•CANBERRA ' BUSH WALKING •CLUB INC NEWSLETTER GPO Box 160, Canberra ACT 2601 VOLUMB 34 SEPTEI'ffiER 1998 NUMBER 9 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Greg BUckley Award & other Prizes 8pm Wednesday 16 September Dickson Library Community Room (entrance at rear of library) Make the most of the evening and Join other members at 6.00pm for a convivial (B'YO) meal at the Pho P1w Quoc Restaurant in Cape Street, Dickson. Try to be early to ensure there will be ample time to finish and still get to the meetIng In comfortable time Walks to Allan Mikkelsen Ph: 6278 3164 E-mail: [email protected] SD Century Courts, 4 Beetaloo St, Hawker ACT 2614 Articles etc. for publication to Paul Edstein Ph: 6271 4514(w) 6288 1398 (h) Fax: 6271 4560 (w) E-mail: [email protected] 19 Gamor St, Waramanga ACT 2611 PRESIDENT'S PRATTLE And so to my final "Prattle". It doesn't seem those people, but also to everyone who has supported like I've been compiling "Prattles" for two years, so I walks, other activities and Club meetings. think I must have enjoyed it! As the saying goes "time flies when you're having fun". I have to admit though I would just like to mention here that activity leaders there were months when I really had to search for do have one important obligation when they something I thought was worth printing - okay, not return home from the activity. That is to phone the everyone thought it was worth printing! Some Check-in Officer (as early as possible or at least members didn't agree with what I had to say on within 24 hours) and advise the safe completion of the occasions and I will always think that was good for trip and the number of people who went - and the Club. At least it indicated they were reading it! hopefully returned. The phone numbers are always provided on the first page of the Activity Program and Although the position of President requires a if Stan- isn't there please leave a message with the certain amount of work and responsibility, so much details. depends on the support from Committee members and other non-official helpers. Not least the activity At the time of compiling this I have not been leaders who provide the essential ingredient for the able to recruit a successor as President. This is existence of this Club - and it's-good to see some new disappointing for me and I sincerely hope that names amongst the leaders this year. Is there anyone someone will come forward before or at the AGM. I. else out there prepared to help the Walks Secretary's mentioned in the July "Prattle" that there are other job easier? My sincere thanks, particularly to all of current Committee members who will not be able to continue on the Committee, so please attend the AGM gathering really. So if you want to see this Club and consider taking a position (see "job descriptions" continue as before, or to improve, then this is the inside this issue) or perhaps support the Committee in opportunity to become involved and gain further an unofficial capacity. enjoyment from the Club. Being a Committee member has many Don't forget also that by attending the rewards and can be very enjoyable. It does require AGM, and being there at 8pm for the stan, you some commitment, but not for every week or month could win a Gore "Windstopper" fleece jacket of the year, and it's also a great way of getting to (retail value about $200). know other members better. Committee meetings have proven very enjoyable during the past three Chris Roper, President P years that I have been involved. More of a social for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna' managed by I CONSERVATION NEWS I the NSW NPWS; Further details are available from the campaign headquarters on (02) 6379 6257 or the Weedbuster Week internet (www.pnc.com . au/-bmcs). The second national 'Weedbuster Week' will Bush Lives Bush Futures be held from 11-18 October 1998. The week is aimed at raising awareness of the effect of weed invasion 'Bush Lives Bush Futures' is an interesting and focuses on the identification of potential weed exhibition which opened recently at Sydney's Hyde problems. Park Barracks. The exhibition chronicles the efforts of eight western New South Wales families to manage In Canberra, the week will be launched on their properties sustainably in the face of seemingly Sunday 11 October with a field day on the banks of insurmountable problems of thought; salinisation; the Molonglo River opposite Duntroon from 1 1am noxious weed and feral animal invasions; and falling until 3pm. The field thy will showcase local efforts in commodity prices. The exhibition is open daily from weed control and provide opportunities to learn about lOam to 5pm and runs until 6 December. weed control methods and weed identification. A number of community groups will hold Blue Mountains World Heritage Nomination their own events during the week - watch out for the Assessment of Australia's recent World Weedbuster Week media campaign for more details. Heritage nomination of more than one million hectares of the Blue Mountains has now begun. Genowlan and Mt Airly Campaign Whilst the process is expected to take at least eighteen Genowlan Mountain and Mt Airly are isolated months, the area's outstanding natural values and the mesas in the Capertee Valley within an area of fact that the nomination has bipartisan support at the ironstone pagodas, remote tablelands and hidden State and Federal levels make it more-than-likely that valleys known as the 'Three Hundred Sisters'. The the nomination will be successful. Acceptance of the integrity of the area is currently threatened by nomination would improve the level of protection potential coal mining, road building and uncontrolled provided to the area, but it could also lead to vastly 4WD activities. The Colo Committee, the Blue increased numbers of Australian and international Mountains Conservation Society and the Rylstone visitors. District Environment Society are coordinating a Terenée Uren, Conservation Officer campaign to have the area declared a 'Crown Reserve P WALK SECRETARY'S WAFFLE The Club is also supporting the ACT Seniors I I Week by organising a walk for seniors. See the notice It has been suggested to me that it could be a at the end of the Actvity Program in this It. good idea for bushwalkers to carry a Quota "Vial of The walks program has been greatly affected Life" in their pack to provide a personalised information sheet readily available in case of by bad weather recently with many walks cancelled. emergency on a walk. These kits come in two forms - Several of these have been rescheduled, but I still a small plastic wallet or a film canister type container. need lots of new walks to bolster the program. Please think about what walk you could lead. New leaders The èlub committee has endorsed this suggestion and I will have a supplyof these kits available at the next are especially welcome and I can provide suggested walks for new leaders and other advice to get you general meeting. The kits are free and are also started. available from the NRMA. Allan Mikkelsen, Walk Secretary P Canberra Sushwalking Club IT September 1998 page 2 PRODUCT INFORMATION AND DOUBLE DISCOUNT NIGHT Jurkiewicz Adventure Sports are holding a night for Canberra Bushwalking Club members. Club members will be entitled to a 20% discount off the retail price on most items in store (GPS units, kayaks and canoes, and fridges are exempt). A product seimnar will be presented by Ian Maley, founder of Wilderness Equipment, and by Phillip Endersbee, founder of Wilderness Wear. Both companies are Australian and make excellent products The night will be held on Thursday 29 October from 5:30pm. The venue is Jurkiewicz Adventure Sports at 47 Wollongong Street Fyshwick. For more information please call Sean Wood on 62806033. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about two great Australian outdoors companies, and then to kit up for the upcoming walking season at excellent prices. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING INFORMATION I COMMITFEE MEMBERS' ROLES Here is a brief outline of all the positions up for election at the September AGM. If you would like further information about individual positions, please give the current office bearer (see back cover ofthis issue) a call. It's important to have an enthusiastic and hardworking Committee to meet the needs of Club members. New Committee members bring fresh ideas and approaches, while former Committee members bring experience and knowledge of Club history. President Minute Secretary Main duties are to oversee all Club activities, chair the Committee Takes minutes of Committee Meetings and records the formal and General Meetings, represent the Club and help other business of the Monthly Meetings. Committee members where needed. Correspondence Secretary Vice-President I Treasurer Collects mail from the Club's post office box (GPO Box 160, Deputizes for the President and manages the Club's finances. Canberra ACT 2601) and ensures that correspondence is handed Maintains the account books, advises the Committee and Club to the relevant Committee member for prompt consideration at members on financial matters, pays accounts, banks money, Committee meetings. Drafts replies as required by the Committee provides receipts and drafts the budget for the following year. and maintains files of all inward and outward correspondence. Walks Secretary Publisher Responsible for organizing a balanced program of walks. This Collects It from the printer. Arranges It collation evenings in includes encouraging members to plan and lead walks, ski tours members' homes for the preparation of It for posting.