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 By Alex Colley. By Alex Colley.
 +
 Should any hikers ever became lost in the Northern Blue Mountains the journalists would at last be right when they described the terrain as "rugged mountain country, the roughest country in the State - where a single slip would mean a fall of 200 feet" (it's always 200'), and used the rest of their stock of "lost hiker" phrases, which, I suspect, are kept permanently set up in type in a special pigeon hole in newspaper offices. But this unhappy conjunction of fact and description is unlikely ever to occur because hikers seldom, if ever, go there. Nor does anybody else that you'd notice. Though only 2 hours from the G.P.O. by car and a few minutes by air, this area of some 3,000 square miles is one of the least populated parts of the State. Most of it can be covered only on foot, hence its unpopularity. In the centre of it, where rise the Macdonald, the southern tributaries of the Goulburn, the Cudgegong and the northern tributaries of the Colo, a collection of mountains with weird names such as "Monundilla", "Coriaday", "Coricudgy", "Kekeelbons" and "Bournbourwa". To me they are slightly suggestive of bird calls and perhaps are anglicised versions of aboriginal bird names. It was towards these high points that the 1953 S.B.W. Monundilla expedition, comprising Ira Butler, Ray Kirkby, Jim Brown and the writer, headed on June 13th. To forestall controversy let it be recorded, here and now, that the four of us placed our feet on the top of Monundilla simultaneously. Should any hikers ever became lost in the Northern Blue Mountains the journalists would at last be right when they described the terrain as "rugged mountain country, the roughest country in the State - where a single slip would mean a fall of 200 feet" (it's always 200'), and used the rest of their stock of "lost hiker" phrases, which, I suspect, are kept permanently set up in type in a special pigeon hole in newspaper offices. But this unhappy conjunction of fact and description is unlikely ever to occur because hikers seldom, if ever, go there. Nor does anybody else that you'd notice. Though only 2 hours from the G.P.O. by car and a few minutes by air, this area of some 3,000 square miles is one of the least populated parts of the State. Most of it can be covered only on foot, hence its unpopularity. In the centre of it, where rise the Macdonald, the southern tributaries of the Goulburn, the Cudgegong and the northern tributaries of the Colo, a collection of mountains with weird names such as "Monundilla", "Coriaday", "Coricudgy", "Kekeelbons" and "Bournbourwa". To me they are slightly suggestive of bird calls and perhaps are anglicised versions of aboriginal bird names. It was towards these high points that the 1953 S.B.W. Monundilla expedition, comprising Ira Butler, Ray Kirkby, Jim Brown and the writer, headed on June 13th. To forestall controversy let it be recorded, here and now, that the four of us placed our feet on the top of Monundilla simultaneously.
  
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 ---- ----
  
 +Summer is A'coming in Again... and with it the __Walks Programme for the months of January to April.__ This includes the critical period January and February, when folk are reluctant to commit themselves to leading trips... Plan that walk now, and you won't have to dodge the Walks Secretary.
  
-10. +---- 
-Summer is A' coming in Again... for the months _of JANUARY to APRIL January and FebrUary,,wheE fak are to leading trips... Plan that walk the Walks Secretary. + 
- and with it the WALKS PROGRAMNE +After an absence of (it was said) 14 years, Wilbur Morris appeared in the Club Room on Friday, August 2lst. All unwittingly, he perched himself on one of the new tables, which promptly folded up, taking with it the two tables adjoining. It says much for the durability of walkers (no, not that he survived the fall) but that he found many familiar faces. 
-This includes the cr=cal-Fa.iod reluctant to commit themselves now, and you won 't have to dodge + 
-After an absence of (it was said) 14 year-,1, Wilbur Morris +---- 
-appeared in the club Room on Friday,. August 2lst. All unwittingly, + 
-he perched himself on one of the new tables, which promptly folded up, taking with it the two tables adjoining. It says much for the durability- of walkers (no, not that he survived the fall) but that he found many familiar faces. +It has been suggested by some people that there was a misprint on Page 7 of our August issue. These people are evidently unaware that the name of Blue Gum Forest has been changed since the Working Bee of April last when many workers toiled up to the waist in cold water. 
-It has been suggested by some people  that there was a- misprint on Page 7 of our August issue. These people are evidently unaware that the name of Blue Gum Forest has been changed since the Working Bee of April last when many workers toiled up to the wait in cold water. + 
-00 +---- 
-CORROBOREE Mark 2 was held on August 22/23, with 47 folk present. At about 5 p.m. on. Saturday it looked as though there may be two corroborees .. more about this interesting Possibility in the October magazine+ 
 +Corroboree Mark 2 was held on August 22/23, with 47 folk present. At about 5 p.m. on Saturday it looked as though there may be two corroborees... more about this interesting possibility in the October magazine... 
 + 
 +----
    
-The Colour Slide Exhibition p/ovided another triumph for that placidly insidious character Bill Rodgers with his "Mount Roland". The other places to George Grey and John Bookluck. Those highly commended by the judge included entries by Audrey Brady, Ken Angel and Geoff Greethead - as well as repeat mentions of Bill, George and John. +The Colour Slide Exhibition provided another triumph for that placidly insidious character Bill Rodgers with his "Mount Roland". The other places to George Grey and John Bookluck. Those highly commended by the judge included entries by Audrey Brady, Ken Angel and Geoff Greethead - as well as repeat mentions of Bill, George and John. 
-POD + 
-"And now I11 show you on the map just where you are" quoted the leader of a recent Sunday walk back of Hornsby, as his party downed rucksacks and gathered around him. And was his face red as +---- 
-he carefully unfolded the KIAMA Military District Map. We are pleased to report a prospective member was able to produce the Broken Bay map, and save the day.+ 
 +"And now I'll show you on the map just where you are" quoted the leader of a recent Sunday walk back of Hornsby, as his party downed rucksacks and gathered around him. And was his face red as he carefully unfolded the __Kiama__ Military District Map. We are pleased to report a prospective member was able to produce the Broken Bay map, and save the day. 
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 +=====Searching.=====
  
-SEARCHING. 
 By Malcolm McGregor. By Malcolm McGregor.
 +
 Search and Rescue was called out on the weekend of 19th June to assist the Katoomba Police to look for Mrs. Mary Lewis, who had been reported missing on Wednesday 17th. Search and Rescue was called out on the weekend of 19th June to assist the Katoomba Police to look for Mrs. Mary Lewis, who had been reported missing on Wednesday 17th.
-This job had none of the glamour and none of the uaccess that the 1952 search had. It was Plain hard work, shoving through scrub, looking in likely places and unlikely ones as well, covering the tracks that the Police and locals had searched the previous days to make sure they had not overlooked anything, and to add to OUT discomfort it was bitterly cold the whole two days. + 
-IF YOU ARE GOING PLACES CONTACT +This job had none of the glamour and none of the success that the 1952 search had. It was Plain hard work, shoving through scrub, looking in likely places and unlikely ones as well, covering the tracks that the Police and locals had searched the previous days to make sure they had not overlooked anything, and to add to our discomfort it was bitterly cold the whole two days. 
-SCENIC MOTOR TOURS, + 
-RAILWAY STEPS, +For the search itself there is little to say: the work was hard and uninteresting, and it was to the credit of everyone that they stuck to the job as cheerfully as they did. The main point of interest was the co-operation of the Police. A 'bus was arranged to take us to and from Katoomba, the nights were spent at Wentworth Falls School of Arts and Katoomba Court House respectively, and Police cars did any moving of personnel we considered necessary. 
-KATOOMBA. + 
- Awl +The bright spot of the weekend was Saturday night. You have to be as tired and cold as we were to appreciate the small comfort the Court House offered. Two large fire places and the necessary fuel were provided and in a flash wet clothes and boots, cooking gear, food and what-not littered the place. To describe the chaos is impossible; but if you imagine a row of boots along the Court bench, a dozen black billies before each fire, and food and clothes strewn about the floor, dock and other available furniture, you can get some idea of the scene that met the gaze of a small-ish gent in civvies when he opened the door to see what was going on. The roar he uttered could be heard miles away. It was "The Beak" himself, and it took our friend the Sergeant some time to pacify his outraged dignity that his Court House should be so used. 
-DAILY TOURS BY PARLOR COACH TO TIT3 WORLD FAMOUS JENOLAN CAVES AND ALL BLUE MOUNTAIN SIGHTS. + 
-TRANSPORT BY COACHES FOR PARTIES OF BUSH- WALKERS TO KANANGRA WALLS, GINKIN OR OTHER SUITABLE POINTS BY ARRANGEMENT. +Without doubt, this was not the type of work for which S & R is best suited, but the call had been made, and we must answer, because there is no group of the community better fitted to move in the bush than we are. There are some people who regarded the search as useless from the outset: as it turned out they were correct, but, if this was the reason for their non-attendance, then let them think of Mrs. Lewis as one of their own kin to see whether their actions were justified. I was most disappointed that only two of our members were present for the whole weekend, plus one for the Sunday and two for part of Saturday. 
-FOR ALL INFORMATION + 
-WRITE TO P.O. BOX 60, KATOOMBA TELEPHONE 60, KATOOMBA. +---- 
-For the search itself there is little to say: the work was hard and uninteresting, and it was to the credit of everyone that they stuck to the job as cheerfully as they did. The main point of interest was the co-operation of the Police. A 'bus was arranged to take us to and from Katoomba, the nights were spent at Wentworth Falls School of ArtE and Katoonba Court House respectively, and Police cars did any moving of personnel we considered necessary. + 
-The bright spot of the weekend was Saturday night. You have to be as tired aid cold as we were to appreciate the small comfort the Court House offered. Two large fire places and the necessary fuel were provided and in a flash wet clothes and boots, cooking gear, food d.nd what-not littered the place. To describe the chaos is impossible; but if you imagine a row of boots along the Court bench, a dozen bladir billies before each fire, and food and clothes strewn about the floor, dock and other available furniture, you can get some idea of the scene that net the gaze of a small ish gent in civvies when he opened the door to see what was going an. The roar he uttered could be heard miles away. It was "The Beak" himself, and it took our friend the Sergeant some time to pacify his outraged dignity that his Court House should be so used. +=====Railway Hikes.===== 
-Without doubt, this was not the type of work for Which S & R is best suited, but the call had been made, and we must answer, because there is no group of the community better fitted to move in the bush than we are. There are some people who regarded the search as useless from the outset: as it turned out they were oorre0t, but, if this waEthe reason for their non-attendande, then let theM think of Mrs. Lewia as one of their own kin to see whether their actions were justified. I was most disappointed that only two of our members were present for the whole weekend, plus one for the Sunday and two for part of Saturda? + 
-12. +(Notes made on observations by a hiker who was there.) 
-RAILWAY HIKES + 
-(Notes made on observations by a hiker who was there.) Clarence - Old Zig Zag Lithgow. +===Clarence - Old Zig Zag - Lithgow.=== 
-The train consisted of 5 coaches. Excellent detailed map of the route with notes on the trip supp lied. At least one guide and a member of the Railway Historical Society travelled with the party.+ 
 +The train consisted of 5 coaches. Excellent detailed map of the route with notes on the trip supplied. At least one guide and a member of the Railway Historical Society travelled with the party. 
 On the trip to Clarence, passengers inquired why our observer wore heavy boots. On the previous Friday, heavy snow had fallen on the Blue Mountains and when the party arrived at Clarence, deep drifts were still lying in shady places. The track was slushy in parts and those who had wondered about stout footwear soon realised how desirable this type of walking gear can be as they sank, ankle deep, in mud. No high heels were reported, but rather inadequate bootee types of feminine footwear with crepe rubber soles, and casuals, were evident. On the trip to Clarence, passengers inquired why our observer wore heavy boots. On the previous Friday, heavy snow had fallen on the Blue Mountains and when the party arrived at Clarence, deep drifts were still lying in shady places. The track was slushy in parts and those who had wondered about stout footwear soon realised how desirable this type of walking gear can be as they sank, ankle deep, in mud. No high heels were reported, but rather inadequate bootee types of feminine footwear with crepe rubber soles, and casuals, were evident.
 +
 Numerous friendly snowfights occurred, but when the loutish element began to make themselves evident, they were severely reprimanded by the guide. Scenery was good and interesting. Lunch near Mt. Sinai (3,800 ft.), then down the track of the old Zig Zag to Zig Zag Signal Box where the train was waiting. Numerous friendly snowfights occurred, but when the loutish element began to make themselves evident, they were severely reprimanded by the guide. Scenery was good and interesting. Lunch near Mt. Sinai (3,800 ft.), then down the track of the old Zig Zag to Zig Zag Signal Box where the train was waiting.
-Almost total absence of ruc-sacs and cape groundsheets, but plenty of overcoats clad expensive clothing, string bags, cardboard boxes as well as small haversacks made from gas mask containers. No casualties observed. 
-Bundanoon - Grand Canyon Lookout - Toothfs Lookout - Fairy BowerBundanoon. 
-Train consisted of 7 coaches of even better dressed hikers than attended the Zig Zag excursion. Another excellent map and notes supplied. Bundanoon was a stopping place known as Jordan's Crossing when the line was first opened to Gaulburn in the f60,s. It was renamed Bundanoon (Big Gullies") in 1881. 
-Weather conditions dry and fine. Some hikers went golfing for the day, others went to horse, some into the 'pub h and the rest went walking with the guide. Lunch was at Grand Canyon Lookout, where local Legacy Branch had set up a stall. Ample time was allowed for sightseeing and meals. 
-The observer reports that both excursions were very well organised and conducted. However, as the next excursion is reported to be to Blackheath, then bus to Evans Lookout, walk to Govettfs Leap Lookout, then bus to Mt. Victoria to join the train, the observer does not intend to attend as he wants to walk. 
-13. 
-"TEE BUSHWALKER" N0412. 
-Federation is Publishing again this year THE BUSHWALKER" its annual magazine which has not appeared since 1948. 
-Material required: Storiet describing walks, incidents on walks, canoeing, climbing, skiing, caveing, etc. - and photographs. (Closing date - September 20th). 
-Advertisements: Contact Business Manager, Jack Evans, BX1245. 
-Material to be sent to: Wie Hon. Editor,'''Tbe Busbmalker" No.12, 72 Hudson Street, Hurstville. (Or tphone LU4648. 
-REPO R`t ON "NATIONAL Pi-RKS OF VICTORIA". 
-In this month's issue we conclude Allen Stramts Report on National Parks of Victoria'', parts of which have been published in 
-the July and August magazines. We would call attention to the thought of a great Alpine Park mentioned in this part. We like it - and will have something to say about it next month's editorial column. 
-IMPORTANT TRANSPORT NOTICE. 
-n 
-BUSHT LKERS REQUIRING TRANSPORT 
-FROM BLACKHEATH ANY HOUR 
-RING, WRITE OR CALL 
-OOOOO 
- SIEDLECKY'S TAXI AND TOURIST SERVICE, 
-.M.r.01.11..10,..,07.6011.01.0W 
-116 STATION STREET BLACKHEATH. 
-2 4 HOUR SERVICE 
-..nrom=lma...r.=v100.1 
-BUSHWALKERS arriving at Blackheath late at night _without transport booking can ring for car from Railway Station or call at above address - ITTS NEVER TOO LATE! 
-TPHONE BTHEATH 81 OR 146. 
-LOOK F. CARS TC5210 or TV270 
-OR BOOK AT MARK SALON RADIO SHOP - OPP. STATION. 
-4. 
-Victorian Nati..0:ap..3, Parks , 9 
-Cowes and San Remo are the Hhot-spotsu of the holiday traffic with the "blah" of roundabouts and nwhczt,have-you". 
-The advertised "tourist attractions" of the Island include the Penguin and Mutton Bird Rookeries, the Koala populations and the Seal Rocks. The Seal Rocks on the far south-western corner of the Island and these were made the subject of one of our visits. Fortunately, the Rocks are inaccessible (without a boat) but a fine view of the animals can be had with the use of a telescope or a pair of binoculars. There is, however, an incessent demand by professional fishermen to reduce the numbers of seals on the pretext that they destroy fishing nets and reduce the size of the catches. 
-Not far away is "Summerland where the Penguin and Mutton Bird Rookeries exist. These to my mind, are in a pathetic condition .. it amazes that the birds dare to return to their nests at night! In one "sanctuary" tents had recently been pitched right over the nesting burrows .. and close by, were at least fifty people firmly encamped for many days. Roads already traverse the area where some of the birds walk in order to reach the burrows 
-we saw dead penguins killed I presume, by passing traffic. The sanctuaries appear to be miserably small and settlement is proceeding on the surrounding land .. some of this land appears to have been out up for a "suburbia" type building. The tourist traffic is tremendous .. great hordes of people arri7ed in several buses to see the birds return to their nests at &ask. 
-I would think that the position is so bad as to be hopeless, 
-but should the authorities wish to save the situation, immediate action to cut off the south-western end of the Island, the gradual elimination of all permanent human habitation in that area, access to the Rookeries to be by foot alone, would seem to be the only successful policy. 
-And what of the Koala? Well, we saw a number, generally in trees that were suffering defoliation .. anyhow, there did not appear to be a great number of food trees .. and the great exposure of the Island would prevent great growths of trees. The extensive development of the land would militate against the whole Island becoming a "sanctuary".., perhaps small enclosed areas could do something. Stories of the Koalas having bred themselves out of food looks highly probable... the use of land for the normal pursuits of Man and a sanctuary for animals .. quite hopeless! 
-I couldntt help feeling very depressed about the whole matter of the Penguins, Mutton Birds and Koalas as we left Phillip Is.. According to the much blazened contention, the hordes of people who saw these animals should by now, have been influenced to proteot them and yet I hear no public outcry to correct this misuse of our Native Faunal 
-1 ti 
-Victorian National Parks ,u 
-From San Remo we went on through Wonthaggi .. Victoria's Black Coal Town .. Inverloch, Koonwarra, Meeniyan, Fish Creek and into the Wilson Promontory National Park. The camp that night was of course, at Tidal. River .. a well-appointed Camping Area with a full-time Ranger. Some of the party under the leadership of Bill Dingeldei, climbed the highest peak in the Park, Mount Latrobe (2366 feet). 
-The area of the Park is 102,000 acres and is the most southerly point of the mainland of Australia. It is a magnificent pen- 
-insula of granite with beautiful coastline scenery originally named "Furneaux Land" by Bass in 1798, but later re-named Wilson '6 Promontory after Thomas Wilson, of London, a friend of 
-Flinders. road is being cut up Mt. Oberon .. some of us followed to the top and obtained a wide panorama of sandy beaches and dented coastline. 
-But the real story of "The Prom." is a sad one. Some eighty 
-thousand acres were again burned out early in 1951, this time apparently destroying permanently, the forest giants that grew in many places. Only a maze of fallen dead trunks greeted the party that climbed Latrobe .. no regrowth of trees were to be seen. Lilly Pilly Gully famed as the home of the Koala is a 
-grey mass of dead trees. Everywhere I could see the terrible 
-change since my last visit. It seems obvious that some plant 
-species have become extinct in some places; striking and undesirable ecological changes have occurred and there is an advancement of exotic and unwanted plants. 
-The history of "The Prom." has been one of disappearing species and recurrent fires. The toll is now becoming fully apparent. Where do the fires come from? There are many opinions .. but one thing is certain .. the 1951 fire burned for many days before it "got away" when the hot northerlies drove it south, ravaging and consuming to finally burn part of the lighthouse, itself! It is significant also, that His Honour, Judge Stretton (June 24th, 1946) reported as Royal Commissioner on matter concerning forest fires ..."Grazing has been a regular recurrent 
-cause of Porest fires. The extent of the relationship 
-between grazing and forest fires may best be expressed by stat- 
-ing that wherever grazing has been practised in mountain forest, 
-it has been one of the major and most frequentcauses of fire." A scientific fire-protection plan for National Parks should be formulated. Grazing of domestic stock is completely prohibited in many National Parks throughout the world, including those in Switzerland. and Tasmania. 
-Two small National Parks Tarra Valley (200 ac.) and Bulga 
-(91 ac.) are located in the etreziecki Ranges, a most interesting mountain chain rising to a couple of thousand feet and standing between the Latrobe Valley and the coastline. Extensive 
-16 
-Viotor1al-1 No.tit,nnl 
-development of the Range has tnken place but it is obvious that at one time tremendous forests of Ash and Beach existed here. Our route took us through Welshpool on to the Grand Ridge Road .. certainly an adequate name .. to the Tarra Valley Road. The park entrance is situated about two miles down this road. There is an attractive parking area and entrance gate and a small but delightfully situated camping area amongst tall gums and tree ferns. 
-The walks through the park are splendidly arranged to give adequate inspection of the excellent Rain Forest which includes the Victorian Antarctic Beech or Myrtle (Nothofagus Cunninghamiana). This is a smaller leafed variety than the northern species (N.Moorei) but shows the same capacity for long life, some specimens apparently having withstood natural erosion sufficiently to expose the root systems to a depth of about 12  feet. The party was able to stalk and observe a Lyre Bird for a considerable time. 
-A short distance away is Bulga enclosing a valley packed with enabling the visitor to go out to the tangle of ferny leaves. of rare and distinctive beauty fifty feet in height. 
-National Park, the smaller area tree ferns, a suspension bridge over the valley and look down in- 
-Both Parks embrace ferneries .. some specimens exceeding 
-The attractiveness of both Parks, but in particular that of Tarra Valley, tends to cloud ones realisation that both are ludicrously small. They are but National Monuments and both are extremely vulnerable to the effects of development. If 
-these parks are to retain their primitive beauty, their lyre birds and the other natural charms that justly attract the cultured citizen, an adequate belt of protective bushland must be reserved all around them giving the closed environment discussed at the outset of this Report. There is still to be consid- 
-ered if that is possible, the steps that may be taken to enlargen these Parks into the true dimensions of a National Park 
-perhaps, coalesce them where the feeling of being "lost in 
-the vastnesses of Nature could be adequately appreciated. 
-North from the Strezlecki Ranges and into the Valley of the Latrobe at Traralgon .. the drop is steep and the ridges are trimmed almost bare. Here too, Nature has answered Man in Her 
-own language, with landslips in exchange for reduction of cover. The coastal slopes of Gippsland must be rich judging by the extensive settlement and in addition, to the Latrobe Valley has come the brown coal mining of Yallourn and Morwell. Much public money has gone into these undertakings to save Victoria from the embarrassment of irregular supplies of black coal from New South Wales. 
-17. 
-Victorian National Parks 
-Mt. Erica and the Beg Bag Plate z,L dominate the northern landscape from here and we know that as our route lies over the Main Divide there is some climbing ahead. The scars of many fires, but in particular those of '39, are to be seen on the side of the flaw flaws .. groves of white ghosts, fire-eaten mountain ash. The 
-Tyers, The Thomson, Walhalla (now further along the road to extinction since the tragic floods last year) pass and there is a 
-0 terrific climb over and down to camp on a swift flowing tributary 
-of the Thomson. Next day we made Matlock (4500 ft) officially 
-recorded as the highest township in Victoria and right on the 
-Divide. Ohce this was a town of 20,000 persons, but the only 
-evidence to-day, of this population is the extensive area of cleared land from Where we enjoyed a magnifioent panorama embracing a vast expanse of Victoria's most mountainous areas. 
-By the way of Woods Point, Jamieson, Mansfield and Whitfield we finally skirted around Mt. Buffalo into the Oven's Valley .. possibly the richest valley in Victoria, not to mention the interesting appearance of Hop and Tobacco growing and the mighty gold dredge at Harrietville .. reputed to rank amongst the biggest in the world! But to Mt. Buffalo National Park .. a 
-great granite monadnocic.... "a western outpost in the Australian Alps, with its elevation above sea level varying from 4,000 to 5,600 feet" .. a reservation of some 43 square miles (about 
-27,000 acres). This must be Victoria's happiest park at these 
-times. Its snow gums and little plains, granite tors and look- 
-outs are grand and satisfying. NO grazing cattle were seen, the 
-scars of past fires are well hidden and the destructive activities of the tourist are largely concentrated around the chalet. Fortunately perhaps, we cannot see the results of past abuses and we revel in the beauty of summer flowers and the splendid views from the Horn, the Monolith and other viewpoints. 
-From Buffalo we looked out towards the Bogong High Plain and the peaks of the immense Alpine Regions of Victoria and New South Wales .. and next day we were in the Alps: amongst the mists at Hotham, looking out over the Barry Ranges again, the overlapping of range upon range from Higginbottam .. and on to Omeo. 
-It is in the Alps that we should leave our sojourn and dwell upon the splendour of them. Victorian snow country is magnificent: That a wealth of beauty and satisfaction in contemplation the 
  
-flaw flaws 6.. Mt. Wellington and all the Middle Alps .. the Bo- +Almost total absence of ruc-sacs and cape groundsheets, but plenty of overcoats and expensive clothing, string bags, cardboard boxes as well as small haversacks made from gas mask containers. No casualties observed. 
-gong High Plains. This is indeed an Alpine Parkland already made .. and why not contiguous with the Kosciusko State Park? .. the whole range from Mt. Erica to the northern limit.of the Brindabellas planned for the people for all time: Tracked for + 
-walkers and trail riders, adequately fitted with contact points, huts and some roads, this would be a feature fitting our nation 6. a trail through two States and the Commonwealth. +===Bundanoon - Grand Canyon Lookout - Tooth's Lookout - Fairy Bower - Bundanoon.=== 
-Victorian National Parks ... + 
-Although we did not see all the Victorian National Parks on this trip, the records of The Caloola Club indicate that we have visited about 14 of the 16. The State like most of the Australian States is not well off for National Parks .. 0.6V0 of the total +Train consisted of 7 coaches of even better dressed hikers than attended the Zig Zag excursion. Another excellent map and notes supplied. Bundanoon was a stopping place known as Jordan's Crossing when the line was first opened to Goulburn in the 1860,s. It was renamed Bundanoon ("Big Gullies") in 1881. 
-area of Victoria has been set aside compared with Tasmaniass 3%, New Zealandss 4.7% and Great Britainss 12.7%. That some Australian States are in an even worse condition than Victoria is shown by the all over figures for Australia .. 0423%. + 
-Although the following summary by the Victorian Town and Country Planning Association is intended to drive home the moral to 'Victorians, it is as well applied to many another State that we know +Weather conditions dry and fine. Some hikers went golfing for the day, others went to horse, some into the "pub" and the rest went walking with the guide. Lunch was at Grand Canyon Lookout, where local Legacy Branch had set up a stall. Ample time was allowed for sightseeing and meals. 
-"One thing stands out clearly, and it is that National Parks in Victoria have occurred without plan, and may be described as a collection of individual park areas unrelated to any master plan for the State. Only in a few in- + 
-stances can it be indicated that a planned approach is being made to the development of a national park. +The observer reports that both excursions were very well organised and conducted. However, as the next excursion is reported to be to Blackheath, then bus to Evans Lookout, walk to Govett's Leap Lookout, then bus to Mt. Victoria to join the train, the observer does not intend to attend as he wants to __walk__. 
-"Generally speaking, the reservation of a specific area of Crown Land as a National Park is brought about by the interest and enthusiasm of a small group of the citizens who prevail upon the Government of the day to take the necessary action. This having been achieved, further interest .. at + 
-least in the majority of national parks .. at governmental level by the provision of funds is almost non-existent. Where funds are -provided, these are not adequate for the proper development and maintenance of the areas, and are allocated on a spasmodic basis, without regard to any established policy of progressive and regular development and park management, +---- 
-"Down the years it was not unusual for Governments to carry out the formality of reserving a National Park area and then remaining almost wholly inactive in the proper planning and orderly development of the parks .. a policy of "laissez-faire". + 
-"The potential wealth hidden in National Parks throughout the world, by way of their health-giving values to the +====="The Bushwalker" No.12.===== 
-people of the respective countries, and as attractions to  tourists from other lands, is fully realised by the control- + 
-ling governments. It will be seen that a high standard of +Federation is Publishing again this year "The Bushwalker" - its annual magazine which has not appeared since 1948. 
-park development and management is set in Overseas countries, where a strong financial policy is recognised as an essential factor in National Park planning." + 
-As in Victoria, the citizens of New South Wales would welcome a special enquiry into the care, management, development of exist:Ing National Parks and the planning of additional ones. +__Material required__: Stories describing walks, incidents on walks, canoeing, climbing, skiing, caveing, etc. - and photographs. (Closing date - September 20th). 
-a + 
-PHOTOGRAPHY ! ? +__Advertisements__: Contact Business Manager, Jack Evans, BX1245. 
-You press the button, we'll do the rest ! + 
-3_9. +Material to be sent to: The Hon. Editor, "The Bushwalker" No.12, 72 Hudson Street, Hurstville. (Or 'phone LU4648.) 
-Finegrain + 
-Developing +---- 
-Sparkling + 
-Printz' +=====Report On "National Parks Of Victoria".===== 
-1 Perfect + 
-'Enlargements +In this month's issue we conclude Allen Strom's "Report on National Parks of Victoria", parts of which have been published in the July and August magazines. We would call attention to the thought of a great Alpine Park mentioned in this part. We like it - and will have something to say about it next month's editorial column. 
-Your + 
-Rollfilms +Cowes and San Remo are the "hot-spots" of the holiday traffic with the "blah" of roundabouts and "what-have-you". 
-or + 
-Leica films +The advertised "tourist attractions" of the Island include the Penguin and Mutton Bird Rookeries, the Koala populations and the Seal Rocks. The Seal Rocks are on the far south-western corner of the Island and these were made the subject of one of our visits. Fortunately, the Rocks are inaccessible (without a boat) but a fine view of the animals can be had with the use of a telescope or a pair of binoculars. There is, however, an incessent demand by professional fishermen to reduce the numbers of seals on the pretext that they destroy fishing nets and reduce the size of the catches. 
-deserve the 1 + 
-best SERVICE' +Not far away is "Summerland" where the Penguin and Mutton Bird Rookeries exist. These to my mind, are in a pathetic condition... it amazes that the birds dare to return to their nests at night! In one "sanctuary" tents had recently been pitched right over the nesting burrows... and close by, were at least fifty people firmly encamped for many days. Roads already traverse the area where some of the birds walk in order to reach the burrows... we saw dead penguins killed I presume, by passing traffic. The sanctuaries appear to be miserably small and settlement is proceeding on the surrounding land... some of this land appears to have been cut up for a "suburbia" type building. The tourist traffic is tremendous... great hordes of people arrived in several buses to see the birds return to their nests at dusk. 
-LEICA PHOTO SERVICE + 
-31 Macquarie Place +I would think that the position is so bad as to be hopeless, but should the authorities wish to save the situation, immediate action to cut off the south-western end of the Island, the gradual elimination of all permanent human habitation in that area, access to the Rookeries to be by foot alone, would seem to be the only successful policy. 
-SYDNEY N.S.W. + 
-FEDERATION NOTES - AUGUST MEETING.+And what of the Koala? Well, we saw a number, generally in trees that were suffering defoliation... anyhow, there did not appear to be a great number of food trees... and the great exposure of the Island would prevent great growths of trees. The extensive development of the land would militate against the whole Island becoming a "sanctuary"... perhaps small enclosed areas could do something. Stories of the Koalas having bred themselves out of food looks highly probable... the use of land for the normal pursuits of Man and a sanctuary for animals... quite hopeless! 
 + 
 +I couldn't help feeling very depressed about the whole matter of the Penguins, Mutton Birds and Koalas as we left Phillip Island. According to the much blazened contention, the hordes of people who saw these animals should by now, have been influenced to protect them and yet I hear no public outcry to correct this misuse of our Native Fauna! 
 + 
 +From San Remo we went on through Wonthaggi... Victoria's Black Coal Town... Inverloch, Koonwarra, Meeniyan, Fish Creek and into the Wilson Promontory National Park. The camp that night was of course, at Tidal River... a well-appointed Camping Area with a full-time Ranger. Some of the party under the leadership of Bill Dingeldei, climbed the highest peak in the Park, Mount Latrobe (2366 feet). 
 + 
 +The area of the Park is 102,000 acres and is the most southerly point of the mainland of Australia. It is a magnificent peninsula of granite with beautiful coastline scenery originally named "Furneaux Land" by Bass in 1798, but later re-named Wilson's Promontory after Thomas Wilson, of London, a friend of Flinders. A road is being cut up Mt. Oberon... some of us followed to the top and obtained a wide panorama of sandy beaches and dented coastline. 
 + 
 +But the real story of "The Prom." is a sad one. Some eighty thousand acres were again burned out early in 1951, this time apparently destroying permanently, the forest giants that grew in many places. Only a maze of fallen dead trunks greeted the party that climbed Latrobe... no regrowth of trees were to be seen. Lilly Pilly Gully famed as the home of the Koala is a grey mass of dead trees. Everywhere I could see the terrible change since my last visit. It seems obvious that some plant species have become extinct in some places; striking and undesirable ecological changes have occurred and there is an advancement of exotic and unwanted plants. 
 + 
 +The history of "The Prom." has been one of disappearing species and recurrent fires. The toll is now becoming fully apparent. Where do the fires come from? There are many opinions... but one thing is certain... the 1951 fire burned for many days before it "got away" when the hot northerlies drove it south, ravaging and consuming to finally burn part of the lighthouse, itself! It is significant also, that His Honour, Judge Stretton (June 24th, 1946) reported as Royal Commissioner on matter concerning forest fires... "Grazing has been a regular recurrent cause of forest fires. The extent of the relationship between grazing and forest fires may best be expressed by stating that wherever grazing has been practised in mountain forest, it has been one of the major and most frequent causes of fire." A scientific fire-protection plan for National Parks should be formulated. Grazing of domestic stock is completely prohibited in many National Parks throughout the world, including those in Switzerland and Tasmania. 
 + 
 +Two small National Parks... Tarra Valley (200 ac.) and Bulga (91 ac.)... are located in the Streziecki Ranges, a most interesting mountain chain rising to a couple of thousand feet and standing between the Latrobe Valley and the coastline. Extensive development of the Range has taken place but it is obvious that at one time tremendous forests of Ash and Beach existed here. Our route took us through Welshpool on to the Grand Ridge Road... certainly an adequate name... to the Tarra Valley Road. The park entrance is situated about two miles down this road. There is an attractive parking area and entrance gate and a small but delightfully situated camping area amongst tall gums and tree ferns. 
 + 
 +The walks through the park are splendidly arranged to give adequate inspection of the excellent Rain Forest which includes the Victorian Antarctic Beech or Myrtle (Nothofagus Cunninghamiana). This is a smaller leafed variety than the northern species (N.Moorei) but shows the same capacity for long life, some specimens apparently having withstood natural erosion sufficiently to expose the root systems to a depth of about 12 feet. The party was able to stalk and observe a Lyre Bird for a considerable time. 
 + 
 +A short distance away is Bulga National Park, the smaller area enclosing a valley packed with tree ferns, a suspension bridge enabling the visitor to go out over the valley and look down into the tangle of ferny leaves. Both Parks embrace ferneries of rare and distinctive beauty... some specimens exceeding fifty feet in height. 
 +  
 +The attractiveness of both Parks, but in particular that of Tarra Valley, tends to cloud one's realisation that both are ludicrously small. They are but National Monuments and both are extremely vulnerable to the effects of development. If these parks are to retain their primitive beauty, their lyre birds and the other natural charms that justly attract the cultured citizen, an adequate belt of protective bushland must be reserved all around them giving the closed environment discussed at the outset of this Report. There is still to be considered if that is possible, the steps that may be taken to enlargen these Parks into the true dimensions of a National Park... perhaps, coalesce them... where the feeling of being "lost" in the vastnesses of Nature could be adequately appreciated. 
 + 
 +North from the Strezlecki Ranges and into the Valley of the Latrobe at Traralgon... the drop is steep and the ridges are trimmed almost bare. Here too, Nature has answered Man in Her own language, with landslips in exchange for reduction of cover. The coastal slopes of Gippsland must be rich judging by the extensive settlement and in addition, to the Latrobe Valley has come the brown coal mining of Yallourn and Morwell. Much public money has gone into these undertakings to save Victoria from the embarrassment of irregular supplies of black coal from New South Wales. 
 + 
 +Mt. Erica and the Baw Baw Plateau dominate the northern landscape from here and we know that as our route lies over the Main Divide there is some climbing ahead. The scars of many fires, but in particular those of '39, are to be seen on the side of the Baw Baws... groves of white ghosts, fire-eaten mountain ash. The Tyers, The Thomson, Walhalla (now further along the road to extinction since the tragic floods last year) pass and there is a terrific climb over and down to camp on a swift flowing tributary of the Thomson. Next day we made Matlock (4500 ft) officially recorded as the highest township in Victoria and right on the Divide. Once this was a town of 20,000 persons, but the only evidence to-day, of this population is the extensive area of cleared land from where we enjoyed a magnificent panorama embracing a vast expanse of Victoria's most mountainous areas. 
 + 
 +By the way of Woods Point, Jamieson, Mansfield and Whitfield we finally skirted around Mt. Buffalo into the Oven's Valley... possibly the richest valley in Victoria, not to mention the interesting appearance of Hop and Tobacco growing and the mighty gold dredge at Harrietville... reputed to rank amongst the biggest in the world! But to Mt. Buffalo National Park... a great granite monadnock.... "a western outpost in the Australian Alps, with its elevation above sea level varying from 4,000 to 5,600 feet"... a reservation of some 43 square miles (about 27,000 acres). This must be Victoria's happiest park at these times. Its snow gums and little plains, granite tors and lookouts are grand and satisfying. No grazing cattle were seen, the scars of past fires are well hidden and the destructive activities of the tourist are largely concentrated around the chalet. Fortunately perhaps, we cannot see the results of past abuses and we revel in the beauty of summer flowers and the splendid views from the Horn, the Monolith and other viewpoints. 
 + 
 +From Buffalo we looked out towards the Bogong High Plain and the peaks of the immense Alpine Regions of Victoria and New South Wales... and next day we were in the Alps, amongst the mists at Hotham, looking out over the Barry Ranges again, the overlapping of range upon range from Higginbottam... and on to Omeo. 
 + 
 +It is in the Alps that we should leave our sojourn and dwell upon the splendour of them. Victorian snow country is magnificent! That a wealth of beauty and satisfaction in contemplation the Baw Baws... Mt. Wellington and all the Middle Alps... the Bogong High Plains. This is indeed an Alpine Parkland already made... and why not contiguous with the Kosciusko State Park?... the whole range from Mt. Erica to the northern limit of the Brindabellas planned for the people for all time! Tracked for walkers and trail riders, adequately fitted with contact points, huts and some roads, this would be a feature fitting our nation... a trail through two States and the Commonwealth. 
 + 
 +Although we did not see all the Victorian National Parks on this trip, the records of The Caloola Club indicate that we have visited about 14 of the 16. The State like most of the Australian States is not well off for National Parks... 0.6% of the total area of Victoria has been set aside compared with Tasmania's 3%, New Zealand's 4.7% and Great Britain's 12.7%. That some Australian States are in an even worse condition than Victoria is shown by the all over figures for Australia... 0.23%. 
 + 
 +Although the following summary by the Victorian Town and Country Planning Association is intended to drive home the moral to Victorians, it is as well applied to many another State that we know... 
 + 
 +"One thing stands out clearly, and it is that National Parks in Victoria have occurred without plan, and may be described as a collection of individual park areas unrelated to any master plan for the State. Only in a few instances can it be indicated that a planned approach is being made to the development of a national park. 
 + 
 +"Generally speaking, the reservation of a specific area of Crown Land as a National Park is brought about by the interest and enthusiasm of a small group of the citizens who prevail upon the Government of the day to take the necessary action. This having been achieved, further interest... at least in the majority of national parks... at governmental level by the provision of funds is almost non-existent. Where funds are provided, these are not adequate for the proper development and maintenance of the areas, and are allocated on a spasmodic basis, without regard to any established policy of progressive and regular development and park management. 
 + 
 +"Down the years it was not unusual for Governments to carry out the formality of reserving a National Park area and then remaining almost wholly inactive in the proper planning and orderly development of the parks... a policy of "laissez-faire". 
 + 
 +"The potential wealth hidden in National Parks throughout the world, by way of their health-giving values to the people of the respective countries, and as attractions to  tourists from other lands, is fully realised by the controlling governments. It will be seen that a high standard of park development and management is set in Overseas countries, where a strong financial policy is recognised as an essential factor in National Park planning." 
 + 
 +As in Victoria, the citizens of New South Wales would welcome a special enquiry into the care, management, development of existing National Parks and the planning of additional ones. 
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 +=====Federation Notes - August Meeting.===== 
 By Allen A. Strom. By Allen A. Strom.
-DEEWHY LAGOON: Improvements planned for the Deewhy Lagoon will del-El-OTT-large portion of it as a Bird Sanctuary. The Federation will support the National Trust in protests to a number of authoritative bodies. 
-BUSHWALKER BALL: Members of affiliated clubs are asked to rally to the support of the Federation for the Ball to be held at Paddington Town Hall on Monday, September 14th. Tickets 17/6d. News to hand would indicate that the Federation stands to lose heavily. Duplicated handbills and posters are available for advertisement. John Cotter wants to know how many are going in order to arrange for decorations and catering. The orchestra End other matters are in hand. 
-THE BUSHWALKER NO.12: Editorial cony, stories, photographs, suggestTUFT-717galy required by the Hon. Editor, Ron Wardrop, 77 Hudson Street, Hurstville. 
-'be-6 . 
-, r  
-rrop 
-e40010'...1. 
-EAT t.3 IN. A NAME? 
-4.1 +. 
-For many years we have been proofing tents with a mixture of waxes recommended by a chemist knowledgeable in such things. Any old wax wonit do to proof a tent of course. The wax must be highly water repellent and not harmful to the fabric of the tent. It must not be so stiff that it makes the tent bulky. It must have a range of plasticity so that it remains pliable in freezing cold and yet not melt to an oil under summer sun. It must be colourless and odourless. Such 
-a paragon of waxes was achieved by judicious blending of several waxes. The proofing service became very popular and on day John suggested that we sell the wax so that Bushwalkers could proof their own tents and jackets. Then arose the question of the name. "Think up a good name I said to John and the next thing I knew the jars of wax were labelled uDrumstick". "How come"? said I. 
-Well, said John, eyes atwinkle, "I said to myself, Paddy Wax - Paddy whacle - Paddy whack t the Drumstick!" - so Drumstick" it is, and if you want to prOof a tent or jacket get a jar of Drumstick" - Price V-. 
-   
-PA Y ALIA 
-Lightweight Camp Gear 
-201CASTLEREACH St SYDNEY 
-M2678 
  
 +===Deewhy Lagoon:===
 +
 +Improvements planned for the Deewhy Lagoon will destroy a large portion of it as a Bird Sanctuary. The Federation will support the National Trust in protests to a number of authoritative bodies.
 +
 +===Bushwalker Ball:===
 +
 +Members of affiliated clubs are asked to rally to the support of the Federation for the Ball to be held at Paddington Town Hall on Monday, September 14th. Tickets 17/6d. News to hand would indicate that the Federation stands to lose heavily. Duplicated handbills and posters are available for advertisement. John Cotter wants to know how many are going in order to arrange for decorations and catering. The orchestra and other matters are in hand.
 +
 +===The Bushwalker, No.12:===
 +
 +Editorial copy, stories, photographs, suggestions urgently required by the Hon. Editor, Ron Wardrop, 77 Hudson Street, Hurstville.
 +
 +----
 +
 +=====Paddy Made.=====
 +
 +===What's In A Name?===
 +
 +For many years we have been proofing tents with a mixture of waxes recommended by a chemist knowledgeable in such things. Any old wax won't do to proof a tent of course. The wax must be highly water repellent and not harmful to the fabric of the tent. It must not be so stiff that it makes the tent bulky. It must have a range of plasticity so that it remains pliable in freezing cold and yet not melt to an oil under summer sun. It must be colourless and odourless. Such a paragon of waxes was achieved by judicious blending of several waxes. The proofing service became very popular and one day John suggested that we sell the wax so that Bushwalkers could proof their own tents and jackets. Then arose the question of the name. "Think up a good name" I said to John and the next thing I knew the jars of wax were labelled "Drumstick". "How come"? said I.
 +
 +Well, said John, eyes atwinkle, "I said to myself, Paddy Wax - Paddy whacks - Paddy whacks the Drumstick!" - so "Drumstick" it is, and if you want to proof a tent or jacket get a jar of "Drumstick" - Price 2/-.
 +
 +Paddy Pallin. Lightweight Camp Gear.
 +
 +201 Castlereagh St., Sydney. M2678.
 +
 +----
195309.1479771815.txt.gz · Last modified: 2016/11/22 10:43 by tyreless
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