The Canning Stock Route It was a long straight flat drive that continued until we reached PARTICIPANTS Noccundra. Allan and Helen Kidd (trip leader) – LC105 diesel When we got to Cooper Creek, we realised that we had missed a turnoff to the Dig Tree. Malcolm sheepishly admitted having seen Evan Smith – LC Troopy diesel a small sign reading “Dig Tree – 14 km” at an intersection we had Rick Hall – LC 79 series utility diesel passed some 10 km earlier! So back we went and found a very small sign! No wonder we missed it. Following the sign we took the dirt Robert Hamblen and Malcolm Chaseling – LC105 TD road into the Dig Tree for lunch. John and Jenny Malcolm – LC100 TD All afternoon we drove across the Cooper Basin on intermittent Ken Ribbons and Diana Morgan – LC100 petrol dirt/bitumen roads. There were sand hills in the distance covered in greenery. There was very little wildlife and only the odd cattle. We Barry and Dot Slattery – LC100 TD pulled up for overnight camp near Haddon Corner and found some old saltbush and limbs of rivergum that made for an all-night campfire. Day 1 – Monday 20th June Day 4 – Thursday 23rd June Allan & Helen Kidd After 12 months of planning, and weeks of packing, we are finally Evan ready. A trip to Lithgow and a night at a motel has us ready for As the day started, one could see the shadows of bodies moving the trip I have been working towards for the last three years – the in the predawn light, preparing in their own way for the start of Canning Stock Route. another day. Most of the inhabitants of this small community where we stayed were mice. Several tents were invaded and, in the We met up with Rob & Malcolm (The Boys) and Barry and Dot who quest for food, only one electric wire was demolished. There were happened to be staying at the same motel. Then it was down to however several tents that had small holes and even one cask of Maccas to meet John and Jenny for breakfast and we were on our way. wine was emptied. After an uneventful trip to Orange for lunch, we headed on to We then headed to Birdsville where we refuelled and had our Nyngan where we met Rick and Evan. After a quick shop, we went photos taken outside the Birdsville pub. After a snack at the bakery, on to my secret bush camp 45 km north of Nyngan. A good campsite we were ready to roll. We had a good run to the Bedourie caravan and fire made a perfect way to end the first day. Malcolm was given park along with amazing sights of Eyre Creek. the job of being Sergeant at Arms for the trip. Day 5 – Friday 24th June Day 2 – Tuesday 21st June John & Jenny Malcolm Chaseling After a pleasant evening around the campfire, we settled in for a After a pleasant, blissful night’s sleep, we were on our way to Bourke, night camping in the mouse and rat plague at Bedourie. It appears Hungerford, and Thargomindah with John as Tail End Charlie (TEC). that Evan has his own private plague as the biscuits he left out The day looks great with a clear blue sky. We stopped for a roadside overnight are gone in the morning – so we have mice heading for lunch. Following that, John had a rear tyre destroyed on the way to the CSR in Evan’s truck! Thargomindah. Ken and Dianna were waiting for us there with the news that the road to the Dig Tree and Haddon Corner were now After an early rise we departed for Boulia. open. The night was spent at the Thargomindah Caravan Park. Rob and Malcolm took up the TEC position for the day and there was the usual banter over the radio to keep us entertained along Day 3 – Wednesday 22nd June the way. There was plenty of evidence of all the recent rain as water was almost up to the roadside in places. The green vegetation was a Ken & Diana real standout in some places. However, as we neared Boulia, things Leaving our overnight camp, we headed out on the blacktop with dried out and the countryside became more barren. We arrived in a clearing blue sky ahead. There was frost on the tents and there Boulia with all but 18 km of the 190 km on bitumen. were many who took advantage of the hot showers in the camp amenities block. Vehicles outside the Birdsville pub 30 TLCC NEWS OCTOBER 2011 MAKIN' TRACKS Morning tea stop 7.3 Guidelines of the volunteer workers policy were 13 – Land Manager’s Report: handed to all committee members, the document KOOLANDILLY will be emailed to all the committee to review and 13.1 September working bee – Work carried out included responses are required by email. erecting a fence and gate near the base of the K2 Moved: R Alexander / Seconded: D Seton track, the fence was damaged overnight, and repaired on the Sunday. The committee discussed the shared 8 – Social Report: access; Rob Alexander is to liaise with the owner of the 8.1 The presents for the children’s Christmas party will be adjoining property. delivered to Andrew Boyd. Rob will contact John Blair about the access issue. 8.2 The Christmas functions will be posted on the forum. The cut off date for bookings will be the November WILLOWGLEN general meeting. 13.2 2 new events have been constructed; all the tracks 8.3 Vanessa Keary will stand in for Kim Allsopp at the have been driven on last weekend. October General Meeting. Sand dunes 13.3 The container has been set up for verification. 13.4 Maintenance work on the drainage system for the main 9 – Membership Report: dam has been carried out. Everyone chose to fuel up at the local servo with the Sergeant approximately 25 km from the Stuart Highway, the convoy had to 9.1 760 financial memberships. 13.5 The hand rail for the disabled toilet will be left until at Arms9.2 cleaning10 new all members. the windscreens – in fear of a fine, nobody give way to the southbound Ghan train. We passed the train shortly criticised his work. afterwards. Furtherafter the along Challenge the Stuart is finished, Highway, Rob the will convoy contact stopped the 9.3 2 possible new members from Canberra at a railway overpasscouncil officer to take to clarifyphotos the as requirementsit passed underneath in this regard us. Most 9.4of the The group membership viewed renewalthe Min form Min will lights be updated.exhibition The and really enjoyed it, and then armed with coffee (for the addicts) we We arrived inprior Alice to insubmitting time for coffeefor final and approval. cakes to celebrate the president to proof read. birthdays. The vehicles were fuelled and the fridges were filled; departed for the Donohue Highway. Not long after setting off, we 14 – Vice President’s Report: had to9.5 stop Thebecause show Allan’s price willleft swingrun till arm October on the 13. wheel carrier was ready for Rainbow Valley. Ken and Diana left us to get access to a dentist 14.1 as Diana There had was a achipped Sub Committee tooth from meeting eating for a thechocolate 40th a 10swinging – Promotions in the breeze. Officer’s It turned Report: out to be a broken locking plate – couple of daysAnniversary prior. After lastcollecting night, 72wood members on the wayhave in, paid, we arrived120 are poor 10.1welding. There A ratchet are 30 strapx A4 flyersdid the left job over. of securing the arm. After a short distance, we stopped for lunch and a 30-minute lunch break at Rainbow Valley.expected. 11saw – us4WD underway Activities again Coordinator’s with approximately Report: 200 km to go for the 14.2 There is a working bee at Willowglen this weekend. Day 8 – Monday 27th June day. About11.1 Noan hournew tripslater, Allan’s RHS swing arm failed in the same 14.3 The sponsors are in place for the Challenge. way as11.2 the LHS. The FunkhanaA second ratchet event is strap planned and Allanfor May was 22 beginning & 23, 2010 to 14.4 There areDay raffle 9 prizes – Tuesday to the value of 28th $3,500.00 June and question hisand choice has ofbeen rear posted bars. on the Forum, with a call for Lay days at thecompetition MacDonnell prizes Range to Holidaythe value Park of $13,000.00in Alice Springs. Travel on the Donohue was generally quite good and we were able to volunteers. There15 – wasGeneral some Business limited sight from seeing the Committee: but most of the group appeared maintain good speeds. A pleasant roadside camp finished off the day. 11.3 A New Member’s trip is planned for November 21. to be attending15.1 A letter to resupplying, has been sent washing, to the refining church inpacking regard systems, to the 12 – Education Coordinator’sDay 6 – Report:Saturday 25th June and any mechanicalaudio visual issues. system. John & Jenny managed to get a new tyre, Allan & Helen had minor surgery on a diff breather that was 12.1 A request for course presenters has been made. 15.2 Carl asked about the December committee meeting Rob leaking oil, and Ken & Diana decided to err on the side of caution 12.2 Courses – St Johns First Aid to be booked. and the January general meeting. We woke to Sandan iconic driving Aussie at end sunrise. of October, Allan had and the almost fire going booked as the and replace a dodgy alternator before leaving.