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THE SYDNEY BU2HWALKER A monthly Bulletin devoted to matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, 5 Hamilton Street: Sydney. No 39. MARCH, 1938. .1. Editor :- Marie B. Byles Business Manager ;- J.W. Mullins Publication Staff:- Misses Clare Kinsella, Dot English, Flo AllFworth, Kathleen McKay, Messes John R. Wood, Brian G. Harvey, Stan Lumsden. CONTENTS. Page 1 “ 2 U 3 U II 5 ” 6 II 7 It 8 U 9 “ 10 ” 11 Editorial Growing Up With Swag and Billy Walking in the New Forest Luck 0' the Woods (A Fantasy) Nioka By “Paddy” News from Gere There and Everywhere What Shall we do with the Pole-Cutters? By Federation News Search and Rescue Section in Action By Camp Fire Chatter By 'ByJ By udex. Doreen Helmrich. Flo Allsworth. Dorothy Lawry. Tom Herbert. Firelight. EDITORIAL TBE HATED BUSHWALKER We had occasion to attend the Land Board Enquiry as to whether Mr. Milligan should have an extension of his lease of the land which lies south of Garawarra. The thing that struck us most forcibly was his hatred of bushwalkers. It was they who destroyed his fences, frightened his cattle, stole staghorn ferns, and generally interfered with his legitimate activities. “How ridiculous”, you will say, “the man did not know-what he was talkirE about.” He didn't, but unfortunately his views, however unfounded, arc those cf many people. What can we do about it? Possibly very little; but it is essentail that we should be absolutely beyond reproach. Are we sure that ie never get o7e: a fence but always get through it: never scare cattle so that they run away, neier throw a tin into the bush but always hide it carefully, never in any way interfere with the rights and property of others or the beauty of the bush? Mr. Milligants application was refused, but don't get the idea that our reputation had anything to do with it. In fact we were glad that our principal witness Was Miss Thistle Harris, who could truthfully say she was not one of those hated bushwalkers and that it was for the good of the public as a whole that this land should be added to Garauarra. 2 GROWING UP WITH -;-7TAG AND BILLY OR TEE FATHER OV TET, -.1: UF7T;WITKING MOVEMENT. Being an interview with Myles J. Dunphy By Judex. Myles began his walking career at a very early age. He was the chronically “lost child.” These first walks were in Melbcurne. But the really interesting first walks were in South Gippsland a tiny boy amid giant trees soaring 250 feet without a branch, and for his companions - spiders, tarantulas, half-wild cats, and tiger- snakes, not the sort of companions one wou1,1 ebryie for a little bey, and they were certainly not of his parents' chosing. Indeed, they did what L'eley could to keep him away from such things and he remembers sufferitiz e rental chastieement with the fronds of one of the very ferns he had carried home, Ectween times he attended school in an interesting building used alternatively as a scceej. bollse, a Salvation Army Temple, a Methodist- Chapel and a Roman Catholic Church, The Salvation Army used to play the band to make the others come out when they thollglit the latter had had a fair innings. For the rest Myles remembers tTle little village of Outtrim for its coal-mining, its huge tree-stumps and it train of small carriages hauled by a dinkey engine with a large funnel. The next move was to Wolloayeeng - wide and windy with fresh beach air, broad swamps, wild swans and maly seagulAs, a complete eentrast to the verdant forest but just as good for a boy in ,sereco!I of adverturee, There were black snakes, frogs, water voles, fireflies stall. the M)unt K,ill2ele. Mine. For a brief interlude he was dragged off to Sydney whle[i he h tode;e:11 uocs, Then back to the same kind of country at Kiama. It was the begiun5.np-, of real walking and a real bush existence. He climbed Saddleback and Bong Eons, revoned 71,1 the forest of giant ferns, since almost gone, hunted for Minnemurra oyetere and Omega fossils, and went to school near the sea with the grand beating cf the surf a ee7rrinual back-ground of music to the fascination of the recently introduced v.= c oheol syllabus. Out of school they learned how to make slings, the southern Queensland Blacks!' Boomerangs, cord-thrown javelins, and bewe, and arrows. But do not suppose Myles used these weapons to destroy the ania1ai in the bush. On the contrary at a very tender age he remembers the chill that at)-oele es cleiLd's heart when he 's'aw a black swan walking down the street and a man ste uuJs it o7er the head saying, “Good for Sunday's dinner.” Still he and his mates were not sairte exactly, On one occasion they had the fire brigade out as a result of tLeIr efforts to make a shooting star by attaching a kerosene flare to the tail of a large kites Then the Tec, College and other reaeone took him to Sydney and the real business of walking started with how to carry th:inge and whore to go, He solved the first with swag and bIlly2 and as we know Myles stUi ecorn e 'eho modern rucksael7aela swears by the old Dungal special swag with one am rou;1(1 be,L; to 101:donee end the other carrying, the billy and ,s..ver topes o-el- just wha Lap,7ens when he wants to blow his nose. 7hes6 to go w,–k s soeres -r; lo:; treks in Natiei e.i Park, Sydney to Newport, Glebe to ParrLme tts - all brao; dad, f121de in those days. Then he and his frienas E.:torte(' the Oriza Tourist Club oom/Jlete with uniform and numbering in its hey (ley tnelve stalwart lads, This Club is the first milestone in the history of the bushwalking movement in NO S.W0 It faded out because of the inability of the Orizabites to go into country sufficiently wild to suit Myles. The nucleus of the second Organization was Herbert Gallop and Myles; they called themselves “The Pilgrims” and went pilgrimages to the Jenolan-Kowmung district. Then the Mountain Trails Club came into existence; at first in an informal kind of way, and then in 1914 organized as a proper Club. The rest of the story is modern history. We all know the keen interest Myles ha: taken in the growth of the Sydney Bush Walkers, and how “Myles thought girls couldn't walk, But now they walk for miles and miles and miles:” We also know haw he is reputed to carry two axes, the one to mend the other in case it gets broken. And of course we all know the colossal work he undertakes in planning and mapping the national parks and primitive areas which will one day be a monument to his memory. WALKING IN TBE NEW FOREST. HAMPSHIRE - SOUTH OF ENGLAND. By Doreen Helmrich. The New Forest has been preserverl for us throl the whim of a King, 900 years ago. “William the Norman fancied the cl()unbry for hunting, so villages and churches were destroyed and cultivation ca):-And,)rc,d, and the land became a Royal Reserve, containing even now 92,000 cores of fafolaElt,04 walking country, of wood, heath, swamp and pasture unique in beauty in all England, I went there first in early Summer, to Lyndhurst, the capital of the forest, where “woodlands run right up to the old houses like a sea, and the parks surrounding the mansions are mere incidents in the scenery, lost and absorbed in the wild woods around them.” We walked along a forest road from here and came upon a village which seemed to have found its my there from a fairy tale - just a village green, surrounded by beech, oak and thorn trees, and a raw of white, thatched, rose-covered cottages, in strange contrast to the wild forest into which we plunged almost immediately. Here were oak and elm trees, but mostly beech, their branches drooping or mildly outflung, and we could see distance mistily thro' the columns of their trunks, we became connoisseurs of beeches in this silence that could be felt, and “then came upon a hurrying stream dancing throl the wood, golden clear with topaz lights. It had banks of turf as tho' nature had tucked in a coverlet on either side, and embroidered it with flowers. It may be doubted whether elsewhere in England is to be found anywhere to excel it or equal it in the completeness of its beauty, and in the strange perfection of the growth not only of its trees, but of its turf, its flowers and its lawns, to which the will of man has not contributed the laying of a sod or the setting of a daisy.” From the quiet of these tall trees we came to an open green, and a mob of small wild forest ponies which scattered at the first sound of approaching danger. And so we went on to lunch beside the sparkling Highland Waters, where the beeches met overhead, their trunks ivy covered, the ground pink with last year's leaves. Spanning the stream nearby was a picturesque tiny Roman bridge and we sat idly spoculating upon the Legions which may have tramped there, till Time forced us to leave, unwillingly and with deep regret a regret which was much increased a few minutes after when the heavens opened and a deluge came dawn upon us as we were crossing a wide clearing! We thought we had better imitate Brter Fox and lie lay, so we crept in under the tall thick bracken and meditated, to the accompaniment of the drip, drip of the drops. It soon cleared again and we began the difficult task of trying to follow forest paths from a map - they didn't seem to correspond at all. We completed one very good circle, but that didn't daunt us because we were walking mostly beside a stream over springing turf, and we eventually found the quaint Forest village of Minsted, and partook of tea at the village Inn, which I think was named “Ye Olde Stagts Head” or it may have been “The Hostel of God Begot.” My second visit to the Forest was in early Autumn, to the smallest of villages, fittingly called No-Monts-Land, for it truly seemed to be at the end of the world - just a handful of thatched cottages flung carelessly at the foot of a long hill. We tramped up this hill to the heath country, throt gorse and bracken and heather till we came upon a valley which glowed with the glory of Autumn itself. We were looking down, across yellow clumps of gorse, across red gold bracken and the purple mist of heather. The cool fresh turf beyond was dotted with dark, glistening holly trees, whose berries were not yet red, but the deep tangerine colour of Southern oranges, while guarding the mystery of the Forest stood the beeches, their leaves shoving the first faint tinge of that flame which would presently consume them utterly, till they fluttered, spent, from the branches to become part of that soft carpet of rose spread over the earth beneath. We wandered this for miles throt valley and forest till we found ourselves on a road again, but we had brought with us a picture of nature in a mood so beautiful that it was etched in our memories for ever. LUCK 0' TEE WOODS ( A FANTASY). There was a man who slaw a tree, Not for his needs, but wantonly; Not that he needed beam for &welling) Nor grass for kine, nor log for selling, Nor bridge to span a chasm oter, Nor fire for hearth, nor plank for floor Not 'or just reasons like to these, But only that he hated trees. Therefore the dryads came in tears. And little gods with pointed ears, And small, plump beasts, all bounce and fus Furry and sonewhat fabulous, And exiled birds with broken cries, And small slim elves with starry eyes. They did not curse him - no, not they, Only they took his luck away. Dire danger came not to his side, But all his joy in mall things died. He heard strange muttrings in the rain, And doors he shut swung wide again, And gear he hoarded went to rot, And spring came and he noticed not. No blossom throve beside his door; The zest that he had known. before - Zest of the hungry man at bread, Zest of the weary man for bed, Zest of the thirsty for clear springs, The morning heart that thoughtless sings, Left him, and friendship's fount was dried. - Only a dog kept by his side - An old dog, grey and tried and wise, With trouble in his dimming eyes, Who wondered, groping in his mind, s'How man - so wise - could be so blind: To hoard his money, count his gear, Check off each day, and tell each year, And devious long reckonings cast, Yet not to know his luck had passed. Up in the woods were scented flowtrs, That waited for the moth-winged hours, And honeyed cups for bees at morn Love wrought and little trees were born. In all these things he had no part - A shadow with a withered heart, and dry, passed him by. 1931. A husk so empty, shrunk That Death, the reaper, - Ella McFadyen. Published in the “Sydney Morning Herald” Centenary Issue, 18th. April, 17.1ris:ao earee…m. Flo Allsworth. The very name spells charm, and it he s charm - the charm of the Trimbles. About thirty of us were invited for the wee1c-en(1 Jean arranged with the busman to drive us to the farm and we being keen advecates of the walking cult were jubilant at having to do nary a step of walking. I arrived with about a dozen othors on the first bus. We were welcomed at the gate by Jean and hor Motl..er and a few of the superior of our clan who go places in cars. We had picked our ca2,2sites on the sefteet spots of grass in the back yard and had had refreshments -Weer -Lhe second bus are7red. We all joined Mrs. Trimble at the gate to welcome the new co=e, lhey had refrue3eaents, picked out the remaining good spots for their tents, and after that we weeeiered round the poultry yards and caw paddock, picked out a hill to clifib on the morrow, peeled dozens of spuds and shelled innumerable peas, then Morrie predoed a ciaoit and some one else a ball and we played games. The dogs thought the ball go wzes eut on for their especial benefit and ran themselves almost thin trying to gek, a tooth into the ball, but the ball throwers were “Olympic standard” so the poor dogs didntt get a look in. After our round of games we were ready to live up to the S.B.W. reputation and We certainly did justice to the dinner that was set before us. It is no small task to feed gach a large party of E.P.els and we havon:t ceased to wonder at Mrs.Trimble's wonderful ability. The lads of the party also shuged their ability - they had the washing 1l1 done in a thriee. Saturday night was of course sing-song night in fact it was a concert. Ray Bean played “The Anvil Chorus” as an everturet, Alone he did it with the help of a mouth organ and Mr. Trimble:s werb the ortii and louder the anvil or was it the hammer, and louder still tle corrugated ircn, anyway the effect was alright and caused much laughter. After the overture Reno pleyed the piano and Mr. Trimble sang, then we had choruses doing full justice to the Bush Walking songs. Joan sang and recited the fairy piece ch CUd.Yer the concert. !Tvius the first time I had heard this piece and it certainly seuna:d charming. Ion also sang and recited and Jock gave us “Dangerous Dan Mo rTrew” and so the night wt:cli; on with plenty of singing till the witching hour and then we All erept off to oar tentso Sunday morn we were up betigLes and after breakfast some of us strolled down the road. Some found a nice sunny spot and read books others inepected Mr. Trimblets workshop, others played games while those athirst for adventure went on a rat hunt. This is considered an exciting sport for the Lnin-1.tiated I had hotter gi ve an outline: First of all one must have a poultry farm the more fowls the bettor - they make most of the din; then some dogs and good strong waddles and a few oieke and shovels, let the dogs into the fowl houses seed watch the feathers fly. A_fter the dogs have scared most of the wits out of the fowls and they have cleared out of the houses, nose around and see if there are any likely holes then start the pick and shovel work, soon the dogs will start in to dig. Then of course the re:co elesead come out and all those armed with waddles give chase. I was in a nice sunny corner of iho garden reading “Man Shy”, when I heard a terrific 0:,n and thinkil eee,othne must have happened hastened fowlyard-warde e2;e t ee'e 'Jhe 7rvhole contingent leavin7), they had only caught one and 2 half raL-e that was their story, a poor catch, so were seeking permission to ('.o more hunting in the next farm, permission granted.,. I went to look on and I saw tie whole process except the rats, It seems the depression has taken its toll on the rats as well as on us. In the peak period I believe there were dozens and a rat hunt was worth while. However I will leave it to the tuffer members. ltd. rather read, After lunch Morrie decided to uphold the prestige of the Club by taking us to the hill. There were thirty members when the intention was aanounced and three went a walking. We left via the caw paddock olimbcd about a dozen fences and came to ? road crossed that and ? creek then over more fo=es and eventually we came to the water canal. Climbed the hill along side the canal and were rewarded with one of the most expansive views it would be possible to got around Sydney. Right at our feet was Prospect Dam and a little to the left was Sydney, the Bridge towering over the North Shore area. Morrie picked out quite a lot of landmarks for us in the different suburbs then we looked in the opposite direction and picked out Mounts King George and Hay and further south Colong. It was a beautifully clear afternoon the hill has about 100 trees on it so we have named it 100 Tree Hill - very or:Lginal. After taking the view in we returned, this time via the road and got back just in time for tea. The non walkers hadn't lazed altogether; some of them had played tennis. After tea we had another sing-song until the bus called for us, then we sang very heartily, “For They are Jolly Good Fellows”, and said good bye to “Nioka” all hoping Jean's family will let us come again sometime. TEE STORY OF TEE FRIEZE Now in the City of Sydney in the land of Aus there lived a man named Jack the son of John and he was a scribe. And as he worked diligently at his desk he heard a voice which said unto him: “Jock thou son of John” , and he lifted his head and turned himself about but he saw no man save his brother scribes who were bent over their tasks. And he said unto himself: “Lo some foolish person joketh, yea cloth he think to pull my leg.” But even as he thus spake, he again heard the voice saying: “River flaws, Bush gro, Wind blows.” And Jack the son of J01'.n eg'reA. prodigiously and resumed his labours, until his appointed hours of lelour wre don. Then returned he to his dwelling place and fed. Having thus refreshed ]-e_r:Iscif, he sat in a comfortable place and mused within himself on the strange voice he lu..d heard. And lo he saw a vision of men doing splendid things. Yea men :i,y1 tieLy ships sailing on unchartered seas and men exploring the frozen wastes at the Ilieemost ends sf the earth. And he said, “Lo these are men”, and his soul yearned within him: “Oh that I could do as these men do.” Then he heard a voice swing: “Theu fool hast thou not thy mother and thy sister to keep, haw is it posrenle for thee to ven.{mre then into the wilderness?” And he said: “Alas vozilyS Thou sayest soothe” This thrilling story will be continued in our next issue. If you can't wait came and have a look at the Frieze in Faddy:s place and read the story for yourself. PALLIY, Camp Gear for 'Walkers, 022111 327 George St., Sydney. Opp. Palings. NEWS FROM HERE THERE AND EVERTVHERE Preserving Th:figs The Wild Life Preservation Society acts as a watch-dog for the State, ever on the look-out to prevent destruction of native flora and fauna, and the work it does for us is beyond praise. This year it has widened ibs activities and purchased a piece of land at Avalon aS a fauna and flora reserve; it hopes by this means to educate public opinion in the appreciation of wild life. If you are ever that way you should inspect the reserve and see the giant angophora in the middle of it. Mountaineering in New Zealand A crop of newspaper cuttings brings vividly before one the keen interest taken by the N.Z. public in mountaineering and the consequent prestige and influence of the mountaineering clubs. Will bushwalking ever have the same prestige in N.S.W.? Our own party's exploits do not figure in these cuttings, although they have climbed seven peaks in wonderful weather. The most spectacular feat recorded is that of Marjorie Edgar Jones who made the second ascent of Dampier and climbed a couple of other major peaks on the way back. It was a long and arduous climb, the party being on the go for 32 hours. Marjorie's is the second ascent; the first was made by a Sydney girl, Freda Du Faur, 24 years ago, and her account of it may be read in “The Conquest of Mount Cook” which is in our library. Fatal Accident in the Tararua Tramping Club

January's issue of “The Tararua Tramper” tells the tragic story of haw Norm Dowling was killed on Mount Evans. It happened at the end of a long and successful climb when they were nearly back at camp. He was leading, slipped and fell headlong dragging the others with him3 They crashed on to a rocky shelf and then on to a snow-slope. It was a fall of 500 feet and the marvel is not that the leader was killed, but that the other two survived. We extend our sincere sympathy to our friends of the Tararuas on the lose of one of their ablest members. Londoners Protect their Open Spaces The movement for the preservation of the wild lands seems to be spreading everywhere. Our friends, the So-Pats, (Southern Pathfinders) devote a very large part of their Annual Report to this subject and it is interesting to see that their work does not stop at propaganda, as with us, but extends to collecting substantial sums of money. Their report is accompanied by a friendly letter telling among other things of the, TD1?-1r,,r ”,r1a curtrv inn Md. -r-elc,d n-re miap tramp: Walking Club in Western Australia Victoria, N.S.W. Rnr3. Tasmnia7C'?171 to /:CW'S 1-Id a monopoly of walking activities, but uP that n. akigc2.,1 bc.; fc in Australln, started by a member of the Melbourne Nomen/s Walking Club. We have been pleased to welcome to Sydney and to our walks Miss Eileen Bass of the Tararua Tramping Club. She was introduced by Mr. Jock Macpherson whom some of /IR mat milen he 'TAMA in Svanev ROTIle time avn- NEAT SHALL WE IN) WITH TEE POLE-CUTTERS? By Dorothy Lawry. Man is the most destructive of all animals. Of course, he is also the most constructive, but we do not want artificial rockeries, or concrete promenades, in the bush: Most of the destruction of our heritage is so obvious, and rouses such righteous indignation in the breasts of all nabure-lovers, that the details hardly need stressing here - deliberate firing of the bush by graziers; cutting of living trees by ' vandals and thoughtless youngsters just for the joy of it; shooting of helpless birds and animals by sportsmen; and the litter left by picnickers. All horrible! All to be prevented only by the gradual education of the whole community through continuous propaganda, and example. Each and every one of us who loves the bush, and hopes to continue enjoying it in the years to come, must do his or her share of this educational work, by example as well as by talk. Before we express our opinions of the destroyers, let us question ourselves. Are we quite blameless? Alas, no! Even the most careful of us, the greatest bush- lover of us all, cannot avoid causing a certain amount of wear and tear on the country - and haw many of us do anything to offset this wear and tear? How many of us even do only the least possible amount of damage? Many of us burn more firewood than is necessary; many of us always out green sticks for our billies; some of us even cut poles for our tents!! Yes, there was a case recently at Burning Palms when a fairly new member of the S.B.W. cut green trees for tent poles - and the shack owners said, “Bushwalkers again!” You know the kind of sneer, You have sneered it at other destroyers; but this time it was “BUSHWALKERS again”; and evidently this pole-cutting Was not an isolated instance for it was nBushwalkers AGAIN“ Nhat shall we do with the pole-eu'eters? Shall We kick them out of the club because they are giving it a bad name? No, because then we would have no control over them, Get them in a corner and tell them just what we think of them? That would relieve our feelings - but would it stop them from pole-cutting? So far as the trees are concerned, this pole-cutting is utterly tragic. At the same time, however, it is quite ridiculous that there are Bush Walkers wandering round under the weight of tents which are so large and heavy that poles have to be cut for them. What do these pole-outters think they are? Bedford trucks? Or just poor, ignorant, inexperienced innocents who have never heard of Paddy Pallin, or seen a lightweight tent? Let us be kind to any individuals of the genus “p-ae-cutter” whom we meet; let us lead them kindly but firmly to admire our own lightweight tents; let us point out to them the dead sticks used for poles, or that we have simply tied the tents to living trees for the night, and tomorrow willrelease the trees from their burdens and go on our way. Let us introduce these innocents to Paddy, and help them choose their new tents. Kind we should be to the poor innocents, but need we really smother our mirth? The sight they present is too amusing. Let us enjoy it to the full! After all, they are asking to be laughed at when they stagger round the bush under the weight of heavy tents - and axes! Again, mentally, we see them cutting green trees for tent-poles, and our hatred of this unnecessary destruction flares up, so that only by the exercise of great self- control can we continue to show kindnGss to th3so comrados at ours, and merely vent our soorn in laughter Come, sing a new chanty; and add extra verses as you think of them (Tune: “Early in the Morning”) What shall we do with a pole-cutter? (3 times) Every time we see him. Ha-hal and how- we laugh now (3 times) Every time we see him. Shaw him a real tent and make him pitch it (3 times) Every time we see him. Ha-ha: and how we laugh now (3 times) Every time we see him. FEDERATION NEWS June Holiday Week end - This has been restored in spite of the inconsiderateness of our present monarch when he decided to be born in December. Our thanks are due ta various recTeational bodies with Jack Debert representing the Federation. Kowmung House - The owner complains that bushwalkers have been leaving it in a shocking condition. We cannot believe that any member of any club is responsible, but if you know of any bushwalker who was in this locality over the Christmas holidays, please let us LAOTT, so that the matter may be fully investigated. Road round the Foreshores of_Kuringai Chase - The Federation is endeavouring to prevent this from going any further and thereby ruining' the marvellous beauty of this unspoilt region. Bundeena - Marley Road - The trustees of Naional Park assure us that this is not to be made. Conservation Bureau - It has long been felt that the chief work of the Federation 717=be the reservation of parklands and primitive areas. A standing subcommittee is now to be appointed to deal with these important things. Its constitution will be approved at next meeting* Information Bureau - The work of this has been so great that it deserves a section to itself - planning trips for enciuirers, making maps, surveying, plotting footpaths, etc. etc. etc. - but what else can you expect when the information officer, the indefatigable Ninian Melville, spends his holidays on the good work? When the earth is mad with song some blue September morning In the grove of Myall trees that rustle green and grey, Through the plumes of trailing leaves hung meet for her adorning See a dark-brewed dryad peep and swiftly draw away. narnilhAn_ Mastkellar. -10- SEARCH AND RESCUE SECTION IN ACTION. By Tom Herbert, The Search and Rescue Section of the Federation received its first S.O.S. call on Monday January 31st., when a youn nom anil IPM79,M fRned to return from a one-day walking trip which commenced on the previous day from Heathoote. A member of the S.& R. Section received the alarm about 5-15 p m. on Monday and after checking up with the relatives of the Jost people set in motion the machinery fc2 urga1i6ilig a z,riaT3n. Paddy Pallin's rooms were used as headquarters and Paddy's 'phone ran hot with calls to relatives, police and volunteers. All available information was obtained about the lost walkers from their relatives who, however, seemed uncertain as to where the couple actually intended going. Kangaroo Creek was thought likely and it was certain that the only food they took was a few sandwiches. The heavy rain on Sunday night and on Monday and the prospect of another stormy night increased the pessimism of the relatives who were prepared to do anything at all to help v. search party away. The register of volunteers was quickly examined and about 20 members were 'phoned. As it was after business hours only those with private 'phone numbers could be called and also calls were limited to those who were recorded as being available to search on meek days. When the list was exhausted seven members had volunteered and the following party left Sydney by motor lorry at 4 a m. on Tuesday - Jean Trimble (S.B.W.), Tom Herbert (S.B.W.), David Stead (S.B.L), Horry Salmon (Trampers' Club), Eric Jenkins(Trampersf Club), Ted Phillips (River Canoe Club), and Jack Watson (Rover Ramblers). Several relatives of the lost people also came in the lorry and on reaching Heathoote were joined by a party of police. The bushwalkers divided into three parties and were taken by lorry to three different points along the road between Heathcote and Waterfall. The first party struck out along Goonigal Ridge, the second along Kangaroo Ridge and the third along Ulvola Heights. The three parties were to meet at 10 a m. at Karlvo Pool where police arid other searchers were also to meet. No. 2 party, consisting of Tom Herbert and Ted Phillips, after following Kangaroo Ridge and coming down onto Kangaroo Creek found a battered suit case and a towel spread out on a flat rock in the creek. Inside the case was an envelope with the missing girl's name written on it and scrawled on the rock was a message saying that the two were following the creek downstream. Close by was a rock shelter with the ashes of a fire still warm. Hot on the trail the bushwalkers moved quickly downstream and on the way- called back some unattached searchers who were apparently wandering through the country without a definite plan. On reaching Karloo Pool No. 2 party found that the lost couple had just been brought in by a relative who had come across them as he was walking upstream from the pool. Although within three miles 91. Heathoots the couple were hopelessly bushed and had decided to follow Kangaroo Cnek to Audley. Exposure and lack of food had effected them and their progress would have been slow and painful. Jean Trimble proved a real “stout fella” by attending to the girl, calming her hysterics and giving her a complete change of dry clothing. The S. & R. Section has proved its worth. Volunteers from the Section were actually searching the country within 13 hours of the alarm being given and this despite the fact that it was a week day and that several hours of darkness had prevented an earlier start. In three hours the bushwalLors had e,y.0.,-6.1r r:lly. nolou-ohed the country between Heathcote and Waterfall and bounded by UlvoLL HeLghts and Prince's Highway. The police greatly appreciated tho ef i!ovt:J (Jj. tho Ljo& R. , :;ootion and. Inspector Harrowsmith who is in charge of the listr:3t showed he had complete confidence in the bushwalkers and welcomed their co-eperabion. Mr. Bert Hickey, one of the lost couple, expressed his appreciation by donating 3 to the S.& R. Section and this money will be us(,:d in providing first air material and other equipment for future search and rescue actiLties. At present there are 62 volunteers registered wibh the Sootion but more are needed as the recent emergency showed that manymfaotors perolt only a very small percentage of registered volunteers to get away at short notice. The bigger the number there is to call up the better the chaace there is of getting a party of adequate size. So, Bushwalkers, enlist now: 0!10 FIRE CHKTER By Firelight. The older member f th. Club will be glad to hear that at least one of the “Hippos” is still as toby t t1.-3or and has reccrttl:/ 'yeen, disporting in the flooded Macleay River in a wic: uroolq the glory of ';120 tribe. If you want the thrilling dcAall,A, ask Duoau about her recent canoe-trip. “Orang-outang” Roots a]so showv:O. up ac;r..,in the othor night - complete with wife and imps. Theirs was only a -,1,11-:1-c1 bain:s trip by oar [-Isom Brisbane this time - but they are looking forwaro. 1,c1 holiLiays in March - and so are we. March 15th. and l6th will be big nights for the Boy gco-uts of this S15te - and for our ral “Scotty.” On those nights, at the Sydney Tom Hall the Boy Scouts,' A.ssociati on will present a Pageant “The Story of the Fleux-de-1769, written by Rover Ian Malcolm. We hope “Scotty” will get down from Teiiircas,3Th for the performance so that we can applaud him as well as the Pagenn, if not, waYll just have to congratulate him the naxt Friday night. He is sure to be at the CluL, as usual. By the way Hilda Macartney Blunt one of our delegates to the Parks and Playgrounds Movement Of N.S,11% is now the poplar social Secretary of that body. Our own -club is also drawing cm allaaF1 time zzld Qly,anising ability, hence the successful a Ilicture-night at the Itayfair on 2ohruary-23rd According to letters reiv-ed.-Trom Gwen Lawr e, she is working so hard up at Katoomba that she seldom has time oven to look out of the window at the glorious walking country that is so tant;alisinly near. -12- KANANG RA -KOIAIMUNG -RE SE RVAT ION The Editor, “The Sydney Bush Walker”, Dear Madam, In reply to the letter from Mr. Gibson re the Kanangra-Kowmung Reservation published in your last issue we mould point out that the methods employed in securing this Reservation were successful only because of the immense amount of ground work done by Mr. M.J. Dunphy for many years in surveying and making known to the public this unique area. We consider that the methods referred to in the above mentioned letter were “model” only in this particular set of circumstances. For the Committee, (Sgd.) Richard J. Croker, Honorary Secretary, The Sydney Bush Walkers.

193803.1348882347.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/10/31 20:16 (external edit)

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