RGSQ Bulletin

ISSN 1832-8830 Vol 49 no 11 December 2014 Published by The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc, a nonprofit organisation established in 1885 that promotes the study of geography and encourages a greater understanding and enjoyment of the world around us.

rich, culturally rich, and a great place The Mandarin Oriental Hotel provide In this issue to study all aspects of the room nights for visiting lecturers, the  Christmas Party development of a very successful Expedition Lecture Series Sponsor is  Christmas Close urban environment. I would like to The North Face, KPMG are the  Volunteers Needed thank Frank for all his work and all venue sponsor, and they even have  NW USA Trek Report part 2 my other travelling companions for a Beverage Sponsor from St.  Trek report their company on what was a very James’s Street in London, while the enjoyable and educational Review itself is sponsored by experience. ExecutiveCounsel. Part of our activities while in Hong The Royal Geographical Society of CHRISTMAS Kong was to visit The Royal Queensland and Royal GREETINGS Geographical Society Hong Kong’s Geographical Society Hong Kong evening lecture on The First Ascent have some considerable differences. On behalf of the Council and of the Angel Falls: the World’s RGSHK annual membership fee is Staff of The Royal Geographical Highest Waterfall, and the RGSHK quite a deal more expensive than Society of Queensland I would Annual Dinner where Paul Theroux, ours despite these rather powerful like to offer a warm 2014 America’s most famous travel author sponsors. was their guest speaker. While I Christmas Greeting to all our Looking at the list above, we have a don’t wish to comment on the content members and their extended couple of good airlines we might lean of either of these events, I believe families and wish you all a on here in Queensland, there are they may point us in the right prosperous and healthy 2015. many land developers, hotel chains direction regarding how we might Hope to see you all at some of are many, The North Face, finance similar events for our Katmandu and others are big in the our functions during 2015. members in the future. adventure clothing trade here, and Leo Scanlan Next Saturday (22nd November) your KPMG are also found in downtown President RGSQ Council are to meet at St. Brisbane. Francis Theological College at the RGSQ don’t actively approach back of RGSQ Milton to formulate a business for help. RGSHK engage at strategic plan. On the front of The least one speaker a week throughout Globe, the Annual Review of the year and I’m sure we can’t RGSHK’s activities for 2013 compete regarding the calibre of presented to all who attended their From the President many of these eg: Tony Wheeler, 2014 Annual Dinner, were the Lonely Planet; Dr. Alexander Kumar, 18 extremely tired trekkers arrived sponsors of various events. The home yesterday morning (Sunday Globe has some colour, a feature Patron: H.E. Paul de Jersey 16th November) from our latest article, and a number of short AC, Governor of overseas trek to Hong Kong. While it reviews regarding RGSHK events Queensland is not my intention to steal any of stretching back to April 2012. Their President: Mr Leo Scanlan Frank Birchall’s thunder by reporting lectures are a mix of geographical the day to day activities that appear topics related to people, place, later in this RGSQ Bulletin related to The Royal Geographical Society weather, political geography, a of Queensland Inc this latest trek, I feel I would like to number of short field trips, make a few comments. “Gregory House,” geography and nature, historical 237 Milton Road Frank’s choice of Hong Kong for our geography, and travel and culture Milton Qld 4064 first static overseas destination was mixed with some adventure topics. a very worthwhile exercise in Cathay Pacific are the airline Tel: (07) 3368 2066 studying one of the great cities of the sponsors, Hongkong Land provide Fax: (07) 3367 1011 world. Hong Kong is large, vibrant, premises for RGS HK’s office staff, Email: [email protected] Web: www.rgsq.org.au A Winter at the South Pole; The Hon. THE NORTH WESTERN this in our itinerary. I had driven past Victoria Glendinning, Raffles and the UNITED STATES TREK this partly finished memorial a couple Golden Opportunity: from Governing of years ago, taken a few brief Java to Founding Singapore; (Part 2) photographs and moved on – this Caroline Courtauld, The New Burma; The morning of day 10 we visited the time we actually stopped at the to name a few. site of the Little Big Horn Battlefield visitor centre. To my surprise, I thought the presentation was every On the positive side, RGSQ have about an hour out of Sheridan. This bit the equal of Mt. Rushmore and 350 members which, when we look was the site of the famous Battle of potentially, more spectacular. The at our very successful programme of the Little Bighorn where General carving was commenced in 1948 by treks, free lectures, events, and our George Armstrong Custer was Polish American, Korczak geography competition, we compare defeated in battle by the Plains Paderewski, and is continued today very favourably with RGSHK’s Indians. In a historical sense, this site by his wife Ruth and seven of their activities with over 2000 members. is quite significant in that while the children. Korczak died in 1982. RGS HK don’t own their own victory was the Indians, it heralded premises, they don’t have a their ultimate demise at the hands of This afternoon was again full of successful geography competition or the US Army, the destruction of surprises when visiting nearby a successful travel programme much of their culture and a new Custer State Park, also home to a either. chapter in European/Indigenous significant number of bison and wild relationship on the North American burros. The latter were eager to I will forward my copy of ‘The Globe’ Continent. Fortunately for myself, I make our acquaintance and plunder and other information to my fellow had visited the Little Big Horn whatever edibles they could – councillors within RGSQ for further Battlefield site some years ago as, cameras were again working thought and consideration. unfortunately, both myself and Kay overtime beside the bus. Leo Scanlan Rees were to visit the doctor on this particular morning so we were not Cheyenne, our next destination, was there with the rest of the group. Kay a good 310 miles and took up most and I were driven around Sheridan of the next day. In transit from by the engineer from the Holiday Inn Cheyenne to Denver, we had stops on an impromptu tour on the way to in Laramie where we visited the the doctor. Fortunately Kay had her University of Wyoming Campus and camera with her and we witnessed a their Geological Museum, and, still You and your friends number of mule deer and drove past later in the day, we visited the Budweiser Brewery in Fort Collins are invited Buffalo Bill Cody’s former residence. before finally arriving in Denver, the Mid-day saw us at Gerry and Gwen to the Society’s capital of Colorado in the early Geis residence on a working 10,000 evening. acre cattle ranch. A good wholesome Christmas country meal was enjoyed by all Denver, 5,280 feet above sea level before we ventured forth on a hay (the mile high city), is situated where ride around the property where we the Great Plains give way to the Party visited the pigs, the horses, the hay Rocky Mountains. Next day we storage, the chickens and their prize visited Rocky Mountains National 7:30pm Hereford cattle. Park, sat and listened to a ranger talk th about black bears, and toured the Tuesday 4 December From Sheridan we moved on next park from elevations from 8,000 to morning to Mt. Rushmore National 13,000 feet. Rain did close in around Memorial; that famous mountain lunch time at the top at Longs Peak “Gregory House” carving featuring the faces of George but by evening on our return to Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Denver, the weather was quite 237 Milton Road, Milton Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham warm. Lincoln. These mountain carvings, blasted out of solid granite, are the The next morning we had a brief stop Drinks, nibbles and good work of an extraordinary sculptor and walk around the Betty Ford Gutzon Borglum who carved them Alpine Gardens in Vail, then a further company provided. using explosives over a period of 14 lunch and mall stop in Grand years. The flags of the 56 states and Junction, before driving for a time Come along to meet old territories fly below this much visited along the Colorado and Gunnison icon of American culture. rivers to our destination in Moab. friends and make new Moab to Arches National Park and We had missed a couple of featured ones. then on to Canyonlands National stops earlier on in our tour, namely Park was truly a day to remember. Leavenworth, because of a road Arches is a very colourful rusty closure, and the Perce Nez Historical landscape of natural stone arches, Park because of a transportation towering pinnacles and balanced breakdown. As the Crazy Horse rocks, while Canyonlands which, I memorial is practically adjacent to had not previously visited, was every Mt. Rushmore we decided to include

RGSQ Bulletin Vol 49 no 11 December 2014 Page 2 bit as colourful and spectacular as would like to thank Jude and Wal Can You Help? the Grand Canyon further south. Anderson, Hans and Ruth Aeberli, Noel and Beverley Bowley, Graham As many members would be aware, From our overnight stay in Cedar and Ailsa Grieve, Roger and Glenda our Society organises the Australian City, we travelled to Bryce Canyon to Grimley, Beres and Lorraine Geography Competition. Over see a remarkable series of bizarre Johnson, Mike and Liz McInnes, 70,000 secondary school students shapes and spires called ‘hoodoos’. Gerald and Annette O’Sullivan, and from 761 schools entered the 2014 Here we were most fortunate to visit Graham and Kay Rees for your Competition. We need to call on our Bryce on a fine, clear day with company and your overall generous members again for their maximum light conditions which did enthusiastic spirit during the course help. We will be packing the initial reveal some exceptional colour and of this trek. mail-out to schools on Thursday 15 formation. This afternoon I January, and maybe finishing off the introduced our trekkers to the At the conclusion of our Trek Jude last bits on Friday 16 January. famous Paiute ATV Trail. I expect all and Wal Anderson left for Canada, enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon the Bowley’s, the Aberli’s, The In this mailing, all schools get the excursion driving their own ATV to an Grimley’s, and The Johnson’s flew same information so it is relatively old mining camp situated in the back to Australia, Graham and Ailsa straight-forward – no matching foothills of the nearby mountains. Grieve stayed on in Los Angeles, codes nor counting large numbers Our evening stop and final Graham and Kay Rees and Gerald involved! If you cannot help on those destination was Salt Lake City, Utah. and Annette O’Sullivan took a car dates but can fit in some time earlier from Salt Lake to travel further in the in January, you could help prepare Our last full day was spent firstly South West corner of the United the mailing envelopes. Other jobs crossing the causeway and exploring States while Mike and Liz McInnes come up in March (10th to 13th), Antelope Island State Park situated and ourselves also travelled parts of April and May. in the Great Salt Lake, and later in Arizona, Nevada and California. the day taking in a guided tour of If you can help give a few hours of Temple Square and the Mormon Leo Scanlan your time, please ring or email me in Temple in SL City. I’m sure all would the office and let me know you can have come away with some help in January, or later in the year. appreciation of what Mormanism Your help is greatly appreciated. was all about and the influence the Mormans have had in the Bernard Fitzpatrick development of this part of the 2015 Membership Renewals United States. Finally, in the late Society members who need to renew afternoon, we travelled the Wasatch their subscription for 2015 will find a Cableway to the top of the Wasatch Farewell to Hayley renewal form enclosed with this Mountains. In the evening we had a Hayley Freemantle has decided to Bulletin. We hope that all of you will very pleasant final meal to wind up explore new career directions and decide to renew to support the work the tour at the Garden Café at the will be finishing up with the Society of the Society and/or take advantage th Grand American Hotel. The service on the 9 December. She has been of our interesting programme of was superb and the hotel with the Society for nearly 8 years, lectures and treks. exceptional and testament to some originally as Project Officer and more surplus oil money in this part of the Members who already receive the recently providing clerical support for world. Bulletin by email and who are due to the office. renew will be sent a renewal form in For those of you who haven’t We would like to thank her for her the post. travelled with RGSQ before, I’m sure friendly support of the Society over you found this trek an extremely Members Database Update years, and we wish her all the best for the future. physical exercise in endurance and The Society is updating its sheer determination. While I’m not membership database and would sure of the exact mileage, suffice to like to ensure that member’s contact say we covered an approximate details we have are correct. A form My Local Geography 6000 miles and covered a vast area will be sent with renewal notices. Is there something of geographic of the North Western United States. Additional information will be interest where you live? Is there a I’m sure, when you take a deep requested. This information will help place in Queensland you would like breath, you will long remember many to assist the Society to better to share? We would like to hear of the highlights covered in understand the demographics of our about it. Washington, Oregon, Montana, members and provide input for future Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, planning of member services and Articles are welcome for the and Utah. activities. Society’s Bulletin. Email your article Our guide on tour was a lady from to [email protected]. Georgia, Janet Poss. To Janet I must Upcoming Bulletin deadlines: offer a very big thank you. Janet was a wealth of information, great fun and February – Friday 2nd Jan 2015 easy to deal with when suggesting or March – Friday 13th seeking alternatives. In conclusion, on behalf of Sharyn and myself I

RGSQ Bulletin Vol 49 no 11 December 2014 Page 3 Council Minute Secretary but again about HK$4(A$0.66) for a presented to the Head of School by trip. The layout of the underground Brian McGrath. A Certificate of Calling for a volunteer to be the is clear to read and understand, Appreciation was presented to Don Minute Secretary at the Society’s somewhat like the London Somerville by Frank Birchall for the Council meetings? Meetings are underground (good old Brits). What school’s continued participation in held every second Tuesday from stood out was the cleanliness of the the Australian Geography 6pm to 8:30pm at “Gregory House.” platforms, the helpfulness and Competition which is organised by If you would like to help the Society courtesy of the people. the RGSQ as a joint initiative with the please call Bernard in the Office: Australian Geography Teachers’ We spent a full day at Macau Island 3368 2066. Association. Wendy, from the travelling by turbojet. This was a RGSHK accompanied us and Portuguese colony and handed over enjoyed the contact with the school. to the Chinese in 1999. Being An invitation was offered for the outside Hong Kong, we needed our RGSHK to have closer ties with the Hong Kong Trek, Nov 2014 passports and travel documents and School. Travelling via Qantas from Brisbane were in and out of customs checks. we had a very smooth flight to and A hop on and hop off bus was a Some of us attended the RGSHK from Hong Kong. Our first glimpse of starting point for most of us, getting annual dinner which was a major a very densely populated city was an orientation of the area, we event for the society held at the from the bus, transporting us from thought. However there was no map Sports Hall of the Hong Kong the airport via to Hong Kong to follow indicating the route the bus Football Club. It was an interesting Island where we stayed at Harbour took and when we got off, it was night to get an understanding of the Plaza, North Point. Being evening, difficult to retrace steps to hop on. interests and activities of their we were dazzled by walls of lights as There were only 2 buses circulating society. The speaker Paul Theroux we travelled some 40 kilometres taking 45 minutes to go around. If (an American travel author of “Riding from the airport on into you missed the bus, waiting around the Iron Rooster”) gave the lecture. for another 45 minutes took up time. the dense high rise area of the inner During the 10 days we explored, The route did pass through the old city. On the ride in the coach captain visited and met many interesting high rise apartment blocks and the gave us our first geography lesson people, places and sites. by pointing out that Australia’s living conditions were very poor. A population density is about 2 people walk through the Old Portuguese We started off on an orientation site per square mile and Hong Kong’s churches and ruins was the focus of tour of Hong Kong Island visiting a was 17,900 per square mile. the trip. One of the delicacies was to Temple; The Peak for a great view of taste the famous Portuguese the city, going up by the Peak tram It was not easily recognised until we ‘custard tarts’ which were delicious. and coming down by bus; across to travelled within the city precincts and Travelling to the casinos was made the southern tip of the island where into the outlying areas during our easy and encouraged using free expatriates live; a sampan cruise stay that we appreciated the dense shuttle buses. The opulence of the weaving amongst the fishing boats forested mountains looming over the buildings and the enormous display with their catch hung up to dry; lunch city. About 80% of Hong Kong is of riches highlighted the great at the Jumbo Kingdom floating forested and 20% urban high density disparity between the rich and poor. restaurant; Dynasty jewellery and living and business activities. With a Being the gambling capital it is, much Stanley Markets for a shopping population of approx. 7 million of the money would be injected from spree. The evening was spent at the people occupying 20% of the land outside Macau. Royal Geographical Society of Hong mass the buildings have gone Kong’s meeting and lecture “The first The highlight of our trip was to the upwards. Being such a vibrant and ascent of the Angel Falls: the World’s AIS (Australian International School) business centred city, the transport highest waterfall” in the heart of Hong Kong. system is important to move people. Venezuelan jungle, a 21 day climb, The transport system is efficient, fast We travelled to Kowloon Tong by rail given by Ben Heason. and were met by Don Somerville and very well coordinated. We A trip to Lantau Island for the day (Head of Years 7-12). We were travelled by the main rail service was enjoyed, travelling by rail, bus introduced to the head prefects who MTR, buses and ferries. Trains were and ferry to visit the Monastery and took us to an arranged visit of a approximately every 2 minutes and the big Budda, climbing all 296 steps classroom during a geography matched up with the buses and to the top. A vegetarian lunch was lesson. This was followed by Grade ferries. Tunnels crisscross the city, served at Po-lin monastery followed 9 students presenting us with under Victoria Harbour and deep by an interesting walk through the questions on Climate Change. A underground, whilst many bridges village to the bus station. A bus trip good exchange of questions and span water and are built high above to Tai-O, a fishing village, was very answers followed. Morning tea was the ground with elevated walkways interesting, walking through the served and during this time, a for pedestrians. Seniors are treated village with such a variety of dried presentation of our Society’s 100th very well and we travelled many lines seafood of all types, fruit and anniversary book “A Dream in Trust: on the rail system for long distances vegetables on sale. Some went on a centenary history of the Royal for $2hk (A$0.33) a trip using our the boat ride and saw the “pink Geographical Society of Australasia, elders Octopus card. Likewise the dolphins” (Chinese white dolphins) Queensland, Incorporated” 1985 by ferries were cheap, some free to and others walked through and P.D. Griggs B.A. (Hons) was elders. The buses were the dearest around a part of the village. Housing

RGSQ Bulletin Vol 49 no 11 December 2014 Page 4 close together had exterior walls of at the members club on the 6th floor There once was a creek aluminium, steel or stainless steel to of the complex overlooking the track. protect them from fire and rust. It We also were taken to the paddock http://www.oncewasacreek.org/galle was a mix of simple and more to see the finish line and see the ry/historical/1946-aerial-imagery/ sophisticated housing. We passed winning horse and jockey of a race. This website explores the existence quite a large medical clinic and a It was a great night some winning of a creek that once flowed through school. Our trip home was by bus to some losing but all good fun. Rainworth, Rosalie and Milton. It a ferry at Silver Mine Bay which took Visiting markets was very popular at refers to historic maps and aerial us to Central Station and a train trip night and during the day. The Ladies photographs available from back to Quarry Bay, our stop. Market was popular as was Stanley PDOnline. We visited the New Territories (a return trip to this market) and the Brisbane City Council’s PDOnline heading out towards the Chinese Temple Street night markets. provides an online mapping boarder to Fanling and enjoyed a We tasted a variety of local foods application that can display aerial heritage walk. Buildings like the and visited a number of restaurants. photography over Brisbane from Tang Chung Ling Ancestral Hall built We did return to the Peak at night for 1946, 2007 and 2009. in 1525 stands amidst high rise dinner, there being many types of http://olr13.brisbane.qld.gov.au/website/MN_C apartments popping up to house the eating places. This enabled us to get P/bcc_user_agreement.htm growing population. Slowly the a good understanding of people and walled villages are being torn down place, their eating habits, and to be replaced by modern buildings. culinary tastes. It was all a great We also followed the first heritage experience. trail in Hong Kong at . We Behind the Scenes at the It was a very enjoyable trip, we had viewed a temple to worship the Archives many memorable moments and fisherman; the Yeung Hau Temple On Tuesday 18th November, a linked geographical, cultural aspects housing 3 statues of Hau Wong; Kam group of 30 met at Qld State of the ancient and modern Hong Fa (Patron Saint of Expectant Archives at Runcorn for a 'behind the Kong. Mothers) and To Tei (God of the scenes' tour. We were split into two earth). The Ancestral Hall, Myrl Allison groups with a guide each. Firstly, we first constructed in 1273 is a were taken into the public area to be magnificent three-hall structure. The given an idea of the process of cultural heritage is being well accessing the vast amount of maintained in this area and school material that is stored here. Many of children were there obviously have a us now plan to revisit to do our own class outing. There are 9 structures research. We then proceeded into in all. the main storage area visiting two large rooms, one basically storing We spent a day at Lamma Island RGSQ Office maps and the other huge tomes travelling by MTR and ferry. We containing Rates & Valuations, arrived at Yung Shue Wan ferry and Christmas Close Prisoner Records etc. The walked a good undulating (read The Society’s office will be closed for staff kindly had on show various steep) track across the island to Sok Christmas from close of business maps and books for us to view. Kwu Wan where we had a seafood Friday 19 December 2014, lunch at the ‘Lamma Hilton’!! (tongue We then enjoyed our BYO lunch in reopening on Monday 5 January in cheek). Fish farms are the main an on-site kitchen and garden area 2015. industry here. This island also has a before driving to the BCC Archives in large coal fired power station. Three Please note that the Society does not Moorooka. Here we were met by a high stacks stand out with no publish a January Bulletin. The 2015 long-standing, very passionate apparent particulate matter escaping lecture and trip programme will be Annabel who gave us a into the atmosphere. It looked very sent out with the February Bulletin in comprehensive informative talk while clean. late January 2015 we were gathered around a large, historic Qld maple boardroom The atmosphere over Hong Kong Kath, Hayley and Bernard have table. We were also given a quick was heavy with smog most of the enjoyed assisting members in 2014 rundown on how to access time of our visit but on our final day and we wish you and your families a documents & photos online at the we had a sunny day. Most of the safe and joyous Christmas and look BCC website. 'Behind the scenes' smog comes from the factories in forward to a vibrant year for the were old maps, books & paintings China, but it was pointed out to us at Society in 2015. which proved fascinating in particular the AIS that most of these factories the blueprint for the Walter Taylor are owned by Hong Kong interests. Bridge. They also indicated that there are 5 nuclear power stations over the A very successful end of year activity border in China. for 2014. A night at the Happy Valley night Kay Rees races was enjoyed by all. This is a must in Hong Kong. We had dinner

RGSQ Bulletin Vol 49 no 11 December 2014 Page 5 Administration Officer  Ensure smooth running of the “Gregory House” is close to public transport (across from Milton Position Vacant reception area and carry out office administration including Railway Station) and a car park is The Council would like to invite available. applications for the Administration answering enquiries, greeting Officer position with the Society. This clients, records management and A full Position Description can be position is permanent part-time (16 filing. obtained by sending an email to hours per week over 4 days). [email protected] or calling  Assist with preparation of the office and speaking to Bernard Among other duties and monthly and end of financial year Fitzpatrick. responsibilities this position will include: reports, financial/tax schedules. Applications are to be received at the Society office by Friday 5th of  Secretarial/executive support to  Maintenance of Society’s contact December. the Executive Officer and Society management databases. If you know of anyone who might be Council.  Assist with updating of Society interested in this position would you  Using MYOB to record accounts please have them contact the and Australian Geography receivable/payable, balancing of Society office. Competition websites. cash and credit card sales, tax invoice preparation, and end of month bank reconciliation.

RGSQ December 2014 Bulletin Farewell to Hayley Freemantle

Social , Tues 2 December 7:30pm Volunteer Days, Thurs and Fri January 2015 What: Christmas Party Trek Reports: Northwest USA (cont), Hong Kong Christmas Close: When: 19 December 2014 to 5 January 2015 Position Vacant: Administration Officer, part-time

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