THE TRAIL WALKER ISSUE 77 PRINT POST APPROVED PP565001 I 00079 AUGUST 2000 NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF THE HEYSEN TRAIL AND OTHER WALKING TRAILS INC THE TRAILWALKER FRIENDS OF THE HEYSEN TRAIL AND OTHER WALKING TRAILS INC 10 PITT STREET ADELAIDE, SA 5000 PHONE (08) 8212 6299 FAX (08) 8212 1930 EMAIL: heysentrail @newave.net.au WEBSITE: www .newave.net.au/-heysentrail PATRON: C. WARRENBONYTHON AO COUNCIL MEMBERS 2000 TRAIL WALKER Jamie Shephard President Ric Trutwin Julian Monfries Vice President John Wilson Lyn Condon Secretary Simon Kleinig John Wilson Treasurer Barry Finn WALKING Dean Killmier Simon Kleinig David Beaton Eve Buckley Chris Caspar Jeanette Clarke Barry Finn Susan Dupuis Terry Gasson Ralph Ollerenshaw Julian Monfries Mick Thomas HONORARY MEMBERS Ric Trutwin Terry Lavender MEMBERSHWSECRETARffiS Jim Crinion David Beaton, Lyn Condon Neville Southgate Doug Leane SOCIAL SECRETARY Fred Brooks Sadie Leupold Terry Gasson Thelma Anderson Kath Palyga Richard Schmitz Arthur Smith OFFICE HOURS Monday Closed Tuesday 10.30- 2.30 Lyn Condon, David Beaton, Dawn Bon Wednesday 10.30- 1.30 Barry Finn, Jack Marcelis, Jenny Prider Thursday 10.30-2.30 Arthur Smith, Carol Wootton Friday 9.30- 1.30 Ric Trutwin, Kath Palyga Saturday - Sunday Closed MEETING DATES Council Walking Committee FRONT COVER Wed 20 September Wed 8 November "The Red Gums" picnic area Wed 18 October Wed 14 Februay, 2001 Mt Crawford forest Wed 15 November Wed 9 May, 2001 Photo: John Wilson 2 Trailwalker August 2000 THE TRAILWALKER PRESIDENT'S REPORT Since our last communication, so much has the Federation Trail Committee. It's next walk is occurred that will benefit the future of our on gth October and deserves our support. Heysen Trail and lift the profile of this icon into the 21 51 century. Likewise, I alert members to the Walking 1 Federation special day on Sunday, 15 h October Under the excellent leadership of our Minister, at Mark Oliphant Park for a sausage sizzle the Hon lain Evans, the hard work of auditing between 12.00 and 2.00pm. See notices on page the complete Heysen Trail under the competent 10. eye of Peter Lawrence has been done between Cape Jervis and Melrose by consulting surveyors To the new President of Walking Federation of Todd Alexander. We are hopeful the remainder, SA, Bill Gehling, we extend our good wishes for between Melrose and Parachilna will be a happy and successful term in office. completed soon. This is a huge task, very exciting and of course very high tech. The next "Trailwalker" lOOkm Community Aid Abroad challenge will be from Cudlee Creek to As a result of this, we have already reconvened Kuitpo Forest along our Heysen Trail from 1 the Section Leaders to a workshop with other Friday 27th to Sunday 29 h October. Helpers will interested parties, and I can now report that be required at checkpoints - contact 8223 3405 regular meetings of Section Leaders will take to register. place. My congratulations are extended to Mr. and Mrs. I also wish to congratulate our Minister, the Hon Maynard Mould of "Glen Bold" Echunga, for lain Evans, for steering the Greenways Bill volunteering to provide a car park and fence a safely through the various stages of our State corridor across their land to allow walkers to by­ Parliament - a most significant milestone - which pass a treacherous bog ladder below their home - can now allow Peter Lawrence and his team to what public spirited community action. set where possible the route of the Heysen Trail into Landholder agreements. Your Committee is working with excellent harmony and great determination to promote Maintenance volunteers will be needed tore­ safe walking and use of the Heysen Trail - the mark the entire Heysen Trail (and other trails) so maintenance and walking committees are to be an additional workforce will be needed - it's commended. great fun and great experience! Join up now. Jamie Shephard I am impressed with the progress being made by President ******* PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Part 2 I was honoured to have been invited to launch the reprint of our Patron Warren Bonython's book 1 "Walking the Flinders Ranges" on Thursday 20 h July. My speech is reprinted below for our member's benefit I applaud the Royal Geographic Society of S.A. Flinders Ranges". I am aware your President, and its Council for undertaking the publication Sue Barker, and husband Rob Marshall are at of this facsimile production of "Walking the this time repairing and marking trails for walking 3 Trail walker August 2000 THE TRAILWALKER in the Northern Flinders and cannot be with us. I To achieve what he dreamt, planned and directed applaud their positive and practical action too. required vision, courage and fitness, but overall was the need for support from home where The lure of adventure, the increased mobility and Bunty and the children supplied love, advice and spendable cash with a desire to explore beyond help whilst his admirable walking friends the comfort zone of our backyards have been an provided comradship and mateship which is a element of modem young people who, during superb trait of the Australian way of life. the past 40 years (since the last war) have toured, travelled and trekked extensively the world.- we I recall with some wistful grin meeting Warren here today are and have been a part of this at the Foodland supermarket checkout in Magill invisible movement of people. Even our author, some years ago as he was preparing for a walk C. Warren Bonvthon. A.O .. who at 50 decided in - I observed that with these purchases he 1967 that he was still young enough to walk the wasn't going to put on any weight. Flinders -end to end. And so he did it! And our society and it's generations to come is so As the incumbent President of the Friends of the much richer for his warm source of know ledge Heysen Trail we are proud to have Warren and first hand experience. Bonython as our Patron, realising that he is the instigator and Godfather of the Heysen Trail. The fact that 11 ,000 copies of the 1971 edition have circulated the world and have been For if this imaginative walk taking four years squeezed into backpacks and been carted up and under extremely difficult and tough conditions, down hills, smelling of appalling socks mould, had not been achieved, and Warren had not rancid butter, sweat etc. therefore been asked to chair the Long Distance Walking Trail Committee which eventually Lets reflect on the Flinders. My first visit to the recommended to the Government of the day to Wilpena Regiona was with a workmate, David get on with the epic development of the Heysen Ragless, son of the artist Max Ragless. We left Trail,there would have been no Heysen Trail. I work on a Friday evening and drove into the well recall being present at the inaugural meeting darkness, stopping along the road to jump into of the Friends at the Dom Polski Centre when our sleeping bags flung onto the rampant Warren easily persuaded a large and willing Salvation Jane bushes. crowd of walkers and walking supporters to become involved - they were exciting times. Next morning I realised I was in another world! As Warren remarks in his book. "When at one And so, the walking, conservation, geological magical down dawn I first glimpsed their tilted and young at heart in our community now have ramparts - I was at once intrigued by the skyline the opportunity of owning a reference book for profiles. fascinated by the warm reds of rock enjoying the features and unique attractions of faces." the Flinders Ranges between Crystal Brook and Mt. Hopeless. People who work and live in the area appear in the book. The Fargher family from Oratunga I am sure its advice is timeless, as the features near Blinman and nearby Wirrealpa are old just linger on - my wish is for another 11 ,000 friends. I have walked often on their properties. copies of this epic journey be spread around the The late Reg Sprigg whose company I have world, and it gives me much pleasure and respect enjoyed bouncing around in the back of a land for Warren and Bunty Bonython to launch this rover - with rock samples gathered in the North reprint of "Walking the Flinders Ranges" Flinders and Boolcamatta Hills. Jamie Shephard Lets reflect on the author. 4 Trailwalker August 2000 THE TRAILWALKER SECRETARY/OFFICE COORDINATOR'S REPORT The office is a very important part of this Sincere apologies to the gentleman who offered organisation. Keeping it open and functioning to help in the office. Unfortunately your name well is vital. went astray. We would love to hear from you again. It is the centre point from which the walking and maintenance activities radiate. We urgently need From September until the end of the year David your help to keep it operating. Without Beaton will be unable to come into the office. volunteers the office cannot open and this affects This is going to make us extremely short staffed everyone. on Tuesdays. We are also urgently in need of another pair of hands on Fridays. Publicity is essential in promoting the Heysen Trail and the joys of walking to the public. The Please give these requests serious thought. Even new brochures are ready for distribution. If you very temporary help would be much appreciated. can help let us know. I am happy to answer any questions or queries. Volunteers Ivan Kempson who worked in the office on Please ring me on Tuesdays, (office No 8212 Tuesdays has been offered a scholarship to 6299), or at home on 8277 4728 if you cabn help continue his studies.