198806
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(Deadline for July issue - Articles 29 June, Notes 6 July) | (Deadline for July issue - Articles 29 June, Notes 6 July) | ||
Page 2 The Sydney Bushwalker June, 1988 | Page 2 The Sydney Bushwalker June, 1988 | ||
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WANDERING | WANDERING | ||
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by Christina Steers | by Christina Steers | ||
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One Saturday morning in February 1988, eleven members of the Sydney Bush Walkers made direction from Mount Irvine for Tesselated Hill and Bungleboori Junction on the Wollongambe River, a distance of approximately 8 km and listed as a medium overnight walk. The day was overcast and misty, and drifts of rain blotted out the views. | One Saturday morning in February 1988, eleven members of the Sydney Bush Walkers made direction from Mount Irvine for Tesselated Hill and Bungleboori Junction on the Wollongambe River, a distance of approximately 8 km and listed as a medium overnight walk. The day was overcast and misty, and drifts of rain blotted out the views. | ||
A route was found down to the junction with the use of a rope on one tricky section. Dislodged rocks were a problem, and shouted warnings were frequent. | A route was found down to the junction with the use of a rope on one tricky section. Dislodged rocks were a problem, and shouted warnings were frequent. | ||
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Soon after making camp amongst rocks at the river' | Soon after making camp amongst rocks at the river' | ||
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Day dawned with little promise but no rain as yet, but after we ascended the ridge at the point of the junction, making for Lost Flat Mountain, the mist floated down. Colours were intensified, | Day dawned with little promise but no rain as yet, but after we ascended the ridge at the point of the junction, making for Lost Flat Mountain, the mist floated down. Colours were intensified, | ||
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At 4 pm we heard a car, and could see dwellings across the Wollongambe River, but we still had a creek and the gorge to negotiate. The leader had a good backup crew, so we arrived at the Wollongambe at the anticipated point where there was a break in the sheer rock face of the gorge. We were heartened by the sight and smell of camp fire smoke rising towards us. We descended on the ropes and tracked around the ledge to a cave where a party of four men were sheltering - one Australian and three Europeans. They had liloed in on Friday, and now faced the problem of ascending with an injured member. The Australian had dislocated his left shoulder, and his arm had been fixed at the horizontal, until reduced by one of his party. Now he held it supported in a sling, and I could only imagine his problems on the climb out the following day. | At 4 pm we heard a car, and could see dwellings across the Wollongambe River, but we still had a creek and the gorge to negotiate. The leader had a good backup crew, so we arrived at the Wollongambe at the anticipated point where there was a break in the sheer rock face of the gorge. We were heartened by the sight and smell of camp fire smoke rising towards us. We descended on the ropes and tracked around the ledge to a cave where a party of four men were sheltering - one Australian and three Europeans. They had liloed in on Friday, and now faced the problem of ascending with an injured member. The Australian had dislocated his left shoulder, and his arm had been fixed at the horizontal, until reduced by one of his party. Now he held it supported in a sling, and I could only imagine his problems on the climb out the following day. | ||
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A large black kettle was boiling on their fire, which we were welcome to, provided we had the tea or coffee. The men were grateful for a cup, and also a map, and the promise to build a cairn at the point of departure from the creek, up river. We crossed the waist-deep Wollongambe River, and continued upstream to an unnamed creek. This was a bush-lover' | A large black kettle was boiling on their fire, which we were welcome to, provided we had the tea or coffee. The men were grateful for a cup, and also a map, and the promise to build a cairn at the point of departure from the creek, up river. We crossed the waist-deep Wollongambe River, and continued upstream to an unnamed creek. This was a bush-lover' | ||
We negotiated a high waterfall in the rapidly fading light, sidling along a narrow rock ledge above the deep pool below, then up with a rope and a hand-hold to the top of the waterfall, which we traversed on hands and knees under a rock overhang. From then an we depended on our night vision, or a white sandshoe one step ahead. The weird blue light of many glow-worms added enchantment to the drama. Only at the last were torches produced from wet pockets or the deep cavities of rucksacks, to light our way over boulders. | We negotiated a high waterfall in the rapidly fading light, sidling along a narrow rock ledge above the deep pool below, then up with a rope and a hand-hold to the top of the waterfall, which we traversed on hands and knees under a rock overhang. From then an we depended on our night vision, or a white sandshoe one step ahead. The weird blue light of many glow-worms added enchantment to the drama. Only at the last were torches produced from wet pockets or the deep cavities of rucksacks, to light our way over boulders. | ||
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Fortunately a log in the stream bed, familiar to the leader, had not budged, and a small cairn was built as promised. We ascended the hillside rapidly with torches held in our mouths, but we were beaten at the top by a cliff-face which gave nothing away. | Fortunately a log in the stream bed, familiar to the leader, had not budged, and a small cairn was built as promised. We ascended the hillside rapidly with torches held in our mouths, but we were beaten at the top by a cliff-face which gave nothing away. | ||
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At 10 pm, those who had said that there was no question but thatthey had to be back in Sydney that night, had weakened, and dying batteries were the deciding factor. A convenient low cave and overhang to accommodate all eleven of us materialised, | At 10 pm, those who had said that there was no question but thatthey had to be back in Sydney that night, had weakened, and dying batteries were the deciding factor. A convenient low cave and overhang to accommodate all eleven of us materialised, | ||
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-We were up at first light, pulling on soggy clothing, then in high spirits made our way rapidly up through the rock face. By 9 am we were on the Mount Wilson-Mount Irvine bitumen road where one of the cars was parked. Whilst drivers motored off, we built a fire and reminisced over our recent challenging experiences. | -We were up at first light, pulling on soggy clothing, then in high spirits made our way rapidly up through the rock face. By 9 am we were on the Mount Wilson-Mount Irvine bitumen road where one of the cars was parked. Whilst drivers motored off, we built a fire and reminisced over our recent challenging experiences. | ||
- | June, 1988 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 3 | + | |
The leadership was commendable. Oliver was also cold, tired and-hungry, but maintained his calm as he reconnoitred the way ahead. We came through unscathed and reassured that it is no great disaster to have an unscheduled night in the bush. It is just wise to carry emergency rations - and to protect wrist watches. Two were lost while scrambling up the creek. | The leadership was commendable. Oliver was also cold, tired and-hungry, but maintained his calm as he reconnoitred the way ahead. We came through unscathed and reassured that it is no great disaster to have an unscheduled night in the bush. It is just wise to carry emergency rations - and to protect wrist watches. Two were lost while scrambling up the creek. | ||
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NOTE:- This SSW walk was first published in the CMW magazine. ED. | NOTE:- This SSW walk was first published in the CMW magazine. ED. | ||
- | * * * * * * * * * * | + | |
- | SHEILA BINNS HONORARY MEMBER | + | ===== Sheila Binns, Honorary Member |
- | The Committee has invited Sheila Binns to become an honorary member of the Club. | + | |
- | I am happy to report that Sheila has accepted the invitation. The letter from Helen Gray below outlines Sheila' | + | The Committee has invited Sheila Binns to become an honorary member of the Club. I am happy to report that Sheila has accepted the invitation. The letter from Helen Gray below outlines Sheila' |
- | 209 Melton Road, Epping, 2121. The President & Committee, | + | |
- | Sydney Bush Walkers. | + | 209 Melton Road, Epping, 2121\\ |
+ | 27.4.88 | ||
+ | |||
+ | The President & Committee\\ | ||
+ | Sydney Bush Walkers | ||
Dear Barry & Friends, | Dear Barry & Friends, | ||
- | As a member of last year's 60th Anniversary Committee, I'm proud of being part of the group which nominated Kath and Jim Brown to Honorary Active Membership. However it has been on my mind for some time that an equally deserving member was overlooked (probably because she has been away from Sydney for a couple of years and did not spring readily to mind). I refer to Sheila Binns, a tireless worker for our Club throughtout | + | |
- | Sheila was a regular leader of walks for about 20 years. She took on her first official job in the fifties on the very night she became a member - that of Treasurer. Following that, Sheila was Secretary for four separate terms, serving in this position for a total of ten years and one month, and Minutes Secretary at least twice (a further four years). Another job she took on was that of keeping the membership list up- to-date and printing the address labels for the magazine. This she did every month from 1968, when we first started mailing the magazine to members, until well into the 1980s. (It was nOt until Sheila retired and filmed | + | As a member of last year's 60th Anniversary Committee, I'm proud of being part of the group which nominated Kath and Jim Brown to Honorary Active Membership. However it has been on my mind for some time that an equally deserving member was overlooked (probably because she has been away from Sydney for a couple of years and did not spring readily to mind). I refer to Sheila Binns, a tireless worker for our Club throughout |
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+ | Sheila was a regular leader of walks for about 20 years. She took on her first official job in the fifties on the very night she became a member - that of Treasurer. Following that, Sheila was Secretary for four separate terms, serving in this position for a total of ten years and one month, and Minutes Secretary at least twice (a further four years). Another job she took on was that of keeping the membership list up-to-date and printing the address labels for the magazine. This she did every month from 1968, when we first started mailing the magazine to members, until well into the 1980s. (It was not until Sheila retired and moved from Sydney and the job was taken over by Steve Brown, then Patrick James and now Barry Wallace, that the importance and size of this job was appreciated.) | ||
As Sheila is now well settled in Moss Vale and unlikely to return to active walking with SBW, I think it a fitting time to show that she is remembered and her past work still appreciated by making her an Honorary Member. We would be setting no precedent; on looking through our list of members I can see no other so deserving of our thanks. | As Sheila is now well settled in Moss Vale and unlikely to return to active walking with SBW, I think it a fitting time to show that she is remembered and her past work still appreciated by making her an Honorary Member. We would be setting no precedent; on looking through our list of members I can see no other so deserving of our thanks. | ||
- | Thus I would like to recommend that the committee consider making Sheila Binns an Honorary Member of the Sydney Bush Walker. | + | |
+ | Thus I would like to recommend that the committee consider making Sheila Binns an Honorary Member of the Sydney Bush Walkers. | ||
Yours sincerely, | Yours sincerely, | ||
- | HELEN GRAY. | + | |
+ | Helen Gray | ||
Following the above letter it was resolved at the Committee Meeting on 4th May 1988 that Sheila be invited to become an Honorary. Member. Our secretary wrote to Sheila to this effect. Sheila replied that she would be delighted to become an Honorary Member. On further questioning Sheila said she was pleased, delighted, honored, thrilled and tickled pink. Good thinking, Helen. | Following the above letter it was resolved at the Committee Meeting on 4th May 1988 that Sheila be invited to become an Honorary. Member. Our secretary wrote to Sheila to this effect. Sheila replied that she would be delighted to become an Honorary Member. On further questioning Sheila said she was pleased, delighted, honored, thrilled and tickled pink. Good thinking, Helen. | ||
- | EDITOR. | + | |
- | **************- | + | Editor |
- | Page 4 The Sydney Bushwalker June, 1988 | + | |
- | Recollections of Charlie Brown'saristis | + | ===== Recollections of Charlie Brown's Christys |
- | to Arabanoo Creek Trip by Jack Higgs | + | |
- | Though much time has past since this trip, the benefit of distant hindsight often leads to fonder memories and a more fictional recollection than the factual details'inherent in instantly taking pen to paper. After all herein lies Dot Butler' | + | by Jack Higgs |
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+ | Though much time has past since this trip, the benefit of distant hindsight often leads to fonder memories and a more fictional recollection than the factual details inherent in instantly taking pen to paper. After all herein lies Dot Butler' | ||
The party met in Katoomba at Charlie' | The party met in Katoomba at Charlie' | ||
- | Camp was made that night in a spot near Mount Bindo (I can keep a secret, Charlie) in magnificent tableland forest country with soft grass which set the tent pegs a-ringing. | + | |
- | The outer warmth of a fire and the inner warmth of a dram of fortification set the mind at peace-and gave the body an inner glow which meant a tranquil night' | + | Camp was made that night in a spot near Mount Bindo (I can keep a secret, Charlie) in magnificent tableland forest country with soft grass which set the tent pegs a-ringing. The outer warmth of a fire and the inner warmth of a dram of fortification set the mind at peace-and gave the body an inner glow which meant a tranquil night' |
- | The rigours of the day certainly started in a tempestuous fashion as we had barely packed camp and were blithely travelling on the Kanangra Road; when we screeched to a halt and appeared to be set upon by a band of brigands in various states of strange dress and of strange appearance. Fazeley appeared unphased (nothing Freudian in this) which was a great comfort to me, being a new chum in this scene. With trepidation I emerged from the car and tentatively approached this odd band who were acting in a strange form of communication with what I now perceived were my equally strange kinfolk. I was finally reassured when I recognised | + | |
- | We finally set off across Marrilan Heath with my map and compass in hand as a duty to Peter Miller who had only let me through the navigation test on his good graces. Thankfully under Mount Colboyd rather than over, we travelled and dropped off Mount Great Groaner which seemed synonymous with the nature of the country and my feelings at the time. On the precipitous descent into Christy' | + | The rigours of the day certainly started in a tempestuous fashion as we had barely packed camp and were blithely travelling on the Kanangra Road; when we screeched to a halt and appeared to be set upon by a band of brigands in various states of strange dress and of strange appearance. Fazeley appeared unphased (nothing Freudian in this) which was a great comfort to me, being a new chum in this scene. With trepidation I emerged from the car and tentatively approached this odd band who were acting in a strange form of communication with what I now perceived were my equally strange kinfolk. I was finally reassured when I recognised |
- | The gaining of Christy' | + | |
- | fellow communicant when she would have rather been standing in the blackberries on the side. | + | We finally set off across Marrilan Heath [Merrilman Heath] |
- | Lunch was taken at Central | + | |
- | About this time we were joined (thankfully after we'd eaten the trout) by two Kamerukas, descending | + | The gaining of Christys |
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+ | Lunch was taken at Central | ||
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+ | About this time we were joined (thankfully after we'd eaten the trout) by two Kamerukas, descending | ||
After giving my son Jeremy a lecture (I do a lot of that) about not trying to keep his feet dry as he'd have to wade at some stage, we were last to leave the lunch spot and within 100 metres the rest of the party who were ahead were greeted by loud howls of mirth from Jem as his all-knowing Dad had disregarded his own profound advice and had ended upon his arse in a pool of water whilst trying to avoid wading. | After giving my son Jeremy a lecture (I do a lot of that) about not trying to keep his feet dry as he'd have to wade at some stage, we were last to leave the lunch spot and within 100 metres the rest of the party who were ahead were greeted by loud howls of mirth from Jem as his all-knowing Dad had disregarded his own profound advice and had ended upon his arse in a pool of water whilst trying to avoid wading. | ||
- | June, 1988 The Sydney Bushwa1ker Page 5 | + | |
The beauty of nature with the dense foliage on the creek rising to the bony ridges above, was enhanced by the sight of nature in naked form as we came round a bend to see the party devoid of their motley garb and awaiting Charlie playing with his mechano-set flying fox and that I trust was all. Packs descended over and bodies descended into a pool and our Kameruka friends departed downstream. | The beauty of nature with the dense foliage on the creek rising to the bony ridges above, was enhanced by the sight of nature in naked form as we came round a bend to see the party devoid of their motley garb and awaiting Charlie playing with his mechano-set flying fox and that I trust was all. Packs descended over and bodies descended into a pool and our Kameruka friends departed downstream. | ||
- | The highlight of the trip occurred shortly after when a monster trout was sighted in a deep pool. And so started the 'great trout hunt', all with the highest ideals of ridding the stream of these exotic introductions. Clothes were again discarded and Donny waded in to attempt to cajole | + | |
- | the trout out of deep water. The fish initially seemed willing to be seduced but suddenly saw the folly of its ways. In any event it departed downstream in great haste, pursued by the Finch, flying low (and not even a water bird) and appearing like a cross between a blue hairy yowie and an outcast from the Bolshoi ballet. The flight of the Finch, to the accompanying chorus of Wendy 's "Oh, that Donny, he's a hunter" | + | The highlight of the trip occurred shortly after when a monster trout was sighted in a deep pool. And so started the 'great trout hunt', all with the highest ideals of ridding the stream of these exotic introductions. Clothes were again discarded and Donny waded in to attempt to cajole the trout out of deep water. The fish initially seemed willing to be seduced but suddenly saw the folly of its ways. In any event it departed downstream in great haste, pursued by the Finch, flying low (and not even a water bird) and appearing like a cross between a blue hairy yowie and an outcast from the Bolshoi ballet. The flight of the Finch, to the accompanying chorus of Wendy' |
- | Others joined the fray and Kerry observed from midstream. Finally it was left to George, a prospective at that time, to come up with a lb prize. George' | + | |
- | Camp was struck at a civilised hour and Carol unselfishly sacrificed her prestige tent site so our mini Taj Mahal could be erected and in turn she turned to nestle in the nettles. Happy Hour preceded dinner and trout supper was accompanied by Wendy' | + | Others joined the fray and Kerry observed from midstream. Finally it was left to George, a prospective at that time, to come up with a 4 1/2 lb prize. George' |
- | After the intense drama of the first day, the next day was somewhat more mundane. Memories of the beauty of the creek, the junction with Arabanoo, the walk down to the majestic Kowmung, flood back. Memories of Kerry standing in thread being seen to light a cigarette and Wendvwas been to snarl, again come to mind. | + | |
- | The ascent up Arabanoo Creek was again interspersed with endeavour to | + | Camp was struck at a civilised hour and Carol unselfishly sacrificed her prestige tent site so our mini Taj Mahal could be erected and in turn she turned to nestle in the nettles. Happy Hour preceded dinner and trout supper was accompanied by Wendy' |
- | rid the stream of the noxious interlopers, | + | |
+ | After the intense drama of the first day, the next day was somewhat more mundane. Memories of the beauty of the creek, the junction with Arabanoo, the walk down to the majestic Kowmung, flood back. Memories of Kerry standing in thread being seen to light a cigarette and Wendy was seen to snarl, again come to mind. | ||
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+ | The ascent up Arabanoo Creek was again interspersed with endeavour to rid the stream of the noxious interlopers, | ||
Charlie knew a direct route up a spur to Glandfields Lookout which was a quick exit and certainly better than continuing upstream with the numerous difficulties of negotiating waterfalls. | Charlie knew a direct route up a spur to Glandfields Lookout which was a quick exit and certainly better than continuing upstream with the numerous difficulties of negotiating waterfalls. | ||
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Back at the cars we ran across some masochistic acquaintances of Charlie who-had run the Six Foot Track marathon the day before and had felt like some further flagellation the next day. | Back at the cars we ran across some masochistic acquaintances of Charlie who-had run the Six Foot Track marathon the day before and had felt like some further flagellation the next day. | ||
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Many thanks to you all for a really enjoyable trip, the memories of which probably bear no relationship to the actual events of the excursion. | Many thanks to you all for a really enjoyable trip, the memories of which probably bear no relationship to the actual events of the excursion. | ||
- | ***************** | + | |
- | THE SYDNEY BUS | + | ===== Myrmecia ===== |
- | 265 VICTORIA ROAD GLADESVILLE, | + | |
- | THURS. HI | + | |
- | SAT. 9-4 | + | |
- | (PARKING AT REAR OFF PITTWATER ROAD) | + | |
- | A LARGE RANGE OF LIGHTWEIGHT, | + | |
- | | + | |
- | COLD WEATHER PROTECTION CLOTHING AND RAINCEAR | + | |
- | MAPS, BOOKS. AND LEAFLETS | + | |
- | | + | |
- | | + | |
- | WE STOCK THE LARGEST RANGE OF CANOEING GEAR IN NS.W. | + | |
- | QUALITY TOURING CRAFT OF ALL TYPES HIGH QUALITY, PERFORMANCE COMPETMON CRAFT | + | |
- | A HUGE RANGE OF PADDLES FOR ALL TYPES OF CANOEING | + | |
- | ALL TYPES OF SPRAY COVERS 0 WIDE RANGE OF JACKETS & CAGS FACE MASKS | + | |
- | | + | |
- | June, 1988 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7 | + | |
- | MYRMECIA | + | |
One February Sunday-noon They bashed across | One February Sunday-noon They bashed across | ||
To Mount Myuna, | To Mount Myuna, | ||
Line 267: | Line 287: | ||
o ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS - see Page 7. | o ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS - see Page 7. | ||
************** | ************** | ||
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198806.txt · Last modified: 2019/04/05 12:53 by tyreless