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194908 [2016/02/19 13:39] – [The Fence] kennettj194908 [2016/02/19 15:37] (current) – [At Our July Meeting] kennettj
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 A monthly Bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bushwalkers, C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St., Sydney. A monthly Bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bushwalkers, C/- Ingersoll Hall, 256 Crown St., Sydney.
  
-No. 177 AUGUST1949 Price 6d.+**No. 177 AUGUST 1949 Price 6d.**
  
  
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 Most members took a dim view of the July General Meeting held by the light of three hurricane lamps and sundry intermittent flashlight beams. No doubt this accounted for the tendency to deal briefly with all but the most vital matters, which was perhaps as well, since it was past nine o'clock before the matters arising from correspondence had been disposed of. Most members took a dim view of the July General Meeting held by the light of three hurricane lamps and sundry intermittent flashlight beams. No doubt this accounted for the tendency to deal briefly with all but the most vital matters, which was perhaps as well, since it was past nine o'clock before the matters arising from correspondence had been disposed of.
  
-Barbara Boman was welcomed to the Club, the handclaps of the fifty-odd members present echoing about the &irksome vault of Ingersoll Hall, and when the minutes had been dealt with, correspondence was read. Had there been no matters arising, I could now add that the meeting drew to a gloomy close at 0.15 p m. There wero matters.+Barbara Boman was welcomed to the Club, the handclaps of the fifty-odd members present echoing about the &irksome vault of Ingersoll Hall, and when the minutes had been dealt with, correspondence was read. Had there been no matters arising, I could now add that the meeting drew to a gloomy close at 10.15 p m. There were matters.
  
-To take the simplest itezs first. Youth Hostels had advised that it had access to W7nnstay at Kiandra, and would be able to make bookings (at 5 per week) for snow sports, with vacancies after +To take the simplest items first. Youth Hostels had advised that it had access to Winnstay at Kiandra, and would be able to make bookings (at 5 per week) for snow sports, with vacancies after 2nd September. There were letters from the Chief Secretary's Department and the Department of Local Government relating to the activities of the Bushcraft Association in the National Park. The Minister for  Local Government had been in touch with "Home" Magazine which regretted any erroneous impressions created by its article, and intended to publish a further item to correct its apparent endorsement of such breaches of legislation.
-2nd September. There were letters from the Chief Secretary's Department and the Department of Local Government relating to the activities of the Bushcraft Association in the National Park. The Minister for  +
-Local Government had been in touch with "Home" Magazine which regretted any erroneous in:pressions created by its article, and intended to publish a further item to correct its apparent endorsement of such breaches of legislation.+
  
-Stemming from the same subject, a letter from Dick Graves of the Bushcraft Association was read: Yr. Graves was distressed at the strong views expressed in Brian Harvey's magazine article, and invited S.B.W. to send three inspectore to examine the activities of the Bushcraft people and report. Messrs. Harvey and Rayner would not be acceptable. It was resolved to take up Ur. Graves' offer, and Messrs. Hardie, Gittoes and Gillam were nominated.+Stemming from the same subject, a letter from Dick Graves of the Bushcraft Association was read: Mr. Graves was distressed at the strong views expressed in Brian Harvey's magazine article, and invited S.B.W. to send three inspectors to examine the activities of the Bushcraft people and report. Messrs. Harvey and Rayner would not be acceptable. It was resolved to take up Mr. Graves' offer, and Messrs. Hardie, Gittoes and Gillam were nominated.
  
-We were informed that Allen Strom had been appointed to the newly created Fauna Protection Panel, but on the debit side our nominee to the Garawarra Trust had not been accepted, the two vacancies (caused by the retirement of the National Perk representatives) having been filled by the National Park nominees. +We were informed that Allen Strom had been appointed to the newly created Fauna Protection Panel, but on the debit side our nominee to the Garawarra Trust had not been accepted, the two vacancies (caused by the retirement of the National Park representatives) having been filled by the National Park nominees.
-Now came the piece de resistance, and what should it be but the dear old chestnut - resumption of Era lands. A report by the President outlined the course of a meeting of the Recreational Areas Committee of the National Fitness ,,ssoci,etion held on June 30th. S.B.W. delegates had expressed as our views: +
-(1) Era should be a prhalitive area for preservation of flora and fauna and for use by walkers and campers. +
-(2) No roads. +
-(3) No objection to hostel if not at Burning Palms or North Era,+
  
-(4) No objection to shacks remaining for a limited period,+Now came the piece de resistance, and what should it be but the dear old chestnut - resumption of Era lands. A report by the President outlined the course of a meeting of the Recreational Areas Committee of the National Fitness Association held on June 30th. S.B.W. delegates had expressed as our views: 
 + 
 +(1) Era should be a primitive area for preservation of flora and fauna and for use by walkers and campers.\\ 
 +(2) No roads.\\ 
 +(3) No objection to hostel if not at Burning Palms or North Era,\\ 
 +(4) No objection to shacks remaining for a limited period,\\
 (5) Best way of preserving area is to add to Garawarra park. (5) Best way of preserving area is to add to Garawarra park.
-The Cumberland County Council representative stated that the Council was interested in reservation of the area and, if and when the County Plan was approved by Parliament, large sums of money would be voted for reservations. S.B.W. was the only body represented at the + 
-meeting which had any objection to resumption by National Fitness, +The Cumberland County Council representative stated that the Council was interested in reservation of the area and, if and when the County Plan was approved by Parliament, large sums of money would be voted for reservations. S.B.W. was the only body represented at the meeting which had any objection to resumption by National Fitness, and that was only on the score of our preference for addition to Garawarra. Mr. Gordon Young had informed the meeting that he would not go ahead with resumption of Era without the full approval of S.B.W., and asked that the Club investigate the possibility of the Lands Department resuming and adding to Garawarra, and advise him within approximately a month. 
-and that was only on the score of our preference for addition to Garawarra. Mr. Gordon Young had informed the meeting that he would + 
-not go ahep d with resumption of Era without the full approval of S.B.W., and asked that the Club investigate the possibility of the +Discussing the report, it was questioned whether Era had now been classified as a rural area, in which case buildings could be constructed on each block of 2 acres, but consensus of opinion was that Era was still rated an open area. In view of the Cumberland County Council's interest, it was resolved that we write that body,indicating our views on preservation of Era. 
-Lands Department resuming and adding to Garawarra, and advise him within approximately a month. + 
-Discussing the report, it was questioned Whether Era had now been classified as a rural area, in which case buildings could be constructed on each block of 2acres, but concensus of opinion was that Era was still rated an open area. In view of the Cumberland +Marie Byles urged that we make up our minds as soon as possible on our course of action, as National Fitness was keen to acquire lands at Narrabeen, and may proceed with that plan in lieu of Era if we hesitated unduly. Mr. Young would only take action to acquire Era if the whole of Era, including Portion 7, was to be embraced by the resumption. 
-County Council's interest, it was resolved that we write that body, + 
-indicating our views on preservation of Era. +Myles Dunphy expressed a less convinced attitude. He contended that addition to Garawarra was the most desirable course, as resumption by National Fitness may lead to Era becoming entirely a National Fitness concern, particularly if the trustees appointed were wholly from the Association. He urged that we make further bids to interest the Lands Department. 
-Marie Byles urged that we make up our minds as soon as possible on our course of action, as National Fitness was keen to acquire lands at Narrabeen, and may proceed with that plan in lieu of Era + 
-if we hesitated unduly. Mr. Zoung would only take action to acquire Era if the whole of Era, including Portion 7, was to be embraced by the resumption. +Allen Strom was inclined to agree with Marie Byles: whilst not enthusiastic on the subject of hostels at Era, he felt that it was the best deal possible, and in this Ruby Payne-Scott supported him. 
-Myles Dunphy expressed a less convinced attitude. He contended +Wal Roots insisted that the area must be resumed, and would be resumed if we made sufficient fuss, but the main thing was to save Era for public recreation, and it would be a tragedy if it were alienated by National Fitness. To which Dormie said we were heating the air, and should not think of National Fitness as some private concern which might filch our camping areas from us. We must get the land resumed somehow, and unless we had some early information from the Lands Department, we should contact the Minister again. 
-that addition to Garawarra was the most desirable course, as resump- +When we had the Lands Department's reply, we should know whet action to take. 
-tion by National Fitness may lead to Era becoming entirely a Notional Fitness concern, particularly if the trustees appointed were wholly from the Association. He urged that we make furtherbids to interest the Lands Department. + 
-Allen Strom was inclined to agree with Marie Byles: whilst nct +Marie Byles, urging rapid action, said that Era would be an expensive resumption, whereas Garawarra being Crown land, had cost nothing. Three times the Lands Department had included Era in its estimates, and each time there had been no finance allotted. We shouldn'wait indefinitely. A motion that we support the resumption by the Minister for Education was "not now put". Whereat Myles Dunphy proceeded to organise a meeting of bodies interested in Era and conservation to approach the Lands Department. 
-enthusiastic on the subject of hostels at Ern, he felt that it was the best deal possible, and in this Ruby Payne-Scott supported him. + 
-Wal Roots insisted that the area must be resumed, and would be resumed if we made sufficient fuss, but the main thing was to save Era for public recreation, and it would be a tragedy if it were alienated by National Fitness. To which Dormie sai3 we were heating the air, and should not think of National Fitness as some private +Having disposed of thorny Era, the meeting rapidly elected "Duoh" Drewell as Assistant Secretary, informed Dormie that the cases of prospectives hampered from doing test walks by transport restrictions would be considered individually and sympathetically, and left Ingersoll Hall to its cat and its shadows soon after 9.30 p m.
-concern which might filch our camping areas from us. We must get +
-the land resumed somehow, and unless we had some early information from the Lands Department, we should contact the Minister again. +
-When we had the LandsDepartment's reply, we should know whet action to take. +
-Marie Byles, urging rapid action, said that Era would be an expensive resumption, whereas Garawarra being Crown land, had cost nothing. Three times the Lands Department had included Era in its +
-5. +
-estimates, and each time there had been no finance allotted. We shouldn7t wait indefinitely. A motion that we sunport the resumption by the Minister for Education was "not now putr'. Whereat Myles Dunphy proceeded to organise a meeting of bodies interested in Era and conservation to approach the Lands Dei:xirtment+
-Having disposed of thorny Era, the meeting rapidly elected"Duoh" Drewell as Assistant Secretary, informed Dormie that the cases of prospectives hampered from doing test walks by transport restrictions would be considered individually and sympathetically, and left Ingersoll Hall to its cat and its shadows soon after 9.30 p m.+
  
 ====== Social Notes for August ====== ====== Social Notes for August ======
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 The little township whose neighbouring rocks you were to investigate was left behind; by nightfall you were camped miles away, in a lonely little gorge, beside a clear, cold stream, oddly aloof in its sound. Ironbark shadowed the camping place; there were among them a few dead trees, with fantastically twisted limbs, stabbing sharply into the silver-blue of a winter sky, and creaking unexpectedly in the still air.  The little township whose neighbouring rocks you were to investigate was left behind; by nightfall you were camped miles away, in a lonely little gorge, beside a clear, cold stream, oddly aloof in its sound. Ironbark shadowed the camping place; there were among them a few dead trees, with fantastically twisted limbs, stabbing sharply into the silver-blue of a winter sky, and creaking unexpectedly in the still air. 
 The little white tent - a symbol of independence and isolation - was dwarfed more than ever when The little white tent - a symbol of independence and isolation - was dwarfed more than ever when
-that first warming five of your own was lit. It was oneself against - +that first warming five of your own was lit. It was oneself against - or held within - a boundless universe.
-or held within - a boundless universe.+
  
-A mood of high elation lighted your steps the next morning. The crisp yellowed grasses crackled with frost; you set out with a wild and ancient chant - +A mood of high elation lighted your steps the next morning. The crisp yellowed grasses crackled with frost; you set out with a wild and ancient chant - am the overlord of the hills and the high places,
-HI am the overlord of the hills and the high places,+
 And it is the frozen breath of the mountains that I seize and make into words. And it is the frozen breath of the mountains that I seize and make into words.
  
-Everything was an excitement; the gold brocaded lustre ofschists, the silken blue-grey sheen or phyllites, the brilliant green of watercress against vermilion walls of granite. There was a glorious wall-like mass of reddish-purple porphyry, studded with squarish creamy-white crystals; a most comical, ridiculous, gargantuan pudding of a rock, which you followed up hill and down dale for miles. It led across a rai]way cutting; a climb up a steep fifty-foot slope of gravel, you tackled gaily, and slid to the bottom in a cloud of dust, specimens, maps and instruments - to be picked up and dusted off by a crowd of highly amused workmen on a trolley.+Everything was an excitement; the gold brocaded lustre of schists, the silken blue-grey sheen or phyllites, the brilliant green of watercress against vermilion walls of granite. There was a glorious wall-like mass of reddish-purple porphyry, studded with squarish creamy-white crystals; a most comical, ridiculous, gargantuan pudding of a rock, which you followed up hill and down dale for miles. It led across a railway cutting; a climb up a steep fifty-foot slope of gravel, you tackled gaily, and slid to the bottom in a cloud of dust, specimens, maps and instruments - to be picked up and dusted off by a crowd of highly amused workmen on a trolley.
  
 You went up again and scrambled through the railway fence, in no way cast down by the incident. In this mood, even fences were endurable; after all, they were useful in checking directions, since most of them ran either north-south or east-west. You went up again and scrambled through the railway fence, in no way cast down by the incident. In this mood, even fences were endurable; after all, they were useful in checking directions, since most of them ran either north-south or east-west.
  
- +The cold was so exhilarating, and hunger became so compelling, that you ate your lunch hurriedly, well before noon - eager to be on, exploring and collecting - following an intricately winding creek along its narrow gorge, lured on in spite of the brevity of the winter day, to explore the next bend. The twisting creek seemed to hold a mocking spirit which was age-old; a part of the place itself. You felt that something wild and secret must have happened there, and given rise to a legend far back among the aborigines. As the sun went down there was an unearthly gleam of twice-reflected light from the grey and purple walls; these were now of massive limestone, with the contours and texture of an elephants hide. The spirit of the place continued to beckon you - and laughed when you stumbled into clear icy pool, fringed with brilliant red-brown and glowing green plants.
-The cold was so exhilarating, and hunger became so compelling, that you ate your lunch hurriedly, well before noon - eager to be on, exploring and collecting - following an intricately winding creek along its narrow gorge, lured on in spite of the brevity of the winter day, to explore the next bend. The twisting creek seemed to hold a mocking spirit which was age-old; a part of the place itself. You felt that something wild and secret must have happened there, and given rise to a legend far back among the aborigines.As the sun went down there was an unearthly gleam of twice-reflected light from the grey and purple walls; these were now of massive limestone, with the contours and texture of an elephants hide. The spirit of the place continued to beckon you - and laughed when you stumbled into clear icy pool, fringed with brilliant red-brown and glowing green plants.+
  
 The light imperceptibly lessened, until at last you realised, with a slight shock, that it was quite dark. Perhaps not quite; the bush itself had a luminous quality, with ghost-white trunks helped by the glow of stars. But your torch with its bulb broken by the fall down the cutting was useless. It would be suicidal to retrace your steps down that gorge in the dark. It must be at least five miles in a direct line across country bock to camp: you hoped it would be over merely undulating ground with no unexpected creeks to cross. That didn't sound too bad; but you were already tired and cold, with forty pounds of laboriously-gathered specimens on your back; and as you tried to keep a constant direction, stumbling over boulder-strewn ground, a growing fear was mounting at the base of your brain. Useless to try to argue yourself out of it (that a night out doesn't matter anyway - you can always curl up in a groundsheet and sleep till morning). Somehow you feel a rising hostility in the bitter air and the dreary pattern of dead branches. The light imperceptibly lessened, until at last you realised, with a slight shock, that it was quite dark. Perhaps not quite; the bush itself had a luminous quality, with ghost-white trunks helped by the glow of stars. But your torch with its bulb broken by the fall down the cutting was useless. It would be suicidal to retrace your steps down that gorge in the dark. It must be at least five miles in a direct line across country bock to camp: you hoped it would be over merely undulating ground with no unexpected creeks to cross. That didn't sound too bad; but you were already tired and cold, with forty pounds of laboriously-gathered specimens on your back; and as you tried to keep a constant direction, stumbling over boulder-strewn ground, a growing fear was mounting at the base of your brain. Useless to try to argue yourself out of it (that a night out doesn't matter anyway - you can always curl up in a groundsheet and sleep till morning). Somehow you feel a rising hostility in the bitter air and the dreary pattern of dead branches.
    
-The panic grew, and befuddled your mind so completely that all sense of direction was lost; you gave up and simply let your feet, sensitive to every conformation of the ground in their softsoled, much worn shoes, carry you where they liked. Then, strangely, you realiped that a foot can acquire a feeling, like an animals, for a track; you no longer stumbled quite so much, there was a narrow way between those viciously sharp chunks of rock; and you followed it numbly, hopelessly. The slight track appeared to veer suddenly to the left; you tripped over a root, and came down with a stinging blow across the cheek -- wires A wire fence, running north-south, almost certainly the main one which would lead you back to camp. It was the most welcome, friendly thing in the world - you nearly kissed those chill, taut wires. Amazingly, your pace quickened as you followed it closely, when before you could barely keep on your feet. In an incredibly brief time, the fence had led you back to a recognised corner of the creek you camped on, with the white tent gleaming just ead. As you started a fire, you remembered suddenly your hatred of fences, and felt oddly sha,ken; then realised that your life would always be governed by an inexorable alternating rhythm; from an escape into purely mathematical and musi'Jal, chill and austere patterns swirling through unexplored spaces, back to the limitations and restrictions of your own mind and body.+The panic grew, and befuddled your mind so completely that all sense of direction was lost; you gave up and simply let your feet, sensitive to every conformation of the ground in their soft soled, much worn shoes, carry you where they liked. Then, strangely, you realised that a foot can acquire a feeling, like an animals, for a track; you no longer stumbled quite so much, there was a narrow way between those viciously sharp chunks of rock; and you followed it numbly, hopelessly. The slight track appeared to veer suddenly to the left; you tripped over a root, and came down with a stinging blow across the cheek -- wiresA wire fence, running north-south, almost certainly the main one which would lead you back to camp. It was the most welcome, friendly thing in the world - you nearly kissed those chill, taut wires. Amazingly, your pace quickened as you followed it closely, when before you could barely keep on your feet. In an incredibly brief time, the fence had led you back to a recognised corner of the creek you camped on, with the white tent gleaming just ahead. As you started a fire, you remembered suddenly your hatred of fences, and felt oddly shaken; then realised that your life would always be governed by an inexorable alternating rhythm; from an escape into purely mathematical and musical, chill and austere patterns swirling through unexplored spaces, back to the limitations and restrictions of your own mind and body.
  
  
194908.txt · Last modified: 2016/02/19 15:37 by kennettj

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