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*XXXXXXXX X X -X- X X X X–*-*-X-X--X-X-* X X X X* THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER *–X--X--X-4; X XXX *-X-X- XXXXXXX4IX* A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush Walkers, 14 Atchison Street, St. Leonards. POSTAL ADDRESS: Box 4476 G.P.O., Sydney, N.S.W. 2001. Meetings at the Club Rooms on Wednesday evenings after 7.30 p m. Enquiries regarding the Club - Mrs. Marcia Shappert, Te1.30-2028. *xxxxx AUGUST, 1973, Editor: Spiro Ketas, 104/10 Wylde Street, Pott's Point,2011. Tel. 357-1381 (home) Typist: Kath Brown Duplication: Mike Short Business Manager: Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford 2118. IN THIS ISSUE: At the July General Meeting by Jim Brown Page 2 A Quick Exit from the Macdonnell Ranges Part 1. Frank Rigby 4 Paddy Pallin Advertisement 6 More Letters from Dorothy & Alan Pike 7 Advertisement - Skis for Sale 11 Walks Secretary's Notes - September Wilf Hilder 11 Mountain Equipment Advertisement 12 Federation Notes - June & July Rosemary Edmonds 14 Kanangra Walls 16 Social Notes Elaine Brown 16 The Myall Lakes - Bunning Enquiry 17 Children - on Club Walks 17 OFFICIAL NOTICE - Half-Yearly General Meeting Sheila HoBinns, Hon.Secretary 18

*-x-X-* X X * X X -X–* X -X k Page 2 TIM SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1973. AT THE JULY GENERAL MEETING. by Jim Brown. Let it be recorded first that Wednesday, 11th July, had been another soggy day in a long-drawn-out sequence of showery winter weather, and it will be realised that there was ample reason for the rather small attendance - about 25-30 at its top. One new member, Colin Todd, was greeted, no one wanted to dispute the June minutes, and a small bag of correspondence informed us that Bob Duncan was seeking transfer to Non-active, and the National Parks Association was voicing opposition to large-scale “controlled. burning” of bush areas. The financial review showed an increase to 3851 in the current account at the end of June. Will' Hilder put forward a few matters on behalf of Federation, including reports that vandals had damaged the climbing chains at Carlon's Head. The question of a Federation display at a conservation exhibition in the City Town Hall was being considered, and Federation was also discussing the formation of a Conservation “clearing house” to co-ordinate activities of various interested groups. The plastic water bucket in the coal seam cave south of Kanangra had been stolen, but had since been replaced. Enquiries were being made into problems of access across private property at Mountain Lagoon, and there was advice that the limestone mining concerns ware to appeal against the magistrate's determination on Bungonia. Coming events included a S. & R. demonstration (strange how that word now has an undertone of protest!) on October 13-149 and Federation Ball on SepteMber 21st0 It was foreshadowed that, at its approaching Annual Meeting Federation may move for an increase from 150 to 20c in the capitation levy on member clubs. In answer to questions on the last mentioned topic, Wilf indicated he was not convinced the increase was justified, but would like to hear what arguments were put forward. by its supporters. He referred to the writing-off of $200 for Federation Ball tickets sold in the past, for which the collector - a member of ono of the affiliated clubs - had not produced the cash. He also felt Federation had been over-generous with its donations to some conservation projects. This comment brought a resolution from our mooting that delegates to the Federation Annual Meeting move that donations to conservation appeals should not be made by Federation. As a by-product of this instruction to our delegates, the question of the regularity of their attendance was raised, and it was agreed the President should mention the need for their presence, especially at the Annual Meeting. Next came the Walks Report, covering the weekends from June 16-17 to July 7-8, On the first weekend there was a Snow Instructional jointly handled by Rod Peters and Will', with 9 people, including six novices. Reasonably good snow conditions prevailed, if a little icy on the Sunday. Of the two day walks for June 179 one was in the Heathooto Creek area and under the guidance of Meryl Watman, but details wore not available. The other was Carl Bock's in the West Head country, with 10 comers, showers of Page 3 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1973. rain and sightings of one tama saau -and One gtided-goat. The following weekend witnessed the Younger legion, all 30 of them, on the journey over Et. Solitary. Owen averred that any number in excess of 2 dozen counted as a safari, and on account of the personality of the leader there were more ladies than men. Kath Brown's day walk to Burning Palms was “uneventful”, except that 3 people of the 12 present actually bathed in the surf. Over the end of the financial year Wilt: and Rod Peters were at the snow again (what there was of it) with a team numbering 14. They spent the Friday night camped with a team of hoboes under a bridge (at Berridale, I think) and in the morning discovered the motley crew to be other S.B.W. going to a ski lodge. Meanwhile Frank Tacker and party of 5 wore on the Grose River, not quite making it to Carmathen Creek junction, while one prospective elected to remain in Blue Gum and so avoided the bush rats which made the Grose River camp a little different. July let and Sam Hinde's walk in showery weather from Wendabyne to Pindar Cave. The Parks and Wildlife Service appears to be caring for the area and tracks and markers have made the way more Obvious than it used to be. For the last weekend of those under review there was some dearth of information and it could not be said whether Neville Lupton's Wollondilly walk or Alan Fall's trip to Blue Gum had taken place. Barry Zieren/s day walk on West Head Peninsular went,in occasional rain storms, with 18 attending and produced the month's casualty when Mary Davidson slipped on a muddy piece of track and broke a leg bone. This brought forth a stretcher, a police launch and ambulance men and the victim was finally carried off to Mona Vale Hospital. Thence to General Business. Adrienne Shilling spoke of a newsletter giving the latest on Lake Peddor, which she was placing on the Notice Board, It was also announced on behalf of the C.S.I.R,O. Spelio group that (a) a public inspection of Bungonia Caves would_ be held on August 25/265 and (b) the group was investigating the migration habits of bats and would appreciate any specific data. Dot Butler confirmed that the Water Board would transfer to us the adjoining block and also pay 3700 in compensation for the flooding of part of Coolana. Finally Wilf remarked that high-rise building at St. Leonards was making the place unsuitable for our wireless-minded land- lords, and suggested we ask for some notice if they proposed to sell their property. By this time it was 9.10 p m., all matters had been given an airing, ana we piped down. Page 4 THE SYDNEY BUSETALKER August, 1973. A QUICK EXIT FROM THE MAeDONNELL RANGES, PART 1. by Frank Rigby. Participants: Heather and Don Finch, Marion Lloyd, John Campbell, Henry Gold, Joan and Frank Rigby.. “In any two-week period the odds are against getting any rain at all. It's a real toss-up as to whether tents are even worth carrying.” Such was the advice (now cancelled until further notice) I handed out to those about to embark on their first bushwalk in the MacDonnell Ranges of Central Australia, that semi-arid land with an average ten inch yearly rainfall. I must have sounded convincing because Don/Heather and John/Marion turned up with large sheets of black polythene suitably punched with eyelets etc. (for an occasional stray shower, they said). When erected, these contraptions could best be described as a curious form of the gunyah, a simple A shape without ends supported by two tripods and a central ridgepole. Joan, Henry and 19 being oldsters who like some home comforts, ignored the law of averages and carried a conventional tent between us. Thursday, Juno 14, 1973 was a miserable day in the ranges. We were walking the stretch between Hugh Gorge and Stuart Pass in the Ghewings Range but low cloud and drizzling rain blotted out the mountains. There is tremendous scenery hereabouts and naturally, ITZ were all quite disappoint- ed. On all sides the rocky spurs and cliffs disappoared tantalisingly into the murk and a magnificent colour picture had been transformed into one of monotone grey - we could well have been somewhere in Tasmania's South-West. Camp was made on a largo branch of the Hugh River near Brinkley-Bluff. In fact, the place was historic ground because it was this very same river which explorer John MacDouall Stuart had followed on his 1860-62 expeditions in forcing a passage through the MacDonnells. When I say “river” I really mean a bone-dry sandy river-bed, for this is the normal state of the watercourses in the Centre. Despite the rain, such was the case on that Thursday afternoon and so we chose a campsite opposite a point where a side creek ran down from the hills. This creek was indoed running at the time (thus solving the problem of camp water), but I might also add that its waters simply disappeared into the sand without further trace before even reaching the river bed. We pitched the tent and the two gunyahs on a sandy shelf some six feet or so above the lowest point of the river bed, all pegging points being weighted down with rocks. I was looking forward to a good night's sleep. A roaring firc was lit and after a hefty dinner the party wore ready to hit the sack. The rain now came in intermittent showers but we felt snug and secure in our sleeping bags. The pure sand beneath us, it seamed, would absorb water ad infinitum and more important, the river was bone-dry-3 nothing much to w=ry about. All the same, sleep aia not came easily. With every gust of the wind I imagined thc tent would be torn from its moorings, and in the lulls the noise from the cascade across the river was not exactly reassuring. At about 10.30 p m. the Page 5 THE SYDNEY BUSHWAIKFIR August, 1973. 1.1 the rain became much heavier and this time it didn't stop for well over an hour it poured down at a rate that would do justice to Tasmania at its worst, and this in the socalled “Dead Heart” of the continent. I lay there listening as the cascade opposite gradually generated an ominous roar. Just before midnight Marion called over to report that she and John had been flooded out. She also added the further disturbing news that the river was rising! It was time to don parkas and get up! Fortunately, the rain had now eased somewhat. In the light of the torches we could see a swirling brown mass filling the entire lower bed of the river and lapping the edge of the first sandy shelf on which we had built the campfire. We were glad we had pitched the tents on the next shelf some three feet or so higher up. I put a stick into the sand at water level to keep a check on the flooding and then went to help Marion and John. Their trouble was caused by the runoff from the claypan slopes beyond them, and it just so happened that this runoff, obeying Sogg's Law, decided to travel right through their gunyah they had awoken to find themselves laying in tho middle of a small lake l By digging drainage channels, we managed to divert the flow and eventually we had them back on dry ground. A check on our marker gave uS the heartening news that the river was now dropping again“ as the heavy rain had not resumed we went back to bed. The wind, though, had got up and was severely buffeting the tent. However, I did sleep on and off I can remember waking up at one stage to the noise of madly flapping plastic and a flurry of activity and muffled curses from next do Don later reported that his gunyah had been flattened twice. What a night l At 5.45 a m. I could resist a call of Nature no longer so I struggled out into the cold drizzly gloom. The river was now nothing more than a trickle in the very bottom of its bed. With these glad tidings, we all settled down again for some real sleep. In fact, Joan said later that she had the best sleep of the night during the following halfhour. At 6.15 a m., a more thirty minutes after I had. been up myself, Don woke us suddenly. There was no mistaking the note of alarm in his voice: “The river's rising like hall and it's now only a few feet from your -tent(Did they survive? What happened next? Make sure you got next month's Sydney Bushwalker to follow this exciting adventuro….Editor.) *-X- CONGRATULATIONS to Craig and Marcia Shappert. Marcia gave birth to a daughter, Jennifer, on Monday,. 30th July. Pago 6 TIE SYDNEY BUSHUALKER August, 1973. Don't be lumbered with a winter bag in summer Our new 'Supertight' summer weight bags are nearly half the packed size and weight (2Ibs) of our regular sleeping bags. Nylon covering, superdown filled. Packs into 9” length x 51,4” dia. Can also be used during winter as an “inner-bag”. Kiandra model: Pillow flap, hooded bag. Well filled. Compact, warm and lightweight. Excellent for warmer summer nights and times when carrying weight can be reduced. Approx 33/4lbs. Hotharn model: Superwarm hooded bag made for cold sleepers and high altitudes. 'Box quilted' with no 'through' stitching. All bags can be fitted with zippers and draught resisting overlaps. Weight 41hlbs. Lightweight bu-shWalking, and camping gear. BUNYIP RUCKSACK - - . This 'shaped' rucksack is excellent for children. Use- full day pack. Weight 14ozs. SENIOR RUCKSACk. A single pocket, shaped rucksack. Suitable for overnight camping. Weight VAlbs. BUSHMAN RUCKSACK Has sewn-in curved bottom for extra comfort in carrying. Will hold Mix. 2 pocket model 1%lbs. 3 pocket model 11/21bs. PIONEER RUCKSACK Extra large bag with four external pockets and will carry about 401bs of camp gear. Weight 21hlbs. 'A' TENTS One, two or three man. From 234 to 3%lbs. Choice of three cloths. Supplied with nylon cords and overlapped doors. No walls. WALL TENTS Two, three or four man. From 3% to 41/albs. Choice of three cloths. Supplied with nylon cords and overlapped doors. Everything for the bush- walker, from blankets and air mattresses, stretchers, boots, compasses, maps, books, stoves and lamps to cooking ware and freeze dried and dehydrated foods. Refidi, 69 LIVERPOOL ST. SYDNEY 26-2686 61-7215 Page 7 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1973. MOPE LETTERE FROM DOROTHY & ALAN PIKE. Rhodes. 4/5/73. Dear Everyone, Well the Middle East countries were fantastic as you know but we were glad to leave them There's a limit to That you can take. Not that we were ever really worried about the political situation etc. It was mainly the disorganisation and general uncleanliness of the countries that gets you down after a while. We sIoke to other People who felt the same. Now we're in Greece, and it's a welcome change to go to a hotel and that we can sleep in the beds without our sleeping bags for fear of getting bitten by bugs. We never aid get any bugs really but some of the places, especially in Turkey, wore rather bad. In the last letter we got as far as Pergamum. After that we went to Troy (on the Dardanelles) only a few miles from the Anzac Beach. There isn't much left of Troy now of course, but it was interesting in that there have been 9 different cities built at Troy since about 3000 B.C., each one on top of the other, and traces of the different cities could be soon at different levels. Troy was discovered about 1933. It was then just a flat top hill in the middle of farmland. Incredible! Then To went to Istanboul saw all the sights weather very cold though. We had some fun teaching a waiter (11ustapha Trabson) to speak English. (He wanted to go to -work in London.) Ho was so pleased to get some help, he continuously brought us free tea and coffee during the lessons. However he was always getting into trouble. Whenever the manager came into sight he would bundle up all his books and start wiping tables. From Istariboul wo caught a very very slow train to Thessalonia in Greece, then a bus to Athens. One afternoon we were walking along the main street of Athens and walked straight into Neville Page (his wife was in the hotel at the time). We had dinner that night and celebrated with a bottle of cheap wine. Well, wo caught the ship to Rhodes yesterday. We've only been here one day but I'll let Dot tell you about it. 7/5/73. Contrary to our expectations, we are finding Greece rather more expensive than Turkey. Travel and food in particular are costing us more but we are still within our allotted daily allowance, We have been eating very well all the time, partly because of the very alluring shopwindows. In Turkey they have pudding shops beautiful chocolate puddings, rice puddings, custards and yoghurts (bast yoghurt we over tasted) and Alan . could never walk past one of these shops without going in and eating some. Now that we are in Greece, they have even more scrumptious continental cake shops and so our money dribbles away insidiously and my complexion ditto. But don't think we are lacking in vitamins etc. because they also have very yummy salads here, and we always have at least one a day. The salad consists of slices of tomato and cucumber and mounds of soft white cheese and olives, the whole lot sprinkled with olive oil. In both Turkey and Greece we've kept a reserve of figs and oranges which we dip into if Page 8 T.1-2 SYD1TEY BUSHUALICER August, 1973. we miss out on a meal, or have a long gap between meals. . After spending a couple of days in Athens (we'll be returning there after seeing the islands) and visiting the Acropolis, which had far more buildings around it than I expected, we went to the port, Pireas, and caught a boat call the “Ionian” to Rhodes. It left in the morning and arrived the following morning, so we had a pleasant day watching the little rocky islands drift past us and we slept very comfortably on the deck, waking up occasionally when we stopped at an island port at night they looked like a fairytale all lit up but we'd like to have seen them in the daytime. Wo met several people on the boat, including a young Canadian man, a Greek man who owned a boat (or boats) that went collecting sponges, and a tall blonde Swedish dancer who said he was fluent in 8 languages including Arabic and Greek. He certainly spoke English without a trace of accent and seemed at home conversing with the Greeks on board. One thing we do notice is that most people speak several languages, nearly always English and German as well as their native tongue. People are always amazed that we really only speak one language. We arrived at Rhodos in the early morning and wandered around the old Crusader town. It is completely fortified and the inhabitants of Rhodes still live in all the crusader houses and streets within the city walls. It is very beautiful but has a distinctly Greek look, what with their pre- dilection for covering everything with white paint. Rhodes the town has become very touristy unfortunately, even since Alan was here last, so we haven't seen much of the real Greek way of life. Ue went for a swim in the sea here and it was freezing cold, but yesterday we took a bus to Linaos at the other end of the Island. and as it was a beautiful sheltered bay, the water was comparatively warm ana very nice for svdmming. The Mediterranean is just so different from our concept of a sea. There are no waves, so you can swim for miles, there are no tides to speak of and no spray so you can sit on the edge and not got salty, and swim and not get sandy. No tides also result in much less seashore life and so there is never any obnoxious smell. Just beautiful bluegreen sea. So very tafie our seas are really wild. in comparison. On Tuesday we expect to catch the weekly boat to Crete. We don't know how long we'll be there possibly a week or two. Then we return to Lthens and go via Corfu to Brindisi in Italy. Hope that everybody had an enjoyable Easter. We had the Moslem equivalent of Easter in Turkey, and the following week we had. Easter in Greece and were presented with boiled eggs dyed red, purple and orange! Venice. 31/5/73. We arrived. from Greece at Brindisi, stayed one night, caught the train to Naples, than another train to Sorrento. Naples is just a big city, but Sorrento, about 20 miles away, is unique. The town is built on top of a high cliff which drops straight dawn to the sea. Iti s.a very picturesque old town, a bit like Rhodes, very narrow streets and old stone buildings. Some of the hotels are actually built overhanging Page 9 THE S7LNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1973. the cliffs and have huge stone foundations descending the cliff face, weathered so much that it's hard to tell which is building and which is cliff - at a distance. To get dawn to the shore there are stairs built down the cliff at various places, sometimes cut out of the natural rock and in places actually tunnelling through. There are fantastic views from these steps. Next day we caught a train to Pompei (only a feu miles away), and spent the whole day there. Very extensive ruins. The reason they are so well preserved is that they were buried in ash from Mt. Vesuvius, which collapsed all the roofs of COUTS0 but actually helped to keep the walls and other smaller things like statues, pots, well preserved. All other ancient citibs of course were usually completely demolished and rebuilt, either by invaders or the inhabitants themselves. We were fascinated by the old bakeries of Pompoi, with the flour mills and ovens. We could almost smell the fresh loaves as they would have been stacked on the shelves. We went back to Sorrento that night, we had a very good hotel (quite cheap) with a huge room, marble floor, and beautiful wooden furniture. Next day, caught a boat to Capri. (It was very hot, by tho way.) We didn't have any idea what to expect there, and were pleasantly surprised. After about 30 minutes boat ride, we came to a small but very high island, huge cliffs, and beautiful tropical-looking vegetation. We caught a cable tram to the top and walked down the other side, along a zig-zag road, past pretty little houses, and came to a perfect Mediterranean beach0 rle stayed there all day - swimming. The water was warm and clean, and there were little rocky islets to swim around, in one place an actual tunnel wont through the rocks and TO Could swim through it. Well it was so wonderful - we went back the next day. The morning after we reluctantly said good-bye to Sorrento and headed. for Rome, getting there about lunch-time. That afternoon we saw some of the old Roman ruins - not very impressive after some of the others we have seen. 17e saw Nero 'a house, which was very strange. It's a well-known fact that he was mad, and to see his house, you would. believe it. The rooms were all strange shapes, some had no windows, and decorated with strange paintings - the sort of thing a child would do, all crocked and out of proportion. The reason Nero 's house is so well preserved is that, when he died, they filled it all in and built a Roman bath on top of it, so I don't think tho Romans thought much of him either, Well, Sunday came along, so 70 went to church at St. Peter's - so fantastic a building that I can't describe it. When you walk inside you are just speechless. We were there for some hours. It's such a vast thing - we didn't see all of it then. In fact you have to be inside this building for quite a while before you realise its size, and then it suddenly hits you. We saw the Sistine Chapel (and the museums) and at 12 o'clock went outside, as the Pope came to his little window and said a few words - couldn't understand him of course. In the afternoon 70 went out to the Catacombs - the very first Christian tombs, very deep, cut out of solid rock. There were thousands entombed Page 19 THE SYDNEY BUSHWAIKER August, 1973, there, in little compartments in the rock, and they say there is a total of 14 miles of connecting tunnels. A rather gruesome place. There were little chapels down there and the people often went there to pray. They say that they never actually hid there, as the catacombs were wellknown to the heathens as well. Our next stop was Florence. As Dot was most impressed by this city, she can tell about it. 1/6/73. In travelling from east to west, Italy stands out as being the country we've been to that has sufficient cultural background to stand up to the 20th century advances and incidentally tourism without succumbing to or being swamped by them. Unlike the eastern countries and Greece, Italy seems to be able to select what is best for her and leave the rest. Italians drive around in tiny Fiat cars (the only cars small enough for the old streets) and appear to have a standard of living much like Australians, but they make the most beautiful solid wooden furniture, unbelievable glassware, artistically designed handbags and enviable clothes. I've never in my life enjoyed windowshopping, but here I could just wander around the streets for days feasting my eyes on their works of art. Most of the shops are very modern inside, but they arc often buildings which aro centuries old, and they manage to blend the two without jarring, and we could still tako “aide world!' photos of buildings without them looking like Woolworth's on the bottom floor. In Florence we stayed at a Pension called the “Casa Basoni” which was a room on the 4th floor of a large apartment building and from there we walked around the city. Florence was the cultural and artistic centre of Europe in Renaissance times and I think it still is. As well as the art galleries of the old Florentine masters, there are hundreds of modern gall- eries and we were always tripping over bode sitting on steps drawing and painting the old city, Everything in Florence looks centuries old. There are several lovely old_ bridges over the river, lots of churches with fabulous frescoes, mosaics and sculptures in them. There was a beautiful cathedral and a tower built by Giotto, both done in pink, white and and darkgreen marble on the outside Quite striking. We went to the Academy gallery and saw Michaelangolo's prisoners struggling out of their (unfinished) marble slabs, and also saw his statue of David which is so much better than the pictures of it. After this we felt saturated with paintings and so we headed for the Museum of Science History; which was fascinating. It had all kinds of old scientific instruments, including very early clocks, microscopes, Galiloo's telescopes, surveying equipment, astrolabes, maps, barometers, thermometers, a room full of models of the universe, most preCopernican with the Earth at the centre and one about 10ft in diameter painted all in gold, also equip- ment for the Apothecary, primitive weighing machines and early calculating machines. Unfortunately we were chased out of the museum sooner than we would have liked, by little grey men rattling keys and turning off lights. (We never seem to get the hours right in these countries midday siestas are very variable and usually so are we.) Page 11 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August9 1973. We are now in Venice, which we are enjoying even though it is very expensive, and next we go to Austria and then probably Switzerland, Paris and London within the next couple of weeks. P.S. Wo had Owen's meal today - and have sent him a card describing it in all its glory. ADVERTISEMENT: FOR SALE SKIS = STURZHAHY. Good condition - metal9 180 am. Marker Rotomat Bindings. Best offer. Also Reiker lace-up BOOTS size 6. Good condition - $10 alone or free with SKIS. Anne Griffiths. Phone 521-6949. * WALKS SECRETARY'S NOTES - SEPTEMBER. by Wilf Hilde,r. 31st August - Such optimism - a ski tour would you believe. Wilf 192 September insists snow Or no he's going on this trip to Kianara. Pray now - ski later. 7, 8-9 Sept - Snow Brown leads this classic test walk along the Kowmung and thru the Vulga Dennis, correction Bulga Denis Canyon. Plenty of thrills, chills and spills crossing the river at this time of year Tracks from Kanangra to Bullhead Corner and Grafts Walls Better book early while transport lasts. 7, 8-9 Sept - Ray Carter's Castle bound on this medium Budawang safari from Clyde River. Plenty of hill cliMbing on this trip with some rock scrambling on the Castle at Meekins Pass. The famous Views from the lookout on Mt.Owen are world beaters. Again better book early for this trip. Sunday 9th - Carl Bock's trip to Brisbane Water National Park starts at the Fitness Camp after a delightful ferry trip across the HaWkesbury from Brooklyn. Wildflowers this season are exceptionally gooa and plentiful. Tracks nearly all the way on this scenic walk. Page 12 TiE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August 1973. * * OUNTAIN E QUIPMENT * * * * * * * IF YOU ARE BUYING OR HIRING HIRING OR BUYING GEAR FOR WALKING ….. CAMPING ….. WALKING ….. CAMPING ….. CLIMBING ….. CANOEING ….. CLIMBING ….. CANOEING ….. THINK OF MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT 17 Alexander Street9 Crow's Nest 2065. (On the corner of Falcon Stroct) Telephone 439-3454. for FAIRYDOWN STEEPING BAGS HIGH LOAD PACKS (7eight 3 lb. 10 oz.) AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS YOU COULD POSSIBLY NEED * * * * * * * * Page 13 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1973. 14,15-16 Sept - In the footsteps of Jim Brown, 7i1f the wanderer heads for the forbidden city - Tidbinnings hidden in a tangle of ridges out in that Mt.Pomany country. This scenic special is rather long, so long days are a must - but the rewards are great. Tracks for about half the distance - humble pie will be oaten on the remainder. 14,15-16 Sept - Splendour Rock from Canons with Hans Beck leading the platoon. Some scrub on Blackhorse Range, but good going the rest of the way on this pretty walk. Lush campsite on Old Man Cox. Saturday 15th - An easy Wildflower walk in Muogamarra Reserve - with acres of magnificent flowers at their best - led_ by Gladys Roberts. Special permission was required to run this scenic walk in this area, and the number in the party is not to exceed twenty, so book early. Yes, it is a private transport trip. Sunday 16th - Meryl 1J-Tatman's easy walk from Governor Game Lookout to Curracurrang Creek and Garie is also through some of the best wildflower country down south in Royal National Park. Magnificent views across the turquoise Tasman or peaceful Pacific - as you prefer. 21,22-23 Sept - Our esteemed President shows us he's still as keen as ever by leading this Great Guouogang trip from Canons. This groat trip isn't done often enough - so better make the most of it. Great scenery, lush campsites, long hill climbs are yours for the walking. Make sure your torch has fresh batteries. Sunday 23rd - Joe Marton leads this delightful medium trip to Junction Rock from Govett's Leap. First rate scenery along a first rate track all the way. Long Ueekend 28th Sept - 1st October Only Dot Butler has offered to lead a walk over this weekend, may her shadow never grow shorter. Dot's leading a ski tour from Thready, Throdders or Thredbo (pronounce it as you will) to Blue Lake for a base camp and day tours along the Main Range in all its glory - seven thousand feet plus. Please book very early on this combined trip with N.Z.A.Club. If your co you might think your autograph. Sunday 30th - nscience is bothering you or perhaps your feet are itchy of leading a walk this weekend. The notice board awaits Bill Hall carries the club banner on this medium walk in Heathcote State Park. Good scenery - and good tracks for about half the distance. Wildflowers in profusion all the way. Lot Bill know you will join him this Sunday. Page 14 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1973.

FEDERATION NOTES - JUNE AND JULY 1973 This year's Environment Exhibition is being held 10th-15th September, 1973, in the Lower Town Hall. The Federation has agreed to support it, and two members have offered to help, but a chairman has yet to be found to organise a committee to put on a display. A volunteer is urgently needed, otherwise the Federation will not be able to take part to any noticeable extent. If any member of S.B.W. is willing to chair a committee, please telephone Ray Hookway on 439-7773, or Phil Butt on 969-3155, as soon as possible. More signatures are needed for the Save Lake Pcdder Appeal - please send these tos The Secretary, Lake Pedder Enquiry, Department of the Environment, P.O. Box 1937, CANBERRA, A.C.T. 2601. The Search and Rescue practice held on 14th and 15th June, 1973, was a great success. Sixty-five people were present, representing all clubs except S.B.U.: Sydney and Katoomba police took part, and stayed for the camp fire on Saturday night. One valid criticism of Search and Rescue methods is that Ground to Air signals need to be simplified, as it has occurred that searchers have been mistaken for lost walkers. The next Search and Rescue demonstration will take place on 13th and 14th October, 1973 - the location is still to be disclosed. The Kosciusko Huts Association still needs more members - send 2.00 to Box 626, MANUKA, A.C.T. 2603. (See Club notice board for details). A big turnout is hoped for at the Bungonia public inspection weekend, 25th and 26th August, 1973, to which all affiliated clubs have been invited. The problem of access to the Budawangs from Sassafras is still not resolved, as the Army seems vague about the status of the road at present, despite constant correspondence, diagrams and general discussion. The owner of Wog-Wog had b en complaining about the many vehicles and people using his road as access to the Budawangs, and intends to try and discourage the general public by putting the Page 15 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August, 1973. notice “PRIVATE PROPERTY, TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED” on his gates. The gates will be chained, but not locked. All members of affiliated bushwalking clubs are welcome, but are asked to identify themselves by signing his visitors' book, which is kept in the main shed. The proposed Electricity Commission route across the Blue Mountains in the Narrow Neck area at present on display in the city is being investigated, and clubs will be kept informed of developments. The Annual Dinner of the Nature Conservation Council of N.S.W. is sot for Saturday, 13th October, 1973, in the North Sydney Community Hall. The speaker is Mr Justice R. M. Hope, _7!nd tickets are S3.50 each. Any members or old members of the Brisbane Bushwalking Club now living in the Sydney area, should note that its 25th Anniversary is being celebrated with a dinner at Lang Park on Saturday, 18th August, 1973. The A.C.F. Annual General Meeting will be held 17th October, 1973, at the Canberra Australian Academy of Science. The Duke of Edinburgh will be presiding. Other dates to remember The Federation reunion 30th, 31st March, 1974; the 1974 Ball 21st September at Unisearch House; Search and Rescue practice 20th, 21st July, 1974.. The Federation regrets its decision to raise fees of affiliated member clubs, but would like to point out that the fees only just cover the increased costs of postage and telephone calls. Rosemary Edmonds. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Jerry Sinzigis aadross in Canada is: 40 Hopowood Avenue, A.P.T. 3107 Toronto 2, Ontario. CANADA. Page 16 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALIM August, 1973. KANANGRA WALLS. From “Oberon Jenalan by. Joy Wheeler and Blue Garland) Some of the older folk of the Oberon district tell of happy days spent at spectacular Kanangra Walls. At holiday time, such as Easter, groups of young people from Oberon, Edith and Jenolan would go camping at Kanangra. Highlight of these occasions was dancing at night in a cave. Local folk had built a wooden dance floor under a ledge of the walls which formed a wide open cave. There they would do the old-time dances, such as the Lancers, to the music of a fiddle or concertina and in the light of a flickering camp fire. Today, just a few of the logs which supported the floor are lefty a reminder of days when bush folk had to make their own fun and did not mind climbing down a couple of hundred feet into the valley for a gay rendezvous. In the early days of New South Wales, when trying to find a way across the Blue Mountains by following the valleys, Sergeant Francis Barrallier succeeded in reaching the Kanangra Walls which he found impassable and had to turn back., Today there are ramps leading up to the Vial's and cattle have been driven over them and down to the Kommung River and Burragorang Valley to Camden to be sold. That was before the building of the WarragaMba Dam. * SOCIAL NOTE (from Elaine Brown). Don't forget the Slide Competition on August 29th0 Members are asked to bring along some slides for judging (not more than six). You may bring them along on the night about 10 to 8. Judging will be done on the night. Remember to spot them on the bottom left hand side, right way facing (not a little tiny dot but a big round spot), also put your name on, so they won't be mislaid. Mary Davidson is slowly recuperating after her unfortunate accident at West Head, the plaster has to stay on for 8 weeks and it will be quite a while after than before we will see her on a bush walk, she can get around on crutches so I hope we might see her in the club rooms occasionally. Ige wish you a speedy recovery, Mary. John Holly has received a letter from David Ingram. He is in southern Texas at the moment after a trip across Canada. He should be back home sometime early in September. Page 17 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August9 1973. 0 The Myall Lakes - Bunning Enquiry The Nature Conservation Council of New South Wales has made an appeal to member organisations to assist efforts being made to save the Myall Lakes area from being developed by mining interests. Recertly an enquiry - the Bunning Enquiry - was held following Mineral Deposits appeal against the State Planning Authority decision to refuse their development application, and several organisations made submissions to Mr. Bunning that the appeal by Mineral Deposits be refused. It is felt, however, that there will be considerably support in Cabinet for the State Planning Authority's decision to be over-ruled and mining be allowed to proceed, it is also considered that Mr. Bunning's Report may never be made public. In order to help avoid this situation we, as a Club, have been urged to write to the Minister for Local Government. It is also felt that individual members might like to assist by writing to the Minister on lines similar to the following draft: The Mon. Sir Chailes Cutler, K.B.E., E.D., m.L.A., Minister for Local Government, Parliament House, Sydney, 2000. Dear Mr. Minister, I believe the Bunning Enquiry into the Mineral Deposits Ltd.-State Planning Authority-nyall Lakes appeal has concluded. The issue has attracted wide public attention over a long period of time and it is most important that the public be advised of Mr. Bunning's findings as soon as these are available. Failure to do so would raise concern that the results of an officially authorised enquiry, conducted at public expense, were being concealed for the benefit of a United States Mining Company. Thus, would you please advise me when you plan to announce the results of this enquiry. Yours faithfully, Children - on Club Walks Parents are reminded that the permission of the leader is necessary before children may accompany them on Club walks. In addition it is emphasised that parents are responsible for the conduct of their children. They should ensure the children behave in a reasonable manner and comply with the wishes of the leader of the walk. In particular, the children should be fully aware of Club policy concerning the preservation of the bush, its flora and fauna. With regard to wild or native flowers, there are 119 species including many shrubs and trees, pro- tected by law - The Wild Flowers and Native Plants Protection Act - and there are stiff penalties for breaches of the law (in this respect a member is responsible for any breach by a child accompanying him). It is our aim as far as possible to preserve the bush in its natural state, and a parent who takes a child on a walk should be quite certain that the child is fully aware of what this aim involves. Page 18 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER August 1973. THE SYDNEY BUSH WALKERS (Founded 1927) Notice is hereby given that the Half-Yearly General Meeting of The Sydney Bush Walkers will be held at the Wireless Institute of Australia, 14 Atchison Street, St. Leonards, on Wednesday, 12th September 1973, at 8.00 p m. AGENDA 1. Apologies 2. Welcome to new members 3. Minutes of the August General Meeting held on Wednesday, 8th August, 1973. 4. Correspondence. 5. Reports; (a) Treasurer's Report (b) Walks Report © Social Report or Announcements (d) Federation Report 6. Selection of a site for the 1974 Annual Reunion. 7. General Business and Announcements. There are no constitutional amendments for consideration at the Half-Yearly General neeting. Sheila M. Binns Hon. Secretary.

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