JUNE 2001 Amongst the vast array of day packs that decorate the shelves of outdoor shops, it's difficult to pick something with the right features, what with 101 different types of nylon, all sorts
of different canvases, airflow systems, expanding pockets and neon colours.
So it's nice to know that if your the type of person that wants simple robust functionality that reflects years of local bushwalking experience with solid locally made material then the BLUE MOUNTAINS TRIASSIC could be your-best companion for many years to come.
e
by Se,
_ San,
by David Noble 4 Australian 1202 canvas It's good to see a pack made in the Blue Mountains for Made in Katoomba the old traditional way use in the Blue Mountains. The Triassic features two 40 litre capa city
shoulder strap sizes so that the pack can be properly hip . . , . loaded, sitting down comfortably in the lumbar region of Proper hip loading with 2 shoulder strap sizes the back. This is sometimes difficult especially if you are a for walking comfort taller person. The harness system also includes a thick . Wid . . : oe 98 Para e throat for easy loading and unloading waist belt and chest strap enabling a tight fit which is as _. great when climbing over rocks. Buckle up front pocket with internal divider The volume is large enough to allow a 50m rope and Top lid pocket wetsuit to easily fit in and the top is made larger so that ' F your stuff slides in and out with ease. The pack has a Extendable lid for overloading large front pocket for those essential items such as a Padded hip belt with 38mm buckle torch, and a top pocket for the map and camera. The Hip belt retainer for city use (conveniently holds the hip belt back and out of the way Padded back (removable)
pack is large enough to be used as a weekend pack when mo ropes etc. are needed. This can keep the bulk
Thumb loops on shoulder straps for more comfortable walking
down and stop you from packing too much on those internal compression strap for holding down
weekend bushwalks. your canyon rope
The Triassic is mace from durable 120z canvas which Side compression straps for minimising volume
can withstand the abuse given to it in canyons and when walking through scrub. All the seams are double stitched
Storm throat to keep out the rain Hard wearing Cordura base
and sealed to prevent failure. It is also very water proof, Price $159.00
PPP Pr D> D> b&b > D>
b&
on a recent trip down Hole In The Wall canyon, no water entered the main compartment despite a number of lengthy swims.
The pack is bush green in colour making the walker almost invisible In the bush. This is handy for sneaking up on wildlife with a camera or just blending in to the wilderness as you walk along. Good for those who liketo keep the visual impact minima! too. ONLY AVAILABLE AT A quality Blue Mountains pack for our tough conditions, the Triassic carries a lifetime guarantee on workmanship and materials.
Overall an excellent pack for either short or tall with the
2 shoulder strap options. And great for canyons or short
os = Alpspori NB: David Noble Is a keen canyoner and Coenen
bushwalker. He is also the discoverer of the rare
Wollemi Pine (WOLLEMIA NOBILIS} found in 1994. 1045 VICTORIA RD, WEST RYDE Ph 9858 5844
b> PP Db
[Page 2
Editor's Note:
Last month's article by Paddy McGuiness resulted in two letters - see Pages 6,7 - as well as some comment on the contribution on “Social Capital by Alec Colley. There was no response to last month's invitation to comment on “Organisation Renewal” however Judy O'Connor has submitted a report on the final meeting.
Similarly, no one has yet taken up my invitation for a member to host an occasional magazine section “Walking on the Web” in which bushwalking matters appearing on the internet could be discussed.
This month's issue includes an extract from the ABC programme Background Briefing” on the subject of National Parks. Once again I invite your comments as some of the comments included in this broadcast may not accord with the thoughts of many of our members.
Also included is part of the speech by the NSW Minister for Conservation given at the Dedication of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Ceremony in which he acknowledges the efforts of the early SBW members.
Bill Holland aan
Contact The Editor:
All articles submitted will be considered for publication. Letters to the Editor on matters of interest are particularly welcome.
My address is 216C Quarter Sessions Rd Westleigh 2120. My email address is billholl@hotkey.net.au- If sending a fax the number is 9980 5476 but to ensure that the modem is connected please phone 9484 6636 first.
Membership Survey:
A survey form and a return addressed envelope is enclosed with this magazine. Please take the time to complete the form, attach a stamp and return to the Club's address as soon as possible. This will enable your Committee to assess the members wishes and make appropriate changes. We will keep you informed of the results.
a FS
The Sydney Bushwalker June 2001
President's Report
Your Committee has received many submissions on “How To Improve Our Club” and has set up a Sub-committee to review the submissions and recommend action. This review will include feed-back from the recent “Management Review” meetings-and the Club Constitution Review. To assist with this I would like to stress the importance of completing and returning the membership survey form included with this magazine. This will help us to serve you better.
Our Club website was designed by Matthew Bruce and is managed by Past President Eddy Giacomel, who has spent much time in managing the site and keeping it up to date in a fast changing website scene. The Committee now has been approached by some members who are very keen to enlarge the website and introduce new ideas. Their suggested layouts will be put to the Committee in the coming months.
Your Committee has also devoted quite some time trying to get a clear picture of our personal accident and public liability insurance cover obtained from _ the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs. Chris Dowling and David Trinder are to report back to us on this subject. The projected cost for both policies for the coming year is $5-00 per member. In view of the limited personal accident cover we recommend that you should ensure that you have at least adequate ambulance cover through your private health fund and it may be desirable to arrange additional accident or income/replacement insurance.
I was pleased to see several members renewing their first aid certificates at the Confederation's First Aid Course recently. This will assist them not only in bushwalking emergencies but at other times as well.
The Manager of the Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre has requested that our members restrain their enthusiasm and keep noise levels down before 7-45 pm to avoid disturbing other groups conducting meditation sessions in earlier meeting times. Many thanks for your cooperation.
Wilf Hilder Page 3 |
ee The Syduey Bushwalker. June. 2001 The May General Meeting There were around 16 members * present at 2006 when the President called the meeting to order. Apologies were received for Carole Beales and John Young. The minutes of the previous general meeting were read and accepted as correct, with no matters arising. Correspondence included a copy of the minutes of the latest Confederation meeting. ft appears there will be somewhat of a deficit due to losses on the cost of insurances for last year. We have written to the Valuer Generals Department regarding the valuation for Coolana, and to Shoalhaven City Council regarding an overcharge on the rates for Coolana due to'their not having recorded a previous land transfer. We also received a letter from our Hon Solicitor, Richard Brading regarding the conditions applying to our access to the Catchment Management Authority lands adjoining Coolana. The Treasurer was absent so we did not receive a formal report. The walks reports began with a statement from the walks secretary that there were no high lights for the month to report. Congratulations were proffered to the Walks Secretary for the draft walks programme, now no doubt in hands of members as the Winter walks programme. After a bit of shuffling it emerged from the floor of the meeting, that over Easter Michael Bickley had led a pleasant and interesting boating trip over the navigable length of the Hawkesbury River with a party of 7. There were no details for Ian Rennards walk, in fact there was so little detail we do not even know which weekend was intended, nor do I find an Ian Rennard walk on the programme for the period. At that point the Walks Secretary announced the end of the walks reports. We had a spell of walks announcements and then some walks reports. Bill Capons walk in Wollemi National Park over the weekend of 4, 5, 6 May went with a party of 12, and was described as a good trip. Patrick Jams decade birthday event at Coolana over the same weekend was enjoyed by an undisclosed number of attendees. Ian Deberts Widdin Valley base camp trip, over Easter, attracted a total of 22 starters. Wilf Hilders Great River Walk on the Nepean River over the weekend of 21, 22 April attracted a party of 7 for the Saturday and 9 for Sunday. The weather on Sunday deteriorated to such an extent that rain set in, so the party finished the walk at the Surveyor General pub at Berrima. Wilf was out there again on Anzac day with a party of 9 on his Georges River Nature Reserve walk. Just to top all that off we had some more walks announcements. There was no Conservation report for this meeting. Confederation report brought news that a number of archival films on bushwalking have been found. Volunteers are sought from member clubs to assist NPWS Area Manager - Cumberland North in the removal of Salvinia from Longneck Lagoon. The report of committee activities for this month will appear in the magazine. The meeting with Elyssbeth Leigh attracted around 22 attendees. A survey will be conducted to try to obtain information on members opinions and wants. Coolana report indicated that we have written to the Valuer Generals Department requesting they correct property titles relating to Coolana. The letter to Shoalhaven City Council points out that we have been billed for rates on a section of property that we no longer own and requests information on how we may obtain a refund of the moneys paid. After announcements the meeting closed at around 2105. Barry Wallace * Later the numbers present increased to over 30 members Edd. Change of Phone Number - Barry Wallace Barry is our Membership Secretary and he advises that from Ist June his contact phone number is (w) 9450 0550 His address is unchanged, see membership list, and letters advising change to membership list details may be sent to the Club address marked to his attention. [Page 4 ote ee ee ~ The Sydney Bushwalker' June 2001 National Parks: Bush Bashing Extracts from “Background Briefing”. ABC Radio National Documentary Sunday 29/04/01 Produced by Jo-Anne Simpson Jo-Anne Simpson. About sixty million hectares of Australia, something like eight percent of the land mass, is protected land. It's either park, reserve, sanctuary or wildemess, any one of about forty categories of protection. It's a bit misleading because very little of that is in the parts of the country that people want: the coastal plains and tropical forests, but more is being added each year. The rub is that it all costs big money to protect and manage………. Hello, I'm Jo-Anne Simpson. You're with Background Briefing on Radio National. Bob Carr. It's my view that patriotism, celebration of our country, and conservation, go hand im hand because the sweeping conservation measure we're committed to today is a gift to future generations … It's a sample of the ancient way of this continent being given to people as yet unbom, so that they can experience the flavour of the old life of the ancient forests of the Australian continent… Jo-Anne Simpson: The Carr Government added seventy new National Parks and nature reserves to the list this year, and there are proposals for another 200,000 hectares of wilderness declaration in Kosciuszko and three other parks. The Green groups say Australia's not going far enough in protecting the environment, but many others say we've gone too far already. Upper House MP in New South Wales, Malcolm Jones. Malcolm Jones: The whole attitude of locking Australians out of the bush, you know, we've probably got around about six million hectares of National Parks, of which about two and a half million are locked up in wildemess. Now the budget for the National Parks this year will be around about, a quarter of a billion dollars. Now I think it is absolutely wrong that the public should be asked to put their hand in the pocket for a quarter of a billion dollars to look after an infrastructure which favours one side of the political spectrum and locks people, just locks people, out of so much land. Jo-Anne Simpson: New South Wales MP, Malcolm Jones, who was elected as an Independent standing. for The Outdoor Recreation Party. His party is just one from an organised coalition of lobby groups and small, single-issue political parties across the country. The names and organisations vary from state to state, and they may be based in four-wheel drive clubs, or horse-riding, or logging interests… Malcolm Jones: The concept of wilderness is a nice, motherhood expression and it can mean many things to different people. And what it means to National Parks & Wildlife Service in this state, what it means to the people of New South Wales, no, we do not accept that; we do accept the situation that there areas which are sensitive, and usually that's because the ground is wet, you know, and it holds moisture and therefore the ground will not take people, walking boots, or wheels going over it unless it's in very restricted numbers. That's OK, education and management we're all about, simply locking people out is not on as far as we're concerned. Jo-Amme Simpson: In the Monaro Shire of the southern alpine region of New South Wales, Mayor Peter Cochrane has a business that takes horse riding groups into national parks, and he fronts a lobby group, Australians for the Bush. Peter Cochrane has been a critic of wildemess and the way the National Parks Services are run, for many years. A month ago, Australians for the Bush met to devise a strategy to oppose the latest wilderness proposals for Kosciuszko National Park. Peter Cochrane: The management practices of the National Parks & Wildlife Service in regards to wildemess is entirely im question now, particularly in regards to wild dogs and the damage that they're causing to domestic stock adjoining the parks and in addition to that, the situation with wildfire is of grave concern to all of those landholders adjoining wilderness areas, and we're concemed that a further proliferation of wildemess areas will in fact create enormous danger to the bushfire fighters who are called upon as volunteers to go in and fight those fires. Jo-Anne Simpson: Classifymg more remote, _ unchanged areas as 'wildemess, which prohibits all activities apart from self-reliant bushwallang, is also opposed by the Outdoor Recreation Party's Malcolm Jones. Jo-Anne Simpson: The Outdoor Recreation Party and its counterparts in other States have the same objectives as the Wise Use Movement in the United States. The Wise Use Movement champions human use over nature conservation. In the USA, its members include the logging, grazing and mining industries. | The Syduey Bushwalker June 2001 Page 5 } The highest environmental post in America, the Secretary of the Interior, is now occupied by Bush appointee Gale Norton, who is highly much an anti-conservation, National Park movement, Jo-Anne Simpson: Frances Kelly says it is now praised by the Wise Use Movement. The groups in Australia have a similar agenda to Wise Use…… In Sydney, at the influential Green group, the Total Environment Centre, Frances Kelly. Frances Kelly. The themes are very, very, similar, the theme of attacking the whole idea of a National Park, the idea of conserving nature by controlling access and managing parks by making sure that every last little centimetre of it isn't open to being abused and rubbished and visited by heavy impact methods of visitation. The themes of the language that's used, access for all, equity, being locked out', those sorts of statements which have been taken as truisms now because they've been used so long, certainly have got very many sumilarities with the Wise Use Movement in the United States, which is very common for special interest groups to be schooled in how to form organised lobby groups, in media tactics, and in how to make their case politically. Frances Kelly. You have other groups like the Shooters and the pig hunters and so on that really just want to keep the National Parks for what they want to do, which is hunting pigs or running brumbies or shooting wildlife, in some cases, or feral animals in other cases. It's self-interest of these groups that are using the language of equity and this covering language to get their way with National Parks. Jo-Anne Simpson: Frances Kelly says that inch by inch, the access lobby groups have demanded and received concessions, particularly in New South Wales. ……….. gnoo Extracts printed with permission of Jo-Anne Simpson and ABC Radio National. Transcripts of this and other “Background briefing broadcasts can be located on www. abc.net.au /rn/talks/bbing Editors Note: Comments on the above would be welcome. Please send in your letters in time for the July magazine Kakadu Kimberley Red Centre } There is no one else No one else who offers a regular schedule of off-track bushwalking holidays. No one eise who can take you far beyond where any vehicle will ever go. Willis's Walkabouts is the only Northern Territory tour operator who offers trips that take you far beyond the vehicle tracks into a Wilderness where no vehicle will ever go. No one else offers such a selection: 35 different bushwalking holidays in the NT, 20 in the Kimberley and Pilbara. Why go overseas? tn northern Australia you have * No worries about the collapsing Aussie dollar. * Spectacular scenery & predictable weather. Clear tropical poals, perfect for swimming, pure enough to drink. * Aboriginal rock art. * True wilderness where you can walk for days or weeks without seeing a soul. lf you'd like a different kind of nature-based holiday, check out cur website or ask for our brochure and find out why our chents come back again and again, year after year. www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au | | Williss Walkabouts 12 Carrington St Millner NT 0810 Email: walkabout@ais.net.cu . Phone: (08) 8985 2134. Fax: (08) 8985 2355 _ |Page 6, The Sydney Bushwalker June 2001 DX] Letter To The Editor In his article in the Sydney Morning Herald, Padraic McGuiness suggests that he has always regarded the sanity of bushwalkers as being slightly suspect. This may be a reasonable proposition, but I wonder if he knows what a bushwalker really is. He admits that his only real interaction with *bushwalkers was at a Youth Hostel near Bobbin Head some years ago. Perhaps if he had walked into the SBW clubrooms instead of that youth hostel he might now have a different impression. He would have found few ladies whose anatomy could be described in the disrespectful terms he uses for his YHA ladies. He -would have been exposed to men with beards but he might have got used to that. His love of sleeping in strange and exotic places could have been well satisfied, mountain tops as well as beaches, stockmens huts in remote alpine regions as well as the usual forest campsites. Our native Antichinus (marsupial mouse) | which can sometimes be seen in the alpine huts could adequately substitute his fieldmouse experience. His naked swimming could take place at almost any time in any of our wild rivers. He would have become aware of the existence of the Confederation . search and rescue facilities. Whilst the main thrust of his argument seems to be; bushwalkers must pay for rescues, the examples he cites are yachtsmen, alpine skiers and Ione eccentrics. He does not include searching for the occupants of light aircraft that occasionally go missing in wild areas. Many hundreds of man-hours have been willingly contributed by bushwalkers in this endeavor. Bushwalkers look after their own and others, but are grateful for the involvement of the emergency services. If I have made a case for bushwalkers not paying, for rescues then this is not my intention. I blieve it is appropriate for persons rescued by the emergency services, as a'result of their recreational activities, to pay a fee. This fee should not be the full cost of the rescue but a token, perhaps $1000; this might help to make people more rsponsible. Most clubs could easily afford to underwrite this for programmed walks; they wouldnt have to pay very often. An added benefit might be that more people would join clubs to avail themselves of this insurance, this might reduce the number of rescues needed. The suggestion that bushwalkers carry beacons is entirely reasonable, but that we be licensed is absurd and unworthy of further comment. Richard Winthorpe. DX] Letter To The Editor I read the fast issue of the Sydney Bushwalker, as usual, from cover to cover, and was prompted to respond both in respect to Paddy McGuinness comments, and also to those of Alex Colley on Social Capital Paddy proposed licensing of bushwalkers, to prevent situations such as- the recent Tasmania rescue from arising. It appears that the young man in questions was both uncaring (in respect to the costs and effort put into his rescue) as well as greedy, in wanting to profit from his ordeal. Such people give bushwalking a bad name. However, this precedent is no reason to require licensing of bushwalking activities. Never! Licensed bushwalkers are no less likely to get into difficulties from time to time, licensed or not. How is a piece of paper going to help? And unlicensed walkers are going to continue to go into the bush regardless. The thought of some bureaucrat. trying to judge walking qualifications, and the cost of such an exercise is out of all proportion to the risk. More Big Brother intrusion into a sport which surely is the ultimate exercise-in freedom. I quite agree on the other hand that walkers should self-insure, and expect to pay for rescue services. Licensing would not help. As for Alex Colleys interesting article on Social Capital, it is sad how the social interaction at SBW and similar organisations seems to be withering. It is unfortunately a sign of the times. If I can give a personal perspective, as someone who is firmly trapped in the rat race and finds himself working a 60 hour week, it is increasingly The Sydney Bushwalker Page? difficult, if one also has a family life, to fit it all in. I find that, much as I dream about being able to go on extended weekend walks, there simply is not the time or the energy ~ after a frenetic week of work, eat, sleep and little else. Every week I put in my (electronic) diary a reminder to leave work to attend Wednesday evening club meetings. 90% of th time, I either cant get away in time or am too exhausted to go. And if I do get over there, I have to eat. Like Alex, I have from time to time looked in vain for some eating companions before meeting time. So I think it is not that people are less willing to interact socially at the Club. It is simply that the demands of modern life are such that it is increasingly difficult to do so. Perhaps that is why the reunions are also so poorly. attended these days. I dont even feel I know many club members very well, despite being a member for the past 4 years now. This is a very sad reflection on the quality of lif in an era of unprecedented wealth and comfort, which has come at a huge price. What to do about this? Does bushwalking become reduced to cameo status? I dont know what the answer is, but I suggest that day walks are likely to become increasingly popular relative to overnight walks for as long as todays lifestyle prevails. Richard Darke Annual Subscription Now Due * Single Membership = $37 Household membership = 361 Non Active Membership = $13 Non Active + Magazine = $26 Magazine only = $13 Payment should be made by mail. A form to facilitate the payment was enclosed with the March magazine. This should be returned with your cheque to the Treasurer at our Milsons Point Box number. Please also note any changes to your address or phone number on the form to permit Barry Wallace to update club records. * Not applicable to Prospective Members June 2001 Have You Changed Your Address ? If you have changed your address or phone number recently please advise: Members: Barry Wallace Prospectives: Kay Chan The advice should be in writing directed to the Clubs postal address. This will ensure that our records show your current address; prevent delay in receiving the magazine each month and save the Club paying high “return to sender” fees. Notice To All Members: If you are referring prospective members to the club, please note that our New Members half hour introductory talk now commences at 7-30 pm, following which visitors will be invited to join the main meeting at 8 pm. where they will be introduced to other members. To successfully achieve this in the time available, a prompt arrival at the clubrooms would be appreciated NSW WILDERNESS TRANSIT BUS 10 ex JENOLAN CAVES, KANANGRA WALLS. YERRANDERIE GHOST TOWN STARLIGHTS TRACK. BUNGONIA CAVES WOG WOG. NERRIGA Departs from Sydney's Campbelltown Railway Station Via Penrith, Katoomba & Blackheath for Kanangra Wails Mon & Wed at 11am Fri at 7am Returns 4pm Mon, Wed, Frid. Via Starlights, Mittagong & Marulan for | Wog Wog-Nerriga Tues, Thurs & Sun at 11am Returns 4pm Tues, Thurs, Sun. # Yerranderie Ghost Town first Saturday in each month, returns Sun at 1pm (any Friday min. 6) Group booking discounts or charter service Tel: 0246 832 344 Mob: 0428 832 344 www.wildernesstransit.com.au | Page 8 The Sydney Busnwaiker Jane 2001 Blue Mountains World Heritage Dedication Speech - Bob Debus MP Govetts Lookout, Blackheath May 12,2001 - The campaign to see this region declared a World Heritage Area began more than a decade ago and this ceremony is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by many dedicated individuals, conservationists, goverment officials, parliamentarians and community groups. It is a tremendous privilege to stand here tonight as NSW Environment Minister and local member to share with the world what those who live here have always known - that the Blue Mountains is one of the most special places on earth. We stand today somewhere near the heart of a massive 250 million year old conservation zone of wild gorges, sandstone plateaus, basalt outcrops, relic plants, forests and swamps - more than a million hectares stretching from the Hunter to the Southern Highlands. An area one third the size of Belgium. The World Heritage nomination was successful on the grounds of the richness of this areas biological and ecological quality and because it protects habitat of many endangered species. But to all of us the Greater Blue Mountains also has profound values of cultural association. There is a distinct tradition of voluntary conservation in this region, which follows an immensely longer tradition of the Aboriginal community. The cultural, spiritual and environmental significance of the Mountains has been recognised by the Gandangara and Dharuk people - by the Darkinjung, Wonnarua, Awabakwal, Dharawal and Wiradjuri - for at least 14,000 years. Their occupation is seen in more than 700 recorded Aboriginal sites and today we work to establish closer partnership with indigenous communities as the custodians of this great land. The Valley below us was reserved in 1875. But that still did not mean it was safe. Just over 70 years ago a group of bushwalkers, including Alan Rigby, Dorothy Lawry and the great Myles Dunphy, mounted a campaign to save the Valley's Blue Gum Forest from clearing. The Sydney Bush Walkers fight was probably the first Save the Forest campaign _Of its type in Australia - and the genesis of the Part 1. long, determined struggle that has resulted among other things in the World Heritage listing. Andy MacQueen records in his history of the Grose Valley that soon after the reservation of the Blue Gum Forest the Federation of Bushwalking Clubs in NSW was formed because bushwalkers realised that more united effort would be needed to save other areas. The passion ignited by a handful of conservationists here in the Blue Mountains in the 1931-32 has grown and galvanised over the ensuing years. Today we have this a vast network of eight public reserves - the Blue Mountains, Kangangra Boyd, Wollemi, Gardens of Stone, Yengo, Thirlmere Lakes and Nattai national parks and the Jenolan Caves Karst Reserve. The Blue Mountains has indeed always held a distinct place in the European Australian ethos. Read the accounts of the early explorers not just Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth but earlier adventurers like George Bass, George Caley and Francis Barralier- of Strezlecki and Mitchell. Read Hugh Speirs book Landscape Art and the Blue Mountains {forward by C Manning Clark and preface by John Olsen} which traces the evolution of Australian landscape art through two centuries of Australian painting in the Mountains from Conrad Martens to Fred Williams. See the authors who have lived here or written about the Mountains Charles Darwin, taking a break from the voyage of the Beagle; Henry Lawson; Eleanor Dark; Sumner Locke Elliot; Kylie Tennant, Patrick Whites Night on Bald Mountain, Delia Falconers recent novel. Too many even to try to list. You see today nature and art run together in the Biue Mountains. Its part of my job to thank the individuals, agencies and community groups that have brought us here today. goood Mr. Debus also acknowledged individuals and organisations who had contributed to the campaign. The July magazine will include the balance of this dedication speech. …_ Ed Whether it's bush waliing, mountaineering, cross-country skiing, trek- king or travel, a pack is your best friend or worst enemy. Why? Because you depend on the agility and comfort that your pack provides. The Mont Moto-Active adjustable har- - ness system is deceptively simple, fast to adjust and easy to fit. Available in three sizes and featuring inter- _ changeable harness compo- nents, a truly best fit is possible, and best fit means a truly comfortable carry. * Innovative designs, 4Wonr detailed construc- tion and quality ma- terials. Back anatemicallycon- - Country toured hip-belts. Pack + Spandura and 3D Air-Flow fabrics for body contact points. Bar tacks on the im- portant high stress points. Triple stitched with webbing hound seams to ensure massive seam strength. bd We use Evazote foams, the most du- rable, high quality foams available. * Hip-belt secures di- rectly to the allumin- ium frame-stays for direct load transfer. Only highest quality Durafiex bucides. * The shoulder yoke adjusts independ- ently of the frame eS . stays. OIG r . * Dual aluminium Something Better. frame-stays adjusted and reinserted in seconds, www .mont.com.au Mont Adventure Equipment; Tre Australian company with over 20 years of manufacturing excellence. 3 Trelawney Street Eastwood. . eastwood Phone : 02 9858 32833. _}| Camping oo Ail packs personaill centre by our ” (Page 10 The Syduey Bushwalker June 2001 The Good Thing About Bushwalking Is… * George Mawer There were a few happenings on my Snowy Mountains walk over the Christmas New Year period (ofa few years ago *) that caused me to think about the attractions of group walking. Particularly on overnight and extended walks. It seems that almost from the moment we pick up the backpack and walk away from the cars we each take our place in a little nomadic tribe, a small self-contained cooperative unit with a goal and a purpose. We have a leader which frees us from most responsibilities and we belong. We seem to look forward to the small challenges that lie ahead and we know that they will be tackled as a group and we have that subconscious confidence that everything will work out OK no matter what. I believe that we always gain a little more of the quiet self confidence that comes from having tested and perhaps extended ourselves a little. This particular walk was planned as an extended pleasure trip and Im sure that was how everyone found it to be. However it was interesting to see some of the people interactions within the party. There were twenty of us so there was plenty to see and hear. Each seemed to have at least one area of expertise to contribute as need be. Maybe simple physical strength endurance and speed ~ very handy at times. Perhaps navigation skills or local knowledge. Training and experience in first aid. Optimism and joviality. There were the peacemakers and calming ones. The early risers - the ones that get up early and get the fire started. The sleepy heads. The ones that pitch in and help others to set up and to pack up. The motherly (and fatherly) types. The weather forecasters. The leaders advisers. The comedians and jokesters. The noisy ones and the quiet ones and those with bushcraft and camp skills. Just how twenty people can be so close together for seven days and get along so well is remarkable in itself It cant be that we are all such nice people. Maybe its because its all built into the chip - a bit like stepping into the primitive past - and a very natural and comfortable state of being. What do you think? *Previously published in “the Sydney Bushwalker some years ago A Personal Recollection of Keith Perry I knew Keith and Gwen Perry through my son's friendship with their son Chris, who is : also a member of our club, joining at the same time as Keith. ; Keith was a very keen bushwalker and loved the time he could participate in the club activities. He often joked that he was the oldest “new” member when-he joined aged 72 years. He had such a quiet sense of humour - not saying much but when he did he was worth listening to.. Some..club members will remember Keith's very funny recitations at our annual concert in the club rooms. Gwen and Keith invited me to join them on a bus trip - I did! And what a great trip we all had - all the way to Cape York. Keith was also a keen fisherman; and I remember fondly, Keith, Gwen and I caught enough fish to feed the 36 people on the bus two wonderful meals, after fishing at Weipa. Keith did wonderful wood work and I have a small wooden clock and a set of coasters he made for me which I treasure. He will be greatly missed by his two sons and daughter and their families, who unfortunately also lost their mother Gwen just two years ago. Margaret Niven For sale - Surplus Bushwalking Gear Fairydown (good quality New Zealand made) brand adult size sleeping bag. “Explorer” model, right hand zip. Bag totally unzips and can be used like a doona cover. 50% down, 50% feather. Royal Blue outer shell, grey inner cover. Bag has a fully incorporated hood. Weight about 3 kg. (I'm about 180 cm tall and fit comfortably inside the bag). Suitable for bushwalking or in use in hostels when backpacking around Europe, or where ever, etc, etc. Price $100. “South Wind” brand day pack rucksack for sale. About 30 litre capacity. Has chest and waist straps for stability when in use. Top and front pockets (useful for putting in items such as keys, wallet, mobile phone, etc) separate from main compartment. Only used a few times, no signs of| use. Colour is sort of blue/mauve. Price $50 |- Phone Maurice Smith on (02) 8266 5573 in - 2. business hours or (02) 9587 6325 at home. The Sydney Buchwalker June 2001 Page 11 | Times They Are AChanging = Judy O'Connor Members wili be aware that Elyssebeth Leigh, a lecturer at the University of Technology, Sydney, has conducted a number of presentations/workshops over the last few months to interested club members on Organisational Renewal. The following is a summary of her final session in May. The session began with a brief review of her previous meetings in November and April and the identification of recognising organisational renewal is a complex process. As an organisation, SBW members must consider what things are vital for survival and development of the club, and what were once (perhaps) similarly vital, but are no longer important. They may even have the potential to be destructive. The 20 or so members who attended the session worked in small groups to identify at least three things SBW does well, and three things they considered it did not. It was suggested the combined list could be the basis for future examination. What SBW Does Well: e Instructs and informs new members e Soctalises e Produces interesting and varied extended walks program e Produces and distributes monthly magazine e Compiles and distributes walks program Has good web site Concept of 'test walks' is good First aid training, navigation etc. are worthwhile and sensible. What SBW_Does Not Do Well: e Not good at updating information to members (eg. passing on correct information about insurance) Does not encourage and nurture walks leaders Not welcoming to new members e Doesn't record statistics well - or activities e Insufficient support given to walks leaders - on information, guidance and legal issues Does not harness leaders skills. e Too much time spent on. Coolana instead of promoting worthwhile walks e Shouldnt need six signatures to become member e Shouldn't need to come to club three times to join Social program not interesting enough, too much formal meeting processes ~ e Membership needs/ wants not understood e Labelling and terms such as prospectives test walks not welcoming, are outdated. The doing well items do not need much attention beyond making sure they are continued. However, the not doing well items should be identified clearly and specific action taken. It was agreed to focus on four key items: Supporting and encouraging Walks Leaders We need to acknowledge the efforts of those presently doing the job and provide stronger support system to encourage them and to attract, and keep, new leaders. Peter Dalton and Wilf Hilder offered to begin this task. Supporting and encouraging new members Need welcome and friendly environment. Terms such as test and 'prospectives' daunting and uninviting. Being just a prospective is alienating. Addressing wide range of needs and interests of members Members have different needs (eg. extended walks, day walks, social activities, Coolana events). There was concern that the attention given to each one did not seem balanced. Developing, extending and _ maintaining information and records so_'organisational knowledge is collected and made available Walks reports provide this to some extent but more permanent and comprehensive record needed. George Mawer has undertaken this task. Other points covered by Elyssabeth included questioning the size of the SBW committee (15 members). Evidence indicates eight is an ideal number with sub-committee set up when required to look at specific topics or undertake specific tasks (eg recommending changes to the terminology of test walks, etc). Elyssabeths suggestions are being considered by the committee and members are invited, even urged, to take part in this important debate by contacting the committee and/or writing to the magazine. ooo June 2001 [Page 12 The Sydney Bushwalker COOLANA REPORT May activities at Coolana included the Significant Birthday Weekend and the Training Weekend for new members. About sixteen members celebrated various birthdays (ending in zero) in rather wet weather but amply protected by the large tarpaulin. The weather improved substantially for the training weekend a fortnight later - see page 14. ' For July we have; bush regeneration (June 30, July 1) and Christmas at Coolana” - a midwinter celebration (July 14 - 15). New Walking Tracks Frank Rigby With the write-up of the recent Reunion restricted to one small paragraph in the April issue, -I thought it would be timely to say something more about the new walking tracks at Coolana. At the Reunion the President, Wilf Hilder, cut a ribbon and officially opened the brand new Scenic Circuit Walk. He also dedicated a memorial plaque to Dot Butler at the Lookout which bears her name. - see next page. I was very proud to lead the twenty-odd people who participated in the inaugural walk. The Scenic Circuit Walk is 2-3 kilometres long and includes a cliff-top section with outstanding views, a passage through the magnificent Cabbage Tree Palm forest (about which many members have no knowledge) and 4 return along the bottom of the cliffline. (see map next page). Several interpretive signs have been placed at appropriate points. I have tried to make Coolana a more interesting and rewarding place by constructing walking tracks so that visitors can appreciate the full beauty and extent of our bushland property. but - everything that we build requires some maintenance and tracks are no exception. From time to time the tracks need raking, pruning of vegetation and occasionally even the removal of a fallen tree. I cannot do this work. What SBW needs is an_ enthusiastic person (preferably not someone who already does maintenance at Coolana) who would take a pride in keeping the tracks ship-shape. We might call this person the Tracks Officer and could even elect him/her at the AGM. All the necessary tools are available on site and the work is generally easy but our Officer could co-opt helpers if necessary. Surely in a club of nearly five hundred members this is not too much to ask? SENIOR, REMOTE AREA & NALGESIC GASSES COURSE (St, John Certified) This four day course should not be missed by those wanting top remote area first aid skills. Not only do you receive your Remote Area First Aid Certificate, but you also receive your Senior First Aid Certificate and your Analgesic Gasses Certificate. Where: Camp Coutts, Heathcote National Park. When: Two weekends of 4th/Sth and 18th /19th August, 2001 Price: Special one-off price of $167.00. (A saving of $278.00!) Overnight bush camping fees will be an extra $6 per night (payable on first weekend) The course will therefore cost you only $179 all up plus your own food (BBQ both Saturday nights) and travel costs for each weekend. Course size is limited to 24 people Phone David Sheppard on 02 9130 1653 or email mashby@bigpond.comno later than 25
July,2001 Book early so you don't miss out.
Holiday Accommodation Available South Coast Beach Break at Berrara. Special rates for SBW members and families (from $30 per week night). Relax with water views in-a comfortable cottage that sleeps 8. Telephone Maureen or David Carter 9773 4637.
| The Sydney Bushwalker June 2001 Page 13
T
CQ0LANA WALKING TRACKS
N 3 ss Drawn by F. Rigby, May 2eot, . ati, Pag es , River Flats
Camping Area
Dor of, . oY Butler's
190 200 S96. 400 po, Track | TEE RE Pinatas Dot Butler Plaque
DOROTHY BUTLER'S LOOKOUT _(Named by the surveyor George Davidson in 1969)
Dorothy Butler, affectionately known as “Dot”, was born in 1911 and joined the Sydney Bush Walkers in 1932. In 1969, Dot proposed the purchase of this bushland property, later to be named 'Coolana', by the Sydney Bush Walkers. So persuasive was her enthusiasm and her standing in the Club that a Special General Meeting approved the purchase immediately, at least in principle. Dot contributed generously to the purchase price, raised donations from both inside and outside the Club, helped Mr Davidson with the surveying and organised tree planting. It is fair to say that the Sydney Bush Walkers would not own Coolana today without Dot's sterling efforts.
Dot is renowned for her remarkable exploits over many years,, particularly as a superb bushwalker, rock climber and mountaineer. She was one of the famous S.B.W. Tigers of the 1930s and was awarded Australian Geographic's Gold Medal as 1988 Adventurer of the Year. As an author she wrote The Barefoot Bushwalker and contributed 137 articles to The Sydney Bushwalker. Even in her eighties she abseiled from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and climbed the Three Sisters.
|Page 14 ; 7
The Sydney Bushwalker June 2001
NEW MEMBERS PAGE:
A Game Plan For Membership:
Upon joining Sydney Bush Walkers many prospective members first focus their concerns on completing test walks and find the prospect rather daunting. Relax bushwalking is a leisure activity. Youre meant to have fun, or at least enjoy yourself!
An easy way to tackle membership is as follows: you will need a reasonable sized wall or desk calendar on which you mark in all your existing weekend commitments.
Grab your walks program and highlight any day trips or events that appeal to you (You can tackle overnight walks in the 4th through 6th months of your membership)
Next, draw up a list of all the highlighted events, deleting those that you believe may be beyond your present fitness ability. Mark in the remaining walks on the calendar. allowing for your other commitments. Aim to start with easier walks, working up to test walks. Remember to include a Coolana bushcraft weekend and other prospective member training events (an excellent way to meet other prospective members). Now ring up and book yourself on a couple of forthcoming trips You have just made your first commitment to becoming a member!
Place the calendar in a prominent position to remind yourself to book on further walks. When you have completed two day test walks, repeat the process with overnight trips.. – try to complete at least two easier overnight trips before going for the big one! Or two! Look out for trips that feature a cave as your destination for the night. Caves or overhangs make spectacular campsites~ provide comfort in wet weather and obviate the need to carry a tent. If you lack equipment where a tent is required, your walks leader may be able to assist by partnering you with a tent owner. Alternatively, your New Members Secretary will be pleased to assist in anyway she can.
Swat up on your navigation and first aid notes, then arrange with your New Members Secretary (telephone 02 9520 0266) for an oral test at the clubrooms.
Last step.. ..complete and return your application form and there you have it. Easy!
Coolana Training Weekend: Eight new members and four instructors attended the training weekend at Coolana. on 19th/20th May. The weather was great, with clear blue skies and little wind.
Highlights of the weekend included the appearance of two wombats, a brief glimpse of a fast moving wallaby and a delightful lyrebird who gave us a birdcall recital from the clifftops.
Members were given practical instruction in map reading, first aid and bushcraft. Saturday included some interesting rock scrambling through the cliff lines, a visit to the primitive Palm Valley and the challenge of navigating back to the campsite in time for happy hour around the fire.
Sunday concluded the training with a walk to the rain forest at the other end of Coolana.
Welcome:
Please welcome the following new members: Carla Ryan Pamela Russell Anya Pavot Garth Carter Kris Ginige Anton Conus Wendy Peattie Lesley Clarke Adrienne Hopkins Cathy Kim Michael Moore Peter Lipthay Nick Johnson Jane Anderson Lesley Reed Don Reed Denise Campbell Stuart Luijerink Sally Stone
Denise Robertson - Van Sever
Club Training for New Members: Wed 4th July: 8.00 pm “Packing For a Trip” A guide from experienced members on what to take and how to pack it. A light weight pack can make all the difference between enjoyment and suffering.
Wed 1st August: 8.00 pm “Basic Bush Navigation” with Ian Rannard. With a follow- up practical application on Saturday 4thAugust 11/12th August: Coolana Training Weekend. Practical training in navigation, firstaid and bushcraft
Easy and Test Walks: Recommended walks are shown on the following Walks Pages.
The Sydney Bushwalker
June 2001 _ Page 15
THE WALKS PAGES
Easy Walks For New Members
Easy day walks scheduled for the coming month are shown below but please refer to the Winter Walks Programme for leaders and contact details.
Sun 1st July: Heathcote NP 12km Heathcote to Lake Eckerslie and return.
Sun 8th July: Blue Mountains NP 1ikm Mt Victoria to Mt York via old wells and . dams full of history.
Sat 14th July: Lane Cove NP
A quiet walk along the Great North Walk from Lane Cove to de Burgh Bridge and return.
Sat 21st July: Marramarra NP -19km From Canoelands Rd to the clifftops overlooking Hawkesbury River. Includes side trips to vantage points with magnificent views. Sun 29th July:. Heathcote NP 13km Waterfall to Heathcote via Bulawaring Track and Boobera Pool.
Test Walks:
See the Winter walks programme for details of the following test walks in July: Some weekend walks require Friday night departure.
~ Day Test Walks Sat 30th June: Blue Mountains NP 22km Carlons , Medlow Gap, Spendour Rock etc Sat 7th July: Blue Mountains NP 18km Scenic Railway, Redledge Pass, Devils Hole. Sun 15th July: Blue Mountains NP 18km Narrowneck to Carlons via Splendour Rock Sun 22nd July: Blue Mountains NP 20km Govetts leap, Blue Gum Forest, Evans L.O. Sun 29th July: Blue Mountains NP 20km Victoria Falls, Blue Gum Forest, Evans L.O.
Weekend Test Walks
21st - 22nd July: Kanangra Boyd 25km Kanangra, Roots Ridge, Kowmung River
28th - 29th July: Kanangra Boyd 25km Queen Pin, Thurat Range, Mt Paralyser etc
Gear Buy and Swap:
Wed 8th August Members buy and swap night. An opportunity to dispose of surplus or unwanted gear. For new members an opportunity to obtain pre-loved gear at good prices.
Weekend Walks:
i+ Members are reminded we, that bookings for over- =! night and extended walks should be made well in advance so that leaders can finalise transport
arrangements. Some _% walks require Friday night departure.
Walks scheduled for July are shown below but refer to the Walks Programme for full leaders names and contact details.
30th June -_ 1st July: Kosciuzko NP
A medium grade two day cross country ski tour to area around Teddy's hut and Upper Thredbo River.
30th June -_1st July: Wollemi NP Part exploratory 20km medium grade walk. Barakee Pass area with Colo River crossings.
7th - 8th July: Great River Walk Camden loop Colo Vale to Picton. A medium grade 39km walk from a base camp through rural bushland and historic sites.
14th - 15th July: Blue Mountains NP 46km Enjoy a medium grade walk on the Six Foot Track over two days from Jenolan Caves to Katoomba, share mini-bus hire.
21st - 22nd July: Kanangra Boyd NP 29km A test walk and a good introduction to the Kanangra River via Gingra Range and Brumby Ridge. This walk is recommended for prospective members who have completed an overnight walk.
28th - 29th July: Kanangra Boyd NP 34km From Queen Pin via the North Thurat Range, Mt Paralyser, Mt Guougang, Krungle Bungle and back to Queen Pin. Mainly off track with numerous steep ascents and descents. A medium+ grade test walk.
Extended Walk:
20th July - Ist August: Kakadu NP
Enjoy approx 140 km of the beautiful water systems of Kakadu. An extended medium grade walk from UDP Falls to Koolpin Creek via Twin Falls. Party Limit.
(More walks information on next page) [Page 16
The Sydney Bushwalker June 2001 ~ ~~ 7
Change to Programmed Walks: Date Change: My weekend walk to Kanangra scheduled for first weekend in August will go one week later. I intend to attend the remote area first aid course which will be held on the original date scheduled
With several other members I explored the trip at the long weekend and found it be a very challenging and beautiful walk, but I can only take fit experienced members and prospectives
David Trinder Deferred to next programme I have a walk scheduled for Sunday the 22nd of July. However that walk has been deferred until the spring program. Chris Dowling
Advance Notice: Tasmania 7th November - 17th November The Overland Track plus side trips. Walk Australia's best known and well loved long distance walking track. 73kms + 35kms side trips. Please contact me early with expressions of interest as I need to arrange transport and accommodation. Party limit of 8. Stephen Adams (m) 0414 642 154
(e-mail) wazark@pocketmail.com.au
Cycling:
A small group braved the Canberra winter chill to visit the Monet Exhibition in the National Gallery and spend a couple of
days on the cycle ways around the, lakes. Many thanks to Helen and Brian Goldstraw who made their home available and enabled us to be warm inside whilst the outside overnight temperatures plunged below zero. Cycling scheduled for July/August are shown below but refer to the Walks Programme for full leaders names and contact details.
21st July Cycle & Walk Blue Mountains NP Cycle from Leura station - Mt Hay walking track 30km cycle & 12km walk
25th, 26th August Bike ride near Bathurst Cycling on good roads to Carcoar and return on Sunday. Barbecue at the farm.
Mid-week Walking Group:
Here is an outline of some interesting activities for coming months planned by those members who through retirement or good planning have time available for mid- week activities.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list, or make a booking for the activities, please phone Bill Holland on 9484 6636
231d - 27th July:
A week at a holiday cottage by the beach at Berrara on the South Coast. The special rates for SBW members will be in the order of $30 per week night for the cottage. As the cottage sleeps eight people it will be a
cheap base from which to plan winter beach
walks, cycling beachside and on forest roads or just easy to medium bushwalks. Enjoy good company , comfort and water views. Please advise your interest. Early booking with $20 deposit will reserve your bed.
22nd - 30th September:
The suggestion is to share cars and camp/walk for a day in a national park on the way there and back. We will camp at the Green Mountain camping ground in Lamington National Park for five days which will need to be booked well ahead. Please let us know as soon as possible if you are interested and whether you would like to drive or share a car. Early booking with $20 deposit will reserve your site.
George Mawer, and others, are planning to conduct some 3 -5 days extended mid-week walks through areas such as Budawangs, Kanangra and other park or wilderness localities. | The intention is to walk short distances per day at an easy pace. Please advise George if you are interested and he will confirm dates at a later stage. His phone number is 9707 1343. .
Brian Holden would like to organise some easy to medium grade bicycle rides in areas around Sydney or even a more extended ride further afield. If interested please let Brian know by phoning him on 4294 3074.
Bert Carter has already offered to research and make a booking for Hitchenbrook Island in 2002. Please advise if you are interested as a strict party limit will apply.
oo00
The Sydney Bushwalker
June 2001 Page 17
CONSERVATION REPORT
nes
The ADI Site
-If when heading west along the Western freeway towards the Blue Mountains you turned right at The Northen Road near Penrith and traveled north for about six kilometers you would see.on your night the ADI (Australian Defense Industries) site. The site extends three kilometers along the Northern Road and about seven kilometers east towards Blacktown. The site was taken over during the second world war and was kept by the government until 1995. Since then studies on the. conservation value have been done and debate on future use has raged. It is-important to conserve the site for several reasons.
It contains a large remnant of the Cumberland Plain woodland, Castlereagh woodlands, grey box and paperbark woodlands and a variety of other vegetation types. It is home to 110 bird species, 9 mammals and many reptile frog and insect species. Many significant Aboriginal archaeological sites exist on the site. The Western Sydney region is one of the most poorly conserved and threatened areas of the State, 95% of native vegetation has been destroyed.
The population of Western Sydney is growing rapidly, expected to be 660,000 by 2021, and there.is an urgent need for an area for nature and passive recreation.
Penrith Council is asking the Federal Government to dedicate the whole site as a regional park. but throughout the planning process other :governments and the bureaucracies have only considered development of the..site. Lend Lease have had an interest and their suggested
ON
a
*
masterplan in 1996 allocated only 20% for .
conservation, the areas too wet, for development of housing, and the remainder was earmarked for development. A study by Kinhill concluded that most of the site had
David Trinder
high conservation values and that these areas should be conserved and managed as a biodiversity zone. The Draft Sydney Regional Environment Plan issued in December 1999 leaves only 42% for a regional parkland and includes areas for 8,000 houses, industrial areas and community centres. This small area of parkland was interwoven among development areas and the pressures of vehicles, rubbish dumping, domestic animals and weeds would eventually cause this precious remnant of native forest to be lost.
It is interesting that the same governments were adamant about selling Sydney harbour foreshore land vacated by Defense for development. Community pressure and an election changed this and The Sydney Harbour National Park fortunately was formed.
On behalf of the members of the club I will be writing to a selection of State and Federal representatives and Lend Lease arguing that the entire site should be protected as a regional park.
The movement needs volunteers to help and you can write to Bob Carr the Premier and Lend Lease, or refer to the current issue of the National Parks Journal for further information.
Jet Fighter Bombers over the Blue
Mountains:
The quietness of the new World Heritage Wilderness of the southern Blue Mountains may soon be destroyed by the roar of jet fighter bombers providing joy rides at low altitudes in the valleys of the Burragorang and Kowmung.
Promoted by the Australian Fighter Flight Centre at Bankstown Airport clients will be paying up to $1,500 for a mock combat mission through the valleys. This is a destruction of the beauty and the values for which the area has been conserved as a World Heritage Area and it should be stopped
I will be writing on behalf of the club arguing against this operation and I suggest that you also write to The Minister for the Environment Robert Hill, and refer to the current National Parks Journal for further information.
0000 [Page 18
The Sydney Bushwalker
June 2001 |
SOCIAL NOTES
Recent Happenings:
The Wednesday night social events have been very well attended. A crowd of over fifty attended the Annual SBW Concert in May. Some very talented members entertained us with bush music, magic tricks, songs, recitations, line dancing and skits. I am told there are many more members in the Club with special talents - so next year don't wait for us to invite you, volunteer and join in the fun.
Another special night was the slide and photo presentation “Walking in the South Island”. About forty attended. Many thanks to David Trinder and his helpers.
June:
This magazine will reach you after our Mid- Winter Feast but im. time to attend the “Leadership and Leadership Training” night on 27th June. This will be an entertaining and informative evening aimed at developing a Training Programme to enhance club activities.
July:
This month there are some very special social events - see below. All will be held in the Clubrooms at 16 Fitzroy St Kirribilli unless otherwise stated.
Wed 6th Committee Meeting - 6.30pm Observers welcome Prospective Training - 8-00pm “Packing for a trip”
Wed 11th General Meeting - 8.00pm followed by members slides and leaders promotion of coming trips
Wed 18th 'Walking the John Muir Trail and the Grand Canyon - USA“ Presentation by Alan Dixon. A special look at diverse and very interesting areas.
Wed 25th “Insects You Would See On A Typical Sunday Walk” 8-00 pm Slide presentation and talk by Frank Taeker. Frank is well known for his expertise and photographic ability.
Gemma Gagne
Do you have any suggestions for future Social Programs? If so, please contact the Social Secretary Gemma Gagne 9923 1468
Archives: Our Club Archivist, Andrew Vilder is in the process of transferring some of the older records to the State Library. These records include SBW Minute Books (1927 - 1942), Marie Byles personal records and letters from SBW members written during World War 11. Other Club records remain at 216C Quarter Sessions Road Westleigh and are available for inspection by appointment. Please phone Andrew on 9489 9895
Magazine Deadlines Copy for publishing in the SBW magazine should be received by the editor by the end of the first week of each month.
The deadline for last-minute urgent items is the second Monday of each month as the magazine is usually printed on the following Thursday.
Sydney Bushwalker' Collating Members are invited to assist with the collating of the July: magazine at the Holland's home at Westleigh on Thursday 19th July from 6pm. Contact Fran Holland beforehand for details on 9484 6636.
Confederation Dates For 2001
SBW members are encouraged to note and support the following Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs (NSW) activities:
Jul 7,8 ~~ Navshield 2001 (Rogaining) Aug Remote Area First Aid Course Aug 11 Annual General Meeting
Sep 21 Annual Bush Dance .
Oct 21,22 Wildemess. Rescue Training
Oct 27,28 St Johns Senior First-Aid Course
Enquiries to Carol Lubbers 4758 8791
The Leaders in Adventure since 1930
Ever since Paddy Pailin began making his gear in his back room, Paddy Pallin has led the way in manufacturing and selling a range of quality products for fellow bushwalkers. We understand that walkers need lightweight, functional equipment which will perform in all kinds of conditions,
so if you want the best products and the best advice, come
in and see us.
WE SPECIALISE IN: * Footwear for bushwalking * Rucksacks
* Day packs
* Gore-Tex rainwear
* Polartec fleece warmwear * Thermal bodywear
* Outdoor clothing
* Sleeping bags
* Tents
* Stoves and water purifiers
* Cross country skis and boots * Rockclimbing equipment
* Books and maps
* Accessories
And if you are just starting out, or perhaps trying something new, we have a range of equipment for hire at competitive prices.
For a free catalogue, drop into your nearest store, or call (02) 9524 1385.
Miranda 527 Kingsway City 507 Kent St Parramatta 2/74 Macquarie St Katoomba 166B Katoomba St Canberra 11 Lonsdale St. Braddon Jindabyne Kosciusko Rd