September 2014 Issue 250 Walking and Talking with the Bushwalking Victoria President

BTAC Committee and Field Officer Vacancies

Adopting a Track

BTAC Track and Conservation Activities

Alpine Bogs Recovery Plan - Public Consultation

Bushwalking Environment and Conservation Reports

Federation Walks Weekend, 2014

Changes to Camping Fees and Booking System

Changes to Peak Season Ballot System

New Camping Fees - A Reaction

Club Anniversaries - Grampians Bushwalking Club, 20 Years

Spring Into Nature - Media Release

Advertisement - SV Maps

Contributions

Who's Who at Bushwalking Victoria

Walking and Talking with the Bushwalking Victoria President

Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC) Over the past 10 months, BTAC has settled into the expanded role inherited from its predecessor, the Bushwalking Environment Committee (BEC). The entire suite of policies relating to conservation and bushwalking amenities has been reviewed, updated and published as four policy documents on the Bushwalking Victoria website:

Read More top

BTAC Committee and Field Officer Vacancies

Thank You David Miller for Your Contribution David Miller who has been on the BEC/BTAC committee for several years resigned due to time constraints and other commitments. In the last year he took on the responsibility of developing the Field Officers network on behalf of BTAC and being our Field Officer Liaison. He has also resigned from his role of Field Officer for the East Gippsland Region. For several years David has coordinated a four-day track clearing and maintenance project in the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) over the Australia Day long weekend. Unfortunately, in 2013 and 2014 these activities were cancelled due to bushfires, but if you have walked on the Buckwong Creek or the Mt Wills sections of the AAWT, then you should thank David for his efforts in recruiting teams to do work on this track. He built up a relationship with the rangers in Omeo and was recently working with the Ranger in Charge at Mt Beauty to plan ongoing work on the AAWT in the Bogong High Plains area. The BTAC committee members thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best for his planned trips and travels.

Vacancy for Field Officer Liaison BTAC is now seeking for expressions of interest to fill the vacancy of Field Officer Liaison. Responsibilities:

Call for monthly reports from the Field Officers Collate reports and forward to the BTAC Convener Liaise with Field Officers regarding their areas Recruit new Field Officers in gap areas. For more information or to express your interest in joining the BTAC committee, please contact Megan Major: Email [email protected] or mobile 0425 702 788. The committee of six usually meets every two months in Melbourne. Current committee members are:

Convener - Megan Major Projects Coordinator - Charlie Ablitt Land Management Consultant Phil Brotchie Dave Rimmer – Track Development Field Officer Coordinator - (Vacant) Publications - Joslin Guest

Vacancies for Field Officers Field Officers are appointed by the BTAC committee and are responsible for a designated geographic area. They liaise and network with local bushwalking clubs and land managers, and report monthly to BTAC. They are expected to be long-term appointees and not subject to changes at club committee level. They should be frequent visitors to their area and build strong relationships with the land managers. Responsibilities:

Be responsible to BTAC and Bushwalking Victoria for a designated area Raise issues with the BTAC Committee as necessary Research and investigate issues and actions as requested by the BTAC Liaise and network with local clubs Build strong relationships with land managers Ensure BTAC Convener is kept fully briefed Present a report monthly for BTAC, particularly in response to requested actions Recommend possible courses of action on issues. The current Field Officers are:

Ballarat and Central Victoria - John Petheram Grampians and Western Victoria - Phil Brotchie Otway Ranges - Bernard Jordan Central Gippsland - Michael Haynes Wilsons Promontory - Ian McKellar Mt Buffalo - Pauline McLaughlin Victorian Alps - Jim Harker Eastern Highlands - David Rimmer Dandenong Ranges - Bev Williams. Possible additional Field Officer areas:

Alpine National Park north of Great Alpine Road Alpine National Park Omeo Region East Gippsland South Gippsland Mornington Peninsula Yarra Ranges Brisbane Ranges/Lerderderg Gorge Bendigo area Murray-Sunset National Park Desert Parks SW-Lower Glenelg National Park. To express interest in becoming a Field Officer for a specific area contact Megan Major: Email [email protected] or mobile 0425 702 788.

Megan Major BTAC Convener top

Adopting a Track Some clubs have already adopted a track or park.

Ballarat Bushwalking and Outdoor Club - Bukkertillible Track at Mt Buangor State Park Benalla Bushwalking Club - Mt Samaria State Park Border Bushwalking Club - assisting in the upkeep of high country huts Boroondara Bushwalking Club - Cathedral Range State Park Diamond Valley Bushwalking Club - Sugarloaf Reserve Strzelecki Bushwalking Club - Baw Baw National Park West Gippsland Bushwalking Club - Bench Rest Track, Gembrook Warrnambool Bushwalking club - regularly helps maintain the local rail trail Bayside Bushwalking Club - is considering adopting the Freemans Mill Track, . If your club regularly does work in a particular area but is not included in the above list, please let Charlie Ablitt, Bushwalking Trakcs and Conservtion Projects Coordinator ([email protected]) know. If any club has a favourite track and wishes to help with its upkeep, please contact me so I can help liaise with Parks Victoria to see if we can arrange an ongoing association. Similarly, if a club would like to adopt a park/track but does not have a particular location in mind, please let me know and I will consult with Parks Victoria and inform them of the opportunities to build a relationship.

Charles Ablitt Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation Projects Coordinator top

BTAC Track and Conservation Activities

Oct 12 - Sassafras Creek walking track The meeting time at Sassafras is 8.30 am where the track starts on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd. Melway 66 F9. Expect to start work at 9am. BYO morning tea, snacks and lunch. Tools and gloves will be provided. Easy jobs for all with some bending involved. Contact Charlie Ablitt at [email protected] for more information.

Oct 26 - Condons Track, Healesville The meeting time is 8.30am at the Parks Victoria office at Healesville Reservoir. Melway 270 K10. Expect to start work at 9am. BYO morning tea, snacks and lunch. Tools, gloves and PPE will be provided. Easy jobs for all with some bending involved. Contact Charlie Ablitt at [email protected] for more information.

Nov 1-4 (Melbourne Cup Weekend) - Barry Mountains area, Victorian Alps We will place track markers and clear the track from Barry's Saddle to Mt St Bernard. There will be a base camp. A 4WD club will transport workers to and from the work sites. A Parks Victoria ranger will be in attendance. Contact Charlie Ablitt at [email protected] for more information and to register your interest in joining this activity. Nov 29-30 - Upper Howqua This is a very enjoyable location. We will drive to and base camp at the upper Howqua River campsite, and clear overgrowth from the nearby track(s). A reasonable level of fitness is required as we will need to climb up the track. A Parks Victoria ranger will be in attendance. Contact Charlie Ablitt at [email protected] for more information and to register interest in joining the activity. Let Charlie know if you can operate a brush cutter or hedge trimmer or have a Chainsaw Licence or an Agricultural Chemical Users Permit. Please note: Your expression of interest does not necessarily mean that you will be invited to participate as sometimes we need to assemble a team with particular skills or there is a logistical limit to the number of participants. New willing hands will always be considered. In all instances we will keep you informed.

Charlie Ablitt Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation Projects Coordinator top

Alpine Bogs Recovery Plan - Public Consultation You are invited to comment on the draft national recovery plan for the Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens ecological community which is listed as endangered under Australia's national environmental law, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The recovery plan has been developed with expertise and cooperation of independent experts and land managers responsible for conserving the ecological community. The plan has been developed using the most recent and emerging information on the ecological community and its threats. The plan sets out the management, research and other actions necessary to stop the decline and support the recovery of the ecological community so that the chance of its long-term persistence in nature is maximised. Details about the public consultation, including the document referred to above, are available at: www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery- comment.html. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) is seeking public comment on the draft plan (as required under the EPBC Act). Please note that comments on the plan are due by 3 December 2014. Your comments are invited as an integral part of the assessment process and are very much appreciated. Please send your comments, quoting the title of the plan, to: Email: [email protected] Mail: Protected Species and Communities Branch Wildlife, Heritage and Marine Division Department of the Environment GPO Box 787 Canberra ACT 2601 We look forward to receiving your comments. For a comprehensive understanding of the provisions relating to nomination and listing, you should refer directly to the: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000

Karen Watson Department of Environment Editor's note: The following draft plans may also be of interest to bushwalkers and are available for comment by the deadlines indicated:

Draft National Recovery Plan for the Orange-bellied Parrot, Neophema chrysogaster - Deadline: 7 November 2014 White-bellied and Orange-bellied Frogs (Geocrinia alba and Geocrinia vitellina) Recovery Plan - Deadline: 3 December 2014 top

Bushwalking Environment and Conservation Reports

Ballarat Bushwalking and Outdoor Club

Tree planting at Powlett Hill farm, part of a Tuesday walk

Rat Tales, August 2014, newsletter of the Ballarat Bushwalking and Outdoor Club

Avro Plane Crash Memorial Track Clearing Project The weekend just gone of 23-24 August saw us complete Round 5 of the track clearing project at Mt Torbreck. We began work at 10.30am on Saturday at a large uprooted tree that we were expecting to be a challenge. But thanks to a new member in Brenton, who is ex-DSE, and Andy and Paul on chainsaws plus Tim who had the forethought to bring a hand winch, we made light work of it and it was gone in no time. At the memorial itself, we all contributed to chainsaw work, brush cutting and debris removal, and after roughly 30 minutes we had the site looking like it did when it was built in the early 1960s. After five trips totalling eight full days of work and 19 participants across all trips, at 1pm for the first time in decades there is a 2.4km clear uninterrupted track from Barnewall Plains Rd to the memorial site.

Before

After

After basking in the sunshine and enjoying lunch together as a group on the steps of the memorial cairn, we packed up our gear for the last time and started down the mountain. During the walk down, seeing sections of the track meander its way along the side of the mountain was a very rewarding experience that filled me with a great sense of pride in what we had achieved. I can't begin to express my gratitude to the 19 guys who participated in some way or another. We met all types of challenges, such as monstrous mountain ash trees completely sealing off the track and everything around it, dense regrowth that seemed like it would never be removed and all types of weather including snow. Not once was there anyone who thought it was too hard or that it couldn't be done; we all just rolled up our sleeves and got the job done. I have no doubt that I have established some life-long friendships out of these experiences in our endeavour to have a part of our history restored. Here is a list of the19 participants. Pat Mills, Ryan Lane, Steve Dykes, Nick Dykes, Rob Woolfe, Shane Bayliss, Andrew Casey, Jake Casey, Andy Kelly, Paul Fletcher, Nathan Earl, Shane Millard, Tim Slade, Steve Considine, Phil Guinta, Mick Braybon, Brenton Luke, Andrew Mason and Jack Mason. A big thank you has to go out to the DEPI for allowing this project to happen, in particular Lucas Russell and Senior Forest Ranger James Cowell. Right from the start they have both been very helpful, approachable and enthusiastic about the project and without them it would have been much harder if not impossible to get it off the ground. Now it's time to hand the track and memorial site back to them in the best condition it's been in decades. I would also like to thank David Hibbert and his Artworkz team for doing such a wonderful job in publicising the area with their tourism brochures, fact sheets and their online eSpalsh publications. Through them it is creating the awareness that the site needs to ensure its longevity. We saw this first hand on Saturday afternoon when a German tourist arrived to walk up to the memorial after been given a brochure at the Alexandra Information Centre.

Anthony Dykes Independent bushwalker

Editor's note: For an overview of the Avro Anson plane crash at Mt Torbeck and the Anthony's track clearing efforts, go to http://www.deathrailwaytours.com.au/files/fs-174- Avro_Anson_Plane_Crash_Mt_Torbreck.pdf. top

Federation Walks Weekend, Rawson, 8-9 November 2014

Bulletin 3 – August 2014

Registrations Interest in the 2014 Federation Walks Weekend (Fed14) has been strong with many participants registering early. The Registrar has received over 200 registrations for the Fed14 event. Some feedback received by the Organising Committee has suggested that accommodation at the event venue is fully booked. This is not the case, as good supplies of comfortable bunk rooms are still available. The motel and twin rooms are fully booked. We are working on compiling a list of alternative accommodation venues in the area should the Rawson Village become fully booked. Please be advised that bookings for the event close on Friday 10 October. The Registrar advises that check in will commence from 4pm on Friday. Those not staying at the Rawson Village are urged to also check in on Friday if possible to avoid congestion on Saturday morning prior to commencement of walks. Those booked in for day walks only, will need to check in at the registration desk at least 30 minutes prior to commencement of your walk, if you have not checked in on Friday. As previously advised a meal is not available from the Rawson Village on Friday night but meals are available from the following nearby locations or towns you will pass through on route to Rawson:

Criterion Hotel (aka the Traf Pub), 85 Princes Highway, Trafalgar Da Nunzio's, 25A George Street, Moe Silks Restaurant, 50 George Street, Moe Turfside (at the Moe Racing Club), Waterloo Road, Moe. Phone 5120 1333 For meals ordered between 5pm - 6pm purchase one meal & receive one meal of the same price or less free of charge. Moe has numerous takeaway restaurants and fast food outlets. Erica Hotel, 8 School Road, Erica. Phone 5165 3252 Meals available between 6pm-8pm Stockyard Bar and Bistro, Depot Road, Rawson. Phone 5165 3111 Meals available between 6pm-8pm

If you intend eating out in either Erica or Rawson please remember to book as there are no other options.

Website Check out the website for event guidelines, what to bring, walkers' responsibilities and suggestions for what your personal first aid kit should contain. Also a general reminder to check the web site regularly for any minor changes to walks and additions to the event guidelines.

You can view the website at www.fedwalks.org.au.

Walks Program After a number of recent recces the Walks Committee is reviewing Walk 19 in relation to its total distance. It is planned to shorten the walk slightly while still retaining the highlights and landmarks visited on this walk. Also the maps on the web site for Walks 5 and 9 have been slightly modified. As soon as practical after event registrations close we will be in a position to advise participants of their walk preference and the proposed starting time for their walk. We are not able to do this now; but some walks are proving to be very popular and we may have to run them with two departure times. We anticipate that the longer harder walks will depart Rawson Village at 8.00 am and if duplicated would leave at 8.30 am. We expect that the medium length walks will depart at 9.00am and that short walks will leave 9.30-10.00 am.

Frequently Asked Questions Q When will walk start times be announced? A As soon as practical after event registrations close on October 10th.

Q What accommodation is still available? A Good supply of comfortable bunk rooms are still available. You can elect to go onto a wait list for motel/twin room accommodation. Q What other accommodation options are available in the district? A The Organising Committee is identifying other accommodation options in and around Rawson, Erica and Walhalla and will publish a list in the future on the website if Rawson accommodation is fully booked.

Q When will registrations open on Friday and Saturday? A You will be able to register between 4:00pm and 10.00pm on Friday, 7 November 2014. On Saturday morning, registrations will be possible from 90 minutes before the scheduled walk start time.

Q What is planned for Saturday afternoon when we get back from our walk? A There will be some displays and a DVD of The Dance of the Lyrebird. Tea and coffee will be available in the main common room throughout the day. Before dinner there will be an informal gathering of all participants in the main common room to which you may bring your own pre dinner nibbles and drinks to share. (The main common room has ample refrigerators for your use. Refrigerators are also available in the twin room lodge communal kitchens.)

Q How will we reimburse drivers who supply their car for transport for walks that require a car shuffle? A A number of walks require a car shuffle. The walk descriptions contained on the website indicate the distances required to be travelled when car-pooling so please remember to bring cash in appropriate denominations to reimburse drivers for car-pooling.

Q Are there any biosecurity issues I need to be aware of when walking the Rawson area? A To date there are no identified biosecurity risks when hiking in the Rawson area. However if you are travelling from a known cinnamon fungus area we ask that you take care to have clean boots, poles and packs.

Q What is the typical weather for the Rawson area in November? A As a significant number of the walks being offered are in alpine areas all participants are advised to be prepared for all climatic conditions. Please refer to the information contained in the various walk descriptions for specific warning and advice concerning preparedness, clothing, access to water etc. top

Change to Parks Victoria’s Camping Fee and Booking Systems As of 1 July, camping fees now apply to 197 of the state's 680 campsites. New fees apply at some sites where there were already fees for camping. Fees have been introduced for another 98 campgrounds in 11 parks (indicated in red below); the majority of these campgrounds are in the Basic/Very Basic category. The parks at which fees apply are listed below. At these campgrounds there is no longer the option of 'honesty box' payment for the campsites. You need to book your site at www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay, or by calling Parks Victoria's Information Centre on 13 1963 before arriving at the campground. For some sites a phone booking charge applies. You can book up to 12 months ahead.

Baw Baw National Park Brisbane Ranges National Park Broken-Boosey State Park (schools camp only) Buchan Caves Bunyip State Park Cape Conran Coastal Park Cape Liptrap Coastal Park Cathedral Range State Park Cobboboonee National Park Corringle Foreshore Reserve Croajingolong National Park Discovery Bay Coastal Park Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing at Alpine National Park French Island National Park Gabo Island Reserve Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park Glenelg River Canoe Trail Grampians National Park Great Ocean Walk Great Otway National Park Hattah-Kulkyne National Park Kinglake National Park Kurth Kiln Regional Park Lake Eildon National Park Little Desert National Park Longridge Camp Lower Glenelg National Park Mornington Peninsula National Park Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park Mount Buangor State Park Mount Buffalo National Park Mount Eccles National Park Murray-Sunset National Park Nioka Bush Camp at Plenty Gorge Peachtree Creek Reserve The Lakes National Park Upper Yarra Reservoir Park Wilsons Promontory National Park Wyperfeld National Park

The booking website provides good details of facilities at the campground and how many people are permitted per campsite. Some campsites are booked per person – for example, the Farmyard at the Cathedral Range SP or the Wilderness Coast Walk at Croajingolong NP. The maximum number of people or tents permitted per campsite varies according to location, from one person to six people. To be absolutely clear about whether this maximum refers to the people or the number of tents, you need to check the details and terms and conditions for the particular campground. You can tell at a glance which campsites are available at a specified date. At some campgrounds, the standard booking includes one vehicle per campsite and there is charge for each additional vehicle. At the Cathedral Range State Park, for example, the maximum is three vehicles per booking; vehicles two and three cost $9.20 each. You need to enter the registration number of each vehicle. Arrival and departure times vary between campgrounds. Most - mainly the more remote sites - do not have specified times. Others do: for example, in the Cathedral Range SP arrival and departure times are 1400 and 1100hrs respectively; Kinglake NP 1200 and 1000 respectively. So you need to check this, and if you intend to arrive early or leave late, you will need to book additional days. It may take a bit of practice to use the booking site without experiencing frustration. There are instructions for how to book undercover accommodation at http://www.parkstay.vic.gov.au/making-a-booking. There do not seem to be instructions for how to book campsites for a multi-night hike. The booking procedure has a number of irritating aspects. Contradictory information is sometimes provided in different parts of the booking site. For example, for the Great Ocean Walk, the Details part of the site states: 'Individual camping for Great Ocean Walk purpose-built hike-in campsites: 12 people in up to 4 (3 person tent) sites'. The description under More states: '8 individual hike-in campsites with a limit of 3 people per site'. The Terms and Conditions state the maximum group is 16 people. I experienced error messages for some campsites where I tried to book additional vehicles, eg, the Cathedral Range SP. I had a practice booking a Great Ocean Walk (GOW). Here are some tips about using the booking website.

Number of people: I entered 12 in the Adults dialog box. This closed out the booking dialog boxes and I could not proceed with the booking. So you it seems that you don't enter the total number of people in the Adults dialog box, but enter the number of people per tent site. So for 12 adults I entered 3 in the Adult dialog box and then 4 in the Quantity dialog box for each tent site. Dates: If you are booking an extended walk, you do not nominate the date range; instead you select each date for each campsite individually. Right and proper, because one might want to stay more than one night at a particular spot or walk in the opposite direction (neither of which you can do that on the GOW) to which the campsites are listed. After you click the Book Now button, you are required to enter a motor vehicle registration number(s) and emergency contact information. If you don't have a vehicle, you enter 'No vehicle'. All good stuff, but you are required to repeat the information at for next campsite you want to book. You then click Add to Cart to 'lock in' the nominated campsite and select the next date and go through the process again. Note: Some parks – eg, Grampians NP - have assigned campsites; you select a particular campsite. After entering the details for the final campsite, click Buy Now. Your booking details are displayed for each tent site booked and each night booked. (It will be a long and repetitive list for a longish walk for a largish group.) You need to check this list carefully to make sure that your booking is precisely what you want. There is a little cancel button for each item, so that you can cancel an incorrect booking and then redo it. Finally you enter your identity and contact details. Like all similar sites, you need to accept the Terms and Conditions. You can pay by Mastercard or Visa. That's as far as I went in my test. You should receive a confirmation email that includes a receipt. Note: I tested the site by put in arbitrary and inconsistent information. The system does not seem to verify information entered. But as I did not proceed to actual payment, I cannot confirm that it would have accepted my booking in such circumstances.

You need to be very sure of your intentions - number of walkers, intended campsites, dates and so on - because there seems to be no capacity for subsequent variation to a finalised booking.

Cancellation Policy 30 days prior, 50% cancellation fee. Less than 30 days prior, 100% cancellation fee. No transfers.

Joslin Guest, Editor top

Change in Parks Victoria’s Peak Season Ballot System Parks Victoria has changed the ballot system for a number of popular camping sites for peak periods. The change enables you to know immediately if your booking has been successful instead of having to wait 4-6 weeks for the ballot process to be finalised. An advance booking system for peak periods now applies for the following sites:

Croajingolong National Park (Wingan Inlet, Shipwreck Creek) and Peachtree Creek Reserve. Advance bookings for camping between 27 December and 17 January opened on 1 August. There are no minimum or maximum stay periods. Blanket Bay in the Great Otway National Park. Advance bookings for camping between 27 December and 17 January opened on 1 August. There is a 7 night maximum stay, and no minimum stay. Corringle Foreshore Reserve. Advance bookings for the period between 27 December and 17 January opened on 1 September. There are no minimum or maximum stay periods. Bunga Arm (Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park). Advance bookings for camping between 27 December and 26 January will open on 1 October at 9am. There is a maximum booking period of three weeks. There is now no minimum stay period during the summer peak period. The website for bookings for these and all other Parks Victoria managed locations is www.parks.vic.gov.au/stay. Source: Parks Victoria website top

New Camping Fees – a Reaction The revised camp fee regime in Victoria applies since 1 July 2014. Rises in camping fees at Victorian national parks could be counter-productive, the Warrnambool Bushwalkers group says. Group spokesman Lothar Satzke said some of the big increases, such as the $34 a night charge to camp at the Borough Hut campground near Halls Gap could discourage people from camping and reduce government revenue. 'At $34 a night, it's cheaper to stay at a Youth Hostels Australia (YHA) hostel where I can have a hot shower,' Mr Satzke said. While he understood the $34 a night charge could cover up to six people, it would add up for smaller groups staying more than one night. Mr Satzke said $10 a night camping fees had also been introduced at campsites along the Great South West Walk that had previously been free. '$10 a night is OK but $34 a night is a bit much,' Mr Satzke said. He said the fees hike would cause financial risks for small clubs such as the Warrnambool Bushwalkers. Some camping sites had to be booked well in advance and walk leaders might be unwilling to do so if they had to outlay substantial amounts of money, with the risk that some people might later withdraw from taking part. Mr Satzke said he realised campers had to pay money for the camping facilities but some of the fee increases were too steep. 'We will be thinking twice about the overnight walks we go on and where we stay,' Mr Satzke said. Parks Victoria said a revised fee structure was implemented from July 1 for camping in 197 of the state's 680 campsites in national, state and other parks and reserves. 'New fees will apply at some sites, where there are already fees for camping in the park and some other areas where fees will be introduced,' Parks Victoria said. Fees vary according to the facilities provided at sites, with those for 'basic/very basic' camp grounds set at $13 a night and those for 'very high' standard facilities at $59.20 a night, covering up to eight people, during peak periods. According to the Victorian National Parks Camping and Accommodation Fees Regulatory Impact Statement, 'at present, the total annual cost of delivering camping and accommodation facilities and services within Victoria's national and other parks is estimated to average $17.8 million over the next 10 years [2013/4-2023/4 at 2013/4 prices]. However, only $6.5 million is currently collected in revenue from user fees and charges. The estimated shortfall of $11.3 million is neither fair nor sustainable.'

Warrnambool Bushwalker, August 2014 top

Club Anniversaries - Grampians Bushwalking Club, 20 Years The Grampians Bushwalking Club was formed in 1994 following a public meeting at Stawell. Walks took place every fortnight, alternating between Saturday and Sunday. The club has roamed far and wide in the pursuit of a good walk. Some of the areas visited: Mt Gambier, Mt Buffalo, Mt Kosciusko, the Otways, St Arnaud, Castlemaine, Werribee Gorge, Daylesford, Creswick, Blackwood, Warrnambool, sections of the Great South West Walk, sections of the Surf Coast Walk, sections of the Great Ocean Walk, South Australia - Wilpena Pound, and Queensland - Sunshine Coast. Of course, the Grampians have been explored extensively. We have joined other clubs on walks and have had other clubs join us. The club has taken on the maintenance of some tracks in the Grampians, including Heatherlie Quarry, Wartook Lookout, and the track to Mt Difficult from Long Point Fireline Track. The club has also indicated they are willing to help in the construction of Park Victoria's Grampians Peaks Trail. On Saturday 27 September, the Grampians Bushwalking Club is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the Community Hall in Halls Gap with lunch and a social afternoon. All walkers who have walked with Grampians Bushwalking Club are invited to share this celebration with us. Bring along your photographs and memorabilia. On Sunday 28 September, the club will repeat the first walk - Sundial Peak. For more information about the anniversary or to register to attend, contact the President, Jenny Cray on 0408 345 387. RSVP by 22 September.

Graeme Edwards Secretary, Grampians Bushwalking Club top

Spring into Nature – Media Release This spring, visit some remarkable private conservation properties that are not normally open to the public. As part of Trust for Nature's 'Spring into Nature' event series, the gates will be open to select properties across Victoria to demonstrate what can be achieved in the name of conservation. Nature enthusiasts will get the chance to visit nine properties, each offering a special sanctuary to native plants and wildlife in need of protection. Talk with landowners who have permanently protected their properties; enjoy guided walks while the wildflowers are on display and the birds are chirping and learn about practical land management experiences that help protect our precious wildlife.

When: Spring into Nature's first property opens for the day on Friday, 12 September in Victoria's North Central region in Kotta, with subsequent events happening across the state until Sunday, 26 October.

Where: A list of events, dates and access to all the details can be found on the Trust for Nature website: http://www.trustfornature.org.au/our-events/ Media Contact: Tiffany Inglis: Email [email protected], phone (03) 8631 5888 or 0433 006 663.

About Trust for Nature Since it was established in 1972 under the Victorian Conservation Trust Act, Trust for Nature has achieved impressive results. We now protect more than 55,000ha of Victoria in partnership with over 1,200 private landowners. The Trust is a not-for-profit conservation organisation that has developed unique ways to permanently protect remnant vegetation on private land. These include voluntary conservation covenants, land purchase, a Revolving Fund and ongoing land stewardship programs. The Trust's model is being adopted and implemented by other conservation organisations across Australia. www.trustfornature.org.au

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Contributions Email or post news, views, club profiles, articles, photographs, sketches and letters on any topic of interest to bushwalkers (publication is subject to editorial approval) to: [email protected] or 24 Moorhouse Street Camberwell Victoria 3124 Deadline for the October edition: Monday, 29 September 2014. The statements and opinions expressed in articles are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or position of Bushwalking Victoria. Editor: Joslin Guest

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Who's Who at Bushwalking Victoria

Bushwalking Victoria: Reg No: A0002548Y ABN: 88 344 633 037

Office: Patsy Scales Office Manager [email protected] 03 8846 4131

Office Bearers: Tony Walker Charles Ablitt President Vice-President [email protected] [email protected] 0414 278 121 0400 967 054 Fred Bover John Creaser Secretary Treasurer [email protected] [email protected] 0439 002 844 0498 654 091

General Board Members: Megan Major Peter Conroy [email protected] [email protected] 0425 702 788 0425 721 479 Robyn Shingles Chris Towers [email protected] [email protected] 0419 501 666 0427 358 869

Standing Committees: Megan Major Peter Campbell Bushwalking Tracks & Bush Search & Rescue Victoria Convener Conservation Convener [email protected] [email protected] Charles Ablitt Phil Brotchie Bushwalking Tracks & Conservation Land Management Submissions Projects Coordinator [email protected] [email protected]

Specialist Officers: Insurance Publications & News Editor Bushwalking Australia Joslin Guest [email protected] [email protected] Federation Walks Coordinator Web Manager Peter Conroy Chris Towers [email protected] [email protected]

Consultants: Strategy Honorary Auditor & Accounting Elaine Towers Consultant [email protected] Stephen Skaleskog

Representatives on other Organisations: Bushwalking Australia: Victorian Delegate: Victorian Deputy Delegate: Tony Walker Chris Towers

Organisations where BWV Members provide a Bushwalking Perspective: Grampians Peak Trail Task Force Living Links Steering Committee Phil Brotchie Tony Walker

Address: PO Box 1007 Templestowe VIC 3106 top

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