some vague relationship to himself. Indeed, it was the Tree's misfortune that he ever evolved.
-TO BUTCHER'S CREEK AND BACK WITH SPIRO.\\
+=====TO BUTCHER'S CREEK AND BACK WITH SPIRO.=====
 by Wombat.
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 Fire has partially obscured the Bullhead track, and after a short distance we found ourselves going down a gully. "This isn't right," said Spiro, ."We should be on the ridge to the right." Then Peter Miller came up and said authoritatively "We should be on the ridge to the left." "O.K.," said Spiro obediently, and we climbed to the left-hand ridge.	"This still isn't right," said someone else, so we crossed another shallow gully to the next ridge again, and set off down it. However, after a short distance it became obvious that it was a short ridge and that the long ridge we wanted was the one we had crossed. The gully between the two ridges was now deep, but we crossed it anyway rather than walking back. Once on this long ridge we found the track and soon we were on Cambage Spire.
-Now began.the steep descent to the Kowmung. To avoid the mild rock climb down the top bluff Morag led us to a track which skirted the bluff on scree to the left. This was probably easier for the newcomers, but especially with the big party, it entailed some hazard from rolling rocks. The steep descent was a bit of a trial to some, and the last person did not reach the Kowmung until about 1 p.m. The combination of the steep descent, hob-nail boots, and 20 years of soft living, played havoc with George Gray's knees, but Helen assured him that the pain was due only to minute tears in tendons, and that although it night be agony he had nothing to worry or complain about.
+Now began.the steep descent to the Kowmung. To avoid the mild rock climb down the top bluff Morag led us to a track which skirted the bluff on scree to the left. This was probably easier for the newcomers, but especially with the big party, it entailed some hazard from rolling rocks. The steep descent was a bit of a trial to some«undance -\\ Ah - for the ease and complacency of dreamy summer hours;\\ Endless afternoons spent by the charms of Burning Palms.\\ Those easy walks, engaging talks, under eucalyptus bowers.Necklace of emerald gems sparkle along Woronora River,\\ Bushies fling themselves with abandon into their depths\\ While the river flows on stealthily beneath our frivolity,\\ We who share these magic moments will have our unpaid debts.No mortal (or Debert) can resist the waves caressing Werong Beach.\\ Anglo-Saxons parade their hard-earned tans, trying the "native look".\\ Seagulls fly overhead with glee, as on the sands we roast,\\ Sea breezes filter through hair, as pages turn in time 'n tide book.The cool, luxurious, rainforest curbs copious sweat upon the brow.\\ We find solace, 'breathing space", a respite from the burdening heat.\\ We while away the summer hours by mountain, lake, ocean and stream;\\ For sheer enjoyment, "escapism", the great outdoors so hard to beat.WHERE HAVE ALL THE TIGERS GONE - - ANOTHER VIEW.\\ . .:by Jim Brown.In the October issue of the magazine Gordon Lee ventures the opinion that all the Club Tigers have gone to tame pussy cats.Well, Gordon, sorry - but I can't buy that. Especially I can't swallow the idea that a walking club is not vigorous or alive unless its members are regularly tackling very long or energetic trips.I suppose one could suggest that the S.B.W. has had two main "Tiger" eras, one in the late 1930s (the original Tigers), and another which blossomed in the middle 1950s, with at least one original Tiger (Dot Butler) staging a comeback. In subsequent years, of course, you will usually find one or two extra-long or strenuous trips on most walks programmes, such as the periodical shot at the Three Peaks, or an ambitious trip into the Blue Breaks, often at holiday week-ends. If it were true that frequent super-walks are essential to the health and strength of a walking club, then the S.B.W. life span of 56 years has known only a few brief periods of glory.Look, Gordon, don't think I disparage the long, long walk. They can be great fun, they provide a marvelous talking point, and the people one meets on these trips become enshrined as very special colleagues and friends. I know this because, incredible as it may seem to anyone who knows only my recent pussy-cat walking, I actually managed to get involved in a couple of the 1950s Tiger revivals. I remember ruefully that the Chronic Opera covering Geoff Wagg's 85-miler (actually I've always insisted it was barely 78 1/2 miles) from Katoomba to Picton in April 1955 contained the words\\ The President was very wan\\ He didn't care for ale.\\ The only thing he wanted (on arrival at Picton)\\ Was a place to park his tail.\\ And that, of course, was sadly true. Just the same, it was good fun, once one got over the stiffened legs and abraded feet.No, I don't accept that these long walks are the be-all and end-all of the Club. Rather, they are the spice. In the strong enduring fabric of the Club's everyday doings, what really seems to matter to me is the number of members going out for the mingled pleasures and hardships of bush walking, and there finding friends and a strange satisfaction that surpasses the sense of accomplishment one gains from most other activities. I don't think it matters very much if the trip is a long, rugged and testing one, or navigationally interesting, or just a leisurely day walk to look at our incomparable sandstone-country bush flowers. I think the great secret of S.B.W.'s undoubted success is that it provides for all of these desires.As to those trips cancelled for want of starters, please don't assume this is something new, Gordon. It isn't. What's more, I'm not convinced that the severity of the trip does much to deter takers - I have long harboured a suspicion that the reputation and reliability of the leader has quite a deal to do with the willingness of others to join in. Then, of course, the leader with a nice kind face like a cow usually gets a quota of starters, which is probably why, over a period of 36 years and with about 200 trips on the programme, I've only once had to cancel (because of my own ill-health), although I've had to change a few walks owing to fire, flood or pestilence.I also feel it is a very healthy state of affairs when the Club's principal office bearers (people like the President; Secretary, Walks and New Members Secretaries in particular) are joining in some reasonably vigorous trips. Well, almost all of our present Committee Officers come into that category, quite apart from being lovable citizens.As an ageing member, I suppose I might be forgiven if I took the view that the Club is not what it used to be in the days when I was more active on the track. Instead, having an ear to the ground in a few quarters, I can only look bewildered and ask - "Not what it used to be? .... When?" Sure, I have often known it just as good as it now seems tone, but better To me it seems the most casually efficient organisation I have ever had the good luck to know - more importantly, the most unobtrusively friendly.Where, then __have__ all the Tigers gone? Within their reasonable physical capacity, I think the right answer is - "They've gone bush walking, every one".And I wouldn't be Surprised if there are a few Tiger Cubs around, too.SNAKEBITE IN THE WONNANGATTA VALLEY, VIC.\\ by Tricia, Cristofaro.(Reprint from "Walk 1982", published by the Melbourne Bushwalkers.\\ With summer approaching, we appreciate the opportunity to pass on the useful information regarding recommended snake bite treatment contained in this article.)Leaders will no doubt all be conversant with the changed procedures developed by CSL (Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Melbourne), after intensive research, for the treatment of snakebite. In the course of my work as a nursing sister, I had the opportunity to hear Struan Sutherland (CSL) first hand as he explained the principles of lymphatic compression which are the basis of this treatment. Little did I know that within six months I would be making practical application of this knowledge on my sixteen-year-old son.My husband persuaded me to attempt the walk into Wonnangatta Homestead (Australia Day weekend 1981), and our son Nigel was pressed into service as an "extra pack horse". One condition made by me before walking was that the first aid equipment be adequate. However, as later events proved, one must take into account the height of walkers in calculating the number of crepe bandages required to bandage limbs: our sreached to the knee of our six foot son, therefore were quite inadequate.The drama commenced on day two in the valley, and resulted from a disregard of cardinal hiking rules:\\ (i) Wandering through a very "snakey" area (marsh with large grass tufts), without due care; and\\ (ii) Refusal of son to wear his hiking boots - having thongs on at the time.When he was bitten, strangely enough, a snake was not our first thought. As with most crisis situations, I guess that we all operate under the assumption that the worst would never happen to us ....He walked a short distance to me, complaining loudly about the pain in his foot. Then we saw the two classic puncture marks, each surrounded by a small white swelling. Often there may be one or many puncture marks, or surrounding bruising from the force of impact. I immediately placed a dressing over the site and proceeded to bandage firmly over the area and up the leg using crepe bandages. He was sitting down at this stage. It was now that we realised the inadequacy of our bandages, but fortunately this was remedied by a nursing sister in the area.The snake had not been sighted; this, according to Struan Sutherland, is quite a common situation. We knew that both tiger and black snakes frequented the area, and judged by the distance between the puncture marks that it could have been a fairly large one. The problem of not knowing the actual type of snake involved means that: (i) One does not know how soon respiratory or other symptoms may occur/develop, although this is also dependent on dose of venom, and proximity of large blood vessels; and (ii) Subsequent choice of a specific anti-venine is complicated. However, in this new treatment the puncture site is not wiped clean, and samples of venom can be collected from the skin for laboratory analysis in the larger centres.Fortunately for us, there was a large number of four-wheel-drives in the area, and we were taken out by one of these, CB radio being used to alert the Heyfield hospital of our imminent arrival. We attempted to keep the victim as still as possible, (difficult in a short wheel base vehicle an the Wonnangatta Track with a six foot patient; bandaging the legs together is recommended). Efforts to allay anxiety in him were very successful; however inwardly I was having anticipatory horrors about coping with a respiratory arrest under such conditions.It took five hours from bite to arrival at the hospital, and we were somewhat nonplussed to be greeted with the news that the two sisters knew nothing about snakebite but had been reading up the literature: The local doctor, however, was quite experienced, and treated Nigel very carefully. The bandage was released only over the site and the punctures inspected. The patient stayed in overnight with the upper bandage still in place, having regular observations of vital signs and urine tests for blood. An important point with this new treatment is that the bandages must not be released until the patient is under medical supervision, and preferably with an intravenous infusion in position, as there can be a sudden surge of venom into the system. Nigel did well without further treatment though his leg was very swollen.On replacing the thong next day, we found that the rubber strap exactly covered the punctures. We are assuming that the snake must have hit this and perforated it, thereby perhaps giving a lower actual dose of venom with limited penetration of the skin ... All in all, we were very lucky!The following snakebite treatment has been reprinted from Walk 1980 and was prepared by L. E. Kitchener.\\ 1. - WASH THE WOUND.	(However, see also comments towards the end of article)\\ Rationale: Usually, the snake doesn't get a good bite.	Clothes interfere, and he's in an awful hurry, being as horrified by the confrontation as the person being bitten. Venom is often sprayed onto the skin surrounding the punctures. This venom, not injected at the time of the bite, may seep into the wound.2. APPLY PRESSURE.\\ Rationale: In the first instance, the venom enters into the smallest blood vessels, which are microscopic, and have very thin walls. Pressure easily closes these vessels, so that the venom cannot enter.\\ Method: Place a pad over the puncture masks, and apply pressure as you would for a haemorrhage. Strap the pad on firmly, as the pressure for strapping a sprained ankle.3. IMMOBILIZE THE PART.\\ Rationale:  One of the most important factors influencing the return of the blood in the veins, back to the heart, is the intermittent squashing of the veins by muscles, during exercise.\\ Method: Splint the limb as you would for a broken bone, including the joint above the injury in the operation.N.B. THE USE OF BOTH PRESSURE AND MOBILIZATION MUST BE USED.\\ AUTHORITIES DO NOT CONSIDER EITHER/OR TO BE SATISFACTORY.4. KEEP THE PATIENT QUIET AND AT REST.\\ Rationale: Movement will aid the return of blood to the heart, and from there into the general circulation, as mentioned above. Movement might also loosen the bandage. This must be guarded against, conscientiously. Authorities believe that some of the deaths from snake-bite (and there are not many) result from shock, rather than venom.\\ Method: Rest the patient, lying flat, with a pillow under the head, for comfort. Reassure him/her that someone has gone for help, that the snake was only a little one - whatever.5. OBSERVE THE VICTIM FOR BREATHING DIFFICULTIES AND ASSIST WITH BREATHING IF NECESSARY.6. CONTINUE with 2, 3, 4 and 5 until the patient is in the hands of that someone-with the life support systems and anti-venine, neither of which will be used unless the patient's condition requires them. Better be sure than sorry.__Some remarks from the editor (of "walk")__\\ There appears, from comparison of various snake-bite treatments, to be some inconsistency as to whether or not the wound should be washed. The Commonwealth Serum Laboratories have advised that the procedure depends onthe circumstances. If the bite has caused a large wound, or has occurred near another wound, the site should certainly be washed. A sample of the venom could be obtained by wiping with a separate piece of fabric.In any case, priority should be given to pressure on the site, and to immobilization of the patient. The latter is particularly important in the event of there being no immediate means of rescue (such as four-wheel- drives).TO LET\\  LANE COVE: Four bedroom house to let for all of January and/or one room for January and February.\\ Contact. AINSLIE MORRIS - telephone 42813178.CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWER (See last month's magazine) - PUNCH.MEETING NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER.\\ by Barry Wallace. \\ THE HALF-YEARLY (SEPTEMBER) G.M.The meeting began at around 2020 with some 30 or so members present and the President in the chair.There were no apologies so we went straight on to welcome Margaret Wood and Owen Stanley as new members. Susan Young and Karl Conning were also called but were not present.The Minutes of the August meeting were read and received with no business arising.Correspondence comprised a letter of thanks from the family of George Davidson, the minutes of the most recent Coolana Committee Meeting2C and the last person did not reach the Kowmung until about 1 p.m. The combination of the steep desc, details of the Paddy Pallin Awards for 1983 and outgoing letters to new members and
-On the grassy bank of the Kowmung, the schoolteachers and ex-school-teachers in the party, George and Helen Gray, Fazeley, Peter Miller, and others. sat in a neat line on one side of a log and ate their lunch. The
-rest of us sat on the other side of the log in an untidy sprawl. Despite the obvious danger from large trout below and hungry currawongs above, Laurie Quaken went skinny dipping. On the way down the Bullhead Evelyn Walker's shirt had split and fallen off her back, and now, on the Kowmung, Geoff Wagg offered her one of his, adding, lest any should think him a prude, that he was worried she might become sunburnt.
-With lunch over Spiro outlined plans for the afternoon's walking. It was obvious that with hot thirsty weather, a large party, and three newcomers we would not be going to the Axehead Range. The aim therefore was simply to climb Bulga Cone, cross Scott's Main Range, and find a good campsite an Butcher's Creek. Ben Esgate had planned all along to leave us herd and walk solo down the Kowmung through the Bulga-Denis Canyon to Gingra Creek. "We'll see you there tomorrow at 3 pm," said Spiro, to which Ben sagely replied, "O.K., but we won't make that a promise".
-The climb up Bulga Cone is only 400 vertical metres, but it is steep, the day was now hot, and we had the sun on our backs. Tom reached the top first in 40 minutes, but it was another 45 minutes till the last person
-arrived. We now had no time to spare. The rest of the ridge to the Scott's Main Range was easy, and once on that we set off north along the road, hot and dehydrated. At sunset the need to make camp on water became urgent so we turned off the road and followed an easy ridge to Butcher's Creek, where we were greeted by a chorus of frogs just on dusk. It was rocky at our arrival point, but we found a good campsite in the gathering dark a short distance downstream.
-The next morning, Sunday, being Fazeley's birthday, we gathered outside her tent and woke her to the strains of "Happy Birthday". We noted with amazement that, contrary to the precepts of lightweight walking, Sue was wearing a fresh shirt. After breakfast our leader gave us the day's marching orders. We were to walk 7 miles down Butcher's Creek to its junction with Butler's Creek, and were then to leave the creek, re-cross Scott's Main Range, and regain the Kowmung, making 12 miles for the day. We set off at about 8.30 am and Spiro was confident that this would be the easiest day of the trip.
-The day was even hotter than Saturday had been, but this made it just right for walking in the shady canyon of upper Butcher's Creek. Periodically we came across delightful swimming holes. Elsewhere we rock-hopped or forded in the shade of casuarinas. We seemed to maintain a fairly good pace but at lunchtime there was still no sign of the Butler's Creek junction. However Spiro thought it could not be much further - perhaps another hour or so. Rockhopping is tiring to the uninitiated and in the afternoon some of the newcomers grew very tired. There seemed no end to their travail; the Butler's Creek which they expected at every turn never arrived. At 4.30 pm we came to a creek junction which Spiro thought might be but probably wasn't Butler's. However it was obvious that some of the party were too tired to profitably continue, and that we could not hope to make the Kowmung before dark. So we elected to make camp, have a good sleep, and leave very early next morning. To Some of us it seemed, that if the present day's progress was any guide, then even with a dawn start we would be unlikely to reach Kanangra by Monday night. (What we did not know was that we had in fact done not 5 but 12 miles of creek walking this day - Spiro had not adequately allowed for twists in the creek bed.)
-While we made camp Ray Hookway and Tom Wenman walked 2 or 3 miles downstream with map and compass to establish our position beyond doubt. They came back and reported that we were indeed short of Butler's Creek, but that this was no problem as the map showed a ridge leading up from our campsite that was even better than the one from Butler's Creek.
-The evening was balmy and we cooked and enjoyed a hearty meal. To cap it Ray Hookway brought out a delicious birthday cake for Fazeley, which we helped her eat. Then we retired early in preparation for a dawn start. Geoff Wagg had brought neither tent nor foamy as he had decided to rely on my fly and Dot Butler's nest-making ability. The previous night he had missed out badly as all Dot had had time to collect were a few strips of bark. However tonight he won; in the creek were large drifts of casuarina needles, and soon both my fly and the Gray's tent had a foot deep carpet. However, despite the soft casuarina-needle bed, Dot was concerned about her night's comfort; probably to scare young girls away, Geoff's wife had Spread a rumour that he snored. I knew that this was almost certainly untrue' because I have had the same false story put out about me. However, a bad name, no matter how ill-deserved, is hard to live down. Dot had not been in her sack two minutes before she was complaining of snores, until it was proved to her that Geoff was still at the fire eating his tea, and that the noise of which she complained was the croaking of frogs. Then in the middle of the night, Helen Gray complained, although as she herself later volunteered, she had heard only a barking owl. At first light a host of people complained at a gurgling sound, but this was quickly traced to a friar bird. When the night was quite over even Dot had to admit that it had in fact been uncannily quiet, but determined to have the last word, she claimed credit for this by proclaiming:\\
-With joy the camp is a-flutter,\\
-I have coated Geoff's tonsils with butter,\\
-Thus reducing his snore\\
-From a thunderous roar\\
-To a soft oleaginous mutter.
-The people who had leapt out of their sacks to complain at the first gargle of the friar bird at least ensured that we achieved an early start. By 6 an we had breakfasted, packed, and started up the ridge to Scott's Main Range. A change had arrived overnight and it was now overcast. The night's sleep, the cooler day, and the freedom from rock-hopping transformed the prospectives. They were up the admittedly easy ridge like rats up a drainpipe. In no time we were at the road, and they then skipped down this to the Kowmung River causeway, which we reached at 8.15 am!! We had caught up all our lost time; we would probably not have left there till 8.15 if we had camped there as planned.	George Gray did not find the trip quite so easy; he climbed easily enough, but the descent to the Kowmung re-tenderized his downhill knees. He also acquired a blister covering most of the sole of his foot; only a person with feet as big as George could have such a big blister. We crossed the causeway and on the concrete on the other side found a stick tripod and a message written in charcoal "Ben Esgate was here". We then walked the short distance upstream to the Gingra Creek junction.
-The overcast sky now turned to misty drizzle as we stopped for morning tea. The walk was programmed to return to Kanangra via Gingra Creek and Craft's Ridge. However because of the rain, and the trouble encountered with rock-hopping the previous day, only five, Peter, Morag, Jan, Steve and Tom, went that way. The rest of us walked up Gingra Range, where the black-boys were in full bloom and made a wonderful sight. We reached the coal seam cave for lunch and while we lunched a continuous rumble of thunder and heavier rain began.
-Lunch eaten, we donned parkas and set out across the tops to the cars. The rain grew heavier and heavier.2and then developed into a magnificent thundering hailstorm. Hail bounced off our parkas and whitened the ground. As we neared the walls walkers could be seen streaming in through the gloom as far as the eye could see. Bushwalking is certainly becoming popular. (Ben Esgate later told me he counted 80 walkers as he walked down the Kowmung.)
-The Gingra Creek party reached the cars about 10 minutes before us. We now had the task of getting into the cars in the still raging hailstorm without setting them awash. We took our dry clothes from the boot and threw them into the car. Then we stripped off, threw our wet togs into the boot, and jumped Into the car to dry and dress. Geoff turned the ignition key but nothing happened; one door had been left slightly ajar, and an interior light had stayed on and flattened the battery. Luckily Laurie Quaken was still there and gave us a jump start.
-DREAMY SUMMER HOURS.\\ by Peter Christian.
-A season of day trippers and sun-worshippers in abundance -\\
-Ah - for the ease and complacency of dreamy summer hours;\\
-Endless afternoons spent by the charms of Burning Palms.\\
-Those easy walks, engaging talks, under eucalyptus bowers.
-Necklace of emerald gems sparkle along Woronora River,\\
-Bushies fling themselves with abandon into their depths\\
-While the river flows on stealthily beneath our frivolity,\\
-We who share these magic moments will have our unpaid debts.
-No mortal (or Debert) can resist the waves caressing Werong Beach.\\
-Anglo-Saxons parade their hard-earned tans, trying the "native look".\\
-Seagulls fly overhead with glee, as on the sands we roast,\\
-Sea breezes filter through hair, as pages turn in time 'n tide book.
-The cool, luxurious, rainforest curbs copious sweat upon the brow.\\
-We find solace, 'breathing space", a respite from the burdening heat.\\
-We while away the summer hours by mountain, lake, ocean and stream;\\
-For sheer enjoyment, "escapism", the great outdoors so hard to beat.
-WHERE HAVE ALL THE TIGERS GONE - - ANOTHER VIEW.\\
-. .:by Jim Brown.
-In the October issue of the magazine Gordon Lee ventures the opinion that all the Club Tigers have gone to tame pussy cats.
-Well, Gordon, sorry - but I can't buy that. Especially I can't swallow the idea that a walking club is not vigorous or alive unless its members are regularly tackling very long or energetic trips.
-I suppose one could suggest that the S.B.W. has had two main "Tiger" eras, one in the late 1930s (the original Tigers), and another which blossomed in the middle 1950s, with at least one original Tiger (Dot Butler) staging a comeback. In subsequent years, of course, you will usually find one or two extra-long or strenuous trips on most walks programmes, such as the periodical shot at the Three Peaks, or an ambitious trip into the Blue Breaks, often at holiday week-ends. If it were true that frequent super-walks are essential to the health and strength of a walking club, then the S.B.W. life span of 56 years has known only a few brief periods of glory.
-Look, Gordon, don't think I disparage the long, long walk. They can be great fun, they provide a marvelous talking point, and the people one meets on these trips become enshrined as very special colleagues and friends. I know this because, incredible as it may seem to anyone who knows only my recent pussy-cat walking, I actually managed to get involved in a couple of the 1950s Tiger revivals. I remember ruefully that the Chronic Opera covering Geoff Wagg's 85-miler (actually I've always insisted it was barely 78 1/2 miles) from Katoomba to Picton in April 1955 contained the words\\
-The President was very wan\\ He didn't care for ale.\\
-The only thing he wanted (on arrival at Picton)\\
-Was a place to park his tail.\\
-And that, of course, was sadly true. Just the same, it was good fun, once one got over the stiffened legs and abraded feet.
-No, I don't accept that these long walks are the be-all and end-all of the Club. Rather, they are the spice. In the strong enduring fabric of the Club's everyday doings, what really seems to matter to me is the number of members going out for the mingled pleasures and hardships of bush walking, and there finding friends and a strange satisfaction that surpasses the sense of accomplishment one gains from most other activities. I don't think it matters very much if the trip is a long, rugged and testing one, or navigationally interesting, or just a leisurely day walk to look at our incomparable sandstone-country bush flowers. I think the great secret of S.B.W.'s undoubted success is that it provides for all of these desires.
-As to those trips cancelled for want of starters, please don't assume this is something new, Gordon. It isn't. What's more, I'm not convinced that the severity of the trip does much to deter takers - I have long harboured a suspicion that the reputation and reliability of the leader has quite a deal to do with the willingness of others to join in. Then, of course, the leader with a nice kind face like a cow usually gets a quota of starters, which is probably why, over a period of 36 years and with about 200 trips on the programme, I've only once had to cancel (because of my own ill-health), although I've had to change a few walks owing to fire, flood or pestilence.
-I also feel it is a very healthy state of affairs when the Club's principal office bearers (people like the President; Secretary, Walks and New Members Secretaries in particular) are joining in some reasonably vigorous trips. Well, almost all of our present Committee Officers come into that category, quite apart from being lovable citizens.
-As an ageing member, I suppose I might be forgiven if I took the view that the Club is not what it used to be in the days when I was more active on the track. Instead, having an ear to the ground in a few quarters, I can only look bewildered and ask - "Not what it used to be? .... When?" Sure, I have often known it just as good as it now seems tone, but better To me it seems the most casually efficient organisation I have ever had the good luck to know - more importantly, the most unobtrusively friendly.
-Where, then __have__ all the Tigers gone? Within their reasonable physical capacity, I think the right answer is - "They've gone bush walking, every one".
-And I wouldn't be Surprised if there are a few Tiger Cubs around, too.
-SNAKEBITE IN THE WONNANGATTA VALLEY, VIC.\\
-by Tricia, Cristofaro.
-(Reprint from "Walk 1982", published by the Melbourne Bushwalkers.\\
-With summer approaching, we appreciate the opportunity to pass on the useful information regarding recommended snake bite treatment contained in this article.)
-Leaders will no doubt all be conversant with the changed procedures developed by CSL (Commonwealth Serum Laboratories, Melbourne), after intensive research, for the treatment of snakebite. In the course of my work as a nursing sister, I had the opportunity to hear Struan Sutherland (CSL) first hand as he explained the principles of lymphatic compression which are the basis of this treatment. Little did I know that within six months I would be making practical application of this knowledge on my sixteen-year-old son.
-My husband persuaded me to attempt the walk into Wonnangatta Homestead (Australia Day weekend 1981), and our son Nigel was pressed into service as an "extra pack horse". One condition made by me before walking was that the first aid equipment be adequate. However, as later events proved, one must take into account the height of walkers in calculating the number of crepe bandages required to bandage limbs: our sreached to the knee of our six foot son, therefore were quite inadequate.
-The drama commenced on day two in the valley, and resulted from a disregard of cardinal hiking rules:\\
-(i) Wandering through a very "snakey" area (marsh with large grass tufts), without due care; and\\
-(ii) Refusal of son to wear his hiking boots - having thongs on at the time.
-When he was bitten, strangely enough, a snake was not our first thought. As with most crisis situations, I guess that we all operate under the assumption that the worst would never happen to us ....
-He walked a short distance to me, complaining loudly about the pain in his foot. Then we saw the two classic puncture marks, each surrounded by a small white swelling. Often there may be one or many puncture marks, or surrounding bruising from the force of impact. I immediately placed a dressing over the site and proceeded to bandage firmly over the area and up the leg using crepe bandages. He was sitting down at this stage. It was now that we realised the inadequacy of our bandages, but fortunately this was remedied by a nursing sister in the area.
-The snake had not been sighted; this, according to Struan Sutherland, is quite a common situation. We knew that both tiger and black snakes frequented the area, and judged by the distance between the puncture marks that it could have been a fairly large one. The problem of not knowing the actual type of snake involved means that: (i) One does not know how soon respiratory or other symptoms may occur/develop, although this is also dependent on dose of venom, and proximity of large blood vessels; and (ii) Subsequent choice of a specific anti-venine is complicated. However, in this new treatment the puncture site is not wiped clean, and samples of venom can be collected from the skin for laboratory analysis in the larger centres.
-Fortunately for us, there was a large number of four-wheel-drives in the area, and we were taken out by one of these, CB radio being used to alert the Heyfield hospital of our imminent arrival. We attempted to keep the victim as still as possible, (difficult in a short wheel base vehicle an the Wonnangatta Track with a six foot patient; bandaging the legs together is recommended). Efforts to allay anxiety in him were very successful; however inwardly I was having anticipatory horrors about coping with a respiratory arrest under such conditions.
-It took five hours from bite to arrival at the hospital, and we were somewhat nonplussed to be greeted with the news that the two sisters knew nothing about snakebite but had been reading up the literature: The local doctor, however, was quite experienced, and treated Nigel very carefully. The bandage was released only over the site and the punctures inspected. The patient stayed in overnight with the upper bandage still in place, having regular observations of vital signs and urine tests for blood. An important point with this new treatment is that the bandages must not be released until the patient is under medical supervision, and preferably with an intravenous infusion in position, as there can be a sudden surge of venom into the system. Nigel did well without further treatment though his leg was very swollen.
-On replacing the thong next day, we found that the rubber strap exactly covered the punctures. We are assuming that the snake must have hit this and perforated it, thereby perhaps giving a lower actual dose of venom with limited penetration of the skin ... All in all, we were very lucky!
-The following snakebite treatment has been reprinted from Walk 1980 and was prepared by L. E. Kitchener.\\
-. - WASH THE WOUND.	(However, see also comments towards the end of article)\\
-Rationale: Usually, the snake doesn't get a good bite.	Clothes interfere, and he's in an awful hurry, being as horrified by the confrontation as the person being bitten. Venom is often sprayed onto the skin surrounding the punctures. This venom, not injected at the time of the bite, may seep into the wound.
-. APPLY PRESSURE.\\
-Rationale: In the first instance, the venom enters into the smallest blood vessels, which are microscopic, and have very thin walls. Pressure easily closes these vessels, so that the venom cannot enter.\\
-Method: Place a pad over the puncture masks, and apply pressure as you would for a haemorrhage. Strap the pad on firmly, as the pressure for strapping a sprained ankle.
-. IMMOBILIZE THE PART.\\
-Rationale:  One of the most important factors influencing the return of the blood in the veins, back to the heart, is the intermittent squashing of the veins by muscles, during exercise.\\
-Method: Splint the limb as you would for a broken bone, including the joint above the injury in the operation.
-N.B. THE USE OF BOTH PRESSURE AND MOBILIZATION MUST BE USED.\\
-AUTHORITIES DO NOT CONSIDER EITHER/OR TO BE SATISFACTORY.
-. KEEP THE PATIENT QUIET AND AT REST.\\
-Rationale: Movement will aid the return of blood to the heart, and from there into the general circulation, as mentioned above. Movement might also loosen the bandage. This must be guarded against, conscientiously. Authorities believe that some of the deaths from snake-bite (and there are not many) result from shock, rather than venom.\\
-Method: Rest the patient, lying flat, with a pillow under the head, for comfort. Reassure him/her that someone has gone for help, that the snake was only a little one - whatever.
-. OBSERVE THE VICTIM FOR BREATHING DIFFICULTIES AND ASSIST WITH BREATHING IF NECESSARY.
-. CONTINUE with 2, 3, 4 and 5 until the patient is in the hands of that someone-with the life support systems and anti-venine, neither of which will be used unless the patient's condition requires them. Better be sure than sorry.
-__Some remarks from the editor (of "walk")__\\
-There appears, from comparison of various snake-bite treatments, to be some inconsistency as to whether or not the wound should be washed. The Commonwealth Serum Laboratories have advised that the procedure depends on
-the circumstances. If the bite has caused a large wound, or has occurred near another wound, the site should certainly be washed. A sample of the venom could be obtained by wiping with a separate piece of fabric.
-In any case, priority should be given to pressure on the site, and to immobilization of the patient. The latter is particularly important in the event of there being no immediate means of rescue (such as four-wheel- drives).
-TO LET\\
-LANE COVE: Four bedroom house to let for all of January and/or one room for January and February.\\
-Contact. AINSLIE MORRIS - telephone 42813178.
-CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWER (See last month's magazine) - PUNCH.
-MEETING NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER.\\
-by Barry Wallace. \\
-THE HALF-YEARLY (SEPTEMBER) G.M.
-The meeting began at around 2020 with some 30 or so members present and the President in the chair.
-There were no apologies so we went straight on to welcome Margaret Wood and Owen Stanley as new members. Susan Young and Karl Conning were also called but were not present.
-The Minutes of the August meeting were read and received with no business arising.
-Correspondence comprised a letter of thanks from the family of George Davidson, the minutes of the most recent Coolana Committee Meeting, details of the Paddy Pallin Awards for 1983 and outgoing letters to new members and
 to MT. Roger Good of C.S.I.R.O. confirming details of a talk which he is to present during one of the social nights in October.
@@ Line 229: / Line 79: @@
 And then it was just a matter of announcements, and the meeting closed at 2056 hours.
-THE OCTOBER GENERAL MEETING.
+=====THE OCTOBER GENERAL MEETING.=====
 The meeting began at around 2010 hours with some 20 or so members present and the President in the chair. There were no apologies so we moved on to the welcoming of new members. Of those called, Marsha Durham and Jeff Stitt were present to be welcomed with badge, constitution and membership list, but Bill Regan, Jodius Rubijono and Sue Capon were no-shows.
@@ Line 252: / Line 102: @@
 There was no General Business so, after walks and social announcements, the meeting closed at 2049.	Gong! .
-BOOK REVIEW - "WILD PLACES".\\
+=====BOOK REVIEW - "WILD PLACES".=====
 by Jim Brown.
@@ Line 275: / Line 125: @@
 To an unrepentant chauvinist who once said at a slide showing at Sydney Bush Walkers that Sydney was   the only city in the only Country in the world where a superannuated bush walker could possibly wish to live, "Wild	Places" offers much solace, as well as a great deal of delightful reading.
-ANOTHER ITEM OF EARLY S.B.W.HISTORY.\\
+=====ANOTHER ITEM OF EARLY S.B.W.HISTORY.=====
 by Dorothy Lawry.
-As you all know, The Sydney Bush Walkers was formedl in October, 1927, but you newer members may not know many details of the doings of those first members, so - - -
+As you all know, The Sydney Bush Walkers was formed in October, 1927, but you newer members may not know many details of the doings of those first members, so - - -
 In the very early days some of the men members, when planning trips for long weekends or their annual fortnight's holidays, would say-\\
@@ Line 293: / Line 143: @@
 There was hardly a bunny seen that whole weekend and the only one the whole party managed to kill was brought down by the catapult!
-SOCIAL NOTES FOR DECEMBER.	by Jo Van Sommers.
+=====SOCIAL NOTES FOR DECEMBER.=====
+by Jo Van Sommers.
 CHRISTMAS PARTY - Wednesday, 21st December, 1983.\\
@@ Line 300: / Line 151: @@
 Please note - the Clubroom will be closed on 28th December and 4th January next.
-TASMANIA WALK - FEBRUARY, 1984.\\
+=====TASMANIA WALK - FEBRUARY, 1984.=====
 th to 12th February.