Your Society Needs You! Centre, Lawson). Our Annual General Meeting will be held on The enclosed leaflet also contains details of Friday 31 March. As is usual at our general the key objectives that are being pursued by the meetings, we'll discuss environmental matters current committee. You will see that the objec- and listen to a guest speaker. But this meeting tives are very much conservation focussed. will have one important difference — we will Their achievement will directly help the Blue elect nineteen of our members to guide the Mountains environment. The committee tries to society for the next twelve months. spend minimal time on administrative matters. bulldozed and built on. One Serving on the Management Committee can Meeting agendas are structured so that highest way to prevent further be immensely rewarding. No prior experience is priority is given to conservation issues. Thanks destruction of these precious needed — just a commitment to serve the to our older members who raised funds in earlier swamps is by having them environment, and a determination to "make a times and current members who work in our listed under the Threatened difference". Native Plant Nursery, we have substantial funds Species Conservation Act. Our Society is probably the largest regional at our disposal, so the committee does not have The December newsletter environmental group in the State, possibly the to be involved in fund-raising. Your time on the reported that the Society had largest in the country. It enjoys respect from the committee will be very focussed — on helping nominated Blue Mountains community and from the agencies with which it the environment. Swamps as an “endangered deals. We have over 700 members and nearly Please give consideration to nominating for a ecological community” 40 years of unbroken service to the Blue position. Whilst our constitution allows for under this Act. Mountains environment. nominations to be received on the night of the Members are being asked There is a leaflet in this issue of Hut News AGM, we really need to be organised before- to assist further in gathering with details of all Management Committee hand to ensure that there will be at least one more information to support positions. You can obtain more information nomination for each position. To be nominated, our case. from members of this year's committee (see the all you need to do is ring 4759-1247 during Can you help by telling panel on the front page), or you can come along office hours, or 4757-3327 after hours, or us how large each of the as an observer to one or both of the remaining nominate on the night. following swamps was? committee meetings (on 19 February and 25 • Radiance Ave, Blackheath March at 9 a.m. at Mid-Mountains Community • North Katoomba Sewage were many claims made about the Treatment Plant Lithgow Silicon Smelter: condition of the National Parks, and the • Lyne Street area of South Katoomba EIS is incomplete and misleading effort that NPWS was making to control • South Katoomba industrial area, north A proposal to build a Silicon Smelter feral species. of Megalong St. and in the vicinity of at Lithgow brings with it bad news for Eric and Chris will give an overview Govett and Wilson Streets people in the Blue Mountains and of pest management in NPWS’ Blue • Falls Road, Wentworth Falls, opposite conservationists throughout the State. Mountains District, including an assess- fire station. Area bulldozed for The development includes a quartz ment of the priorities for their various residential development. mine at Cowra, a charcoal industry, and programmes. They will cover specific • North Wentworth Falls, residential intensified logging of western NSW and programmes, including blackberries, area to west of Taylor Avenue (at least local State Forests (including woodchips bush regeneration, pigs, cattle, dogs and lots 21-31). Cleared for houses. from Newnes Plateau). Environmental foxes. There will be time for your • Hazelbrook, western side of Alexander assessments of these industries have not questions. Avenue, being the upper catchment of been done. The meeting will be held on Friday Hazelbrook Creek. Swamp destroyed Some of our concerns are unsus- 25 February, commencing at 7.30 pm, at for house construction. tainable logging of western NSW forests, the Conservation Hut, Fletcher Street, • Woodford, Sutton Road area. Swamp species extinctions, B-double trucks Wentworth Falls. Visitors are welcome. destroyed for housing development. across the Mountains, and increased Are there other swamps you knew of? greenhouse gas emissions. Where Are the Lost Swamps? Where were they and how large? You We are asking members to write Do you know of any hanging swamps don’t need to be an expert to help, just urgently to the Premier Bob Carr. The in the Blue Mountains that don’t exist ring Lyndal Sullivan on 4782.1635 full story is on page 2. anymore? Many swamps have been February General Meeting “Hut News” , the newsletter of Blue Mountains Conservation Society Inc. Come to the February meeting P.O. Box 29, Wentworth Falls, 2782. Phone 4757 1872. Fax 4757 1753 and hear at first hand about feral Email [email protected] Web page: http//www.pnc.com.au/~bmcs species control in the Blue President: Imre Gahl, Ph:4784-3286 Second Vice President: Meredith Brownhill, Ph.4782.4823 Mountains National Parks from our First Vice President: Heather Coster, {Ph:Work 4759-1247, Home 4759.1837 guest speakers, Eric Mahoney and Membership Secretary: Ross Coster {Fax 4759-1095, Email: [email protected] Correspondence Secretary: Heather Coster (contact details above) Chris Banffy from NPWS Meetings Secretary: Heather Hull, Ph.4739.1493 Email [email protected] Blackheath. Land Use: Robin Mosman, Ph. 4757.1354; The Earth Sanctuaries Treasurer: Les Coyne, Ph:4757.3327, Fax:4757.2820, Email: [email protected] controversy highlighted the Bushwalks: Jim Wallace, Ph:4784-3305 Plant Nursery Manager: David Coleby, Ph/Fax:4784- importance of feral species control in 1395 Projects: Marion Hawley, Ph:4784-1933; Kathy Gott,Ph:4739-8124; National Parks. At the time, there Helga Esamie, Ph:4787.7690, Email: [email protected] Publicity: Position Vacant Bushcare: Laura Hays Ph:4782.7692, Email: [email protected] Education: Catriona Gillies Ph:4782-1235, Email: [email protected] Bushfire Rep: Hugh Paterson, Ph:4751-2303, Email: [email protected] Newsletter : Christine Davies, Phone 4787-7246 Fax 4787-7777 Email: [email protected] Hut News , No. 151, February 2000 — Page 1. misfortune. Don Morison. timber for charcoal plus the burning of the charcoal will add to emissions and is Lithgow Silicon Smelter: very old and inappropriate technology. In our Submission on the EIS to The reduction in timber supplies and loss Dept. of Planning, our first objection was of carbon credits also need to be that the proposal is incomplete and considered. The proponent rejects the misleading. The whole development alternative of low ash coal which is includes a quartz mine at Cowra, a considered suitable for use in other charcoal industry, intensified logging of silicon smelter technology. western NSW and local State Forests. Please write urgently to the Premier, Environmental assessments of these four The Hon R Carr (Parliament House, Welcome Federal Policy Shift associated industries have NOT been Sydney) to express your objections, and Federal Minister Senator Robert Hill done. The smelter EIS can only be ask for: announced late last year that a new properly considered in conjunction with • A deferred decision renewable energy contribution require- the environmental assessment of these ment for Australia’s electricity industry four industries. • A comprehensive regional assessment would be phased in from January 2001. NSW forests are to be logged for of western forests This means that by 2010, an additional charcoal and fluxwood (woodchips) . • Full and proper environmental 2% of Australia’s electricity will come The proposal's assurances about the assessments of the four associated from sources such as Solar Photovoltaic, sustainability of current forestry industries Solar Thermal, Wind, Oceans and practices in western and local forests are • A commission of inquiry to fully Rivers, Biomass or Energy Storage not supported with any evidence. consider all aspects of the proposal Technologies. The amount of logging involved is Katoomba Airfield The change represents one positive estimated to be 150,000 tons per year, Residents of Medlow Bath and North outcome from the otherwise which is more than is currently logged Katoomba do not consider the Katoomba disappointing Kyoto Climate from the whole southern forestry area — Airfield with much joy because of the Conference. The excessive share of coal from Nowra to Narooma, where timber “Joy Flights” which have originated from and the continuing advocacy of nuclear regrowth is faster. Increased logging of it in the past. It is located at the end of energy have major global and local western NSW will be unsustainable at Grand Canyon Road, Medlow Bath, impacts. this rate and will cause species inside the National Park. The airfield is BMCS has been campaigning since extinction. Bird populations in this area currently Crown Land and leased out to a the 1960s against the expansion of coal include 33 threatened endangered species private concern. mining across and beneath sensitive and 16 rare bird species. The Department of Land and Water natural areas. Any Australian nuclear In addition, the proponent wants Conservation is currently undertaking an energy industry would increase pressure another 30,000 tons per year from local assessment of the Crown land for its for transport of nuclear materials and forests, so Newnes State Forest with old suitability for either sale or further long waste across the Blue Mountains growth forest will be logged. Fluxwood, term lease. between the port of Sydney and inland or woodchips, are added to charcoal to Our preferred option is to see this Australia. add oxygen in the smelting process. “inholding” incorporated into the The initiative announced by Senator Newnes State Forest has been part of the National Park. This position has also Hill is much smaller and slower than proposed Greater Blue Mountains been taken by Council with the only most environmentalists would wish but it National Park since l932. The Society continued use being for emergencies (i.e. is a welcome first step. advocates the inclusion of Newnes State firefighting). The White and the Green of It Forest into the Gardens of Stone The site contains two hanging During years of protecting the catch- National Park. swamps which are currently being ment of the world-renowned Katoomba There will be an adverse impact on threatened by the sediment flowing off Falls, the Friends of Katoomba Falls Cox's River Catchment . The proposal the eroding airstrip. Sediment is also Creek Valley have been vilified by is vague about groundwater runoff which flowing into Katoomba Creek and various pro-development Council will flow into the Cox's River. Cooling Greaves Creek catchments and hence the members. A recent attack by Labor water with biocides are to be discharged Blue Mountains National Park. Councillor Mark Greenhill was similarly into the Wallerawang sewerage plant, Society members who know about worded to a September 1991 diatribe by adversely affecting the decomposition the history of this site or any conservative Alderman Scott Whitehair. process and reducing water quality in the environmental aspects are asked to help After criticising the ‘Friends’, Alderman Cox's River. by phoning Lyndal Sullivan on Whitehair faded into antiquity. Rail transport has been rejected . 4782.1635 (evenings). There will be a Perhaps the ‘Friends’ have now lost Road transport is to be used to transport public exhibition soon that members may their campaign to halt the Katoomba chemicals such as LPG and liquid wish to comment on; so watch the Golf Course resort. But then again (to oxygen from Sydney along the Great ‘Public Notices’ in the Gazette or ring us. phrase it in non-sexist terms) it’s not Western Highway. over till the fat councillor sings. The proponent opts for the largest Nursery Notes Another Useful Metaphor allowable vehicles to transport material Tuesday, 8 February 2000 is SALE Best wishes for a speedy recovery to such as silicon to Port Botany. B- DAY at our Blackheath Nursery. Tasmanian Senator Brian Harradine. doubles will be used to transport quartz, $2 Tubestock of Allocasuarina nana, Senator Harradine was lopping branches timber and charcoal on all roads west, A. littoralis, Banksia cunninghamii and off a tree when the branch he was sitting south and north of the smelter. Whilst B- Leptospermum polygalifolium will all be on broke! Premier Carr, who has made doubles are not allowed on the Great marked down to $1.50. Also our $4 pots recent speeches about how other people Western Highway at present, it is clear of Correa alba, Goodenia decurrens, should make more environmentally that they are the preferred choice of Lomandra longifolia, Westringia responsible decisions, needs to take transport. B-doubles are 25m in length, brevifolia, Plectranthus parviflora, careful note of his fellow politician’s with a capacity of 38 tonnes per vehicle. Prosthanthera phylicifolia, Grevilleas Do we want these travelling through the royal mantle and barklyana will all come Blue Mountains World Heritage area? — down to $3. An opportunity for some Membership Enquiries NO! inexpensive summer planting, so be there Contact Ross Coster Greenhouse gas emissions are not between 9 am and 12 noon. (Phone --- Work) 02 4759.1247 adequately minimized. The proposal We are in the NPWS Workshop (Phone --- Home) 02 4759.1837 involves very high usage of electricity Compound at the end of Lyndsay Lane, (Fax) 02 4759.1095 from Delta, with resultant CO2 behind the Heritage Centre on Govetts (Email) [email protected] emissions not calculated. The burning of Leap Road, Blackheath, about 3 kms (Post) PO Box 29,Wentworth Falls 2782 Hut News , No. 151, February 2000 — Page 2. Spinebills (several), Silvereyes (several), Weekend at Dunn’s Swamp White browed Scrub Wrens (2), Grey Greenhouse Corner 11-12 March, 2000. Shrike Thrush (1), Yellow Robin (1), Lighting Members and friends of the Society Rufous Fantail, adult feeding young — Each year, electricity are invited to the Second Annual Blue seven species, very active, chirping and for lighting an average Mountains Conservation Society Camp feeding. Australian home generates at Dunn’s Swamp, on 11-12 March, 2000 It was most interesting to watch their almost three-quarters of a Dunn’s Swamp, dammed to supply feeding habits, the Thornbills and tonne of greenhouse gas water for the Kandos cement works, is a Silvereyes picking minute insects from and costs about $80. lake in the Cudgegong River, on the the small branches of trees and shrubs. Install energyenergy----efficientefficient north-western side of the Wollemi Spinebills, with brush tongues and long National Park. It is a beautiful area, with lightinglighting. Fit lower wattage curved beaks getting nectar from Banksia globes in bright lights, wonderful pagodas and rock faces. serrata and Mountain Devil flowers. Reeds along the sides of the lake give especially down lights and Scrub Wrens turning over leaves on the spot lights: save up to 40% of greenhouse gas. refuge to a great variety of water birds ground for insects. Yellow Robins and platypus. Reflector-back lamps of lower wattage provide perching sideways on tree boles watching more useful light in downlights or spotlights while We plan to arrive at Dunn’s Swamp to pounce on any insect that moves on the for lunch on Saturday. If you want to generating less greenhouse gas. Low voltage forest floor. Rufous fantail catching lamps are not low energy lamps: each one know how to get there .. need a lift .. can insects in the air and Shrike Thrush eating give a lift .. want to borrow a tent .. could insects too large for other birds. generates a kilogram every 15 hours — about the loan a tent .. phone Mary 4757.4133 or Why do they feed together? Perhaps same as an ordinary 60 watt globe — although Christine 4787.7246. they like company — perhaps one species they do produce more light. Use light fittings which allow most light to pass through - coloured disturbs insects for another and vice- Reminder: versa. glass often cuts light output by half, creating a 13 Feb. One-Day Bushcare Course But only the Thornbills and Silvereyes need for higher wattage lamps. An introduction to bushcare, Sunday appear to compete for food and it would Use lights efficientlyefficiently. Turn off unnecessary 13 February, a one-day hands-on course. probably be found that they eat different lights, including fluorescent lamps. Timer Phone Meredith 82.4823, after 5 pm. sorts of insects. Each species has its controls and daylight or movement sensors are Wentworth Falls Lake Bushcare niche and lives harmoniously together now available to switch off lights automatically. The Lake Bushcare Group has been with other species in the one environment. Paint rooms light colours. Dark wall colours operating energetically for almost two Only modern Man, “lord of Creation” absorb light, increasing the amount of lighting years now. Rae Druitt has been the is unable to do this and is likely to come needed. Modern dimmer controls reduce strong centre-pin on the community along and wreck the whole set-up with a greenhouse gas emissions as they reduce light front, but many other residents of the bulldozer! Graham Alcorn. output. They also extend lamp life. Use desk area have been keen to lend a hand. The lamps or standard lamps where most light is days are always productive and fun, with Welcome to New Members needed, so less lighting is required in the rest of afternoon teas and lots of good humour a Mari Rosney, David Kelly, Blackheath the room. Clean lamps and fittings: over time, must. Mary Gleeson, Colin Stanley, Warrimoo dirt build-up reduces light output. Use daylight The beautiful bushland surrounding Jane Foreman Philip Cannon, Went.Falls Heather Flanagan, Hazelbrook instead of artificial lights — but do not overdo it the lake is a classic island of nature — large windows and skylights add to summer amongst a sea of houses. Also it is the Margaret Allen, Springwood Garth, Helen Blake and Family, Strathfield heat and winter cold. upper most part of the catchment for What About Me? Some of you might be Jamieson Creek. These are two strong Valerie Noonan, Hazelbrook Herman Kozelj, Katoomba wondering if I practice what I preach. reasons to properly care for and manage I drive a four cylinder car that runs on this area. So far the group has achieved Di Johnson, George Zdenkowski, Leura D Lynch, Lane Cove unleaded petrol (but I wish I could buy a vehicle bush regeneration progress on four sites that used a renewable, greenhouse-neutral fuel). around the lake. This work has followed David and Janet Llewelyn, Gordon Lynton Auld, Mt Victoria I walk or cycle to work most days (although this the strategy of working from good to bad is part of a fitness program rather than an effort bush on each site. Shirley, John and Timothy Elliott, Leura Kate Hamilton, Katoomba to reduce greenhouse emissions). I recycle paper, The group enlisted the help of Went- cardboard, aluminium, glass, milk cartons and worth Falls TAFE students to build a Books on the Environment PET plastic bottles, both at home and at work. lovely bush track with sandstone steps, a The following four books are My home includes three skylights in the house, formally highly degraded access path to inexpensive ($20 or less, being paper- and two on the back porch. the lake. BMCC Environmental Weeds backs). The first two are from overseas, The front entry light at my home has an Team has supported the group by the second two are by Australians. infra-red sensor, and turns itself off after one targeting Broom and Portuguese Heath a Ponting, Carl, A Green History of the couple of times a year. minute. Every light in my home is a compact World. Penguin Books 1993. This book flourescent. Every light at my office is a To the residents of the Wentworth traces the history of human exploitation Falls Lake surrounds: The bush still flourescent tube. I am a fanatic about turning off of the environment. An absolute must- lights, much to the annoyance of my family and needs so much more help. Come down read for anyone interested in the subject. on the 3rd Saturday afternoon of each Diamond, Jared, Guns, Germs and staff. During a kitchen renovation last year, we month (give Rae a call on 4757 4020 for Steel. Vintage 1998 (Pulitzer Prize 1998). changed over to natural gas for cooking. more info.) The day will be full of Diamond illustrates how the environment So while I might not be perfect, I am having a interest and fun, and we will do some has shaped human society and history. go! What about you? great work in a very special part of the Five hundred pages but very readable. Ross Coster, Membership Secretary mountains. O’Connor, Mark, This Tired Brown Land. Duffy and Snellgrove, Sydney Looking Back .... 1998. The title, referring to Australia, NSW 1997. (From: Issue No 4, March 1971) says it all. — Jill Curnow, Hampton.. Walkabout with Graham: A Lesson Tod, Peter, Stop Thieving from our The Grandeur from Birds Children. Available from the author, 536 We stand transfixed The breeding season being over for Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane Rock formations of humanity most birds, they have left their breeding 4069. Again the title is self-explanatory. On the edge territories and are foraging around in The fifth book is more expensive, but Sweeps of grey, flocks — mixed — old and young birds beautifully produced and illustrated. All Green valleys lie at our feet. and very often mixed species. libraries should have a copy. Proud golden sandstone faces For instance in a grove of casuarinas White, Mary, Listen...our land is crying: Challenge our right, to be one, near Leura Kiosk on Feb 26, the writer Australia’s environment: problems and With this mighty show of Nature’s defiance. saw: Striated Thornbills (several), solutions. Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst Pauline Smith 1998. Hut News , No. 151, February 2000 — Page 3. CleanClean----UpUp Australia Day DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Sunday, 5 March 2000 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Come along on Clean-Up Australia FEBRUARY 5 Bushwalk 7 LeisWalk 8 Bushcare 10 Summer 12 Bushwalk 13 Course Day and help at Blue Mountains 14LeisWalk 16Bushcare Bushwalks 19MCMeet 20 Bushwalk Conservation Society's clean-up sites: 21LeisWalk Commence 25GenMeet 26 Bushwalk Upper Mountains -- Katoomba Falls 28LeisWalk (8 weeks) Reserve. MARCH 4 Bushwalk 6 LeisWalk 11-12 Dunns Swamp Camp 9 am to 12 noon, meet near Katoomba 13LeisWalk 14 Bushcare 15 Bushcare 19 Bushwalk Falls Reserve kiosk. Contact Kate 20LeisWalk 25MCMeet 26 Bushwalk Hamilton 4782.1440. 27LeisWalk 31 AGM Lower Mountains -- Mitchell's Pass, Glenbrook. FEBRUARY 9 am to 12 noon. Meet near the bridge, 13 (Sun) A One-Day Bushcare Course. (See Page 3) Mitchell's Pass. Contact Heather Hull 19 (Sat) Management Committee , 9 am, Mid Mountains Community Centre. 4739.1493. 25 (Fri) General Meeting , 7.30 pm, at the Hut. Eric Mahoney and Chris Bring gardening gloves. Wear sturdy Banffy — Feral Species Control in our National Park (see page 1) shoes and a hat. MARCH Phone the co-ordinator (details 05 (Sun) Clean-Up Australia Day. Details on this page. above) for more information, and watch 11-12 (Sat/Sun) Weekend Camp at Dunns Swamp. (See page 3) the Blue Mountains Gazette for details of 25 (Sat) Management Committee , 9 am, Mid Mountains Community Centre. other clean-up sites in your area. 31 (Fri) Annual General Meeting , 7.30 pm, at the Hut. Guest: Tom Widdup from the Colong Foundation — Wilderness 2000 Campaign. Always Something KIDS’ CLUB Activities for Under 16s are in the Kids’ Club Newsletter . Phone Ross Coster New to See 4759.1247 for a copy of the newsletter. Contact Jessica 4757.2783 for more info. (Bonnie Doon, 18 January 1990) BUSHCARE (Tools provided — bring morning tea and gloves.) On this day the Conservation Society FEBRUARY planned to walk the new Bonnie Doon 14 (Tues) Valley of the Waters Bushcare Group. Contact Jessica 4757.2783 for track, which is part of a plan to extend the meeting place. (following Tuesday if wet). the cliff walks from Wentworth Falls to 15 (Wed) Digger Cooper Reserve Bushcare Group. Meet 9 am at the Reserve the Marked Tree ... All the walkers were (GWH, West of Sorenson Bridge). Contact Ross Coster 4759.1247. keen to sample this path through an area BUSHWALKS (Usually day walks — bring lunch and minimum 1 litre water .) which was popular in the past. ... FEBRUARY Along the path the main flowers 05 (Sat) Horseshoe Falls . Meet Hazelbrook railway carpark (southern side) today were the trigger flowers. The 9.30 am. Contact Kate McManus 4758.7936. Medium. children tried to make the triggers work. 12 (Sat) Junction Rock via Govett’s Leap. Meet Blackheath railway carpark. Two magnificent heads of Christmas 10.15 am. Contact Meredith Brownhill 4782.4823. Hard, steep ascent. Bells by the track took everyone by 20 (Sun) Diamond Falls. Meet Katoomba Railway (Gearin’s Hotel), 9.30 am. surprise. A tiny orchid grew in a Contact Jim Wallace 4784.3305. Medium/Hard. dangerous position in the middle of the 26 (Sat) Glow Worm Tunnel, Newnes Plateau. Meet Mount Victoria Station 10.15 a.m. Contact Meredith Brownhill 4782.4823. Easy. Long drive. path. The really fervent naturalists knelt MARCH down, bottoms up, inspecting it through 04 (Sat) Empire Pass. Meet Lawson Bowling Club carpark 9.30 a.m. Contact magnifying glasses and arguing about its Bill Tocher 4758.8545. Medium. Many steps. name. 11-12 Dunn’s Swamp Weekend (see page 3). Plenty of little lizards froze in their 19 (Sun) Jungle Circuit. Meet Blackheath railway carpark 10.15 a.m. Contact tracks until we moved too close, then Denis Golding 4787.5412. Medium. Slow steep ascent in shade. they flicked away. There were 26 (Sun) Ten Trees Walk. Meet outside school, Grose Road, Faulconbridge, at butterflies too. 10 am. Contact Frank Winternitz 4751.2957. Easy. Learn how to We ... took a side track to another identify trees! lookout, very windy but looking on to an LEISURE WALKS (Usually morning walks — bring a drink and morning tea.) orange rock above fold upon fold of **Slippery and uneven surfaces. Please wear shoes with a good tread. valleys and mountains ... If this is your first Leisure walk with the Society please contact the leader. Fred and I dropped back on the climb FEBRUARY back up the road from the first lookout, 07 (Mon) Clifftop Walk, Gordon Falls to Leura Cascades . Meet Leura Station as it was hot by then. Once back at the carpark 8.30 a.m. Contact Kees Putting 4759.1958. cars we found the group clustered under 14 (Mon) Dante’s Glen and Empire Pass. Meet Lawson Bowling Club carpark, 8.30 am. Contact Anna Marie 4759.2353. a tree where a large nest was anchored. 21 (Mon) Govett’s Leap area, Mystery Walk. Meet Blackheath Neighbourhood Our animal expert tapped very gently on Centre, 8.30 a.m. Contact Jan Cutler 4784.3079. BBQ afterwards. the trunk and a tiny possum looked over. 28 (Mon) The Nature Trail. Meet at The Hut 8.30 a.m. Contact Corrie Brook Dai said that anything more than the 4757.4574 gentlest tap would cause the mother to MARCH (Meeting time now 9 a.m.) move the baby to another nest ... (Grace 06 (Mon) Minna Ha Ha Falls. Meet Gearins Hotel, 9 am. Contact Kees Putting Bayley, from her book “Taking it 4759.1958. BBQ afterwards. Slowly”) 13 (Mon) Inspiration Point. Meet Fairmont Resort, lower carpark, 9 am. Contact Jan Cutler 4784.3079. Grose Walk 2000 20 (Mon) The Walls Lookout. Meet Mount Victoria Station, 9 a.m. Contact 11-19 March, 2000 . Bill Graham 4759.1692. Come summer/autumn weed killing 27 (Mon) The Tessolated Pavement Meet Mount Victoria Station 9 a.m. for the millenium! Put these dates in Contact Jan Cutler 4784.3079. Longer walk — take lunch. your diary. Details: Cath Ireland, Bushwalks have been graded: Easy — Relatively easy grades and good surfaces. Suited to most NPWS 4787.8877. people. Medium — Mostly good surfaces, but some rough or steep sections. Suited to people of average fitness. Medium/Hard — includes rough or steep sections some of which may require clambering over natural obstacles. Hard — Strenuous walks involving steep ascents or descents over rougher terrain. Suited to fit and experienced walkers. If this is your first walkwalk, or you are in any doubt, contact the leader or Bushwalks Convener Jim Wallace 4784.3305.

This issue of Hut News has been printed on 100% Recycled Paper Hut News , No. 151, February 2000 — Page 4.