199604
Differences
This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.
Both sides previous revisionPrevious revisionNext revision | Previous revision | ||
199604 [2020/04/18 15:51] – ljclarke6 | 199604 [2020/06/25 10:43] (current) – [THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER] ljclarke6 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
|**Conservation Secretary**| Alex Colley| | |**Conservation Secretary**| Alex Colley| | ||
|**Magazine Editor**| George Mawer| | |**Magazine Editor**| George Mawer| | ||
- | |**Committee Members**| Morie Ward & Janet Trevor-Roberts| | + | |**Committee Members**| Morie Ward & Jennifer |
|**Delegates to Confederation**| Ken Smith & Wilf Hilder, Jim Callaway| | |**Delegates to Confederation**| Ken Smith & Wilf Hilder, Jim Callaway| | ||
Line 272: | Line 272: | ||
(Reprinted from Feb.1969 Bushwalker) | (Reprinted from Feb.1969 Bushwalker) | ||
Who has been down the Barrington river before? What a new and exciting trip for a long weekend! On our way home after the trip, walking to the car along the road, a farmer picked us up and told us of 2 young chaps who had been down the river 20 years previously. He knew of no one since. | Who has been down the Barrington river before? What a new and exciting trip for a long weekend! On our way home after the trip, walking to the car along the road, a farmer picked us up and told us of 2 young chaps who had been down the river 20 years previously. He knew of no one since. | ||
+ | |||
The river falls 3,600 feet in 7 miles. There must be some Waterfalls around but at the last minute abseiling ropes were not taken. | The river falls 3,600 feet in 7 miles. There must be some Waterfalls around but at the last minute abseiling ropes were not taken. | ||
- | There were only 5 on our trip - Dot Butler, Gerry Sinzig, Norman Butler, Ross Wybom and myself. We picked a beaut camp spot very early on Saturday morning. It was near a bubbling creek and under some Scribbly Gums on private property, as we later found out. Early next morning we were rudely awakened by an hate farmer, (except for myself, who only saw him disappearing into the gathering light), who remonstrated with us for parking our car in front of a gate which was next to a grid. We apologised as we did not realise that it was a gate at 2am. | + | |
+ | There were only 5 on our trip - Dot Butler, Gerry Sinzig, Norman Butler, Ross Wyborn | ||
Breakfast was munched 10 miles further along the road on the Kerripit river where our trip was due to start. It looked like very wealthy grazing country there, even in the drought, but gum trees were scarce. | Breakfast was munched 10 miles further along the road on the Kerripit river where our trip was due to start. It looked like very wealthy grazing country there, even in the drought, but gum trees were scarce. | ||
+ | |||
The actual trip started off by a most refreshing swim: in an eel-infested pool in the Kerripit river - a good beginning. For a mile we walked through grazing paddocks in the hot midday sun until they merged into dense rainforest vegetation which one would find along all creeks and rivers in this area. We plodded after Dot who was following a cow pad which sidled high above the river through thick vegetation. | The actual trip started off by a most refreshing swim: in an eel-infested pool in the Kerripit river - a good beginning. For a mile we walked through grazing paddocks in the hot midday sun until they merged into dense rainforest vegetation which one would find along all creeks and rivers in this area. We plodded after Dot who was following a cow pad which sidled high above the river through thick vegetation. | ||
- | Ross this is silly! we should be on the creek not 500 ft above it!" | + | |
+ | Ross "this is silly! we should be on the creek not 500 ft above it!" | ||
"Maybe the cows know where they are going", | "Maybe the cows know where they are going", | ||
- | We came down to the creek (cutting off a bend) and immediately came upon a 4ft. deep pool. We dropped our packs and jumped in, the water was surprisingly warm. | + | |
+ | We came down to the creek (cutting off a bend) and immediately came upon a 4ft deep pool. We dropped our packs and jumped in, the water was surprisingly warm. | ||
Here the Kenipit river is like the lower Kanangra river but overhung with vines, mosses and orchids hanging from trees. As we rock-hopped onwards the river started to steepen slightly with cascades on every bend. The swimming was tremendous. Ross had another try at his dam building at one of the cascades but he was quite unsuccessful in creating a small slippery dip with water. | Here the Kenipit river is like the lower Kanangra river but overhung with vines, mosses and orchids hanging from trees. As we rock-hopped onwards the river started to steepen slightly with cascades on every bend. The swimming was tremendous. Ross had another try at his dam building at one of the cascades but he was quite unsuccessful in creating a small slippery dip with water. | ||
+ | |||
Single clouds started drifting overhead, making us wonder what we were going to do without a tent. "Be prepared" | Single clouds started drifting overhead, making us wonder what we were going to do without a tent. "Be prepared" | ||
rocks (or bivvy rocks) can also be camped under. | rocks (or bivvy rocks) can also be camped under. | ||
- | For lunch we stopped above a 15ft drop in the river below which was a swimming pool. Norm our tree climber, rushed up to the scrubby tree tops, traversing from one tree top to another using thick vines as ropes. Ross also felt energetic. He followed Norm on to the first tree. CRASH! It was too much. The second tree also gave way. | + | |
- | Clouds changed from milky white to grey. Mist appeared and slowlly | + | For lunch we stopped above a 15ft drop in the river below which was a swimming pool. Norm. our tree climber, rushed up to the scrubby tree tops, traversing from one tree top to another using thick vines as ropes. Ross also felt energetic. He followed Norm on to the first tree. CRASH! It was too much. The second tree also gave way. |
+ | |||
+ | Clouds changed from milky white to grey. Mist appeared and slowly | ||
We couldn' | We couldn' | ||
- | Rocks slippery and wet slowed our progress considerably. We clambered' | + | |
+ | Rocks slippery and wet slowed our progress considerably. We clambered up and around 3 or 4 waterfalls about 30 ft high and camped where the creek levelled out. | ||
At 3600ft it was rather cold for a summer afternoon. A huge fire was lit, a feed cooked, and off to our fleabags. | At 3600ft it was rather cold for a summer afternoon. A huge fire was lit, a feed cooked, and off to our fleabags. | ||
+ | |||
Ross built a shelter under some trees using long dead branches criss-crossing each other and covering the structure with a plastic ground sheet. It was a good substitute for a stuffy old tent. | Ross built a shelter under some trees using long dead branches criss-crossing each other and covering the structure with a plastic ground sheet. It was a good substitute for a stuffy old tent. | ||
+ | |||
The next day was clear and we walked up the river until it was feasible to climb a ridge to reach the fire trail to Carey' | The next day was clear and we walked up the river until it was feasible to climb a ridge to reach the fire trail to Carey' | ||
+ | |||
The change in vegetation was interesting, | The change in vegetation was interesting, | ||
+ | |||
After 5 miles of road bashing and lots of sweat we stopped for a snack in the middle of the fire-trail at a junction. Five minutes later a Land Rover, which had driven up from Barrington guest house carrying campers, nearly ran us over. | After 5 miles of road bashing and lots of sweat we stopped for a snack in the middle of the fire-trail at a junction. Five minutes later a Land Rover, which had driven up from Barrington guest house carrying campers, nearly ran us over. | ||
+ | |||
Some minutes later we met two other jeeps full of housewifely tourists - a real highway. We trotted off to Carey' | Some minutes later we met two other jeeps full of housewifely tourists - a real highway. We trotted off to Carey' | ||
- | Encircling a large swamp after walking along another fire trail a mile, we started scrub bashing down a tiny creek.Prickly undergrowth and lawyer vines were abundant until we reached the Barrington River which was quite large, even high in its headwaters. On our way we saved a trout (8" long) from certain dehydration in a tiny pool. Half an hour later, after a hot lunch, we reached a swimming pool - the ideal lunch spot! What mismanagement! | + | |
- | Strangers in the camp - two trout fishermen were sighted. They had caught 3 but they were only 8" long. We could not make out how they had reached the river apparently only walking a short distance? Before we reached a third fisherman, Gerry, Norm and I bombed another two pools from 40ft and20ft | + | Encircling a large swamp after walking along another fire trail a mile, we started scrub bashing down a tiny creek. Prickly undergrowth and lawyer vines were abundant until we reached the Barrington River which was quite large, even high in its headwaters. On our way we saved a trout (8" long) from certain dehydration in a tiny pool. Half an hour later, after a hot lunch, we reached a swimming pool - the ideal lunch spot! What mismanagement! |
- | We camped a couple of miles downstream where the river seemed to disappear into a gorge between | + | |
+ | Strangers in the camp - two trout fishermen were sighted. They had caught 3 but they were only 8" long. We could not make out how they had reached the river apparently only walking a short distance? Before we reached a third fisherman, Gerry, Norm and I bombed another two pools from 40ft and 20ft up. I hoped we scared the trout as they looked a bit undersized to me. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We camped a couple of miles downstream where the river seemed to disappear into a gorge between | ||
After our monstrous meals we took leave of the hot fire and cold rain for our warm sleeping bags. The roar from an 80ft. waterfall 50 yards away drowsed us off into deep sleep. Dot told us next morning that Gerry had suddenly sat up in his fleabag during the night and looking at apparent lights across the river shouted, " | After our monstrous meals we took leave of the hot fire and cold rain for our warm sleeping bags. The roar from an 80ft. waterfall 50 yards away drowsed us off into deep sleep. Dot told us next morning that Gerry had suddenly sat up in his fleabag during the night and looking at apparent lights across the river shouted, " | ||
+ | |||
"Look at that" Gerry exclaimed, "what is it?" | "Look at that" Gerry exclaimed, "what is it?" | ||
+ | |||
Dot explained to us that the whole river valley was mistily lit up by the moon trying to pierce through a bank of clouds. It looked quite eerie. | Dot explained to us that the whole river valley was mistily lit up by the moon trying to pierce through a bank of clouds. It looked quite eerie. | ||
- | The next morning the two corners of my sleeping bag were soaked but were none the worse for it. After brekky we clambered around the side of a tree- covered cliff face to get down and around the waterfall. In actual fact it was a long slippery dip, 60ft long at 600 and with a boulder at the end to stop you just in case you went too fast. | + | |
+ | The next morning the two corners of my sleeping bag were soaked but were none the worse for it. After brekky we clambered around the side of a tree-covered cliff face to get down and around the waterfall. In actual fact it was a long slippery dip, 60ft long at 60 deg and with a boulder at the end to stop you just in case you went too fast. | ||
For the next 2 miles the going was slow. Huge house-size boulders and small waterfalls which had to be scrambled around. Very similar to Bungonia block-up except that it was very slippery in the drizzling rain. Logs were not to be trusted. "Will I slip or won't I?" "Is that green slippery growth on the rock or is it a green rock?" Three of the party took off their sandshoes and claimed a better grip on the rocks. | For the next 2 miles the going was slow. Huge house-size boulders and small waterfalls which had to be scrambled around. Very similar to Bungonia block-up except that it was very slippery in the drizzling rain. Logs were not to be trusted. "Will I slip or won't I?" "Is that green slippery growth on the rock or is it a green rock?" Three of the party took off their sandshoes and claimed a better grip on the rocks. | ||
+ | |||
"At least you know when you're slipping." | "At least you know when you're slipping." | ||
- | Dot's deciding factor | + | |
+ | Dot's deciding factor | ||
Along the river vines draped their greenery over the trees, Orchids grew in abundance, although not in flower. | Along the river vines draped their greenery over the trees, Orchids grew in abundance, although not in flower. | ||
As we descended the Barrington mist rose above us, rocks dried up and the valley widened considerably. | As we descended the Barrington mist rose above us, rocks dried up and the valley widened considerably. | ||
- | a Water-boatman beetles entertained us during our lunch next to a long deep pool: We went on, the ridges covered with tree ferns and tall eucalypts slowly opened out and then suddenly we burst into the open paddocks. | + | Water-boatman beetles entertained us during our lunch next to a long deep pool: We went on, the ridges covered with tree ferns and tall eucalypts slowly opened out and then suddenly we burst into the open paddocks. |
- | We. could now look back again being reminded of New Zealand Heavily vegetated ridges hiding their mysterious tops in the forever overhanging mist and rain. | + | We could now look back again being reminded of New Zealand. Heavily vegetated ridges hiding their mysterious tops in the forever overhanging mist and rain. |
**Up the Bleeding Barrington** | **Up the Bleeding Barrington** | ||
Line 312: | Line 342: | ||
(Reprinted from June 1969 Bushwalker) | (Reprinted from June 1969 Bushwalker) | ||
- | In this year's February issue of the SBW a trip to Barrington Tops is described. Had I not read that article I would not have got myself into this mess. Froth the description it sounds like a Sunday picnic. I was deceived and I just want to put the record straight. I live in Taree, about 80 miles from the Tops so over Easter I decided to reconnoitre the area to lead a future trip. What I thought would be two quiet days turned into the four most grinding, perishing days on record. By the end of the second day I had run out of food, my strength on the third. On the fourth I thought my sanity would go. | + | In this year's February issue of the SBW a trip to Barrington Tops is described. Had I not read that article I would not have got myself into this mess. From the description it sounds like a Sunday picnic. I was deceived and I just want to put the record straight. I live in Taree, about 80 miles from the Tops so over Easter I decided to reconnoitre the area to lead a future trip. What I thought would be two quiet days turned into the four most grinding, perishing days on record. By the end of the second day I had run out of food, my strength on the third. On the fourth I thought my sanity would go. |
- | The Nine Mile spur, between the Kholwha and the Barrington rivers (the B.) slowly climbs to the tops. The use of this track goes back a long way because I found two stone implements indicating that the trail was known to the Aboriginees. It takes a full day to climb that spur.The second day I took very casually. I went looking for a wartime airstrip by Land Rover with members of the Newcastle Aero club. They ran into, me on the Tops. About Midday I headed down the B. having spent another hour with a party of trout fishermen, round the Big Hole. I thought half a day would be ample time to get down. I never thought that I'd be following that river for a further two days! | + | The Nine Mile spur, between the Kholwha and the Barrington rivers (the B.) slowly climbs to the tops. The use of this track goes back a long way because I found two stone implements indicating that the trail was known to the Aborigines. It takes a full day to climb that spur.The second day I took very casually. I went looking for a wartime airstrip by Land Rover with members of the Newcastle Aero club. They ran into me on the Tops. About Midday I headed down the B. having spent another hour with a party of trout fishermen, round the Big Hole. I thought half a day would be ample time to get down. I never thought that I'd be following that river for a further two days! |
The Big Hole is a splendid camping spot on the B. which can be reached by road. With the trout season nearly over there were few people about however. | The Big Hole is a splendid camping spot on the B. which can be reached by road. With the trout season nearly over there were few people about however. | ||
- | On the afternoon of the third day I had enough of rock-hopping. Hoping for a quicker way out I climbed 1500 steep feet to the top of a ridge. It went the wrong way. I slept there and wisely headed back down at sun-up. I was short of water anyway. On this trip I committed three bushwalking blunders. I went alone, without a map, and without sufficient food to cover emergencies. With a contour map I would not have pointlessly' | + | On the afternoon of the third day I had enough of rock-hopping. Hoping for a quicker way out I climbed 1500 steep feet to the top of a ridge. It went the wrong way. I slept there and wisely headed back down at sun-up. I was short of water anyway. On this trip I committed three bushwalking blunders. I went alone, without a map, and without sufficient food to cover emergencies. With a contour map I would not have pointlessly climbed that spur. At this stage I hadn't eaten for 20 hours so I started taking an interest in what the bush had to offer. Raspberries and wild cherries were surprisingly common. I saw some little white berries in some "roo poo". I found a tree heavily laden with the same little white berries so I ate heartily reasoning that if 'roos can eat them so could I. A short time later I found a dead Kangaroo - most interesting. But I looked up and this voice spoke to me and saith I was not to perish in that place for he hath gotten other things planned for me besides crazy bushwalking. That's my story anyway. For a dollar or two I' |
- | ====== HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED.. ====== | + | ====== HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED..... ====== |
- | Why isn't phonetic spelt the way it sounds? Why are there interstate highways in Tasmania? | + | Why isn't phonetic spelt the way it sounds? |
+ | |||
+ | Why are there interstate highways in Tasmania? | ||
Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes? | Why are there flotation devices under plane seats instead of parachutes? | ||
+ | |||
Why are cigarettes sold in petrol stations when smoking is prohibited there? | Why are cigarettes sold in petrol stations when smoking is prohibited there? | ||
+ | |||
Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations? | Have you ever imagined a world with no hypothetical situations? | ||
+ | |||
If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors? | If 7-11 is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, why are there locks on the doors? | ||
+ | |||
If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan? | If nothing ever sticks to TEFLON, how do they make TEFLON stick to the pan? | ||
+ | |||
If you tied buttered toast to the back of a cat and dropped it from a height, what would happen? | If you tied buttered toast to the back of a cat and dropped it from a height, what would happen? | ||
Line 335: | Line 373: | ||
The night was warm and humid. The assembled multitude of some 40 to 60 souls simmered gently in the upstairs meeting room. At around 2012 the president called the meeting to order and called for apologies. These there were for Bill Burke, Jim Callaway Wilf Hilder, Bill Capon and George and Helen Gray. | The night was warm and humid. The assembled multitude of some 40 to 60 souls simmered gently in the upstairs meeting room. At around 2012 the president called the meeting to order and called for apologies. These there were for Bill Burke, Jim Callaway Wilf Hilder, Bill Capon and George and Helen Gray. | ||
- | New members called for welcome were Nun Chorvat, Paul Veltman and Chris Miller. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and received.. The only matter arising was a motion from the floor that the committee begin planning for celebration of the club's 70th anniversary. This was passed without dissent. | + | New members called for welcome were Nun Chorvat, Paul Veltman and Chris Miller. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and received. The only matter arising was a motion from the floor that the committee begin planning for celebration of the club's 70th anniversary. This was passed without dissent. |
- | Correspondence brought a letter from Australia Post advising the our Post Office box arrangements are, being changed due to refurbishing works at the GPO building. We also received a letter from the club's honorary auditor assuring us that our annual accounts were in order. Kirribilli Neighbourhood | + | Correspondence brought a letter from Australia Post advising the our Post Office box arrangements are being changed due to refurbishing works at the GPO building. We also received a letter from the club's honorary auditor assuring us that our annual accounts were in order. Kirribilli Neighbourhood |
General business saw a curious motion to bring on general business. Come to think of it this meeting was characterised by curiouser and curiouser motions. There was a motion to rescind the club's decision to oppose the listing of the Mount Hay area as wilderness. No doubt much will have been said and published about this issue by the time you read this. An amendment was carried to lay the matter on the table, present information for all points of view through the magazine, and determine the motion at the June General Meeting. There was also a motion to instruct the editor to publish something or other, but this lapsed before anyone managed to explain the concept of an editor to the various people who debated the matter. The usual motions were passed to permit the election of officer bearers to proceed concurrently with the business of the meeting and setting down the method of counting. | General business saw a curious motion to bring on general business. Come to think of it this meeting was characterised by curiouser and curiouser motions. There was a motion to rescind the club's decision to oppose the listing of the Mount Hay area as wilderness. No doubt much will have been said and published about this issue by the time you read this. An amendment was carried to lay the matter on the table, present information for all points of view through the magazine, and determine the motion at the June General Meeting. There was also a motion to instruct the editor to publish something or other, but this lapsed before anyone managed to explain the concept of an editor to the various people who debated the matter. The usual motions were passed to permit the election of officer bearers to proceed concurrently with the business of the meeting and setting down the method of counting. | ||
The annual reports were taken as read and received with some questioning of the membership secretary' | The annual reports were taken as read and received with some questioning of the membership secretary' | ||
- | The walks reports began at the weekend of 17, 18 February with Bill Holland hosting 18 prospectives on a training weekend at Coolana. He also had 5 members along to assist with instruction and guidance. Anne Maguire had 16 on her Kanuka Brook trip on the Saturday. Jim Calloway reported 11 enjoying a spot of swimming along the way On his Waterfall to Heathcote walk on the Sunday. Sandy Johnson had 5 on his Palm Beach to Mackerel Beach circular walk, which he described as delightful. John Hogan' | ||
- | Maurice Smith reported a party of 7 on his easy summer walk along the Clyde and Holland Rivers over the weekend of 24, 24 February. Whether they brought gourmet food or were just considered so by the leeches they met we do not IMOV. David Rostron had some 5 starters on his part exploratory swimming and rock scrambling trip on the Shoalhaven River from a Friday night start. Kenn Clacher' | + | The walks reports began at the weekend of 17, 18 February with Bill Holland hosting 18 prospectives on a training weekend at Coolana. He also had 5 members along to assist with instruction and guidance. Anne Maguire had 16 on her Kanuka Brook trip on the Saturday. Jim Calloway reported 11 enjoying a spot of swimming along the way on his Waterfall to Heathcote walk on the Sunday. Sandy Johnson had 5 on his Palm Beach to Mackerel Beach circular walk, which he described as delightful. John Hogan' |
+ | |||
+ | Maurice Smith reported a party of 7 on his easy summer walk along the Clyde and Holland Rivers over the weekend of 24, 24 February. Whether they brought gourmet food or were just considered so by the leeches they met we do not know. David Rostron had some 5 starters on his part exploratory swimming and rock scrambling trip on the Shoalhaven River from a Friday night start. Kenn Clacher' | ||
The weekend of 1, 2, 3 March saw Geoff McIntosh cancel his election weekend trip out from Kanangra Walls to the Kowmung. Alan Donnelley deferred his Cedar Creek trip from the previous weekend and ended up with a party of 4 or 5 enjoying the scrub and a longer than expected walk. Eddie Giacomel' | The weekend of 1, 2, 3 March saw Geoff McIntosh cancel his election weekend trip out from Kanangra Walls to the Kowmung. Alan Donnelley deferred his Cedar Creek trip from the previous weekend and ended up with a party of 4 or 5 enjoying the scrub and a longer than expected walk. Eddie Giacomel' | ||
Line 350: | Line 389: | ||
March 8, 9, 10 saw a curious repetition of reporting with Maurice Smith' | March 8, 9, 10 saw a curious repetition of reporting with Maurice Smith' | ||
- | Morag Ryder' | + | Morag Ryder' |
The announcements included a note that the third weekend of each month will be a weeding bee at Coolana. | The announcements included a note that the third weekend of each month will be a weeding bee at Coolana. | ||
- | The meeting closed at 2222. 0 | + | The meeting closed at 2222. |
- | FOR SALE | + | |
- | Macpac " | + | |
- | Contact G. Floyd, Telephone 9929 4170 0 | + | |
- | FOR SALE | + | |
- | SCARPA "Lady Trek" Walking Boots. Italian Leather, Size 37. Tread as new. $150.00 | + | |
- | TRANGIA Stove Metho / Gas No 27-1. 2 Saucepans, frypan etc. As new. $50.00 SUIJNTO Compass 1020/360R. Swing dial type, fully encased, side eyepiece with sighting line. ACcuracy to 1. $70,00 | + | |
- | Enquiries: Maurice Smith. Tel 587 6325. | + | |
====== Editorial - About the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs ====== | ====== Editorial - About the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs ====== | ||
- | Most members will be aware of the recent application by Confederation for most of the Grose River Catchment to be declared a wilderness area. As there may be some recent Club members who do not know the history of Confederation perhaps now is an oportune | + | Most members will be aware of the recent application by Confederation for most of the Grose River Catchment to be declared a wilderness area. As there may be some recent Club members who do not know the history of Confederation perhaps now is an opportune |
- | The following material, reprinted from the March '96 edition of "The Bush Walker" | + | The following material, reprinted from the March '96 edition of "The Bush Walker" |
- | Note: A copy of the 1932 invitation document referred to was supplied but is not reprinted here due to space considerations. | + | |
- | Also, as the Confederation Newsletter is not posted to members any more, (copies are usually available to members who visit the Kiribilly | + | **Note**: A copy of the 1932 invitation document referred to was supplied but is not reprinted here due to space considerations. |
+ | |||
+ | Also, as the Confederation Newsletter is not posted to members any more, (copies are usually available to members who visit the Kiribilli | ||
Line 377: | Line 410: | ||
Shown here is a historic 1932 invitation to a bushwalking club, from Harold Chardon of the Sydney Bush Walkers, to attend the inaugural meeting of the Federation of Bushwalking Clubs. The document has been kindly provided to us by Greg Powell, and it will be added to all the other archival material on Confederation held in the Mitchell Library. | Shown here is a historic 1932 invitation to a bushwalking club, from Harold Chardon of the Sydney Bush Walkers, to attend the inaugural meeting of the Federation of Bushwalking Clubs. The document has been kindly provided to us by Greg Powell, and it will be added to all the other archival material on Confederation held in the Mitchell Library. | ||
- | Of course, the inaugural meeting went ahead. On 8 September 1932, the newly appointed secretary wrote to the Sunday Sun news paper as follows: | + | **Of course, the inaugural meeting went ahead. On 8 September 1932, the newly appointed secretary wrote to the Sunday Sun news paper as follows:** |
- | The New South Wales Federation of Bush Walking Clubs has been founded by the bush walking Clubs of Sydney and the State generally, with a view to the protection and promotion of mutual aims and interests, to protect flora and fauna, to provide a clearing house for information as to the various routes and centres of interest and scenic beauty, to protect and develop recognised walking areas, and, most important of all, to keep our bush scenery in their naturally lovely condition. Some such action as this was forecast some time ago by the movement that, aided by some valued personal generosity, eventually resulted in the purchase of the Blue Gum Forest, this region now being saved to perpetuity as a walkers,- and campers paradise. | + | |
- | With the Metropolis increasing as each year goes by, and the surrounding areas becoming more thickly populated, it is not hard to visualise the time when bush walking, as we knell' it today, will be attended by far more difficulty and considerably less enjoyment. | + | |
- | has under consideration, | + | //The New South Wales Federation of Bush Walking Clubs has been founded by the bush walking Clubs of Sydney and the State generally, with a view to the protection and promotion of mutual aims and interests, to protect flora and fauna, to provide a clearing house for information as to the various routes and centres of interest and scenic beauty, to protect and develop recognised walking areas, and, most important of all, to keep our bush scenery in their naturally lovely condition. Some such action as this was forecast some time ago by the movement that, aided by some valued personal generosity, eventually resulted in the purchase of the Blue Gum Forest, this region now being saved to perpetuity as a walkers,and campers paradise.// |
- | Cleary was soon afterwards sacked as Railways Commissioner, | + | |
- | Given that the reservation of Blue Gum Forest was not only the catalyst for creation of Confederation, | + | //With the Metropolis increasing as each year goes by, and the surrounding areas becoming more thickly populated, it is not hard to visualise the time when bush walking, as we know it today, will be attended by far more difficulty and considerably less enjoyment.// |
- | Andy McQueen | + | |
+ | //With this possibility in view the Federation | ||
- | The Federation is also alive to the fact that the beauty spots of National Park are being littered with all sorts of unsightly and insanitary rubbish left lying about, by careless people. A certain amount of vandalism is also going on | + | //The Federation is also alive to the fact that the beauty spots of National Park are being littered with all sorts of unsightly and insanitary rubbish left lying about, by careless people. A certain amount of vandalism is also going on.// |
- | Nomination of the Grose River Catchment | + | //Clubs already affiliated are:- |
- | Clubs already affiliated are:- | + | The Mountain Trails Club of N.S.W |
- | The Mountain Trails Club of N.S. W | + | |
The Sydney Bush Walkers | The Sydney Bush Walkers | ||
The Hikers Club of Sydney | The Hikers Club of Sydney | ||
Line 397: | Line 428: | ||
The Workers Educational Association | The Workers Educational Association | ||
The Ramblers Club | The Ramblers Club | ||
- | | + | Y.W.C.A. Ramblers Club |
- | The Bush Tracks Club (Wagga) | + | The Bush Tracks Club (Wagga)// |
- | The honorary Secretary at Box 1251HH, G.P.O., would be very pleased to hear from any clubs wishing to affiliate and would much appreciate this fact being made known. | + | |
- | With best wished [etc] | + | //The honorary Secretary at Box 1251HH, G.P.O., would be very pleased to hear from any clubs wishing to affiliate and would much appreciate this fact being made known. |
+ | With best wished [etc]// | ||
Of the above foundation clubs, the Sydney Bush Walkers, the Workers Educational Association (in the form of the W.E.A. Ramblers and Naturalists) and the Ramblers are still with us. | Of the above foundation clubs, the Sydney Bush Walkers, the Workers Educational Association (in the form of the W.E.A. Ramblers and Naturalists) and the Ramblers are still with us. | ||
The ' | The ' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Cleary was soon afterwards sacked as Railways Commissioner, | ||
+ | |||
+ | Given that the reservation of Blue Gum Forest was not only the catalyst for creation of Confederation, | ||
+ | **Andy McQueen** | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== Nomination of the Grose River Catchment ====== | ||
+ | |||
Confederation has recently made a nomination under the Wilderness Act of approximately 55,000 hectares of the Blue Mountains National Park as The Grose Wilderness. As an area of great historical significance to bush walkers and conservationists it is fitting that Confederation of NSW Bushwalkers makes the nomination of this magnificent system of gorges and plateaus for optimum protection as a wilderness area. | Confederation has recently made a nomination under the Wilderness Act of approximately 55,000 hectares of the Blue Mountains National Park as The Grose Wilderness. As an area of great historical significance to bush walkers and conservationists it is fitting that Confederation of NSW Bushwalkers makes the nomination of this magnificent system of gorges and plateaus for optimum protection as a wilderness area. | ||
- | In introducing bushwalkers to this nomination we need to emphasise that the heavily visited and well tracked area centred on the Blue Gum Forest that people immediately associate with the Grose is only a small part of the total area of the gorge. Downstream of the Govetts Creek junction is another forty kilometres of rugged gorge along the Grose and over one hundred kilometres of wild tributary streams often with extensive gorges environment movement is al State and Federal | + | In introducing bushwalkers to this nomination we need to emphasise that the heavily visited and well tracked area centred on the Blue Gum Forest that people immediately associate with the Grose is only a small part of the total area of the gorge. Downstream of the Govetts Creek junction is another forty kilometres of rugged gorge along the Grose and over one hundred kilometres of wild tributary streams often with extensive gorges |
- | by the pressure of greater | + | |
- | f their own. The ady actively seeking tt support for the Blue Mountains s, Kanangra and d Heritage Area. By emess within the World in that management of d not be compromised itation. This is evident situation | + | |
- | This article sets out to put our | + | This article sets out to put our nomination in perspective |
- | nomination in perspective | + | |
**WHAT AREA ARE WE NOMINATING? | **WHAT AREA ARE WE NOMINATING? | ||
- | The nomination is for most of the national park lands in the Grose catchment. The nomination excludes substantial human built features incompatible with wilderness, namely: the public roads - Hat Hill Rd, Victoria Falls Lookout Rd and the Bell to Mt Tomah stretch of the Bell Rd; sections of the main grid powerlines between Lawson and Katoomba; the walking tracks into the valley from Perry' | + | |
+ | The nomination is for most of the national park lands in the Grose catchment. The nomination excludes substantial human built features incompatible with wilderness, namely: the public roads - Hat Hill Rd, Victoria Falls Lookout Rd and the Bell to Mt Tomah stretch of the Bell Rd; sections of the main grid powerlines between Lawson and Katoomba; the walking tracks into the valley from Perry' | ||
**HOW IS WILDERNESS DEFINED AND MANAGED?** | **HOW IS WILDERNESS DEFINED AND MANAGED?** | ||
+ | |||
New South Wales has had a Wilderness Act since 1987, Which lists the following criteria for wilderness identification: | New South Wales has had a Wilderness Act since 1987, Which lists the following criteria for wilderness identification: | ||
- | a) that the area together with its plant and animal communities has not been substantially modified by ' | + | |
- | ; b) the area is of sufficient size to maintain its natural systems; and | + | a) that the area together with its plant and animal communities has not been substantially modified by ' |
- | C) the Atea is capable of providing opportunities for Solitude | + | |
+ | b) the area is of sufficient size to maintain its natural systems; and | ||
+ | |||
+ | C) the area is capable of providing opportunities for solitude | ||
The act allows members of the public or community groups to nominate areas for the National Parks and Wildlife Service to assess. Once the nomination is made, the NPWS has two years to complete its assessment. Land identified as wilderness by the NPWS can then be declared under the Act by the Minister for the Environment. | The act allows members of the public or community groups to nominate areas for the National Parks and Wildlife Service to assess. Once the nomination is made, the NPWS has two years to complete its assessment. Land identified as wilderness by the NPWS can then be declared under the Act by the Minister for the Environment. | ||
- | Management of declared wilderness areas is required to restore, | + | |
+ | Management of declared wilderness areas is required to restore, | ||
**IS THIS AREA LARGE ENOUGH TO BE A WILDERNESS? | **IS THIS AREA LARGE ENOUGH TO BE A WILDERNESS? | ||
+ | |||
There are twenty four declared and several unprotected wilderness areas in NSW. At 55,000 hectares the Grose Wilderness would be larger than 50 percent of those areas which range in size from areas like Levers Plateau | There are twenty four declared and several unprotected wilderness areas in NSW. At 55,000 hectares the Grose Wilderness would be larger than 50 percent of those areas which range in size from areas like Levers Plateau | ||
- | 15442 ha), Bogong Peaks (27494 ha) and Nattai (30424 ha) to our largest areas like Kanangra-Boyd (130000 ha), Macleay Gorges (165392 ha) and Wollemi (433530 ha). In terms of meeting b) in the above criteria there is certainly a large enough area to maintain its natural systems. Furthermore there is a natural link through national parkland to the north with the massive Wollemi Wilderness Area, the areas being separated in places only by a two lane road and adjacent powerlines. | + | 15442 ha), Bogong Peaks (27494 ha) and Nattai (30424 ha) to our largest areas like Kanangra-Boyd (130000 ha), Macleay Gorges (165392 ha) and Wollemi (433530 ha). In terms of meeting |
- | ** | + | |
- | IS IT TOO DEGRADED TO BE WILDERNESS? | + | |
- | As a result of urban development in part of the upper catchment the area contains some weed infestations, | + | |
+ | **IS IT TOO DEGRADED TO BE WILDERNESS? | ||
+ | As a result of urban development in part of the upper catchment the area contains some weed infestations, | ||
- | closure (ie extra | ||
- | s: Faulconbridge | ||
- | ver Walking Track or HayRd -5 Ian out to or 9,5 Ian to the Mt Rd - 4.5 lan to Baltzer 0 metres only with located; Mt banks Rd - ities. Some trails in the so require closure. | ||
- | |||
- | **PORT** | ||
both the water quality and weed situations. should vastly improve in the valley. Similar problems (poor water quality and/or introduced species) affect other wilderness areas - Nattai, Kanangra, Guy Fawkes, Ettrerna, Macleay Gorges and Barrington being a few examples. In summary wilderness can still be declared over areas with these problems since degradation in existence is reversible. | both the water quality and weed situations. should vastly improve in the valley. Similar problems (poor water quality and/or introduced species) affect other wilderness areas - Nattai, Kanangra, Guy Fawkes, Ettrerna, Macleay Gorges and Barrington being a few examples. In summary wilderness can still be declared over areas with these problems since degradation in existence is reversible. | ||
**PAST AND PRESENT HUMAN ACTIVITIES** | **PAST AND PRESENT HUMAN ACTIVITIES** | ||
- | walking areas with lengths o walking required) are as foil Point Rd - 6km to the Grose 7 km to the lookout; the Mo the Lockleys Pylon track hea Hay track; Burramoko Ridg Lookout; Pierces Pass Rd - | ||
- | parking and picnic facilities 1 km, also with relocated fa Patterson Range area would | ||
- | As mentioned the nomination does not include the area of highest visitation incorporating the formal camping area at Acacia Flat and part of Govett' | + | As mentioned the nomination does not include the area of highest visitation incorporating the formal camping area at Acacia Flat and part of Govett' |
- | Rodriguez Pass tracks plus the public roads to Perry' | + | |
**ROAD CLOSURES** | **ROAD CLOSURES** | ||
- | The most significant recent human impact was the construction of many kilometres of fire trails along most ridge tops surrounding the valley in the 1960' | ||
- | There were probably a few of you read those extra wal not as loud as was heard in learned of the imminent clea and sprung into action to sa the following decades as th with fire roads and proposa the valley. Confederation w the efforts to secure the fut surrounding valley. This a called the birthplace of con supporting the wilderness and all, walkers can show th is as strong as ever and no on our recreational in Wilderness statistics cOmp Red Index published by Th Wilderness. | ||
- | llective winces as some ng distances. Possibly. e 1930's when walkers ng of Blue Gum Forest it from the axe. Nor in wild ridges were tamed s flagged for roads into s formed as a result of e of Blue Gum and the ea could rightfully be rvation in Australia. In roposal, road closures | ||
- | t our conservation ethic | ||
- | necessarily provisional | ||
- | erests being served. | ||
- | from the Wilderness | ||
- | Colong Foundation For | ||
- | RAIN | + | The most significant recent human impact was the construction of many kilometres of fire trails along most ridge tops surrounding the valley in the 1960' |
- | It rained and r ed and rained | + | |
- | The average fall wa well maintained | + | **YOUR SUPPORT** |
+ | |||
+ | There were probably a few Collective winces as some of you read those extra walking distances. Possibly not as loud as was heard in the 1930's when walkers learned of the imminent clearing of Blue Gum Forest and sprung into action to save it from the axe. Nor in the following decades as the wild ridges were tamed with fire roads and proposals flagged for roads into the valley. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ====== | ||
+ | |||
+ | It rained and rained | ||
+ | |||
+ | The average fall was well maintained | ||
And when the tracks were simply bogs | And when the tracks were simply bogs | ||
+ | |||
It started raining cats and dogs | It started raining cats and dogs | ||
+ | |||
After a drought of half an hour | After a drought of half an hour | ||
+ | |||
We had a most refreshing shower | We had a most refreshing shower | ||
+ | |||
And then most curious thing of all | And then most curious thing of all | ||
+ | |||
A gentle rain began to fall | A gentle rain began to fall | ||
+ | |||
Next day but one was fairly dry | Next day but one was fairly dry | ||
+ | |||
Save for one deluge from the sky | Save for one deluge from the sky | ||
+ | |||
Which wetted the party to the skin | Which wetted the party to the skin | ||
+ | |||
And then at last the rain set in | And then at last the rain set in | ||
+ | |||
Anonymous | Anonymous | ||
- | submitted by Peter Rossel | + | |
+ | submitted by **Peter Rossel** | ||
199604.1587189079.txt.gz · Last modified: 2020/04/18 15:51 by ljclarke6