SBW Magazine & History Project

JANUARY 2002

Print Post Approved PP 235723/01270

Artist for cover image: Alan Prachy toc

pagebreak

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 you're 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.

Australian 12oz canvas Made in Katoomba the old traditional way 40 litre capacity

by David Noble It's good to see a pack made in the Blue Mountains for use in the Blue Mountains. The “Triassic” features two shoulder strap sizes so that the pack can be properly hip loaded, sitting down comfortably in the lumbar region of the back. This is sometimes difficult especially if you are a taller person. The harness system also includes a thick waist belt and chest strap enabling a tight fit which is great when climbing over rocks.

The volume is large enough to allow a 50m rope and wetsuit to easily fit in and the top is made larger so that your stuff slides in and out with ease. The pack has a large front pocket for those essential items such as a torch, and a top pocket for the map and camera. The pack is large enough to be used as a weekend pack when no ropes etc. are needed. This can keep the bulk down and stop you from packing too much on those weekend bushwalks.

The “Triassic” is made from durable 12oz canvas which can withstand the abuse given to it in canyons and when walking through scrub. All the seams are double stitched and sealed to prevent failure. It is also very waterproof; 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 like to keep the visual impact minimal too.

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 two shoulder strap options. And great for canyons or short weekend trips.

NB: David Noble is a keen canyoner and bushwalker. He is also the discoverer of the rare Wollemi Pine (WOLLEMIA NOBILIS) found in 1994.

Features:

• Proper hip loading with 2 shoulder strap sizes for walking comfort
• Wide throat for easy loading and unloading
• Buckle up front pocket with internal divider
• Top lid pocket
• Extendable lid for overloading
• Padded hip belt with 38mm buckle
• Hip belt retainer for city use (conveniently holds the hip belt back and out of the way)
• Padded back (removable)
• Thumb loops on shoulder straps for more comfortable walking
• Internal compression strap for holding down your canyon rope
• Side compression straps for minimising volume
• Storm throat to keep out the rain
• Hard wearing Cordura base
• Price $159.00

pagebreak

JANUARY 2002 Issue No. 806

THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER is a monthly bulletin of matters of interest to members of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc PO Box 431 Milsons Point 1565. To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager.

The Sydney Bushwalker magazine is printed on recycled paper.

THE SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS INCORPORATED was founded in 1927. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday.

General Enquiries: phone 0500 500 729 SBW WEBSITE www.sbw.org.au

The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.

pagebreak

It has not been a good start to the New Year. Bushfires: Over two weeks of hot dry weather, widespread fires, property loss and burnt-out bush. It seems appropriate, therefore, that this issue of the magazine contains some timely information on the bushfires. On page 5 we have advice from one of our senior members, Ben Esgate as well as an update on park closures.

Last month's letter from Andrew Vilder, suggesting abandoning our Prospectives induction system, has provoked two replies. Coincidentally, our Club Review Sub-committee has recommended changes and formulated motions to be placed before the Annual General Meeting in March - see page 10.

Brian Holden's suggestion that the Club produce a colour brochure - see Letters, page 4 also has been overtaken by events. Late last year the Club Review Sub Committee produced a draft of a colour brochure aimed at promoting the Club. The Management Committee has accepted the concept and design of this brochure.

Your response to the invitation to provide bushwalking recipes has been underwhelming. I have been forced to include a recipe previously published. It's a good recipe and well worth noting, but where are your modern lightweight food formulations? Where are the gourmet bushwalking foods that I have so often watched others eat? Come on, our new members are looking for ideas. Send in your “Bushwalking Recipe of the Month”.

The walks reports are starting to come in and are very welcome. As well as reports of recent trips I would welcome reports of coming walks. Walks leaders should use this part of the magazine to promote walks in interesting areas. Bill Holland

Copy for publishing in the SBW magazine should be received by the editor by the end of the first week of each month. Please send your submission in by mail (preferably typed), on floppy disc, email billholl@hotkey.net.au or by fax on 9980 5476.

Fire Warning Lighting any fire in the open may lead to a fine of $5,000 and six months imprisonment. This applies to any naked flame including camp fires and camping stoves

Bushfires: The tragic bushfires that have swept through so many of our favourite walking areas, especially around the Greater Sydney Area during the holiday season, have caused much damage to property but, fortunately, no loss of life.

As it is only eight years since the last series of disastrous bushfires in NSW, I believe that in the circumstances nothing less than a full judicial enquiry into this state's bushfire suppression and management practices is called for.

As a result of these fires we must expect severe restrictions on bushwalking in burnt out national parks and reserves and the consequent re- programming of some of our walks by our dedicated leaders - who deserve our support.

Welfare: It is nice to report that fellow club members Alex Colley and John Poleson are making good progress and greatly appreciate the support you have given them. I apologise for any inconvenience caused by my report in December in providing information on the location of our sick friends; by the time you read it they had moved.

Annual General Meeting: Our AGM is less than two months down the track and we need to fill a number of vacancies on our Management Committee as well as various Sub-Committees to keep the Club running smoothly. Your support would be appreciated.

Coolana: It is obviously a hot summer and there is more to come so why not spend a relaxing weekend at Coolana? Sorry about the fire bans but there is plenty of swimming and the wild life is great - wallabies, wombats, lyrebirds I mean. Congratulations to the Coolana Committee for keeping our property in such great condition. Wilf Hilder.

The Club's AGM will be held on the 13th March 2002. The formal Notice Of Meeting, annual reports and Financial Statements will be mailed to all members on or about the 15th February.

Our Club's Constitution requires that all business to be transacted at the AGM shall be specified in the notice convening the meeting.

Therefore, if you have any matter to be raised, or motion to be placed before the AGM would you please advise the Club Secretary, Judy O'Connor, in writing in time for item to be included in the printed Notice of Meeting.

The clubrooms will be closed on Wednesday 23rd January when we will gather at the Kirribilli RSL Club for dinner from 8 pm.

pagebreak

Many of our national parks were closed during the time of extreme fire danger over the Christmas/New Year period and will remain closed pending an assessment of fire damage. This will affect the current Walks Programme. Many walks listed may be cancelled, deferred or relocated.

Please check with the Leader well in advance of the scheduled walk as the restrictions relating to the current period will change and further restrictions may be imposed. The NPWS website www.npws.nsw.gov.au offers up-to-date information. However, before visiting a park, please check on local conditions by contacting the local park office or calling the National Parks Centre on 1300 36 1967.

As at 6 January all parks in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan Area, Blue Mountains, Illawarra and Central Coast are closed. There are some exemptions for picnic areas accessible by road.

Fires are affecting many parks including Wollemi, lower Blue Mountains, Dharug, Shoalhaven, Ettrema/Yalwal area and Berowra Valley Regional Park. Also the Great North Walk remains closed due to storm damage.

The following areas are included in the list of fire affected areas and are currently closed. Specifically;

• Sydney Harbour NP (open)
• Ku-ring-gai NP, Garrigal, Lane Cove and

Marra Marra NP (all closed)

• Botany Bay NP (Kurnell section closed)
• Bouddi NP (coastal picnic and camping areas

open)

• Royal NP (closed until further notice)
• Barren Grounds, Bungonia, Budderoo

Macquarie Pass, Morton NPs (all closed)

Other areas closed include Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay (managed by Australian Parks and Wildlife Service), Tallowa Dam (managed by Sydney Water) and the Shoalhaven River downstream from Bendeela Camping area boundary (managed by Sydney Water).

Note: Murramarang NP is still open (includes Pretty Beach, Depot Beach, Pebbly Beach)

The Club's property at Coolana remains unaffected by fire at this stage. All members are asked to use great care and to comply with all fire restrictions.

This article has previously appeared in Club magazines in 1989 and 1991.

PANIC is the biggest killer. When faced with a fast moving bushfire, people forget every bit of good advice they have ever been given.

If a fire approaches when you are out on a bushwalk:

• FIND RAINFOREST - this has thick green foliage (lilli-pilli, coach wood) and is a safe retreat. So are

clumps of lawyer vine and tall trees without undergrowth (like Blue Gum.). Green casuarinas (she-oaks)

  also burn poorly.
* **AVOID** - low, thick scrub in forested or open areas. Dry swamps are full of rushes, which burn fiercely.
  Avoid wearing synthetic materials, as flying cinders will melt them into your skin. Wool or cotton is best.
* Because **HEAT RISES**, fires race **UP** hill, but burn slowly **DOWN** hill. Head into a gully. A rocky stream,
  even if dry, is good. Smoke also rises, avoid being asphyxiated by lying down, where the air will be fresher
  and contain more oxygen. If the fire is going to pass fairly close use a large boulder to shield you from
  heat radiation.
* **Always carry matches.** If the situation is really desperate you can light a fire and walk behind the flames. A
  bushfire cannot burn ground already burnt.
* **Remember that even the biggest fire passes.** Once it **HAS** passed, walk carefully over burnt ground. Try
  keeping to rocky patches to avoid treading on burnt cinders.

The above are extracts from a talk given in the Clubrooms by Ben Esgate in 1989. Ben Esgate is an authority on the subject having lived in the Blue Mountains for many years. In addition to being a bushman and a bushwalker of vast experience, he was a Bush Fire Brigade Captain for a considerable time.

pagebreak

What seems to be missing from the years ongoing discussion re: the club's viability is proper market research - and then selling a product the market is receptive to. We need a colour brochure printed off in thousands. The magazine can be cut down to a bi-monthly to pay for them. In addition to our traditional activities, the brochure should be able to appeal to those who want heritage walks, family picnics and group overseas travel. Forget about pulling in young singles. They do not belong to a club generation as we did when we were their age. It has nothing to do with bushwalking going out of favour. The outdoors stores are at times crowded with young people. We are in desperate need of cold systematic researchers rather than people throwing theories about. Brian Holden.

I was interested to read the letter from Andrew Vilder (December 2001) about the SBW prospective system. With the experience of more than 20 years of organising the NPA Walks Program, I am completely convinced about the merits of the open and egalitarian system that Andrew supports. This would mean an end to the requirement that prospectives complete a full pack walk before they join the club as a full member. The measure of any successful walks program - is simple - a large number of diverse activities. The key to obtaining such a program is the contribution of walks by people from across the spectrum of bushwalking interests. Some leaders may have little interest in full pack walking but the activities that they provide are of interest and value to all in the club, including full pack walkers. So each element of the program supports all others, producing a better walks program and making everyone better off. An improved walks program itself produces an upward spiral as more people want to join and contribute to it.

Willingness to participate in the administration of a club is also not restricted to full pack walkers. People who will help in this regard are like gold. These days, clubs simply cannot afford to turn away committed people, just because they are not full pack walkers.

The SBW prospective system loses many people who would eventually have been an asset to the club. Whilst this was not a problem in the past, it is a policy that does not provide a secure basis for the future. Richard Thompson

The report on the 134,000 ha NPWS identified Yengo Wilderness is currently on public exhibition for comment. This classic sclerophyll forest wilderness is drained by the Macdonald River and tributaries that have dissected the sandstone plateau forming a landscape of interlocking ridges rising to Mt. Yengo, a prominent basalt cap standing above the surrounding terrain.

The 105,000 ha NPWS recommended wilderness while extensive, has two major defects - the proposal is in three pieces separated by 4WD tracks and its central feature, Mt. Yengo, was omitted. The excluded area is identified wilderness and contains further 4WD tracks that encircle the recently NPWS acquired Big Yango property that could be adapted for commercial use. The pressure for development of this World Heritage listed area will no doubt increase and wilderness reservation will provide effective development control.

The brochure announcing the Yengo Wilderness Assessment advises that the proposed wilderness area does not include significant 4WD and horse riding routes. In other words the wilderness was pruned to avoid conflict with 4WD and horse rider groups (and these interests will oppose the wilderness).

Make a submission The Yengo wilderness should be adequately protected. Please make a wilderness submission emphasising the following points:

• Your support for the wilderness, including its central feature Mt. Yengo and surrounding high ridges, with closure of associated 4WD roads within the area;
• Inclusion of the Old Settlers Road and Yango Track within the national park and a unified wilderness, with access agreements established for the area landholders;
• Reduction of the threat to life and property posed by wildfire by the voluntary acquisition of private property within wilderness, especially in high risk areas;
• Immediate termination of permissive occupancies grazing licences that are historically associated with dangerous bushfires used as a form of scrub clearing.

Make your submission by February 28 to:

Director-General
Yengo Wilderness Submission
C/- NPWS Central Coast Hunter Range Region
P O Box 1447 GOSFORD NSW 2250

Keith Muir Colong Foundation for Wilderness

pagebreak

Reported by Barry Wallace

The time stood at about 2010 while the 18 or so members sat or lounged as the president called all to order and asked for apologies. Gretel Woodward and Judy O'Connor were unable to be present, Carol Lubbers had called in sick, and Tom Wenman had gone home sick. In the absence of the secretary Bill Holland volunteered to keep the minutes.

The minutes of the previous general meeting were read and accepted as a true and correct record. Matters arising saw mention that George Mawer has agreed to continue in the position of walks recorder.

No correspondence was available to the meeting.

Confederation report indicated that there have recently been two claims on the accident insurance policy. Members are again urged to independently obtain their own Ambulance cover.

The Coolana committee has written to the Valuer-General's department requesting a review of the property titles in order to pursue a claim for overcharged rates.

Conservation report provided some details of an article on global warming that appeared in last month's magazine.

No treasurer's report was available to the meeting but two items of expenditure were mentioned. A payment of $732.82 to Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre for rental was approved, and we were advised that the committee has resolved to donate $100.00 to the Kangaroo Valley Bush Fire Brigade.

With no Walks Secretary there weren't any walks reports to present to the meeting.

General business brought the foreshadowing by Don Finch of a motion to be presented for debate at the February General Meeting. The motion will propose that the club register as a Landcare group with Coolana as the nominated property. Further information is available from Don on the benefits of such a move.

The General Meeting closed at around 2102 and was followed by discussion of proposed changes to the club's management structure.

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th March 2002 at 8pm.

The President and other Office Bearers will be elected for the coming year. Come along and register your vote.

This is an African trip with a difference…

Our 2001 trip was such a success we're doing it again

• 8 weeks beginning September 2002
• Wildflowers and wildlife
• Mountains and coast
• The natural world and ancient rock art
• Walks and more walks

You Walk! Southern Africa has some of the best bushwalking trails in the world. We can't do them all, but we will do some of the best. If the full trip is too long, you can do parts.

Ask for our trip notes.

www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au Willis's Walkabouts 12 Carrington St Millner NT 0810 Email: walkabout@ais.net.au Phone: (08) 8985 2134 Fax: (08) 8985 2355

pagebreak

by Stephen Adams

This walk was in danger of becoming a crowd as in addition to me and my Welsh mate Tony we also had a third starter. However, he dropped out 12 hours before he was due to fly out so it was just me and Tony again.

Our flight was delayed 1 hour due to a blocked fuel valve on the aircraft; we waited patiently while a man hit it with a spanner.

We landed at Melbourne and missed our connection to Devonport. Qantas issued us a voucher for a meal and we feasted at Burger King before being packed onto a flight to Launceston. From there we were conveyed to Devonport by hire car; 9 hours from Sydney to Devonport but we did'nt care 'cos we were on holiday and were'nt in any great rush.

A pleasant night was spent at Molly Malone's Irish pub and backpackers where I threw numerous pints of Guinness and Newcastle brown ale down my neck and needed only to stumble upstairs to get the head down.

The next day our bus conveyed us efficiently to Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre. There were numerous other walkers starting the Overland track in varying states of preparedness. All of them piled onto shuttle buses for the last 5kms to the start of the Overland track. We walked, reluctant to part with $9 and eager to start walking.

Upon arrival at Cradle Mountain we went straight into the assault, carrying our 30 kilo rucksacks to the summit because we did not trust anyone not to nick anything and we wanted to prove we were hard and show off to all the tourists. Cradle Mountain is a challenging boulder scramble with 30 kilos, we made the summit, briefly considered camping on top, but descended and camped at a tarn below Cradle Mountain in high spirits. The next day we took on Barn Bluff minus rucksacks, we weren't as hard as we thought we were. Barn Bluff tucked under the belt, lunch was taken at Waterfall Valley Hut with a bunch of Germans (I did not mention the war!)

We swept onwards, passing Windermere Hut by because it was full of Germans and camped at a spot several kms on, as there were no major peaks to climb until the next day. We awoke to snow and packed up in a snowstorm, fingers frozen and hightailed it to New Pelion Hut to claim it before the Germans arrived to occupy it. We arrived first, closely followed by a Swiss, then Germans, a Yank, another German and, miracle, a couple of Aussies. They were guiding the Germans and the Yank. It seems some people pay other people to take them walking in the mountains, how bizarre.

The coal stove was fired up and soon numerous items of hosiery were hanging up merrily steaming away. We got talking to our hutmates, I finished off the last of my whisky and we had a very merry night. A new hut has been built at Pelion Plains opened on 8th December. It can comfortably accommodate 60 walkers, fully insulated but no heating. Parks and Wildlife Service have deemed this unnecessary. New Pelion Hut is to be demolished, Old Pelion Hut is to be retained for historical reasons

The next day saw us scaling the jewel in the crown (because it's the highest) Mt. Ossa, in the snow, preceded by Mt. Pelion East, Nail biting stuff in the snow and ice. We bedded down at Du Cane Hut that night and were undisturbed by the masses as they all stayed at Kia-ora Hut 'cos its posher.

Now it was time for the grand finale, a foray into The Labyrinth and a high base camp below the summit of Mt. Geryon, from where we did the summits of Mt. Geryon and Mt. Massif. We saw wedge tailed eagles aplenty. We had perfect sunny weather for these three days perched atop the roof of Tassie and we saw not another soul.

Reluctantly, we descended to Pine Valley and did The Acropolis our last peak. In the distance, civilization was beckoning. We could see Cynthia Bay from The Acropolis, our time was running out. Camp was made by a waterfall in Pine Valley and next morning we ran from the enchanting spell of this magical place to return to the brutal world of the concrete jungle. Our last night was spent at Echo Point Hut and we arrived at Cynthia Bay feeling like heroes, albeit smelly, dirty ones. Straight into the restaurant, double egg and chips, 4 slices bread and butter, overland vegieburger and chips, washed down with several bottles of cider maybe civilization ain't so bad after all. Stephen Adams

pagebreak

1916-2001

Allan Wyborn, long devoted member of the Sydney Bushwalkers Club and passionate environmentalist died peacefully in his home beside his beloved wife Alice on 30th June 2001, aged 84.

Allan along with his sweetheart Alice, joined the SBW in 1936. He had a strong upbringing in the ways of the bush through the Scouting Movement and the Rover Ramblers, and the practice continued for his active period as a SBW leader through to 1945 when Ross, his first child was born. In those early years he undertook many explorations, both as private trips and as club walks with Alice as companion.

He was particularly drawn to the more distant places of NSW in search of new walking areas, partly because his work in the NSW Railways gave him free rail passes. There were exploration trips to Kosi, the Brindabellas, the Border and Liverpool Ranges, Nandewars and Warrumbungles. On one of his walks in the “Bungles” in 1943 he suggested to the landowner, Alf Pincham, that he should donate the mountains to the National Parks. The rest is history.

During the forties and fifties Allan was the Honorary Secretary of the Forestry Advisory Council, and, for a time, acting Honorary Organiser. In this capacity he supported the conservation of forestry areas in Queensland, Tasmania and New Zealand, as well as NSW, and explored these areas in person, including an early trip to Hinchinbrook Island.

By now there were 3 children to contend with, but that did not deter Allan and Alice. After arranging care of the children with his sister Eileen, they set off in 1954 on a 5-month trip around, and into the centre, of Australia in their trusty Vanguard. The great adventure included many side walking trips in areas now famous as tourist destinations and places of “wilderness experience”.

The fifties and sixties were the child-raising decades, and Allan carefully nurtured his children into a love and understanding of the natural world and in particular the Australian bush. Ultimately for a short time in the late sixties seven Wyborns were members of SBW including spouses. With the departure of the children to their own adventures across the world, Allan and Alice embarked on renewed exploration, and this time the world was their oyster. There weren't many countries able to escape an invasion by Allan, complete with VW campervan, sense of humour, and ability to chat up unsuspecting locals and turn them into lifelong friends. Trips often revolved around Vancouver, Canada, where son Ross had settled after the 1969 Australian Andean Expedition. These trips continued through the eighties, with home base overlooking the Blue Mountains National Park at Mt Wilson. Allan lovingly built the house at Mt Wilson to Alice's specifications including the English garden nurtured by rich basalt soil and high rainfall. However the cold Mt Wilson climate eventually took control, and a new house began to take shape at Malua Bay on the south coast in 1995. A new garden had to be fashioned in much less fertile conditions than Mt Wilson, but this garden still looks a picture today.

Allan's life was full of go. One of his final achievements was to initiate and help organise a Wyborn clan world reunion in Saskatchewan in 2000 attended by over 100 relations from across the world. At the end there were still many plans in train, not the last of which was to capture some of his 50,000 or more photos onto a computer archive. Alas this project and many others were cut short, a saddening state of affairs. But in the end isn't that the best way to go, still full of vitality and quest for the future.

pagebreak

A Social History of Australian Ecological Thought and Action

Reviewed by Alex Colley

The purpose of this book is clearly stated in the words “we believe that all of us need sources of inspiration from the past and as we head towards our uncertain future,” and perhaps the greatest uncertainty is how long the world will support “a belief in endless growth.”

The word “ecology” was first used in 1866 and did not achieve common use for a century, but the idea of ecology was achieved in the beliefs of nature lovers. Although the early settlers found the Australian landscape “weird, melancholy or fearsome”, their perceptions were changed by artists and writers. Among the earliest were von Guerard and Buvelot. Later came Tom Roberts and Frederick McCubbin who freed landscape art from deference towards English culture. By the 1950s artists such as Drysdale, Nolan and Boyd attracted international attention. Among the early writers were Adam Lindsay Gordon, Marcus Clarke and the Bulletin writers. Later on came Dark, Wright, White and Plumwood.

It was not however until the second half of last century that nature conservation became a mainstream political issue, though there had been limited campaigns before then. The Wild Life Preservation Society was founded in 1909 and Collins and Lahey successfully campaigned for Lamington National Park, created in 1915. But I believe that it was the bushwalkers, in particular the Mountain Trails Club and its successor the Sydney Bush Walkers, which brought nature conservation into the limelight.

It was Myles Dunphy who set the course for future campaigns, assisted by Alan Rigby, Marie Byles, and Dot Butler. The work of these pioneers is described in the book, and that of many others. Conservation moved from limited campaigns and generalisations to state wide specific objectives. It is unlikely that many of these objectives could have been achieved without the formation of the National Parks Association in 1957 and the Colong Foundation, founded by Milo Dunphy, in 1968.

The Colong Committee is credited with showing that “a direct appeal for public support could win the day on conservation issues, which proved to be a turning point for the conservation movement nationally.” Though I would like to have seen Geoff Mosley and Nugget Coombs, who wrote “The Return of Scarcity,” included in the pioneers, limiting of the length of the text was essential.

The book conveys an aura of respectability to ecological campaigners, once described as “radical extremists,” “ratbags” or worse. It is a valuable history and reference book, and in the years to come, when scarcity returns, more species become extinct, salinity spreads and global warming increases, it will be an invaluable record of conservation pioneering.

*Ecological Pioneers* by Martin Mulligan and Stuart Hill was published by Cambridge University Press. 338 pages, rrp $39.95

Martin Mulligan lectures in the School of Social Ecology and Lifelong Learning at the University of Western Sydney and Stuart Hill holds the Foundation Chair of Social Ecology at the University.

At last! It seems that the Victorian Government has announced that 1:25,000 topographical maps will be available for download from the www.nre.vic.gov.au website free of charge.

Some map sections are available for Tasmania. Other states are expected to follow suit although no other announcements have been made. The NZ Gov't has similar arrangements in place.

Provided you have a PC, internet access and a decent printer you will soon (we hope) be able to download the map for next week's walk and save spending $8.00 per map. If you have a GPS you can pre-plot your course and waypoints.

[The above information was posted in messages on the Oziusers-L Yahoo Groups website. I have not been able to verify that the maps will be free of charge although the message poster assures readers he has verbal confirmation from the Vic Gov Dept… Ed]

To encourage our walks leaders to get their St John's First Aid Certificate, the Committee has offered to subsidise current Walks Leaders for half the cost of gaining an accredited Senior First Aid Certificate up to $50 and if combined with an accredited Remote Area First Aid, up to $80. This will be for a trial six-month period.

pagebreak

by Patrick James

Of all the matters raised in the Club survey, only one issue was of fundamental importance to the continued viability of SBW, and that issue was prospective membership. At one stage we were all prospective members, now we describe ourselves as being new members, old members, active members, inactive members, tiger walkers, kitten walkers, worn-out members, day walkers, weekend walkers, slow walkers, fast walkers, ex-walkers, etc, etc, etc.

The Review Sub-Committee, all experienced rocket scientists, quickly realised that SBW would wither and die if there was not a steady stream of new members (ex-prospective members) coming into the Club to take up the obligations, duties, challenges, fun and companionship of SBW membership; our new members today will be the Club elders of the future.

With this simple concept the Review Sub- Committee started to look at the process of turning a prospective member into a member. We looked at the rules formulated in 1927 to see if they needed to be updated, and they did. If we could streamline the process, and we could. If we could simplify the paperwork, and we could. If it would be difficult to carry out these changes, and it was not. If it would be worthwhile to make the changes, and we firmly believe so.

For 74 years prospective members have trod a well worn, deeply rutted track to membership. So deeply rutted that they could not see over the sides, and we could not see the people on the track. We knew some prospective members got fed up with the process and opted out as soon as they could. So many things have changed since the prospective membership rules were formulated; the Harbour Bridge has been built, topo maps of anywhere are available everywhere, the black two piece telephone is now a mobile with internet access. And some things have remained the same, magnetic north is still different from true north and bushwalking is still loads of fun. It is definitely time to update the procedure.

The Review Sub-Committee has formulated five straightforward and simple changes to simplify the Prospective Membership procedure. These changes will form part of the AGM Notice of Meeting because four of them require minor Constitution changes. The changes will simplify the process, the SBW badge will still have to be earned, the test walks will have to be walked, navigation and first aid studied and understood. The Review Sub-Committee worked long and hard to understand the problem and to find the solution.

The first proposed change is procedural and does not require a change to the Constitution. It refers to the current requirement for Prospective Members to come before the Management Committee. It is proposed to drop this anachronistic procedure. Prospective Members will still be invited to be welcomed to the Club at a general meeting.

The other four proposed changes are changes to the Constitution (requiring notice as Special Resolutions) and will be placed before the next Annual General Meeting (13th March 2002). They all refer to changes to Membership Qualifications, viz:-

1. Changes to period within which a prospective member may gain full membership.

Clause 5d currently states: “A person shall not be eligible for membership other than prospective membership of the association unless that person: Clause 5(d) ii. Holds prospective membership of the association for a period of not less than three months and pays such subscription as the committee shall determine, and within a period of six months after entering upon prospective membership fulfills the qualifications set out in (iii) (iv) (v) and (vi) of this rule.”

It is proposed to replace “and within a period of six months” with “and within a period determined by the Annual General Meeting”

This change will enable the AGM to change the period to other than six months without further change to the Constitution. Clause 33 (i) requires notice of such changes to be given prior to the AGM.

2. Change description of Test Walks to Qualifying Walks

Clause 5 (d) iii currently states: “satisfactorily accomplishes two test walks, each one day in duration, and one test walk of at least two days in duration involving such distance, time and terrain as approved by the committee. Such test walks shall include where possible practical map reading and bushcraft instruction. The committee shall be at liberty to accept test walks of two days or more in duration in lieu of the walks of one day in duration referred to above.

It is proposed to replace the word “test” with “qualifying”. Although both words have almost the same meaning, “qualifying” leading to membership is considered more positive, whereas a “test” has the negative idea of excluding.

3. Delete requirement for an applicant for membership to be nominated by a member.

Clause 5 (d) v (2) currently states: “the nomination of a member of at least six months standing who shall have known the applicant for three months and who shall report to the committee on the applicant's sociability, stamina and respect for the association's welfare.”

It is proposed to delete this sub-clause completely because it no longer is complied with, besides being a form of discrimination based on an applicant's sociability.

4. Change the endorsement requirement from six members to three leaders.

Clause 5 (d) v (3) currently states: “the endorsement of six other members of at least six months standing”

It is proposed to replace the words “six other members of at least six months standing” to “three other members of at least six months standing who shall have been the leader of, or members on the three qualifying walks undertaken.”

Patrick James

by Don Finch

At the February General Meeting a motion to register Sydney Bushwalkers as a Landcare group with Coolana as the Landcare area is to be considered. Why? As a Landcare group assistance is available from the Department of Land and Water Conservation. DLWC helps with development of long or short-term management plans. Access to funding for particular approved Landcare projects from a number of organizations is also available.

The number of people that actually do the work at Coolana is really very small, registering, as a Landcare group is not likely to change that. However with some professional help in planning and developing a long term approach it may be possible to ensure that the efforts of the few are not wasted for the want of continuity.

Landcare groups are independent and autonomous. It is the group that decides what it wants to work on; DLWC helps after the decision is made to achieve results. The Coolana maintenance committee and other Coolana workers will be the core of the Landcare group. They will decide what they want to attempt.

By registering Sydney Bushwalkers as the Landcare group it is SBW that decides what it wants to do. Although this is exclusive of our neighbours and others it is almost certainly the best option.

By nominating Coolana as the Landcare area it is intended that the focus is on rehabilitating Coolana and that the limited workforce is not expected to be involved in projects that are not on Coolana. This applies now as much as in the future.

There are several websites with information on Landcare. Department Of Land And Water Conservation at www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au and Landcare NSW at www.landcarensw.org.

During the term of the Coolana Special Committee in 1999 a large amount of interesting and pertinent detail about Coolana come to light. This was distilled into the Coolana report dated September 1999 and sent to all members. The position of our boundaries and what we own and do not own are of particular interest. Among the pertinent detail is the fact that we have been paying rates on a block of land that we do not own for the last twenty years. This last is being attended to but it bears out the fact that if people do not have the correct information or access to it then errors will occur. By joining Landcare I hope that the information on what people are doing and achieving at Coolana is organised in a way that any interested member now or in the future can pick up the threads and contribute to a positive outcome.

Don Finch

Don has now advised that he will place an amended motion to the February General Meeting. The amended motion would then read “That the Coolana Maintenance Committee consider if the Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. register with the Department of Land & Water Conservation as a Landcare Group with Coolana as the nominated Landcare area”. [Ed]

pagebreak

15th - 22nd September, 2001 by Keith Muir

The Capertee Village is a leisurely three and a half hours travel by train and bus from Central Station. For Malcolm Carr, Andy Cairns, David Bowskill and I, it was the start of a week long bushwalk to look at the damage to public lands adjoining the western side of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area. Travelling by public transport proved to be an excellent way to start. Everyone was completely organised and relaxed, there were none of the usual hassles associated with car trips.

Airly, our first destination, is the site of a proposed coal mine but little work has commenced despite being approved 10 years ago. After climbing Airly Turret for the views over the Gardens of Stone, we headed for the old oil shale workings and on the way met Col Ribaux, who owns a nearby gold and diamond mine. He was using a tomahawk to search for vital fossil clues hidden amongst the shale deposits. He loves and conserves his mountain in his own way (which includes considerable 4WD access tracks) but he remains totally opposed to the NPWS and national parks. One has to be careful talking to Col about these issues. Malcolm collected some of the fossils and carried them throughout the trip in his huge pack.

Like ancient oil shale miners we camped snug on the north-east face of Airly, overlooking the Capertee Valley - the most scenic valley in all NSW. The view of Tyan Peak - a mini Mount Fuji - was wonderful in the purple light of early morning. The group dynamics became apparent early on Tuesday, because of our divergent ideas about what was meant by getting up for an early start. I concluded that leadership at this point was about making as much noise as necessary to wake the sleeping. A campfire and a cup of tea also helped.

Later, at 5pm, after 18 kilometres, the Parish of Coco had lived up to its name, as a saddle near Pantoneys Crown is made for interesting navigation. There are ever so many gullies, and navigation by dead reckoning was just a step away from being benighted. We made camp on Crown Creek after dark after running into a cute swamp wallaby with rounded ears that bounded off in the right direction.

Next day we struggled over Baal Bone Gap and into a fantastic realm of low narrow creek valleys, grassy flats and pagoda lined ridges. Coal mining is damaging this part of the proposed extension to the Gardens of Stone National Park. A new powerline, dams, pumping stations and pipelines have been cut into the landscape, and cliff collapses and water pollution scar and poison it.

Nearby Gardiners Gap (named after Jackie Gardiner) has retained its bushranging romance. Monday night's camp on Long Swamp on the headwaters of the Cox's River was ideal, except for the scars. The modern-day bushrangers, trail bikes and 4WD vehicles, have torn every mine exploration road in this wonderful area into an erosion gully. Nearly every rock face is cracked and only the foolhardy would use the area's camp caves.

Next day, Tuesday, we headed east to Lambs Creek, another classic grassy valley that offered wonderful walking. A cliff fall has created a rock block up, which had closed off the head of this creek. Scrambling over this and fighting through the scrub led our party directly onto the Temple of Doom, aptly named for its forbidding twin towers. The view from this rock temple is well worth a look and, like most of Newnes Plateau, offers views of the Wolgan, the Gardens of Stone and north Wollemi.

Nearby, the track Wolgan River Falls appears as a scene-of-valiant-struggle where 4WD vehicles have pitted themselves mercilessly against an innocent pagoda landscape. In this playground heavy, giant rubber wheel-spinning monsters have reduced the rough old tracks to a moonscape condition. Trees have been ringbarked by winch cables, then pulled over and collected into neatly chainsawed stockpiles alongside the favourite hill climbs. We boiled all the water taken from the Wolgan River to use at camp because of upstream pollution from the Springvale mine.

Camping on the Wolgan River was quite damp and not as pleasant as more elevated camps. The 12 kilometre road bash along Sunnyside Ridge to Newnes Pine Forest posed no problems at all and seemed to take no time compared to the off track walking through pagoda country. There was time to visit Birds Rock Flora Reserve and the lookout there offers the best view of the Newnes Plateau. Hooray that this site did not become home to the biggest power station in NSW as proposed in the late 1970s. The Bungleboori Camp in pine forest, however, had been totally destroyed by trail bikers in the last month. The tap was knocked off the water tank, the grass torn off picnic ground by the bikies, the bollards and picnic seating burnt, so the area is now a ruin. We had planned to catch up with Wyn Jones at this point but instead of waiting we had to walk 4 kilometres further on to find water. At this point it was obvious that our small party would be walking east into the Bungleboori Creek, not south to look at sand mines. Ironically, the trail bikes had given us deliverance from another day's road bash. Camping at the north-east corner of the pine forest is very comfortable.

A few kilometres down Waratah Ridge, in the headwaters of Bungleboori Creek is found a lost city of pagodas and it seems incredible that Clarence Colliery is mining in this area! They have placed warning signs to advise of the danger of cliff falls, but unhelpfully located so that we saw them only as we were leaving the mine area.

Our journey then led east to Gooches Crater - a landscape with the lot - upland swamps, wetlands, rare plants, a slot canyon, extensive pagodas formations, a natural rock bridge and majestic old growth forest. All this could be deprived of life giving water and reduced to rubble by mine subsidence if unrestricted mining is approved under it. Although the nearby Clarence mine expansion proposal is now on hold, it is unclear whether Gooches Crater will be protected.

The 14 Olympic-size swimming pools a day of pollution are still discharged to the Wollangambe River, a formerly pristine wild river in the Wollemi Wilderness that is visited by thousands a year. Our party was inspired to further action to protect these neglected bits of the Gardens of Stone.

After crossing the blackened Wollangambe, it took three hours to reach Bell Station and flag down the best stretch limo in the State - the Lithgow to Sydney interurban train. You can't beat trains for a hassle free trip. The Far Side Walk was one of the best trips I have been on in recent years, due to the excellent company and the incredible variety of sandstone scenery. Keith Muir

For those who like to gaze at the flickering screen, here are some bushwalking-related internet sites that may be of interest:

• SBW www.sbw.org.au

Our club site mainly providing others with

  information about SBW
* Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs [[https://www.bushwalking.org.au|www.bushwalking.org.au]]
  Include links to other clubs and information
  about Confederation activities
* NPWS [[https://www.npws.nsw.gov.au/news|www.npws.nsw.gov.au/news]]
  For up to date news on park closures etc
* Sydney Bus and Ferry Timetables [[https://www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au|www.sydneybuses.nsw.gov.au]]
  Latest timetables and changes
* State Rail: [[https://www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au|www.cityrail.nsw.gov.au]]
  Timetables and most importantly changes due to
  track maintenance
* Willis Walkabouts: [[https://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au|www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au]]
  Walkabout magazine, feature trips and tour list
* Blue Mountains Canyon News [[https://members.ozemail.com.au/dnoble/Canyoning_news|members.ozemail.com.au/dnoble/Canyoning_news]]
  Dave Noble updates his site regularly with the
  latest Canyoning news.

Also there are several newsgroups with bushwalking and other activities. Here are just a few:

• aus.bushwalking
• aus.bicycling
• aus.conservation

—- pagebreak

by Nick Bertsos

Its Saturday morning the 8th of December, 2001. I awoke this morning for the first time as a walks leader to a wet and overcast day. Last night there had been torrential rain.

I had committed myself to leading a 26km walk from Circular Quay to Manly, along with swimming opportunities.

Now in the position of a walks leader, I had to show up at the starting point as scheduled, regardless of the conditions. Eleven walkers had booked for this walk, which comprised of 3 prospectives and 8 members.

To my surprise, there were only 2 withdrawals on the day, only one of which could be attributed to the bad weather. A special mention here for Tania Bird, a prospective. She actually had caught the train on the Blacktown line, despite the weather. Sadly she had to cancel via my mobile phone when she realised she would not reach the starting point in time, due to SRA trackworks. Tania, I hope to walk with you in the future.

Last to arrive at the starting point, was Sophie Watson, a prospective. I did not expect to see her here on the day. Despite her hair being sopping wet, she managed to raise a smile which stayed with our group for the rest of the day.

Of the 9 starters, I knew only 4 from previous walks. So with all the group present, a circle was formed in the drizzle. With a touch of apprehension I commenced introductions, and from this point onwards I felt the responsibility of leadership. As the day evolved however, many of my self-doubts of being a walks leader gradually evaporated. The reason for my feeling more relaxed as I led this walk can be attributed a lot towards the fact that I was with a group of like-minded individuals. We were a diverse mixture of persons that interacted in a fun and positive manner.

Following is a commentary, unedited, composed and written by my group while we drank and ate at the Rocks at the end of the day.

• Great group of walkers. The prospectives did

really well.

• Sophie Watson suggested pizzas at

the Australian Hotel in the Rocks, and

  homebrew beer (Bavarian style).
* **Superb**
  leadership.
* **Good food** throughout the day.
* **Learned heaps** about the stock market.
* **Good
  swimming** at Balmoral, but only 3 takers. No
  white pointers sighted.
* **Lots of botanical** and
  architectural interest.
* **Too many I.T. workers**
  (more than half the group).
* **Good cappuccinos**
  and plenty of public toilets along the way.

As a first time walks leader I could not have hoped for a better bunch of walkers.

Thank you Ken Smith, Tony Holgate, Edith Baker, John Tsang, Mark Paterson, Eilish O'Rorke, Roger Browne, Sue Arnott, Sophie Watson.

After this first time experience, I would urge SBW members that have never led a walk before, to give it a go. If we all led a walk just occasionally, our club and walks programme could only benefit. The club holds a walks and activity planning night each quarter, so look at the walks programme and pencil in this night.

Finally at 8.30pm I had to say goodbye to my fellow walkers. As I made my way across the Harbour Bridge, I found myself treated to a spectacular fireworks display. The day really finished on a high for me. I even managed to get waved past a police breathalyser unit on the drive home. I guess I had better buy myself a lottery ticket.

Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Nick Bertsos.

3rd, 4th Nov 16 km

Lawson Ridge, descend by side ridge to Wentworth Creek - and on to campsite. Next day down Wentworth Creek to Jims Creek up this creek to lunch spot, ascend ridge to Lawson Fire Trail and return to Lawson.

The walk was approx 50% off track with a steep descent to Wentworth Creek and numerous crossings. Slow going in creek with scratchy and tough sections; some rock scrambling and steep ascent at the end

The walk went more or less as programmed. The small party allowed us to do a more off- track than usual. Although it was just a small party (2 members, 1 prospective) the cool and sometimes misty weather on the Saturday did not dampen the enthusiasm. Day 2 was fine and sunny and we were able to enjoy the views we had missed on Day 1.

The wild flowers are still wonderful with large patches of Boronia the occasional stately Waratah and extensive sightings of particularly fine Isopogon. Jim Percy

pagebreak

by Bill Holland

I wanted to walk in a new area (for me), not too adventurous and suitable for a mid-week walk (i.e. late start and early finish to avoid the peak hours). A quick look in the NPA book *Bushwalks in the Sydney Region - Volume 2* and Walk No.26 sounded interesting viz: “Strickland State Forest contains attractive stands of rainforest interspersed with interesting tree species not native to the area. These trees were planted late last century (1890's) when this forest was the site of Australia's first Forestry School”

So, it was programmed for December 11 and five of us participated. A good number as it meant we could share one car (although near Narara train station, private transport or taxi is necessary).

The walk was just over 9 kms, not too many ups and downs and mostly in shade (it was a warm day). The trees were magnificent! Giant hoop pines (over 1 metre in diameter), red cedars, turpentines, native tamarind to name just a few.

A word of warning! The lower track to the waterfall is still under construction. We tried to get to it at the end of the incomplete track and met with great difficulty - scratches, clambering - and gave up. Later, using the top track we found the falls were dry.

We voted it a top class walk and I will schedule it again, this time as a Sunday walk. Bill Holland

*Bushwalks in the Sydney Region*- Volumes 1 and 2 are available from NPA Sydney Branch. Phone 02 9299 0000

The Autumn Walks Programme deadline was 18 January - late walks may still be accepted if you contact Carol Lubbers 4758 8791

by Kenn Clacher

Walk went from Bogong Village - Fainters - Niggerheads - Tawonga Huts - Bogong High Plains - Mt Cope - Mt Jim - Young's Hut - Cobungra Gap - Mt Loch - Mt Hotham (stocked up for New Year's Eve) - Razorback - Feathertop - Dungey's Gap - Pyramid Hill - Mt Beauty. Snowed the day before we started and the day after we finished but we had perfect weather, super campsites, fantastic views and no problems finding water.

6 members - superb walk.

In May 2002 we will fly into Islamabad and hire a local bus and driver, which will take us up the Khyber Pass and cross the border into Afghanistan at Jalalabad and on to Kabul (local spelling). We will be exploring the mountains around Kabul with three days set aside to concentrate on the Tora Bora cave network. From these mountains you partake of views over Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Stan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and over the whole of Afghanistan. Costs are expected to be prohibitive and your chances of coming back in one piece are fair.

For more details - David Trinder 9868 7932

Short articles promoting a recent walk or a coming walk in an interesting area.

pagebreak

by Reg Alder

I note in the November Sydney Bushwalker the deaths of three long-time members, David Stead, Malcolm McGregor and Jean Moppet (Trimble). As they all had a great effect on my assimilation into the Club in 1938, perhaps I be excused if I reminisce with a little nostalgia for those early days.

During my apprenticeship at Garden Island I spent the latter two years in the drawing office. The Senior Draughtsman there, as part of his duties, regularly visited Austral Bronze in Mascot to witness the testing of material for the Navy. I had done a couple of long walks, with my home made tent and pack on an Easter over the Kings Tableland to the Upper Burragorang Valley and back and from Kurajong to Mt Victoria, via the then primitive Bells Line of Road.

No doubt David spoke about his recent marathon and Tiger walks to my supervisor and my efforts were retold. David apparently suggested that I should join the SBW. “They meet every Friday night at the Royal Lifesaving Club in Hamilton St, send him along.” So in October 1938, I presented myself for approval and must have made an early impression. Gordon Smith invited the new gangling youth to join the party planning to do a river bed traverse of the Kowmung River from its source at the junction of the Tuglow and Hollanders Creeks to the Cox and on to Katoomba via the Ruined Castle. I then learned that many of the group were Tigers and I began to have doubts about my capabilities and trained by walking home from Circular Quay to Marrickville.

As it so happened, I coped and secured an aura from being one of a group to first walk/swim the whole of the Kowmung. I was readily accepted for membership and completed the classic 82 miler from Katoomba to Picton over a weekend.

I had taken a complete series of photographs of the Kowmung and these became immensely popular with members wanting a viewing. It was then that Jean Trimble (Moppet) came into the picture inviting me (and others) to her home for a meal and viewing. The night started first with a swim at the North Shore Olympic Pool; it was a great start for a then shy lad in being accepted into an active group. I remember then that Jean and Tom had recently completed a first winter traverse of the Kosciuszko Range to Kiandra and of a photograph of Jean standing alongside her skis with only them to shelter her from an icy wind.

From these Kowmung photos, Malcolm McGregor and I decided to put on a slide show called 'Old Tales Retold' with scenes of the Kowmung and a canoe trip down the Shoalhaven, interspersed with photos of club members in various activities, not necessarily related to the photos but as a progression down a fictitious river. We were a bit ahead of our time with a documentary. There were two projectors with slides fading one into the other and a script read over an amplifier by Stan Martin and Grace Jolly. Club members were canvassed for photos to make up a story and some specially taken to add to a story line. One sequence showed as fiction: Tim Coffey at work at AWA with his female staff in situations which today would be classified as sexual harassment. Tim knew nothing of the sequence, although he had been a party to putting the rest of the show together. For the show he brought his newly acquired girlfriend and sat her down in the first row. All went well however, for Gloria joined the Club and they were eventually married.

As I have lived in Canberra for the past 31 years, I cannot regularly attend Club functions, but I still enjoy reading the magazine and so become abreast of activities. I still bushwalk in Namadgi National Park with NPA members but on walks no longer of the Tiger variety. Reg Alder

Savoury Rice by Judith Rostron

• 500 g Brown Rice
• 1 tin of tomatoes
• 1 packet Peas and Carrots
• Small quantity of PESTO (optional)
• A clove Garlic
• 1 Onion (chopped)
• ½ small Capsicum
• Parmesan Cheese to be sprinkled over

(serves 4)

Previously published in The Sydney Bushwalker October 1984

pagebreak

The Clubrooms have been closed over the holiday period so this month we cannot extend the usual welcome to new members who otherwise would have joined in the last month.

The usual difficulties of Summer walking in heat and the requirement to carry more water have been compounded this year by the extreme fire weather and extensive burning of the parks in which we often walk. Nevertheless, our imaginative leaders will discover alternative walking areas.

Please ensure that you phone the leaders early to determine whether the walk has been changed from that shown in the Summer Walks Programme.

Summer walking also offers special pleasures. Swimming opportunities, lightweight clothing and if weekend walking, lightweight or no sleeping bags required.

Recommended walks for new members are shown below. These are walks of easy-to-medium grade that are unlikely to have been affected by fires.

Also the Summer Training Programme is shown below. The Coolana weekend is highly recommended as it offers the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge whilst enjoying the beautiful property.

Please refer to the Summer Walks Programme for full details of these walks. Other easy to medium grade walks are shown in the Summer Programme but may be subject to change if fire affected.

Day Walks:

• Sun 27 Jan: Munmorah SRA

A truly delightful easy/medium walk with lots

  of swimming in a beach cave.
* **27 Jan**: Royal NP
  Picnic walk for beach lovers from Otford to
  Werrong Beach and return.
* Thursday **7 Feb**: Ku-ring-gai NP
  Catch the Palm Beach ferry to Mackerel Beach
  with easy walking, rock art and water views.
* **17 Feb**: Royal NP
  Cliffside walk from Otford to Werrong Beach
  and return. Coastal views.

Weekend Walks:

• 9-10 Feb: Wollemi NP

Introduction to overnight camping with base

  camp at Deep Pass.
* **23-24 Feb**: Blue Mts NP
  An easy/medium weekend walk to Erskine
  Creek with lots of swimming and relaxing.

New members training nights are regularly held on the second Wednesday of each month. The next training night will be

• Wed 13 February: “Packing For A Walk”

Training Weekend at Coolana - October 2001

A Very Special Invitation to you to join us at the Coolana Wildlife Refuge in the beautiful Kangaroo Valley. All new members are encouraged to attend on Saturday, Sunday: 16-17 February

The weekend offers practical training in navigation, first aid and bushcraft. It provides an ideal introduction to camping and a chance to extend your social contacts within the club.

Experienced members may also attend to assist with training and join in the social activities around the camp fire on Saturday evening. Maps are provided but please bring a mapping compass. If you need to buy a compass please phone the persons listed below for advice before purchasing.

Activities start on Saturday morning and finishes late afternoon on Sunday. For transport assistance and location advice please phone:

• Bill Holland 9484 6636 (h & w)
• Patrick James 9904 1515 (h & w)

We have been fortunate enough to receive donations of good bushwalking gear and will shortly be in a position to hire out these items to new members. This will assist those who have difficulty in obtaining the items necessary for a weekend bushwalk, i.e. pack, tent, sleeping bag and mat.

Details of hiring arrangements will be publicised in coming magazines.

Many thanks to those who have donated surplus gear.

pagebreak

Recent Happenings: Our Christmas Party was a huge success with about 120 members turning up. The weather was perfect so we set up the food tables in the grassed courtyard. Our other major Summer social event, the evening Balmoral Beach Picnic, attracted a very good attendance with over 40 people enjoying mild beach-side weather after the very hot spell. It was most enjoyable! See you there next year.

Coming Events: We are now well into the Summer Programme which includes

• January:
  • Wed 23rd: Dinner night at Kirribilli RSL
  • Wed 30th: Native Bees - (8.00 pm)

Malcolm Batley a “Bee Specialist”

    from the Australian Museum will
    give us a talk and slide show about
    native bees. This will be followed
    by a walk in Curra Moors with
    emphasis on Banksia Bees on
    February **3**.
* **February:**
  * Wed 6th: Committee Meeting (6.30 pm)
  * Wed 6th: Introduction to SBW (8.00 pm)
    New Prospective members meet
    the New Members Team over tea
    and biscuits.
  * Wed 13th: General Meeting
  * Wed 13th: Prospective Training - "Packing for a walk"
  * Wed 20th: Members Survey
    General discussion on the
    outcomes of the Membership
    Survey and the Report from the
    Sub-Committee
  * Wed 27th: Members Slides
    Members slides and photos of
    Christmas, New Year and other
    memorable walks

If you have any questions about the current programme or suggestions for the Autumn Social Programme please phone me on 9923 1468 Gemma Gagne

Come and join us for light maintenance and bush regeneration work at the beautiful Coolana. Scheduled dates are:

• 25-27 January
• 7-10 February
• 16-17 February

Spend one, two or more days with us. It's not all work and on the warm to hot days we spend time just relaxing and swimming. No need to book, just come along.

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 Club's postal address. This will ensure that our records show your current address and prevent delay in receiving the magazine each month.

No longer used but pre-loved and in good condition equipment to be hired out by our Club to new prospective members.

We would like to assemble 2 kits of suitable lightweight gear to be made available for hire. It is intended that each kit consist of:

• 1 sleeping bag
• 1 inner sheet
• 1 pack
• 1 foam sleeping mat
• 1 ground sheet
• 1 lightweight (waterproof) tent

(microlight would be ideal)

If you can help with any of the above items please contact our New Members Secretary (phone 9520 0266) with your offers of suitable equipment

• Sat/Sun 16-17 Feb: Coolana Training

Weekend for new members.

• Wed 13 March: Annual General Meeting

Election of new President and Office Bearers.

• Sat/Sun 16-17 March: Reunion and Family

weekend at Coolana. A great time for adults

  and children.

Our magazine collating night in February will be a very busy night. We have to collate and mail out the February Magazine, Autumn Walks Program, Membership List and Notice of AGM with Annual Report. Collating will be at the Holland's home at Westleigh on Thursday 14th February from 6pm. If you can assist us please contact Fran Holland beforehand for details on 9484 6636.

pagebreak