Table of Contents
THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER
Established June 1931
A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening from 7.45 pm at ELLA COMMUNITY CENTRE, 58a Dalhousie Street, Haberfield (next to the Post Office). Prospective members and visitors are invited to visit the Club on any Wednesday (except 2nd September next, see Page 3).
To advertise in this magazine please contact the Business Manager.
EDITOR | Patrick James, Box 170 P.O., Kogarah, 2217. Telephone 588 2814. |
BUSINESS MANAGER | Stan Madden, 8 Florence Avenue, Gosford, 2250. Telephone (043) 25 7203. |
PRODUCTION MANAGER | Helen Gray. Telephone 86 8263 |
TYPIST | Kath Brown. |
ILLUSTRATOR | Morag Ryder. |
PRINTERS | Fran Holland & Stan Madden. |
AUGUST 1987
The Flinder's Ranges by Spiro Hajinakitas | 2 |
Newhaven Gap to Yadboro, May 29-31 Deborah Shapira | 3 |
Budawangs May '87 Ikarus | 4 |
Advertisement - Belvedere Taxis, Blackheath | 4 |
Club Auction 1987 Patrick James | |
N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs | 5 |
The Wondabyne Sandstones… Again Jim Brown | 6 |
Day Test Walk, 31st May 1987 Errol Sheedy | 7 |
Social Notes for September Wendy Aliano | 7 |
Advertisement - Eastwood Camping Centre | 8 |
The Bush is Not a Rubbish Dump Michael Christie | 9 |
Advertisement - Canoe & Camping, Gladesville | 10 |
The July General Meeting Barry Wallace | 11 |
60th Anniversary Celebrations | 12 |
The Bushwalkers Ball - 18th September | 12 |
Annual Subscriptions Now Overdue | 12 |
The Flinders Ranges
by Spiro Hajinakitas
Time: 24th May to 3rd June 1987.
Starters: Bill Caskay, Bob Duncan, Trevore Fletcher, Heather Finch, Wendy Lippiat, David Rostron (LEADER), Jeff Niven, Adrienne Schilling, Wayne Steel, Janet Waterhouse and Spiro Hajinakitas.
For the past three years in early June, David has led trips of about 11 days duration to different areas of the Macdonnell Ranges, just west of Alice Springs. Although we still enjoy the Macdonnell Ranges and we have yet to go to the Mount Sonder area, we thought it was time to conquer fresh fields. The Flinders Ranges was our first choice, but David had received information from a Park Ranger that water was a problem this year and the thought of carrying water every day was not appealing. Our second choice was the Macpherson Range in Southern Queensland which would require wet weather gear and tents with a floor to keep out the leeches. The thought of rain and leeches put paid to that proposition, so we turned our attention to the third choice, Mount Sonder region of the Macdonnell Ranges. But to cut a long story short, David received a second opinion that water was to be found in the Flinders Ranges. So we finally decided to go there.
The Flinders Ranges National Park is 76,000 hectares in area, the Wilpena Pound area and the Aroona Valley immediately to the north being the two areas of most interest to walkers. The Ranges are in a semi arid area, average rainfall 300 mm a year, Wilpena Pound being 450 km by road north of Adelaide. The Ranges are part of the Adelaide system and are about 700 km in length, running north/south and are crossed every now and then by wide gorges and (usually) dry creeks. The Ranges are dominated by long continuous outcrops of highly resistant beds of quartzite.
Most of the area consists of woodland with trees up to 30 metres tall with eucalyptus species being the most dominant. Red River Gums are in abundance as are Native Pines (Callitris collumellaris). Smaller trees and shrubs include Peppermint Box (a species of Mallee), Wattle, Myrtle, BLackboys and Peabush. Bird life is prolific, the most conspicuous being Adelaide Rosellas, Sulpur-crested Cockatoos, Galahs, Emus, Kookaburras, Magpies, Willy Wagtails, Whistlers, Paradalotes, Honeyeaters, Wedge-tail Eagles and the Peregrine Falcon. We sighted lots of wild goats, a few Rock Wallabies and Red Kangaroos. Other fauna include Brush-tailed Possums, Bats, Goannas, Lizards, Tiger and King Brown Snakes.
We flew to Adelaide where we met our friendly bus driver, “Smokey” Wayne of Frestours with his 16-seater bus ready to take us north to Parachilna Gorge, via Quorn and Hawker, a 61 hr. drive. Our route from Parachilna Gorge was to be mainly along the Heysen Range of the Flinder's Ranges, south to Wilpena Pound. All but one of our camps were in the gorges and creeks; one high camp at near Walkandi Peak on the Hayward section. Walking on the dry ridge tops was the best part of the trip. Long straight 5-8 kms stretches in cool sunny weather with excellent views both east and west. The gorges and creeks, although extremely scenic and interesting, are not quite as spectacular as we had experienced in the Macdonnell Ranges. Of course at night in winter the temperature drops to below zero quite regularly.
Besides Parachilna Gorge we also explored Crisp Gorge, Bathtub Creek, Brachina Gorge, Bunyeroo Gorge and Edeowie Gorge. The climax of the walk was the view of Wilpena Pound from the top of St. Mary Peak. The Pound is a vast natural amphitheatre, about 16 km long and 6 km wide and the grassed and timbered flat is completely ringed by high precipitous cliffs of red quartzite, sloping gradually inside, but quite sheer on the outside. In geological terms the Pound is an excellent example of a closed synclinal basin. Viewed from the outside, quartzite beds can be followed completely around the structure.
We had booked three rooms at the Wilpena Chalet for our last night and our bus driver arrived on time to take us back to Adelaide. It was a marvellous trip done in mainly fine cool sunny weather; light rain fell only on two short periods. The group all got on very well together and our thanks again to David for his expert leadership and preparation for the trip.
Newhaven Gap to Yadboro
MAY 29-31. by Deborah Shapira.
The weekend almost began in disaster with my passenger almost choking on a piece of caramel and then being almost run off the road by a person (not to be identified here) driving a yellow station waggon. We arrived in Nowra and were eventually sorted out into North and South ends by our respective leaders, Carol Bruce and Don Finch, and then the drivers swapped cars. You can imagine the sheer joy I felt when above unidentified driver was assigned to drive my car.
I went to Newhaven Gap with Carol Bruce on a short “interesting” kind of road. Several of us braved the windy elements and pitched tents while sooks like myself slept in the van or station waggon. Our party consisted of Carol, Fazeley Read, Ray Hookway, Ruth Hesslyn, Carol Lubbers, Jenny Brown, Jan Mohandas, Lynne Brown, Barry (baa baa) Wallace and myself.
The next morning was very crisp as we set off. We made good time on track to Styles Creek by which time we were finally able to strip off some layers of clothing. There were excellent views of Mt. Haughton and the Pagoda Rocks. Avoiding the worst of the marshy ground we climbed Mt. Haughton and walked underneath the overhanging top to the saddle connecting to Mt. Tarn, where water was found by the Margaret Niven Divining Method (i.e. one wet foot) so that we could have lunch. From here we made our way towards Donjon and out through the middle of it to reach the cave where we were to camp.
Don Finch's party arrived before most of us (but not before Jan of course) and had already staked out the best spots under the overhang. Those of us not carrying tents squeezed in somehow while those with their own accommodation found more privacy. Firewood in this area consists mainly of smallish sticks, so it was difficult to get a good long- burning fire, however the wind had died down and we were quite sheltered. After a tasty happy hour we were treated to a performance of “Emu Rumble” starring Jenny Brown, Carol Bruce and Wendy Aliano. After dinner off to bed early for various orchestrations of snoring, rustling and other human noises. A good lesson in the advantage of carrying a tent even with the promise of alternative accommodation.
The next morning was bright and clear with Don's group beating us to be first off. We walked off towards the Monolith Valley and stopped at the beginning to admire the incredible rock formations all around us. Then through the valley towards The Castle. Weil, it certainly looked a challenge and at first sight beyond my capabilities, but everyone, especially Carol,was exceptionally helpful in getting us non rock climbers up and down it. The views on top on a magnificent clear sunny day certainly justified the effort - truly all of the Budawangs from end to end. After climbing down the rest was a bit of a let down, heading towards the cars down Kaliana Ridge, onto the fire trail and finally getting our feet wet at the river at Yadboro. The two halves of this expedition met at a Chinese restaurant in Nowra where they don't put monosodium glutamate in the food if you ask nicely.
NOTICE
Please note that the Club's meeting to be held on the evening of Wednesday, 9th September will be the Half-Yearly General Meeting. As no advice has been received of proposed Amendments to the Constitution, only the normal business of a General Meeting will be dealt with, except that the 1988 Reunion Site will be decided upon. HON. SECRETARY.
CLOSURE OF CLUBROOM Wednesday, 2nd September.
Members of the Ella Community Centre will be holding their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, 2nd September and the hall will NOT BE AVAILABLE for S.B.W. members. The Committee Meeting of S.B.W. on that night will be held at the home of the Social Secretary.
Budawangs May '87
by IKARUS.
The only Charlie Brown I had known but never met, was the comic strip character used in psychology text books to illustrate various neuroses. Thus Saturday's dawn on Clyde's bank was greeted with anticipation of a great walk. Our leader, the Charlie Brown I met, didn't fit my previous model and his only apparently neurotic action over the next few days seemed to be his occasional inclination to “light up”.
Our party of eleven walked Yadboro - Kaliana Ridge - Mt. Owen - Corang Peak (nearly!) - (a new) Wog Wog track - Yadboro - and what could be seen can not be adequately described. I guess that those who have seen, know, the curious who haven't should go.
Led with quiet good humour and a certain nonchalance the walk went without any great incident other than the slumber tones of a certain son of a fisherman. The weather was generally of fog and light rain - inconvenient but not enough to cause hardship and sometimes an adjunct to fine photographs. A fog-shrouded Corang Peak was by-passed. Some leeches followed their instincts and dined well. Some leeches, in turn, were treated instinctively and badly - but we were heavily outnumbered!
Despite these minor hardships the party was a happy one. That atmosphere continued on Sunday night at the Biwong Truckies Cafe where we were well served by a family who obviously lived well on their product.
Club Auction 1987
by Patrick James
The annual recycling of S.B.W. household detritus took place somewhat earlier than normal this year. A small horde of happy, bargain-seeking bushwalkers crammed into the Clubroom on Wednesday 29th July with fistfuls of money ready to buy, buy, buy.
Chas. Brown Esq. once again was honorary auctioneer and the multitude of bargaineers listened with awe, joy, mirth and laughter to his pearls of wisdom, gems of humour and sparkling wit. The fall of Charlie's invisible hammer saw many treasured possessions change hands and other keen observers could also have seen the occasional tear as a particularly sentimental piece was snapped-up. Record price for the evening was for a Brown family heirloom: an antique sterling silver Kleenex tissue box holder. This thing of beauty and joy forever passed to a branch of the Davis family where it will become a loom, there are no heirs at present.
The compulsive, irresistable urge to buy, buy, buy could be seen in many of the crowd but was particularly so in the Niven family where husband and wife tried to outbid each other in their frantic attempts to gain possession of some useful trinket. Mr. Riven left the room with enough tools and spare parts to make the most imaginative of essential bushwalking gear.
The evening was fun; a lot of laughter and everything was sold. Our thanks to Charlie for his performance and to the suppliers of the goods. The money raised is earmarked for the 60th Anniversary celebrations.
N.S.W. FEDERATION OF BUSHWALKING CLUBS.
The Annual General Meeting of the Federation was held on 21st July, 1987. The following officers were elected for the next twelve months:-
President Gordon Lee (S.B.W.) Senior Vice-President Jan Woutters Junior VP Andrew Kremsel Secretary Herb Lippmann Minutes Secretary Spiro Hajinakitas Treasurer Jim Callaway
Annual Subscription - 95c per member with maximum amount increased to equivalent of 250 members.
Federation Reunion - to be held 17/18 October on lower Colo River. Mount Druitt Walking Club is the host Club.
Search & Rescue - Resolved that S. & R. Radio Account be opened for contributions to the funds needed ($15,000) for re-equipping Search & Rescue with suitable radios as the old equipment is worn out. Several contributions have already been received (including $100 from Camden Walking Club) and more are urgently sought.
The Bushwalkers Ball to be held at Lane Cove Town Hall on Friday, 18th September. Profits go to Search & Rescue.
(Extracted by Kath Brown from notes made by Jim Brown, who attended the Federation meeting.)
The Wondabyne Sandstones... Again
by Jim Brown.
On May 24th Alan Mewett led a day walk that finished at Wondabyne, and this time there was an opportunity to look at the sculptures located in the little headland protuding into Mullet Creek just north of the railway station.
Immediately after Alan canvassed opinions amongst the party “in a few words”. A couple of days later he phoned me and volunteered to send the result “in case I would like to write a follow-up to my previous items in the magazine”. Now, who could be so churlish as to decline such an offer? Besides, I wanted to see how others had reacted since my own response during my solo prowls had been mostly favourable. Well, I have the document, and it shows that those politicians who seek consensus are way off course. Consensus is an illusion. Eat your heart out, Bob Hawke.
Of the 17 comments proferred, I think 7 could be called “Pro” and these included, plus a few snide comments of my own: “Really interesting”, “Surrealistic”, “Enticingly captivating”, “Robert Hughes would probably vomit on them, but that would indicate their quality” (wish I could recall who this Robert Hughes is - just so I can keep out of his range), “Nice. They add to the scenery here. Better than in Hyde Park” (or probably Central Railway Station with its recent statuary), “Strangely unique”, “The concept is wonderful, bringing different cultures to the shores of Mullet Creek. But why are they inaccessible to many people?” (My answer to the last question as an erstwhile Public Transport worker - 'Because, my dear, most people can't be got out of cars').
At the other end of the spectrum are three very positive “Cons”: “Incongruous with the surroundings”, “Shapeless, ugly, unaesthetic”, “Don't want to think about it. They are in the wrong place”.
As might be expected, there were 7 who were cautious or non-committal, or half-hearted (Damned with faint praise?). Of course, these speakers may have been influenced by views already voiced by someone they preferred not to offend, and who was sitting or standing within earshot. They read: “Interesting, but not overly appealing”, “Interesting”, “Words fail me” (Bunkum).
I know this character and he has as little chance of being stuck fore word as Neville Wran after he got his teflon-coated larynx), “Nice when they are finished” (should this be considered a “Con”?), “One at least needs a shave” (Presumably as a prelude to an appendicectomy), “Very smooth” (An exquisite middle of the road statement).
So there you are. No consensus. If you haven't seen the Wondabyne Sandstones, better go on another of the trips into the region that I understand Alan Mewett is planning. That you, too, may be immortalised as you express your delight is Otragei or just say.“Interesting”.
WALKS NOTICE.
Sunday Walk - 30th August. Please contact leader, John Noble, phone 484 4497 by 29th August. It is necessary to limit numbers as transport will be-arranged to De Burgh's bridge from bus stop at Wicks Road intersection with Epping Road at North Ryde. Bus No.290 from Wynyard at 8.35 am (to Epping) or from Epping at 9.06 am (to Wynyard) to Wicks Road by approx. 9.15. Return by train from Thornleigh. Distance 10 km and EASY. Water unsafe so bring own. JOHN NOBLE.
Day Test Walk 31st May 1987
by Errol Sheedy.
Heathcote - Goondera Brook - Kangaroo Creek - Robertson Knoll - Uloola Falls - Waterfall. 21 km - Medium. Due to a printing error on the Walks Program this was not listed as a test walk, but thanks to subsequent editorial notifications and the spreading of the word at H.Q. a goodly group eventually gathered to the fray. Following our detrainment at Heathcote, and the introduction circle, we headed south along the fire trail to the old railway (?) dam on Goondera Brook where a brief stop was made and we were joined by three late starters, making a total of thirty-seven walkers, which included six prospective members.
Morning tea was had forty minutes later on Goondera Brook, and a demonstration of map orientating given. Then we proceeded to Kangaroo Creek, Karloo Pool (which was heavily encrusted with Cub Scouts) and downstream. Jim Calloway left us near the Bottle Forest Trail and headed off up the ridge through trackless scrub towards Heathcote as he had to go to work. Lunch was at the foot of Yaala Ridge. The several crossings of Kangaroo Creek had been easier than usual because the water level was rather low. Thirty minutes walking after lunch brought us to the head of navigation at the debouchment of the Tuckawa Rill Track. It was just before this point that a member, who is a very helpful type (and shall remain nameless), and who has been described by George Walton as “a very useful chap to have along on a walk”, once again demonstrated his helpfulness. You see, three apparently well-bred young ladies, having left their rowing boat and ventured up the creek in search of adventure in the wilds, suddenly found themselves facing the motley (well, diversely apparelled) crew of S.B.W.s. Here the aforementioned member helpfully inquired, “Hullo, are you girls lost?” The memory of the rest of the conversation has mercifully faded but the gist of it related to the possibility of introductions to lads in our party being arranged if that was their (the young ladies') desire. It was all good fun and there was some giggling and badinage for a brief moment or twain.
As we set off up the hill to Robertson's Knoll Brian Bolton farewelled us as he too had to get home early, and set off up Tuckawa Ridge for Engadine. At Robertson's Knoll we had a brief rest and viewed the vista of Audley, the Hacking River, Kurnell, Cronulla and the city skyline; then it was southwards along Gurrumboola Ridge to Uloola Falls for afternoon tea. From there the track skirted Uloola Swamp and in places was encroached upon by a vigorous infestation of needlebush. Perhaps the N.P.W.S. Rangers will bring out some more workers from the C.E.S. and clear the track as they did for the heavily overgrown Uloola-Karloo section.
We arrived at Waterfall about 5 pm which allowed good time for milkshakes, hot fish and chips etc. to be procured prior to the train arriving.
Social Notes for September
by Wendy Aliano
September 16th will be a night dedicated to walking in the Kosciusko National Park. The presentation will include slides of the Victorian high country south of the Park around the Cobberas. Walks on the Main Range will be shown. Maurie Bloom has promised slides of the Jagungal area. The Tantangara and Goodradigbee River areas, which are rarely walked, are also featured. If you thought the Park was a winter resort, come and be amazed.
September 23rd will be the Bush Rock Cafe. Moonshine, a blue grass band formed of some of our talented members will be playing. A cafe atmosphere is envisaged, with “waiters” serving refreshments at small tables. This type of evening takes a great deal of practice and effort by the performers, so please don't let a little bad weather put you off. It was disappointing to see the effect the weather had on the turn out for the Scrub Bashers in July.
September 30th will be a new version of the Wilderness Society presentation. The presentation is excellent and features many areas familiar to Sydney Bush Walkers. A highly polished performance is guaranteed.
The Bush is not a Rubbish Dump
by Michael Christie.
On 3rd July, I commenced a bushwalk from Kanangra across to Katoomba and was quite shocked to discover that the aboriginal cave paintings under Kanangra Walls have been defaced by somebody with charcoal. As far as I am aware, these paintings are quite authentic, though I have heard differing views. There is other ample evidence of aboriginal occupation around Kanangra, in the ways of axe sharpening grooves on the plateau and the presence of flint pieces and artefacts in the cave, so I tend to think of them as authentic. They have also been there to my knowledge for at least 30 years.
Further on in the walk, upon reaching Cloudmaker I was surprised to find that there was no longer a cairn there with its “No Turn Right” sign. Again this is a feature that has been there for at least 30 years. I have a record of crossing Cloudmaker in 1960, and at that stage the log book there had been there since 1948. I realise that some people regard cairns as anti-wilderness and there may be a case for its being removed. However, it has been there for a considerable length of time and I do not feel that any one party should take it upon themselves to alter such a pre-existing state without at least consultation with others. Apart from this, the “No Turn Right” sign had merely been thrown into the bush, the log book container had been smashed up and thrown around.
Upon reaching Dex Creek later that afternoon, I was again shocked at the state of the campsite. Apart from tins and foil everywhere, there was quite a lot of cardboard boxes, plastic bottles and other combustible material distributed all over the camp site. This used to be a very isolated and pretty spot to camp and it seemed a great shame to me for this to have happened.
The next day we passed down Strong Leg buttress and again I noted all the way, things such as cigarette packets, poppa juice containers, chewing gum wrappers and plastic bags. Upon reaching Kanangaroo clearing, normally a beautiful little campsite, I was again staggered at the rubbish around. The same sort of problem applied all the way back into Katoomba, although I can understand it more when one is travelling a fire trail that is open to the public.
I do not write to just whinge as I feel that there probably is something positive that bushwalking clubs can do. Firstly we as a club have a policy of taking any tins, foil, plastic etc. back out with us in our packs. We tend also not to make fireplaces which I consider a good thing, and the rules for caring for the bush are clearly set out for anyone who is a member. However, there are lots of people who use the bush who are not members of our club or other clubs and I feel that firstly we should give some thought to ways of making other walkers aware of some reasonable rules. There are several ways that spring to mind. One would be the erection of suitable signs perhaps through government departments setting out a list of requests for behaviour, perhaps placed at major entrance points to wilderness areas. Points like the end of Narrow Neck, Kanangra, Blackheath and various other spots.
Secondly, there may be some way of communicating with other groups who use the bush who are perhaps not as committed to preserving it. One such group that springs to mind immediately is scouting groups. I am not wishing to pick on scouts, however, boys will involve themselves in scouting for lots of reasons other than genuine involvement with wilderness and I have had the experience myself of following a scouting troop which was large and composed of 10-14 year old boys who were strung out along the track and in no way supervised with regard to disposal of such things as drink containers. The other thing that springs to mind also is that there are evidently plans to open up the Warragamba Dam Waterways to pleasure craft and etc. This makes me feel very apprehensive about those areas that will be easily accessible from the top water level.
I have written because I have walked the area for quite some years and I was absolutely devastated at the state of the track and the area. I will be most interested to hear if other people have had similar experiences and what they feel might be able to be done.
The July General Meeting
by Barry Wallace.
The clock stood at 20.21 and the Vice-President Bill Holland occupied the chair as the 30 or so members present came to order for the July General Meeting. There were numerous apologies; was something else on elsewhere? (School holidays. ED.) The Minutes were read and accepted as a true and correct record with one minor niggle over the recording of post-meeting events, and new member John Porter (Gooday John) was welcomed into membership.
Correspondence brought letters from Peter Hatherly resigning membership, from Adelaide Bushwalkers ref the distribution of magazine copies; this passed to Stan Madden for attention; from the Scouts Association and from the N.S.W. Premier acknowledging receipt of our letter regarding logging at Durras Lake. (It's amazing how “Yes, Minister” has increased our ability to understand letters from polititions and bureaucrats.)
The Treasurer's Report was next, indicating a starting balance of $4154.45, receipts of $3452.40, expenditure of $1363.96 and a closing balance of $6242.89. The accounts for payment were passed, and the 60th Anniversary Committee's latest budget accepted.
The Federation Report brought advice that F.B.W. are looking for sponsors to help with the purchase of new S, & R. radios. They have also restored Sydney Rock Climbers to Associate Membership at their request, and are writing to congratulate a Timber Workers Union leader on the attitude taken in recent media commentary on the use of forested areas. At the conclusion of the F.B.W. Report a motion was passed recommending to F.B.W. that they increase the S. & R. component of the affiliation fee to a value such as would provide increased funding for S. & R. activities.
The recently restored Alan Doherty presented the Walks Report which went something like this:
Alan Doherty's walk to the Kowmung and return, scheduled for the weekend of 12,13,14 June did not go, there was no report of Rudy Dezelin's Marra Marra Creek day walk. Jim Percy reported 12 starters and perfect weather on his Kanangra area trip over the 12,13,14 June. Derek Wilson's Yalwal walk went, but there was no report, which was the same situation on Joe Marton's Sunday/Monday test walk from Laura to Blackheath. Wilf Hilder's historic day walk in the Wentworth Falls/Leura area had 5 or 6 starters and was described as “good”.
Over the following weekend 19,20,21 June, Les Powell led a party of 10 through occasional rain on his Gunmarl Saddle walk, and Ben Esgate and Wendy Aliano educated some 3 or 4 pupils on the bushcraft weekend in similar, but rather cooler weather at Mount Wilson. Peter Christian had a party of 14 people enjoying good views on his Mount Hay/Pinnacles day walk, and Alan Mewett gave a tale of gradual attrition of the numbers for the party which at the beginning at least numbered 31 on his Wondabyne day walk.
The Federation S. & R. practice weekend attracted 3 S.B.W. starters, and Peter Miller was even inspired to write an article about it for last month's magazine.
Ian Wolfe's cross-country skiing trip over the weekend of 26,27,28 June saw the party of 5 retreating before the blizzard on Saturday but enjoying good conditions for a trip up Paralyser Creek and down Farm Creek on the Sunday. Gordon Lee's cross-country Instructional was deferred to the weekend of 11,12 July in hopes of better snow conditions. Carol Bruce reported 14 on her Capertee area walk enjoying the cold, windy conditions and even describing it all as “fun”. George Walton's Cox River weekend trip had 7 starters in fine but cool and windy conditions. Errol Sheedy's Royal Nat.Park day walk had 20 starters.
Over the following weekend 3,4,5 July Alan Doherty's two-day Cox River test walk was cancelled and when Gordon Lee was asked to describe his “soft” version the Three Peaks Trip we were regaled with an extensive history of previous attempts, a description of the walk itself with numerous statistics (there were 6 on the walk, it was a great, satisfying walk) and what I took to be a commercial for any future walks in that region. The 13 who went on Peter Christian's Hat Hill to Victoria Falls day walk were reminded yet again of the wisdom of stout shoes and a good torch. I'm fairly sure Bill Holland and Belinda McKenzie also gave details of their day walks but I was still coping with the information overload from Gordon's report and somehow did not record their details.
The 60th Anniversary Committee reported on progress with the arrangements for the various celebratory activities and advised that we should give thought to organising ourselves into tables of 10 for the anniversary dinner. Whatever happened to spontaneity?
General Business saw passage of a motion that we hold a working bee at Coolana to provide access for fire control by clearing along the access track and down to the river.
Insurance, the white man's burden, reared its head again. Our previous insurer for PERSONAL ACCIDENT has declined to provide cover for the coming year. Our brokers have found a company, Cigna Insurance, willing to provide cover and details are being sorted-out. The matter was deferred for decision at the next General Meeting.
So then it was just a matter of announcements, and it was all over for another month at 21.57.
60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
Not so far away now. For the dinner you can buy your tickets right up to the 11th hour, but this makes the task of organising even more onerous. Book now and avoid the rush. Next month the complete details of the celebrations will be published.
To help you remember 60 YEARS S.B.W. the Club has bottles of anniversary port at $7 per bottle and unisex T-shirts in yellow with a fetching vee neck and flannel flower design for $8 each. Contact Ian Debert on 982 2615 for all 60 YEARS S.B.W. details.
THE BUSHWALKERS BALL
Friday, 18th September - Lane Cove Town Hall, Longueville Road, Lane Cove. $8 single at door. Time: 8 pm. Theme: Bushwalking 1927 to 1987. S.B.W. party will be arranged by Barbara Bruce, 546-6570 (H) Or in Clubroom, and Denise Shaw, 922-6093 (H). No need to bring a partner. Dress - VERY CASUAL. B.Y.O. Food and drink. This function is arranged by the N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs and, profits go to Search & Rescue.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW OVERDUE.
The 1987 subscriptions were due as from the March Annual General Meeting - many are still outstanding. Are you one of the guilty parties?
Please check if you have paid - if not, complete the form in the March, April or May magazine, attach your cheque and mail it to the Hon. Treasurer, S.B.W., Box 4476 G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. If you have any doubts don't hesitate to contact me on 818 1138.
The Committee would hate to have to get tough with unfinancial members, so do your bit to keep us in the black. See you out on the track. HON. TREASURER.