The Sydney Bushwalker.

A monthly Bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St., Sydney.

A correspondent in this issue asks the question “Why should present members enjoy the benefits of money raised by others? Why shouldn't they make a comparable contribution?” This is the normal and inevitable question whenever eyes wander in the direction of “trust” funds which exist for some vague or generalised purpose. There is a tendency to regard such funds as memorials to the hard work of those who raised the money, and any attempt to use the funds is “dissipation” or the signal to admonish members not to take things so much for granted. An admonition at the moment is very much to the point for we have been prodigal of the funds to such an extent that we have very little left for further equipment.

That the money was left for ten or fifteen years to accumulate interest and reverence was probably the last thing those members wished to avoid. With no eye on the hagiographers they organised theatre parties, socials and evenings, with the intention that the money be spent reasonably quickly on needed equipment. Now there is a serious economic aspect to be considered in that when the money was first raised it might well have purchased a duplicator, projector, and a dozen or so library books, whereas now the purchase of a new duplicator leaves our cupboard bare.

The method of raising future funds needs much consideration. Theatre parties are a good idea if you want to get into something which is fashionable and extremely popular (rather like joining a ski club to improve one's chance of getting to the snow). It is paying a premium for your entertainment in that you are persuaded you are “doing your duty” to the Club whilst you are enjoying yourselves, and is an indirect and additional price to be paid for membership. A deal of the enjoyment of such an evening is lost if the member is resentful of the fact that he is there only to make the evening a financial success and he will wish himself home in bed before the overture is ended.

A “cap-in-hand” attitude on the part of the Treasurer, or anyone else, appealing for support for such schemes reduces the dignity of that office (for it is the Treasurer's job to find the funds). It also reflects on the spirit of the Club generally which is prepared to allow a few members do what is really the responsibility of everyone prepared to enjoy the benefits of the new and future equipment. We pride ourselves that the subscription hasn't been raised for years, seeming to regard ourselves as paragons of “anti-inflation”. Yet we just struggle along from year to year without increasing greatly our reserves from the year's receipts. All the improvements and new equipment have come from “trust” funds until now we have almost exhausted them.

Financing our wants from subscriptions is the most equitable means. An extra five shillings per member would yield about eighty pounds and still not be an excessive price for the fifty nights of free entertainment received, quite apart from the benefits of belonging to an organised club. It would allow us to embark on a planned programme of refurbishing a larger library and a home more suitable than the present converted china-cabinet, a better projector screen and an efficient stand for projector. Perhaps a Five Year Plan financed alone by an extra five shillings per member.

Opponents of an increased subscription maintain that members feel some gratification in donating to club funds and like to give their services in arranging money-raising schemes. But the benefits from new equipment are available to all. Is it not fair that all should be called upon to finance them?

Note. Notes on the August and September General Meetings will appear in the October issue.

By Jess Martin,

Dorothy Lawry, in whom the spirit of adventure is very much alive, has left Sydney to make a new home in New Zealand, and from the folk who knew her in the Club over the years she carries with her our best wishes for the future.

My first impression of Dorothy, in 1932, was her unusual friendliness and sincere desire to assist the novice to become a happy member of the Bushwalking fraternity, and if there is no Walking Club near her new home, I am sure Dorothy will be the prime mover in forming one.

Dorothy is one of the few people capable of doing this. She has an infinite capacity for work - like most busy people, she always appeared able to accept the responsibility of office; in fact, no job was too large or too small for her efficient hands.

When the second World War broke out, and so many of our male members were called into the Services, the Club considered Dorothy the most fitting person to be President, which office she capably held for two years.

During her years with the S.B.W. she was in turn Hon. Recorder, Auditor, on several occasions, Hon. Secretary, and Hon. Editor of “The Sydney Bush Walker” Magazine for some years, our Delegate to the N.S.W. Federation of Bushwalking Clubs, member of the Blue Gum Forest Trust, and Bushwalking representative to the Annual Conference of the Forestry Advisory Council. The Social Secretary was also always sure of Dorothy's whole-hearted support, and I know she thoroughly enjoyed her share in the concerts, plays and other social activities.

Dorothy was always eager to explore new walking country and was a member of several parties which made trips into the little-known parts of the Mountains. Her name frequently appeared on the Club Walks Programme, and those walks were made enjoyable by the information she was able to impart from her knowledge of the bush.

Many of our newer members are unacquainted with Dorothy, as since the War her interest in Conservation (particularly the preservation and replenishment of our Forest resources) had taken her out into the field - latterly she was employed planting trees in the Port Stephens area.

It is due to the practical idealism of members like Dorothy and their belief in the objects of the Club that the Sydney Bush Walkers has grown into the strong entity it is today.

Dorothy is always assured of a welcome in Sydney from the friends she made in the Club.

By Jess Martin.

At the June monthly meeting Club members spoke of “Duplicator Fund”, “Rene Brown's £100” and a “Reserve Fund which was created for the purpose of purchasing equipment”. Do members ever give a thought to how the Club came to possess these funds? Apart from the Era Lands Fund (earmarked for conservation purposes), it is money accumulated by the hard, but enjoyable, work of members over the years, led by energetic Social Secretaries, notably Rene Browne.

What assistance have successive Social Secretaries received from Club members to augment Club funds? Very little!! It must be a heartbreaking job, never knowing till the last moment whether a function is to be a social, let alone a financial, success.

In he July magazine the Official Duplicator Operator abhors “the principle of calling upon the regular group which frequents the Club room to donate money for the benefit of the Club in general”, but it is almost axiomatic that in any organisation it is always the same few people who do the work - in fact, carry the bulk of members, financially or otherwise.

Any Club Treasurer (past or present) will tell you it is notoriously hard to collect money from our Club members - entreating, cajoling, even threatening letters have to be written to the majority to prise even the small annual subscription from them.

Why should present members enjoy the benefits of money raised by others? Why shouldn't they make a comparable contribution?

It is not commonsense to dissipate funds without making an effort to replenish them - that, I think, is the challenge to be met by our present members.

By H. Stoddart.

The Parks and Playgrounds Movement of New South Wales is a combination of nearly all the sporting, scientific and welfare associations of that State for the purpose of securing adequate provision of recreation space. It had its origin in realisation that even around a large part of Sydney, a city perhaps without parallel in the natural advantages which it offers to the holiday maker, the open spaces are being occupied so rapidly that they will all disappear unless carefully planned steps are quickly taken to preserve them. Although in parts of Sydney primaeval forest (as it was before Captain Cook landed) lies side by side with a city of nearly two million people, in many other parts a position has already arisen in which there is not enough space for all the children to practice or even to learn the national games.

In 1929 the Town Planning Association of New South Wales, after some years of agitation in this matter, organised a deputation from many sporting and other bodies interested, and asked the Minister for Lands to institute an inquiry into the whole question. The bodies represented in that deputation afterwards organised themselves into a combined committee, and this became the Parks and Playgrounds Movement, which now combines cricket, football, swimming, athletic, town planning, health, motorist, kindergarten, botanic, zoological, scouting, baseball, hockey, women's sports, and many other associations - a unique combination of very great strength. Its object is to throw the combined influence of all behind the needs of each one.

In 1930 the Government commissioned the State Surveyor-General to make the inquiry asked for, associating with him a committee of this Movement. This committee, after careful inquiry, made its Basic Report, a document of exceptional interest and value.

The effort of the Movement is to secure a reasoned policy of park and playground provision based on the principles there laid down.

In the 20 years since its establishment the Movement, working in close co-operation with kindred societies, has helped to secure the provision of many fine parks and reserves, but unfortunately a great deal - actually the major part - of its time has had to be devoted to protection of established parks against unessential encroachment. Nevertheless, since the inception of the Movement, the park position throughout the State has been greatly improved; many districts having doubled their recreation spaces in the past 20 years.

By G. Martin.

No sooner had the Walks Programme been issued than sarcastic remarks were being made to David Ingram regarding the starting time of his week-end walk in the Hawkesbury area. However various folk showed interest despite the 6.37 a.m. start. On joining the train I counted heads ten, eleven and myself twelve. Shaking sleep from our eyes we left the train at Hawkesbury River and on joining the launch many were the harrowing tales of walking through suburban streets in the pre-dawn hours.

The launch was a cosy affair and a pleasant gossip circle was soon in progress in the cabin. Some of the hardy types stayed outside and were seen in conversation with some handsome passengers, whilst Molly and Edna were invited on to the “Bridge” and entertained the Skipper and, we understand, assisted him to berth at the wharf that was not there. A scramble over slippery rocks, much passing of packs, and we were ashore.

By this time the sun was well up and after a short walk several layers of clothing were removed and we proceeded along the banks of Mangrove Creek to a pleasant spot for a welcome early lunch.

During the afternoon we passed several deserted settlements and on one location found an old boiler installation, in which Ray displayed great interest. Numerous Mangrove swamps had to be negotiated and the track became quite a bog; at this stage one foxy type made for the scrub and was soon leading the main party, leaving the Leader to plod through the mud alone. Edna made a dainty figure tripping across one particularly boggy patch, a mob of cattle appeared and she made a far from graceful retreat across the same bog.

On Popran Creek we found a pleasant campsite with good water and plenty of wood. A count revealed that of the nine lady members of the Party five had tents, and I venture to suggest that never before have so many females spent the night in one-man tents. A frost and heavy dew fell on Saturday night and the girls set off with very wet tents next morning.

Sunday was a lovely day and after crossing several creeks and following various timber tracks we reached the secluded beauty of Somersby Falls, thence a few miles along an old track and a road bash to Gosford.

I am still wondering whether the women in the Club are more hardy than the men, or was it the charm of the Leader that enticed them out so earli-in-the-morning?

You may have noticed the Assistant Social Secretary, Molly Gallard, has been missing recently. On Friday 10th August Molly sailed in T.S.S. “Westralia” where she will act as Hostess for the round trip to Fremantle. In spite of a stormy passage to Melbourne, the voyager reports only slight squarmishness near Wilson's Promontory.

Margaret Stoddart has departed from our midst to take up nursing at Lismore. The way is now open for some fair damsel to gain honour and favour by filling Margaret's job as assistant to the Assistant Duplicator Operator. We wish Margaret all the best in her new career.

Two of the famous. “Tigers” - Hilma Galliott and Alex Colley - were married on the 3rd August. Congratulations, good camping and happy days!

1 cup rice, 1 cup boiling water, l 1/4 cups milk, pepper, salt, cooked bacon or sardines, egg, breadcrumbs.

Cook rice till water and milk are absorbed. Add pepper and salt, chopped cooked bacon or sardines. Spread on plate to cool. Form into egg shaped rissoles, dip in egg and breadcrumbs and fry.

2 cups boiled rice, 4 tablespoons cheese, 1 oz. butter, 2 or 3 slices of bacon, salt, pepper, 1 small onion.

Slice onion and fry in butter, add shredded bacon, then add boiled rice and seasoning. Stir lightly over fire and serve very hot.

2 eggs, 2 oz. butter, 4 oz. boiled rice, pepper, salt, 1/2 teaspoon bovril (or vegemite), buttered toast.

Melt butter in a saucepan, dissolve vegemite in a little hot water. Pour into the butter with rice, eggs and seasoning and stir over fire until thoroughly hot. When cooked serve on buttered toast.

1 onion, 1 oz. fat, 1 oz. flour, teaspoon curry powder, water, sultanas and dried apple.

Fry the onion, add flour and curry powder blended in water, then sultanas and apple (previously soaked). Cook till thick and serve on fried bread.

Cream together 1 tablespoon butter and 2 tablespoons sugar. Add 1 egg and beat well, then 1 cup S.R. flour and enough milk (about 1/4 cup) to make a very stiff mixture. Put on to of boiling apples which should be left very moist and cook about 1/4 hour with lid on tightly.

(It was formerly a strict ruling that all articles should be signed, or at least bear an easily decipherable pen-name. Owing to the nature of the contents neither the author nor the editor accept responsibility for burnt billies, indigestion and dismal failures. The author wishes to cloak herself with anonymity.)

By H. Stoddart.

Below is a brief resume of the main activities of the Parks and Playgrounds Movement of New South Wales since October last. These consist largely of protests against attempts to misuse the parks, sponsored usually by Cabinet Ministers, Lord Mayors, Councillors, Politicians and professional men who really ought to know better. The Movement never ceases to urge them to keep their hands off the parks, but in spite of all the educational work of the Movement and kindred Societies, such people never seem to realise that it only requires a few generations of their kind to completely wipe out the parks. Underground garages, Servicemen's Clubhouses, and shortsighted politicians constitute the three great menaces at present to the preservation of the parks as open spaces.

Protests were made against the following :-

Schemes put forward by the City Engineer to establish parking stations in Sydney Domain behind Sydney Hospital and on the old Government House ground in Macquarie Street.

Fresh attempts to obtain a franchise to construct under Hyde Park a garage building three times as large as the Queen Victoria building in George Street.

The Lord Mayor's plan to construct a music shell in Wynyard Park.

The Government's plan to construct a Sports Ground at Moore Park to hold 120,000 spectators, involving destruction of trees, etc.

The Lord Mayor's scheme to expend £74,000 on a building in Hyde Park for a Ladies' Rest Room with extensive shopping services.

Proposals to build a stadium and a railway station in Centennial Park.

Proposed encroachment on Rushcutters Bay Park to save the Stadium.

Grants of sites for Ex-Servicemen's clubhouses on Griffith Dark, Collaroy, and Pearl Beach Reserve, Woy Woy.

Application for permission to build a boat shed on Rose Bay Park.

Plan to build a school on Boronia Park, Hunters Hill.

Construction of overhead roadway across Circular Quay, along Macquarie Street, and through the Botanic Gardens and the Domain.

Support was given to a scheme to establish new recreation areas in The Coos River valley.

A request was made to the Education Department to make available for a park an old school site on Sydney Road, Seaforth Junction.

Deputation. A request was made to the Minister for Lands to receive a Deputation to discuss the following :-

1. Provision of more playing fields.
2. Reservation of 40 acres of Crown land on Dobroyd Headland now marked for sale in subdivision.
3. Acquisition of Clifton Gardens Picnic Ground, wharf and baths, recently sold for development as a Beer Garden.
4. Cessation of granting of sites in parks for Ex-Servicemen's Clubhouses.
5. Provision of central Women's Enclosed Playing Field.
6. Proposal to exploit Hyde Park and the Domain for car-parking stations.
7. Proposal for a 5,000 acre park in the vicinity of Wakehurst Parkway and Deep Creek, Narrabeen.
8. Proposals for reservations on Narrow Neck Peninsula, Katoomba.
9. Proposal to encroach on Sydney Domain and Gardens for Eastern Suburbs roadway.

By Brian G. Harvey.

Notwithstanding the fact that a relevant clause in our Constitution states Federation delegates take their place on the Federation Council “at the commencement of the Federation's year”, precedence has it that delegates have made the August monthly meeting their inaugural appearance.

The Federation Annual General Meeting is held in July, and is immediately followed, on the same night, by the July Monthly Meeting, presided over by the new President and vested in a new executive.

It will therefore be most apparent that our incoming delegates, who would normally make their debut at the August General Meeting, have no opportunity of being elected to fill the official positions (unless their representation ran into a second term). A serious state of affairs has thus been created, and one which has had the automatic effect of almost disbarring our members from the executive, unless a vacancy occurred during the year, or a delegate offered to represent the Club for consecutive years. As the largest affiliated club, and one possessing perhaps the greatest number of conservationists and experienced walkers, we certainly should have our strength felt on the Federation Executive.

I have therefore given notice of motion, to come forward at our Half-Yearly General Meeting “that Section 91 sub-section (bb) be amended by the insertion of the words 'on and from the date of the Federation's Annual General Meeting' after the word 'year' in the second sentence”.

On further consideration of this motion, it now appears to me the substitution of the word “at” instead of “on” would have the effect of clarifying beyond doubt the intention that the new delegates should present themselves at the Federation Annual Meeting, and the retiring delegates withdraw their representation with the conclusion of the May monthly meeting, and I intend to rectify this at the September club meeting.

It must be pointed out for the general information of members that there is no necessity for any Federation Official to be a duly accredited delegate from any Club. Any walker is eligible, in fact when Mr. Ron Compagnoni first became Federation Secretary he was not attached to any club whatever, but later joined the Coast and Mountain Walkers!!

Unfortunately it is difficult enough to find Federation delegates, let alone voluntary office-bearers.

By G. Martin.

Reported that a deputation had been made to the Minister regarding Wild Flower Protection Legislation.

Reported that there had been two Alerts, both parties reporting safe before search had been commenced. Mr. J. Hooper of S.B.W. to be acting contact man during the absence of Mr. T. Wardhaugh on holidays. The matter of Safety Code is in abeyance owing to the difficulty in compiling and printing suitable brochure.

Reported that the Trustees of Bouddi Reserve had received a grant of £200.

Application from Cruising Canoe Club for affiliation has been referred to Standing Committee.

Reported that a meeting in Newcastle had decided to inaugurate a Parks & Playgrounds Movement.

Reported that a scheme is proposed to sell Crown Lands on Barrington Tops to finance a road to the Tops. This matter is being actively followed.

It was reported that the proprietor of the Woy-Woy-Kilcare ferry had requested that walkers refrain from walking on the deck of his ferry in hob nail boots.

Reported that timber cutting on the Kanangra Road was reaching great proportions. Delegates to Forestry Advisory Council Meeting to bring this matter forward.

Barring strikes, riots, and civil commotions, earthquakes, hurricanes and thunderbolts and always provided the builder does his stuff on time Paddy will be installed in his new premises at C.E.N.E.F. Memorial Centre, 201 Castlereagh Street, as from Monday, 17th September next.

Here's a map.

[ Map ]

Of course, Paddy is still at Y.M.C.A., 325 Pitt Street, Sydney, in meantime.

'Phone number on and after 17th September - M2678.

Paddy has stocks of Rucksacks, Tents, proofed Japara groundsheets and aluminium billies.

A few sleeping bags still available from £8,12. 6d.

Paddy Pallin, Camp Gear For Walkers.