Australian Caver The Quarterly Journal of the AUSTRALIAN SPELEOLOGICAL FEDERATION INCORPORATED PO Box 388, Broadway, NSW 2007
Issue No. 139, January 1997
Printed on 100% recycled paper
[Ewart Ackroyd in] Angel Cave (GP-8), Cape Schanck, Victoria [Photoby] P J Ackroyd, [9th] Aprill996." Who to blame when things go Australian Caver wrong ... 711e Quarterly .Journal <~(the AUSTRALIAN SPELEOLOGICAL President: Brendan Ferrari FEDERATION INCORPORATED
The views expressed in the PO Rox 388, Rroadrwty, NL\'~V 2007
Australian Caver arc not necessarily that of the Editor. or llfthc Australian Speleological Issue No. 139, January 1997 . Federation Incorporated. telstra.com.au l'ri11ted 011 /00?-1> re(yc/ed paper
Senior Vicc-President: Pcter Berri 11 Editorial
Meet the new Editor folks ...... 2
c ASF Issues Obituary- Rick Bray ...... 4
The new Southern Tasmanian Caverneers...... 4 Treasurer: Mole Creek Karst National Park...... 6 0 Chris Riley Are these free eggs rotten?!?! ...... 7
The ASF- Where are we going? ...... 8 Conservation Officers Report...... 9 N Karst Index Progress Report...... 12 edu.au ASF/NORLD/ORCA Update...... 14 & Secretary: ASF The Internet...... 16 Kevin Mott T Articles
TCC's 50th Celebrations...... 18 Speaking my piece ...... 20 Executive Secrctary: Hades Cave rescue...... 22 E Jill Rowling Cave divers body found ...... 26 2 Parks Symposium ...... 26 Crinoids...... 27 N Membership Secretary: Peter Dykes Stuff Club reports ...... 30
Caving Terms...... 32 T
Editor: Dean Morgan Book Reviews Sinkholes, caves & spring lakes ...... 33 s lJnderground Photographer Issue 1&2 ...... 33 Speleo Synopsis No 21 ...... 34 net. au
Lopyright 1997 ASF This work is ASF copyriKhl .. 1part(rom any fair dealinRfor the purpose
Editorial
Meet the new Editor and no-one could really give still no issue appearing, and folks ••. an valid answer as to when, just more broken promises or why, there had been no and excuses as to why this Australian Caver for such an was so. Finally, it was extended period of time. decided to pass the job on, and I was the only one dumb Being a bit mentally slow enough to do it ... like I am(!), around 2 months ago, I offered to If you had sent material in to take over the role of Editor previous Editors to be (not realising what a task it published - don't despair, as would turn out to be!), but it I hope to retrieve that was thought best not to material soon for future make a change yet, as the issues. For now though, it Editor at the time had only was thought important to recently taken over the role get something out as soon a A Tasmanian Editing rr==:!:::===:::::======::d:===:::::;'l possible to let our Journal? Surely Contributions people know the that's not If you are reading this bit, then maybe your thinking of situation and right?!?!?!?! contributing something yourself! yes, am I correct??? what's been If so, then contributions can be sent to me happening. via email at [email protected] Luckily for poor Well, I'm afraid it's little old me, I can true! Those of you use that as an ~r sent via 3 1h inch floppy disk. Preferably Word with email access excuse for this for W mdows, RTF, or ASCII formats. Pictures can be who subscribe to issue being a bit in most formats, but Jpegs, Gifs, Bmp's, and Tiff's Ozcavers (and below par in the work best for me. anyone with email quality stakes, as acce.-.,·s should.~ it was slapped It is also pre~erable if you can send me a hard copy should know what's together in a of your matenal so I know I've got it right in the happened and how a couple of days!!! Tasmanian came electronic transfer. about getting the job. I must say, I was If you have no computer, then typed, scribbled, But as for the rest of quite stunned at hand written, carved in rock slabs, courier, carrier you - I'll try and give the amount of pigeon- who cares, as long as I get it! you a brief summary material that as to how it arrived in my Of course- you'll have to bribe me with money if transpired ... mailbox within 2 you want it to appear in print ... days of the Ozcavers ts an announcement of Send contributions to:- electronic mail me being Editor, Dean Morgan, 17 Belhaven Ave, Taroona, discussion list that a and I just hope Tasmania 7053 lot of Australian the practice keeps deanm@netspace. net.au cavers in all states up! It was almost and clubs subscribe too much to keep and contribute too. and had not been given a track of at first! Over the last 6 months or sufficient chance. so, it has been flooded with Anyhow, I promise the next comments about the non issue (which should "hit the Unfortunately, a couple appearance of the Australian more months passed with stands" around March) will Caver for such a long time,
"Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver- Issue No 139 - January 199 7 Page 3
have more photos, Caver - I urge you to start and wisdom whenever drawings, surveys and such again! asked him for some. in it, as it won't be as rushed as this one was, and I Thanks for the support from Keep all the articles coming, promise to keep producing those who know who they and I promise you all a them at least Quarterly, are. A special thanks to better March issue. (dependent on the ASF's Arthur Clarke for hassling to Journal hudget (?! course.'.'O get me the job (at lea.-.,·t, I Catch you all next issue' If you have been a think it should he a contributor in the past, but thank.,·'!!'! 1'! O. and also to Dean Morgan have lost faith in Stuart Nicholas for guidance Editor contributing due to a complete lack of Australian Hey \ook! I've a \so got my first ''LETTE.R, TO) THE. E;DITO!R.IJI)!
Tle £ditolt, Aast1tatru11 Cal!e!t.
!?e: rfJisto/liCa t as age O/J t#.e 'BOob Tube 1
[ lle!Jelt to t#.e allticte cJttided 1VetJrititious aud Cottoqaiat WMrito&Jg!/1 b!J (') K StstitK csq. pabtis#.ed 011 poge 17 O!J t#.e L·r'8t/( editiou 0/J t#.e .AastllatiOJt ()a{)eA..
Tie so-catted 'boobtabe 1 a;as rit ase b!J bas#.t{fatf:ei!S &Jug bet;-oAe 197~. t#.oag#. uot au dell til at JtOMe.- paUicatallt!J so rit Tas~~taHia ({f/(e/te it t{fas rdeat t;-oll d.lritl2ri1.g oat otr battou-g;tas..c; SMl~nps.
:Jolt ex.aMpte. itt t/(e boof! "£qaip~tteHt (JOlt /vfoautaritectritg" (secoud e_ditiou. 1965) ptibfis#.ed ti!J Jle /vfetbotA/lfte Uui{)ei!Sr"t!J }llfotAJttOritee!liM) Gtab. it iS desC!tibed 011 page 17 WtdtJt f#.e #.eodi1t9 "l?abbe!t tabe" as.. ':A teugt#. otr ,wbbct tabtitg (aboat .:.r t;-ee~) cau be ased !Jolt d!tritl:!rit9 !JILOM s#.attow pools, t;-oA b&Jwritg t;-iles. a11d as a S11af:e bite totAAHiqaet. " .Apallt IJI!OM beiug cfeaJr. Ottd MetJJCated t#.e 'boobtabe 1 descllibed b!J )At. SMitR. woatd appeall to be t#.e sa111e t#.ritg. TRe ModeJ.Jt uoH-etastic Uei!Sio11 woatd seeM to be ritiJeJ.ioA. IJO!t t#.e pa1pose ot;- totlllJtiqaetritg e11bitfeftcd SHaf:es.
[ lte~ttarit, (joalt dis#.a~ttbte Sei!Uaut,
Rot;-. Colldo~t C. C!tiMSte!J DIJIJiCe ot;- t#.e G#.ieiJ Lexicog!tap#.e!t, aolliuda .Al~ttCR.aill Speteo&Jgicat .AssociatiOH.
"/ mn not a vegetarian hecause !love animals: I am a vegetarian hecause I hate plants. " --:1. H71ilney Hrown Page 4 Au.~traliun Ctlver- /.~.me 139- January 1997
Rick Bray 4/12/52 - 26/10/94
Sadly, Tasmania and the rest renowned tor his attention and always miraculously nf the world sutTered the to detail. managed to produce the loss or a tell ow caver a short letter needed to convey the time ago when Rick Bray This would often involve club's opinion when needed. passed away complex communications with unsuspecting souls on Rick will be sadly missed by Rick lirst joined the the other end of the the club and all his friends, Northern Caverneers after telephone' and we hope to be able to emigrating lrom England in keep up his high standards 1980 Alter a few years of His capacity to organise of organisation and enjoying the splendor of the himself and others often left documentation. Mole ('reck caves, he those around him in a spin, knuckled down to some real but against all odds - Rick Rick worked at the hard worked and was voted would always get the job Maritime Collage as a 111 as Club Secretary for done. lecturer up until the time of many consecutive years his death, and his spirit will He would ensure that no remain with the club Taking on this role with stone was ever left unturned ease, he then looked at the in the organisation of even more dillicult role of various activities. He never The Northern Caverneer.~ Fditor and was well took sides in any debate I ncorporatetl respected as a doer, and was within the club, but listened;
Tbe new SOUTHE~N TASMANIAN CAVE~NEE~S Hy Arthur ( 'Iarke
caving organisations: postal ballot of all financial . . organised cavmg tn Tasmanian Caverneering and lite members of Southern Tasmania took a Club (J'CC). Southern prev1ous bodies. Other llC\\ step t(xward as Caving Society (S( 'S) and name options included: Australia gained a ""new" the Tasmanian Cave and caving body The Southern Karst Research Group • Southern Tasmanian Tasmanian Caverneers {J('KJU1). Caverneering Club (,\'/( '). The new body was (Sf('('), tormed by an amalgamation The new organisation's of the three predominantly name was chosen from one • Southern Tasmanian southern Tasmanian based of four options following a Caving Group (SH 'U)
"I >ucltape is like the 1-illn'. It has a light side, a dark 5ide, and it holds the unin'rse together.. " --( 'arl !wm1z(~: Australian caver- Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 5
"TCC" name, since it was the proud traditions and • Caving Association of the oldest caving body in combined history, Southern Tasmania Australia. It was also experience, and (CAST). deemed that TCC had been achievements, of the three responsible for directly previous bodies. The concept of having a "spawning" other single caving body in The newly elected office Southern Tasmania is not Tasmanian caving bodies: bearers for STC include: new; previous attempts in Northern Caverneers and Arthur Clarke (Pre.\'ident), the 1970's and 1980's both the Southern Caving Society Kelly Miller (J'ice faltered. In what might seem were formed from members President), to be an enigmatic position of TCC, it also indirectly, Dean Morgan (..\'ecretar;), for mainland cavers, in the TCKRG was also Vaughan Andrews recent years there has been a spawned from members of (Treasurer). growing decline in active the TCC. Jeff Butt, John Hawkins caving and new Salt & Vaughan Andrews memberships in Southern Arthur Clark - our new President (Joint l'..'ditor ...,), .. expressing a point" Tasmania along with the Albert Goede (.'icient~fic increasing q[ficer), discovery of new Jeff Butt caves and (/~'quipment extensions of qfficer), known systems. In Stephen Bunton the case of all (Public ( Jjficet), three previous Arthur Clarke bodies, declining (Karst Qfficer & interest was Uhrarian), compounded by Jeff Butt and the fact that those Dean Morgan cavers at the helm (.\'earch and of the individual Rescue Qfficer.\). clubs (Mainly Presidents and Ultimate issues of f.aitor.\~ were outstanding increasingly publications of the carrying more of three previous the workload. bodies will still be Moves towards published under amalgamation their prevtous emanated from the AGM' s named bodies for one final of both TCC and SCS The Tasmanian time, then subsequently earlier in the year ( 1996) Caverneering Club was revert to the new STC title. along with support from formed in September, 1946, TCKRG, conditional on a and recently celebrated its The TCC' s magazine, "cave science" component fiftieth anniversary. (See Speleo Spiel will become a being included in the new Stephen Bunton 's article on more member based organisation. page 26) By virtue of the newsletter with just club fact that TCC has now gossip and news, and the Subsequent to the initial amalgamated to become SCS's Southern Caver will EGM' s, the amalgamation STC (along with SCS and be a quality Journal with all process began to falter TC'KRG), Southern the good material in it, as because some life members Tasmanian Caverneers will well as the more scientific of the previous TCC continue to be the oldest material that used to be m expressed concern that the caving organisation in the TCKRG Journal. new body should retain the Australia, carrying forward
All correspondence or journal exchanges should be forwarded to our postal address as: Southern Tasmanian Caverneers, PO Box 416, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, 7005.
"Smoking kills. Ifyou're killed, you've lost a very important part ofyour l~fe." - Brooke :-:inield~. Page 6 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997
Mole Creek - TatmQniQ A new I The Mole Creek Karst Honeycomb Caves, outside the Commission's National Park was formally Westmorland Falls and terms of reference. Kiernan established on 13 November Sensation Gorge (the only ( I 984) originally proposed a 1996, when the Tasmanian prohahly non-karst area consolidated reserve over House of Assembly i nc/uded). the Mole Creek/Lobster unanimously approved the Rivulet catchments (the Governor's proclamation. The intention of the system including Wet Cave) The Upper House and the amalgamation, is to provide at least as early as 1984, but Legislative Council, had a consistent management most of this continues to approved the proclamation regime over all of the have no protection, although on 5 November, again reserves, facilitate tourism forestry activities in the without anyone voting promotion of the show catchment have been against it (although a couple caves, upgrade the suspended. LIENA .·~·· . .., .. / ,.··"'""'·,·, Cl'lt,esus/ ca¥~ 47 ha\ ~ Baldocks ,_,.- Cave 4lha 0 (l portions) "·/ N Central Plateau Conservation Area Westmorland t (part Tasmanian Wilderness 0 I 2 Falls 59.4 ha World Heritqe Area) I I I I I 0 Scale (km) l?f" memhers expre ...;sed protection status of the re ...;ervation.\· ahout the areas not formerly State In making its final creation l?f" any new Reserves, and draw recommendations, the National Park.\). attention to the special Commission said that the The new park comprises 12 nature of karst (hence the Commission considers the separate parcels of land, inclusion qf the word in the suggestion of a Mole Creek most of which had already title). Caves National Park to have been reserves of some sort considerable merit. Such a Including State Reserves The park is a direct result of park would focus attention (who.•1e legal protection is Dr. Kevin Kiernan's timely on the underground equivalent to National submission to the Inquiry connections of these areas Park) at Marakoopa and into Tasmanian Crown Land and the important nature King Solomon's {.'lhow) Classifications conducted by conservation values caves, Baldocks Cave, the Public Land Use contained in these systems. Croesus and Kubla Khan Commission. Although Nature conservation values caves, and Crown land Kevin had proposed other include biological (cave reserves at Wet Caves and land be included, this was systems are noted for the "I Juct tape is like the Force. It has a liKhl side, a dark side, and it holds the universe loKether.. .. " --Carl ZwanziK: AU!itralian caver- Issue No 139 - January 199 7 Page 7 occurrence l?{ rare Parks Service is not Forestry Commission and invertebrate.\· which are convinced that on balance it National Parks and Wildlife unable to exist outside l?f would be beneficial. If this Service;. 290. Subsequently cave.\) and status did nothing to secure published in modified form geomorphological values. the overlying and upstream in 1989 as Karst,_ (~y~s and catchment areas it might Management at MpJ~ .. Cr~~l, As suggested in one give the appearance of cave Tasmania Dept. of Parks, submission, an underground protection without, in fact, Wildlife & Heritage Occ National Park comprising providing any ecological or Pap. #22 pp. 111-112 the cave systems between management benefits. Public Land Use extstmg State Reserves Commission 1995 could be established. There can be no denying (PJ,lJC 1995) that much remains to be Inquiry into Tasmanian done to provide the Crown Land The idea of an underKround necessary conservation and Classifications: Final national park had been put management of the Mole Recommendations Report forward by Debbie Hunter Creek karst; the new and the Mole Creek Caving National Park is a step along ( irex A-fiddle ton Club. No decision has yet the way. Actinx ll·fanaKer been made in relation to this ( 'onsenution S!rategics proposal which would have REFERENCES Park.•.; and Wildl(k Sen·icc national park underlying tasmania. A 11slralia other forms of land tenure. Kiernan, Kevin 1984. \'oice int: f>/3 f>233 233(> Although legislation to Land Use in Karst Areas: \'oice o::: 03 f>233 .733(> provide for this exists in Forestry operations and the gregm i'a ;came lot. Je lin. /as.g NSW, it has not been Mole Creek Caves. 0\'.ll/1 utilised and the Tasmanian Unpublished report to ______.. ______ Are these free eggs rotten?!?!?!? Writ/en by Paul Van (Reprintedfrom TroKiodyte Issue 5, No 3) Tasmanian MHA Denise we good!" without actually Having phoned around our Swan and Director of Parks doing anything constructive. farming friends in Mole Max Mitchell officially Now we have all sorts of Creek just to pass on the opened the Mole Creek things to think about. No Christmas cheer, they once National Park (13 II 96) . It camping at Wet Cave again have also been kept in comes as no surprise that (because the Mineral Spring the dark about the park and the local cavers had no water people are conceri1ed are wondering about all the input, or in fact had to invite about campers 'pooinK' in same things as when the themselves along to find out the stream. Whatever World Heritage listings what was going on! happened to the council happened. These guys 'in approved piggery upstream charge' are a worry. They The "new park", (1345ha) is l?f Wet cave?/?.'?). Access ignore those who are an amalgamation of existing FEES to the new park and involved. reserves areas including bit's thereof Maybe even Westmoreland Cave, Wet more permit caves. Phone/write now to Denise Caves, Croesus Cave, Swan and Max Kitchell, and Baldocks Cave & King But all of thi,tt is rhetoric, lets find out how many Solomon's. Sounds like as we haven't been versions of what's going on they just changed the logo officially told anything ... we get ... on the letterhead and the government has said "Aren't Paul 1(m "S'moking kills. !{you're killed, you've lost a very· important part ofyourlifi'." -Brooke Shield~. Page 8 Au.'itralian Caver -Issue 139- Janutlry 1997 Tl!e A SF. ... Wl!e'e u'e we gPi118 .'.' by Alan .Jevons The April 1996 Council and functions are those of does so out of their own meeting of the ASF the Executive and the pockets. It has always been allocated an hour out of Commissions. an unwritten rule to ensure normal business to that the eight Executive brainstorm some 25 topics Many people said that these Officers represent the and ideas on this subject. I keep the Federation alive. If vastness of Australia. This proposed a motion, that was this is true, then the has meant that Executive carried, in which it required Federation is slowly members have been paying the Executive Officers, strangling itself to death. anything up to $700 to fly to Commission and Ad-Hoc Council meetings and Committee Convenors to Why ?? A consistent and Executive meetings. write a 5 year Strategic Plan major theme that underlaid Thereby incurring expenses for their portfolio's. Clubs the three Council meetings around $3,000 pa. m and individuals are also that I have attended managing your organisation. invited to provide their revolves around the vision for the ASF for this "dreaded thing called How many of you realise period. that you contribute approximately $ I 00 pa. The idea 1s that when towards each Executive every otlicer of the member, leaving them to Federation has given vOU find the other $2,900 ea. thought to their ''If fail to Just imagine what services perspective of the the Federation could Federation, mix in the J!lan, provide you if we all paid views of those clubs who that much to be a reply, the Executive member!! could then develop an overall ASF Strategic It was interesting to reflect Plan into the next You J!lan to that the average price of millennium. This plan is meals at the Wellington to be presented by the fail'' Hotel, where the Council Executive and discussed meeting was held and at the 21st Conference, delegates ate, was $8, plus Easter 1997, Quorn, a drink or two. Everyone South Australia. MONEY" and the lack would have consumed, at thereof Cry's of "the least twice in the day, their Why is this important ?? members don't care about all annual contribution to the We all plan. Either we this [Council] stuff', "the Federation. recognise this or we do not. university students will leave What do you want and "If you fail to plan, You if we charge any more". expect from the Federation? plan to fail" is often heard These were in response to Lets plan where we want the amongst those who have moves that were made to Federation to be in 200 l and made their lite what they provide sufficient funds to then revtew funding want it to be. The same assist the Commissions, in accordingly. applies for a group of particular the Executive, Comments to the individuals or clubs brought manage the Federation. ASF Secretary, under the banner of the Federation The backbone Many a good member who of the Federation is its had taken on or is currently member clubs. However the fulfilling the role as a By End of February, 1997 circulatory systems, organs manager of the Federation "I Juct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --('arl ~wanzig: Australian ca•'er- Issue No I 39 - January I 99 7 Page 9 Contervotio1J Offi,er ~eport for 1996 By Keir Vaughan-Taylor The National Parks and conservation and scientific research '"it h the Wildlife Amendment conservation of cultural Reserves was enormous (A hercromhie, .lenolan and resources. The Act is Unfortunately, this is not to Womheyan Karst supposed to "provide a clear be the case Conservation Re.•.;erw.\) Bill statutory basis to karst 1996 ("the Hill'') was conservation in NSW". Activity was fixused on this introduced into the NSW legislation by myself and the Parliament on 19 June 1996 3. The Caves Trust will be NSWSC, since it could han· and has now been passed. established as an been a golden opportunit\' The Bill was intended to independent statutory to further protection llf fulfill election commitments authority responsible for the caves and a landmark l(lr made by Labor in 1995, and management of the system other States to ll.>lhm In subsequent commitments of KCAs, directly February I 096. the AS 1-" made by the present responsible to the Minister became aware that the Government, which are for the Environment. The Government \vas not summarised below. Trust will report directly to intending to pass a separate the Minister independent Karst Conservation AcL hut The Bill amends the from the National Parks and instead to amend the NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Wildlife Service ("NPWS''). Act. ASF and NSWS<. Act 1974 ("NPW Act") to made repeated requests dedicate Abercrombie, to meet '"ith the Jenolan and Wombeyan Psssttt... Minister and to he Caves as Karst consulted on the details Conservation Reserves Do you wanna becolhe really fathotJS? of the prop( 1sed under Part 4, Div 2B of Get you nathe in print all'round the legislation <>nlv that Act. Action world?? through a Freedom of Ilhpress fellow c. avers wt7h how lhany requested by NSWSC'. Information laney words yo11 can spell??? applications to the In summary, the fl.,en lhake sure you contribC~te to the Department of l.and following promises have next issue of AtJStralian Caver/111 and Water been given by the Conservation Government: .Send !haterial now/1/H ("I >OI.A W< '") and NPWS was the nature 1. Labor will enact a of the proposed Karst Conservation Act, legislation made clear The which will create a system 4. Present members of the Trust was to be changed and of Caves National Parks. Caves Trust wilt continue to there was not going to be an The Act will establish hold office under the new independent K "SmokinK kills. ~{you're killed. you've losi a VCI)' important part ofvour/ij(•." - Brooke Shield~. Page 10 Australian Caver~ Issue 139 ~January 1997 generally without any Following the preparation of environment when under the environmental consideration the Bill, an earlier draft of influence of political at all. The new Trust this document setting out pressure. As an example, a abandoned the development our concerns was provided recent Freedom of and began another feasibility to the Minister, and to Mr Information applications study which constructed a Bob Debus, who introduced shows that the National new set of proposals with a the Bill into Parliament. A Parks Service initially more environmentally meeting was held on 3 wanted to protect Y essabah ·conscious ethic. We waited September at which Ms Caves. They held an years for this believing this Allan and Mr Debus objection against the mining plan is what is best for dismissed all of NSWSC's lease at Yessabah but Neil Jenolan but the present concerns. Ms Allan stated Pickard, the then Minister Trust did not proceed for that we were "shooting at for Minerals and energy, many reasons, one of which shadows", and that she was wrote to Tim Moore was the election and the not inclined to take any indicating that he wanted the Karst Conservation further action as this issue mining lease renewed. Legislation. ASF was was taking up "a NPWS shortly thereafter concerned that removing disproportionate amount of negotiated a settlement with Trust members would time". Our concerns were the mining company and the impede the plans to which conveyed in writing to the objection was dropped, the Trust was committed. Attorney-General, Mr Jeff adversely influencing the Shaw, and the Premier. strategy in an environmental The Minister of the court case. In contrast, the Environment suggested in On 20 November 1996, the Jenolan Caves Trust February 1996 that ASF and Bill was debated in the conducted stiff litigation to NSW would receive a Legislative Assembly. The prevent mining at personal briefing from her Government introduced a Wombeyan. They also closer to the time of the series of amendments which acquired extra tracts of land introduction of the addressed some of this at Wombeyan further legislation. Despite attempts NSWSC concerns. The securing land against mining to arrange such a briefing, it Government gave no notice in that area. was never given. The that it was to present Minister refused our amendments, nor did it We wanted some security of subsequent requests for a show them to this Council the Jenolan Trust so that it meeting before the Bill was or discuss them in any way would not be dissolved by introduced. with us. an administrative stroke of the pen when no-one was A meeting was held on 9 It was apparent that we paying attention some years April 1996 with Patrick needed support in the upper in the future. We wanted the Holland, policy adviser to house. The group working funds generated from the the Minister, and Merran on this project sent tourists to remain invested Knox, ministerial liaison representatives to each of in the Caves and caves otlicer. Representatives of the cross benchers to research. NSWSC' and ASF attended, appraise them of our along with other concerns and aspirations. The new Bill had the speleological There seemed to be general potential to remove the representatives. Mr Holland support but in politics, system we have now that stated that it would be support is an ever changing appears to be working. impossible to reveal any prop. aspects of the legislation. He When the Bill was put reflised to confirm or deny In summary, we wished to before the Parliament, Pam that any of the breaches of limit the control of the Allan, Minister for the which we were aware would National Parks and Wildlife Environment displayed her take place. He stated that over Jenolan, Abercrombie annoyance at our attempts we would have to wait until and Wombeyan, and to be heard, by accusing the the tabling of the Bill in maintain an independent speleologists of using the Parliament before we would Trust. One reason for this is Caves as their own personal know what was in the the present inability of playground. (Interestingly legislation. NPWS to act to protect the this accusation has been "/)uct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: ------=~--~~-~~------=~-----~------Australian cal'er -Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 11 used everytime ASFG Act of Parliament and the little bit. This is becoming wishes to protect caves financial security of the more possible with the against de ...,·truction) She Caves remains with the Internet. We are not a big further accused the Sydney Caves. Funds will not enough organisation to risk University Speleological disappear into "general legal challenges. In the case Society of misusing the revenue". Transfer of new of Mt Etna, ASF was forced Reserve by smokmg areas to the Trust is possible out of the legal battle by a marijuana in caves. and Borenore is a possible demand by the mmmg (Incidentally this is not candidate. company for legal costs. In true!) The Hansard excerpts the Sellick's Hill case, we will soon be published n a could not risk the existence SUSS bulletin. ASF Conservation of the organisation if we lost. Despite other legal Green candidate Ian Cohen and The Future successes, the law is a game supported some of our for the extremely wealthy. Each of the convenors was amendments, putting a The Federal government has asked to make a statement further amendment to add a suspended legal aid making about what they see as the National Parks Association access to the law only tor future for their commission. representative to the Trust. the rich - especially for (Note not NPWS) He did environmental cases not support any of the amendments that would Clearly, ASF's role as an For ASF to continue have limited power to environmental defender has protecting out karst heritage National Parks. Althou h increased over the years. We we must be involved as early there was spirited t.:======;"' as possible on any defence of the Publications for sale : conservation problem speleologists by the that arises as soon as Karst Studies Seminar, Liberal opposition, J. Naracoorte Feb. 1996 possible. If a letter of Ryan, which included a Book of Abstracts protest is lodged prior to reference to back Fieldtrips Guidebook mining operations and stabbing using a $6.00 each including postage financial investment then quotation from Hamlet, we can fend off problems the Liberals did not South-east Karst Province of South Australia : before they become move any of our A comprehensive review of karst heritage features entrenched. We need to amendments either. He in the region organise trips to made some reference to by Grimes, Spate and Hamilton-Smith conservation problem interdepartmental turf $25 incl. postage spots and run research wars which is programs in those areas, Elery Hamilton-Smith presumably a reference but also as many areas as to public service power Fax +613.9481.2439 possible. ASF must struggles. establish representatives Australia. on as many management In summary, some of committees relating to our amendments went karst where we are able through and some did not. have engaged in a number of to field candidates. We The Trust membership is to legal and political campaigns should in future make every be seriously changed to protect karst. Mostly attempt to send a well although ASF retains its these campaigns have been briefed ASF team to liase representative. There are successful but the toll of with mine/developer now eleven Trust members, time, money, and energy on management to put our case three of which will remain individuals in the society is and begin any negotiation the same - assuming ASF, high. In the future ASF possible to protect caves in the National Trust and must continue and expand association with industry if National Parks retain their it's influence role. Rather at all possible. This all original appointees. than rely on a few means getting more Regulations and powers individuals to run members involved. within the Reserve rest with campaigns, the executive National Parks. The Trust should encourage many Keir Vaughan- Taylor can only be removed with an more people to contribute a "Smokin~ kills. lfyou're killed, _vou've lost a very.· important part ofyour file." - Brooke Shield~. Page 12 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 Rartt Index Progrett ~eport 13 Jan 1997 By Peter Mattews There has been steady This means that it can more example, the field definitions progress with the Karst conveniently be kept right ASF is using will be the Index database project* up to date, will distribute the main starting point for (e.g 320 hour. ..,· on Kl in updating load, and will be discussion which it is hoped /996), so that now it has available for local usage. will result in an International reached a stage where I Each cave area will have set of field definitions. think the remaining work is one formal updating club, Having field definitions defined enough for me to be specified by the State Speleo which are standardised will game to list it out. enable valid Anyone v1s1tmg * For those new to !{SF, the Karst Index is the national cave and comparison I Melbourne is karst database operated by ASF Previously it was a central exchange I always welcome database on a mainframe, and contained about 6.600 caves. consolidation of to call in and see 2400 cave map bibliographies. and 900 references. It was used cave I karst data the current stage to produce the hook, "Australian Karst Index /985". The current between (Please con/act prt?fect is to enable it to be run on PCs. and to he updated independent me beforehand). locally by a specific club per cave area. Read-only copies will he databases, and so generally available to speleologists. These locally updated areas facilitate will he uploaded to the consolidated state and national level In order to get the cave/karst study databases at regular intervals to enable state and national-level initial general analyses, and to assist safety and distribution. However. exact and data release version cave location data will always stay only with the local club exchange on a out as quickly as (except where a club has asked AS'F to hold a safety copJ! in their global basis. This possible, I have separate, unaccessed archive system). fllfure editions £~{ the discussion is avoided adding a Karst Index hook will he State based rather than national. hut expected to start lot of extra fields will form part of an overall set. The exact fbrm(\) r~l the "hook" early this year via beyond those on are r~f course interesting to contemplate. the CaveData the original ASF mailing list on the Cave Summary Council where it exists, Internet, and then form at this stage. The main (normally lhi.r.,· would be the at the UIS Congress in extra fields added are only club doing the cave Switzerland later in the year. those needed for providing numbering for the area), various ways of storing but anyone at all can supply If you want to take part in exact location information, new information via that the discussion, send me an i.e. tat/longs, grid references club. There is of course a email. (Paper-based from multiple maps, mechanism to show who has circular.\ would not be cadastral information, and supplied what data, so that practica for such a "how to find the cave". proper data attribution can discussion, hut we may he Nevertheless, the total be given. There will also ahle lo organise a number of fields needed in eventually be a means of discu.\· ...,·ion, at the current the system is now up to transferring data to and from stale of play of the 5 I 0(' ), although some of other cave database systems, definitions, during the ASF these are "internal", e.g. for at least for their compatible ( 'm?{erence.) Note that the describing the fields data fields. Australian database is using themselves. our old definitions and The system is also acting as proceeding independently of Another difference from the a mutually beneficial pilot this discussion, not being original version which for cave data standards held up by it. As our fields produced the Karst Index being proposed by the have worked fairly well, book, is of course that the Informatics Commission of there are not likely to be database will be updated the International Union of many changes later. What is locally instead of centrally. Speleology (UI.WC). For "Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver -Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 13 more likely is that further be practical and safe to use, • Send system to Beta fields ~ill become available. with minimal risk that the testers. testers will have to redo You are no doubt their cave data updating While it is with the testers, I wondering why (the hell) again later. will be adding mtssmg the system is taking so long features and fixing any bugs to produce! As soon as you • Finish Help screens or critical shortcomings they move from a "personal" (Online Data Prep find. database which can be Manual and context relatively quickly produced sensitive field help) Work done m 1996 has (and which only you need to (current) included: Know and Love), and move to a situation where the • Fini.:;h adding cave data • completion of the exact general caving population integrity checks. locations design, has to use it, it becomes "a screens and picklists. whole different ball game". • Update picklists for 3- For example; it has to allow letter organisation • ability to track who for use by non-computer codes (Steve Brook.,· is provided what people, multiple sources of managing the codes). updating, to allow data entry, different proper data attribution. structures and land • Allow local admin. to information systems per add names of relevant • enable deletion of a State, different ways of local Government areas cave (trickier than it doing things, more data to picklists. sound.,· in a multi-tah/e integrity checking, and so sy.,:tem.'). on. Because there has been • Allow local admin. to no previous experience to add any local • allowance for multiple go on, one of the ongoing instructions to field help generation of the same difficulties with estimating screens. org or person by the project has been the various clubs. number of "system" issues • Add a preliminary basic which have had to be searching and reporting • fieldname & definition resolved because of the facility. reporting and integrity above, and which had not checks (housekeeping). even been thought of earlier. Hence my various previous • Enable passwords for • addition of various estimates of being "nearly determining access ongoing Help screens. finished" being so woefully level, e.g. admin., wrong ... update, read-only. • allow local addition of Anyway, below is • Convert existing KDI new orgs and people for approximately what is left to data into new system use with picklists. do before I send a "Beta" (Glenn Baddeley has Peter Matthews version to a few selected written the program). Convenor, testers to try it out before ASF Documentation making the system generally • Prepare updated Cave Commission available. It still remains Summary forms (Being hard to estimate how long done by Roger Taylor). this will take, but I am trying hard to get it to the • Prepare installation testers in time for the next disks and instructions. Conference. The main criterion determining release • Establish Data Use of the Beta version is that it Agreements. must be complete enough to "Smoking kills. Ifyou're killed, you've loJt a very important part ofyour [!le." - Brooke ,\'hield~. Page 14 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 AN UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL OUTDOO~ ~EC~EATION COMPETENCY STANDA~DS by Alan .levan.\' BACKGROUND During the time up to three divisions, Advocacy, In January 1996 the January this year the Industry Services and National Outdoor Activity Convenors have Standards & Training. The Recreation Leadership latter division is called the Development (NORLD) ASF STANDARDS National Outdoor project completed its four TEAM Recreation Leadership years. In that time it grew SASC Training Division. This division will from a symposium gathering Committee continue the work of at Port Sorell, Tasmania in Peter Kraehenbuehl developing national May 1992, to a national NSWSC competency standards and network of outdoor Chris Norton will expand further than the recreation practitioners VIC mandate to which NORLD across seven activities. Tony Watson was bound and ensure that (Rock Climhing, Caving, WA the quality of training ( 'anoeing, While Water Rauleigh Webb delivery to meet the R(~fting, Ru.\hwalking, ('ross TAS standards is developed and Country Skiing, Ah..,;ei/ing) ASF-CLAG maintained. Convenor The NORLD project had Alan Jevons During its life the NORLD three foci - Competency been working with their project developed a high Standards, Policy, and groups to develop national profile within various circles Networking. The highly competency standards. In and this became a major role profile face of NORLD was November, 1995 NORLD and it is important that this the development of published the latest draft of be developed and is the main competency standards. the Competency Standards. focus for the Advocacy However, behind the scenes, Unfortunately, funding to division. The Industry as it were, the fourteen finish the process was held Services division main focus member national Board up in federal government is to develop the members in were very active in lobbying changes. the outdoor recreation all levels of government to sector of the recreation basically raise the profile of In January, 1996 the industry. the outdoor recreation NORLD Board reviewed its industry. directions and decided to Lets take a closer look at dissolve and form an the three divisions, advocacy Since, 1993 the ASF has incorporated body to be ensures that ORCA has a been represented on the known as the OUTDOOR direct input into top levels NORLD Board through two RECREATION of government and industry seats allocated for the COUNCIL of for issues such as access, Activity Representatives. I AUSTRALIA (ORCA). education, insurance, risk held one of these seats and management. Industry represented the seven In reviewing the Services ts to provide activity groups. I also achievements of NORLD assistance to organisations, represented the ASF as the and the future pressures for such as the ASF, in the Caving Standards Convenor the recreation industry the development of the outdoor forNORLD. interim ORCA Board recreation industry and to developed a structure of facilitate the communication across industry groups such "Duct tape is like the Force. It hm a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together .... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver- Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 15 as, professionals, package (see inset). ANT A • Laddering commercial operators, has now focused on (Abseiling) educators, volunteer ensuring that vocational Caving Leader /community groups, land outcomes for the industry • Vertical Caving managers/ stakeholders. are set through standards Leader written by the industry, that These then provide a COMPETENCY their is only one set of national basis for STANDARDS standards across the understanding within the The NORLD Division, industry I.e.: Professional, Federation on the level of covers the area of Commercial, Training etc. training I skill that members development of national and that national assessment who wish to be leaders, competency standards and guidelines are written to have achieved. training. These will provide ensure the national a government (federal, state standards are reached and ACCREDITATION: & local) recognised set of thereby resulting in national Currently there is no standard "benchmarks". qualifications. requirement for Leaders Development of nationally within the ASF to be recognised competency ASF STANDARDS: accredited I certified. The standards help set the Federation has decided to benchmark for what During the ASF Council establish a training individuals are required to meeting of 1993 the Council framework. The emphasis be assessed against. .------...... has always been on All Training Pack!ges will include the following clubs to identify This means that endorsed components: their training organisations such as. requirements and to T AFE, who provide • national competency standards; issue qualifications, courses in Canoeing, • national assessment guidelines; and certificates, titles, Caving etc., who • national qualifications membership status want to ensure that etc. as they see fit. their courses are and may also include a range of additional non nationally recognised endorsed components such as: The ASF Scheme, must ensure that their • learning strategies; as it has been called, course, at least, • professional development materials; and will evolve as clubs delivers outcomes that • assessment materials. utilise the scheme meet the national approved the development and begin to train competency standard. of ASF Caving Leadership their leaders. The Horizontal Curriculum Standards which Caving Leader standards As previously stated, the will meet the national where released in 1995 with ASF have been writing the Caving Competency the remainder due for caving standards and Standards. release at the 1997 funding has been approved Conference. Additional for ORCA to process the The ASF standards provide modules have already been NORLD draft through to the framework through identified for Search & the final stage of approval which clubs can develop Rescue, Cave First Aid, by the National Training their own training and Survey & Mapping. Framework Committee provide a resource for (NTFC) of the Australian leaders who wish to learn TOURISM: National Training Authority caving at their own pace. NORLD has also been (ANTA). Therefore, The ASF has set a timeline playing a major role in the nationally recognised for the full implementation development of the National activity competency and integration of the Curriculum Framework for standards will be endorsed scheme by the end of 1999. Adventure Guiding which is by mid 1997. the outdoor recreation The ASF standards have section of the tourism The endorsement of the been developed with three training industry. This national standards by the operational levels: covers "adventure" activities NTFC is Step 1 in the • Horizontal ranging from the completion of a training Caving Leader Bushwalking, to Four Wheel Driving. "Smoking kills. Ifyou're killed, you've lost a very important part ofyour /~(e." -Brooke Shields, Page 16 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 be developed. Especially Recently, ORCA has with our Australasian The underlying philosophy initiated input into the neighbors, New Zealand, of ORCA is to develop and development of through their NZ Outdoor promote a safe, quality "interpretation" standards Instructor Association outdoor recreation industry being developed by the (NZOIA) and soon with the which is sensitive to Ecotourism Association of developing NZORC, and environmental, cultural and Australia. recently with the Outdoor social considerations. Recreation Confederation of THE FUTURE: America (ORCA!). Alan Jevons ORCA provides a conduit ORCA Executive Director through which organisations Across Australia, as a result Standards & Training, ASF such as ACKMA, ASF, can of just the draft Convenor - Leadership establish national development of the national Standards competency standards. competency standards , ASF members are already Copies ofthe NORLD ORCA was "launched" in involved in updating the Standards, Orders for Risk May, 1996 at the Risk training and education in Management Conference Management m the organisations such as the Report: Outdoors conference. Scout & Guide OR("'A., PO Box 422, North Outcomes from this Associations, in establishing Sydney NSW 2059, conference and the assessments for Commercial Executive Officer conference papers have been Operator licenses and/or (Standartl.. & Training) - released. Leaders for caving (WA. Kathy Kingsford (02) 9923 TAS) and a T AFE College 3275 International affiliations has enhanced its course to Fax (02) 9923 4237 have and are continuing to comply with the standards. ~ww ~[@[email protected] WllilW Wlli1[f][IJlliJ~WW a ... PETEPI mRTIEUJS Well, you may not have Any email sent to it is publications, conference heard much from ASF via automatically remailed to details, insurance, standards, your letter-box, but there everyone on the mailing list. etc. etc. It has been up since has certainly been a lot of It has been set up and November 1994 and is caving info and discussion provided by Rauleigh Webb operated by Peter Matthews about ASF flying around on in W A. To get yourself on of the ASF Documentation the Internet. the list, send an email to: Commission. The host majordomo@techpkwa2. cur computer space has kindly Apart from person-to tin.edu.au, and in the body been provided by the person emails, the main of the message put the line: Melbourne University caving usage on the Internet subscribe ozcavers Geography Department. The IS: address is: ASF info on the Web http://rubens.its.unimelb.edu Ozcal'ers This is a series of globally .au/-pgm/asf/ This is an email mailing list accessible "World Wide which enables Web" pages contammg Commission convenors and ( I ) fast circulation of news, information about ASF, for other ASF officers are and example~ names and invited/encouraged to send (2) discussion of a topic. addresses of the executive, material about their area of info about commissions, responsibility to Peter "Duel tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, mzd it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver- Issue No 139 - January 199 7 Page 17 Matthews for addition to research being put together The following master web these pages. Similarly, by Elery Hamilton-Smith site maintained by Sherry anyone else who has (hiological) and Brian Mayo in Canberra contains material which they think Finlayson/Mark Ellaway links to virtually every other would be an advantage on (earth sciences). Address: caving web site in the 'vorld the site is invited to send it http :1 /rubens. its. unimelb. edu http://rschp2.anu.edu.au: XOS in. Send it in plain ASCII .au/-pgrn/austcave/ 0/cave/cavelink.html text by email or diskette, and preferably already Southern Caving As does the Polish HTM L-coded. Alternatively, Society/Southern Geomorphologists do-it if you already have your Tasmanian (averneers yourself master web site own site, send its address so This one has general with hundreds of links at· that a link to it can be information about the http://hum.amu.edu.pll sgp/ added. For example, Southern Caving Society in spec/links.html Rauleigh Webb is Tasmania, although now maintaining the web copy of that the SCS has lnternationu/ Cm·er... ASF's Constitution, Code of amalgamated into the Mailing Li.'it Ethics, and Minimal Impact Southern Tasmanian Similar to Ozcavcrs, the Caving Code on his own Caverneers, (See article on Cavers Digest mailing list site, but they are accessible page .J) it will soon be has hundreds of subscribers via links from ASF's pages updated to represent the around the world. To join it as if they were local to new club. This one is send an ordinary email to ASF's site. maintained by Jeff Butt, [email protected] A tip from the Editor If you would like to see material from your club/organisation appearing in the Australian Caver more often, then may I suggest that you add me to your clubs mailing list (.vee the magazine header for my addre ...,· . ..,) That way, I'll receive all the newsletters/journals, and I can pick the really interesting bits and place them in Australian Caver. Best of all though- I'll get to read them all tool ".~·making kills. (f'you're killed, _vou've lost a vel}' important part (?lyour l!fi'." - Hrooke Shield~. Page 18 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 W:4.e W:azmanian Oiah.ern.e.erins Qlluh 'z 50±4 J\nnih.erzarlJ Qld.ehration By Stephen Bunton There was a bit of who you sat next to than November, approximately apprehension about the type anything else. Mostly they fifty cavers gathered at the of celebration required to were memorable for the fact old Australian Newsprint mark the half century of that Stuart Nicholas never Mills singleman's quarters TCC , Australia's oldest used to turn up, but we on Junee Rd, Maydena. cavmg club. TCC had always saved him a place Anyone who has visited the always had an annual dinner, and bought him a drink ... Junee-Florentine would even in lean times, and so recognise this as an merely having an official No, the TCC ·do would have auspicious address. It is now dinner didn't seem quite to be better than that, and run privately as Tyenna substantial enough to mark do more than just provide a Lodge and Tall Trees Cafe. this significant event. TCC feed. Members were booked into dinners are always a mixed various forms of bag. More memorable for So it was that over the accommodation ranging the quality of the food and weekend of the 16-1 7th from private rooms, shared "Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver- Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 19 rooms and floorspace to group photo was taken to camping space. This was record the event. Everyone A rather "dapper' looking Jeff Butt allocated according to their enjoyed the spectacle. The seniority, with the club range of helmets and lights picking up the from candles to carbide's accommodation tab. and gell cells would have The weather was typically done a museum proud! Bill inclement, cool, Hodge dusted off his old southwesterly, and with belay belt and ancient occasional showers and the karabiners for the occasion. odd sunny patch that lasted long enough to have a BBQ Dinner was a three course lunch on the Saturday. The sit-down affair for a afternoon was spent on a reasonable price per head. variety of informal activities Most members formed including the short walk to tables of those from their the Junee Resurgence which generation. Of course, the has been slicked up by other function of the NPWS and now boasts a celebration was as that of a viewing platform. Other reunion. The food was people revisited Growling superb, Tasmanian baked Swallet, and some people trout was quite a popular even went real caving! By choice and with a little wine far the most popular pastime and beer supplied by the was pouring over old photo club supplemented by There were a couple of albums and scrapbooks. people's own supply, most prizes for slides; one was This prompted lots of were in fine fettle for the won by Andrew Briggs for informal discussion and yarn photos. outstandingly hilarious set of telling which was the main pictures of a caver with their objective of the exercise. There were three categories head fully immersed in the This gave younger cavers available for people to show sloppy mud of Loons Cave, such as myself with only ten their slides; scenery and and another won by Nick years association with the pretties, archival and Hume - who over indulged club, a chance to meet my interesting, or humorous and himself slightly and wasn't forebears. I'd not met Peter embarrassing! there to commentate on Shaw, although I'd seen many of his fine photos. Chris Riley & Arthur Clark fifteen years of TCC Those old enough to swapping tales of "Huge passages personalities, so we remember will & bottomless pits!" did it for him. know Laurie Moody as ASF Dennis Seymour Newsletter editor, who joined the club which was about m the first few the time I started months showed cavmg. some black and white slides of the Pre-dinner drinks Forbidden City in were served, and Kubla Khan taken cavers were asked when it was first to dress semi discovered. There formally, which were numerous meant as formal as photos of a very possible but with a young looking caving helmet and Albert Goede. light to cap off their Unfortunately Albert outfit! There were a was on sabbatical in few spare helmets New Zealand and couldn't for those who had sold attend the celebrations. theirs upon retirement. A "Smoking kills. ifyou're killed, you've lost a very important part ofyour life." -Brooke Shields, Page 20 Australian Caver- Issue 139- January 1997 one to remind us that TCC mood for the evening was had never lost a member on optimistic. There was a caving trip, well not lost sadness at the loss of TCC, permanently anyway ... but a number of current old SCS members had turned up Trevor Wailes then rose to too, and the dinner served a the occasion as the last TCC very unifying purpose as President having been re well. elected after a short spell. Prior to that he was one of Not too many people the longest serving fronted up for caving the Presidents, presiding over following day. It was easier Trevor Wailes- the very last TCC ten of the boom discovery to get the helmet on before a President years of the eighties. He memorable dinner that went There were other apologies reminded us that is was to to well beyond midnight including one from be the last TCC dinner and than the next morning when Professor Sam Carey who is wished the new there were a few too many credited with founding the amalgamated club well into alcohol enriched craniums club. Nevertheless there the future. about! Stuart Nicholas set were two founding members the night owl record of about present - David and Nancy TCC has joined with SCS 4.30am, but then, there were Wilson, who cut the and TCKRG to become the a few dinners he had to Birthday Cake supplied by Southern Tasmanian make up for! Therese March. Andrew Caverneers. Paradoxically Skinner made a number of Australia's newest caving Stephen Bunton impromptu speeches during club is its oldest or the one the procedures including with the longest history. The Speaking mv p;,e,e ... I H UJ' PHI'QIIH&I'U&J7 801/Q IIJ't'I'IIJ7ll/j By Henry S~ hannon I went along to the meeting As it happened, I was asked that when water levels are held at Ross (Central to speak quite early in the low, I think we can manage, Tasmania) of ptece, possibly because I but not m high water representatives of was known to have conditions. government agencies and criticisms to offer. As to cave user groups despite my what our club was doing, I My assessment of the suspicions even of the mere said first that we were trying situation that has developed "Exchange of information" to find enough caves tn since active management theme. I had been properties of friendly and permits were approached to come as the landowners to be able to introduced, is that has been Northern Caverneers survive as a caving group, in decline in Tasmania. The representative m a polite smce the drift of clubs are certainly hurting phone call from Forestry in management policy for under these new Hobart - and as Chris Riley public lands was so hostile arrangements. I consulted said; "If you don't go along that we feared eventual loss with the other club to these things you are of access. We had been so representatives present assumed to consent to burnt by our previous (Stuart Nicholas & Debbie whatever is being imposed contact with state Hunter) and they agreed anyway, and there is at least authorities that we were that their groups, like ours, a notional opportunity to trying as far as we could to are down to about 10 aging head off damage." avoid them. Without giving active members each, and any details, I went on to say are conspicuously ~acking "Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it hol4s the universe .together .... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver -Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 21 new young rookie recruits. to us. As it affects Rolan parable goes "Near enough The change in administrative Eberhard's project for he that straineth at the gnat, policy ts not the whole classification of caves for will swallow the camel". On problem; the "Pepsi vulnerability of fauna (for the other hand, those that generation" for example is which a written preface was put the big issue first, were not into serious minded presented, and which I think ahight on the ethics of the activities like speleology, was the real reason for the smaller issues. and it is now easier to just meeting). I explained that in scoot overseas. But the open circumstances I could Other broken reeds were change in Tasmania from the almost have written it wildlife protection officers; old system where cavers felt myself, and the words would although they might be welcome, to present setup - mean one thing; essentially a disguised by the situation, where it feels like we're in guide for visitors as to how the wildlife act was used by gaol, is the main fault behind to recognise and move the government to prevent the malaise. around sensitively in areas collection of data on the with cave biota. But coming bats, because the We keep doing what we can from where it's coming government at the time to assist as we still get (the from, I see the same words identified with the mining word has got out and much essentially as an underhand and irrigation interests. Such reduced the visitors coming and nasty threat of yet manipulation is always open to Tasmania for caving). We another · round of cave to a government and means must bear the humiliation of confiscation's. Such is the no protective regime based having to apologise for the inherent imprectston of on public service experts is system, and warn people language in a world of secure. from mainland clubs to hidden agendas. confirm permits first before Politically, a critical mass of even thinking about coming I have been around the interested, informed and to Tasmania. Concerning caving scene since 1959, creditable people who count Kubla Khan (which we think and was bought into caving as a local interest is needed of as our cave now by a generation that to have impact, and the expropriated from us) witnessed the introduction outside public needs to Much misery was inflicted of the permit system in have reason to feel on our American visitor who NSW, and were aware that interested as well. This needed 3 trips from the it's real aim was to make situation does not exist USA to see the cave. As cavers give up and go away. without a lot of public regards the cleanup program I persisted there with grim visitation to wild caves. I am (which we invented) it has determination not to be reconciled to the wear and been delayed, not assisted ground down by the system. tear on the caves that may by the new regime. It was almost a relief to get result from this, however big away to Queensland at first, an effort I have put into the We are now locked out of and although I got burnt out cleanup and track marking the best part of the cave later on in the real effort. It is the permit access resource once effectively conservation struggles; rigmarole that damages the available to us either by de against the less insidious caving experience for me far facto confiscation as at threats a great deal more more than the affect of Kubla Khan & Exit Cave, or effort could be sustained uncontrolled public indirectly by offence taken before cracking up. What visitation. The permit by private landowners over hurt most was the system treats us like National Estate listing, etc. abandonment of the "front criminals on probation. It etc. Seeing a dog to kick, as line" UQSS people by most demeans cavers status in the at Herbert's Pot, they pick outside caving group and community, and ~uts the on us. We have not got wildlife protection people. I ground from under us in our anything we could construe later realised that holders of ability to either instruct the as benefit out of any of this the "microconservation" public, or act in a real heavy handedness. So I am approach were the ones at conservation crisis. I think forced to consider any new fault, and they are by caving clubs in Tasmania are proposal emanating from temperament curiously blind headed for extinction in authority primarily in terms towards cavings big under current circumstances. of the harm it is going to do conservation issues; as the It is significant for me, that "Smoking kills. Ifyou're killed, you've lost a very important part o.fyour l~fe." - Brooke Shields, Page 22 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 the Savage River Caving management. It is entirely made in advance be\hind our Club is the one doing the possible for such backs. I doubt very much if best~ and I attribute their consultation to be a matter future examples will be aby health to their happier of form only. My experience better, and I would access arrangement for their with a "public consultation participate more with the main caving areas: So process" in the case of idea of spotting where the different to our problem of Kubla Khan Cave next danger is coming from, having to beg from those managament left me totally than in hope of fair who have hurt us. estranged since our treatment. concerns and interests were I am not satisfied to offer in totally overridden at every Henry Shannon any future public point. My impression is that consultations over cave the real decision has been aeport OIJ HQdBI CQVB ae''"'' B"'"""' Vi,toriQ. by Peter Ackroyd At 8.28 pm on Tuesday, 5th in Wyatts Reserve.) It instructions were that "a December 1995, Peter transpired that the original carload" of Melbourne Ackroyd of the Victorian call to Morwell D-24 had based VSA members were Speleological Association come in at 6.59 PM and that to drive the 3 74 kilometres (JlSA) received a phone call the police Search and to Buchan where they would from Senior Constable Rescue Squad had yet to be join a team of three Police Darren Jones ofMorwell D- notified, one and a half S&R Squad members who 24. Darren had a chilling hours later - a situation were going to fly to the message: an 18 year old Peter suggested should be rescue site. In the event, the male had fallen five metres rectified immediately. VSA police group, consisting of in a cave in "an unstable members John and Kim Van Senior Sergeant Geoffrey sinkhole in Wyatts Reserve, Dyk and George Bradford, Frost, Sergeant Barry nine kilometres north of all of whom live at Buchan, Gibson and Senior Buchan" (far East were already in attendance Constable Jon Reader, had Gippsland, Victoria). This with the Buchan and aircraft problems and had to was not good news. Bruthen State Emergency drive down also. They Services (SES) group. passed the VSA team, who Over the next 17 minutes, were doing some moderate Peter attempted to build on This was not an auspicious speed low flying of their this slim report. Via a radio start to what appeared to be own, on the freeway near connection from D-24 to an Victoria's most serious the eastern outskirts of ambulance attending the rescue callout yet. The Melbourne at 11.15 pm. scene, he extracted the callout procedure had not information that the victim been followed and the The Melbourne VSA team had suspected head injuries information received in consisted of Peter Ackroyd, but was able to walk and Melbourne was very poor. Geoff Hammond, Roger talk. Peter still did not know Taylor and Eric Lenser of the cave's identity. He asked A short time later the VSA Traralgon. Geoff was the the ambulance officer to team received the official S&R Officer for the club walk over to the cave callout from the Police S&R and the remaining team entrance and read the Squad (under the Victorian members had been selected number off the cave tag. State Disaster Plan on the basis of their actual The cave was M-92, Hades. (Displan) volunteer groups rescue experience, (Victorian readers will must be activated by the familiarity with Hades and realise that Hades is NOT police). The police availability. When Eri'c was "Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian cal'er- Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 23 picked up from Traralgon at redirect the rope away from 12.40 am it was pouring the edge of the hole. It appeared that while the with rain. This made the two team leaders were in situation look very bad It was at this time that Peter another part of the cave, indeed. Water flowing into learnt that the injured person Jason Lau and the other the cave would add was 18 year old Jason Lau, three novices had been immeasurably to the a student at Donvale attempting to free climb difficulties of a rescue. Christian College on an end down the second pitch ( 15 of-year outdoor pursuits metres ...;ee map). They The VSA team arrived at excursion with about 20 reached a point about five the Potholes area near other students from the metres from the bottom, Hades at 3.01 am, same college. The group where the climb becomes Wednesday 6th December was under the control of a extremely exposed and 1995 in heavy rain. Peter part-time maths teacher somewhat overhanging. At and Roger had already from the college. The this point the four students worked out how to tackle students had been split into decided to return to the top. the rescue - one of the four teams. Jason Lau was One of the novices managed advantages of using people part of a team which had to climb back up the pitch, who are already familiar descended into Hades using but when Jason Lau with the cave. After ..---"'------..., attempted to do an initial inspection of Hades [M-92] likewise he fell, the soggy site, Roger landing on the rocky Simplified Extended Elevation and Eric geared up floor below. He while Geoff added his suffered several cuts expertise in a surface and lacerations to his liaison role, taking face, head and arms. some of the load off The first rescuers on Kim Van Dyk who the scene thought had been filling that that he may also ha~e position. Meanwhile, injured his skull or Peter went into a spme. huddle with the leader of the police S&R A large SES team, Geoff Frost, to contingent of around plan out the details of 40 had been on site the task ahead. This is since about 8.00 pm often the most the evening before. overlooked part of They had set up any rescue, and yet it tarpaulins over the is the most important. cave entrance to Unless the major shelter the site from details are worked the incessant rain and out in advance, a were generally rescue effort can turn supporting the into a disaster. underground Sometimes it is hard ·37m- rescuers. These to resist the consisted of local Drawn: P J Ackroyd, 3 Jan 1996 temptation to just ASF survey grade: 22 VSA members rush into the cave and George Bradford and start putting people on SRT. Only one set of John Van Dyk, John's 16 stretchers and hauling them ascenders was available for year old son Josh Van Dyk up pitches, but resist you the six member team. The and several SES members. must. Peter was able to team leader was 18 year old This group had escorted the advise Geoff Frost on the David Vaughan, who was uninjured members of the correct line the haul rope assisted by Ben Grauer, also school party from the cave should take on the surface, 18. David Vaughan had and administered first aid to the way the cave would be some rockclimbing Jason Lau. From 11.30 pm rigged inside and suggested experience but this was his Jason Lau came under the the positioning of a log to first caving trip. ",\,'mokinK kills. ((you're killed, you've lost a very important part (~(vour file." - Brooke Shield~. Page 24 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 direct care of trained and the waterfall crashing Peter advised the Police ambulance officer Bruce down the pitch was S&R officer, Geoff Frost, of Wilson trom Orbost. At estimated to be between one the gravity of the situation some time after midnight and two litres per second - and the need to divert the this team had commenced a not inconsiderable flow. water. Geoff Frost the haul from the bottom of Peter descended the main immediately set to and, with the cave. pitch to find that Roger had the SES volunteers, Once we arrived at 3.01 am organised the lifting of Jason commenced a moat-building on the morning of the 6th Lau completely out of the exercise to divert the bulk of December, Roger Taylor lower part of the cave and the runoff water, captured went down the cave to the had him 'parked' under a by the large surface doline rescue site, which was now rock verandah - the only and the hill behind, and a tew metres above the head truly dry spot left in the pump it into an adjacent of the second pitch. There cave. Roger had just popped do line. he took over from John Van out to see what all the water Dyk at about 3.30 am. By noise was about and could After an hour's warming in now, the tirst wave of hardly believe his eyes. the back of a heated rescuers had been working Watching the waterfall crash ambulance and with some for seven and a half hours down from the top of the food and drink inside the and were tiring. cave, Peter and Roger team, Peter had completed commiserated that had this the planning for the rescue. Once Peter had advised the been any other time they Dawn was breaking when Police S&R squad on the would have loved to be in Peter, Roger and Eric re recommended overall course the cave in these conditions, entered the cave at 6.50 am. of action, he entered the but not when they were The water had been reduced cave to ascertain the current there to rescue someone. to a small stream by the use situation. On the way down, of the moat and two pumps he assisted a near-exhausted Bruce Wilson had kept - the SES are to be heartily member of the SES out Jason Lau in excellent congratulated on the through the flattener at the condition - he was warm efficiency of this system. top of the main pitch. This and very relaxed. Peter first Roger dropped down the took over 15 minutes to spoke to Jason to assess his pitch to arrange the final accomplish, all the while mental state before advising shift of Jason Lau to the immersed in a, by now, Bruce that the volume of haul rope. Peter carefully Tasmanian-style waterfall. water coming down the bridged across the airy head This same waterfall made main pitch was such that the of the pitch and rigged a communication extremely lift could not be commenced large and very strong edge ditftcult. At this time John just yet, due to the roller to the sharp lip. He Van Dyk also made his way unacceptably high risk of also rigged a quick release out of the cave. hypothermia to the patient. and extraction system to After discussing with Bruce allow the roller to be Peter and Eric then removed the patient's needs, Peter removed from the cave at the mass of rigging from the decided to exit the cave and the critical moment when entrance pitch more arrange for the water to be Jason Lau reached it. immersion in the waterfall diverted. Bruce reported Finally, Jason was fitted · to permit the rescue haul that he could 'hold' Jason in with a KED stretcher - a system to be put in place. his present condition for kind of super corset affair The ladder originally rigged about another hour without that completely encased and by John Van Dyk was kept needing any specialist supported his head and in place for the rescuers and equipment. upper body but allowed him the main haul line, now to bend at the hips and to rigged by the police S&R Given this information, and use his legs. The lift went squad on the surface, was the fact that Peter, Roger smoothly under the very run into the cave to test it and Eric were now wet and professional control of the out. Meanwhile, a fresh IV cold, they made their way to S&R Squad on the surface. drip was lowered to be the surface to prepare for In the cave, lift commands administered to the patient. the task ahead and to were passed from Roger on rewarm and refuel the pitch, to Peter bridging By now an hour had passed themselves. Once there, over the head of the pitch, "1 Juct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: r:------.- ~=-=--=-==--== Australian caver- Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 25 to Eric in an alcove on the 6th December 1995, Jason entrance side of the Lau was back on the There were over 50 people flattener, to the surface. surface. He was immediately involved in the rescue in one From here, Sergeant Barry whisked away by ambulance way or another and Gibson finally relayed the to Baimsdale Base Hospital, everyone performed commands to Senior where he was diagnosed as selflessly and efficiently. The Sergeant Geoff Frost, who having lacerations, a deep Victorian Police S&R Squad was commanding the team cut under his left eye which are always good to work of haulers. It all went very required stitches and a with - they are thoroughly well. At the lip, the edge broken nose. Given the professional and safe in roller was flicked up and out potential for more serious everything they do. The of the cave exactly as injury, he was a very lucky ambulance officers on site planned. lad indeed. were ever helpful and ensured everyone remained Then the crux of the rescue Discussion in good shape and able to began. Roger lifted Jason's continue their work. The legs so that he could be This was a disaster waiting Buchan SES volunteers did eased slowly into the to happen. The school group many of the things for which flattener, on his back and of which Jason Lau was a they are justifiably famous. head-first. At the same time, part was led by a person They supplied a constant Peter entered the flattener, who appears to have supply of hot food and face down and attached an exceeded his skill level. At a drinks, electric lighting and additional, re-directional later debrief, it was a 'can do' attitude that pull line for Eric, and discovered that even though ensured the underground prepared to manipulate this was to be an SRT trip workers had the best Jason Lau, in the KED the leaders did not know resources attainable. They stretcher, through the what a rappel rack or a Petzl were particularly valuable, extremely constricted, Stop was. The most having the knowledge and rocky, two metre long, tight experienced of them, the skills to deal with the huge section. camp leader, referred to a flow of water running into 'whalebone' as being the the 50 metre doline above It was now imperative that highest tech thing that he'd the entrance to Hades. the haul team on the surface ever heard of for descending follow instructions to the SRT ropes. The rigging of The three cavers from letter. In the constriction, a the cave was primitive Melbourne, and one from too enthusiastic haul could 'straight down the pitch' Traralgon, finally stopped easily break Jason's neck. style, taking no account of for their first rest in over 30 Again the haul team did a the very severe rub point hours at 12.30 pm, superb, highly controlled over the lip. (Although it snatching a brief two hours' job. Even when Peter called was claimed padding was sleep at Buchan before for a 10 millimetre lift, that used, none was found by the making the long drive home, is what was delivered - first rescuers on the scene.) having also missed a day's pure professionalism! After Two things that the group work. As if this wasn't three quarters of an hour of did correctly were to have enough, Eric had to be back this, Jason had been eased their charges wear at Traralgon in time for a through the flattener into the construction helmets with two-and-a-half hour Senior slightly more roomy chinstraps - Jason's helmet Motor Mechanic's entrance area. He was now stayed on his head during examination at 6.30 pm! only a few metres from the the fall and was effectively entrance and could tell from destroyed when he hit. This We've always wondered the excitement that he was no doubt absorbed much of when the first really serious getting close. Another the energy of the fall and rescue would happen in fifteen minutes passed saved Jason from more Victoria. Now we know, before Eric took control of severe head injuries. The and it appears that while the lift. Jason Lau was now group also had a trained first school and outdoor groups a straight three metre haul aider and a small first aid kit keep ignoring the basic rules from safety. in the cave with them. They of common sense while in were therefore able to carry caves, we can expect to see At 9.20 am on Wednesday out effective first aid. more. "Smoking kills. Ifyou're killed, you've lost a very important part ofyour life." - Brooke Shields, Page 26 Australian (aver- Issue 139- January 1997 Nelson for the past 18 telling them that Mr Postscript months has been recovered. Weaver's body had been Motueka police flew to the bought to the surface. Both the outdoor pursuits Pearse River below Mt group leader and team Arthur yesterday to bring Mr Weaver's parents, who leader were very helpful in out the body of David live in England, were the provision of information Weaver, who drowned at notified just before 9am upon which part of this the Pearse Resurgence. Mr yesterday that their son's report is based. The group Weaver, aged 30, a caving body had been found. also made a donation of and rafting guide from The coroner, Jim Fry, said $200 to VSA. Waitomo had been trying to an inquest had established achieve a cave diving record that Mr Weaver died by Peter Ackroyd on May 20, 1995. His body misadventure, but a further May 1996 was last seen on a ledge in investigation could now take an underwater cave more place. than 80m below the surface. It was considered too Quoted from the Cave Divers dangerous to recover the 'New Zealand Herald' body at the time. Thursday January 9th 1997 & Posted on Ozcavers Body Found Sergeant Jim Burrows said a 9/1/97 by letter written to the police Mark Bodt NELSON - NZ. The body by a diving team was !J]gfkb~1d1{!!l~l;;5.,C..Q.JJ1 of a cave diver which has delivered to Richmond lain in a deep cavern west of Police on Tuesday night, FIQST CI1(CULA1f Cele!?I'HI'i116 I'IJe .fJHI'A.r- A .I'J7111./JP.fi#111 Q1/ PHI'A.r Hi.ri'PI'J/ At Mt.Hl~[falo Chalet, Victoria, 17-19th April /998 . As part of celebrating the announce that the Chalet bathroom facilities) 1998 Centenary of Wilsons will provide Promontory and Mt, Buffalo accommodation, meals, etc. or- $405 National Parks in Victoria, (Thursday night to Sunday (ensuite accommodation). an informal Parks History qfternoon) for $345 (shared Group has been A cheaper alternative Registration of Interest in established. One of is available at the Celebrating the Parks Symposium : the major projects nearby Tatra Inn for for the year is to set Full Name______$270. Conference fee up a symposium to will be kept to review aspects of Address ______mmtmum, probably parks history in under $100 .If you Australia. Put the are interested, please date in your diary complete the fonn now! Papers are and send it to the invited on any Phone______conference convenor. aspect of parks history - national Fax ______Elery Hamilton- parks and other Smith protected areas or e-mail ______urban parks are all welcome. At this . I am interested in offering a paper : stage, we can "Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver - Issue No 139 - January 199 7 Page 27 Phone(03)9489. 7785 Fax (03) 9481.2439 Crinoitlt Written by Garry K Smith As published in the NEWCA Vl~_;s CHRONH .'JJ~·s No 7 .Ju~v I 'JlJ(J A•~riiS Fossilised crinoid stems are found in many limestone caves throughout Australia. They are the remains of marine creatures which flourished predominantly throughout the Palaeozoic, era. They grew in diverse ocean habitats from shaJlow warm tropical water to cold deep water. These creatures were anchored to the sea bed by a root-like structure. When crinoids die, their calcareous skeletons soon break into segments and fall to the bottom. Ocean currents of the Early Carboniferous period moved vast quantities of crinoid remains across the sea-bed to form large drifts which over time consolidated into limestone deposits. Crinoids, belong to the class of marine invertebrate called Crinoidea (phylum lj'chinodermala) _ Crinoidea meaning, "lily shaped animals". A .distinctive characteristic of echinoderms is their calcite skeleton and the symmetrical five-rayed structure of the adult body Crinoids consist of three main parts:- *The calyx, which is usually a cup-shaped body enclosing the vital organs *The arms, of which there are five or more. They are used to convey the food particles to the mouth * The stem (or peduncle) and roots (or cirri), which serve to fix the animal to the sea bed Crinoids are strictly marine animals which generally live attached to the bottom by a long peduncle, although some species are known that become free-moving as adults, having been fixed during development These lack a peduncle, and carry on the lower part of the calyx a number of tendrils, which they can adhere to the solid ocean bottom. Refer to the sketches- at the side of the page as we look at the Crinoids in more detail- --~IlL YX O'\ cLJP Crinoids have five arms, or tentacles, which are edged with feathery projections called pinnulae. The animal has a root structure called cirri which attaches it to the ocean bottom. A slender flexible stem (also called peduncle) supports the main part of the body, called the calyx. The mouth faces upward from the centre of the calyx. The five featherlike arms extend from the calyx and act as food gathers in the water current Like the stem, t--~·.' ... the arms are made up of numerous calcareous discs called 2.cm ossicles, which are held together by muscles or ligaments. The tentacles have open grooves, along which minute hairlike projections sweep food particles toward the mouth. This food consists mainly of zooplankton less than 0.5 mm in size. When the animal dies the entire skeleton normally falls apart into the small separate plates (ossicles). Therefore, it is rare to find intact well-preserved crinoid fossils. "Smoking kills. Ifyou're killed, you've lost a very important part o,[your file." - Brooke .~11ields, Page 28 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 Morphology: Crinoid larva development is known exclusively from the comatulids. When the egg ruptures, a free-swimming, bilaterally symmetrical lava, called a do/iolaria is formed. The lava swims about, using four or five rings of cilia, for a few hours or days, and then settles to the sea floor to attach itself by the anterior end. Crinoids can be divided into four subclasses, the Inadunata, Flexibilia, Camerata and Articulata. Of these, the first three are confined to the Palaeozoic era and the last to post-Triassic communities. The precise origins of the class are lost in the Precambrian, although both cystoids and eocrinoids have been proposed as possible ancestors. MoNOC'It:LIG CAL VX (!'lAfll VtEIM) Numerous species evolved with varying numbers of plates in the calyx, arms and other specific features. The anchorage structure of the crinoids is also present in many forms. The shape of columnar plates which make up the stem, varies from species to species. They may be circular, elliptical, pentagonal, square or stellate, while some may have a smooth outer surface, radial lines or petal-like designs. The one thing in common is that they all have a hole in the centre of each plate, to form a canal which runs the length of the stem. The classification of crinoid species is also based to a large extent on the structure of the cup (calyx). Throughout the Palaeozoic era, the inadunates and carnerates dominated coastal reef faunas. During this era, crinoids flourished lltCYCLIC CAlYX in the ocean habitats from shallow warm tropical water to cold (!t.A N VI(~.,}) deep water. Diversity of species and numbers reached a peak during the Silurian, Devonian and Carboniferous periods. (Approx. 430 to 280 million years ago). At the end ofthe Lower Carboniferous the carnerates suffered a dramatic reduction in species from over 700 to just 4. This reduction also occurred in the other subclasses, but they survived in significant numbers until the end of the Permian Period (Approx 225 million years ago). Some Paleozoic limestone deposits, largely composed of crinoidal remains are up to a couple of hundred metres thick and cover areas measuring hundreds or thousands of square kilometres. Echinoderms -"More than 21 classes have been identified, but only about 6, 000 species of six classes are known to still exist. tc.m The six are:- Crinoidea (feather star and sea lilies), Asteroidea I (\'larfi.,he.\), Ophiuroidea (hritt/e stars and hasket stars), Echinoidea (.\·ea urchins, cake urchins, and heart urchin\), eA!AC.jAI.S (' oncentricycloidea (.•;ea daisie.\), and Holothurioidea (\·ea cucumher.... ). Echinoderms are widely distributed in all the oceans, ~~} occurring in marine environments ranging from the intertidal zone RAbiAL to the deepest ocean trenches". (J•;ncyclopaedia Britanica, 1989) MSAL There are approximately 700 Crinoid species alive today. All '-""".!!!ooo-o~Wol"""W,---~- It/Fl.ll6RSAL belong to the subclass, Articulata, of which there are about 80 ~cg~~t---C.If(RI stemmed forms. They inhabit water more than 100 m deep. The deepest water crinoid, Bathycrinus, lives down to 9700 m in the Kuril Trench and to 8210 m in the Kermadec Trench. DICVCLfC. CALYX Crinoidea - Subclass Articulata, is the only subclass in which (E.lEVIU'IOrl VIEW) there are species alive today. These include the Sea Lilies and Feather Stars. "I >uct tape is like the Force. It has fJ li1!hl side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver -Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 29 Sea lilies live mostly in deep ocean waters. They were abundant in prehistoric times, but only few species remain today. Sea lilies eat tiny aquatic organisms. Feather Stars are closely related to sea lilies, however they break from their stalks when young and live free, often on tropical coral reefs. Feather Stars can swim short distances by waving their arms up and down ECHINODERMS (Phylum Echinodermata) • Subphya: Subphya: Subphya: CRINOZOA HO~OZOA BLASTOZOA p' (No living representatives) (No living raprasentatlves) Period (Mid Cambrian • P~rfod: (C8mbrfan • Pennlan) Mid Devonian) Class OPHIUROIDEA Class Age: (Ordovfclan-Recent) Age: (Ordovician-Recent) HOLOTHURIOIDEA (Starfish) (Brittle Stars) Age: (Ordovician-Recent) Age: (Ordovfclan - Recent) (Basket Stars) (Sea Urchins) . (Sea Cucumbers) (Cake Urchins) CONCENTRICYCLOIDEA (Heart Urchins) Age: (Ordovician-Recent) (Sea Daisies) ~ Subclass: INADUNATA ARTICULATA } (Extinct by the end of Triassic period) g~~~~g~ A (Ord There are more than 21 classes of ECHINODERMS and only about 6,000 species In the six highlighted classes are know to exist today. About 700 of these belong to the subclass: Articulata. Chart by Garry Smith lh · J.;JI\ACI-IIDLES AA.NlS . c.AL'/X oP. cuP ;. C'/Sfqfl) 'E:c.t-J 1NcisPI-l Ai:({rre:s". Roar .. f»LASiOib. , o~oPuoca.tl'luS . ~ "Smoking kills. Ifyou're ki/led, you've lost a very important part ~/your /ije." -Brooke Shields, Page 30 Australian Caver- Issue 139- January 1997 Crinoids References Encyclopedia Britannica, (1990). ISBN 0-85229-511-1 Fossils- Collins Eyewitness Guides, (1992). Harper Collins Publishers, Written by Dr Paul D. Taylor, ISBN 0-7322-0074-1 Fossils- Collins Eyewitness Handbooks, (1992). Harper Collins Publishers, ISBN 07322-0122-5 McGraw- Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, (1987). ISBN 0-07-079292-5 The Fossil World, ( 1977). Written by Richard Moody, Published by The Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd. - Sydney. ISBN 0-600-33609-3 The New Encyclopedia Britannica, ( 1989). Fifth Edition ISBN 0-85229- 493-X The World of Fossils, (1972, revised 1975). By Giovanni Pinna, Orbis Publishing - London. ISBN 0- 85613-182-2 World Book Encyclopedia, ( 1992). ISBN 0-7166-6692-8 • What ISS has been up to. documentation. Much karst areas across NSW, The year 1995/1996 has information has been such as Y essabah, been a good year for I.S.S. contributed by other people Canomodine, Bendethera, Inc. We have had a full - notably Richard Willson Carri Arch, Bungonia, calendar, and all trips have and Co., and members of the Jenolan, Pilchers Hill; been well attended. Our ex Bermagui Speleo Gloucester, Moore Creek, membership has increased Association. I would like to Dinton, Borenore, and it is interesting to note thank these groups for Wellington, Cliefden and that many trips are attended being so enthusiastically Timor. by prospective members. forthcoming with maps and information. Current There have been significant One of our main advances in members of I.S.S. have also discoveries by members of '95/'96 was at Yarrangobilly. spent time and effort NHVSS at caves in our We have consolidated our locating, exploring and area. At Pitchers Hill a position in this area. surveying caves at major extension in a known Excavations of rubbish and Bendethera, which now cave was discovered which debris from previous Cave number upwards of65. was inhabited by a large management track making colony of Bent-Wing bats. and lighting in Jersey Cave We have had two visits to At Gloucester, divers Jam by various clubs, including Wyanbene in the last year. Hodgson and Ian Vickery 2 cubic meters by ISS have For many people the trips have done significant deepened the hole to stage were purely a re-visit after a underwater exploration to where a ladder will be long absence. It's no more extend the known length of needed. The restoration of dry or comfortable than it Gloucester Caves by 40 the cave location map in the was 15 years ago! metres down to a maximum Ranger's Office is 99% depth of 5. 7 metres. A dig at complete - a few more Timor resulted m the contour lines need to be discovery of a small drawn in. An offshoot of the chamber with a helicite, and cave location map is the NEWCASTLE& several straws, the longest accurate location of many HUNTER VALLEY measuring 58cm long. Quite of the caves - for the future! SPELEO SOC. a discovery for Timor! Due (NEWCAVES) to the previous damage in Bendethera, west of PRESIDENTESS'S this public cave area, the dig Moruya, is another area REPORT for 1996 was resealed, leaving a time which has had concentrated By Jenny Whitby. capsule in the chamber. The attention. Our collective exact location of the dig, knowledge of the area has This has been an exceptional being known only to those increased, as has the year, with visits to many present. "Due/tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Au.'itralian caver- Issue No 139 - January 199 7 Page 31 Gloucester Caves and Karst into a local creek. Another Expo" held in November area has come under threat possible use for the 1996, we even made it on of being mined by a limestone is to consolidate NBN television news' In the company formed to roadbase for the upgrading current issue of Australian supposedly supply of the Pacific Highway. A Geographic (Jan-Mar I 007). agricultural lime for the number of NHVSS members a close look at an article local region. The company are convinced that this about an AG sponsored has been approaching the mining operation if it goes SUSS exploration over the local landowners and asking ahead, will be on a much last two years of McCavity them to sign access and test larger scale than the Cave at Wellington shmvs drilling agreements. In the executives of the company some of our members. l.ook first instance the company are forecasting, and it will closely and you will tind approached landowners to continue for in excess of 20 Gordon, Danielle & Sean sign access agreements years, given the number of Vincent (who all hold dual before the "Department of coal mines getting underway membership of NHVSS and Minerals and Energy" had in the local region. The SUSS). Also a recent article granted the "Exploration caves GL 1 to GL 13 are on caving in "The Post" License". A misleading and extremely abundant in fossil featured NHVSS. Virtual underhanded tactic as the remains, are hydrologically and computer cavers of the company only had an important and contain world wide web look out. Exploration License significant varieties of fauna NHVSS is soon to be on the Application No. 575. Many including glowworms, internet! Our resident of the landowners are totally Gudgeon Fish, crustaceans, computer whizzes Katie & against granting access for long neck tortoises and leaf Stephen Vandenberg are in test drilling or mining. On a tailed Geckos, as well as the process of creating a subsequent visit to signiticant bat roosting sites. NHVSS site. landowners, the company executives, armed with a On another subject, the granted Exploration License State Government has No. 5073 covering legislation in progress that approximately 78 square proposes a major restructure kilometres, used almost of the management of Some news from Exmouth. stand over tactics to Jenolan, Abercrombie and for what it's worth ... persuade landowners to sign Wombeyan Caves. The f/~a·. ..,. Nole -1 didn't wrile the agreement. Several NSW ASF has also been that line either!!! I landowners have resisted lobbying for the government however it appears that the to consult and honour its Cave exploring has Mining Act does not give pre-election commitments, continues at a steady pace the property owners an which preserve the through 1996 and the option in the long term. independence of the "Caves number of recorded features Reserve Trust" from NPWS, has risen to 599. The last Property owners were told and of the Karst few months has been a bit that the mining would be a Conservation Act. The bill quiet due to involvement small 2 man operation to also proposes the control of with the DOT Marina supply crushed lime for local these reserves primarily by quarry cave Local speleo's agriculture. However we are the NPWS. All activities have been involved with the led to believe that the would be governed by cave relocating and mapping executives of the company NPWS regulations, project which started in Jan (J Sonnberg & M. Sheldon) including issuing permits, '96 and have sketched and have ties in the coal mining and control of mapped approx' 40 features industry and that lime will caving/abseiling activities. A this year. Hopefully the be used to neutralise the concern to us all. We'll keep "first I 00 recorded features" acidic water from a local you posted. (See, 'STOP part of the project will be coal mine. The water is P RJ~SS' on page 3 for more finished in mid '97 and the believed to be run-off from detail.\). I 0 I to 200 series can be coal stockpiles and the started on. waste water from the coal Our club gained extensive washery. Some of this water publicity in Newecastle The main cave mapping is believed to be leaching through the "Toys For Men project. C-163, Wanderers "SmokinK kills. flyou're killed, you've lost a vel)' important pari olyour l!fi!." - Brooke ,','hields. Page 32 Au.~tralian Caver -lnue 139- January 1997 Delight, is still in abeyance, to change in the near future Some pictures of Cape as it has been since what with a heavy cyclone Range caves (and me!) can September '93 due to season predicted for this be accessed on the W ASG flooding of the canal system, year. The surveyed length home page at which has to be negotiated of the cave remains at DEFINITIONS OF CAVIN(f TEaMS. HOW MANY DO YOU KNOW? Written by Garry K. Smith with assistance of Jenny & Gary Whitby and Jill Pender. How many time.,· have you taken a novice caving for the first time? You have probably thrown around cal'ing terms in general conver. ..,·ation without considering whether the novice knows what you are talking about. lam quite sure you could spin a good yarn about many of the common terms used by the cavingfhtternity. You will probably get a good laugh out llthe following terms and their meanings. /)o you know what the real meaning of these word,· are? Anthodite A stalagmite covered in ants. Bedding Plane Aircraft used by the Mile High Club. Braccia Scientific name for a type of fern that grows near the entrance of a cave. This is the shortened name for (BRACCIA Y A LEG) as the damp ferns are typically known to cause cavers to trip and fall at the cave entrance. Boulder Choke The fate of a person on bottom belay when a rock is dislodged and you neglect to yell "below". Cave Pearl The end result of picking ones nose after a day in a dusty cave. Cavernicole The entrance fee to a tourist cave. Clints The sound made when you drop a karabiner. Daylight Hole The result of a large fire near a nylon tent. [)og-Tooth Crystal A Formation that bites. Dolomite Commonwealth Bank account for Junior Cavers. Drapery Parts of overalls left behind in a tight squeeze lined with cave coral. Fluorescein A new brand of toothpaste. Fluorometer Toothpaste dispenser. Fluorescence Sparkling teeth after cleaning with Fluorescein toothpaste. Flutes Found on a Whaletail. Friend Someone willing to go caving with you after eating baked beans for breakfast. Gastropod A strong pocket of gas left behind by a caver who has had baked beans for breakfast. Handline The result of a fast abseil without gloves. Helictite Spiral shaped squeeze. Heligmite Spiral shaped parasite. Inflow Cave Pit toilet in the cavers camping area. Joint The parts which ache after caving. Kar·st A splint used to hold a cavers broken limbs ridged. Meander Looking for a cave entrance. Moon milk Cavers cocktail. Overhang The day after the cavers Christmas party. Pothole A cave used to store illegal substances. Spelunker The impact sound of a caver who has abseiled off the end of a short rope without a knot. SRT Suspended Recreational Tourist "I Juc/ tape is like the Force. It has a lixht side, a dark side, and it holds the universe toxether.... " --Carl Zwtmzig: Au.~tralian caver- Issue No 139 - January 199 7 Page 33 An introduction to the unu ....·ual aquatic ecmystem. ..,· l?f the /.ower South Fa...,·t ld'South Australia. by Mia E. Thurgate Review by Ken Grimes South Austrctlia stratification and chemistry Ewens Ponds & Piccaninnie Unclenvater Speleological of their waters and then the Ponds) Society biology - in particular the Occasional Paper number stromatolites that grow The apparently high price of 1 within them. The $35.00 1s a necessary 1995 recognition of these actively consequence of the 20 A4, 48 page.~, 8figures, 4 growing calcareous organo colour photographs These .~ite map.'i, sedimentary deposits was are quality prints which have 2fJ colour plate.'i. the most important been pasted in, and include discovery to come out of some excellent aerial views This 48 page publication is Mia's work in the area. A of the cenotes and ponds, based on an earlier, less description of the Spring and underwater shots of the accessible, report produced Ponds (and associated stromatolites and the in 1992 by the Department submerged caves) then submerged caves at of Ecology and follows, including the Piccaninnie Ponds. Evolutionary Biology at hydrology and the extensive Monash University, where aquatic vegetation. The Mia did the original final conclusions put up The report is available from research. There has been many questions and SAl ISS: considerable reorganisation emphasise the need for c - (]rani Pearce, PO Hox ofthe original report and the additional studies, as well as 2f>5. WIIJJA/Iv1Sf( JWN, SA discussion of the active management of these 5351 stromatolites, in particular, unusual ecosystems. Two for $35.00 + $2.00 post has been expanded. appendices contain species within Australia. lists for the cenotes and the Following an introduction to spring ponds. There are Or, from Mia Thurgate, the geology, karst, climate also maps and photos of Dept. Tropical Environment and surface biology of the four study sites ( Gouldens Studies & Geography region, Mia describes the Hole, The Black Hole, James Cook University, Qld cenote lakes: the 4811. Underground Photographer Issue 1 & 2 Underground Photographer 1995 as a forerunner to the individuals who no longer is a new quarterly setting up of a British Cave wanted to go caving publication from the United Research Group (BCRA) volunteered to put together Kingdom covering special interest group (SIG) a quarterly magazine. photography, video, lighting for cave photographers. In Volumes one and two are and art underground. Issue 1 the end a SIG was not reviewed below. These are was published in December started however two brave excellent publications for "Smoking kills. !}'you're killed, you've lost a very.' important part ofyour l~fe." - Hrooke Shield~. Page 34 Au.~tralian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 anyone interested in of these are quite technical Kym ap Rhys and Paul underground photography covering areas such as the Peppiat who bravely took and a must for the club construction of a on project. It sports a new library. Subscriptions and Redundant Array of Little format from Issue one further information can be Flash guns (RALF concept), including a gallery section of obtained from connectors for home made readers photographs, letters KymapRhys, flash guns, the use of to the editor, beginnings of a ( Jnderground modeling lamps question/answer section and Photographer, underground and the pictorial -10 Buckingham Road, construction of helmet features from top UK Peter.~field, Hants, mounted CB radios to for photographers. Chris Howes ell 132 3AZ, llnited photography in large continues his excellent Kingdom (email: chambers. Photographic series on photographic kymrd;dhios.denum.co.uk; topics include the use of copyright. The material is wehh ·"·;ile: high latitude black and white mostly new and is generally http: H'W»'. dhio... ;. demon co. film, 3-D photography, less technical than Issue 1 uk). underwater photography and therefore more and speleothem accessible to cavers like me. lJ nderground luminescence using UV Considerable space is Photographer Issue 1: This light. Electronic imaging and devoted to a video feature issue was put together by storage is also included. covering basics and lighting members of CREG to There is also an excellent set-ups. The only negative is gauge support for a article on photographic copy the quality of the specialist Cave Photography right by Chris Howes which photographs which let the Group in the UK. It although written specifically publication down, this is due consists mostly of for UK law is very relevant print quality not the original previously published articles to Australia. photographs. on photography particularly from the BCRA Cave Radio Underground David Gwillim and Electronics Group Photographer Issue 2: This (CREG) publications. Many is the first issue produced by SPELEO SYNOPSIS No 21 MQy 1995 - September 1995 by Peter Ackroyd state have no access rights a report on a new caving AUSTRALIA except through a Tasmanian area, East Pilbara. club. Speleo Spiel 286 (May Helictite 32 (I) (1994) /995) The Western Caver 34 A granite cave in New This issue of the Tasmanian (199-1) England, NSW, is described Caverneering Club's This issue contains many in this issue. It is apparently newsletter carries proposals articles on invertebrates in formed within weathered for access restrictions to one Western Australian caves. bedrock. of Australia's premier caves, These articles give a good Exit Cave. The restrictions overaJJ idea of the life forms Helictite 32 (2) (199-1) include gates on aJJ non likely to be encountered in Detailed geological mapping vertical entrances to the the twilight zone of W A of the Bungonia limestone system and a permit is caves. There is also an by Julie Bauer takes up required for access by update on newly numbered much of this issue. An Tasmanian caving clubs or caves found in Yanchep and article on cave dwelling commercial groups. Clubs from any other Australian "Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver -Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 35 leeches in Papua New M,moires de Biosp,ologie metres respectively, the UK Guinea completes it. XXI (48) (Dec 1994) based Imperial College Several new species of cave Caving Club has been active Southern Caver 59 (Aug dwelling animals are in the Migovec Plateau area 1995) described including of Slovenia, a small team This issue gives an update molluscs, crabs, (from Australia?) has carried on current exploration in the pseudoscorpions, mites, out a reconnaissance of JF-34/341 Rift Cave araneae, opiliones, karst areas in South System, now up to nine collembola, coleoptera and Sulawesi and East Timor kilometres long, and a map fish. (Indonesia) and there is a of Niggly Cave, at -375 report from the China Caves metres, Australia's deepest VIS Cave Diving '94 project team on their cave. This latter cave is now Magazine 6 (J 994) discoveries in the Xinlong known to be a part of the This magazine is edited in Gorge area, near the fabled Junee Master System, Italy where printing Yangtze River. The issue confirmed by dye tracing standards are very high and finishes otT with descriptions from Growling Swallet and, this is reflected in the quality of "finding" a backdoor later, Porcupine Pot, five of this International Union entrance to Dale Barn Cave kilometres to the north. of Speleology publication. in Kingsdale by the simple Current exploration efforts Articles written for it are expedient of carrying out an are being concentrated on either in English, French or RDF fix from inside the cave caves to the north and south German and cover the fields and blasting down to it. of Niggly Cave. of underwater cave science, cave exploration and diving Cave and Karst Science techniques. 21(2) (Mar /995) NEW This issue contains papers International Caver 12 from an international ZEALAND (/994) symposium on karst This issue has lead articles environments and includes NZ Speleo Bulletin 170 on the caves of Vietnam, the articles on cave water (.fun 1994) Cuetzalen area of Mexico chemistry, cave The initial discovery, and and an interview with three conservation in the UK, subsequent exploration, of members of the International regional mapping of karst the caves of Garibaldi Ridge Union of Speleology (IUS). for environmental analysis, (north-eastern part of the Other items include a guide human impact on karst in South Island) take up much to the caves of Romania, Japan and Slovenia, the of this issue. Euphrates with tips on food, carbide effect of the epikarst zone Cave, at 2.8 kilometres, is and travel, and a listing of on speleogenesis, vadose the longest known cave the current longest and karst canyons in Norway here. Elsewhere, tales of deepest caves in the world. and the hydrology of the trips to Greenlink (Takaka Southern Cape karst belt on Hill, South Island), during Caves & Caving 67 South Africa. which, on two separate (Spring 1995) occasions, groups became The latest major discovery Descent 124 (.fun .lui /995) entrapped by floods, make in the UK, Ogof Draenen, is Another good issue, which exciting reading. There is an still in the news in this issue. contains a major article obituary for original NZSS Now that the rate of new describing extensions to member, Ernie Truscott, passage found in the cave Ogof Draenen (South who passed away at the age has fallen below one Wales), now over 26 of 94 and a section called kilometre per week, there is kilometres long and still 'Cave Notes' mentions a time to publish a review of growing! There are some diving connection being just how it all came about reminiscences from Sid forced between Virginia and and to print a map with Perou, known world wide Warrens Caves at Waitomo some geological details. for his caving films and for (North Island). Elsewhere in the world, an epics in getting the right Oxford University Cave shot in the ridiculous Club trip to Northern Spain conditions normally met in EUROPE resulted in two caves being caves, a short report on a pushed to -450 and -500 caving trip to Belize and a "Smoking kills.lfyou're killed, you've lost a very important part o_fyour life." - Brooke Shields, Page 36 Australian Caver -Issue 139- January 1997 summary of accidents in the Northern Mongolia, South by dipping them in UK for 1994. China, the Philippines and "thermoplastic rubber Central and Western solution" and a description ISSA Newsletter Vol 1 Turkey. of survey standards and (.S'pring 1995) procedures adopted by The International Society of Caves & Caving 68 Carlsbad Caverns National Speleological Art (ISSA) (Summer /995) Park. has recently been formed Some extensions and links (June 1994) and has to known caves in the UK NSS News 53(2) (Feb published volume one of its are reported in this issue. A 1995) newsletter. The aims of the report on the October 1994 This is a special society are to provide British cave radio and conservation issue opportunities for, and to electronics group field containing a wide variety of promote the execution of, meeting reveals some articles. The main one works of art on a interesting developments in covers the huge strides speleological theme. underground radio. In the made in recent years in the Drawing and painting overseas section, a small conservation of Alaska's appear to be the most group pushing Hoyo del karst on the timber rich common forms of Sedo in Northern Spain Prince of Wales Island - expression but any medium, reached a depth of -905 cavers have played a including photography, is metres with unexplored cave significant role in ensuring acceptable. The sole still ahead, Dave Checkley foresters take karst into Australian representative of led a team to some caves in account when harvesting ISSA to date is CEGSA Borneo and more caves are logs and building roads. member, June MacLucas. reported from Nepal. In the Other articles deal with cave news section it is revealed clean-ups, lint and graffiti Descent 125 (Aug'Sep that one of Austria's major removal, bolting of caves by /995) caves, H"lloch, has been rock -climbers and an This issue of Descent sold to a commercial interesting philosophical commemorates the first trekking group which will discussion on just whether descent of Gaping Gill now be charging entry fees humans belong in caves. (Yorkshire) by E A Martel to the third longest cave in I 00 years ago. In other the world. NSS Bulletin 56 (2) (Dec articles, more extensions 1994) have been found in Ogof Cave and Karst Science 21 Articles in this issue include Draenen (South Wales) to (3) (.June /995) the results of an eighteen make the cave the fourth This issue contains learned month biological survey of longest in the UK and Sid papers on alpine Lechuguilla Cave (New Perou continues his saga of speleogenesis in Europe, an Mexico), the effects on cave his early ( 1960s) attempts at inventory of karst in microclimate of a restaurant underground film making. Southern Turkey, efforts to in Mammoth Cave conserve limestone (Kentucky), changes in International Caver 13 pavements in the UK, field Washington's Mount Rainier (1995) tests of limestone glacier caves over 80 years, This issue contains a map dissolution rates in Austria, investigations in salt caves in and description of the 1,392 lakes as a speleogenetic Israel and correlation metre deep Lukina Jama - agent in Brazil and evolution between cave passages and Trojama System in Croatia. of caves in Tibet. surface features in South The cave consists of a series Dakota caves. of shafts which end in a siphon almost directly below USA NSS News 53(3) (Mar the entrance. Tim Stratford /995) gives a brief description of This issue records the Compass & Tape 37 (.Jan the prolific stone age art, fascinating tale of a group of /995) estimated to be 20,000 years cavers searching for and The two principal articles in old, found in Grotte mapping dolomite caves in this issue deal with Chauvet in the south of North-Western Botswana, protecting Suunto France. This is followed by Africa. Three new caves compasses and clinometers expedition reports from were found inCluding "Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds thejuniverse together.... " --Carl Zwanzig: Australian caver- Issue No 139- January 1997 Page 37 Botswana's longest, the 1.8 on a remote ridge and divers drowned in the US in kilometre long Blue Cave. getting them 'pirated' by 1993. Other articles cover the members of the same club! collecting of embroidered Hidden River Cave in NSS News 53(5) (May caver 'patches' and an Kentucky has been extended 1995) examination of rabies in to almost ten kilometres in Some obituaries and a insectivorous bats. length with many leads yet summary report of a 1993 to be pushed. Christmas reconnaissance NSS News 53(4) (Apr Internationally, the club has visit to Mexico make up this 1995) been active in Guatemala ISSUe. Removal of old mmmg (Central America) and debris and fill from a show Spain. NSS News 53(6) (.fun 1995) cave is the subject of the A slim volume containing a main article in this issue. NSS News 52(1 2) Part II - description of the Other items include an American Caving Accidents, exploration and mapping of overview of a study of the 1993 two short stream caves in effects of workshops and The compilation of tufa in Guatemala. septic tanks above Carlsbad American caving accidents Caverns in New Mexico and serves as a useful reminder The NSS Bulletin 57 (1) an obituary for Russell to remain alert and to learn (Jun 1995) Gurnee, caver and cave from others' mistakes. An This issue records cave manager extraordinaire. introductory article fauna from Alabama and discusses 'in cave' care of cave fish from Florida, a Nittany Grotto News 42(2) sick or injured cavers in diving protocol for aquifer (May 1995) situations where extreme sampling m underwater This is a special edition remoteness ( eg 1, 000 metres caves, speleothems covering a 1994 expedition down) or other originating from aerosols, to Harrison's Cave, circumstances make it formation of underwater Barbados, to advise the impractical to commence a helictites correlated with Government there on rescue operation paleotemperatures and mitigation of environmental immediately. In 1993 twenty "What are Anthodites?" and structural problems people were seriously related to karst. injured and ten were killed NSS News 53(7) (.Ju/1995) in US caving accidents. This issue is devoted to a Georgia Underground Most of the injuries, and report on the 1994 31(3) (Jun 1995) some of the deaths, were surveying and cleaning This is an excellent club due to falls in caves. Six of project carried out in magazine with some great the deaths were those of Alabama's Cathedral articles. The first item underprivileged youths Caverns, a spacious, 3. 4 describes the extension of a when their 'counsellor' kilometre long show cave. 25 metre deep TAG pit to a ignored signs and verbal depth of 137 metres. A advice, and took them into a short article follows flooding cave. Five cave describing finding new pits 1f00~1fg~ ~lLlL ~@~ 1f000~ ~@fWirOO ~~~{f) 1f00@~~ ~~1f0~(L~~ ~@(L{LO~ O~ooo "Smoking kills. Ifyou're killed, you've lost a very.• important part ofyour life." - Brooke Shields,