====== THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER====== |Editor:|Ross Wyborn|25 Burke Crescent, Oatley, 2223| |Business Manager:| Bill Bourke|Coral Tree Drive, C'ford, 2118| |Typist:|Shirley Dean|30 Hannah Street, Beecroft| |Sales & Subs:|Ramon O'Brien|61 Nichson St. Surry Hills, 2010| ===== SEPTEMBER 1968 - CONTENTS===== |The Allum River and Wanganderry Creek|Pat Harrison|2| |The Allum River and Wanganderry Creek - Version 2|Marion Lloyd|3| |Mountain Equipment Ad.||6| |The Ausgust General Meeting|Jim Brown|7| |Annual Report of Nature Conservation Council of N.S.W.||9| |Paddy's Ad.||11| |Colong - The Basic Facts||12| A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bushwalkers, Northcote Building, Reiby Place, Circular Quay, Sydney. Postal address: Box 4476, G.P.O. Sydney, 2001. ===== The Allum River and Wanganderry Creek===== by Pat Harrison The Club Walk on the weekend of August 31 - September 1 began and ended at Malcolm's (now Sampson's) Farm at Wanganderry. Friday night was clear with a cold wind blowing and Saturday morning was also very clear when we got well away to time at 8.15 a.m. and headed northeast from the woolshed to skirt the southern side of the prominent grassy hill before dropping into the Allum River soon afterwards by way of a side creek. The Allum River may be entered further downstream, but the longer you stay on the ridge the less you enjoy it because the further you go out along the tops the more pestiferous becomes the scrub. Our side creek was good easy going and by 9.40 a.m. we were sampling the waters of the Allum. The river thereafter was not hard going but care was necessary all the time to avoid trouble on the slippery rocks and logs. Near the woolshed there was a grove of large, handsome Gum Trees which nobody at the time was able to identify but which later research showed to be Eucalyptus Smithii. These are interesting trees because the bark on the trunks (the upper limbs are clean and smooth) is furrowed to such an extent that they resemble Ironbarks: hence the various common names those trees bear such as Ironbark Peppermint, Blackbutt Peppermint, and Gully Ash. The slopes above the river were a garden of Sydney Boronia in all its gradations of colour. The upper part of the Allum had a lot of Tree Fern and bracken, but towards the lower part there were sections of flat shelving rock and also one very pretty waterfall about 20 feet high. As we got lower down, the valley widened and high golden cliffs repladed the broken rocks of the upper part. Camp was made on the soft bedding under the She Oaks at the Nattai junction, with wood, water, and scenic views all to hand. There is a very large flat here with the remains of an old hut. The whole area around the Nattai would be hard to beat as ii is checkfull of good campsites, graceful tall trees, and a backdrop of golden cliffs on both sides of the river. There ought to be more walks into this area. It was very lovely when We were there. The party was away at 7.10 a.m. on Sunday morning and reached the mouth of Wanganderry Crook at 9.45 aem, having enjoyed on the way several miles of the best river walking ther.e*is, to say nothing of the wattle trees in golden bloom along the river. Surveyor's Crag presented a challenging aspect -and it was generally agreed that it would be well'worth a visit as soon as a walk could be programmed after the summer months have passed by. September, 1968 The Sydney Bushwalker 3 wanganaerry Creek was good fast going over the cobblestones as_far.as the main ,junction at Ga32.0613. The southern branch here carries the greater volume of water but the northern branch bears the name of Wangandorry Creek. the spit of land between the two creeks has a low cruMbllooking cliff at the bottom of the spur. We took the northern branch and gained height rapidly by continually scrambling over and around a jumbled mass of large boulders until the ground began to level out at the next junction at GR302619. All the way to this point from the Nattai the cliffs lining the creek wore very severe indeed and it seemed to us that any attempt to pass them would have been futi1e3 hence we had long ago decided that we would stick to the crook as long as possible. We again followed the northern branch from our laSt junction Up through patches of rain forest and miniature canyons, good going all the way, and finally got up on the plateau on the southern side and headed northwest to the grassy hill near the wroolshed. There was some moderate scrub hereabouts but the wonderful Boronia in full flower more than made up for that, .1....im ===== The Allum River and Wanganderry Creek - Version 2===== by Marion Lloyd Charlies at Mittagong was our rendezvous where we stoked up on lellies tea dod toast. Our convoy then headed foie. our campsite about 14 miles from Mittagong. Pat was in: the middle of tolling us a gruesome story about Vanganderry Creek when g wombat'todaled in front of the car and on into the night. The site was Malcolm's cow yards, but Pat told us of a shearing shed not far off so the four of us wont oVer to inspect it. When we were completely satisfied that there wore no bats, rats or wild .cats we went to bed not worrying about The Tempest or straying cows. At 8 a.m. after Joan had called the roll twenty one people sot off. Affer about half an hour's walking we dropped down into the upper reach of the Allum River, which at that stage was only a dribble. How beattiful we thought this darling little river was, the steep banks covered with lush ferns and grasses and towering gums on either side, dipping now and again under rocks that jutted out over it. It gave me the impression of wading through a dripping cavern lined with the softest green velvet then extending into a tunnel wl/ich stretched till past 6 o'clock that evening. It had many tricks up its sleeve and many surprises in store for us. On and on we waded, how it obtained the name of river is hard to fathom. About 11 a.m. to relieve the monotony and in order for the party to assemble again we took time off for a cupp0' I started off ahead of the others and missed the drama that followed. About 10 minutos after morning tea Sheila climbed onto a log, she slipped; then losing her balance fell heavily, her padk saving her from serious injury. It waS decided that Sheila, Ilarion, Frank and Joan Rigby would go-back before the going became too difficult. In the meantime, David and Bronwyn were ahead, Ros.Paintor and myself some distance behind decided to stop and wait for the others to catch up. We waited for over an hour and in that time read "Walkabout" from cover to cover and haa something to oat. We were getting worried when Laurie, Roger then Pat turned up. As the rest of the party was still a fair way .behind us we continued on soon to be over taken by Ken Ellis who like the others was soon out of sight. On and on that wretched creek wont, though the country in itself was spectacular in its rugged. beauty. There was no.way'out of the creek, always there was a towering cliff line on either side, the scrub like a thorny barrier extended right to the river banks. We never left the river which bended, stretched,,writhed like a rattle sanke, although it was me that had the rattles. Our party was increased to three When we caught we with David.' The sun was gradually shifting to the west and as we reckoned the map was a little' out we started:guessing hew far we woUld have to stumble on. Just as the sun was setting, I noticed a flat piece of ground on the left bank covered with bracken. Along this was easy going, I hadn't gone more than 100 yards when I found a track, the three of us pelted down it as it was becoming quite dark. About mile darn the tra3W. I saw what looked to be an old slab shed, then from the direction of the creek heard some-one bellowing to us. It was Pat. 70 had reached the junction. The Nattai was about 100 yards further on. Brown, Ken, Pat and Roger arrived about 5 p.m, us three about 5.30 and the rest 'of the party were still coming in bunches until 8 pal. As we .knew that the Vangandorry Creek was going to be difficult and slow going, there were now two alternatives. The .divers and others milling would go up Wanganderry. Creek or take -the easiest .way along the Nattai and then to Hilltop, there wait for the cars. I chose the first as I hate waiting for anything, as it tUrned out it was quite a long wait for the others. .So itwas early to bed for the Wanganderry Creek crowd. Ten of us were uP at 6.15 a.m, and off by 7 a.m. The Nattai is beautiful and perfect in the Summer (that's if you were plonked there by helicopter) the banks covered in spongy grass with towering gums and wattle groves which were devoid of that horrible thick scrub. We made good progress and reached the junction of the Creek and Nattai River about 9.45 a.m. The creek itself was wider and contained more water than the Allum River. We walked up this creek until 11 a.m. where we came to a fork. After much debating we decided to take the right arm and follow it all the way up or at least until we could find a way out of the creek. From this point it was slow going, the creek became gradually steeper, the boulders became bigger and bigger, some the size of huts, and packed. together. Several times I nearly lost hope because shorty me didn't have arms and legs quite as long as the male folk. Pat's warning of this Crook was certainly justified, a rock climber would have been at home apongst these monstrous pebbles. We tried going along the bank, but the slopes were either too steep or the scrub too prickly and dense to bash our way through. After many attempts, we kept to the creek, always climbing, slipping, cursing our way over the boulders. About midday we had lunch, Bronwyn, David and Ken went on ahead. We hadn't go very far after lunch when we heard a shout echoing down the creek. It was Joan. Just a bit further up, Frank had a billy on so it was more cups of tea. At this point we left Wanganderry Crook and went up a smaller one Which branched off to the right. This crook rose quite steeply and like the one we had dust left, full of boulders, but covered in moss making the going slippery. I guess we were following it for about half an hour, before wo decided to leave it. 71-0 changed into our long pants, the scrub bashing was oA. We finally reached the ridge and stumbled on an old jeep track which Frank and Joan had come down that morning. We still had to bash our way through for another mile or so where it finished abruptly, we had nearly achieved a complete circle. In front of us were the soft green unaulating hills we had left on Saturday morning. It was an exhilorating feeling to let those cramped legs move freely, but to my sorrow, stiffness was setting in and I think the others wore feeling it in varying degrees. So 70 just strolled. back to the cars revelling in the beauty of this small piece of God's handiwork with the western sky and the deepening glow of the sunset as a magnificent backdrop. We reached the cars a:bout 5 p.m. Sheila and Marion hal a billy on ready for our homecoming. Fortunately our car load was together (Laurie, David, Pat and me) sot off back to the big lights while the others went to pick up the rest of the party, at Hill Top. At Picton we bought fish and ci-ips for tea, whilst eating it in the car we pondered over this, eventful and unforgetablo weekend, wondering how the others wore faring at Hill Top. But that is another story. . PLEASE NOTEg FRANK ASHDO7 must not be membership list, The correct number is now. phoned on the number of the 269-7104. BIG THINGS. ARE. HAPPENING AT MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT! Now, bigger showroom for wa1kin4 gear. s "The canoe centrewi a complete display centre. for Geoff Barker canoes, kayaks.andaccessores. * Complete lightweight tent section will open on the first floor ina few weeks. *. Hire your Fairy Down sleeping bag, Hframe pack or tent from our equipment hire section. * Use our now, free library service for walkers and climbers. And just to make sure we are giving you top service we will open at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday mornings you can park right in front so make MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT your first stops MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT PTY. LTD.. 165 Pacific Highway, North Sydney. Phone 929-6504. fie Page 1(a) ITtS GETTIrG CLOSER AND OF COURSE YOU'RE COMIPG WHAT ARE WE TALKIPG ABODT? THE SOCIAL EVBET OF 1HZ YEAR, OF COURSE, IT'S 'TEE ,SYDNEY BUSH WALKELS DINNER DANC::_., APD SOCIAL REUL,I0V wH.UP FRIDAY, 18TH OCTOBER 6.30 P.M. TO 11.30 P.M. TLERE? SICst LOUP GE 157-163 LIVERPOOL ST., SYD1EY. (OPPOSITE HYDE PARK) IT'S A rIGHT FOR EVERYOEE ALL TYPES MD ALL .I\. ES HAKE UP A TABLE "TIZI -)OUR FRIESDS, Of;. COMB ALOE. EITHER WAY IT WILL BE LOTS OF FUN. PROSPECTIVES AID VISITORS VELCOME COCKTAILS - 3 COURSE DINNER - SOCIALISIPG - DANCING NEET ALL THE S.L.';.I1 OrE PLACE. FOR TICKETS AT "Y3.5) EACH CONTACT ROS PAINTER DOT EOBLE (84-4497) BARRY PACLY ()NEU MARKS (70-1827) NEVILLE Pt,GE (34-3536) 9 A .4 a ===== The August General Meeting===== by Jim Brown was, in the recent tradition, quite an extended. one, although it began crisply enough', with a welcome to new member Clive Potter, a reading of minutes, an announcement that Kath MacKay had been elected to Honorary Membership and election of Earian Shoppart as lady Committei.-- Member. The' feet began to drag in Correspondence, which contained details of the resolutions carried at the special meeting of badies interested in resisting mining near 'Oolong; advice Of a regular crop of proposed Constitutional amendments for the September meeting; and a lengthy letter in which Brian Harvey tendered his resignation as Auditor and Substitute, Federation Delegate, and went on to say that he consi'lered the Club's social programmes were inadequate, especially for the older members, and. that a new Club, called the Dungalla. Club had been formed to organise activities for older. and exmembers of SB17. . In discussion on correspondence Frank Ashdown asked. What would be said in reply to Brian's letter, . as he felt elder members who did not attend. the Elub could not properly complain that social events were not to their liking, Alex Colley-, took the theme further moving that it was not a function of' the present Club members to organise entertainments for people who did. not take part in its normal activities. The motion was generally supported and. carried, Ron. Knightly making the point that a similar organisation had been formed by exIMCA Ramblers, and the parent body and its offshoot lived in amity. -On his motion it was agreed to express the Club's benediction on the Dungalla Club's welfare; In answer to a qu4stion, 'the President point out 3.55ian was advocating that present members of SB7r re-tain membership. The financial statement, showed a fairly healthy month, Current funds going from $482 to 749. Proceeds from sale of the library produced. 03 of the total income of 411. No doubt late subscriptions accounted for much of the rest, but about 100 members were still unfinancial. From the Walks Report we learned that the petrol carriers stoppage had caused. cancellation of one trip. rihis brought a merited cry of "What is there no public transport?" David Ingram' s' aay walk from 1.7ratorfal1 took out 25 people, including 9 prospectives, and Laurie Ra-yner's exploit to Mt. Yengo was reported to have had '11 people there was a rumour. of the party beir,f, out on the hillsides in the dark. IvyPainter's day walk from Cowan to Brooklyn had 15 starters, and. on the last Weekend in July there were 11 on Sam .Hinde's,trip up from Spencer on Havr.1