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198308 [2016/03/24 11:18] – [Letter to the Editor] arhat they thought to be the plane everywhere from the Queensland border to the Hawkesbury River. After eight days and differing radio and press reports, Bernard O'Reilly contacted one of his neighbours who thought that the plane h kclacher198308 [2016/03/25 15:22] (current) – y the leader (who had arrived ten days earlier to do some walking on his own account). They were quickly transferred from the airport to their overnight accommodation at the Melville Private Hotel in Gloucester Street, close to the city centre, with instr kclacher
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 |**Editor**|Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Street, Rozelle, 2039.  Telephone 827-3695.| |**Editor**|Evelyn Walker, 158 Evans Street, Rozelle, 2039.  Telephone 827-3695.|
 |**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, 2118.  Telephone 871-1207.| |**Business Manager**|Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tree Drive, Carlingford, 2118.  Telephone 871-1207.|
-|**Production Manager**| Helen Gray |+|**Production Manager**| Helen Gray|
 |**Typist**| Kath Brown| |**Typist**| Kath Brown|
 |**Duplicator Operator**|Phil Butt| |**Duplicator Operator**|Phil Butt|
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 | The Franklin River Verdict |by Jim Brown |   2| | The Franklin River Verdict |by Jim Brown |   2|
 | Social Notes for September | |   2| | Social Notes for September | |   2|
-| Arthur and Us - Part | Bill Gamble |   3|+| Arthur and Us - Part | Bill Gamble |   3|
 | For the Love of the-South-West | Peter Harris |  6| | For the Love of the-South-West | Peter Harris |  6|
 | Notes of the June & July General Meetings | Barry Wallace |   6| | Notes of the June & July General Meetings | Barry Wallace |   6|
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 ===== The Franklin River Verdict =====  ===== The Franklin River Verdict ===== 
- by Jim Brown  (13th July, 1983)+(13th July, 1983) by Jim Brown
  
 | The Wise Men sat in judgement and they found | | The Wise Men sat in judgement and they found |
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 Arthur's Pass is to the Christchurch tramper what the Blue Mountains are to the Sydney bushwalker, a rugged area within easy reach for weekend trips leaving Friday evening after work: but, otherwise, quite different. These differences - the nature of Arthur's Pass National Park - are perhaps best summarised with an extract or two from the park handbook. Arthur's Pass is to the Christchurch tramper what the Blue Mountains are to the Sydney bushwalker, a rugged area within easy reach for weekend trips leaving Friday evening after work: but, otherwise, quite different. These differences - the nature of Arthur's Pass National Park - are perhaps best summarised with an extract or two from the park handbook.
  
-"The park is a rugged and mountainous area of about 100,000 hectares situated in the centre of the South Island (about 150 km west of Christchurch). It is a land of jagged skylines, tall snowy peaks and snowgrass-clad ridges, deep gorges, steep, bush-covered hillsides, sheer cliffs of angular black rock, high waterfalls, wide shingle riverbeds and rushing torrents. The park is traversed by large rivers - on the east the Waimakariri and Poulter and their tributaries,the Taramakau and Otira and their tribularies on the west.+"The park is a rugged and mountainous area of about 100,000 hectares situated in the centre of the South Island (about 150 km west of Christchurch). It is a land of jagged skylines, tall snowy peaks and snowgrass-clad ridges, deep gorges, steep, bush-covered hillsides, sheer cliffs of angular black rock, high.waterfalls, wide shingle riverbeds and rushing torrents. The park is traversed by large rivers - on the east the Waimakariri and Poulter and their tributaries, the Taramakau and Otira and their tribularies on the west.
  
 "... the area of mountain ridges above bushline approximately equals the forested area. From valley floors at about 700m on the east the peaks rise to 1800m or more, but the western valley floors lie at only about 300m or slightly more. From any of the high peaks there are views over ridge upon ridge of broken rock, with snowfields lying beneath them and deep-cut valleys below. Ten named peaks over 2100m in height and twenty-one over 1800m lie within the park. "... the area of mountain ridges above bushline approximately equals the forested area. From valley floors at about 700m on the east the peaks rise to 1800m or more, but the western valley floors lie at only about 300m or slightly more. From any of the high peaks there are views over ridge upon ridge of broken rock, with snowfields lying beneath them and deep-cut valleys below. Ten named peaks over 2100m in height and twenty-one over 1800m lie within the park.
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 "The main divide of the Southern Alps bisects the park and from it branch intricate ranges of mountains between the courses of the rivers.... Between the peaks are many passes, high and low, but nearly all of them difficult to cross. The western and eastern separation has a dominating influence on the character of the park; but the rugged terrain, the wide range of altitudes, the relatively severe mountain climate, the swift rivers and the passes all affect the nature of the park in various ways." "The main divide of the Southern Alps bisects the park and from it branch intricate ranges of mountains between the courses of the rivers.... Between the peaks are many passes, high and low, but nearly all of them difficult to cross. The western and eastern separation has a dominating influence on the character of the park; but the rugged terrain, the wide range of altitudes, the relatively severe mountain climate, the swift rivers and the passes all affect the nature of the park in various ways."
  
-Instead of going straight into the walk as programmed, our introduction to the park, as a party, was two days spent above Arthurs Pass itself, firstly on the east side in the Temple Basin and in the upper Mingha Valley, and then an the west side on the slopes of MtRolleston, 2271m. The leader had spent two days in the park on the previous weekend and proposed this change as a way of widening the scope of the walking to be done by the party. It proved to be an excellent beginning, in brilliantly fine weather immediately after snowfalls. The change was also partly due to recent alterations in the timetable for trains to and from the park, which had made impractical the use of public transport if full use was to be made of the days allotted for walking. The use of the leader's rental car to move the party from Christchurch to the park and back again kept the walking days to schedule and provided the sort of flexibilitY which members usually enjoy in their weekend walks out of Sydney.+Instead of going straight into the walk as programmed, our introduction to the park, as a party, was two days spent above Arthurs Pass itself, firstly on the east side in the Temple Basin and in the upper Mingha Valley, and then an the west side on the slopes of Mt Rolleston, 2271m. The leader had spent two days in the park on the previous weekend and proposed this change as a way of widening the scope of the walking to be done by the party. It proved to be an excellent beginning, in brilliantly fine weather immediately after snowfalls. The change was also partly due to recent alterations in the timetable for trains to and from the park, which had made impractical the use of public transport if full use was to be made of the days allotted for walking. The use of the leader's rental car to move the party from Christchurch to the park and back again kept the walking days to schedule and provided the sort of flexibility which members usually enjoy in their weekend walks out of Sydney.
  
-Anyway, three of the party members arrived in Christchurch late on Wednesday afternoon, 16 March, on a cold, wet day (maximum 7<sup>0</sup> C) and were met by the leader (who had arrived ten days eimated that they were carrying 40 lbs each. Mark was advised to leave his leggings and hard hat behind but he would not part with the briefcaseHis excuse was that he might have time to finish his thesis for the New England UniversityBefore leaving we visited the Botanical Gardens which consisted of terraced gardens behind the Guest House, laid out with native and exotic plants.+Anyway, three of the party members arrived in Christchurch late on Wednesday afternoon, 16 March, on a cold, wet day (maximum 7<sup>0</sup> C) and were met b3 pm the storm had nearly reached the ridge and most of us stopped to don our rain gear. Shortly after the storm burst upon us with all its furyFirst there came heavy torrential rain and lightning accompanied by a strong wind. Although I was protected by a parka my sleeping bag was in the haversack without a waterproof coverJoyce came to the rescue with a large orange ground sheet which I held over my head and the haversack.
  
-The party left O'Reillys "Green Mountains" at 9:30 to the call of lyrebird echoing in the bushNot long after departure a huge fat lizard lumbered across the track in front of usIt was black with grey underbellyThis creature was the Australian Land Mullet which is the largest land lizard in the continent and can grow to 18 inches long.+After what seemed hours the rain gave way to hail stormThe hail pelted down, cutting the leaves and small twigs from the trees, changing the earthen path surroundings into a dark green carpetFifteen minutes later the green carpet had changed to white one with hailstones 2" deep underfootIn a short time the temperature had dropped from 32<sup>0</sup>to 15<sup>0</sup> C.
  
-A short distance along the track the group split up. Bill and I took the track to Mt. Echo via Lightning Falls whilst the main party took a longer but less steep route to the lunchtime rendezvous spot. Bill and I had morning tea at Jimbolongerri Falls where we obtained clear pure drinking waterThe next resting place on our journey was Bithongabel Falls. The falls were joined to series of mirror-like poolsThe sun that filtered through the trees played with the Shadows on the ground, making ever-changing patterns of light and shade.+Mark had been caught by the rain in only singlet and shorts and his clothing was wet under his rain capeA bout of shivering came on him. He realised that it was a malarial fever attack, a legacy of his earlier years in the tropical north of QueenslandWe made room for Mark under the groundsheet and huddled close together trying to keep him warm.
  
-At 1:30 Bill and I joined the rest of the group at Echo Lookout for lunch before trekking on to Mt. Wupawn and Mt. Durigan.+The hail ceased after a while but a light drizzle had set in. We decided to push on and I picked up Mark's large haversack which contained our main supplies. Our conversation had turned to aborting the expedition via Xmas Creek because of Mark's condition and the weather.
  
-Late that afternoon a distinct recurring mee-ow sound was heard by our party. The call was not that of a feral cat but came from Cathird in the forest on our leftA number of us tried to get a glimpse of the bird by tracing the sound but it was too elusive. Mark said that the plumage is brightalmost iridescent green, spotted with white.+The track had nearly been obliterated by the leaves and hailstones. The afternoon light was fading as we came to large clearing. Pat was endeavouring to start a fire boy scout fashion, by setting small twigs and branches upright in the shape or an Indian wigwam with the fire underneath. The prospect looked very dismal for the campers because of a dark overcast sky, chill penetrating wind and damp ground underfoot. The tents were pitched whilst some looked for suitable firewood and others volunteered to fetch water for the evening mealThese tasks proved to be very difficult as suitable fallen limbs were scarce and the creek was at the bottom of a steepslippery slope.
  
-We arrived at Rat-a-Tat Hut at 5:00 pm and divested ourselves of our packsThe hut is a 3-sided roofed shelter sheeted with corrugated iron located in a clearing surrounded by tall trees.+After an hour the rain ceasedMark seemed to have partly recovered. He looked rather odd in Mary's angora jumper. Pat had prepared delicious tuna mornay which was wolfed down by the whole group. The first course was followed by tinned peaches and cream. Most of the campers slept that night in damp clothes with no chance of getting their belongings or sandshoes dry.
  
-Graham was delegated to fetch our water from a nearby rivuletAs he was filling the water bags he noticed a movement under one of the rocks. Returning to camp he cadged a piece of meat which he placed on a stick and used to coax out a magnificent white yabbie with blue stripes. It was approximately 10" long with two huge claws protruding from its armoured carapace. Graham brought it back to camp and placed it in a corral of stones near the campfire. He then showed different members of the party how to carry the yabbie with safety and without injuring the creature. Eventually we released the yabbie near where it was caught.+We awoke next morning at 6.30 in misty cold conditions to find that two ringtail possums had raided our muesli supply.
  
-As the darkness descended an earthen bank at the side of the clearing came aglow with blue-purple pinpoints of light. The light came from thousands of glow worms which lived amongst the green moss and fernsbut were +After breakfast the walkers were surprised to see Bill with his haversack on ready for departureWithout warning he bade us all goodbye. He gave no reason for his sudden decision to return home. My assumption from conversation I had with him over a two day period was that he did not feel safe in the Australian bush. He was familiar with the German and Swiss forests where there are well-marked tracksshelter huts and roads and railways close by.
-indistinguishable by day.+
  
-Most of the party elected to sleep on the packed earth in the hut whilst two made up their beds in the openbut in the middle of the night the two toughies came inside because of heavy showers. The showers had cleared by dawn and the morning presaged hot day.+The party then proceeded down a steep gully to the Stinson wreckwhere olive-green tubular steel trusses protruded from the undergrowth. One of the wheel struts lay nearby. Small pieces of broken window glass were found by one of the walkers. A plaque set in concrete marked the scene of the crash. The inscription read:- "This plaque marks the spot where the Stinson Airliner 'VH-UHH, City of Brisbane, crashed on 19-2-37 and where two survivors sat for 10 days until found by Bernard O'Reilly. We remember the Stinson - pathfinder at the dawn of commercial aviation in Australia."
  
-The walkers left Rat-a-Tat at 8:45 and trekked towards Ukai Lookout and onwards to Mt. ThroakbanSoon after leaving the mountain on an ever-narrowing path we came to the Roberts Survey Tree which had a large triangle blaze on the trunkMark indicated that the tree would have been blazed in approximately the year 1860 by the original Government Surveyor.+A white wooden cross nearby was marked:- "In memoriam CaptRex Boyden died in Stinson crash 19-2-37." Three smaller silver plaques set in stone and concrete were marked:- "Flying Officer Beverley Shepherd - William Walden, Fountain, New York - James Roland Graham, Sydney."
  
-We arrived at Kalinya Lookout overlooking the Tweed Valley at noon and partook of lunchThe afternoon proved to be very humid and oppressive with sweat pouring off all the walkersMost of us were in shorts with some of the men stripped down to singlets or bare tops.+Three passengers survived the crash - Westray, Bunstead and ProudWestray, a young New Zealander, decided to go for help only to fall over a cliff and die in the bushThe other two survivors lived on the berries from the walking stick palm and water collected from Xmas Creek.
  
-As we traversed a ridge on top of the mountain storm clouds were gathering on the horizon. At 2:30 the dark clouds were moving closer accompanied by lightning flashes and thunder clapsAt 3 pm the storm had nearly reached the ridge and most of us stopped to don our rain gear. Shortly after the storm burst upon us with all its fury. First there came heavy torrential rain and lightning accompanied by a strong wind. Although I was protected by a parka my sleeping bag was in the haversack without a waterproof cover. Joyce came to the rescue with a large orange ground sheet which I held over my head and the haversack.+The papers of the day and the aviation authorities had given up the Stinson as lostPeople had sighted what they thought to be the plane everywhere from the Queensland border to the Hawkesbury River.
  
-After what seemed hours the rain gave way to a hail storm. The hail pelted downcutting the leaves and small twigs from the treeschanging the earthen path surroundings into a dark green carpetFifteen minutes later the green carpet had changed to a white one with hailstones 2" deep underfootIn a short time the temperature had dropped from 32<sup>0</sup> C to 15<sup>0</sup> C.+After eight days and differing radio and press reportsBernard O'Reilly contacted one of his neighbours who thought that the plane had crashed in the McPerson Ranges. O'Reilly decided that his neighbour's story was authenticparticularly as there had been no reports of the plane's arrival at Lismore AirportO'Reilly produced an aerial survey map of the area and plotted destination lines on itHe deduced that the plane could have crashed on one of four high mountain ranges in the district.
  
-Mark had been caught by the rain in only singlet and shorts and his clothing was wet under his rain capeA bout of shivering came on himHe realised that it was a malarial fever attack, a legacy of his earlier years in the tropical north of QueenslandWe made room for Mark under the groundsheet and huddled close together trying to keep him warm.+He packed some supplies which consisted of bread and butter, onions, sugar and tea, and mounted his horse ready for the journey to Mount BethongabelHere he sent the mare home and proceeded by f6ot through the trackless jungleOn the morning of the second day O'Reilly was an the top of Mount Throakban looking out over the three remaining mountain ranges. Eight miles away on the third rangeLamington Plateau, he sighted burnt out tree which confirmed his theory. Eight hours later he found the survivors who were in very poor condition, one of whom had a broken legWith help from all over the district a rescue party was organised which cut a stretcher path through the forest. Bunstead and Proud were lifted out over the next two days. 
 +After returning to camp from the wreck we were able to see the stretcher track, approximately 4 feet wide, which is maintained free from undergrowth to this day.
  
-The hail ceased after a while but a light drizzle had set inWe decided to push on and I picked up Mark's large haversack which contained our main supplies. Our conversation had turned to aborting the expedition via Xmas Creek because of Mark's condition and the weather.+Our party arrived at Tyalgum Valley Lookout at 9:30 where the hailstones on the track were thick underfootThe track from here on became indistinct and we had to fan out many times to find one of the tree blazes. Wherever a break in the rain forest canopy occurred, the undergrowth was thick and tangled because of the life-accelerating effects of the sunlight. The undergrowth was wet and we had to stop at intervals to extricate ourselves from the lawyer vines that got caught in our clothing and flesh. This proved to be very painful at times, Allegedly lawyer vines were given this name by the early settlers because once they got their hooks into you you would never get them out.
  
-The track had nearly been obliterated by the leaves and hailstones. The afternoon light was fading as we came to large clearing. Pat was endeavouring to start fire boy scout fashion, by setting small twigs and branches upright in the shape or an Indian wigwam with the fire underneath. The prospect looked very dismal for the campers because of a dark overcast sky, a chill penetrating wind and damp ground underfoot. The tents were pitched whilst some looked for suitable firewood and others volunteered to fetch water for the evening meal. These tasks proved to be very difficult as suitable fallen limbs were scarce and the creek was at the bottom of a steep, slippery slope.+We passed number of antarctic beeches, huge gnarled tree with buttressed arched roots that meet the trunk metres above the ground. These trees are thought to be thousands of years old and are a relic from a colder epoch. They usually occur at higher altitudes and are found in Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand, South America and the New Guinea Highlands.
  
-After an hour the rain ceased. Mark seemed to have partly recoveredHe looked rather odd in Mary's angora jumper. Pat had prepared delicious tuna mornay which was wolfed down by the whole group. The first course was followed by tinned peaches and cream. Most of the campers slept that night in damp clothes with no chance of getting their belongings or sandshoes dry.+At one stage we became disoriented and found ourselves heading in the opposite direction to our compass course. The group had just passed through cleft in two large rocks which Pat recognised from our earlier wanderings. The mistake was confirmed, by reference to the area map.
  
-We awoke next morning at 6.30 in misty cold conditions to find that two ringtail possums had raided our muesli supply.+Some time after lunch the track became defined again and at 2:30 pm we arrived at a signpost which pointed to O'Gradys Creek. It was evident that we were leaving the rainforest area because of the stands of eucalypt trees that surrounded us. At 4:30 we arrived at O'Gradys Falls and stopped to admire the surrounding black and grey rock formations. Tall lilies grew on the edge of a large pool above the falls. These lilies known as Helm Holtzia have light and dark green stems on which grow profuse pink and white flowers
  
-After breakfast the walkers were surprised to see Bill with his haversack on ready for departure. Without warning he bade us all goodbye. He gave no reason for his sudden decision to return home. My assumption from conversation had with him over a two day period was that he did not feel safe in the Australian bush. He was familiar with the German and Swiss forests where there are well-marked tracks, shelter huts and roads and railways close by.+At 5 pm the party emerged from the bush onto Forest Road. Here we were met by Peter Maxwell, a Forestry Commission Ranger. He drew the leaders aside and engaged them in earnest conversation. Pat later told us the story. Bill had assumed that we would get lost because of "poor leadership, inadequate maps and equipment". He had raised the alarm on reaching civilisation and the Forestry Commission had been alerted.
  
-The party then proceeded down a steep gully to the Stinson wreckwhere olive-green tubular steel trusses protruded from the undergrowth. One of the wheel struts lay nearby. Small pieces of broken window glass were found by one of the walkers. A plaque set in concrete marked the scene of the crash. The inscription read:- "This plaque marks the spot where the Stinson Airliner 'VH-UHH, City of Brisbane, crashed on 19-2-37 and where two survivors sat for 10 days until found by Bernard O'Reilly. We remember the Stinson - pathfinder at the dawn of commercial aviation in Australia."+That night we camped in coldovercast conditions in a clearing at the Border Lookout
  
-A white wooden cross nearby was marked:"In memoriam Capt. Rex Boyden died in Stinson crash 19-2-37." Three smaller silver plaques set in stone and concrete were marked:"Flying Officer Beverley Shepherd - William WaldenFountain, New York James Roland Graham, Sydney."+The next morning we rejoined the mini-bus and were driven to the Tweed Valley Lookout, 940 metres above sea level. Here a notice proclaims: "We now saw the breakers againtheir situation may always be found by the peaked mountain which bears SW by W from them and on their account I have named it Mt. Warning Lt. Cook RN - 16 May 1770."
  
-Three passengers survived the crash WestrayBunstead and ProudWestray, a young New Zealanderdecided to go for help only to fall over cliff and die in the bush. The other two survivors lived on the berries from the walking stick palm and water collected from Xmas Creek.+We arrived at Kyogie at 1:45 and sat down to a counter lunch, a welcome change from our bush repasts At 5 pm we escorted Joyce to the railway station and climbed aboard the bus for our journey back to Brisbane. 
 + 
 +===== Bush Walkers and the Big Bang ===== 
 +by Jim Brown 
 + 
 +Of course;bush walkers would never use explosives or fire-armswould they? Never?  Well, hardly ever.... 
 + 
 +This thinking was inspired by the quotation from Phil Butt in the "Sydney Morning Herald" - see the June issue of the magazine . Then I remembered thatif you go far enough back in the Club's history, you will find' stories of members. shooting wild duck on the Kowmung River to supplement the rations they h65. carried through.the granite gorges higher up. Oh, yes, and of course one of the early lady members carried revolver as a protection against marauding- males..... not Club membersbut the seedy itinerants who 
 +sometimes took to.the bush during the 1930s Depression years. In spite of the reputed permissiveness of more recent years, no one seems to think such a precaution necessary now. Maybe we really are better behaved after all. 
 + 
 +But even in my time with the Club there have been walkers who were fascinated by the Big Bang. For some years there used to be a regular camp at Euroka Clearing in the Lower Blue Mountains (before there was a road there) on the weekend nearest to the 24th May (which used to be Empire Day - Cracker Night - in the days when there were still some vestiges of a British Empire,' my children). All comers brought their Catherine Wheels and Roman Candles, Port Lights and Rockets, and made the Blue Labyrinth resound on the Saturday evening. 
 + 
 +On one occasion a lighted firework, thrown with small regard ,for the environment, landed in a cardboard box at the edge of the campfire area. The box contained a selection of rockets, most of which took off dn horizontal trajectories. One was alleged to have passed through an abdulled tent, happily without causing damage or injury. Thereafter, our favourite camping site at Euroka was. defined in the walks programmes as "Fireworks Ridge"
 + 
 +In addition to those who were satisfied with commercial fireworks, there were others who liked louder noises. At camp in 1952 (I think the Club's 25th Anniversary) some one let off an explosive device, occasioning.what might, be called in modern legal parlance_"publLa affront or alarm4-:- dff-be-ing-td1d:
 +not to do it again, the perpetrators displayed a suitably meek attitude, but countered with a proposal to blow up fallen trees which were causing serious  bank erosion at Blue Gum Forest. 
 + 
 +Being at the time the S.B.W. representative on the Blue Gum Trust, I undertook to put the proposal to the Trust. Admittedly, I did so with fingers crossed and uttering a small prayer. However, the idea was readily adopted, and on the weekend of 25/26 April, 1953, the dynamiters went into action. Actually, it was gelignite which was used and, because it is apparently sensitive stuff, it was claimed that some of the party cuddled up to it in their sleeping bags at the top of the Perry's Lookdown track on the Friday night(Shades of the old drill sergeant rasping "Right t The rifle_is the,soIdier's - best friend. In very cold weather, or if anyone is likely to steal it, you WILL SLEEP with your rifle. After all, you'd sleep with your best friend, wouldn't you?"
 + 
 +The Blue Gum affair wasn't quite as simple as it sounds. A drill was needed to burrow into'tfle hardened, saturated wood of the partially submerged logs and a chain block was used tb'Shift'sate Of the more massive lamps of timber. It was reCkbned at the time that Colin Putt, who carried the chain block, had a-load of.nearly 100.1bS -(about 44 Kg) on the way down to the forest. I think it was Peter Stitt who carried the petrol-engined drill, and he must have had 75 lbs (33.Kg).an his .back. Several times over the weekend the cry arose "To the hills:" as the 31 workers were cleared fromthe explosion area. ' . : 
 + 
 +At one stage on the Sunday morning .a rumour Spread around "They've poured the jelly down Brian Andersons shorts".- For a time Brian must have . .wondered if he had halitoSis, before it was explained that one of the girls had been trying to make edible jelly,, which wouldn't-set, and in a moment of devilment had poured the billy down. the back of Brian's shorts. 
 + 
 +Honour - or the urge to make a **big bang** - must have been satisfied at Blue Gum. Although we had almost 50 people there for a. subsequent working bee in 1955 to consolidate the work on the "silt pack", there were no. more loud noises. Our mantle passed to one of the Speliblogical Societies which was reported in 1955 to be using explosives to form a passage between two natural caves at Bungonia. Being reformed characters, we could afford to chuckle at Geoff Wagg's explanation in one of the Chronic Operas (to the tune of "For.he's gone and married Yum Yum" - from The Mikado):- 
 + 
 +| "Oh, we're going to make a big hole, big hole, | 
 +| With Gelly and Poader, to make the noise louder | 
 +| We'll very soon get to our goal.... | 
 + 
 +| We've explored every cave that is known, is known, | 
 +| 7th din everlasting and drilling and blasting | 
 +| We're making .a few of our own | 
 + 
 +As Hamlet says with his last breath "The rest is silence"
 + 
 +===== Continuing Education Programme, University of Sydney ===== 
 + 
 +Over the next few months several courses of lectures, discussions and outings are to be held by the University of Sydney in its Continuing Education Programme. Anyone over the age of 18 may enrol for these courses. Some of these courses may be of interest to people engaged in outdoor activities such as Bush Walking. Further information may be obtained by writing to the University or by phoning 692-2907. 
 + 
 +**__Birds__** - 9 meetings $35.00. Tuesdays at 7 pm, commencing 6th September. Classification and distribution of birds, their habitats and breeding behaviour. 
 + 
 +**__Bird-Watching Week-End__** - Oberon:State'Forest, Friday 14th October to Sunday 16th October. Basic accommodation at camps sleeping bags and similar equipment must be brought. Cost-$60.00. 
 + 
 +**__Seashore Ecology__** - 6 meetings $45.00. Tuesdays at 6 pm, commencing 1st November. Study of animals and plant of NS.W. Seashore - life hiStorY, environments, behaviour-and interaction of these organisms. 
 + 
 +**__Hill End - The Study of a Goldfield__** - October. Participants make food, accommodation. Study Cost $40.00. Week-end Saturday/Sunday 8/9th own arrangements for transport, of mining developments from 1851. 
 + 
 +**__Anthropology - Aboriginal Art__** - 9 meetings, $30.00. Thursdays 10.30 am from September 8th. Survey of aboriginal rock carvings, painting  and bark art.
  
-The papers of the day and the aviation authorities had given up the Stinson as lostPeople had sighted  +__Congratulations__ to Margaret and Bob Hodgson on the birth of their first child, a daughter,Jennifer Louise, last month.
-===== Letter to the Editor ===== +
-Dorothy Lawry+
  
-1332 Pacific Highway, Turramurra, 2074. +===== Federation of Bushwalkers Ball 1983 =====
  
-Dear Evelyn,+Let's put our dancing shoes on and get together for the Bushwalkers Ball (it's country dancingreally).
  
-We haven't met because I am now an Honorary Member of the S.B.Wconfined to a wheelchair in a nursing homeBack in the 1930s for a couple of years I had the job you are now doing so well I always look forward to my copies of our magazine and have just received the June issue, which I particularly enjoyed.+| Date: | Friday, 23rd Saptember 1983. | 
 +| Venue: | LANE 'COVE TOWN HALL 
 +Longueville Road, entrance in Phoenix Street. Council car park at rear and in Little Street. | 
 +| Time: | 8 pm | 
 +| Cost: $7.00 single - B.Y.O+ Plate | 
 +| Dress: | Casual or semi-formal (whatever you fancy!) | 
 +| Tickets: |Barbara Bruce - phone bookings 925-2520 (Bus.) or 546-6570 (H)..  
 +| | Denise Shaw - phone 922-6093.(H)|
  
-Bill Gamble's article on Page 9 "My Favourite Garbage Dump" I feel should be answered. When I was the editor the Club exchanged magazines in various countries and from one copy of that of the British Ramblers Club I copied a poem which travelled round the world in those of the Appalachian Club of U.S.A., of The Tararua Tramping Club of Wellington N.Z. and probably many others as well as The Sydney Bushwalker. It is called "A Fable" and I suggest you republish it and also send a copy to the N.P.W.S. so they can have it put up on noticeboards near Karloo Pool and along the track to Uloola Falls, etc.+The tickets will also be on sale in the clubroom.
  
-I remember one S.B.W. one-day walk from Heathcote via Karloo Pool and Uloola Falls to Waterfall. As it was such an easy walk of course we had a large party that was well strung outWhen we at the head reached the flat above the Fails it was evident picnickers had been thereIt was filthy with sheets of newspapers blowing across it etc. etc. By the time the tail of our party reached us we had it all cleared away and the place looking as it should again.+We would like S.B.W. to be represented by a large, lively, funloving group this yearYou don't need a partner - just come along and join our table. There's a prize for the best decorated table, so let's have your ideas:
  
-Best wishes to you and all the present active members of the Sydney Bush Walkers.+==== Walks Note ==== 
 +Gordon Lee, following a recent walk in the Budawangs area, reports that Sluice Box Falls on Kilpatrick Creek, are not shown on the new Endrick 1:25000 map in the correct location.
  
-From Dorothy Lawry.+===== Notice ===== 
 +====Half-Yearly General Meeting ====
  
 +__The Sydney Bush Walkers__
 +(Founded 1927)
 +G.P.O. Box 4476
 +Sydney N.S.W. 2001
  
-//Reprinted from The Ramblers HandbookSouthern Federation1938 Editionofficial year book of The Southern and the West of England Federation of the Ramblers Association.//+**Notice is hereby given** that the half-yearly General Meeting of the Sydney Bush Walkers will be held on Wednesday7th September1983at the Cahill Community Centre, 34 Falcon Street, Crow's Nest, commencing at 8:00 pm.
  
-=====A Fable ===== +Agenda
-by F. W. Thomas+
  
-| Frederick Foljambe Fotheringai | +  - Apologies 
-| Went for a picnic one fine day. | +  - Welcome to new members 
-| Under the trees he ate his meal | +  - Minutes of the General Meeting held on Wednesday10th August1983 
-| Leaving a lot of banana peel+  - Correspondence 
-| Empty tins and a paper bag| +  - Reports: Treasurer; Talks; Federation; Coolana
-| Tidying up was too much fag| +  - Determination of the site for the 1984.Annual Reunion 
-| | In course of time he went and died, | +  - Election of convenor for the 1984 Annual Reunion 
-| | Crossed the Styx to the other side, | +  - General Business 
-| |Heard the Devil politely say, | +  - Announcements
-| | "Welcome, Mister Fotheringai! | +
-| | Here'job that will suit you fine, | +
-| |Tidying up this place of mine." | +
-| Frederick Foljambe Fotheringai | +
-| For ever and ever and aye, | +
-| Spends his time and pays for his sins | +
-| Pursuing elusive banana skins, | +
-| Armed with a stick without a nail, | +
-| He chases litter in half a  gale, | +
-| Shoving the pieces when he's got 'em | +
-| Into a basket without any bottom. |+
  
-===== Trekking Through The McPherson Ranges, November 1982   Part II ===== +Barbara Bruce  
-by Wal Liddle+Honorary Secretary.
  
-__At O'Reillys__  +No notices of Amendments to the Constitution have been received. 
-The many birds that raided our larder made our breakfast the next morning a sheer delightOur light blue ground sheet was covered with red and blue rosellasblack and white magpies, and a couple of scrub turkeys feeding on scraps of bread. The cheekier birds would eat the cereal from our bowls if not shooed away.+15th August1983.
  
-The walkers then packed for a 3-day hike without the benefits of a support vehicle. Pat and Mark shared the main load, consisting of food and tents, for the whole group. I est 
198308.1458778730.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/03/24 11:18 by kclacher

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