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 This was my second journey down the Franklin (and my fourth trip into south-west Tasmania in as many years) but, nevertheless, preparations on this occasion proved to be just as demanding as before. Each member of the group made a paddle from aluminium tubing and marine ply covered with a thin protective layer of fibreglass. Three weeks' of dehydrated foods had to be individually packed and water-proofed by copious layers of plastic bags. Recipes for trips of this type depend upon the imagination with which one can combine various dried vegetables with rice, lentils or pasta. The alternative is pre-packaged freeze-dried meals which have much the same impact on the digestive system as would a stick of gelignite. Meals are supplemented mainly by nuts, cheese, dried fruits, biscuits, and chocolate. (It is astonishing how quickly the demand for chocolate rises to a point where it becomes virtually inelastic against all other substances.) This was my second journey down the Franklin (and my fourth trip into south-west Tasmania in as many years) but, nevertheless, preparations on this occasion proved to be just as demanding as before. Each member of the group made a paddle from aluminium tubing and marine ply covered with a thin protective layer of fibreglass. Three weeks' of dehydrated foods had to be individually packed and water-proofed by copious layers of plastic bags. Recipes for trips of this type depend upon the imagination with which one can combine various dried vegetables with rice, lentils or pasta. The alternative is pre-packaged freeze-dried meals which have much the same impact on the digestive system as would a stick of gelignite. Meals are supplemented mainly by nuts, cheese, dried fruits, biscuits, and chocolate. (It is astonishing how quickly the demand for chocolate rises to a point where it becomes virtually inelastic against all other substances.)
  
-Once food, clothing, raft repair kit, people repair kit and numerous other miscellaneous pieces of equipment have been assembled, the task is then to compress them, and their numerous layers of plastic coating, into a water-proof home brew barrel and a ruck sack. If there are any leaks you can be sure that the river will find them. All is then secured to the raft and coverd by a spray sheet. The rafter then applies his own protective coating; a wet suit, a buoyancy vest and a canoeing helmet. (For anyone who contemplates the journey down the Franklin, there is an excellent publication available from the Wilderness Society entitled "Notes for Franklin River rafters and bushwalkers" which provides the definitive tourist guide for coping with a trip down the river.)+Once food, clothing, raft repair kit, people repair kit and numerous other miscellaneous pieces of equipment have been assembled, the task is then to compress them, and their numerous layers of plastic coating, into a water-proof home brew barrel and a ruck sack. If there are any leaks you can be sure that the river will find them. All is then secured to the raft and covered by a spray sheet. The rafter then applies his own protective coating; a wet suit, a buoyancy vest and a canoeing helmet. (For anyone who contemplates the journey down the Franklin, there is an excellent publication available from the Wilderness Society entitled "Notes for Franklin River rafters and bushwalkers" which provides the definitive tourist guide for coping with a trip down the river.)
  
 The trip takes around 14 days to complete but this can vary considerably according to weather conditions. The slightest rain can flood the river's narrow ravines and leave parties stranded for many days. Water levels must be monitored religiously. The trip takes around 14 days to complete but this can vary considerably according to weather conditions. The slightest rain can flood the river's narrow ravines and leave parties stranded for many days. Water levels must be monitored religiously.
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 After three days on the river, our party reached the Irenabyss (which means 'chasm of peace'). Here sheer cliffs rise up a hundred metres above the river to frame a narrow piece of sky. At this point, the Franklin is about five metres wide. Water moves slowly through this narrow channel (except after rain when precisely the opposite occurs). The foam from the rapids upstream swirls calmly on its surface. The rafter is left with the impression that the ravine must be as deep as it is high. It is hard to comprehend just how much water is flowing past with each passing second. For 10 or 15 metres above the water level the cliffs show no sign of vegetation, having been regularly scoured by floods. After three days on the river, our party reached the Irenabyss (which means 'chasm of peace'). Here sheer cliffs rise up a hundred metres above the river to frame a narrow piece of sky. At this point, the Franklin is about five metres wide. Water moves slowly through this narrow channel (except after rain when precisely the opposite occurs). The foam from the rapids upstream swirls calmly on its surface. The rafter is left with the impression that the ravine must be as deep as it is high. It is hard to comprehend just how much water is flowing past with each passing second. For 10 or 15 metres above the water level the cliffs show no sign of vegetation, having been regularly scoured by floods.
  
-In the course of our first three days on the Franklin, the cliffs that flanked us had grown - or, more correctly, we had dropped. The roar of rapids provided a constant reminder that the river was dropping into an ever deepening series of ravines - each one more spectacular than the last - as it carved its way through Tasmania's western ranges. By and large, our party had been successful in making its way through the rapids. So far, we had had only one puncture among the seven rafts; unfortunately, its postition, near the join in an air tank, made it difficult to plug completely and so periodically this raft needed some pumping.+In the course of our first three days on the Franklin, the cliffs that flanked us had grown - or, more correctly, we had dropped. The roar of rapids provided a constant reminder that the river was dropping into an ever deepening series of ravines - each one more spectacular than the last - as it carved its way through Tasmania's western ranges. By and large, our party had been successful in making its way through the rapids. So far, we had had only one puncture among the seven rafts; unfortunately, its position, near the join in an air tank, made it difficult to plug completely and so periodically this raft needed some pumping.
  
-Each rapid, where the path is difficult or obscured, must be scouted before a decision is made as to how it would be best negotiated. This process invariably involves much rock climbing and scrambling through thick vegetation before a suitable vantage point can be reached. Then the deliberations begin as each member of the party attempts to predict where the river will take him and the potential pitfalls that such a course might present. Early in the trip, this process takes some time as the Franklin gives most rafters considerable cause for hesitation. But, of necessity, everyone soon learns how to assess a rapid. Usually, one of the more reckless of the party announces that he will 'give it a go' and the others reserve judgment until they see how he fares. The alternative to shooting a rapid is portaging. This often necessitates unpacking all gear from the raft, deflating it and humping the same over some fairly demanding obstacles before joining the river again. Often, safety necessitates portaging, but this is never an attractive option; it is certainly easier having a raft carry you than your having to carry it. In high water some rapids can take up to a day to portage.+Each rapid, where the path is difficult or obscured, must be scouted before a decision is made as to how it would be best negotiated. This process invariably involves much rock climbing and scrambling through thick vegetation before a suitable vantage point can be reached. Then the deliberations begin as each member of the party attempts to predict where the river will take him and the potential pitfalls that such a course might present. Early in the trip, this process takes some time as the Franklin gives most rafters considerable cause for hesitation. But, of necessity, everyone soon learns how to assess a rapid. Usually, one of the more reckless of the party announces that he will 'give it a go' and the others reserve judgement until they see how he fares. The alternative to shooting a rapid is portaging. This often necessitates unpacking all gear from the raft, deflating it and humping the same over some fairly demanding obstacles before joining the river again. Often, safety necessitates portaging, but this is never an attractive option; it is certainly easier having a raft carry you than your having to carry it. In high water some rapids can take up to a day to portage.
  
 From the Irenabyss, the river opens out slightly and the rapids appear less daunting as the rafter has become more adept at manoeuvring his bobbing yellow craft. This is grand river rafting country. There are no major portages to dampen the exhilaration generated as you glide through the rushing waters. The 25 kilometres to the Great Ravine is easily covered in two days. From the Irenabyss, the river opens out slightly and the rapids appear less daunting as the rafter has become more adept at manoeuvring his bobbing yellow craft. This is grand river rafting country. There are no major portages to dampen the exhilaration generated as you glide through the rushing waters. The 25 kilometres to the Great Ravine is easily covered in two days.
  
-The Great Ravine is the most spectacular of the Franklin's gorges. It is impossible for any photograph to do it justice. Over the centuries, the river has cut a passage through the rock that is now 700 metres deep. From water level, the cliffs appear to soar to infinity and make the sky seem insignificant. The ravine is punctuated by four huge rapids. They are aptly named: the Churn, the Coruscades, Thunderrush and the Cauldron. All demand full or partial portage. They drop like four giant steps and divide the ravine into five long reaches - each of a grandeur that would compete with that of New Zealand's Milford Sound. The Great Ravine is 10 kilometres long and takes two to three days to negotitate in good weather. After rain, progress is impossible.+The Great Ravine is the most spectacular of the Franklin's gorges. It is impossible for any photograph to do it justice. Over the centuries, the river has cut a passage through the rock that is now 700 metres deep. From water level, the cliffs appear to soar to infinity and make the sky seem insignificant. The ravine is punctuated by four huge rapids. They are aptly named: the Churn, the Coruscades, Thunderrush and the Cauldron. All demand full or partial portage. They drop like four giant steps and divide the ravine into five long reaches - each of a grandeur that would compete with that of New Zealand's Milford Sound. The Great Ravine is 10 kilometres long and takes two to three days to negotiate in good weather. After rain, progress is impossible.
  
 The Great Ravine is followed by two more long gorges before the last major rapid, Newlands Cascades, is reached. Newlands Cascades is a rapid that sends every rafter's adrenalin pumping. The river narrows into a 300 metre chute of foaming water containing six drops, each of about two metres. Skilful paddling will see a rafter through in about 30 seconds. It is quite a sensation. The Great Ravine is followed by two more long gorges before the last major rapid, Newlands Cascades, is reached. Newlands Cascades is a rapid that sends every rafter's adrenalin pumping. The river narrows into a 300 metre chute of foaming water containing six drops, each of about two metres. Skilful paddling will see a rafter through in about 30 seconds. It is quite a sensation.
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 I picked my way down the north slope scree trying to follow the faint route trodden by many summer backpackers and soon to be obliterated by storms and snow. Packed snow dropped well down into the basin below, and I wanted to avoid having to kick my way across the snow with its icelike consistency. It was difficult to scuff the surface let alone kick steps. With an iceaxe it would have been an interesting glissade and a quick descent. The key to the route was a spur of loose rock between two snowfields, and once descended it left me with a small crossing of the packed snow of about thirty yards. I picked my way down the north slope scree trying to follow the faint route trodden by many summer backpackers and soon to be obliterated by storms and snow. Packed snow dropped well down into the basin below, and I wanted to avoid having to kick my way across the snow with its icelike consistency. It was difficult to scuff the surface let alone kick steps. With an iceaxe it would have been an interesting glissade and a quick descent. The key to the route was a spur of loose rock between two snowfields, and once descended it left me with a small crossing of the packed snow of about thirty yards.
  
-As soon as I reached flat ground in the first small meadow offering some protection from the approaching bad weather, I erected the tent and cooked supper promptly. No time had been wasted. In less than an hour I had dropped over 800' and made camp (in mild conditions it would have been a delight to have descended much more slowly and stopped frequently to enjoy the surroundings). Already the pass and nearby peaks were shrouded in mist and cloud. By 7.00 pm the camp was as secure as I could make it. For a while I walked around in the fading light taking in as much as was left to be seen of the upper Cameron basin. Then the prospect of a warm sleeping bag entided me out of the cold. The wind came in soon afterwards in the long waves already described.+As soon as I reached flat ground in the first small meadow offering some protection from the approaching bad weather, I erected the tent and cooked supper promptly. No time had been wasted. In less than an hour I had dropped over 800' and made camp (in mild conditions it would have been a delight to have descended much more slowly and stopped frequently to enjoy the surroundings). Already the pass and nearby peaks were shrouded in mist and cloud. By 7.00 pm the camp was as secure as I could make it. For a while I walked around in the fading light taking in as much as was left to be seen of the upper Cameron basin. Then the prospect of a warm sleeping bag enticed me out of the cold. The wind came in soon afterwards in the long waves already described.
  
-Next day the walk continued across the mountains in cold rain and sleet, driven by the wind and a subborn frame of mind. It ended on the Hurricane Ridge alpine road at Obstruction Point (6100') in horizontal sleet and poor visibility; and, by sheer luck, with a lift into town in the utility of a couple from Oregon who had just abandoned a short walk nearby. A little over the hour and we were down at sea level. It was a mild to warm afternoon in Port Angeles. On the following day I took the ferry back across the Juan de Fuca Strait to Victoria, B.C., in Canada. The salmon would soon be biting on the Cowitchan River.+Next day the walk continued across the mountains in cold rain and sleet, driven by the wind and a stubborn frame of mind. It ended on the Hurricane Ridge alpine road at Obstruction Point (6100') in horizontal sleet and poor visibility; and, by sheer luck, with a lift into town in the utility of a couple from Oregon who had just abandoned a short walk nearby. A little over the hour and we were down at sea level. It was a mild to warm afternoon in Port Angeles. On the following day I took the ferry back across the Juan de Fuca Strait to Victoria, B.C., in Canada. The salmon would soon be biting on the Cowitchan River.
  
 Map reference: Mt. Angeles quadrangle 1:62500 (US Geological Survey) Map reference: Mt. Angeles quadrangle 1:62500 (US Geological Survey)
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 ===== The Annual General Meeting And The Annual Reunion. ===== ===== The Annual General Meeting And The Annual Reunion. =====
  
-The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13th March. Among the business of the meeting will be the election of Office-Bearers and Committee. Each year all official positons become vacant. Any member may be nominated for any office, and only Club full members may vote.+The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 13th March. Among the business of the meeting will be the election of Office-Bearers and Committee. Each year all official positions become vacant. Any member may be nominated for any office, and only Club full members may vote.
  
 The Annual Re-union, held on the weekend following the A.G.M., is a social gathering, overnight camping of present, past and prospective members. The incoming President is inaugurated in a simple ceremony at the Saturday evening campfire, and there is usually a programme of campfire singing and short sketches. Clean (though sometimes off-beat) humour is the aim. Supper is provided by the Club. On Sunday morning there is a damper-making competition using the ashes of the previous night's campfire. Only self-raising flour, salt and water may be used for the dampers. The Re-union this year is at our property "Coolana" in the Kangaroo Valley. There is swimming available in the river. Transport is by car (cars are left at the top of the hill), and anyone who can provide transport for others is asked to get in touch with George Gray, phone 86-6263. The Annual Re-union, held on the weekend following the A.G.M., is a social gathering, overnight camping of present, past and prospective members. The incoming President is inaugurated in a simple ceremony at the Saturday evening campfire, and there is usually a programme of campfire singing and short sketches. Clean (though sometimes off-beat) humour is the aim. Supper is provided by the Club. On Sunday morning there is a damper-making competition using the ashes of the previous night's campfire. Only self-raising flour, salt and water may be used for the dampers. The Re-union this year is at our property "Coolana" in the Kangaroo Valley. There is swimming available in the river. Transport is by car (cars are left at the top of the hill), and anyone who can provide transport for others is asked to get in touch with George Gray, phone 86-6263.
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 ---- ----
  
-"YOU SHOULD ENJOY THIS NEXT BIT   "  +===== "You Should Enjoy This Next Bit...===== 
-by Tony Cunneen. (Reprinted by permission from The National Times in + 
-"Tandanya" - Adelaide Bushwalkers Magazine - June/August 1984.) +by Tony Cunneen. 
-Some adventure tours have to be viewed carefully. I'd always + 
-wanted to be a mountaineer, so I did some push-ups, jogged around the block a few times then barrelled off to North Wales. +(Reprinted by permission from The National Times in "Tandanya" - Adelaide Bushwalkers Magazine - June/August 1984.) 
-At the Plas Y Brenin Centre for Mountain Activities I enrolled in one week of sheer terror called Introductory Rock Climbing. As with any adventure, all parameters of daily existenceare changed, not the least of which lies in your trust of language.+ 
 +Some adventure tours have to be viewed carefully. I'd always wanted to be a mountaineer, so I did some push-ups, jogged around the block a few times then barrelled off to North Wales. 
 + 
 +At the Plas Y Brenin Centre for Mountain Activities I enrolled in one week of sheer terror called Introductory Rock Climbing. As with any adventure, all parameters of daily existence are changed, not the least of which lies in your trust of language. 
 Now the subtle suggestion can mask a horrible alternative. When the brochure says: "Candidates are advised to bring wetsuits," what it really means is that people who fail to bring wetsuits will find themselves having to survive Arctic conditions in their underpants. Now the subtle suggestion can mask a horrible alternative. When the brochure says: "Candidates are advised to bring wetsuits," what it really means is that people who fail to bring wetsuits will find themselves having to survive Arctic conditions in their underpants.
-Plas'Y Brenin is set in the Welsh mountains near Snowdon. Each day rock climbing students are taken to various cliffs then, accompanied by an instructor, begin their fearful ascent. + 
-On the second day a dour Scot took myself and another student in the team up a gloomy gash of wet rock in the Cwm Idwal and introduced it as The Devil's Staircase. Then he growled: "I think ye'll find this interesting. +Plas Y Brenin is set in the Welsh mountains near Snowdon. Each day rock climbing students are taken to various cliffs then, accompanied by an instructor, begin their fearful ascent. 
-It's got some nice exposure." I was intrigued by this description. What + 
-made a climb "interesting"? What constituted a "nice exposure"? I soon +On the second day a dour Scot took myself and another student in the team up a gloomy gash of wet rock in the Cwm Idwal and introduced it as The Devil's Staircase. Then he growled: "I think ye'll find this interesting. It's got some nice exposure." I was intrigued by this description. What made a climb "interesting"? What constituted a "nice exposure"? I soon found out. 
-found out. + 
-Scared out of my wits, trying to move from a bridge position to a balanced hold on a bulge of rock I realised that I was now in an "interesting" position. The fact that there was a drop of 200 feet or so below me +Scared out of my wits, trying to move from a bridge position to a balanced hold on a bulge of rock I realised that I was now in an "interesting" position. The fact that there was a drop of 200 feet or so below me was "nice exposure". 
-was "nice exposure"+ 
-I knew now that the words of the instructor were heavy with implication and should be interpreted as such. These experts use a private +I knew now that the words of the instructor were heavy with implication and should be interpreted as such. These experts use a private system for grading climbs. What follows is a handy guide for climbing novices so that you can make sense of this system. Climbs can be: 
-system for grading climbs. What follows is a handy guide for climbing +
-novices so that you can make sense of this system. Climbs can be:+
 "Interesting" - Scary. "Interesting" - Scary.
 +
 "Technical" - Terrifying. "Technical" - Terrifying.
 +
 "Sustained" - Terrifying for a very long period of time. "Sustained" - Terrifying for a very long period of time.
 +
 "Thoughtful" - A spiritual state of mind rarely reached by other people except perhaps passengers on trans-Pacific flights who have just been told that the plane has run out of fuel in flight. "Thoughtful" - A spiritual state of mind rarely reached by other people except perhaps passengers on trans-Pacific flights who have just been told that the plane has run out of fuel in flight.
-Then there are those wry comments made, while actually climbing: "You'll enjoy this next bit" - Nothing in your entire life will be worse than the next few moments.+ 
 +Then there are those wry comments made, while actually climbing: 
 + 
 +"You'll enjoy this next bit" - Nothing in your entire life will be worse than the next few moments. 
 "You'll find the next 10 feet quite thought-provoking" - You'll need supernatural powers to get any further. "You'll find the next 10 feet quite thought-provoking" - You'll need supernatural powers to get any further.
 +
 "This is pretty strenuous for a Grade 4 climb" - We've come the wrong way. "This is pretty strenuous for a Grade 4 climb" - We've come the wrong way.
-On occasions more specific descriptions of the rock conditions are given: "A bit fingery" - You'll have to claw your way up using your fingernails and teeth.+ 
 +On occasions more specific descriptions of the rock conditions are given: 
 + 
 +"A bit fingery" - You'll have to claw your way up using your fingernails and teeth. 
 "A bit slimy" - Like glass. "A bit slimy" - Like glass.
 +
 "It's rather steep" - It's an overhang. "It's rather steep" - It's an overhang.
 +
 "Good exposure" - A long drop. "Good exposure" - A long drop.
 +
 "Unprotected" - No rope. "Unprotected" - No rope.
 +
 "Open to the weather" - A blizzard. "Open to the weather" - A blizzard.
 +
 "Dubious rock" - An avalanche. "Dubious rock" - An avalanche.
-Page 14 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER February, 1985 + 
-As we, the novices, struggled to sort out our equipment, we heard a number of comments regarding our handling of belays, runners, slings and ropes:+As we, the novices, struggled to sort out our equipment, we heard a number of comments regarding our handling of belays, runners, slings and ropes: 
 "Your belay is loose" - You might fall. "Your belay is loose" - You might fall.
 +
 "Look at that bloody belay" - I might fall. "Look at that bloody belay" - I might fall.
 +
 There is a subtle scale of implied criticism used in the teaching of handling equipment in the proper and safe manner. Our instructors used the socratic method - teaching by asking questions. There is a subtle scale of implied criticism used in the teaching of handling equipment in the proper and safe manner. Our instructors used the socratic method - teaching by asking questions.
 +
 "Are you happy with that?" - You're wrong. "Are you happy with that?" - You're wrong.
 +
 "Are you quite happy with that?" - If you move you'll fall. "Are you quite happy with that?" - If you move you'll fall.
 +
 "Are you really quite happy with that?" - If you move we'll all fall. "Are you really quite happy with that?" - If you move we'll all fall.
 +
 Then finally there are the instructions and exhortations delivered while you are actually climbing. Then finally there are the instructions and exhortations delivered while you are actually climbing.
 +
 "Well I suppose you could do it that way" - Never do it that way. "Well I suppose you could do it that way" - Never do it that way.
-"Sort yourself out" - You're upside down. "Keep your head" - Stop screaming. + 
-"That would be most unethical" - Don't use the tree. "Think carefully" - Pray.+"Sort yourself out" - You're upside down. 
 + 
 +"Keep your head" - Stop screaming. 
 + 
 +"That would be most unethical" - Don't use the tree. 
 + 
 +"Think carefully" - Pray. 
 "That was a bit of a mistake" - Did you hurt yourself? "That was a bit of a mistake" - Did you hurt yourself?
 +
 "I think he's having a wee bit of trouble" - I think he's dead. "I think he's having a wee bit of trouble" - I think he's dead.
 +
 "Coming unstuck" - Falling. "Coming unstuck" - Falling.
 +
 "A bit dicey" - Hitting the bottom. "A bit dicey" - Hitting the bottom.
-Soon we took refuge in such expressions ourselves: "Can I just think about this a bit" - I'm stuck. "This rope's tangled" - I've tangled the rope. + 
-Well, we all survived. As well as learning about climbing we +Soon we took refuge in such expressions ourselves: 
-learnt about ourselves. For this all credit is due to the young, dedicated and talented staff of Plas Y Brenin, whose climbing ability was matched only by their mastery of the understatement.+ 
 +"Can I just think about this a bit" - I'm stuck. 
 + 
 +"This rope's tangled" - I've tangled the rope. 
 + 
 +Well, we all survived. As well as learning about climbing we learnt about ourselves. For this all credit is due to the young, dedicated and talented staff of Plas Y Brenin, whose climbing ability was matched only by their mastery of the understatement. 
 Once, as I clambered, quivering with fear over one of those very severe climbs at Tremadog I was greeted by a cheery "That was fun" from my instructor. I thought he must have gone a different way from me. Once, as I clambered, quivering with fear over one of those very severe climbs at Tremadog I was greeted by a cheery "That was fun" from my instructor. I thought he must have gone a different way from me.
-* * * * * * * * *.* + 
-STJOHN AMBULANCE FIRST AID CERTIFICATE COURSE.  +---- 
-* Need to RENEW your St.JOhn Ambulance First Aid Certificate? + 
-(It expires after 3 years) +===== StJohn Ambulance First Aid Certificate Course===== 
- Need to get one because you are on the Search and Rescue list of + 
-volunteers? (It is compulsory for insurance cover) +  * Need to RENEW your St.JOhn Ambulance First Aid Certificate? (It expires after 3 years) 
-* Need to upgrade your knowledge of first aid so that you are +  Need to get one because you are on the __Search and Rescue__ list of volunteers? (It is compulsory for insurance cover) 
-confident in its use on bushwalks? +  * Need to __upgrade__ your knowledge of first aid so that you are confident in its use on bushwalks? 
-YES? Then come to our Club'SPECIAL GROUP TRAINING SESSION to be held +   
-on 13th and 14th April. (Saturday and Sunday 9 am - 5 pm). +Yes? Then come to our Club'Special Group Training Session to be held on 13th and 14th April. (Saturday and Sunday 9 am - 5 pm). The exam is on the following Wednesday, 17th April, 6 - 8 pm. 
-The EXAM is on the following Wednesday, 17th April, 6 - 8 pm. + 
-VENUE: 6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills. (Train to Central or Museum Stations) +Venue: 6 Hunt Street, Surry Hills. (Train to Central or Museum Stations) 
-COST: $47. Send your cheque (made out to St. John Ambulance) to AINSLIE MORRIS by 13th March next. + 
-In the Clubroom or post to 45 Austin Street, Lane Cove, 2066. +Cost: $47. Send your cheque (made out to St. John Ambulance) to Ainslie Morris by 13th March next. In the Clubroom or post to 45 Austin Street, Lane Cove, 2066. 
-February, 1985. THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 15 + 
-OBITUARY.MYLES DUNPHY O.B.E. +---- 
-(From The Sydney MOrning Herald, Saturday, February 2, 1985  + 
-- Joseph Glascott..7 Environment Writer) MYLES DUNPHYCONSERVATIONIST+===== Obituary - Miles Dunphy O.B.E. ===== 
 + 
 +(From The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday, February 2, 1985 - Joseph Glascott Environment Writer) 
 + 
 +=== Myles Dunphyconservationist. === 
 Myles Joseph Dunphy, regarded as the father of conservation in N.S.W., died on Wednesday, aged 93. Myles Joseph Dunphy, regarded as the father of conservation in N.S.W., died on Wednesday, aged 93.
 +
 In his lifetime, Mr. Dunphy saw his dream of a system of national parks throughout the State come true. More than 50 years ago he began exploring and mapping important natural and wilderness areas - and agitating for their preservation. In his lifetime, Mr. Dunphy saw his dream of a system of national parks throughout the State come true. More than 50 years ago he began exploring and mapping important natural and wilderness areas - and agitating for their preservation.
 +
 His efforts to publicise and protect natural areas in N.S.W. equated those of John Muir, the great advocate of wilderness preservation in the United States. His efforts to publicise and protect natural areas in N.S.W. equated those of John Muir, the great advocate of wilderness preservation in the United States.
 +
 Mr. Dunphy was born in Melbourne in 1891, the eldest son of an Irish immigrant, but he spent most of his boyhood in Kiama on the N.S.W. South Coast where his exploration of the beautiful countryside stimulated his love of nature and bushwalking. Mr. Dunphy was born in Melbourne in 1891, the eldest son of an Irish immigrant, but he spent most of his boyhood in Kiama on the N.S.W. South Coast where his exploration of the beautiful countryside stimulated his love of nature and bushwalking.
 +
 A holiday at Katoomba in 1910 began a life-long love affair with the Blue Mountains, which he and his bushwalking friends systematically mapped. A holiday at Katoomba in 1910 began a life-long love affair with the Blue Mountains, which he and his bushwalking friends systematically mapped.
-In 1914 he was a founding member of the Mountain Trails Club, + 
-the first wilderness walking group in Australia and later he was joint founder of the largest N.S.W. bushwalking club, Sydney Bush Walkers.+In 1914 he was a founding member of the Mountain Trails Club, the first wilderness walking group in Australia and later he was joint founder of the largest N.S.W. bushwalking club, Sydney Bush Walkers. 
 In articles on Mr. Dunphy, Mr. Pat Thompson, of the Colong Committee and Mr. Jim Somerville, of the Nature Conservation Council, have recorded two events in the early 1930s which turned his interest to bushland preservation. In articles on Mr. Dunphy, Mr. Pat Thompson, of the Colong Committee and Mr. Jim Somerville, of the Nature Conservation Council, have recorded two events in the early 1930s which turned his interest to bushland preservation.
 +
 In 1931 members of Sydney Bush Walkers visiting the magnificent Blue Gum Forest on the Grose River were horrified to learn that a farmer was about to cut it down and plant walnut trees. The club eventually saved the forest by raising funds and buying the lease which it handed over to the Crown. Redgum, an early conservation correspondent for the Herald, publicised the campaign. In 1931 members of Sydney Bush Walkers visiting the magnificent Blue Gum Forest on the Grose River were horrified to learn that a farmer was about to cut it down and plant walnut trees. The club eventually saved the forest by raising funds and buying the lease which it handed over to the Crown. Redgum, an early conservation correspondent for the Herald, publicised the campaign.
-Two years later, the scenic Garrawarra coastline south of Sydney was threatened with development. Mr. Dunphy led a campaign which + 
-Page 16 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER February, 1985. +Two years later, the scenic Garrawarra coastline south of Sydney was threatened with development. Mr. Dunphy led a campaign which saved the area and it was later added to Royal National Park. 
-saved the area and it was later added to Royal National Park. + 
-In 1923, after watching conservation developments in the United States, Mr. Dunphy helped form the National Parks and Primitive Areas Council of which he became secretary. Over the next 25 years this +In 1923, after watching conservation developments in the United States, Mr. Dunphy helped form the National Parks and Primitive Areas Council of which he became secretary. Over the next 25 years this council spearheaded the movement for park reservations. 
-council spearheaded the movement for park reservations. + 
-The council's first major campaign was for the Greater Blue Mountains NationL Park. The first reservation for this park was made 27 years later and the largest park in the mountains, Wollemi, was created in 1979, 47 years later.+The council's first major campaign was for the Greater Blue Mountains National Park. The first reservation for this park was made 27 years later and the largest park in the mountains, Wollemi, was created in 1979, 47 years later. 
 Kosciusko, Morton, Warrumbungle, Brisbane Water and 10 others were on the way, before the National Parks and Wildlife Service was set up in 1967. Kosciusko, Morton, Warrumbungle, Brisbane Water and 10 others were on the way, before the National Parks and Wildlife Service was set up in 1967.
-Mr. Dunphy was a life member of the Australian Institute of Architects and served on the Geographic Names Board of N.S.W. He + 
-qualified as an architect in 1923 and taught architecture at Sydney Technical College and N.S.W. University until he retired at 71. +Mr. Dunphy was a life member of the Australian Institute of Architects and served on the Geographic Names Board of N.S.W. He qualified as an architect in 1923 and taught architecture at Sydney Technical College and N.S.W. University until he retired at 71. 
-Last year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature awarded Mr. Dunphy the Packard International Merit Award for his long and distinguished service to conservation causes. The union + 
-makes only one such award every decade.+Last year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature awarded Mr. Dunphy the Packard International Merit Award for his long and distinguished service to conservation causes. The union makes only one such award every decade. 
 Mr. Dunphy is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Oatley, and his sons Milo, who has carried on his conservation work as director of the Total Environment Centre and vice-president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, and Dexter, Professor of Business Administration at N.S.W. University. Mr. Dunphy is survived by his wife, Margaret, of Oatley, and his sons Milo, who has carried on his conservation work as director of the Total Environment Centre and vice-president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, and Dexter, Professor of Business Administration at N.S.W. University.
 +
 A private family funeral was held yesterday at Woronora crematorium. A private family funeral was held yesterday at Woronora crematorium.
-MYLES DUNPHY was an Hon. Member of Sydney Bush Walkers, and, as mentioned above, was one of the foundation members of the Club. + 
-Bushwalkers over the years have been very grateful for the many maps that Myles compiled and drew - e.g. the well-known Gangerang Wild Dog Mountains map and the Tomat - Bindook Yerranderie map.+---- 
 + 
 +Myles Dunphy was an Hon. Member of Sydney Bush Walkers, and, as mentioned above, was one of the foundation members of the Club. 
 + 
 +Bushwalkers over the years have been very grateful for the many maps that Myles compiled and drew - e.g. the well-known Gangerang Wild Dog Mountains map and the Tomat - Bindook Yerranderie map. 
 The Club extends its sympathy to Mrs. Dunphy and his sons Milo and Dexter. The Club extends its sympathy to Mrs. Dunphy and his sons Milo and Dexter.
-*****#-***** 
  
 +----
198502.txt · Last modified: 2019/02/22 13:20 by tyreless

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