President’s Report 2013 This year has again been a busy and successful one. We are at the forefront of Bushwalking Clubs in our provision of a regularly updated electronic program, online renewal of membership and submission of walks. It’s also been the second year of my presidency, so thank Spring 2013 you everyone, especially the committee members, for giving me www.bushclub.org.au support and assistance along the way. Walks Program Spring p. 21

Walks Reports Winter p. 29 I am fortunate to have such a wonderful committee. Its members have a diversity of skills and contribute ideas and opinions on behalf of you all. The Club would Email not function without the work all Walk submissions for the newsletter these members do. Not everyone [email protected] needs to attend meetings, some Short notice walks work quietly in the background, but all work steadily for the good of the [email protected] club. Postal address Walks Secretary Core Business – Walks PO Box 3079 Program Regents Park. Thanks to John Cooper, Geoff NSW 2143 Suggate, Jacqui Hickson, Ron Mead, Ian Mustchin and all our leaders for the program itself; to Sandra Bushell for organising the New Leader Training Web Information and Program; to Alan Sauran for Notice Board monitoring safety and insurance.

www.bushclub.org.au The electronic program has been further developed during the past year. Geoff updates it at least twice a week to show new walks and changes to existing walks. For those who submit their walks online Please send anything you think will we will soon move to a single form interest our members to and the printed program will be Judy O’Connor taken directly from the online [email protected] program rather than developed separately and merged.

The committee has strengthened the approval process for walks submitted to the online program sharing your knowledge and between the regular quarterly enjoyment of the Central coast with programs. Any walk: our members.

• of grade 4 or higher; or 75 National Parks Project which involves abseiling, • The official start date for this project canyoning, cycling, kayaking or was 1st May 2013 with completion by any similar adventure activity; 31st August 2014. The aim will be to or publish a book in October 2014. A • is not submitted by an running list of walks nominated for experienced leader (one who inclusion in the project is being kept on has led at least three Club our website. I encourage all leaders to walks) think of walks in different National Parks to celebrate our 75th. is reviewed by several committee members to ensure that in their view it Our Lifeblood – new does not represent an unacceptable risk for members. This procedure members protects not only the Club, but all Thanks to Kevin Yeats our leaders and participants. Membership Secretary and to Col Prentice who filled in when Kevin Over 400 walks were advertised in the was overseas. printed program since the last AGM with more advertised on the electronic Our Club is still growing. This time last program. About 10% of these walks year we had about 750 members and are multi-day trips, within and prospective members. This year the overseas. We seem to be going further total is approaching 850. The website afield, with trips to the UK, Europe, and word-of-mouth attract new South America, Sri Lanka, Turkey and members. The website shows our Morocco. walking program and members’ photos. Both encourage people to join. Our training officer, Sandra Bushell, Despite our large size, we need to organized a leader-training course last preserve our reputation as being a year, which eight members attended. friendly club. Prospective members Sandra, Graham Conden, Trevor need time to adjust to different leaders, Brown, Bob Taffel and Ian Mustchin some may find we walk at a fast pace, provided input and Graham later ran others may be unsure what to bring, or an introductory session on map- how to decide if they are fit enough for reading for beginners. Another training harder walks. Members can smooth day is planned for later this year. Carol this adjustment process by welcoming Henderson contacts new leaders after prospective members and offering their first two walks to ensure all has advice and support. gone smoothly. Ensuring the Club runs An exceptional run of five accident- free months ended in April with a smoothly series of unfortunate events. Over the Thanks to Geoff Bates, Carol last four years the average has been Henderson, Bob Taffel and John about one accident a month. The Club Wilson. subsidises members who undertake I have been away (quite often this first aid training. year). They have chaired meetings One of our leaders, Bill Macks, has and taken on anything that needed retired from leading. Thank you Bill for attention in my absence. the many walks you have led and for Our Secretary, Carol Henderson is members up-to-date with happenings amazing. She knows what needs to be relevant to members. done and comes up with creative ideas, as well as keeping us organized Our editor, Judy O’Connor produces and up-to-date with various matters, the quarterly newsletter, our major such as correspondence, room publication, while Bev Barnett and bookings, etc. Room bookings are Tam Khuat organize its printing and rather like Harry Potter’s invisibility postage. cloak – now you see them, now you No communication with members don’t. would be possible without the efforts of Geoff Bates took over as Assistant Ron Mead who maintains our member Secretary last year and has kept the information and produces the Walks minutes and updated our policy Reports. document so we know what we have agreed to do. Enjoying Social Functions

Thanks to Graham Lewarne and In the black – our Finances John Wilson. Thanks to Barbara Mitchell. Graham Lewarne and John Wilson were responsible for the success of In the last financial year we made a the Club’s 73rd birthday party at Manly small surplus. Our main expenses Dam. A wide variety of walks were continue to be insurance, newsletter offered – thank you to the leaders: Bev costs and confederation affiliation. Our Barnett, Alison Briscoe, Trevor Brown, bank balance is healthy with a balance Chris Paine, Paul Shea, Michael of about $18,000 to allow for Keats, Bill Macks, Bob Taffel, Kevin unforeseen contingencies. Recently Yeats and Doreen Anderson. There we changed the fee structure so that was a good roll up, with members prospective members now pay the coming from different directions to same fees as members. chat, share cake and a ‘cuppa’ – Some members gave donations when unfortunately Graham’s idea for they paid fees and so the Club cappuccinos did not eventuate. The donated $100 each to: new club banner was much admired; • The Blue Mountains thanks to Graham Conden for Conservation Society organizing its purchase and for • The Colong Foundation climbing trees to put it up with help • The Koscuisko Huts from Bob Taffel. Association • The Foundation for NPWS. The Leaders’ BBQ, an annual event to thank our leaders and committee members for the work they do Communicating with throughout the year, was held in members – Website, March at Kevin Yeats’ house. Graham Lewarne ensured the evening ran Newsletter and Bulletin smoothly and personally cooked the Thanks to Bev Barnett, Jacqui delicious ham. Hickson, Tam Khuat, Ron Mead and Graham is also responsible for Judy O’Connor. organizing our post-AGM function and finding a venue where members can Our website, designed and maintained move around and socialise. by Jacqui Hickson, is constantly being revised as Jacqui thinks of new ideas I would also like to thank of interest to members. Jacqui also Michael Keats for maintaining the produces the Bulletin, which keeps Club’s library of maps, books, documents etc. and Keith Maxwell for contributed to its success over three- his help and advice related to the quarters of a century. Bushwalkers’ Wilderness Rescue Squad. Keith is such an enthusiast The Bush Club’s turning seventy-five and attends all our meetings. Dick Enabling spirits to revive, Weston represents the Confederation, Oh what a joy to be alive. now Bushwalking NSW and regularly From the mountains to the sea attends our meetings. Bob Wood, our Blazing trails with hope and glee, past treasurer, still helps keep us And in the end, a cup of tea! financially secure by acting as our auditor.

Challenge for the Future Maintaining the number and diversity of walks With our increased membership, we need to train new leaders on a regular ______basis. Everyone can help these new leaders to gain confidence and ext time you’re walking around experience by going on their walks. Garrawarra Hospital on the We encourage all members to lead N South Coast, spare a thought walks so participant numbers remain for the 2000 tuberculosis victims manageable. buried in the nearby forgotten

Continuing to develop easily- accessible technological solutions that make life easier for our committee The Electronic Program quickly supersedes the printed Walks Program although the latter still lists many walks. We are currently working on how we can make the Walks Waterfall Cemetery. They were Program easily accessible for smart patients at what was then Garrawarra phones and tablets. Hospital for Consumptives, NSW’S only purpose-built facility for TB Committee farewells victims, opened in 1909 when the This year we have to farewell a bacterial disease was the leading killer number of members of the committee of Australian women, and very near and thank them for all the work they that for men. When patients were in have done for the Club: Geoff Bates, the active phase of TB, they were Kevin Yeats and John Wilson. isolated in fibro chalets, about the size of a garden shed. They either recovered or ended up in the cemetery And finally a bit less than a kilometre away. I would like to thank all our leaders and Committee members who are The cemetery 'dropped off the radar' committed to making the Club a after the last TB victim was buried in forward-looking one that offers a great 1949 and for more than 60 years has diversity of walks. In this, our 75th year, been neglected apart from one highly I’d like everyone to think of a walk to polished grave site tended by put on the program so we can all Department of Veterans Affairs. celebrate the amazing history of our Club and the people who have Judy O’Connor Committee 2013-14 President Lynne Outhred 9484 2657 Vice President Bob Taffel 9958 6825 Vice President Carol Henderson 9879 6709 Club Secretary Carol Henderson 9879 6709 Assistant Secretary Treasurer Barbara Mitchell 9644 1842 Walks Secretary John Cooper 4782 3394 Updates Program Geoff Suggate 9449 4029 Membership Diane McPhail 98682561 Training Coordinator Sandra Bushell 9665 6778 Newsletter Editor Judy O’Connor 9929 8629 Printing Bev Barnett 9876 3252 Tam Khuat 0408 826 989 Webmaster & Bulletin Jacqui Hickson 9419 2546 Librarian Michael Keats 9144 2096 Events Coordinators Graham Lewarne 9438 3275 Insurance Officer Alan Sauran 0433 133 811 Membership Registrar Ron Mead 9871 2580 Committee Members Ordinary member (elected) Geoff Suggate 9449 4029 Appointed member Graham Conden 0418647951 Appointed member John Hungerford 9498 6635 Honorary Auditor Bob Wood 9531 0135 Search and rescue reps Keith Maxwell 9622 0049 Graham Conden 94139996 Confederation reps Dick Weston 4753 1003

UNDERSTANDING THE The book is peppered with pictures of WEATHER familiar places to Sydneysiders and By John Martyn, STEP Inc. many readers would have experienced the weather snapshots in situ as Reviewed by Michael Keats depicted. As an avid bushwalker, I find

myself relating to many of the ohn Martyn’s latest offering, scenarios. Understanding the Weather,

demands a lot of concentration to J gain full benefit and appreciation of a work of intense passion and dedication.

The first section dealing with cloud types and definitions can leave the head spinning, although the copious good quality colour photographs do help. That said, it would take quite a few dedicated and guided observations to be really sure you hen the text moves into citing were looking at cirrus fibratus or cirrus examples of weather spissatus clouds. This is a text for W extremes; bushfires, cloud aficionados. mountain snowstorms, hailstorms, floods, etc., my empathy is absolute Linking these walks were the amazing and personal. One only has to have medieval hill towns, rising high above been caught up in such situations to the valleys as historic fortifications, appreciate the safety messages where their narrow winding streets and conveyed. The safety precautions stone buildings remain little changed about floods, storms, lightning and wild since their beginnings. phenomena generally are timely and can never be emphasised enough. We undertook one four day walk as a self-guided, commercially supported he scope of the text is almost trip where accommodation and entirely coastal and confined to transport of personal gear was T the eastern fall of the Great provided. This began in Assisi in Dividing Range. The text would be the Umbria, the hill town associated with better for a chapter dealing with the St Francis, where the track climbed western slopes, particularly the high into forests above the valley. Greater Blue Mountains Ranges From here, vistas of the countryside where hot weather extremes can including mountains and the distant quickly give rise to conditions of heat snow peaks of the Apennines could be exhaustion or worse. This is a major enjoyed. Then waymarked tracks omission for a book with such a broad title. ______

The inclusion of a bibliography and a … we sighted deer and the comprehensive index make this a useful addition to the bookshelf. A forests were full of the slim, slightly smaller than A4 size, this volume of 152pp is value at $25.00 melodious sounds of birds… plus $10.00 postage and packaging. ______Order forms can be down loaded at http://www.step.org.au/books.php followed down into our overnight stop in the delightful little hill town of Spello. Our walking for the next few days took Walking in Italy us along rich agricultural land in the By John Wilson valley to the hill towns of Montefalco and Todi, our destination. Walkers: Bob and Marlene Wood, Graham Lewarne, Jill Green, John and The rest of our walking we organised Jan Wilson ourselves. This was not problematical as train and bus links in Italy are he lure of walking through the efficient and relatively cheap. To avoid medieval hill towns and the problem of carrying our luggage on T countryside of Umbria and walks we made a base in a couple of Tuscany in central Italy was irresistible the hill towns from where we could do for six Club members who spent four a series of day walks. For this purpose weeks doing just that in May and June. we chose two wonderful towns in The plan was, after spending a few Tuscany, both ideal as bases for days in Lake Como and the northern walks. These were Radda and San cities of Venice and Florence, to head Gimignano. En route there we spent a south-east to Umbria and Tuscany. couple of days in two of Italy’s great The walks would take us through historic towns, Orvieto and Siena. rolling hills, valleys and countryside rich with olive groves and vineyards The countryside around both Radda with iconic cypresses amongst aged and San Gimignano is classic Tuscan stone farm houses and churches. and the walks ranged across hills, along roads, through vineyards and Cinque Terre and gelato olive groves and through wonderful After central Italy, we travelled to the forests thick with elms, oaks, spruce coastal towns of the Cinque Terre to and chestnut trees. On occasion we conclude our walking. These five sighted deer and the forests were full delightful little ports, squeezed into of the melodious sounds of birds. rocky gaps which reach down from the Being Spring, we encountered surrounding hills to the sea, make an excellent base for rugged coastal walks. We stayed in Vernazza and, for us, the most interesting and enjoyable walks in this area were the ones on the tracks above the towns, through vineyards to rocky trails along the heights. These offer superb coastal views. A highlight was a walk across the high cliffs to Portovenere, an ancient harbour town. There we caught a ferry back along the coast which enabled us to experience the towns and steep cliffs where we had walked from the perspective of the sea. innumerable wildflowers growing along he attraction of walking in Italy is roadsides and across fields; carpets of its beautiful landscapes and its red Flanders poppies, yellow and T towns rich in history. There is an white daisies, mauve thistles and ease to travelling and we found the flowers of numerous other hues. In the local people friendly and helpful forests we saw masses of small pink regardless of language differences. cyclamen. We frequently sighted While walking, we made excellent healthy fig trees with fruit close to lunches from fresh bread with tempting ripening, as well as cherries and choices of local cheeses, prosciutto or apricots. It was a reminder that these salami. Add to this a wonderful range lands have been a source of of food and wine, delicious coffee, not agricultural wealth for generations of to mention a gelato or two, and the people. picture is complete.

adda is in the centre of the Chianti wine growing region R and our stay there coincided with a major local wine festival. Our busy days of walking, however, did not prevent us from finding time to share in the local festivities and sample the high quality local vintages. The magic of San Gimignano, on the other hand, is the fourteen high towers that rise above this medieval walled hill town; they are what remain of seventy-two originally built in the 12th century. Historically it was on a major pilgrimage route, the Via Francigena from Lombardy to Rome, and we were able to enjoy walking on part of this.

long walking trails in Namibia, but we The Case of the Dribbling did not investigate these, the heat being a problem in summer. Leopard – Walking in Namibia and Botswana Walking with wild animals In Namibia many Afrikaner farmers By Frances Hunt have developed a profitable sideline in

tourist accommodation. In one of In 2012 my husband Phil and I spent these, near Naukluft National Park, we three weeks self driving around stayed in a stone cabin, quite isolated Namibia and about a week being from the main house about a kilometre driven around The Okavango Delta in away and out of sight of the other Botswana in some style with a driver cabins. The farmer had set up several and a cook who set up our tent each trails in the hills surrounding his night, as well as another trip to Chiefs property, which abounded in zebras Island where we walked with our own and kudu, but not lions, fortunately. guide. We covered some of the usual We walked these marked trails in the tourist traps like Etosha National Park, cool of early morning or late afternoon,

and in the middle of the day we retired ______to the cabin in an unsuccessful effort

to keep cool. We never met another …we found ourselves about soul on our walks. The highlight of our stay was the day we drove to the a metre away from a nearby national park and spent the mating pair of lions… whole day, quite alone, meandering about ten kilometres along one of the ______rare water courses in the area and back again. We swam in a surprisingly which was pretty good in spite of the cold pool, watched the rock hyraxes hordes of tourists, but at least tourists darting about the rocks, saw very large must stay in their cars. tadpoles and small birds and enjoyed the shade of the huge trees along the There is so much wildlife to be enjoyed banks of the creek. and marvelled at. No wonder Etosha is such a money spinner for the he highlight of our trip was a visit government. We even found ourselves to Mundulea Nature Reserve. about a metre away from a mating pair T The bush camp takes a of lions. (They were awfully quick as maximum of eight people. We spent the male needed to rest quite soon on four days as the only guests, walking account of his low sperm count and in the morning and late afternoon with consequent need to mate often). We Bruno Nebe. He simply walks and saw a large herd of elephants talks about the plants and animals and thundering down to a water hole, guests see whatever happens to be swimming, squirting each other, out and about at the time. His leopards trumpeting and generally having a are seldom seen and there are no great old time. At a large water hole at lions or elephants. It is a rare one of the lodges where silent tourists experience to walk with such a gather at night, we could hardly knowledgeable and truly remarkable believe our eyes when a group of man: an ex hunter turned naturalist elephants acted in concert to see off a and educator; passionately interested pride of lions, also in need of a drink. in returning his huge property, once four cattle farms, into a haven for Elsewhere we did take opportunities to endangered wildlife, including destitute walk wherever possible. There are pangolins which he studies, and the single remaining representative of a the only herd of buffalo we had seen. subspecies of black rhinoceros for Phil, a keen photographer, was a little whom he has managed to find, in slow at obeying our guide’s command Etosha, the most genetically close to back off as many of the buffalo female companion. Space here does turned to stare at us. The guide told not permit further discussion of us, quite rightly, that he was Bruno’s truly fascinating life story. You considerably younger and taller than can find out a little from we were and would probably be able www.mundulea.com. to run fast enough and climb the nearest tree to escape the herd. He In the Okavango we got very close to was not so sure that we would be fast lions, elephants, hippos, many enough. antelopes and birds. A highlight was two leopards observed from the safety of our open vehicle parked at the ______…we were close enough to ______see the leopard dribbling… ______Cotswold Way from both bottom of a tree which the female ends leopard climbed, quite oblivious of our presence. We were close enough to see her dribbling. We were able to stop the vehicle right next to lions, elephants, feasting vultures and even a pack of wild dogs, which are very seldom observed. Here as in Etosha the animals coexist with numerous tourists programmed to keep quiet and look but not shoot.

The Cotswold Way is a 163km National Trail in England that runs from Chipping Camden to Bath, following the beautiful Cotswold escarpment through quintessentially English countryside, with villages of honey-coloured stone, open farmland and ancient beech woods, to the

historic city of Bath.

n the mornings and evenings on It was originally a transport link to Chiefs Island, also in the Okavango, bring wool from the stretch of farms to I we were poled through the reeds in the port of Bristol thus creating a mokoro to land and walk with a prosperous ‘wool towns’ along the way guide through the dry areas where we with grand churches, manor houses saw elephants, giraffe and many types and enduring pubs. All of which we of antelopes. We also encountered can enjoy today. Two separate club groups recently There were many collective sighs of made the trek from opposite directions ‘ahhh’ and ‘oooh…’ and – yes, met in the middle for a flash dinner. cross the countryside we saw great manor houses high on the Cate Ryan has written the following Ahills and found large Norman report of Group 1 led by Sandra churches in very small villages. We Bushell and Bev Barnet. The walkers walked through beautiful lanes with were: Katherine Gloor, Barbara trees arching over us. Along the way Fleming, Katrina Roser, Cate Ryan, we came across a number of historic Bev Barnett, Helen Kershaw, Katy sites, from Long Barrows (communal Bowell, Sandra Bushell, Denise graves) from the Iron Age, to sites of Shaw, Chris Paine, Gillian Gray, various battles, memorials and the Alison Harvie. WW1 cemetery of the first Australian Air force at Cold Ashton. A quick peek eing the twelve Gals from up the driveway to Highgrove House Down-Under, we did the walk delighted the Royalists. (Highgrove B‘back to front’ starting in Bath House is the country home of Prince and ending in Chipping Campden. We Charles and Camilla, Duchess of passed through beautiful countryside: Cornwall. Ed.) fields of vibrant greens and gold, meadows covered in buttercups, fluffy We made slight diversions here and dandelions and English daisies. Beech there to enjoy historic houses with and oak woods were carpeted with wonderful gardens. A tour to swaths of white flowering and pungent wild garlic and bluebells. ______

…coldest English spring in 60 years… ______

Chavenage House, an Elizabethan era manor house, was most entertaining. The owners were great raconteurs and told tales about the house, including the antics of the Australian airmen billeted there during WW1. An Iron Age Long Barrow – ancient communal grave In Painswick, the half way mark, we were joined by Group 2, led by Alan We wandered through pretty villages Sauran. We had a pleasant dinner and with gorgeous Cotswold houses made swapped stories - Group 2 was of local honey coloured limestone. walking the ‘right’ direction, from Some had charming gardens filled with Chipping Campden to Bath. blossom trees, tulips and daffodils and others delightful thatched roofs. We e walked through the coldest followed streams and squelched English spring in 60 years. through muddy fields passing grazing W Not so much rain, but icy cattle or sheep with their lambs. As we winds and on one day we had hail slogged up the hills, female chatter three times. Often it felt as if we had gave way to bird song. four seasons in one day.

and Bev joined us on the Shropshire walks.

Each day’s walk was led by a different person who dutifully studied maps, consulted with Sandra and Bev and took on board suggestions made in nightly meetings. Occasionally we took the wrong path as we chatted away and missed a sign.

Group 1 enjoying a Spring day

But wait…there’s more… After completing the Cotswolds, our group moved on for nine days of walking and relaxing at Botvyle Farm in Shropshire where we explored the local countryside or, when it was too wet, the towns. We walked to the Long Mynd by following a bubbling brook up Cotswold Way – Group 2 the side of the mountain to a wide By Judy O’Connor open purple-brown heathland of gorse; a contrast to the greens of the Walkers: Alan Sauran (leader), Cotswolds. Doreen Handy, Graeme Rollings, Alan and Diane McPhail, Ron and Edith rips into Wales brought us to the McNally, Suzanne Aubrun, Rosario Severn River which we could Hogan, Anne Hall, Rogo Owens, Rick T often see in the distance along Angel, Lynne Outhred (for part of the Cotswold Way. Here we caught up walk), Rosemary Livingstone, Susan with the atmosphere of the Hay-on- Smith, Judy O’Connor. Wye Writers Festival, visited the town of Ironbridge looking for its gorge and My anxiety levels rose steadily as I walked to a section of Offa’s Dyke. browsed the walks program in the The walk out of Bridgnorth was months leading up to this walk. There unfortunately aborted due to the keen were Sandra Bushell and Bev Barnett interest of a herd of steers. putting on any number of demanding ‘training walks’ for group 1, but none Jump in, I’ll drive you for group 2. Then, wonderfully, weeks At the onset, our group was joined by before we were due to leave, one Helen’s husband Ray. He not only put appeared from our leader – it was up with 12 women for three weeks but described as ‘the one and only training was a great help to Bev, who had walk’. And, it was all the way from badly cut her shin on the last training Bondi to Coogee. walk in Sydney and needed the dressing changed regularly by a Well, that sort of set the tone for a doctor. Ray generously gave up his most wonderful and superbly led walk time driving and waiting for her. Thank by a leader who under-states his role, you Ray. We were delighted when he but who always quietly keeps his eye on everyone.

I soon learned that Alan likes his food nd then there were the famous so we were guided to pubs for lunches boundary walls – chunks of of pies, pasties, Ploughman’s spreads A limestone rock stacked into walls and, on one occasion, Alan and Rogo without anything to make them stick even tucked into a full-scale roast together – built in Medieval times and dinner. I loved the pubs like The Eagle still standing. The village houses also and Child Public House (also called used the stones – even for their roofs. the Bird and the Baby) and the way they had little hooks under the bar for drinkers to hang their rain jackets and umbrellas.

Dry stone wall

Don’t ask… I am not prepared to elaborate on the eople told me how easy the occasion when I, as the tail for the walk would be. However, while day, managed to be tucking into my Pthe hills may not look much in hearty pub lunch when six walkers the pictures the ‘way’ was to attack arrived about half an hour later them full on – that is, walk straight up wondering what had happened and the side like climbing a ladder to the how come the tail was there ahead of sky. The reward when you puffed your them… way to the top was panoramic views like being in a low flying aeroplane. Impressions of the walk include: lots of Then down the other side through white sheep with black faces, bulls wooded forests spread with bluebells with coats like Flokarti rugs, layers of and buttercups. leaf litter, patchwork fields, horses, fields of wild garlic and trees the colour of green apples. Not to mention the hedges clipped into lop-sided spiral shapes, gigantic birds and well rounded animals.

Oliver Cromwell room (1640) Finish line in Bath Chavenage House, Tetbury

Morrie Donovan…a man who open surf and in protecting those who got into difficulty by underestimating loves wild water the power of the surf. This aspect of By Michael Keats his earlier life career I was unaware of until I began a circuit of his amazing family gallery.

His son, Geoff, is an accomplished white water canoeist, at his peak rating inside the top 10 in the world. Throughout the 1980s, he won most state and Australian titles and competed in World Championships in Merano, Italy, Garmish, West Germany. Bourg St Maurice, France and Savage River, Maryland USA as well as other World Cup races in Europe.

His daughter Debbie, may not have reached such giddy heights but none Sketch by Stephen Murray the less holds a string of NZ white water National titles and sure knows a These words sum up a lot of what thing or too about the mastery of white drives Morrie Donovan. Driving into his water. carport, there are several kayaks on racks, cast your eyes out into the back ______garden and there are several more. Inside, in the family room area, the walls are adorned with action pictures, …I feel humbled to be in and I mean real action pictures. his presence…

hey depict the rugged ______determination of muscled men, T and women, who enjoy wrestling with the wildest forms of nature. From the late 1970s, to the early Meeting Morrie, you would never 1980s she won four Australian Titles, imagine behind those even, pale blue two New Zealand National titles, and eyes and calm demeanour is a man competed in the 1981 World who not only enjoys the great Championships in Bala, North Wales outdoors, but a man, and a father who and then was placed 3rd in the inspires his children and grandchildren Commonwealth Races in Aberfeldy, to dizzying heights of sporting Scotland the same year. The success. inspiration for these achievements lies with Morrie. Somewhere in the house, Pictures tell a thousand words there is a cache of medals. I feel In his younger days, Morrie lived in humbled to be in his presence. Queenscliff and used to surf all the beaches from Manly to Palm Beach hen I asked how he moved and further north. During this time, he from surfing to white water gained an understanding of the W canoeing, the answer came weather cycles and the beauty and down to simple economics. Living on power of nature. He was also a Sydney’s northern beaches does not decorative addition to the beachscape. come cheaply. Morrie choose his He revelled in the challenge of the current location because of its proximity to the Nepean River which On entering Morrie’s ‘study’, a flowed much more freely in the early euphemism for another amazing 1970s to the mid 80s and so started a gallery of pictures, and a quiet place to very long association with whitewater plan future outdoor activities, I was canoeing. Also, whilst he didn’t again confronted by a sense of bushwalk then, the Blue Mountains, enormous energy and dynamism. were close by. The white water facility at Penrith was constructed for the The walls are crammed with images of 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Both Morrie riding white water, bush Morrie and his son Geoff, were walking, kayaking and more. Every volunteers in the Field of Play setting image exudes energy, as does the up the course and course man himself. maintenance during the 2000 Olympic Games. It was no surprise that Morrie became involved in teaching and motivating rom here, he and his family others, particularly young people, visited all the major white water about water sports. He gravitated to F rivers in Queensland, NSW, assisting the local scout group and Victoria, Tasmania and the north there instructed young boys and girls. island of New Zealand. Ever resourceful, he learned to prepare ______moulds and lay shape fibreglass so that he could design, build, test and … terrifying time hanging modify watercraft to successfully ride the wild rivers. Often special hulls upside down… were built for specific rivers. ______

Red tape sometimes hardest Morrie recounted to me that to Through this association, he became compete in the 1985 World aware of less wet activities such as Championships in Garmish, in West canyoning and bushwalking. He was Germany, he needed to assist Geoff to strongly influenced by one Scout get to West Germany with three water Leader, Tom Marshall, who in turn craft. In the process of learning his introduced him to Derek Cannon, Rick lines down the complex white water Jamison and a crew of dedicated course, Geoff managed to write off a canyoners. Morrie did his first canyon, boat and urgently needed dad to send Hole in the Wall in 1982, where on the a replacement by air. Morrie said last abseil had a rather terrifying but preparing a boat was one thing, short time hanging upside down. dealing with the Australian authorities ACF and Qantas was something else his canyoning group also again. It took three days and introduced him to the wonders of significant resources to get the boat on T the . Morrie a plane. Geoff competed and was recalled his first experience with an placed 8th, the highest an Australian inadequate sleeping bag, sold to him had ever been placed in Mens C1 to by someone more interested in a sale that time. than Morrie’s comfort, inappropriate food (tins of heavy stuff), and vivid At this stage, we still had not talked memories of being unpleasantly cold about bushwalking. I was almost loath for several days. Despite this, he loved to bring it up. I was having a good time the country, the open, rolling high just listening to the quiet, efficient, plains, clean lines of the roof of measured matter of fact details of how Australia and of course, snow is a successful sporting family operates. another form of ‘white water’. Morrie was hooked. He now had a selection of outdoor paddling on the Myall Lakes are activities to pursue. About this time, a definitely where he is happiest. couple of significant changes occurred in his life, His wife of 37 years, Judy, Dream home passed away after a long battle with Where does he want to go next? His Mesothelioma in 2001, and the second answer surprised. Morrie hankers to event was the drought that dried up buy an old fishing trawler, not to the great coastal rivers of NSW that become a licenced fisherman, but to provided white water. These rivers cruise the coast, pull in somewhere, were running so low that for about 15 throw out the anchor, then lower his years the sport virtually died until the sea kayak and go paddling. A fishing rebirth with the artificial Penrith trawler would have the size and Whitewater Course, built for the 2000 stability to become a floating home. It Olympics sounds romantic, however Morrie being Morrie will probably do it. ver wanting to contribute to the Where would we be without our community, Morrie did a nine dreams? Eyear stint as a volunteer assistant at the local library, interspersing this activity with walks with the Yarrawood Bushwalking Club. He joined The Bush Club in 2006. He also became a volunteer with Camp Quality and had the satisfaction of 24/7 care and guidance, mentoring on a one on one basis, challenging 8 to 12 year olds who were battling Meanwhile, Morrie’s philosophy is a terminal diseases or were siblings of simple one: ‘I have done the hard stuff such kids, while their parents had a when tenths of a second were break. Morrie did this for five years important, I now want attainable goals operating out of various fitness Sport & that are enjoyable and safe. If I can Recreation centres such as make others happy by sharing these Narrabeen, Myuna Bay and Patonga. experiences, then I am happy too.’ ______Despite all this activity, he felt there was something missing in his life. He For Sale made contact with The Bush Club at a Price when new $90. For sale at $45. time when I was Membership Secretary. I encouraged him to come on his first club walk to Koombandah Brook in the Grose Valley. Canyons are still not Morrie’s first love, however the experience did put him in contact with others in the club such as Graham Conden and Tony Hickson. These leaders offered the type of walking he loved, multi day, open country pack walks. Trolleybag, medium size, 63cm from ground to top, strong material, orange Morrie loved these walks even more if colour, outside pockets. It even has he could add water to the mix, so base fold-away shoulder straps for camps along the Kowmung with time backpacking. Used once and in good to relax and enjoy, or walking cross condition. Probably suit young person. country in the Snowy Mountains with Cynthia Brew (9953 2286). just a dash of snow, or a few days Top Walks of NSW NSW and affiliated organisations. In his Table of Walks walks are By Ken Eastwood described as easy, moderate and Reviewed by Michael Pratt hard. The book concludes on page 362 with Acknowledgements.

It does not include information on Walking Clubs other than in the final paragraph of Bushwalkers Code where in the same small print the author encourages readers to visit the website of the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSW, quoting www.bushwalking.org.au for links to his tightly formatted soft-cover Bushwalking Clubs. This is useful glossy volume measures 13 x information (if spotted) for readers who T 19cm by 2 cm thick. It weighs may lack the confidence to walk alone around 500 grams and contains 362 and likewise others, who having used pages of cleanly presented text, maps this book, may wish to walk with and photographs. It sits nicely in the friends. hand and the glossy cover invites the viewer to open and explore its Scaled maps and contour lines contents. There is a wealth of The author states he has personally information to be perused within. tested every walk. His information is clearly presented and there is no The inside page has a striking photo of clashing between content so evident in The Breadknife (Warrumbungle modern magazines where contrast is Mountains) followed by a List of ‘loud’ and layout cluttered with intsy- Contents: Sydney Region 11 walks; bitsy type-faces on strong coloured Blue Mountains 9 walks; South Coast backgrounds, making pages difficult to 12 walks; ACT & Snowy Mountains 6 read. This book is refreshing in its walks; North-East 17 walks; Western simplicity. Each walk's description NSW 9 walks. An alphabetical index includes a scaled map complete with is to be found at the back of the book. contour lines on which the route is boldly indicated by a dotted line. An Introduction by the author follows in Photos and complimentary illustrations which he dedicates the book to ‘the are added. Below each Walk's title many Aboriginal people who have there is listed information: Distance; walked this land for eons and who Time; Best time of year; Grade; Type know far more of its secrets than I of Environment - eg rainforest, bays, could ever hope to fathom’. coastline; Best Map; followed by references to Toilets, Food and Tips e continues over the page with including ‘what to look for’. A Instructions on What To Take, detailed description of each walk H the Bushwalkers' Code and follows in the body of the text with instructions How to use this Book. information on flora, fauna and There is then a Map of NSW upon snippets of history. All is thoughtfully which the walks are indicated, followed presented and a very pleasant read. by a Table of Walks containing pertinent information - distances, Summary: Ken Eastwood's book is hours, grades and the page number an attractive publication for anyone on which walks are to be found. The wishing to walk. For anyone visiting author's grading does not correspond an unfamiliar region it provides a with that adopted by Bushwalking useful introduction on where to walk and what to see. Within this handy- Australia’s longest Climb sized soft-cover publication are easy walks of just a few hours duration for By John Anderson beginners through to harder full day walks for more capable walkers. It sits ount Kosciuszko, Australia’s comfortably in the lap or glove-box of highest mountain (2228m), the car. Likewise in the pack despite M was probably first climbed its weight. The author's ‘love of from the east by squatters seeking country’ is evident through his intimate pasture for their stock. However the observations. Pages are enhanced first recorded ascent is by Polish exile with colour photographs and ‘Count’ Paul Strzelecki, in March illustrations. Small images of native 1840, when he and James Macarthur birds and animals raise a smile. The climbed the Abbott Range from Geehi. whole presents as a cheerful read. While there is continuing debate about which mountain Strzelecki actually Ken Eastwood is a renowned award- climbed, he said he climbed the winning journalist and photographer highest mountain and named it whose work has taken him to many Kosciuszko (with a ‘z’). countries world-wide, including the Arctic and Antarctic. Formerly Approaching from the west they Associate Editor of Australian followed Hannels Spur, a route Geographic he now works as a probably used by Aborigines each freelance writer and Associate Editor summer to reach the alpine area to of RM Willimans magazine, Outback. feast on Bogong moths. Strzelecki and Printed version is available for Macarthur were guided by a local $34.95 or as an E Book for $17.50. aborigine named Jacky from Welaregang (on the Murray River near Tooma) and Charlie Tarra an Aborigine from Taralga near Goulburn.

ummiting from the west involves a 1800m S climb. Stockmen Alf Hannel and Kerry Pierce, in about 1930, arranged for a track to be cut up the Welcome to New Members spur for cattle to reach the lush pasture above the treeline. Leo Byatt Chistina Henderson, Christine Yates, is said to have chosen the route. Trevor Giblin, Jane Millgate, Judy Today the understory beneath the Harris, Lee Kenny, Helen Simpson, towering trees, including Peppermints, Joanne Yip, Peter Hart, Helen Koon, is thick, particularly in areas burnt by Don Wilson, Jennifer Putt, James recent bushfires. While there is Libby, Garry Bluff, Suzanne Bluff, Gia effectively no track for most of the Weightman, John Sharpe, Roslyn climb, occasional markers provide a Phillips, Helge Lewerenz, Thomas route which is relatively easy to follow Dlogosch, Albert Tan, Sue Miller, and avoids a continuous battle with Tracey Avolio, Sid Karanth, Florence scrub to the treeline. Making one’s Cho, Lisa McCarthy, Mark Dabbs, own route is not recommended. The Anne Hall, Stephen Imrie, Freda walk starts at Geehi. Moxom, Rachid Maslouhi, Charles

Aspden, Colin Brown, Mark Short and In April (an unofficial Bush Club event Lizzie Martin. due to lack of starters), I repeated a

walk I had done in 2010. One reason for repeating the walk was that I saw little on the earlier ascent because of obvious spur before a steady climb drizzling rain and the tops being onto the Abbott Range. Interestingly covered in mist. As in 2010 my wife, the un-named peak is 14m `higher Kath, dropped me off at Geehi and than Abbott Peak. The final climb is then drove to Thredbo for a night at straightforward, through a multitude of the YHA. After crossing the Swampy scattered granite boulders and clumps Plain River and a courtesy visit to of Ribbony Grass, the latter showing Doctor Forbes Hut, it is a short walk signs of drying out after being a along the river flats to the start of the luxuriant glossy green in summer. climb. The flats are now almost free of Blackberry bushes after persistent summer spraying by NPWS. The geological formation of the western face is granite with the exception of a band of metamorphosed shale between a height of 900 and 1000m.

Moria’s Flat is reached at 1525m. This very small clearing is adjacent to a John’s camp near Abbott Peak with minor tributary of Kosciuszko Creek misty Mount Townsend in the and is the only source of water below the treeline. At a number of locations background on the climb, far below, can be seen After taking in the view across the the open grassy flats at Geehi. Wilkinsons Valley to Mount

Kosciuszko, I skirted around to near Historic camp site Abbott Peak to set up camp in a small From Moiras Flat it’s onwards and clearing between massive granite upwards to the tree line at about 1800 outcrops. m. The end of the track is in a small clearing beneath an impressive granite ext morning was a warm (for outcrop. Leo Byatt camped nearby April) 4 deg. and a heavy dew while watching his cattle graze above N had fallen overnight. To the on the mountain slopes. According to east the sky was largely covered by a quote on the Kosciuszko Huts cloud with occasional bursts of Association website, attributed to Jim sunlight piercing the cover and Nankervis, Byatts Camp was near a highlighting the surrounding granite. A little creek above terrible thick tea tree light mist shrouded Mount Townsend scrub at the edge of the timber…a and adjacent peaks. As the morning fairly steep camp with a few stones for warmed a thick bank of cloud flowed a fireplace. I am currently trying to find quickly from the west through the the location, so if anyone has any saddle between Abbott Peak and knowledge of the camp I would Mount Townsend. appreciate the feedback. After a leisurely breakfast and packing rom the end of the track the up a very wet tent, the valley was traditional route to the crossed to Muellers Pass. From there F Wilkinsons Valley is to head it’s a short walk along the Main Range south and cross over the end of the track to Rawsons Pass where I had Abbott Range. Having walked a arranged the previous evening (the variation of this route in 2010, I joys of a mobile phone) to meet Kath decided to continue in a direct line to for a leisurely walk back to Thredbo. the un-named peak south west of Abbott Peak. This involves skirting the The walk of around 20 km involves a granite outcrop and then following an climb of 1800m, the longest available climb in Australia. It may not be descendants gave a short talk about Everest but the climb is well worth the the explorer they were representing. effort with the reward of magnificent views back into the Geehi Valley and a After lunch we went to the Blue different perspective of Mounts Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Townend and Kosciuszko and other Tourism office in Leura and met some protuberances from the western face of the staff. Then to North Katoomba of the Main Range. Primary School for more talks and presentation of the replica Holey Dollars. At the presentation were the Chip off the Old Block owners of Scenic World and The Carrington Hotel (who had sponsored John B S Hungerford (‘B’ for the coins for that school). Blaxland) being a great great great grandson of explorer Gregory On the way back to Faulconbridge Blaxland participated in the recent Malcolm Read and I signed the tent in Blue Mountains Crossing re- th which some of the walkers had slept. enactment walk to celebrate the 200 There are many signatures on it from anniversary of the first European earlier walkers. I'm told the tent will be crossing in NSW in 1813. auctioned at the end of the festivities.

The party was scheduled to walk from A few days later the party walked from the old convent at Bullaburra to Yester Mt Victoria to The Comet Inn, Hartley Grange at Wentworth Falls. But Vale with the same three descendants because of roadworks the police didn’t participating. allow it. So the horses and dogs had a day off. In the morning of that day, Malcolm drove us to the service station at Mt hree of us slept in a tent at Victoria where we had breakfast Bullaburra the night before: before meeting the rest of the party – T myself, Darcy Wentworth who including horses and dogs. had walked on Day 11, and Malcolm Brown (and his dog Justin). Malcolm After Malcolm Read was interviewed walked with his dog everyday as by The Blue Mountains Gazette and convict Samuel Fairs. He is a photographs taken the party set off for journalist who walked from Sydney to Mt York. We stopped at Barden's Dubbo last December/January and Lookout for morning tea and waited for wrote his travels in the SMH. the police escort motor cyclists, mounted police and Police Brass Band The next day the party gathered at to arrive. Some of the public arrived Faulconbridge. The other two by bus and then walked to Mt. York. descendants were Malcolm Read (Lawson) and Stephen Wentworth. While there we three descendants Uncle Graeme Cooper (a Darug were separately interviewed by Mr. Aboriginal) and John O'Sullivan – the Maas from Mt Victoria. I don't know Blue Wave organiser. how much videoing he has done but he indicated he may make a video to The party went to St Canice's Primary be shown at The Mt Vic Flicks and/or School in Katoomba to address the The Edge. (well-behaved) students. Uncle Graeme Cooper gave the welcome to The enlarged party and band walked country followed by John O’Sullivan to Mt. York where we were greeted by who gave an overview of the the crowd of 400 people. reenactment. Each of the There were several speeches and we When was the last descendants were paraded on the stage. We had lunch and mingled with time you looked? the crowd. Many Blaxland descendants spoke to me. After Want to know how the club ticks? Its lunch, photographs, including one of all on our website all the Blaxlands present, were taken. www.bushclub.org.au For example, find out all about our 75th Birthday After lunch, the party walked back project – 75 National Parks: along the road before taking a bush track to the left. At that point Uncle • What it’s all about Graeme Cooper, being tired, was • What national parks have been taken by car. claimed for walks so far

he party took the Lockyer's Road • What the conditions are for and descended to the Comet Inn putting on walks T but was confronted by a locked • Submission form farm gate. After talking to the farmer he opened another gate for us to pass • Report form for publication in a through. His alpacas showed great book interest in us. • And that’s only the beginning. You’ll We reached The Comet Inn at about find photos, and information on 3.30 pm. Total distance that day was everything you ever wanted to know 11.3 kms. about walks and related matters.

Jacqui Hickson spends hours updating It has been an honour and a and streamlining our site – so reward privilege to participate in these her with a few clicks. celebrations.

Quote

I never carried a compass, preferring to rely on a good sense of direction. I never bothered to understand how a compass works or what it is supposed to do. To me a compass is a gadget, and I don’t get on well with gadgets of any sort. Alfred Wainwright.