REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT: THE BUSH CLUB NEWSLETTER BOB TAFFEL What a great club we are all part of! With just one focus, bushwalking, the Bush Club continues to provide us with an amazing variety and number of walks, thanks to the talents and knowledge of our leaders. The friendliness of its Spring 2009 members continues to underpin the club’s success. www.bushclub.org.au Walking: At the end of the 2008-9 year the club is in excellent health. This year Walks Program Spring 2009 p. 21 we had a total of approximately 460 Walks Reports Winter 2009 p. 16 walks, an increase of about 30 over last year. The balance between weekday and weekend walks has increased marginally WALKS SUBMISSIONS in favour of weekend walks. Email addresses As our numbers have grown, we have Walk submissions for the newsletter become concerned that numbers on some [email protected] walks have become excessive. Carol Short notice walks Henderson has started an analysis of the walks by the number of attendees per [email protected] walk so that we can address the problem. Postal address Interestingly, the walks attracting big numbers are well known ones that have Walks Secretary been done regularly over the years. PO Box 95, Pymble Business Centre, Perhaps some new leaders might like to NSW 2073 consider putting on one of these well- known walks. Such walks would be an THIS ISSUE excellent start for new leaders. This issue includes the President’s report Short notice walks continue to form an for the year and information about the th important part of the program with about 70 Birthday Party (thank you Carol for 60 being offered over the past year. all the organisational work and to Gay Tony Hickson has done a sterling job in for volunteering to organise food). There co-ordinating the SNW program. are articles about recent training courses, as well as articles about some walks There have also been more abseil walks undertaken in the last three months. this year and the number of members interested in these walks is increasing as In addition we have the usual walks evidenced by increasing numbers reports compiled by Ron Mead and the enrolling in abseiling courses. We have Spring Program put together by John done some additional work on refining Cooper. As well as putting the walks the waiver on the abseil walk sign-on reports together Ron maintains the data form, in keeping with the requirements base, an enormous task. Thank you to of our insurers. both Ron and John for their work on the Newsletter over the last year, and to Bev Membership: Membership continues to grow. This time last year we were 523 Barnett who has organised distribution strong; we are now 566. There are and printing of the Newsletter. Thank currently 116 prospective members, so you also to all members who have contributed to the Newsletter. based on past experience we can expect over 600 members this time next year. Spring 2009 1

“Word of mouth” continues to be the previous one. The increase in the number way the majority of new members come of members taking the Newsletter by to us. Around 30% identify our website email continues to help keep costs down. as their point of first contact with the Jacqui Hickson has also continued to do club. Prospective members who come to a mighty job in managing our web site. us via “word of mouth” have a better There have been many useful additions record of conversion to full membership, throughout the year and our web site has too. Our female to male ratio remains become a benchmark for bushwalking static at around 55:45, though the ratio clubs. It is an important resource for for members joining this year is 60:40. members and the information available Leadership: The continuing increase in is being continually expanded. membership has led to a focus this year Financial: The club is in excellent on attracting more members into our financial health and our thanks go to Bob group of Walk Leaders. A sub- Wood for his continuing service to the committee was set up to look at ways to club in the Treasurer’s role. Fees have help members to get started as walk not changed in five years, a tribute to his leaders and our thanks go to those who management of our finances. took up the challenge this year. Thanks Social Activities: Last year, we decided mostly to Carol Henderson—assisted by to focus our attention on the club’s Mike Pratt, Jacqui Hickson, and Birthday Party in October because of the myself—we have added over 13 new poor attendance at the 2007 Xmas Party. leaders to the group. Please give some Carol Henderson had the idea of thought to becoming a leader. We need combining a lunch with some walks and you! The rewards are great and the skills this idea led to the amazingly successful you’ll build up make bushwalking even 69th Birthday Party at Bobbin Head. more enjoyable. Walkers taking part in 5 different walks, Several initiatives have been undertaken plus a bunch of kayak paddlers, all to attract new leaders. Existing leaders converged on Bobbin Head at lunchtime. were encouraged to volunteer to be part Our thanks go to Gay Skarratt and her of a co-leader scheme so that new helpers who stunned us all with the leaders, if they so desired, could have a lunch they put on when over 100 people buddy with whom to plan and lead the sat down to a delicious BBQ meal. The walk. Approximately 12 leaders have chocolate birthday cake, provided by volunteered to be co-leaders and Jacqui Hickson, was a fitting dessert. advertisements explaining the program This year we hope for an even bigger have been placed in our newsletter. To and better repeat performance for our date personal contact by an existing 70th Birthday Party BBQ lunch, to be leader seems to have been the most held at Lane Cove River Park on the 10th productive way we find new ones. October. Joan Adams, with her team of Safety and Insurance: Our performance Mike Pratt, Michael Keats and Morrie this year has led our insurer to offer Donovan, has been busy organising and better terms and rates than previously. keeping track of the 70 Rivers theme that The club continues to emphasise safety we chose to mark this, our 70th year. By but a focus on commonsense will always the time of the party the club will have be our best strategy to maintain an conducted walks along 70 rivers, both in excellent safety record. and out of Australia. A series of eight Communication with Members: Lynne walks and a kayak paddle on the Lane Outhred and Bev Barnett continue to do Cove River, the 70th of the 70 rivers, an excellent job in producing and will mark the party day. The committee distributing our Newsletter with each is now busy preparing the last of the issue seeming to improve on the walk reports and photos to go into the

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book that we are publishing to mark our 70th year. Our thanks go to all the people BUSH CLUB 70TH BIRTHDAY and walk leaders who will help to make CELEBRATION AND October 10th a memorable day in the COMPLETION OF THE 70 club’s history. RIVERS PROJECT Future Directions: With walking being our “reason for being” as a club, our SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2009 future depends in great part on our leaders. In his outgoing President’s Join us for a day of walking, Report last year, Graeme Lawless noted canoeing, socialising, eating, that we would need to aim for an drinking and trips down memory increase in the number of leaders of at lane as we celebrate least 10% of the year’s new membership. We’ve achieved this goal but we do not 70 YEARS OF intend to rest on our laurels. We will BUSH CLUB HISTORY continue our efforts to find and The celebration will mark the encourage new leaders. In the coming official end of our 70 Rivers year the committee has undertaken to Project. make a special effort to look at what the th club needs to do so that it will maintain When: Saturday 10 October its attractiveness to bushwalkers as Where: CARTERS CREEK PICNIC membership numbers grow. AREA (SITE 9) Our Committee: It was with some West side Lane Cove National reservations that I agreed to nominate for Park the president’s position last year. The Time: 11am to 3pm thing that swayed me was that I knew BYO picnic or the people who formed our committee. I Order a BBQ lunch, cost $5 would like to acknowledge publicly the magnificent job that all have done and WALKS’ BOOKINGS AND BARBECUE ORDERS COMMENCE thank them all for their support during ST the year. I’d also like to thank our past ON TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER president Graeme Lawless for his much appreciated advice on occasion through Walkers and partners order lunch via the year. My special thanks go to Ron your walk leaders Mead, our Data Base Manager, who is Club non-walkers RSVP and order second only to the walk leaders in lunch via Carol Henderson importance, as he ensures the smooth ph: 98796709 or email running and success of the club. [email protected] Ian Edwards, our Membership Secretary, is stepping down after a long and FINAL DATE FOR ALL productive time on the job. Our thanks PARTICIPANTS TO RSVP: go to Ian for his dedication to the club SUNDAY 4th OCTOBER and the support he offers prospective members, both attributes that have Prospective members are very contributed to the success of the club. welcome Ian has worked hard for us, often unsung Transport is available from and in the background. We’ll miss his the Lane Cove Entrance of the Park presence greatly in future committee for non-walkers meetings. Contact Carol Henderson to Download The Bushwalker from the organise transport. Details above. Confederation website http://www.bushwalking.org.au/mag.html Spring 2009 3

BUSH CLUB 70TH BIRTHDAY barbecue lunch or walking. It is CELEBRATIONS AND CONCLUSION important to RSVP early if you want to TO THE 70 RIVERS PROJECT order lunch or you may miss out. How do I order a barbecue lunch for By Carol Henderson my partner? th Bush Club 70 Birthday Celebration Lunches for partners are ordered through Organiser your walks leader. THINGS YOU WILL NEED TO How do I pay for lunch? KNOW Your leader will collect money for your What is the time, date and venue? lunch, and your partner’s lunch, before 11AM to 3PM on Saturday 10th October the walk starts. You will be issued with a at Carters Creek Picnic area (Site 9). ticket that you will hand in when you are served your lunch. To make things quick Carter’s Creek is located on the western and easy for your leader please have a $5 side of Lane Cove River 1.2 kilometres note or the correct change. from the main gate at the Chatswood end of the park. What happens if I miss out on a barbeque lunch or want to bring my Can prospective members attend? own food? Prospective members are very welcome. Members who miss out on a barbeque Bush Club members are a friendly bunch lunch or don’t want a barbeque are and the party is a great opportunity to welcome to bring their own picnic lunch. make new friends, eat good food, walk Barbeques will be available for or canoe and learn more about the individual cooking after the main history and culture of the club. cooking for the group is finished. Is there any shelter? What about drinks? The event will be held in a marquee and BYO all drinks. There will be no facility long tables and seating for 150 people for purchasing drinks at Carters Creek will be provided. and no facility for heating water. How do I book walks and barbecue What happens if there is wet lunches? weather? Book walks and lunches through the The 70th Birthday Celebration will go leader of the walk you have chosen. ahead regardless of the weather. Once What is the cost of lunch? you have committed to pay for a $5 includes sausages, salads, bread and barbecue lunch there are 3 options if it birthday cake. rains; walk and have lunch, just come for lunch or send Bob Wood our Treasurer a The number of barbecue lunches is cheque for $5 so that the club is not out limited to 100 so it is important to book of pocket. In extreme weather conditions early to avoid missing out. leaders, at their discretion, may for When can I book walks and barbeque safety reasons cancel a walk. lunches? What events are being offered? Bookings open on Tuesday 1st September. Phone or Email your leader There is one canoeing event and 9 walks from this date. from one to four stars leaving from different venues and scheduled to arrive When is the final RSVP date? at the Carters Creek Picnic Area by Bookings for the 70th Birthday lunchtime. Train timetables change Celebration close on Sunday 4th October. All attending members are expected to RSVP even if they are not eating a

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How do I book if I want to attend the SERIOUS THREAT TO OUR celebrations but I am not able or NATIONAL PARKS don’t want to walk? To RSVP phone or email Carol The State Government is currently Henderson Phone: 98796709 rewriting the National Parks and Wildlife Act (NPW Act) to permit a [email protected] wider range of commercial How do I get to Lane Cove National developments and services within the Park if I’m not walking and do not boundaries of our National Parks. drive? The NSW Taskforce on Tourism and Take the 545 10:35AM bus from Stand National Parks Report, issued in M, Railway St, Chatswood, alight at December 2008, and adopted by the Lane Cove National Park and walk along Government on the day it was released, the western side of the river for 1.2 recommends changes to the NPW Act kilometres to Carter’s Creek. If you are which would undermine the primary unable to walk, phone Carol Henderson nature conservation purpose of National (details above) to organise a lift from the Parks and encourage commercial park entrance. tourism within them. Looking forward to catching up with you As there has been no public consultation, th on Saturday 10 October. exactly what the Government has in mind is not certain. However the Minister for Climate Change and the Membership Report Environment, Carmel Tebbutt, has made Ian Edwards it clear that plans include the building of Members 566 Prospective members 116 eco-lodges, which would involve considerable infrastructure, for example, New Members approved by Sub- in terms of vehicle access. Of particular committee since last report: Margaret concern are references in the report to Williams, Aj Jack, Bill Hardy, Christa the identification of ‘development-ready Carey, Louise Wakeling, Jacqueline areas’, as it appears that current Bogue, Victor Negrin, Diane and Alan wilderness areas will not be exempt from McPhail, Michael Cook, Phillip Stacey, such development. The report refers to Leonie Keighley, Colin White, Catherine National Parks as ‘State assets’. This Else, Graham Kelly terminology is likely to alarm anyone At 30 June 2009 there were 116 who thinks National Parks as precious prospectives, some 12% more than at 30 areas especially set aside for the June 2008 and 87% more than at 30 June preservation and enjoyment of nature, 2007. The extraordinary growth between free of such developments. June 2007 and June 2008 is a reflection Many bushwalkers and other lovers of of our excellent website and its ability to our wonderful National Parks may have attract prospective members. no objection to the provision of nature A third of prospective members apply to tours, walking tracks and basic camping join because of an Internet search. The facilities, and, in some suitable places, majority of prospective members, about informative visitor centres. However, two thirds, are attracted to the Club by many may be concerned at the prospect “word of mouth” of long-term leases for exclusive occupation of our public land by See photos in colour in the Email commercial enterprises in key locations version of the Newsletter! within park boundaries. Such developments belong outside National Contact Ron Mead 9871 2580 Parks, where they can make a substantial [email protected]

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contribution to the economies of local BUSHWALKING ETIQUETTE communities. By Bob Taffel The newly established Taskforce of National Parks and Tourism has called Carol Henderson and Kaye Birch wrote for submissions by the 29th of August. an excellent article on this subject for the Newsletter a year ago. With over 160 If you should wish to add your voice to new and prospective members since protest at these changes you can do so by then, it’s timely to revisit this subject. emailing Premier Nathan Rees First of all, please remember that walk [email protected] leaders are giving their time and skills on Or the Minister of the Environment, a voluntary basis and by doing this, they Carmel Tebbutt enable us to gain enjoyment and visit [email protected] places that, in many instances, we would You should also email a copy to the not get to see on our own. Our leaders Colong Foundation are the lifeblood of the Club so we do [email protected] not want to lose a single one because people on their walks are inconsiderate. Go to www.colongwilderness.org.au or While most walkers need no reminder www.npansw.org.au for more details. about “the right thing to do” it is still You can also join the “Save National worthwhile to regularly talk about the Parks” Working Group – call 02 9568 things that will maximise a leader’s 2331 or email enjoyment of the walk. [email protected] • Arrive at the start in good time. This campaign is supported by a Allow the leader to lead. It goes coalition of conservation groups seeking • without saying that it is the leader’s protection and sustainable enjoyment of choice about the pace of the walk so our National Parks including: don’t hijack the walk by moving out National Parks Association of NSW, ahead or by trying to hurry the pace. Nature Conservation Council of NSW, With everyone behind, the leader is The Colong Foundation for Wilderness, Blue Mountains Conservation Society, much more easily able to make sure that everyone stays on the right track The Wilderness Society, Total Environment Centre and that everyone stays reasonably together. There may be parts of the walk where a leader is happy for THE BUSH CLUB NEEDS people to go ahead at a faster pace YOU! but it is essential to check with the leader before doing this and where to Have you ever thought about wait for others to catch up. leading a walk but you don’t feel 100% confident? • Think about looking behind you regularly to make sure the person TRY OUR CO-LEADER SCHEME behind you is still in sight. In thick CONTACT MIKE PRATT bush it’s easy to get separated. PHONE: 9588 2894 (7:30 -8:30pm) • Don’t walk on the heels of the person E MAIL: [email protected] ahead. It’s your responsibility to Mike will find a co-leader for you avoid bushes disturbed by the person to share the planning and ahead. Having said this, it’s good implementation of your walk. etiquette to try not to let branches Enjoy learning a new skill and flick back as you walk. experience the satisfaction of • If the leader appoints a person as tail, contributing to a great day out. please let the tail know if you need to drop behind for any reason. Leave

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your pack on the track if you go off FIRST AID IN THE BUSH into the bush. By John Wilson • Change places with others while walking so you that you mingle with Three Bush Club members attended a the whole group. Bear in mind that recent St John Senior First Aid course. leaders can’t choose where to walk The course was run by the Bushwalkers in the group so don’t leave them out Wilderness Rescue Squad (BWRS). in front on their own. However, be As one of the attendees, I felt it raised mindful that the leader may need to some important issues applicable to our concentrate on navigation on some bushwalking activities. While the course parts of the walk. focussed on a range of first aid situations we expect to encounter in urban areas, • Only keep your mobile phone on if you are expecting an urgent call. applying these to bushwalking requires Otherwise keep mobile phone usage careful consideration, pre-planning and to a minimum by making/receiving often flexible implementation. calls only during breaks. Some examples prompted by the course: • If you expect to leave the walk (a) It is important to pre-plan and before the official finish, tell the anticipate emergencies commensurate leader at the start of the walk and with the walking activity being make sure you sign off on the walk undertaken. Such planning would report sheet before you leave. include telling appropriate people where one is going; expected arrival times and • Make sure before you leave home that you have everything you need ensuring relevant communication links for the walk, adequate clothing and are carried (e.g. mobile phones and, in footwear, food and water. Have a more remote areas, EPIRBs). Pre- look at the weather forecast too. planning is not only for leaders; each one of us should consider the nature and risk • Remember that you are responsible levels of the walks we are undertaking to for your own safety, which includes ensure we have the appropriate fitness, carrying any medications you may clothing and equipment to participate. require. Don’t forget to advise the leader, before the start of the walk, (b) All walks should have at least three about any medical condition that people on them (as is the requirement might affect you on the walk. with Bush Club walks). A very possible Remember to include at least a basic scenario is that a walker is injured and first aid kit for cuts and blisters. has serious fractures or is unconscious, or is bitten by a snake (and must be • It is also courteous, and can be very immobilised). If there were only two helpful, to offer to carry some of the walkers one person must remain with the leader’s equipment. The leader is casualty, so there is a real dilemma frequently left to carry navigation especially if mobiles were out of range equipment, such as maps and GPS and it was some distance to walk to (with spare batteries), maybe a obtain help. Unless that party had an telephone and an EPIRB, generally a EPIRB, the situation could easily more extensive first aid kit, and become tragic. ropes, tapes, etc, should the walk require it. (c) An obvious, but important comment is that each walking group needs to have • Offer petrol money before being appropriate first aid kits. Every walker asked. Asking can be quite should carry a basic kit and not rely on embarrassing for the driver. the leader only to have one. It is equally • Finally and most important of all important that these kits contain at least please make sure you thank the the basic but essential items to deal with leader at the end of the walk. Spring 2009 7

anticipated emergency requirements on Mapping, Department of Lands, Bathurst any particular walk. has provided the following details (d) It would be valuable to have many Not many years ago Australia was members of the Bush Club with First isolated to a certain extent in relation to Aid qualifications. This would give us the world coordinate system. Australia more confidence to help others. It would had its own coordinate systems, also enable more people on a walk to Australian Geodetic Datum (AGD66) provide assistance to the leader when an and ISG grids, etc. emergency occurs to ensure an effective With the advent of Global Positioning outcome. System (GPS) a highly accurate Bushwalking for us is a group activity, electronic navigation system based on but safety and first aid is ultimately a twenty four orbiting satellites, Australia responsibility for each of us. We should in order to be consistent with this system aim to be as self-reliant as possible by had to change its coordinate system. making adequate preparation for walks, Hence we now have the Geocentric carrying our own first aid kits and Datum of Australia (GDA 94). This undertaking certified first aid training. brought us in line with the World Far from distracting us from the Geodetic System 1984, (WGS 84). All enjoyment of bushwalking, these matters Topographical Maps after 2000 reflect will enable us to walk more confidently this coordinate system, which means that and ensure we gain greater pleasure from anyone giving a GPS coordinate has being in the bush. those coordinates referenced to a worldwide system. CALLING FOR HELP For anyone using topographical maps, even though lat/long are shown on the By Michael Keats edge of the map, the grid is referenced to Scenario. You are leading a walk in a Eastings and Northings in the one- remote area. A member of the party has kilometre grid squares. Hence Eastings an accident. You have administered and Northings are the only coordinate basic first aid however the casualty system that bushwalkers would use. requires professional attention. For this Air navigation use lat/longs. So if the exercise we will assume that as leader search and rescue helicopter was called you are not carrying a Personal Locator they would be given Lat / Longs. Beacon (PLB). In speaking to State Emergency Services You are able to successfully dial 000. (SES) headquarters in their reply You have a map, a reliable GPS and was that if Police, 000 or SES were know you position within a 100m2. called, and either Lat/Long or easting/ Given the choices would you advise the northing were given it would not matter, 000 service of your position by using the same response time would be given Latitude and Longitude or by Grid as they have the ability to change to References? either system quickly. Naturally if there This question arose from a recent Bush was a ground search then eastings / Club walk where a member offered to northings (i.e. Grid References) would provide me with a trace of the walk and be essential as ground crew would be significant waypoints. While delighted using topographic maps. with the offer I was nonplussed when the The SES spokes person also said any data arrived expressed in Latitude and coordinates given in an emergency are a Longitude. An interchange of emails bonus to start pinpointing location. followed. Minor confusion may arise with old or Brian Fox, Bush Club Member and new maps if the quoted coordinate Senior Technical Officer, Topographic system is not specified i.e. reading from Spring 2009 8

old map AMG as against new GDA. The ABSEILING DAY 24TH JUNE difference is about 200m and in most cases you would think that from the air By Bev Barnett visual sighting would be made. Of We woke to a cold and drizzly morning, course we are know, there are some lovely weather for slipping down cliffs tightly confined canyons in the on a rope! The prospect did not improve mountains. as we arrived in Katoomba, which was So in summing up. in full preparation for the Winter Festival. We found our way to the • Bushwalkers should continue to use Australian School of Mountaineering by eastings and northings. Be aware of navigation around various stalls, bags whether your map is old or new. and crystal gazers. • All information is shown on every topographical map and any map There were seven of us - Anna Hayes, produced after the year 2000 has new Carol Henderson, Bev Barnett, Rob and coordinate system, GDA94. Di Bradbury, Tony Mitchell, and John Wilson. We were led to the start of our • Walkers need to develop map- reading skills so they can read travail, Mt York. Here we waited in fog coordinates from the map and GPS and cool wind as the ropes were set up. in case they have to state their Our first abseil was about ten metres position in an emergency. down a sloping rock face. Not too far, I hear you say, but far enough to bump a Michael Keats and Brian Fox shoulder or swing in the wrong direction. Ah well, we will do better next time! ARE YOU A NEW LEADER The ropes were moved for our second OR THINKING OF BECOMING attempt, this time over 20 metres, with a A LEADER? sheer drop to allow us to “jump” down the cliff on the way down. There were Do you need a few more skills? varying reactions to this - Rob came A training session for new and back delighted, the rest of us were potential leaders finishing with a slightly less enthusiastic. BBQ lunch is being run on August 26

Contact Tony Hickson by email: [email protected] or phone him on 94192546 or 0417200980

WHO IN THE BUSH CLUB COULD… It has come to my attention that a member of the Bush Club, who shall remain nameless, drove a Subaru for three years without the benefit of either third gear or reverse. Hearing this story, I began to wonder how I would cope with no reverse gear! How do you do a three-point turn, reverse park or get yourself out of tricky situations? The answer is, organise your friends to push! Next came our greatest challenge so far...thirty metres, with a very tricky Some of you may be able guess who take-off. This abseil required some would have managed such a feat. encouraging chat from one of our Spring 2009 9

mentors, while we juggled our feet, A WET WALK IN THE WILD DOGS: hands and ropes in unison – not an easy 23RD MAY 2009 combination when on the edge of a considerable drop. It took some time, By Chris Dowling and we were seven satisfied, but cold The programmed walk was to go from people after that experience. Dunphy’s Car park to Splendour Rock By now we were starving, and attacked via Blackhorse Ridge and Gap and Mt. the supplied rolls, meat and salad with a Merrimerrigal and to return via Mobbs great deal more enthusiasm than the Soak, Cattle Dog Ridge and Breakfast cliffs we had just abseiled. A warm drink and Carlons Creeks. The forecast was for helped to thaw out cold hands and showers, easing during the day. The bodies. All too soon it was time to move Blue Mountains had had good rain in to a new location near Mt Piddington for preceding days. Six of us, David Dash, the final abseil of the day. Robin Owens, Kaye Birch, Joe Van Der Velden, John Faryna plus myself as On arrival we walked down to the site. leader, met in Blackheath at 7.30am. We needed to lock our caribeeners on to a safety line before crawling over a rock There was water flowing over the road at and walking down a narrow approach to Megalong Crossing, an indication of the ledge. By now it was late afternoon, what was ahead of us. On the drive from and unfortunately we had to wait for the top gate down into Green Gully we some members of another group to encountered a large tree that had fallen complete their abseils. Finally, it was our across the road. It was too big to move turn. The take off point was easier than so Dave and myself reversed up the road the thirty metre one, but the rope was so to a place where we could park, then the heavy it was hard to move down the cliff walk began. It took us about 25 minutes with the weight of the additional length. to walk to the Dunphy’s car park area, About 20 metres from the valley floor, by which time steady rain was falling. the cliff became concave, forming an The Carlon Creek track crosses Carlon overhang, and we had the chance to Creek numerous times. The Creek is swing free and enjoy the view before usually a mere trickle, but not on this dropping to the ground – spectacular! day. It was a torrent that was almost The day was challenging, but left us all knee-deep. Breakfast Creek was going to with a sense of achievement. be interesting. When we arrived at Breakfast Creek we found it to be a fast flowing river. The rocks that you can usually stand on to cross it were somewhere beneath the surface. We decided it was too dangerous to wade across. Fortunately, just upstream of the Carlon Creek junction, a tree has fallen across Breakfast Creek and we were able to get across on it to the base of Blackhorse Ridge. After the climb up Blackhorse Ridge we had a quick morning tea and proceeded on to Blackhorse Junction and Gap. The walk along Wombat Parade was more slippery that usual because water was literally pouring off the top of Mt. Harmil’s Ledge - John Cooper’s walk to Warrigal onto the track. At about 11.45 Dunphy’s Pass Spring 2009 10

we arrived at Warrigal Gap. The forecast PAM AND JIM LAWLER – LIVING “showers” had become steady rain with THE BUSHWALKING DREAM no indication that it would clear. There was low cloud/mist, and we had the By Michael Keats extra bit of walking at both the start and When walking up the driveway to a the end due to the fallen tree. For these house, a garden says much about the reasons we decided not to proceed to people who live within. I am walking Splendour Rock but instead to go to through a manicured, welcoming lush Mobbs Swamp for lunch, then return via combination of native and exotic plants the Medlow Gap fire trail. that exudes an inviting naturalness. I feel We had a stand-up lunch in the cave at very comfortable and I have not even Mobbs Swamp while watching the made it to the terrace, let alone knocked foaming torrent of water in a little gully on the door. This place is a happy and just outside the cave. On the way to contented one. Blackhorse Junction and Kennel Flat it I don’t need to knock- the door is open. was at times difficult to differentiate A voice welcomes. I go in and I am at between the track and watercourses ease. because there was so much flowing water on the ground. As we made our way along the fire trail the rain eased to showers. Crossing the upper parts of Breakfast and Sliprail Creeks was not the usual big step and jump. When we arrived in Green Gully we talked with a lady in the cottage beside the road. Her first words to us were “you poor things”. We inadvertently herded a number of cattle up the hill to where we had had to leave our cars, arriving there at 4pm. I was wondering whether we Inside it is more than a home, it is a would be able to get across Megalong personal gallery of photo images that Crossing on the drive out, however, as yields deep insight into the lives of Dave had predicted, the break in the rain bushwalkers Jim and Pam Lawler, was enough for the water level to balanced lives of serenity and subside. We crossed there easily and tranquility. proceeded to the Megalong Valley The gallery spans nearly four decades of tearooms. selected images from across natural Thank you to all members of the group Australia. Each picture image has a for attending on such a damp day. We story. Behind the story there are great were able to have a good stretch and we memories that recall incidents from as saw Carlon and Breakfast Creeks and simple as boiling the billy, or capturing Mobbs Swamp as we might never see that elusive time of sunrise, to the them again. demanding patience required to achieve the definitive shot of a circling insect. CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME We move into a family room at the back of the house where the sun is streaming Thank you to all who sent in articles. in. Pam says, “I hope you don’t use a Please send anything you think will recording device”. “No”, I reply, “Tape interest our members to Lynne Outhred recorders put people off and the [email protected] or conversation becomes stilted - I just 106 Chapman Ave, Beecroft NSW 2119 look, listen and absorb.”

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Pam and Jim were walking in the early able to see and record life through a 1960s. Pam recalls walking as a visitor macro lens. I thought I took some good with the Caloola Club. This group used pictures, but if I was to put one of my to travel around in a retired WWII air ‘pride and joy’ shots down next to one of force bus, identifying tracts of bush that, Pam or Jims - it would just looks clumsy in their opinion, should be earmarked for and inept against such masters. National Park status. The driver of this A classic situation occurred while we bus and member of the group was a guy were talking. Jim was showing me a called Bill Dingeledi. The naming of a picture of an exquisite moth – maybe be picnic/camping area within the Bouddi 10-12mm across the wings in real life, National Park after him is in recognition but 4x the size in the picture. It was so 1 of his services . good individual cilia could be seen. Then Members of the Caloola Club included as if on cue a live specimen flew in Beryl McLean, Ruth Milton (secretary to through the open door. It was tiny, yet Bush Club co-founder Marie Byles), Jim with infinite patience had waited for Alan Strom, Beryl Strom, (nee Nippress) this delicate lepidopterid to settle and Alan Fox and a number of ‘University display. Using acquired skill and types’. Member Clarice Morris was patience we could all now look at this Pam’s entry to Caloola events. The work of art at our leisure. Caloola Club merged (or was it Jim and Pam then used two words that submerged?) with the National Parks few bushwalkers use, but all experience Association soon after it was formed in to a greater or lesser extent on every 1957. walk – ephemera and euphoria. On this At the time Jim lived in the ‘bush,’ just topic we talked about the realities of off Fullers Road, Chatswood. His Aunt nature – sunrise, sunset, the transient and Uncle operated a dairy there. Pam nature of the insect world, capturing and Jim got to know each other playing special moments, some lasting just tennis and also at church fellowship. milliseconds. They were married in 1963. The album collection is full of images The discussion moved on to their that should be more widely shared. I favourite walking areas. I was surprised suggested to Jim that between them a to learn that West Head (Ku-ring-gai book of local nature studies already was Chase), Heathcote and the Royal there to be collated, documented and National Parks topped the list. I probed printed. Ku-ring-gai Council would have deeper. Jim’s reply was not unexpected. no hesitation in endorsing it. “There is such a rich experience to be Pam and Jim may hold the current record enjoyed.” To back up his claim, out for active Bush Club membership. Jim came some albums of pictures. Not just joined on November 15th 1965, Pam on shots taken casually of scenery. These August 14th 1971. At the time there was were serious studies. These pictures no requirement for both partners of a were so good they looked almost three- couple to join- provided one joined the dimensional - insects flashed their other could tag along. In practice Pam wings; birds with piercing beady eyes was a member from the day Jim joined. stared straight at you; tight buds unfurled Great names from that time included their beauty to perfection – all straight Albert and Joan Fried, Rob Hay, Flora from the page. Graham, Rosalie and Howard Graham, Pam and Jim are masters of the Barbara Guest, Wally McGrath, Nance photographic craft, particularly being Stillman and Pearl Gillott. As Jim was a pharmacist, and working six days a week, the only time available 1 As shown on Gregorys “Detailed Street Map of for walking was on a Sunday. Public the Central Coast No. 503” Spring 2009 12

transport was the way to get to the start of a walk. The ritual of boiling the billy Web Information was universal and an open BBQ fire was www.bushclub.org.au the usual format for lunch with meat grilled on green sticks. Children were Our Bush Club website always welcome. Always there but always changing - Whilst walking close to home has been Photos, photos and more photos; have a ‘bread and butter walking,’ Pam and Jim look at the photo gallery for the latest both love camping. Jim says with real changes. emotion, “There is nothing like waking Follow Maureen's meander to up in the morning to the sound of the Melbourne birds trilling a welcome to the new day.” Ideas to make it easy for new leaders; This image triggered another long find them on the Notes for leaders and discussion about the transient glories that walkers page. happen every day in the bush which

most of the population never experience. • planning a walk finding a walk to lead When it comes to specific extended • walks they both waxed long and strong • coping with the one page of about the beauty of Hinchinbrook Island. paperwork The evidentiary photo albums came out Make our online Noticeboard one of and I could feel the palpable pleasure as your favourites - see what's new with they relived the trip. It is an uplifting one click. experience to hear two bushwalkers so Jacqui Hickson passionate about their shared times and

connectedness with nature. Other trips that have had huge impacts Office Bearers 2009-10 include the Goulburn River National Park. Jim talked at length about the rich President Bob Taffel 9958 6825 time of the camping experience. He Vice President John Cooper 9899 1747 spoke with passion of early mornings, Vice President Lynne Outhred 9879 6709 the clearing mist, the insect and bird life Club Secretary Carol Henderson 9879 6709 Assistant Graham Conden 9869 0834 and the multi sensory wonder of each Secretary such event. It is clear that Pam and Jim Treasurer Bob Wood 9531 0135 extract a lot more from bushwalking Walks Secretary John Cooper 9449 7369 than most – it is more of a body and soul Membership Sandra Bushell 9899 1747 renewal that occurs with each interface – Training Officer Tony Hickson 9419 2546 it is an extrasensory dimension that Jim SNW Coordinator sums up frequently with the simple Newsletter Bev Barnett 9876 3252 phase of having “rich experiences”. Committee Lynne Outhred 9484 2657 Webmaster Jacqui Hickson 9419 2546 I think I came away with a better Librarian Mikael Keats 9144 2096 understanding of why some bushwalkers Social Secretary Michael Pratt 9588 2894 – myself included take so many pictures Insurance Officer Trevor Brown – we wish to capture quintessential Database Ron Mead ephemera that make up our lives. The manager camera unfortunately only does the Committee Trevor Brown Members visual record. The sounds, the smells, the Robert Robinson tactile sensations and the emotions of the John Wilson Honorary Auditor Terry Hogan moment have to be recalled. I think we Confederation Graham Conden use the visual image as a recall button. representatives Dick Weston I’m sure that Pam and Jim do and they Search and Kaye Birch are the richer for it. rescue Graham Conden representatives Dick Weston

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MAUREEN’S MEANDER TO As we walked along the broad acres of MELBOURNE STAGE 15 - 5, 6, 7, 8 Conjola Beach, the dunes provided JUNE 2009 shelter for the Nature Reserve. After morning tea at the By Maureen Carter northern end of Buckleys Beach we diverted from the coast along a sandy, SUSSEX INLET to forested track until we emerged at the Six other participants joined David and wide waters of Narawallee Creek where me on this stage of my meander with it empties into the Tasman Sea. On our David, a member of Sydney last visit we had easily waded across the Bushwalkers Club. Liz Wills, Rosemary creek but I was horrified to find a large McDougall, Jan Roberts and I are also expanse of cold deep water in front of Sydney Bushies. Pat Bell, Eric us. Liz suggested that I ask a young man Easterbrook and Judy Turner came along with a canoe to ferry us across and so I as Bush Club members. engaged the services of Jake to save us Over the four days of the June long all from a freezing swim in the swift weekend (most of us added the Friday) flowing waters. He was quite taken we walked a total of 22 beaches, aback when I gave him $20 for his explored many bush tracks and covered trouble but I think we all considered it a many kilometers. We took the small price to pay for a comfortable opportunity to stay each night at our crossing. Jan left us here to walk back to second home at Berrara, which fitted us Eric’s car, which she drove to Ulladulla. all comfortably, and each night we After a few ankle-deep water crossings enjoyed conversations around the dinner we landed at the most artistic toilet on table on diverse topics and there was no the coast at Narrawallee. A mutiny shortage of red wine. almost occurred as I insisted that we by- Much of the walking we did was through pass the picnic facilities there and move Conjola National Park, which stretches on to Beach. I heaved a sigh from Sussex Inlet to Lake Conjola along of relief when one lone picnic table the coast. The park contains a huge area emerged on a grassy spot overlooking of native forest, which stretches back to Mollymook Beach. It was a perfect the Princes Highway – 17 kilometres shady spot for lunch. away. Our house abuts the Park now, as Next followed two kilometres of golden it was created from Cudmirrah National sand heading for the ugly Mollymook Park and Crown Land just six years after Golf Club, which is very prominent on we bought there. the southern headland. Rosemary and I Here is just a taste of what we did on this walked a little way along a private road series of walks. where a client of hers once purchased a waterfront property. The group met up to Day 3 - Conjola Beach to Ulladulla walk down the steep steps onto Collers We drove in two cars to Conjola with a Beach. There we admired the peaceful later start today and by 10am we were Mollymook Bogey Hole where children enjoying views from strategically placed could safely bathe in its shallow natural platforms above Conjola Beach back to rock pools. I was pleased to find a few Green Island and south to Narrawallee in paths through the bush so there was a the distance. I had wanted to divert minimum of street walking as we made behind the dunes and walk along the our way around to the North Head of very beautiful Burrawang Track but Ulladulla, opposite Warden Head. David convinced me that our late start Here is the site of One Track for All, meant we needed to keep moving. which was constructed in 1998 by the Budawang Aboriginal Landcare Group. It consists of a cultural heritage tour with Spring 2009 14

carvings, signs and sculptures telling the VALE VI GILES history of the Milton Ulladulla area from an Aboriginal perspective. Unfortunately By Joan Adams the clever wooden sculptures with their Vi Giles passed away on 16 June, aged often funny stories are becoming badly 98 years. Vi's life experience strongly weathered. I did record my favourite supports an argument that bushwalking piece before it disappears altogether: is directly related to longevity. She 1770 Captain Cook sailed up became a member of the Bush Club in here for a bit of a look the early 1980s and was one of the most regular leader of walks, as well as a Tried to anchor, sea too rough! “Saw some Indians in the buff”. strong supporter of the walks of others, st throughout the metropolitan area. That 21 April that’s what he wrote, she loved the bush there is no doubt. Her now we tell our story about white contribution to the club during her active fella boat. years is most noteworthy. She was Big white bird came by one day, President from 1984 to 1986, Secretary don’t like us fly away 1987-1988 and Membership Secretary 18 summers down the track, from 1989 until 1995. Vi began to guess what? Buggers come back! undertake responsibilities within the From North Head some of the group Club at an age when most others were headed downhill to find a coffee shop casting off such duties, relaxing to enjoy and at 4pm we drove back to Conjola old age. Though Vi was generally quiet Beach to retrieve Eric’s car and head for and unassuming, the strength of her home leaving David to collect the others. personality was always evident. On the way back to the highway I spied Born in Orange in 1910, Vi's early a male lyrebird in full plumage, education was in a single teacher school. scratching for treats on the roadside. We She went on to high school and finished soon scrubbed up and devoured another with good results in her Leaving afternoon tea just before happy hour and Certificate, which led to her entry into a variety of tasty leftovers accompanied Teachers' College. Vi taught in infants’ by plenty of leftover wine too. Rosemary schools and loved the work she did. and Judy’s special chocolates made a After her retirement she spent some satisfying dessert at the end of a years teaching English to non-English wonderful day. speaking migrants, especially Koreans. I look forward to Stage 16, which will A very independent lady, Vi lived a full take us to , but I need to and active life. She was an avid reader. re-schedule this particular stage from the Her other interests involved local history end of June until mid-November. In and cultural activities, such as orchestral November we should have some perfect concerts, ballet and opera. Much of her spring conditions to allow us to swim in life was devoted to her family, her the many beautiful coves along the way. siblings and their children. She will be It will be interesting to compare the sadly missed by her grand, her great delightful NSW south coast with the grand and her great great grand nieces coast, which we are visiting in our two and nephews. months in Western Australia over winter.

If you do not have email, you can access Short Notice Walks by phoning: Lyndal 99532735, Chris 98991747, Carol 9879 6709, or Bob 9958 6825

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