inshwalking Tra: S & R 2 Letters To The Editor 2. Advance Notices 3 Swimming In The ''est SS ns AfilflUal Subscripti 5 The Tigers Maurice Smith Alex Colley, THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER is a monthly 'bulletin of patters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc, Box 4476 GPO Sydney 2001. To advertise in this magazine.. phase contact the Business Manager. Editor: George klawer .42 Lincoln Road Geores fill 2198 T,Aephone 707 '343 Business Manager joy Hynes 36 Lewis Street, Dee Why 2099. Telep b.one 982 261.5 (.1-1)._ 888 3144 B) . ,.. . - .:Productio Al Manager: }ran Holland, EditOirie Team: George Mai,,,,er, Barbara Briice; Jan Roberts, Maurice Smith 7. _ Priffters: Kenn. Clacher, Weninart, Barrie Ivlurdoch,Marg:rret Niven &:. Les Powed .fl. BUSH WALKERS ENCORPORATE * was founded in 1927. Club rrivetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kinibilb. Neighbourilood Centre. 16 'Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station). _ Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wojnesday. President Greta -fames Vice,,l'resident: Ian Debert Public Officer: Fran Holland . Treasurer: Tony Holgate Secretary:. Spiro Haiirtakitas Walks Secretary': Eddy Giacomel Social Secretary: Jan Roberts Me bersialp Secretary:, Barry Wallace New Members Secretary: Bill Holland Conservatio Secretary: Alex Colley Magazine Editor: George Mawer Conuniitee \leathers: Niorie Ward & Annie Magurre Delegates to confederation:' Ken Smith & Wilf Hilda In Defence Of RNP Huts Peter Stitt Memori To Tom Herbert Dot Butler 11 1111 carers For 1995 6 The St ry Of The 111: 12 Fro Confederatio :Tim Callaway 14 The Fehr ary Genera eeting Barry Wallace 15 Front The Clubroom Advertisers; 4 Eastwood Camping Centre 9 Mountain Equipment 10 Alpsports 12 Wiiiis's Walkabouts 17 Paddy Pailin ID' one 12 Stanweli Park to The Otis rd Pantry Jan. Roberts PAGE 2 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER MARCH 1995 BUSHWALKING LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear sir TRAINING How would you like two days of expert tuition in Leadership, Search and Rescue, Survival, Radio Communications, Visual Tracking, First Aid, Helicopter Safety and more - all for free? Read on - Once again Bushwalkers Search and Rescue is running their highly informative and instructional weekend. This is an annual event and this yeai will be held on the weekend of April 1st -2nd. Last year was well attended and thoroughly enjoyed by all. This year the program will be run along similar lines, with a range of interesting speakers plus practical field exercises. This is an opportunity to really learn from experts I in their field and obtain both theoretical and practical experience in role play situations. Training at this level is of inestimable value to any bushwalker and leaders in particular. In the practical sessions you will be a member of a small group given a range of challenging tasks. Two basic principles underlie these tasks. The first is "Wilderness Self Rescue"; looking after yourself and the others in your bushwalking group until rescue help arrives (or you get to it) and preventing injuries from deteriorating. Would you rather be able to help someone injured in your group Ior stand around feeling helpless? ; The second, "Development as rescue personnel". By using the ordinary skills of bushwaLkers, Wilderness Rescue has achieved a high reputation among the rescue services as the specialist group in land Search and rescue. This weekend will teach you how to be both self reliant and part of a rescue team. A fall and active weekend is planned and all members are encouraged to make the most of this great activity. The venue is: Camp Coutts Scouts Camp Princes Highway Waterfall. Enter from highway (not wllway). Start 8:30 am Sat. Finish 4 pm Sunday. Please phone me if you think you might go or if you need any more information. I George Mawer on 707 1343 (I-1) 774 0500 (B) rve heard rumours of the appointment of a Morality Officer. Whatever next !P The Christmas walks are the best chance we oldies members have of getting to know the younger members - Hot and Bothered Dear Sir What's wrong with nudity?? SEW prides itself on its long history of getting its gear off. One of our most revered members was instrumental in setting the trend by baring the feet. - The Bare Walker Dear Sir for one am overjoyed at the prospect of a Morality Officer. Issue chastity belts to all the younger members (male and female) and let us oldies have a fair go. - Grey Power TREKKING IN NEPAL I -Trekking in Nepal to the Everest Base Camp Via Kalala pass which is seldom used by trekkers One of the highlights of the trip is to climb to Kala Pattar (6000 m ) which is the best viewing point of the whole Everest massif including Lotes and Nuptse ranges. Time 29 Days trekking in the Period: October - November 1995 Cost : Approx. $4000 ADVANCE NOTICE A winter trip to The Northern Flinders (Gammon) Ranges - (dependent on water) or - The Macdonald Ranges. The approximate time period is from June 3 rdtoJunel 4 th. Grade Medium. Party limit. David Roston 451 7943 NIARCH 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 3 ...And Swimming In The Rest By Maurice Smith The weekend of 25 & 26 February 1995 saw a group of 11 members and 5 prospective members on a weekend test walk in the Yalwal area. An early Saturday morning sta rt meant many of the walkers rose at about 4 am to gather at Novvra at 7 am. On the drive down we an into some patches of fog on the coast,' but at our meeting point we were in bright sunlight and a cloudless sky. After plunging back into the fog on crossing the Shoalhaven River, we emerged to the sun only to plunge into the fog on the descent into Yalwal. A few minutes after we got under way the fog cleared and the temperature rose quickly and was to be high for the rest of the day. After walking across the dam we headed up the hiltto the no name plateau where we stopped seVeral times to admire the views down to Danjera Creek on the east and Bundundah. Creek on the West. After scrambling down off the plateau we spent the next two and a bit hours bulldozing our way through thick scrub in very , high temperatures. As our water supplies ran low, the spirits flagged and the energy levels dropped. Eventually we decided to stop for lunch on a dry creek bed heading west even though we hadn't managed to get down to our objective, 13undundah Creek. HoweVer, Peter Yardley and I rounding up those who wanted to pitch their tents on the rock shelf we went further downstream to a pleasant camp site. The temperature was so high that mostly. no- one sat close to the cooking fire. The gourmet delights of happy hour were enjoyed by all. Amazing - what food and drink does to tired walkers. Although the night time temperature dropped to a lower level, Sunday's weather was a repeat of , the previous day. We walked down the creek ' admiring the scenery and elf() ourselves However., the, fact that four wheel drive vehicles and frail bikes come down from Danjera Dam to this area has meant that the area is degraded both visually and aurally. Nonetheless we got in several more swims to cool down from the high temperatures before we staggered back to our cars. From there we managed to find the ice cream parlour in Novvra where we improved the profits of the owner quite significantly during our stay. . Club members on the trip were Bob and Valerie Cahiert, Dennis Morgan, Peter Freeman, Annie Maguire, Jan Roberts, Morag Ryder, Denise Shaw, Maurice Smith, Sheilagh Speter, Peter Yardley. Prospective members were Norm Becker, Bonnie and. Martin Maurer. Cathryn 011iff, Tony Sandrussi. Annual Subscriptions 1995 After returning to the group with a wineskin full of water, lunch was hastily put back into our packs and we adjourned to a lovely spot on the creek. A long lunch was declared. After drinking half of the creek (a small amount of liberty has been taken with the truth here) we (mostly) then did what all self respecting bushwalkers do in such situations. We swam in the rest of the creek that we hadn't drurik. The water was exquisite. Upon resuming our walk down stream we eventually came to a rocky shelf with lots of large shallow holes with the water running through them in lovely cascades. We repeated our previous lunch time exercise. That is, we drank half and swam in the rest. After cracking the whip and th decided to head down e, creek if to see we could find some water as many of the group were. The following annual subscriptions were becoming quite dehydrated. After a short distance decided at the Annual General Meeting held we came onto the main creek and joy of joys, lots on Wednesday, 7th March 1995:- of lovely water which was flowing very nicely. Single member Household Non-active Member plus magazine $30 48 21 9 Magazine subscription only 12 Entrance fee 5 Cancellation Notice Due to an error in the Walks Program my walk is not on Anzac Day Tuesday the 25 th of April. Look for it in a future program Ian Debert utgear 4 11, "A 1/...111 I ,04,1, I-al GH. 'AUS Come in and discover for yourself the fun of browsing through mountains of outdoor equipment... YHA LLSTRALIA MNIT iNSFORTIVA ONE PLLNET .O Be assisted by knowledgeable, friendly staff. WILDERNESS ' SC.A.RRA, OWG.44 WiIderness Equipment macpac e a THE SPORT SANDAL. boreal,. MBlueWater . . fi/aStercard'..* bank , _card y vis " dirt eiPieks chequerflaj- Stuff. ,.-- _1111AMarwe 1 Foods YICTORINOX THERWA=REST SOURCE , liribg 11.X. trading hours Utrangia Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday. . 9:00am - 5:30Pm 9:00am - 5:30Pra 9:00am - 5:30Pm 9:00mn - 9:00Pm 9:00am - 5:30Pm 9:00am - 1:30PM CLOSED HI-TEC Pere,' glAqnh' -kviikvalamw. . stwood 3 Trelawney Street camping _ Eastwood NSW 2122 centre. .Telephpne (02).858 3833 *.V s ;:%:.% ................... ;*,,Wk '; ........ . MARCH 1995 THE SYDNEY BLISHW.ALICER PAGE 5 THE TIGERS by Alex Colley This article was _first published in the magazine in October 1952.) It Was in March 1937, when I was a new member of some ffS;tir months standing, that Max Gentle came up to me in the clubroom and asked Would I like to come on a walk with GeirdOri Smith and himself at Anzac weekend. I had never been on a walk with either of them and, knowing their reputation for toughness, couldn't understand 'Why they. would risk spoiling a good, walk by inviting such a weakling. But as Max described the route and mentioned that fascinating name on the maP Mount Cloudmaker 7 and the ridges he had followed 'years ago., the urge which is the undoing of bushwalkers came upon me. Often. I had studied the ridgei on the Blue Mountains map while playing with the idea of a three day trip to Clouldmaker - from Katoomba - and back. This was my chance and the challenge of those distant ranges could not be resisted. Though still protesting my inadequacy for such a trip. in such company. I was already at the point of no return. The news of the trip SOOT1 got around the clubroom. So far as etiquette would allow inquiries were made; interest shown and hints. dropped. Jack Debert and Dot English (Butler) were soon included in the party: As the news continued to spread it yew, to nine in all. Came the historic Friday night in April 1937 when eight Sydney Bush Walkers sat up awaiting the departure of the 6.15pm for Wentworth Falls, while rain poured on platform roofs.. But. where the ninth, Max, our guide and -inspiration? He appeared just before the train left, packless, but -complete with leather overcoat and umbrella. Couldn't imagine that we would be going in such weather, but just thought he ought to take a look - at the train to make sure. This was the first and last-time that anyone ever doubted that the whole party would turn up. Tiger trips, went an schedule, rain or no. We arrived at Wentworth Falls about 9 &clock and walked' to the' foot of Kedurnba that night. At 4 am Max; who had,caught a late train, caught up with and before 5 am we were on our Way again. Breakfast at Reedy Creek, then on over the PoliCeinan Range, to camp in light rain at the foot of the ridge leading up to Tiwilla Buttress. Next morning ever upward through the mist, past the Hundred. Man Cave Max: had located in his previous trip, over the rock wail where -he had dropped his pack and been "perilously short of food" while walking alongand down and under to retrieve it; and so to Cloudmaker. Lunch. at Dex Creek, then. down the ridge now known as Strongleg to Kanangr. a Clearing. Another early start and we made Canons by about 11.30 am. The dinner we had ordered was not ready so early and it was nearly 3 pm when we got away. This would have been plenty of time if we hadn't planned to :climb Canons Head, which then had neither chains nor pitons. Max, ever cautious in bushcraft, preferred to walk up Nellie's Glen. All went well till we reached. the 20 odd feet of almost vertical rockface. Dot. our champion rock climber, didn't quite make it at her first attempt, so we Made a pyramid, from the top of which Bill McCosker took off. Using finger and to e tip grips he was able to span the last smooth stretch and get his hands on to the top of the ledge. Slowly he inched up. As he pulled himself over the top cheers burst from those who could bear. to look (there was a 200 foot drop beneath him at this point). Dot followed, then a ,rope was' thrown up' and the pedestrian members of the party, i e. the other six, were hauled up. It all took time, with the result that when. we reached the top of the last rocks-there was less than three hours left to catch the last train. . We. set off at a good pace - Dot had to run a good bit of way to keep up with the longer legged ones - and made Katoomba Station just on time, by our watches, but 10 mitTutds too late by Station. time.. This was a cruel blow a night in the railway waiting room and train instead. Of our beds, after a 75 mile trip, 9000 feet of climbing and Carlons Head. Though the Tigers did plent,'y more walks, including some as difficult, this was the only time they missed the last-train:. i> cont' P 13 PAGE 6 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALIER. MARCH 1995 THE STORY OF THE BONE by Dorothy Lawry. (rpt.6185) The bone, formerly used as a gavel at our meetings (and now replaced by a gong), has a history intertwined with the history of the formation of bushwalking clubs before half of our present members were even a twinkle in the campfire light. Once there had been a Warragarnba Walking Club in N.S.W. but I don'.t know much about it. I understand it faded out during World War I. During the 1920s there was only one walking club, the exclusive Mountain Trails Club, founded in 1914 by Myles Dunphy. It was limited to 26 men, With 'admission to membership only by invitation. There were at that time quite a number of small groups of friends of both sexes, also couples, walking and camping. In the second half of 1927 Jack Debert wrote to the paper suggesting'. these small gaups should unite and form one club. The Mountain Trails Club wrote in reply offering the use of their clubroom one night in October 1927 for a meeting to consider the suggestion. That proved to be the inaugural meeting of such a club: Soon a name had to be chosen. Mamie Berry's suggestion was chosen: The Sydney Bush Walkers. From that choice gradually a new word came into, the language -"bushwalking". In March 1934 Tom Herbert was first elected 'President. He was the first to be formally decorated with the symbols and given THE BONE to use as a symbol of his presidential authority. Briefly, what led to that event was this:- The foundation members were all experienced bushwalkers. Then in 1920 the depression arrived in Sydney with its resultant unemployment. Soon someone hit on the idea of running "mystery trips" on Sundays, which were patronised by hundreds of young people. A train would be chartered, and for a 'very small amount for each passenger they would be carried to unknown destination. There they would all leave the train and, led by the organiser of this idea, would walk. a few. miles,. mostly by road, to a suitable place to enjoy the lunches they had brought from home. Alter a rest to digest this food,. they -would walk a short distance to a railway station, where a similar train would be waiting to take them back to Sydney. One such trip was to Waterfall and back from Stanwell Park. All these hundreds of trippers were completely ignorant of the bush. The small S.B.W. feared its members might be inundated by a flood of new members from these trippers, so took steps to protect themselves. A subcommittee was appointed, to arrange a form of protection. The decision was to have "prospective members" who had to do a certain number of "test walks" "to the satisfaction of the leader." before they could become full members.' The result was that, instead' of keeping the numbers down, it became so worthwhile to be able to boast that one was a MEMBER of The Sydney Bush Walkers that before long the club had 200 members; and the few other small clubs had increased their membership with people who did not make our grade, or who found friends there and did not want to be as strenuous as The Sydney BUsh Walkers. There was one man whorn applied to join our club who was a good walker but who proved to be incompatible to some of the good foundation members. The committee ,turned him down of course, without stating. its reason. Undeterred, some months later he had his 'name put on the board" again. At the following Annual General Meeting there was a big , row because the Committee 'turned him down for the second time. A number of our members left the club and formed a new one with him as president. Many other members also joined that club but remained S.B.W.s. This was good for the bushwalking movement but not a happy state for us to go to the reunion. There, in the afternoon, a small group of men. went off to try and devise, some entertainment for the campfire. that might help to draw the members together. This reunion was held at Euroka. and away on the side of the crater these men found the skeleton of a heifer.. Ernie Austen was a government meat inspector and he made a wonderful speech as he, decorated the newly t> MARCH 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 7 ;c:i elected President Tom Herbert - with the various bones. This bone was such and such and erved this purpose for the animal. It could also symbolise such and such for the Club, etc. etc. Unfortunately, no record of that speech was made at the time. Some years later, in March 1942, during World War If, I, Dorothy Lawry, was elected President. I Was not decerated with the original bones but with the set of cattle horn symbols carved and donated to the Club by Harry Savage. A_ few years later Charlie Pryde presented me with a small Replica of the Bone, mounted on a black-painted wooden stand, which he had made. Charlie told me that the S.B..W. badge set in the base of the stand was that which was first issued to him, Which he had lost but found later after he had bought himself a replacement. He was probably a foundation member or at least a very early one, he had been a member for some time before I joined in 1929. Charlie; when he gave me the replica of The Bone, said, "You can only have it because you have been a President of the Club". Addendum: Out of this has arisen another Club tradition. The Bone Replica was given to Edna Garrard, secOnd female President of S.B.W. 1945 to 1946. It was to be nearly twenty years before another woman was elected President, and this was Heather Joyce (now White) 1964 to 1965, *Then they came in a rush, with Helen Gray frOrn 1976 to 1978, followed by FazeleY Read until 1980. The bone has since passed to Barbara Bruce and is now With the current President Greta James, A CHALLENGE FROM AN "OLD AND BOLD" MEMBER Dorothy Lawry sent the Editor a covering note with her article, and some of her remarks may stir you up enough to answer back. Do you agree? 1. The Sydney Bush Walkers club is now more than 57. (66) years old and it does not mean nearly as much to you as it always has done to us "old and bold" members. 2., Another pointer, 1 have been told you all dash home On Sunday evenings: before tea to Watch TV. We,, of course, had no TV but I remember our horror and disgust with one walks -leader once when he dragged us home before tea!! We were always happy. to have Sunday tea out and 'a bit of a 'campfire 'before catching train that Would get us home about 10 pm. To us buShWalldng was not just a recreation, it Was a way of life. AN EXTRACT from the Annual Report 1984 of the then President Jim Percy, might answer this challenge:- "Whilst on a recent walk, a long-time member de clared, "The best single thing I ever did was to join Sydney Bush Walkers". The more I thought about. this statement, the more I came to agree. Bush walking becomes such a part of one's life, with days, Weekends and holidays dedicated to Walks. Social occasions, too, become more and more associated with club members and activities. Our prospectives should perhaps be warned that this pastime they are, entering so light-heartedly has the ability to take over one's life." THE CARVED HORN SYMBOLS. The carved horn symbols mentioned in the article. illustrate the objects 'of the Club as defined th the C ons tituti : 1. THE BOOT. "To amalgamate those who esteem walking as a means of recreation", 2, THE MAP. "TO ft:min an institution of mutual aid in regard to routes and ways and means of appreciating the- great outdoors". 3. THE FLANNEL FLOWER "To establish a definite 'regard for the welfare and preservation of the wild life and natural beauty of this country". "To help others appreciate ,these natural gifts". This is also the Club badge. 4. THE CLASPED HANDS. "TO promote social activity amongst members". The symbols, each of which is suspended from a' light metal chain, are hung around the neck of the incoming President by an'. assemblage of Past Presidents at the Annual Reunion campfire. Finally the' Bone is passed on by the retiring 'President. 0 PAGE 8 - THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER MARCH 1995 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Alex CoIley7s article - December 1994 Sydney Bush Walker 1 am writing this letter to comment on Alex's article, whilst wearing multiple hats. Firstly, as a member of the club, secondly a shack owner at Little Garie and thirdly as President. of the Era, Burning Palms, Little Ga rie Protection League. The points which I would like to make- are: 1. SBW.Recognition It is true that the Draft Plan of Management does not rnentiOri the part the Olub has played in having the Era Lands resumed to the Crown and added to what. is now the Royal National park. Nor is the part played-, by the shack owners in that exercise mentioned. The part played by both groups :is dealt with, to some extent, in the Draft Cabin Conservation Plan. Even here the record is not correct in that Geoff Ashley, the author of the Draft Cabin Conservation Plan, says that the bushwalkers attempted to buy Portion 7. The problem is that Portion 7 was bought in the name of Messrs Berry, Turner and Roots as Trustees for the Club and In does not show Up in the Title documents. I personally am -trying to do a little to set the record straight on this matter_ 2. Visitor Activity - The Draft Plan of Management states that 44% of visitors (the major user group) give as their chief activity swimming/sunbathing, not walking, as Alex implies. The Draft Plan then :goes on to ignore surfing and public safety. 3. Cabin Policy Alex claims that the policy of the perinissive occupancies for cabins in the Royal national park reverting to -the Crown on the death of the owner came in, in 1934. This is totally incorrect. That policy was not put in place until the 1960's and is hence 30 years old, not 60 as Alex claims. In fact the shack owners were told by the then Minister when the Era lands Were resumed in 1950 that the shacks could stay. 4. SEW Attitude to Cabins The SEW certainly did not go along with a policy of shack retention at Garrawarra with the provision that PO's revert to the CroWn on the death of the owner. The SBW in fact was involved in having/ all the Burning Palms shacks in Garrawarta removed and suCcessfullytaccomplished this objective by 1950. 5. 511W Camping Alex' claims that the bushwalkers first camped at Burning Palms, were forced out by the shacks, the, moved to South Era and were forced out of thatlocatibn by the shack owners and finally settled in North Era. This statement is totally at odds with "The Decade of Btishwalking B.C. (Before Cars)" which Alex himself authored in the "Sydney Bushwalkers - The First 60 Years". In that chapter there is a -photograph of a bushwalkers' carrip at North Era (I note that one of the tents appears to be a semipermanent camp) with the caption "Bushwalkers have camped here since 1912". In 1912 Shacks were very thin on the ground at Burning Palms and SOuth Era. However there were tvio at North Era; the Collaery family's hut at Stockyard and their -cedar house" on Thelma Ridge. North -Era. was, and remained until about 1933, the centre of their grazing activities which ranged from the Byrne estate north to Bundeena. Submit that the bushwalkers chose North Era because it was the best camp site regardless of the fact it was the centre of extensive grazing activities. Thais to claim that they were forced out of Burning Palms and 'South Era by the shacks. would appear to be somewhat of a distortion. 6. Similar Communities 'Alex claims that the hilts have a limited life and guess that it true. So does any building or any living thing. He also states that "Their like is replicated in alternative lifest-ple and other areas' through New South Wales." I personally am not aware of any communities in New South Wales which are in any way analogous to the shack communities in the Royal National Park. Perhaps Ale*. could 'elucidate to both myself and the rest of the membership on this point. I personally would like to think that the bushwalkers and the shack communities could bury the hatchet and work together for the good of the Royal National Park. There is plenty to be done and the communities are moving, with the support of the National. Parks and Wildlife Service, on a range of land care projects. Rather than fighting might I slimiest that the Federation of BushWalking Clubs or, perhaps more appropriately, the Sydney Bushwalkers, join our Land Care Group and do something positive for the Park environment. I would also suggest that it. would be approPriate for the Club to- assist us over private coal rights to Portion 7 (the Sydney btishwalkers' land) which were reinstated in 1993. To set the record straight 1 would appreciate this letter being published in the Sydney Bushwalker: Yours sincerely, Era-:-Burning Palms-Little Ce'arie Protection League-. 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X-Country Skiers We stock the latest range of skis, boots bindings, & poles for backcountry and telemarkskiing. BACKCOUN'TRY SKI HIRE MAIL ORDER CATALOGUE AVAILABLE IMPORT T NOTICE .800, HIRE GEAR kS-Aur Now Available 87 A 'Warp= - Tents - Backpacks - Sleeping bags A J&II - Rainwear A Trangia - Stoves A Thermarests A Bivvy Bags Special prices for club members. Week or weekend rates. DISCOUNT FOR CLUB MEMBERS 111.1.1.11111111111111MMIr wimmININIF foramssr 1=1111MINV iwwww . 111111111111111 11 mISMINIIIIIIIIPIEN1111111111111111 'woo. Ninurnoun Your 'One Stop' Adventure Shop: MARCH 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 11 IN MEEMORIAM TOM HERBERT Died 22nd January. 1995 aged 91 years. Members from the early days remember Tom as a tall, athletic young man - "the best looking bloke in the Club". He and Jack Debert (our first President) were known as the Bert twins - HERbert and DERbert. Despite his full time employment as Secretary of the Meat and Allied Trades Association, for which he was a very effective advocate and was awarded an MBE, and his evening studies at the University where he completed a I3.Ec. Degree (and incidentally became friendly with Alex Colley, another B.Ec. candidate whom he introduced to the Club) Tom found time to row with the Faculty of Economics "Eight". In. 1934 Torn became the 5th President of the S.B. W.* The investiture of the new President took place at Eureka clearing on 10th- of March. On the way we discovered the whitening bones of a dead heifer. A collection of these were strung on bootlaces and at the investiture these were draped over theneNie,',,,: president with appropriate comments by Erne Austin, who was a meat inspector at Homebush al;attoirs. The head was slung around the waist and dangled well down. One wit (someone like our present daS'7 Patrick) was heard to remark that in a club such as ours, where eating is the main concern - where SBW stands for Sydney Belly Worshippers - he was glad to see that whereas most members were exhorted to keep their, eyes above belly level, the President was allowed the privilege of having eyes below belly level. Tom took a prominent part in Club entertainments, especially when we were raising money to buy the lease of Blue Gum Forest and Lot 7 at North Era. He was also a keen walker. A historic walk was to the recently discovered Red Hands Cave in the Blue Labyrinth. The leader was Mr Thorp of the Museum, together with Mr Bunyan. the discoverer of the cave. Among a big attendance of Sydney Bushwalkers, Tom Herbert turned up with 85 members of the Newman Society! Such enthusiasm has seldom been equalled. Tom was one of the best. Those of his walking mates still around remember him with warmth and affection, and to his wife Josephine and family,. including grandchildren, we extend a friendly hand clasp. Dot Butler * Our book - "The S.B,.W. - the First 60 Years" (Page 163) gives tile full story of the investiture of the President Elect and the significance of the bone, which is displayed on the President's table at General Meetings. PAGE 12 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER MARCH 1995 Walk Report Tony Manes Stanwell Park to Burning Palms via the coast, then back to "The Otford Pantry". Sunday 19th February. 199. A. good turnout of seven members and five prospectives and seven visitors ( future ptospectives hopefully). A good day was had by all. The weather held out - rain wise - but 'the wind kept up all day, therefore encouraging me to alter the walk by excluding the cold wet walk from Werrong to figure of 8 pools and including a 200 ni climb up 6 the Palm Jungle track through wind free rain forest and down to Burning Paints. One brave member couldn't resist the challenge of the coastal track - rising tide, wind and rocks - but with the initials J.C. I had no second thoughts about his Safety. Afternoon tea. was iaken at Burning Palms where all walkers rejoined;' including J.C. (yes he is still alive,. and walking on water although his shoes were a.: little wet. - must be out of practice). We all returned to 0tford for a well earned applepie with cream/ice cream and the 4.20 pm train home. Those who didn't show up on the day because they thought it was going to rain, - bad luck. You missed a great. walk. Thank you to all those who walked on the day. Tony From Confederation Jim Callaway S&R.. a $2000 grant was received from the State Government. A raffle held at Nowra raised $1340. VRA contributed $854.44 toward the cost of staging the last Rogaine & $60 towards the Sydney to Wollongong bike ride expenses. Training of the new members of the rock squad will bring their number to 20. General Business. The Sydney Bushwalkers moved that the Confederation withdraw from consultative processes. concerning Leadership Accreditation. After much discussion a motion, that the motion not be put, was moved and carried. The motion will now be raised at the AGM. Although the Pilbara contains some of the best bushwalking areas in Australia, the remote location and difficulty of access has prevented most bushwalkers from exploring the region and discovering the hidden wonders for themselves. We Can't do anything about the distance, but we can offer you an easy way to get there. Our trips run in June and July when you can expect cool nights with daytime maximum temperatures in the mid 20's. Heavy rain early this year should ensure full waterholes and an excellent wildflower display. Our Hamersley trip, June 25 - July 8, consists of three walks, the longest of which lasts about a Week. Splitting the trip this way allows us to visit more of the lovely pools, waterfalls and deep, spectkular, red-walled gorges than would be possible on a' single walk. Our. Chichester trip, July 9.-20, is a single long, exploratory walk deep into theheart of the ranges. On our first: too brief, visit, we found masses of wildflowers and birds, numerous pools and cascades and magnificent views No:0$ which seemed to got on forever. This time we'll be able to enjoy the area at the leisurely pace it deserves. A short ad like this can't tell the whale story. Ask for our trip notes. Join us and see for yourself. S6, VALt 1LLIS'S VVALKABOUTS ... . 12 Carrington Street, Millner NT 0810 , Phone (089) 85 2134 Fax: (089) 85 2355 CENTik MARCH 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 13 Tigers continued from page 5 .1 Alter the trip (Editor please note) every member of the trip wrote up his or her impressions. The result was a most readable article. One of the party just wrote the following: Max. Gen T le Gordon Sm I th .Hilma G alliott Alex ,Coll E :Tack Debe R t Bill MCCo S ker David Ste A d Dot Eng L ish Len Scot L and This was the origin of the term "Tigers". Most of the nine continued to walk together and many others became "Tigers" by adoption. Amongst those who became regulars were Bill Hall; Reg' Alder, Roley Cotter, Tim Coffey, Jess Martin, Edna Stretton, Bert Whinier and Mary Stoddart (Eastoe). Many others, in fact nearly all the active walkers in the Club, came on "Tiger" trips at one time or another. The truth was that there was only a handful of genuine -tigers" and a number' of followers who became known as "rabbits". This term originated during a distance event from Katocimba to Picton in two days. As David Stead and I started our weary feet on the last 15 mile stretch after lunch on the Sunday, some ten minutes 'ahead of the others David called back to them "The rabbits check out". The secret of the "Tigers" success as a walking group was not their toughness but the organisation and teartiwork that went into every trip. I believe any reasonably fit group of walkers could' do the Same, or similar, trips if they organised as well. Most of the trips were not covered at a fast pace, but we always started early and kepi going steadily. The party seldom camped in the dark. except on the first night. An interesting feature revealed by the harder walks was- the variety of skills which so to make up the good bushwalker. Gordon, the national long distance champion, could have left everybody behind on an open track if he felt so inclined, though it was only occasionally when the going was plain. and he wanted to do some training that he aid so. In rough country I doubt whether anybody was better than Max, while on hills Jack Debert and Bert Whinier were probably the strongest. In the rock climbing and rock hopping department nobody could touch Dot in her bare feetand on some trips we might never have got through if Dot had not got up first with the rope. Not everybody approved of the "Tigers"- some thought we just put our heads down and raced, but a reading of those magazine articles will dispel any doubt that we were lovers of the bush and knew it better than most walkers: I know nothing to equal a hard walk, with its difficulties, dangers, hardships and thrills, to bind a group or a Club together and I doubt whether official walks have ever been better attended. Now the "Tigers" are dispersed; one, Gordon Smith, was a victim of the Japs in Borneo. But some still walk and many take an active interest in the Club. For two at least the call of the bush will never gown dim, nor the Club lose its appeal. D From Confederation S&R. A $2000 grant was received from the State Government. A raffle held at Nowra raised $1340. VRA contributed $854.44 toward the cost of staging the last Rogain & $60 towards the Sydney to Wollongong bike ride expenses. Training of the new members of the rock squad will bring their number to General Business. The Sydney Bushwalkers moved that the. Confederation withdraw from consultative processes concerning Leadership Accreditation. After much discussion d motion, that the motion not be put, Was moved and carried. The motion will now be raised at the AGM. Jim Callaway PAGE 14 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKERS MARCH 1995 The February General Meeting. It was around 2005 when the president arm twisted enough of the noises off fraternity into the room to make up. a quorum and declared th e Meeting open. From this small beginning the numbers grew to. a' point Where the various enquirers, escaping from Bill's 'advice and council as to the easiest way to join up', were forced to search for vacant seats. There were apologies from Maureen Carter. and Joy Hynes, and one of our long running prosPectives, Lynne Yea,man was welcomed into full membership in the usual Way: The minutes of the previous meeting were read and receivedWith no matters arising. Dtie in no small part to the absence of the secretary there was no correspondence to present to the meeting. . The treasurer's report, presented out of order at the meeting but transposed here, indicated that we spent $1,296 and closed the month with a balance of $869. The walks reports began with the weekend of 13, 14, 15 January with David Rostron's Mprong Deep trip. The party of 14 enjoyed fine Weather and the ...Deep was as lovely as ever with the bonus of low. water flOWS. , Bill Holland and Ian Debert led their combined 'canoe and walk trip at Lake Yarninga With . . 6.1carioe1sts and 17, walker. The 'storage level was a.,dowri about 4" metres due to Water 'having been pumped out over recent weeks to replenish Warragarnba: Dam, btit the weather was fine.. and a good time was had. Peter Christian's Glen Alice area two da>. canyon trip went, with a party of 'S and no other details. Laurie Bore led a party of 29, on his Avalon- to Deewhy coastal walk on the Sunday in fine, warm, overcast conditions. The following weekend., 20, 21, 22 January saw Morrie Ward with a party of 6 using leader's judgment and sleeping in a hut when conditions turned wet and cold on Barrington Tops. Honour was satisfied however, as there: were lots of leeches and they still 'had a tough day on the Sunday. Ken Clacher: had the 12 starters on his Wollerni National 'Park canyons weekend coping with more water and cooler' conditions than usual. Despite all that they insisted that it was a good weekend. Eddie Giacorriel led a party of 12 on his Colo River trip on Sunday. They had to reroute the walk somewhat due to high water levels in the river. The weather didn't help either, the day was rather hot. Australia day saw Dick Weston leading a party of 24 on his Kurin-Gai Chase National Park walking, swimming, rockhopping trip. Tony , Holgate's extended long weekend walk down the.Kowmung was cancelled as was David Robinson's Morton National Park easy trip over the normal weekend. Tom Wenman led a relocated or. walk from Kanangra walls down the Kowmung River that same weekend. There were'? on the w alk, conditions were hot with thunderstorms along the way. John Hogan had 4 on his short weekend Lake Macquarie relaxed watersports trip. Ken Clacher led 6 intrepid souls on his Crayfish Canyon day trip on the Sunday and Geoff McIntosh had 11 li-loing down Du Faurs Creek the same day. February 3, 4, 5, Saw Oliver Crawford leading 6 on a Colo River trip that was classified as easy. It appears some of the less fit and less well adapted people (less than 2 metres tall that is) had reason to question that grading and were exhausted by it all. Peter Christian's abseiling trip down Victoria Brook went, but there were no details. Tony Crighton had a party of 20 on his Erskine Creek' walk. They encountered a very brief thunderstorm but otherwise conditions were hot and fine. There were no details of Ian Wolfe's 14 day Tasmanian walk though there is a strong body of opinion that it 'did go. All of which concluded the walks reports. Conservation report brought a focus on the question of why there is so touch pressure to log old growth forests at this time. There seem to be two probable reasons, that softwood plantations are due to come into use in the near future and the loiagi ng of old growth will become more difficult to defend and that the industry, has previously overlogged and is desperate to make up the shortfall which is now becoming evident before anyone Wakes. up. It is difficult to understand why the logging continues in view of the findings of the federal government's Resource' Assessment Committee. It is as if the RAC never happened. Meanwhile as the Amazon burns the state election approaches a It is estimated that the total promises for wilderness protection from the labor party add up to around 1 million hectares so far.. Confederation report indicated that NPWS: have apologised for inconsistencies in advice provided on closures of the. Lower Blue Mountains National Park. Just when we had convinced ourselves there was a fault in reality too. The Search and Rescue group has acquired the $6,000 dollars they need for replacement field radios. General business saw a decision to entrust Patrick James and Ian Debert with the responsibility for coming up With a replacement for the gate (and gateposts) at the entrance to Coolana up to a limit of $200.00. Dorothy announced sOme recent findings on the longevity of bushwalkers and says she Will write it up for the magazine. The meeting however had run its race and closed at 2111 hours. 0 MARCH 1995 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 15 FROM THE CLUBROOMS Jan Roberts PROSPECTIVE LEADERS NIGHT - FEBRUARY 15 Following an enjoyable meal at Xenos Restaurant by an unusually small (there Were three of us) but dedicated group of regular SBW diners, we headed back to. Kiri-- ibilli and George MaWer's Prospective Leaders Training night. Attendance was good with many established leaders on hand to add. their personal encouragement and assist with input, during the everting. George covered, a great deal of information aimed at highlighting a wide Cross section Of subjects from many different sources. Excellent ,handout material was, also available covering important issues that included checklists for planning a walk, how to avoid getting lost (or. avoid turning the walk into an exploratory?) handling. accidents and emergencies, and managing the party.. . . Discussion was lively amongst prospective and experienced leaders throughout the evening. One of the many. questions raised was how leaders could. maintain authority in the face of well meaning, but determined opposition usually from other experienced leaders who will remain nameless. An interesting -solution was to allow. everyone interested to have a say, and then when they. are all finished debating, carry On with the original plan anyway. Merit was however acknowledged, on listening to the advice of others in the first instance with this passage from a walks checklist: Two 'derio's were sunning. themselves on a park bench. "The reason I'm here said one, is that refused to listen to anyone:That's funny said the other, I'm here because I listened to everyone." The best course for most of us lies somewhere between the two good advice. Here are a few of the many quotes- which contributed to an informative. and interesting night 'Remembe r how hard it was for you on yourfirst walk'.. (Fran Holland on the importance of empathy for first time walkers).. 'Check the weather, and be prepared for the worst. Last nights' forecast is bound to change (GeorgeMawer's sentiments on the reliability of Sydney's weather) .......'I lead walks because I've got so much out of SBW I wanted to give something back.. (Greta James in answer to why anyone would want to become a leader anyway) - And some final encouragement to prospective leaders from Dot Butler 'Imagine wanting off track without leaders! Not a pleasant thought at SBW needs more leaders... enlist now!. 0 Rainforest Patterns of life, of death. of light, of shade of green, of bark, of shapes, of leaves, of earth, of water, of movement. Fleeting moments. Life, complex, yet straight forward. Toby Holgate 13/5/1993. SBW HISTORY ON VIDEO - PART TWO - February 22 Peter Christian entertained us once again with. the second chapter of the history of SBW captured by him over many years on video. The video in. its entirety is over 8hours 'long, so obviously the clubroom presentation could only offer the highlights. Still the highlights. were interesting with many ' of the early members interviewed over 7 years ago. Some of the stars included Marie Byles, founding member and the first women solicitor to practice in Australia, Paddy Pallin, our own Dot Butler and Alex Coley, the Bert brothers and a cast of fascinating walkers and their memories of the early days of walking in the bush. Available soon for rental or sale, 'Peter's video captures part of our walking and environmental heritage changed by time forever.0 PAGE 16 THE SYDNEY E3USHWALKER MARCH 1995 SBW OFFICE BEARERS AlS COMMITTEE 1994 The Following Office Bearers And Committee Members as well as other Club workers were ellected at the Annual General Meeting held on & th March 1995:- President Vice President Public Officer Treasurer Secretary Walks secretarv Social Secretary Membership Secretary New Members Secretary Conservation Secretary Magazine Editor 2 Committee Members 2 Delagates to Confederation Greta James Ian Debert Fran Holland Tony Holgate Spiro Hajinakitas Eddy Giacomel Jan Roberts Barry Wallace Bill Holland Alex Colley George Mawer Morie Ward Annie Maguire Ken Stnith Jim Callaway 2 Confederation Delagates NOT on Committee Magaiine Production Manager Magazine Business Manager Printers Assistant New Members Secretary Archivist. Hon. Solicitor Hon. Auditor Search & Rescue Contacts Kosciusko Huts Assn. Delegates NOTE: All Club workers are Honorary. For Annual Subscriptions - See Page 3 WiIf Hilder David Carter Fran Holland Joy Hines Kenn ,Clacher, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven, Les Powel and Tom Wenman Patric James &. Miriam Kirwan Ian Debert Bathe Murdoch Chris Sonter Maurice Smith, Bill Holland, David Robinson, & Morie Ward Ian Wolfe & Louise Verdon * Indicates member of Committee.