SBW Magazine & History Project

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
196609

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
196609 [2016/08/16 13:01] – tyreless196609 [2016/08/16 13:08] (current) – tyreless
Line 8: Line 8:
 |**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, Coral Tree Dr., Carlingford. 8711207.| |**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, Coral Tree Dr., Carlingford. 8711207.|
 |**Typist**|Shirley Dean, 30 Hannah St., Beecroft.| |**Typist**|Shirley Dean, 30 Hannah St., Beecroft.|
-|**Sales & Subscriptions**|Neville Page, 22 Haward St., Kingsford. 343536.|+|**Sales & Subscriptions**|Neville Page, 22 Hayward St., Kingsford. 343536.|
  
 ====381. September,1966. Price 10c.==== ====381. September,1966. Price 10c.====
Line 44: Line 44:
 A study of the Social Programmes from the past shows there is some substance in these claims. There has been a gradual change in emphasis over the years, a change that has, in general, favoured the spectator functions. A period of relatively rapid change in the early to mid fifties heralded the explosion of the colour slide cult into mass popularity - perhaps the colour slide has done to us what T.V. has done to Society as a whole. A study of the Social Programmes from the past shows there is some substance in these claims. There has been a gradual change in emphasis over the years, a change that has, in general, favoured the spectator functions. A period of relatively rapid change in the early to mid fifties heralded the explosion of the colour slide cult into mass popularity - perhaps the colour slide has done to us what T.V. has done to Society as a whole.
  
-For instance, how many years is it now since the Club has enjoyed an intelligent debate? (We may have even lost the art). Community singing with a piano-accordion ana a lusty leader is as dead as a dodo - no wonder our campfire singing has gone down the drain. Remember the square dance years, some of you - that stuff was real participation; and it was social.+For instance, how many years is it now since the Club has enjoyed an intelligent debate? (We may have even lost the art). Community singing with a piano-accordion and a lusty leader is as dead as a dodo - no wonder our campfire singing has gone down the drain. Remember the square dance years, some of you - that stuff was real participation; and it was social.
  
 Slide nights make it easy for everyone - for everyone: for the Social Secretary, for the Lecturer and for the audience. Because they're easy, they will probably continue to dominate the Programme. Maybe this is what most people want; but there is a sizeable minority who would prefer less quantity and more quality in their slide evenings and who would like the gaps filled in with participation functions. Slide nights make it easy for everyone - for everyone: for the Social Secretary, for the Lecturer and for the audience. Because they're easy, they will probably continue to dominate the Programme. Maybe this is what most people want; but there is a sizeable minority who would prefer less quantity and more quality in their slide evenings and who would like the gaps filled in with participation functions.
Line 70: Line 70:
 The fire was started at 6.30 a.m. the next morning and by 7 a.m. everybody was awake if not up and cooking breakfast. Then I woke the Pres., and after the usual colourful exchange of good morning phrases, he asked me about the water situation; which, considering the fact that we were on the top of a ridge, would have been non-existent except for Brian's 5 gallon jerry-can. This of course was unknown to the Pres. who was still flat on his back in the back of his panel van enjoying his little game with his 2 gallons of water and eleven presumably thirsty bods - the carrot on the string game ended when Brian announced that he would drain his radiator. The fire was started at 6.30 a.m. the next morning and by 7 a.m. everybody was awake if not up and cooking breakfast. Then I woke the Pres., and after the usual colourful exchange of good morning phrases, he asked me about the water situation; which, considering the fact that we were on the top of a ridge, would have been non-existent except for Brian's 5 gallon jerry-can. This of course was unknown to the Pres. who was still flat on his back in the back of his panel van enjoying his little game with his 2 gallons of water and eleven presumably thirsty bods - the carrot on the string game ended when Brian announced that he would drain his radiator.
  
-After several false starts, including a femme who started cooking breakfast after everyone else had packed up, a true move-off was accomplished at 8.20 a.m. and an hour later we were walking along The Little River after successfully negotiating the cliff line without incident. The fabulous view of the clifflined Nattai and Little River valleys was a magnificent reward for our penance. A new fire trail scars the left hand bank of The Little River going at least up to the Blue Gum Creek junction. Lunch was started at 11.45 a.m. near Blue Gum Creek. The lunch fire was quite fierce and erupted several times during lunch. Ramon U'Brien who seemed to be the main target for flying embers was obliged to move. Uncle John (sorry Dave) stepped on a hot ember and for its entertainment value, the ensuing performance was well worth the trouble to watch.+After several false starts, including a femme who started cooking breakfast after everyone else had packed up, a true move-off was accomplished at 8.20 a.m. and an hour later we were walking along The Little River after successfully negotiating the cliff line without incident. The fabulous view of the cliff-lined Nattai and Little River valleys was a magnificent reward for our penance. A new fire trail scars the left hand bank of The Little River going at least up to the Blue Gum Creek junction. Lunch was started at 11.45 a.m. near Blue Gum Creek. The lunch fire was quite fierce and erupted several times during lunch. Ramon U'Brien who seemed to be the main target for flying embers was obliged to move. Uncle John (sorry Dave) stepped on a hot ember and for its entertainment value, the ensuing performance was well worth the trouble to watch.
  
 When the announcement came that it was time to move off up the hill and that it was advisable to fill up our water bottles I was delighted to hear the Pres. grumble that he didn't bring his water bottle. I was going to suggest that he should go back and get his two gallon container. I am sure, however, that his answer would also have been a suggestion. The climb up to Junction Mountain began about 1 p.m. When the announcement came that it was time to move off up the hill and that it was advisable to fill up our water bottles I was delighted to hear the Pres. grumble that he didn't bring his water bottle. I was going to suggest that he should go back and get his two gallon container. I am sure, however, that his answer would also have been a suggestion. The climb up to Junction Mountain began about 1 p.m.
Line 76: Line 76:
 At a vantage point on the top of a small cliff where we rested and took in the view, a fellow called Zot who came in Ian Steven's car told us how thousands of years ago before the birth of Phil Butt, the Romans in their caterpillars built the cliffs on the other side of the river just so as we could sit where we were and wonder how they were made. The other people in Ian's car were Roger Lockwood and Peter Lannigan, an Englishman, who despite a sophisticated upbringing in an affluent society refused to take off his trousers and walk in comfort. At a vantage point on the top of a small cliff where we rested and took in the view, a fellow called Zot who came in Ian Steven's car told us how thousands of years ago before the birth of Phil Butt, the Romans in their caterpillars built the cliffs on the other side of the river just so as we could sit where we were and wonder how they were made. The other people in Ian's car were Roger Lockwood and Peter Lannigan, an Englishman, who despite a sophisticated upbringing in an affluent society refused to take off his trousers and walk in comfort.
  
-The top of the Wild Goat Plateau was everything that we hoped it wouldn't be, a maze of ridges which were covered by low trees and lower scrub which included every plant that ever scratched, tore, stabbed or tripped a bushwalker. The world was suddenly reduced to a piece a yard wide and ten yards long straight in front. By 4.30 p.m. we had travelled three miles along a predetermined route, less an a mile an hour. It was decided on the shores of Lake Joyce that we should accept Uncle John's suggestion and try for water in the gully below us, the waters of which, if there were any, flowed into Golden Moon creek. (N.B. Lake Joyce at the time of discovery was approximately 938 mm wide and 1556.4 mm long with a maximum depth of well over 15 mm. Although it presented no problem on this occasion it is adivsed that water wings should be carried if venturing into the area after periods of heavy rain.)+The top of the Wild Goat Plateau was everything that we hoped it wouldn't be, a maze of ridges which were covered by low trees and lower scrub which included every plant that ever scratched, tore, stabbed or tripped a bushwalker. The world was suddenly reduced to a piece a yard wide and ten yards long straight in front. By 4.30 p.m. we had travelled three miles along a predetermined route, less an a mile an hour. It was decided on the shores of Lake Joyce that we should accept Uncle John's suggestion and try for water in the gully below us, the waters of which, if there were any, flowed into Golden Moon creek. (N.B. Lake Joyce at the time of discovery was approximately 938 mm wide and 1556.4 mm long with a maximum depth of well over 15 mm. Although it presented no problem on this occasion it is advised that water wings should be carried if venturing into the area after periods of heavy rain.)
  
 The minor tributary in the gully ran into another minor tributary which ran into another minor tributary. Thirty yards from this junction the creek bed, which had been consistently dry with a few damp patches, was found to be under two feet of water. The campsite was chosen and then made, a fire was built which contrary to the usual procedure was large enough for everybody to cook on at the one time. The after-dinner conversation included steam trains, direction by the stars and for Zot's benefit, the correct way to pronounce "pronounce". While it was only between the Colonials and Zot there were only two schools of thought, then somebody asked Peter for the English version and this left us with three to choose from. It looked as if we would be up all night until Ian called for mugs which he said were for a short burst of Scotch, after which it was time to retire at 9.30 p.m. Uncle John, who had already been in bed for two hours trying to get to sleep, declared in no uncertain terms that it was about time too. The minor tributary in the gully ran into another minor tributary which ran into another minor tributary. Thirty yards from this junction the creek bed, which had been consistently dry with a few damp patches, was found to be under two feet of water. The campsite was chosen and then made, a fire was built which contrary to the usual procedure was large enough for everybody to cook on at the one time. The after-dinner conversation included steam trains, direction by the stars and for Zot's benefit, the correct way to pronounce "pronounce". While it was only between the Colonials and Zot there were only two schools of thought, then somebody asked Peter for the English version and this left us with three to choose from. It looked as if we would be up all night until Ian called for mugs which he said were for a short burst of Scotch, after which it was time to retire at 9.30 p.m. Uncle John, who had already been in bed for two hours trying to get to sleep, declared in no uncertain terms that it was about time too.
Line 148: Line 148:
 =====Paddy Made.===== =====Paddy Made.=====
  
-Bushwalking and ski touring have a great deal in common. Because of this it is quite usual to find that most ski tourers are bushwalkers also. Bushwalkers who have not discovered the pleasures, perils, interest and adventures of ski touring should take positive steps to do somsthing about it.+Bushwalking and ski touring have a great deal in common. Because of this it is quite usual to find that most ski tourers are bushwalkers also. Bushwalkers who have not discovered the pleasures, perils, interest and adventures of ski touring should take positive steps to do something about it.
  
 September and October are the good months, why not get yourselves organised and try it? September and October are the good months, why not get yourselves organised and try it?
Line 162: Line 162:
 =====Beware!===== =====Beware!=====
  
-As a matrimonial bureau, the Club has always been a huge success, beating even the professionals at their own game. One can't help noticing that this trend is going to continue, so it's felt that a word of warning to the starry-eyed is again timely. With this in mind, we've resurredted a 'Sydney Bushwalker' classic from 1956, when Pat and Ian Wood were inspired to poetry on hearing of the engagement of Geof Wagg and Grace Aird.+As a matrimonial bureau, the Club has always been a huge success, beating even the professionals at their own game. One can't help noticing that this trend is going to continue, so it's felt that a word of warning to the starry-eyed is again timely. With this in mind, we've resurrected a 'Sydney Bushwalker' classic from 1956, when Pat and Ian Wood were inspired to poetry on hearing of the engagement of Geof Wagg and Grace Aird.
  
 Dear Geof, Dear Geof,
Line 209: Line 209:
 The journey home was very interesting and enjoyable - even if a trifle long, indeed by the time we arrived in Southampton most were thankful to be off the vessel, for more than just a few days. The day spent in Auckland was used for a trip to Rotorua - I was much impressed by what I saw and would like to spend a spell over in N.Z. both islands. Having friends in the two sections it should be easy to get to know the Antipodes better - those slides of the Vaseys and others I've seen of the Southern Alps certainly whet the appetite. Calls were made in at Fiji and Samoa - the latter being especially beautiful - indeed an ideal conception of a South Seas Island - and, more surprising, unspoilt and relatively free of the so called progressive development generally associated with the Yanks. One such example is the new hotel that has been built on a projecting spit in the Harbour - its external features are based on the traditional Samoan style of house making, but internally it has every luxury and convenience one could wish. Most of the island, like Fiji, is hilly and densely covered with vegetation. The beaches are good in places but unsafe - shark danger is bad. The view of the island at sunset as we sailed to Hawaii was unforgettable. Honolulu was grossly overrated and very dear - more or less a huge army-navy and airforce arsenal - probably a contributing factor towards the expensiveness. The overall scenic possibilities were not of a quality to rave over - I've seen as good if not better on the North Queensland coast although it's only fair to say that had time and funds permitted more leisurely excursion to the outer islands it would have been a very different story - you may recall the very good slides exhibited at the Club one Wednesday of the largest of the group Hawaii - they were really interesting. Our next port of call was San Francisco - a most beautiful city which was reminiscent of Sydney - both being hilly and having both extensive harbours and beaches - Frisco having a somewhat larger harbour and is definitely more hill. Its buildings are generally modern style but graceful. Much of the surrounding suburbs and adjoining cities of Oakland and Berkeley are pretty nondescript but the glory is its setting against the harbour and very attractive "green belt". The journey home was very interesting and enjoyable - even if a trifle long, indeed by the time we arrived in Southampton most were thankful to be off the vessel, for more than just a few days. The day spent in Auckland was used for a trip to Rotorua - I was much impressed by what I saw and would like to spend a spell over in N.Z. both islands. Having friends in the two sections it should be easy to get to know the Antipodes better - those slides of the Vaseys and others I've seen of the Southern Alps certainly whet the appetite. Calls were made in at Fiji and Samoa - the latter being especially beautiful - indeed an ideal conception of a South Seas Island - and, more surprising, unspoilt and relatively free of the so called progressive development generally associated with the Yanks. One such example is the new hotel that has been built on a projecting spit in the Harbour - its external features are based on the traditional Samoan style of house making, but internally it has every luxury and convenience one could wish. Most of the island, like Fiji, is hilly and densely covered with vegetation. The beaches are good in places but unsafe - shark danger is bad. The view of the island at sunset as we sailed to Hawaii was unforgettable. Honolulu was grossly overrated and very dear - more or less a huge army-navy and airforce arsenal - probably a contributing factor towards the expensiveness. The overall scenic possibilities were not of a quality to rave over - I've seen as good if not better on the North Queensland coast although it's only fair to say that had time and funds permitted more leisurely excursion to the outer islands it would have been a very different story - you may recall the very good slides exhibited at the Club one Wednesday of the largest of the group Hawaii - they were really interesting. Our next port of call was San Francisco - a most beautiful city which was reminiscent of Sydney - both being hilly and having both extensive harbours and beaches - Frisco having a somewhat larger harbour and is definitely more hill. Its buildings are generally modern style but graceful. Much of the surrounding suburbs and adjoining cities of Oakland and Berkeley are pretty nondescript but the glory is its setting against the harbour and very attractive "green belt".
  
-We sepnt a day and half there - unfortunately landing on Thanksgiving Day which denied us the opportunity of paying a visit to the National Park of Yosemite - a great pity for I was much looking forward to this - still an opportunity may exist on a return trip. We traversed all three harbour bridges - glorious views and of course - great technical interest. Perhaps pride of place for me went to the new Masonic Hall near Grace Cathedral - it had a most imposing entrance foyer, with one complete wall of illuminated glass - rather like an enormous mosaic - unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me so missed out taking a shot of it.+We spent a day and half there - unfortunately landing on Thanksgiving Day which denied us the opportunity of paying a visit to the National Park of Yosemite - a great pity for I was much looking forward to this - still an opportunity may exist on a return trip. We traversed all three harbour bridges - glorious views and of course - great technical interest. Perhaps pride of place for me went to the new Masonic Hall near Grace Cathedral - it had a most imposing entrance foyer, with one complete wall of illuminated glass - rather like an enormous mosaic - unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me so missed out taking a shot of it.
  
-The next port was Los ngelos - pretty crummy, its sole redeeming point were the suburbs nestling under the foothills of the nearby ranges - already snowcapped and a perfect background for the subtropical vegetation and garden specimans. Of less pretence and more endearing nature was the final port in the U.S. - San Diego next to the Mexican border - this is a glorified naval base but has an attractive setting, possesses a magnificent park that contains some fine Spanish Colonial buildings. Acapulco in Mexico was notable for its wonderful harbour setting - almost land locked and ringed by barren hills. Its beaches are very lovely and colourful and ringed by ultra modern hotels - including the inevitable Hilton. The older native parts were of much more interest even if one needed a nose bag on most of the time - the sanitary conditions were hardly all mod. cons. This applies to even greater degree to the Panamanian ports each end of the Canal - the difference between those who have and those who have not really is stark (with every evidence of the police state) - no wonder its always on the verge of revolution!+The next port was Los Angeles - pretty crummy, its sole redeeming point were the suburbs nestling under the foothills of the nearby ranges - already snowcapped and a perfect background for the subtropical vegetation and garden specimens. Of less pretence and more endearing nature was the final port in the U.S. - San Diego next to the Mexican border - this is a glorified naval base but has an attractive setting, possesses a magnificent park that contains some fine Spanish Colonial buildings. Acapulco in Mexico was notable for its wonderful harbour setting - almost land locked and ringed by barren hills. Its beaches are very lovely and colourful and ringed by ultra modern hotels - including the inevitable Hilton. The older native parts were of much more interest even if one needed a nose bag on most of the time - the sanitary conditions were hardly all mod. cons. This applies to even greater degree to the Panamanian ports each end of the Canal - the difference between those who have and those who have not really is stark (with every evidence of the police state) - no wonder its always on the verge of revolution!
  
 The canal itself was transited in daylight, the weather being overcast much of the time but exceptionally humid - it was scenically and technically very enjoyable. Another highlight of the trip was the Colombian port of Cartagena on the Caribbean - it is one of the former fortified cities on the old Spanish Main - retaining virtually intact, its city walls, old buildings and fortifications - all dating from round the 16th century perhaps a little earlier. We spent an absorbing day in hot sunshine investigating its nooks and crannies and would like to have spent much longer there. The canal itself was transited in daylight, the weather being overcast much of the time but exceptionally humid - it was scenically and technically very enjoyable. Another highlight of the trip was the Colombian port of Cartagena on the Caribbean - it is one of the former fortified cities on the old Spanish Main - retaining virtually intact, its city walls, old buildings and fortifications - all dating from round the 16th century perhaps a little earlier. We spent an absorbing day in hot sunshine investigating its nooks and crannies and would like to have spent much longer there.
  
-We made a call into Trinidad - its port was colourful without being outstanding although the beach which we later went to for a swim - on the northern side, was superb - as were the views across the straights to the mainland of South America. A lengthy passage eventually landed us in Lisbon - a delightful city with a great deal to hold ones interest - especially from the architectural point of view - I wish we had longer there - but since this is relatively easy to revisit, particularly in conjunction with Spain, it was less of a loss than say the islands in the Samoan group. We were there for a day, then followed a stormy passage through the Bay of Biscay, a brief call in at Le Havre, finally landing amidst high wind and driving rain at Southampton in the early hours. However, by the time we were hustled down the gangway, the weather cleared to a perfectly beautiful sunny winter day. Three car loads of family and relations were at the quayside to greet me, and after a short stop for refreshment we sped on our way along the remaining 75 miles to London and home. Christmas was as you would expect a distinctly family event, with much reunion and acquainting with new members of the family. After a month or so of visiting I restart work - as a local government officer at the new city hall of Westminster - a modern ediface like the AMP in Sydney, some 22 levels high and commanding a magnificent prospect over the city towards the Surrey and Hertfordshire hills. At Easter I resumed serious walking, inaugerating the "season" with a trip up to Snowdonia - a very good trip, quite arduous on the "unscheduled" sections although the very mixed weather conditions - snow, sleet, ice, rain and sunshine combined to make certain seetions a little trying.+We made a call into Trinidad - its port was colourful without being outstanding although the beach which we later went to for a swim - on the northern side, was superb - as were the views across the straights to the mainland of South America. A lengthy passage eventually landed us in Lisbon - a delightful city with a great deal to hold ones interest - especially from the architectural point of view - I wish we had longer there - but since this is relatively easy to revisit, particularly in conjunction with Spain, it was less of a loss than say the islands in the Samoan group. We were there for a day, then followed a stormy passage through the Bay of Biscay, a brief call in at Le Havre, finally landing amidst high wind and driving rain at Southampton in the early hours. However, by the time we were hustled down the gangway, the weather cleared to a perfectly beautiful sunny winter day. Three car loads of family and relations were at the quayside to greet me, and after a short stop for refreshment we sped on our way along the remaining 75 miles to London and home. Christmas was as you would expect a distinctly family event, with much reunion and acquainting with new members of the family. After a month or so of visiting I restart work - as a local government officer at the new city hall of Westminster - a modern ediface like the AMP in Sydney, some 22 levels high and commanding a magnificent prospect over the city towards the Surrey and Hertfordshire hills. At Easter I resumed serious walking, inaugerating the "season" with a trip up to Snowdonia - a very good trip, quite arduous on the "unscheduled" sections although the very mixed weather conditions - snow, sleet, ice, rain and sunshine combined to make certain sections a little trying.
  
 ---- ----
Line 251: Line 251:
 At our Annual General meeting in March, a small Committee was appointed to represent the Club in a discussion with the Minister for Lands. The Committee consisted of Heather Joyce, Michael Elfick, the President (ex officio), Alan Rigby, whose experience and ideas will be sadly missed, and myself. It has since co-opted Henry Gold, whose knowledge of overseas parks, together with his photographic talents, will be valuable. It has been an active Committee, having met four times, and visited the Minister, while individual members have inspected controlled burning methods at Canberra, photographed the Church Creek limestone formation for the Dept. of Lands, and held discussions with top departmental and other conservationists. A great deal of knowledge of modern conservation practice has been, and is being acquired. This report seeks to summarise some of it. At our Annual General meeting in March, a small Committee was appointed to represent the Club in a discussion with the Minister for Lands. The Committee consisted of Heather Joyce, Michael Elfick, the President (ex officio), Alan Rigby, whose experience and ideas will be sadly missed, and myself. It has since co-opted Henry Gold, whose knowledge of overseas parks, together with his photographic talents, will be valuable. It has been an active Committee, having met four times, and visited the Minister, while individual members have inspected controlled burning methods at Canberra, photographed the Church Creek limestone formation for the Dept. of Lands, and held discussions with top departmental and other conservationists. A great deal of knowledge of modern conservation practice has been, and is being acquired. This report seeks to summarise some of it.
  
-There is no need to reiterate the S.D.W. conservaton policy, which was adequately discussed, and approved by the General Meeting of June, 1964, but it is something new to have our long-cherished ideal of extensive primitive areas receiving support from many quarters. For long we were accused of wanting to keep the parks for ourselves. Parks could not be created, it was said, unless roads, buildings and all mod. cons were introduced, thus making them available to the public. I have already drawn attention in the magazine to President Johnson's reference, in his Message to Congress on Natural Beauty, to "the forgotten outdoorsmen of today who like to walk, hike, ride horseback or bicycle. For "them", he said, we must have trails, as well as highways. Nor should motor vehicles be allowed to tyranaise the more leisurely human traffic." Shortly afterwards Congress set aside nine million acres of "permanent Wilderness" in which "earth and its community of life are untrammelled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."+There is no need to reiterate the S.D.W. conservation policy, which was adequately discussed, and approved by the General Meeting of June, 1964, but it is something new to have our long-cherished ideal of extensive primitive areas receiving support from many quarters. For long we were accused of wanting to keep the parks for ourselves. Parks could not be created, it was said, unless roads, buildings and all mod. cons were introduced, thus making them available to the public. I have already drawn attention in the magazine to President Johnson's reference, in his Message to Congress on Natural Beauty, to "the forgotten outdoorsmen of today who like to walk, hike, ride horseback or bicycle. For "them", he said, we must have trails, as well as highways. Nor should motor vehicles be allowed to tyranaise the more leisurely human traffic." Shortly afterwards Congress set aside nine million acres of "permanent Wilderness" in which "earth and its community of life are untrammelled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."
  
 Here in New South Wales we find Dr. Mosley now of The Australian Conservation Foundation, a geographer who has specialised in parkland studies, giving an address which could well have delivered by Myles Dunphy, whose work he describes with enthusiasm. Dr. Mosley addressed the N.S.W. Nature Conservation Council and his address has been reproduced in "Architecture in Australia", "The Living Earth", and possibly other publications. Here in New South Wales we find Dr. Mosley now of The Australian Conservation Foundation, a geographer who has specialised in parkland studies, giving an address which could well have delivered by Myles Dunphy, whose work he describes with enthusiasm. Dr. Mosley addressed the N.S.W. Nature Conservation Council and his address has been reproduced in "Architecture in Australia", "The Living Earth", and possibly other publications.
Line 267: Line 267:
 "One of the chief characteristics of wilderness recreation is that it is unconfined. If the country within the reserve is to invite the visitor to wander where he will and present a challenge to route-finding skills, it must be kept as wild as possible. The landscape should exude an atmosphere of boundless freedom. Any attempt to influence movement is clearly incompatible and these areas should be kept trackless, hutless and bridgeless. Roads and graded tracks obviously have no place in such an area and hence the satisfaction of visiting it. I believe that an element of danger should be accepted as an essential ingredient of wilderness. If, in spite of this consideration, track markings and survival huts are thought necessary for safety they should be minimal and strictly prescribed. "One of the chief characteristics of wilderness recreation is that it is unconfined. If the country within the reserve is to invite the visitor to wander where he will and present a challenge to route-finding skills, it must be kept as wild as possible. The landscape should exude an atmosphere of boundless freedom. Any attempt to influence movement is clearly incompatible and these areas should be kept trackless, hutless and bridgeless. Roads and graded tracks obviously have no place in such an area and hence the satisfaction of visiting it. I believe that an element of danger should be accepted as an essential ingredient of wilderness. If, in spite of this consideration, track markings and survival huts are thought necessary for safety they should be minimal and strictly prescribed.
  
-The spontaneity of the visit can be spoiled by many things which are useful in some parts of a national park but undesirable in a wilderness area, such as warning notices, interpretive signs, uniformed rangers, entrance gates and other visitor paraphernalia which suggests to the traveller that he is entering a specially designed play area. The visitor can obtain all the information he needs from maps and pamphlets. Mechanised access of ahy kind is also undesirable. This includes all kinds of rough country and over-snow vehicles, ski-lifts and aeroplanes. It not only reduces self-reliance in travel and impairs the biota but also brings mechanised civilisation into the bush. All this requires that management be as unobtrusive as possible."+The spontaneity of the visit can be spoiled by many things which are useful in some parts of a national park but undesirable in a wilderness area, such as warning notices, interpretive signs, uniformed rangers, entrance gates and other visitor paraphernalia which suggests to the traveller that he is entering a specially designed play area. The visitor can obtain all the information he needs from maps and pamphlets. Mechanised access of any kind is also undesirable. This includes all kinds of rough country and over-snow vehicles, ski-lifts and aeroplanes. It not only reduces self-reliance in travel and impairs the biota but also brings mechanised civilisation into the bush. All this requires that management be as unobtrusive as possible."
  
 At this point Bush Walkers may ask themselves "Is this heaven, or have we been dreaming?" Let us take a deep breath and look at another report in which Mr. C.P. Gabel, Operations Officer of the Parks Service Bureau, covers the main threat to any wilderness area likely to be established in this country - bush fires. Mr. Gabel's methods of fire protection are founded on simple facts known to any bushman. These are that fire risk and/or intensity increases with temperature, falling humidity, wind velocity, lack of rainfall and the amount and condition of readily combustible undergrowth. These factors have been calibrated and combined to create a "fire danger index." One of the measures of the index is the distance of "spotting" in advance of fires - i.e. the carrying of burning material upward from the fire and deposition some distance ahead of the fire front. This distance can be up to 7 miles on a bad day. Is there any means of controlling such a fire? Mr. Gabel thinks there is, provided the area is divided into compartments by the creation of "buffer strips". "Buffer strips" would be areas where "fuel reduction" had been undertaken. "Fuel reduction" is accomplished by a light ground fire, lit and controlled in mild conditions. There may be nothing new in this method. The aboriginals lit fires, possibly to protect the grazing lands of their game, and it is a fair bet that they never wilfully started a "wild fire" which would leave both the game and themselves to starve to death. Graziers have used fires, frequently uncontrolled, to protect their properties, often with no concern what happened to the fire once it left their boundaries. The creation of "compartments" is, however, a recent development made possible by the bulldozer. The purpose of the roads is to provide easy access both for control burning and for fire fighting. At this point Bush Walkers may ask themselves "Is this heaven, or have we been dreaming?" Let us take a deep breath and look at another report in which Mr. C.P. Gabel, Operations Officer of the Parks Service Bureau, covers the main threat to any wilderness area likely to be established in this country - bush fires. Mr. Gabel's methods of fire protection are founded on simple facts known to any bushman. These are that fire risk and/or intensity increases with temperature, falling humidity, wind velocity, lack of rainfall and the amount and condition of readily combustible undergrowth. These factors have been calibrated and combined to create a "fire danger index." One of the measures of the index is the distance of "spotting" in advance of fires - i.e. the carrying of burning material upward from the fire and deposition some distance ahead of the fire front. This distance can be up to 7 miles on a bad day. Is there any means of controlling such a fire? Mr. Gabel thinks there is, provided the area is divided into compartments by the creation of "buffer strips". "Buffer strips" would be areas where "fuel reduction" had been undertaken. "Fuel reduction" is accomplished by a light ground fire, lit and controlled in mild conditions. There may be nothing new in this method. The aboriginals lit fires, possibly to protect the grazing lands of their game, and it is a fair bet that they never wilfully started a "wild fire" which would leave both the game and themselves to starve to death. Graziers have used fires, frequently uncontrolled, to protect their properties, often with no concern what happened to the fire once it left their boundaries. The creation of "compartments" is, however, a recent development made possible by the bulldozer. The purpose of the roads is to provide easy access both for control burning and for fire fighting.
Line 299: Line 299:
 Paddy Pallin's Orienteering Contest held in the Wheeny Creek area, was a great success. 17 teams (a total of 34 bushwalkers) from many Clubs competed and only 2 teams became lost (whoops, sorry, we meant temporarily mislaid). The winners were Messrs. Daniels and Lorimer of the C.M.W. (winning time 5 hours 23 mins), Messrs. Rasmanis and Kavalieris of the Newcastle Bushwalking Club ran second and Wilf Hilder and N. Rees of the C.M.W. were third. Of the Sydney Bushies, Paddy reports that Joanna Hallman and Margaret Dogertom, the only all-female team in the contest, did exceedingly well. Paddy says it's definitely on again next year. Paddy Pallin's Orienteering Contest held in the Wheeny Creek area, was a great success. 17 teams (a total of 34 bushwalkers) from many Clubs competed and only 2 teams became lost (whoops, sorry, we meant temporarily mislaid). The winners were Messrs. Daniels and Lorimer of the C.M.W. (winning time 5 hours 23 mins), Messrs. Rasmanis and Kavalieris of the Newcastle Bushwalking Club ran second and Wilf Hilder and N. Rees of the C.M.W. were third. Of the Sydney Bushies, Paddy reports that Joanna Hallman and Margaret Dogertom, the only all-female team in the contest, did exceedingly well. Paddy says it's definitely on again next year.
  
-Two very well-known Club members were seen carrying a suitcase down at Burning Palms. This would have been alright except for the embarrassment of running into Owen Marks' Saturday day walk. We can well imagine Owen's challenging cry of "the things you see when you havent got a gun."+Two very well-known Club members were seen carrying a suitcase down at Burning Palms. This would have been alright except for the embarrassment of running into Owen Marks' Saturday day walk. We can well imagine Owen's challenging cry of "the things you see when you haven't got a gun."
  
 Scene: Ross Wyborn's 21st Birthday Party on August 6. A huge crate was carried into the assembled company in the Wyborn living room. With some trepidation our Rosso began to unpack it and after several layers were removed a real live human leg was thrust into Rosso's astonished face. Out popped Don Finch, full of vim and vigour despite his close confinement; a dubious sort of 21st birthday present, you might say, is Donnie Finch, but no, he was only the bearer of a beaut. new Mountain Mule pack. May that pack go to great heights - and come down safely again! Scene: Ross Wyborn's 21st Birthday Party on August 6. A huge crate was carried into the assembled company in the Wyborn living room. With some trepidation our Rosso began to unpack it and after several layers were removed a real live human leg was thrust into Rosso's astonished face. Out popped Don Finch, full of vim and vigour despite his close confinement; a dubious sort of 21st birthday present, you might say, is Donnie Finch, but no, he was only the bearer of a beaut. new Mountain Mule pack. May that pack go to great heights - and come down safely again!
Line 315: Line 315:
 From "Correspondence In" - The Scenery Preservation Board at Hobart reports that rangers have no power to restrict entry to the Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Claire Reserve even in bad weather. From "Correspondence In" - The Scenery Preservation Board at Hobart reports that rangers have no power to restrict entry to the Cradle Mountain - Lake St. Claire Reserve even in bad weather.
  
-From "Reports" - Tracks and Access - Lindemans and Robertsons Pass tracks are to be blazed with aluminium markers by Members of Federation and then cleared by Blue Mountains City Coancil.+From "Reports" - Tracks and Access - Lindemans and Robertsons Pass tracks are to be blazed with aluminium markers by Members of Federation and then cleared by Blue Mountains City Council.
  
 The S & R demonstration programme this year (15-16th October, 1966) will depend on offers of assistance and suggestions. The S & R demonstration programme this year (15-16th October, 1966) will depend on offers of assistance and suggestions.
196609.txt · Last modified: 2016/08/16 13:08 by tyreless
Donate Powered by PHP Valid HTML5 Valid CSS Driven by DokuWiki