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THE SYDNEY BUSHWALICER A monthly bulletin of matters of The N.S.W. Nurses' Association Rooms Box No. 4476 G.P.O. Sydney. interest to the Sydney Bushwalker, “Northcote Building,” Reiby Place, Sydney. 'Phone JW1462 333 SEPTEMBER 1962 Price 1/- -Editor: Stuart Brooks, 5 Ingalara Rd, Wahroonga. 484343. Business Manager: Brian Harvey Reproduction:. Denise Hull Sales 8c Subs: Lola Wedlock Typed by Shirley Dean CON T EN T S Editorial At Our August Meeting A.Colley Day Walks The First Gangerang Walk - Max Gentle Try This Recipe Science, Naturally How the Sun Was Made. Paddy's Ad. Mountain Farming in Now Zealand - R.Kennealey Hatswell's Ad, & Roy's Friendly Service Ad. On The Spirit of the Folk Songs - Thornigah Federation Report Hilda Stoddart Orbituary Hi, On Sunday August 5, a yoting climber, Paul Griffiths, fell to his death in the Wolgan Valley. The report in the daily newspaper was incomplete, and to a reader with any knowledge of climbing, would present an unflattering picture of the Club concerned, the Sydney Rock Climbing Club, and this, most unfairly. According to the paper version, Paul Griffiths and Fred Kitchener were climbing together, when Kitchener decided to rest, and Griffiths went on alone. Kitchener saw Griffiths above him, saw him slip and fall, and (still according to the paper) could orly watch, powerless, as Griffiths plummetted past him. Page 2 L. 5 7 8 9 11 12 15 16 19 20 2. The Sydney Bushwalker September, 1962. The truth-of the matter ,is that Griffiths and%Eitchener. were climbing, roped together. Other. pairs climbers, similarly employed were in the - vicinity, Both were climbers of some experience, Kitchener.1,-particulqrly so._ On the pitch in question, Griffiths lead, being adet3uateiyxbelayed by,., Kitchener,. When he was fifteen feet :above Kitchener, Griffiths slipped.: and fell. Normally; Kitchener would have held him, but to his horror, as the rope grew taut, Griffiths broke free. .._ …..A. 1. . .. . Subsequent investigation showed. that the knot in Griffiths' waist loop had come undone when the full shock: of the fall was :thrown on it, apparently due to having been faultily tied. . Such is tragedy. A moment's inattentiveness to SMali detail, and a life is lost. The fact that Paul Griffiths was rock ciithang has little bearing on this important truth. And so that Paul Griffiths should not have died in vain, we all should take this lesson deeply to heart. , AT OUR AUGST MEETING. Alex Colley. Our meeting commenced with'a short silence in memory of one of the very early Club members - Max Gentle, and two othermembers of long standing - Ron Baker and Hilda Stoddart. The president extended a welcome to new members - jean and Alex Burton and Stan McDonald. In correspondence there was a post-card from Edna Stretton and Sheila Binns, who had scaled, or by other means arrived, at the top of Snowdon and posted it from there. The Treasurer reported receipt of further sdbscriptions to the value of C3l.5.-. Fund were increased by a donation of 2/- and a sale of tumblers. The Walks Secretary reported an active month. The first walk of the month - Waterfall to Audley, led by Dick Childs, attracted 13 members 8 ptictpectiyes and ? yisitOrs. Sheila Tadman's walk to the Oaks on the next weekend was attended by. 10 members and 2 prospectives.. On.. the Friday night-the party camped in a large cave near the Glenbrook; Creek causeway, and the next day the, prospectives were appointed acting leaderq for the sake of.-expeaence.%Tayid. Ingram's Sunday walk:to Scouter 's mountain was done by 15 meMbers, 8.prospectives and 1 visitor. One of the party contracted cramp, and David had to. take, September, 1962 The Sydney Bushwalker 3 back along the road while Jack Gentle led the main party along the scheduled route. The wildflowers were profuse. Snow Brown had 7 starters on his Jerricknorra Creek walk and there were 9 members and 3 prospectives on Jim Brown's 15 mile Sunday walk in the Labyrinth, which was completed between 10 a m. and 540 p m. The Federation S & R week,-end was well organised - the S.B.W. being well represented. There were over 40 searchers in 5 groups. Each leader directed and organised his own search. Special maps were issued and the searchers learnt A lot. At a large camp fire held at Burralow Creek, Bob Binks gave a lecture on S et: R medical kit. The next day Colin Putt gave a rescue demonstration. On Molly Rodger's walk to Bluegum difficulty was found in negotiating the washed out portion of the track below Victoria Falls, which has been out of repair for some time. There were 21 starters on Jack Gentle's Sunday walk to Euroka. Mapping and Leadership instruction was given to all prospectives. Jack reported that Euroka is still in good shape, despite the bulldozing thereabout, except that three small trees have been cut down. On Dick Child's Waterfall Sunday walk, on the last week,-end of the month, there were 9 members and 3 prospectives. Brian Harvey sent a message to say that he was unable to continue as a member of the panel of lecturers. Colin Putt offered to fill the gap and was appointed to the panel. A Parks and Playground delegate will be elected at the half- yearly meeting. On behalf of the Club Bill Rodgers extended congratulations to Lynette White and,Roy Craggs on their recent engagement. Wilf Hilder then told us of a new edition of the 4 miles to the inch Sydney Geological map, a new Wollongong sheet and a new edition of Myles Dunphy's Kanangra Tops map. Corang and Ulladulla maps mould probably be available before the end of the year. Yalwal, Touga and provisional maps for areas to the West would be completed within 18 months, while the Bindook sheet should be out this week. Wills also told us that Mr. Lang of Eindook: and Gardiner had been successful in prosecuting trespassers through the gate to their properties, but Mr. Lang didn't mind letting walkers have the key to the gate when requested (Frank Leyden's party visited the homestead at Queen's birthday week-end and had a friendly Chat with Mts. Lang and Mt. Scott of the Forestry Department). After electing Don Matthews, Jack Gentle, Lynette White and Eileen Taylor as room stewards, the meeting drew to a close at 9.6 p m.
On every train or plane or bus There is a child who makes a fuss - A restless kid who writhes and stands And eats and gropes with sticky hands. In and out, out and in And always going where he 's been. If I'm disturbed, and somewhat vexed, too The reason is, it's he I'm next to. And yet I really cannot whine Because my luck is bad. He 's R.A. The Sydney Bushwalker September 1962 DAT. WALES. SEPTEMBER 23 Cowan - Cole Trig. - Porto–Bay - Railway- Dam - Brooklyn. 12 miles. It is some time since this aount-rY- has been visited. The Area is mainly unspoiled and contains some lovely wild flower specimens; which should be ,Gaiters recommended.' Train: 815 a m, Gosford trin from Central Steam Station to Cowan. Tickets: Haikesburi'River all/11 return. Map: Broken Bay Military or Hawkesbury River Tourist. Leader: Jim Brown. OCTOBER 7 OCTCEER 14 Waterfall , Mt. Westmacott - Heathcote Creek - ,Heathcote. 9 miles. In recent years there has been a splendid showing of Native Rose on Mt. Westmacott Although a little late in. the flowering season, there could be some nice specimens about.. Suitable for new members. . . . . . Train: 8.50 a me Cronulla train from Central lectric Station. Change at SUTHERLAND for rail motor to Waterfall. Tickets: Waterfall return @ 5/9.. Map: Port Hacking Tourist. . Leader: Ramon UTrien. HOrnsby - Koala Bear Park.., Bobbin H ead Thg Sphinx!- Turramurra. 9 miles. This trip includes a vi sit to the 'Koala Bear Sanctuary in KUringai Chase-and then. 'traverses a piCturesque portion of the Chase. . 4 Train: 9.10 abmr, Hornsby via Bridge from Central llectric Station. , Tickets:' Hornsby via Bridge a. 5/6 return plus 'about V- for us'fares -and inspection fee at the Sanctuary. “ Map: Broken Bay Military. Leader: Gladys Roberts. Your editor still has a slightly pink face after last month's fanfare of trumpets for the new series of articles on recipes, and, its subsequent omission. We trust you didn't spend too long looking for it. This omission was due to a last minute alteration in the form of the magazine and part of staff. With luck: ,you'll find it in this issue. These articles are to deal with food and its preparation, and can only come from you. Comments on diet and food lists: 'how. you carry your food and quantities are of equal interest to its preparation; though these things go hand-in-hand. Anwar, don't be backward, Let's hear from you. September 1962 The Sydney Bushwalker THE FIRST GANGE_LING WA.Z. Max Gentle.
After :visiting. Kanangra-.: Walls; via. Gi. ambition mias to walk over, ..the Gangrang R. Walkers in 1929, lea rnti that this range the data given on available maps was Very , . .. . i ,.. While' 'fellow member,.:Myles Dunphy, tempted me_with descriptions of the . . Upper Kowtai-ig ”'Gorge ;-:' somehow the :rugged heights of Gangerang proved the …. .., i greater attraction. -. . . :– . A Burragorang Cattleman, Michael Maxwell; had been' On part- of Gangerang; and information given by him indicated the best places to climb the range, and its low cliffs also where water might be found. . . : While I was On a Friday evening train journey on Eight Hour -weekend, 1929,. a chance.. meeting with Gordon Smith, at Valley Heights, resulted in having - -company on my.Gangerang walk,. instead of going alone. . I knew that Gordon would 'see-the 'distance because he –wa8 50 -miles- champion road walker, of Australia. Needless to:say we made good progress on the .-iralk-: out from Wentworth Fails :that night; to our carp site at the Sunset Rock,. No ten, blankets or 'sleeping 'bags wei-;e carried-. and we slept on a ,bed of leaves by with our light packs, walking down Kedumba…Pass next morning.. a log fire.. Fortunately the :weather was 'fine and ' clears and We made- good time …, We, reactied. otil' breal-dast s:Lte 9/1..Cox's River at 8.30 a m., and thY-Q9x Kowmq-n junction at 12 noon. .g. - ' . .,.. . .. At 2.30 p m. an Saturday afternoon' we commenced.`t6-Olimb the':GariOrang.. . Ra nge., from a point: one mile further up. the Cox.- The-..ridge Iiira6 -Erb- first . lightly timbered grassy slope,: and rose. very steeply for -ab'citit– 4.00:vfeet-; :then beccming boulder strewn; with thicker, -undergrowth. A.2,6W41:111 with a–.cave; was skirted here, being similar to the'r“ocks on the adjacent KgokEit;-. ?A :fine View opened out up the Cox gorge, as far as the 11libnangar60 Cieli”:iarea',i mentioned …. by Surveyor Govett 's writings, and its western tributary, rising near the-,“highest , land”, called by the Blacks of his time (if the word :can be –writt,en as they proonounced it) “KuOuogang” , . . I' ; :1 About four miles from our viewiloint'dould be -seen the low..cliffs:of..Gangerang plateau, and so we continued to ascend the ridge w e weri ,on, 'which was seen … . swinging more to the southwest; in thaedirection. I Otir route' laY through a thick forest of Turpentine and Eucain-Dtus“.Saplins, but we sonitimes enjoyed a glimpse of t he niOuntain -country .northward to Mt. Mouin and Clear Hill. One of the best views was looking clown.I4-4-16-fi-iiiilla Creek .;:ancl,across- the Komung.River,.to Byrnes Gap, and TonaiLi ange. . : . Nightfall found 'us caiappd 'an d'bed or'lea7es.. 1 -.Lr aiog f ir e'-;-:-.'and'74.tie- each had a two qUal–t; billy of water, 'Ike had -1.-.::trie'd t p frouf: i- . ngra.. in August, 1928; my next ange, On joining the Sydney- Bush was. unkmown tb club 'members, and limited.
6 The Sydney Bushwalker September 1962
At daybreak next morning we continued Walking along the thickly timbered flat topped ridge, -which soon commenced to rise steeply, and eventually rached the foot of the low cliffs of sandstone and conglomcrte.
A way up was found through a break in these Cliffs (Gcntle's Pass)
on the Creek side, and then, after walking a mile on a lightly timbered, story ridge on the plateau, a stop was made for breakfast by a running stream, in a swampy upland gully.
Later we walked southward over a slight rise, and then across the main marsh of the plateau, in the direction of a high hill, which we then thought to tie the Gangerang peak. On reaching its crest we could see higher land-ahead, and further progress was temporarily halted by a precipitous canyon, which a creek
from the marsh had cut right through the ridge we were on (a geographical rarity).
This creek was later to be named “Dex Creek”, and the high hill “Mt. Bolmarra”. The view west extended across the Eanangra gorge, while eastward could be seen the grassy flats of the Lower Cox Valley.
After crossing Dex Creeki a well defined quartzite ridge led us along to the highest point of the range (Mt. Cloudmaker) at 12 noon, where marvellous view opened out over Kanangra gorge, and the famous walls, glowing in the sunlight.
The ridge then became very spectacular, and ran westward, resembling a great heap of boulders, Coming to a point on top. It dipped and rose again about three times, and then swung southward. After a series of dips and knobs, the rock:hopping over the very hard type of quartzite became easier, and the now grassy ridge descended steeply to Gabes Gap, the lowest saddle on the range in this section. From this gap' it was possible to look west down a dry creek bed to Eanangra. Creek, while a gully with tree ferns dropped down on the east side to Gingra tr eek.
A ire* steep climb followed and presently we came to the foot of Craft's Wall, which we avoided, by keeping on its east side. After passing a number of caves, formed by the overhanging walls, we found ourselves on the main ridge again, which, after less than a mile, ended under the walls of Kanangra Tops. Abreak in the malls,
. 100 yards 'to the south, provided a way up. This was later to be named “Smith's Pass”. From there it was easy going west past Mt. Maxwell and over a narrow neck to the iron ladder.
Our campsite,for the night, in the cave with the dance platf,m4m, was reached at 4,1)0144 a little over a daY's -walk from the Cox-Kowmung junction.
On Monday morning Gordon was more at ease, walking along the old cart track to Jenolan Caves. We apssed through the Grand Arch there at 1.30 p m., and continued walking along the road for another 11 miles before being given a ride in a service car to Mt. Victoria, in time to catch the 7.15 p m, train to Sydney.
September 1962
The Sydney Bushwalker 7
Thus ended a good three days walk, but the next few months saw the first ascent of Mt. Paralyser and Thurat, the first visit to ht. Guouogang, and the first walk along Yellow Dog.
I remember standing on Mt. Moorilla, after a spell of torrential rain, in June 1930, when the view from there wasreally a picture, as it included five big waterfalls an. the side of Thurat, which are not usually running. Next day, the first descent of Ti-willa Buttress was made.
It was goad to walk along the well defined ridges of this predominantly luartmite country, The experienue gained in bushwalking there was essential
to us in 1931, when we ventured into a relatively dry Capertee-Colo area which is only partly surveyed, but otherwise of rugged sandstone country l deeply intersected by ravines.
. 7 k
TRY THIS RECIPE
(Suitable more for reunions or field weekends than rugged walks).
Steak a l'asply
MariNate a good thick slab of steak. —- 1arinate7 I look up the dictionary.
“Marinate (ade) ir0t0 to pickle in vinegar or brine (see also Pi2k1e0)” So I look up pickle.
“Pickle - vot, preserve in vinegar or brine see also marinate (ade):-.ed preserved etc. coloq. drunk.”
I call in the cooking expert round the house.
“Marilyn” I say (I always call her Marilyn when I want something, We both know I'm kidding, but it seems to work) “What does 'marinated mean?” “Well”, she says, “it simply means to soaks” “Well,” I say, on earth don't they say soak.” “Beoause”, she says “it doesn't quite mean to soak”. I give up.
Marinate a good thick slab of steak in claret with chopped garlic
for an hour. Then rub both sides well with butter and season with spices to your own taste.
Have a hot plate ready over a charcoal fire. Place gum leaves above and below the steak and cook fast.
Serve with a glass of cool claret. This we guarantee.
Anyone who thinks television has killed conversations doesn't pay the phone bill.
C .41…za r.-V
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8 The Sydney Bushvalker September 1962 SCIENCE., NATURALLY
Photo facts for hoto fiends.
Some subjects reouir.; 1 wide angle lens.
Ticks.
Australia has the dubious honour of possessing one of the worlds few poisonous ticks, the socalled grass tick.
' As usual, it is the female of the species that causes all the trouble. Before she can lay her eggs, she needs a feed of blood: and to this end, she attaches herself to a passing host, by into the host's flesh a barbed proboscis. The barbs are similar to those on a fish hook; and it is virtually impossible-for the host to scratch the tick off.
For the first two days, the tick grows very little in size7 but during this period, it forms a completely new outer skin. For the next three days it. grows ' rapidly to the size of a pea. At this stage, it injects a digestive juice into the host, which dissolves the flesh around the barbs and allows the tick to fall off. She then lays her batch of eggs on the ground.
These eventually hatch into larvae, which climb up the blades of grass and wait for a host to come along. They attach themselves to the host, lust like Mum, have a suck, and drop off: They then twin into nymphs; a sexless, intermediate stage in the life of the tick. The nymph also goes through the blood sucking
-routine before it finally changes into the adult, male or female, tick. Like leedhes, ticks have few attractive features, but like most things in nature, they do have their fascinating side.
September. 1962.
The Sydney Bushwalker
- -
HOW THE SUN WAS MADE,
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7 /4,1141' a 0'4 4, 4 4 1 - .“”-“I / 4”rt #4 4': `“ 4 _,'”: ;:. ,-;:,' -c“V”,) IL 1 I4P 4 4 Elk, ,, 4, 7,– / , ' \,),/,.- - , , 1 i i 4.0 i IP* 4 a / .44,,\-\…“:” '1 g 'Alt' t.' ,i, to 4. I I / .,..:;71 7 444 . t ,…./ 6 . 1 i I t 4 4 1 ? 1 t 4.41, .. it 4 V.,, \,…\!. 4. Ali 4 , * * 44 \ \ ',. fr44*** *\'`. , *It 4 A 4 4* a0 t * 44 iel“), 0 11 0 (a description of the drawing is at thL, (.:nd of th,- article) For a long time there was no suns only a moon and stars. That was before there were men on the earth, only birds and beasts, all of which were many sizes larger than they are now. .; One day Dinevan the emu and Braga the native companion were on a large plain near the Murrumbidgee. There they were, quarrelling and fighting. Brolga, in her rage, rushed to the nest of Dinewan and seized from it one of the huge eggs, Which she threw -with all her force up to the sky. There it broke on a heap of firewood, which burst into flame as the yellow yolk split all over it, which - flame lit up the world below, ,to the. astoriishthent of every creatire on it. They had only been used to the serpi darkness, and 'were dazzled by such brightness. A good spirit who lived in the sky saw how bright and beaatiful the earth loolod when lit up by this blaze. He thought it would be a good thing to _make a fire every day; which from that time he has done. All night he and his attendant spirits collect wood and heap it up. When the heap is nearly big enough they send out the morning star to warn those on earth that the fire will soon be lit. 10 The Sydney B ushwalker September 1962 The spirits, homever, found this warning was not sufficient, for those who slept saw it not, Then the spirits thought they must have some noise made at dawn of day to herald the coming of the sun and waken the sleepers. But for a long time they could not decide to whom should be given this office. At last one evening they heard the laughter of Goo-goor-gaga the laughing jackass ringing through the air. “That is the noise we want,” they said. Then they told Goo-goor-gaga that, as the morning star faded and the day damned, he was every morning to laugh his loudest, that his laughter might awaken all sleepers before sunrise, If he would not agree to do this, then no more modld they light the sun-fire, but let the earth be ever in twilight again. But Goo-goor-gaga saved the light for the world. He agreed to laugh his loudest at every damn of day; which he has done ever since, making the air ring with his loud cackling, “Goor-goor gaga, goo goor gaga, goo goor gaga.” When the spirits first light the fire it does not throw out much heat. But by the middle of the day when the whole heap of firewood is in a blaze, the heat is fierce. After that it begins to die gradually away until only red embers are left at sunset; and they quickly die out, except a few the spirits cover up with clouds, and save to light the heap of mood they get ready for the next day. Children are not alloyed to imitate the laughter of Goo-goor-gaga, lest he should hear them and cease his morning cry. If children do laugh as he does, an extra tooth grows above their eye-tooth, so that they carry a mark of their mockery in punishment for it, because well the good spirits know that if ever a time comes wherein the Goo-goor-gagas cease laughing to herald the sun, then the time will have come when no more Daens are seen in the land; and darkness will reign once more.
Here is the good spirit who decided to keep the fire going to
light the yorld each day. Around him is the Emu, the Native Companion and the Kookaburra. Up beside the spirit's head is the egg just after the Native Companion had thrown it. The part about the yolk igniting the firewood in the sky is left out. The dots in the “look-nice”
part represent all the talk that went on at the beginning of the story and later the chuckling of the Kookaburra.
,
111:411$1.11K1071,,rt*!!'e.111t,”Or“-`?'M'I',Iti.1.,_,
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The coldest day in Sydney's recorded history! The fourth warmest August day on record! All within a week.
With the thermometer going up and down like a yo-yo is difficult for anyone to keep comfortably warm or cool as the ease may be. Out of doors men the world over have found the string singlet solves problems of this nature most satisfactorily, giving the happy own air conditioned comfort under extremes of hot and col weather conditions..
The old firm has a supply of these in from Ndrway now 21/- & 30/- athletic and T shirt styls:
For anyone requiring a really tough jumper for colder trips we have some famous Iceland and Pedek Norwegian jumpers for sale at real bargain prices'-
& 6.6.o
Vile skiing crowd is thinning out so don't be' scared of looking in.
PADDY PAWN VS:
Lightweight Comp Gear -
201 CASTLEREAGH St SYDNEY
BMZ685
' N
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1.0%Pcskiq amou.
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12. - The Sydney Bushwalker September 1962'
MOUNTAIN FAR1EDTG IN NEW ZEALAND
Ron Kennealey
High country musterers never walk: with a light step, even at two-thirty a m. The row their tri-cuni studded boots made on the bare pine floor, of Nacorora's dining room brought a waking thought that the horses had come inside through the night. A shouted rejoinder from Kevin to someone in' the kitchen brought forth a more orthodox explanation for the racket'. Today we were starting the spring tailing muster and in such style would we be breakfasting for the next four days, provided the weather held, The brief greetings and casual remarks
of people bound by an easy bond of past associations passed between the homestead people and the four hired musterers as they Stamped into…the breakfast table. Evan, Kevin and the two Peters had staged an unexpected and riotous
arrival during dinner some several hours earlier. That they would ,make such
a rigorous reappearance after a brief absence was hardly what I had anticipated, but then my knowledge of New Zealand' high _country and its star performers wasn't
. far above tourist level. The light mist which hung around. the house evoked a
loud discussion about the chances of it clearing; for if it stayed on the high
slopes, there..would be no musteAng that day. The musterers talked and argued loudly and assertively; a style well suited to'free'spirits-who rarely felt
the teed for a compromising statement, especially when the talk hinged as it largely did on dogs, sheep, mothitains and meni. They occasionally lapsed into narrow dogmatic statements but far more frequently were they given to humour bawdy, ironic and ludicrous. Few people that I have known could match these hardy dhepherd5for early morning gUsto&
Out in the yard it twas. Still dark and the process of assembling the day's bontingeht of dogs proidtited more donfusion than system. Ihreats,cajoling and physical persuasion per manuka hill stick finally thitity:two dogs inside the crate on the Rover. T:Imited seating consigned two men to the dog box 4 The Rover like all old station vehidles was occasionally as headstrong as a young horse and on a road which provided a magnificent view of Lake Manaka (in the daylight), but no great sense of security, these performances were a bit alarming;
Far more alarming, however, were the sudden outbreaks of violence among the third class passengers. New Zealand'Sheep dogs fight with less. provocation than Irish race-goers and during the donhybrooks one had to be ready for swift evasive
moves, for the combatants were not selective. The free-for-ails were quelled by -vigorous use of a hill-stick.
After eight or ten miles the Rover stopped, the crate door was dropped and the dogs became a brief tumbling stream. The mist showed signs of clearing and Evan decided to go up. I was the end man in the line that moved off up the winding track through the fern and manuka scrub. The fast pace Ryan set against the Steep grade was at first enjoyable as it di6elled the chill of the morning drive, but when gooseflesh had been entirely replaced by perspiration there was no lessening of the tempo of the march. I thought they were trying me out in the way veterans are ever prone to test novices, but to have kept Up with them entailed a possibility of my becoming a temporary immobile heap, so I fagged behind.
September 1962 The SydneyBushwalker 13
Eater I was to realize that their rate Of travel was a natural one born of years on the hills and far removed from exhibitionism. They- waited for me to
catch up. at an elevation:from the road side 01about fifteen hundred feet where Evan had stopped'to:Point out to each of the men his “beavr or section of the mountain side for theday.. Shawn stayed behind :while the rest of us started running again. -The long even. slopes which lift, steeply-from the lake gave way to more rugged country as We climbed higher. When Peter reached his stopping point I' stayed with him.. I need the rest a.nd.I enjoyed the light
hearted stream of talk he diredted at his dogs, the sheep and anything else
in earshot. The dogs, who with one exception, never moved far from him appeared to enjoy his company' also. The exceptioh was a fine looking. Beardy bitch who attached herself to me.' 'Peter expressed' his indignatipn at this transfer of
loyalties by referring to the Bear0.4 Miss Swanson (a Manaka female he detested All terms unflattering to both parties. Miss ,Swanson (Beardy -variety) parried
,the unsults by scratching her ear in iery leisurely-fashion.
-
When Evan eventually appeared as a…very sdall,figure on :the skyline it was time to start the real business of the: day. Between, the 1ot of 'us, working at widely dispersed points, we.'would clear 'the long flank; of the mountain of ewes and lambs and bring them down to the yards hear the roadside some four miles
away. In its early stages the muster_ vas largely a series oft contests between dog..(generally one”, ocassionally two) and little, groups of ewe:vend:lambs. The encounters were always interesting to: watch and the result: never certain. The mountain matrons bad 'far more inde&ndence of mind, and more courage-than sheep of the plains and a vrong Move by the shepherding dog operating to a: Whistle code, could precipitate a headlong rush in the wrong direction. On the steep and rough terain this could mean the sheep being lost to the muster. However, the tally of such losses was small for a high country musterer does not 'long cultivate the company of a dog given to errors Of judgement.
We move in a jig-jog pattern along the slope ever looking out for the odd sheep that sheltered:h-ehind'i5iles-Of boulders or grazed at the foot of the frequent cliffs. The heavy tussock grass that covered much of. the mountainside was physically exacting for the dogs during their fast out-flanking movements. I appreciated the need for the dawn start and the large number of dogs.- in the heat of the day the winter cdnditioned animals wer*disinclined'to'travel quickly and the exertion of the long' uphill runs would liave soon exhausted a lone dog. After a couple of hours the numerous little groups had merged to become a series of winding lines of slowly moving sheep.- Occasionally We caught sight
Or heard the-shouts of one of the 'other musterers and more' rarely caught a glimpse
. .
of Evan against the snow clad top of the mountain;
At the point where the descent to the yards beiah the numerous stately
processions lost their dignity and merged.Ed form a noisy milling masS. With
reunion of men and dogs complete I anticipated a fairly easy conclusion to what had been a fairly strenuous morning bUt in doing 'so I.hopelessly underrated the opposition. Without warning a couple of lambs cut off from the side of the mob and rent helter-skelter back up the mountain. Immediately there were thrIty or forty more lambs racing wildly behind them, and the dogs, incapable of restraint in their excitement making frenzied but useless chase after them.
The Sydney Bushwalker September 1962
When the dogs gave up the lambs stopped high above us. The process of apprehending the fugitives was a lengthy and strenuous affair for the dogs were limited in handling lambs separated from the ewes. The lambs lacking the older sheep's fear would not wheel away from the barking dogs but would run alongside or dodge behind them in a neat side stepping move.
By a series of strategisms we out-generalled them, but the effort it involved made the earlier part of the.: day a picnic affair.
By half past three the first day was virtually over but my tally of new experiences was not completes My conviction of two months duration that New Zealand beer was an error in chemistry inflicted on an unfortunate population was lost that afternoon. The cameradie of the mountain nomads, the magnificent scenery and a state of dehydration were together responsible. I se t by the road side sharing in the gay- tumiltuous conversation of the musterers and delighting, on a now familiar basis, at the loveliness of the long blue lake with its framework of ungentle snow topped. mountains and all the while finding unexpected pleasure in the taste of south Island beer. It had been an interesting day from any aspect.
The next morning I awoke early but no steel clad boot broke the silend of the old house. Instead there was the more addeptable sound of light rain singing a soft song against the roof. There would be no mustering that daY. I went Cheerfully back to sleep on the thought of a late leisurely breakfast in a warm room.
…PeprinsoqiI.wiweirme
LAST NoNni,s SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Malcolm MkGregor's shoving of his beautiful collection of wild flcmer slides on 15th August was especially timed for the beginning of the wild flower seasons The 'slides plus Malcolm's entertaining and informative commentary will help make our mild flower walks more interesting and enjoyable.
On 16th a partyof 37 members and friends saw “The Sentimental Bloke” at the Theatre Royal. Although the evening was a social success the same. could not be said financially.
On 22nd Mrs. Mccomdh told us a little of the events in her life as
a field naturalist which eventually brought her by cargo boat to Thursday Island and the time she went out with the pearling fleet. Mrs. 14cComiSh spiced her talk Cher 653rd) with many amaSing anecdotes and _Showed us, among 0;ther things, some 'beautiful shells axid one of 11+ books filled with her-naintings of the native flowers of various islands.
'September 1962 The Sydney Bushwalker 15
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THE ROOF AND GUTTERING NEED RE-PAINTING 7? OR PERHAPS - A NEW VL.TER SERVICE O HOT-vitATER INSTALLA.TION“-?? No job is too small - for any plumbing in-=tp13ation or alterzitiOns YOU NEED ars FRIENDLY PLUMBING SERVICE CONTACT ROY CRAGGS in the S,B.W., Club-ironms or contact Joe Craggp,Carpenter and Painter, 41 Rosamond Street, Hornsby, Te1aphone.JU21203 D4t 413114 ER = NEED ROY'S' FRIENDLY SERVICE !!:. 43, ..T 16 The Sydney B1)shwalker September 1962 On The Spirft of theyolk Sor7s. Thornigah. It is a trite observation that folk songs are a reflection of the condition of the people. In the English speaking world there are several bodies of folk music; the parent Anglo-Saxon and Irish songs and the derived American and Australian songs using very often the same tunes, Each body gives insights into the differences between the people and in the case of the derived songs the differences in the modes of colonisation and the philosophies of the early people in either continent. 'Interest in folk songs and the elevation of “collecting” into a recognised branch of art dates from the late 19 and early 20th centuries, The primary interest was a musical one. The rather gentle school teachers and parsons Who were the early collectors regarded the words of lesser value than the tunes;; partly because the words were unprintable and seldom did the words fit the melody after the first stanza. In collected and published versions-the words have been worried and altered to be presentable lyrics to the melody. Since the published songs were to be sung by school children (?) Considerable emendation was necessary. Lyrics that were printed if they escaped becoming “art” or childrens songs all too often lost their folk meaning and their feeling of unconscious amorality. Emphasis on the tune rather than on the unravelling of the linguisiic and symbolic spirit of the song has led to the divorce of much traditional literature from its original musical association. The Anglo-Saxon body of songs (which we sing at reunions) has only a nodding acquaintance with its begetter and pagan originr having been through the rack of editor and schoolroom. The emphasis of Anglo-Saxon song is on the pursuit of the opposite sex with or without the benefit of clergy and the symbols in the poetry are fertility symbols. There is little or no supernatural element - the Irish traditional body of song takes that for its own preservec How did the traditional song fare when it cz ossed the oceans to the new colonies? In America it was preserved almost unaltered. Cecil Sharp collecting in the early years found recognisable songs three hundred years old. At least he could recognise the tunes but flaund the words coarser and more unprintable. This is reasonable. The American colonies were settled predominantly by family groups: each group in a community of similar groups, English Catholics in Maryland, Puritans in New England: and the Irish and Scots of Kentucky and Virginia. :Expansion of the frontier was slow, there was always time for consolidation, time for family life, for the growth of nostalgia and sentiment. There was always “the territory ahead” for the young man to light out for, taking his family. It meant crossing the watershed and possibly fighting Indians; Abe Lincoln left his law office in Illinois to look for some Blackfeet who had scalped -some settlers twelve miles away. But always there was continuity of family life and the consititutional right of the pursuit of happiness and to heighten the culture there was the cla6h with other cultures, French Canadian, the Spahish to introduce the now ubiquitous guitar and the pervading strict-form blues of the negro The climate accorded with the old fertility chants and the essenLial religou nature of the dissent deepened into fundamentalism. September 1962 The Sydney Bushwalker 171: ! In the Australian body of song there is no spectrum comparable to the range of - “On the wedding night, When he came to bed with me He bit 'me on the shoulder He nearly broke my knee.” “Hush little bgby don't you cry You know your mamma was born to die All my trials Lord Soon be over.” The contrast with Australian folk songs is noticeable. Australian songs are songs of revolt - it is no accident that The Wild Colonial Boy is !sung to the tune of The Wearing of the Green. They were hanging men at Castle Hill on the evidence of the song having been sung. The early music is Irish music; in the decade before the gold rush the population was fifty percent Irish born and it is reasonable to assume the condition of such 'a part of the population impressed itself on the literature of folk songs. What vas its condition? Transported and brutalised by what was to them a foreign power the complexities and strangeness of the country gave to the habit of revolt the habit of irony and the songs are distinguished by a habit of irony and the -complete absence of the fertility symbols. They are songs of men alone, rootless, 'with little or no ties, familiar or othervise Even in Ireland the reckoning of relationship was son - father and possibly grandfather with no cross ties of 'allegiance. There are no love songs of significance, the nearest approach is !The Old Bullock:Dray, a song which has been bowdlerised with supreme irony. “I mean to get a wife, boys, When I get up to town.” ? The &riginal intent was to look over the talent available at the Female raqmi;'ry at Parramatta'but the bullock driver realises that such being:the demand And so irregular the supply he has no hope and must go back to the aboriginal woman who is mothering his children. With no women available the men travelled the country, working, learing a variety of outback oocupations which enabled them to retain their mobility, scornful of those new arrivals, bond or free tied to sheep-herding or any form of husbandry except travelling with stock.. That the owners of the land vhere their erstwhile gaolers made freedom a shade sweeter and their independence of their former masters more pointed, A man alone was no longer defenceless or suspect as in a family oriented community. Independence was the needed quality to survive and the most independent were the bushrangers; the Kellys and Gardiners and Jack Doolans were naturals. 1 18 The Sydney Bushwalker September 1962 There are distinct stages in the rePertoire. “Moreton Bay” is a true lament; “Botany Bay” the dirst spontaneous borrowing of a tune and giving it new ironical words; the pastoral songs showing the increasing awareness of the singers indepence and the “joys” of travelling the country.. The tunes are still Irish, the habit irony. The gold rush altered the population,.. balance, submerging the dominant Irish factor and the subsequent land booms and improvement of pastoral working conditions modulated the spirit of revolt. With the collapse of the economy in the Nineties, the spirit that emerged was one of bitterness rather than of irony, faithfully recorded in the songs of the time. Lawson, in the literate stream of poetry looked back at a golden age and perceived, invented, the legend of mateship, while Paterson elevated the viability of the bush worker into Mystic lore as in Kipling. With an earlier poet mho wrote “They sing in September the sweet songs of May.” they have,ebscured and dioaded over the origins not only of our-own folk tradition, but:have*set a'habit and way of inquiry. Lawson's brush with the bush was short and bitter; Paterson, the cavalry officer, and city journalist, could never be completely iymPathetia with the transported Irish rebel. in the Old Bark Hut. . Ironic poetry is deeply concerned with the 'complekities and paradoxes. of experience: The habit of irony is not dead; When we sing of making Bob Menzies load the pig iron for Japan we are, perhaps, making traditional verse in the main stream of Australian folk music. ft DATES TO REMEMBER IN SEPTEMBER 19th The Shell Film “BACK OF BEYCND” yes, it will rea1.11 be on this times 26th Although marked a free-night'on tfie prdgramme we've invited Malcolm McGregor and Jim Brown to give us Another of their entertaining “song. night.” t.: -
19 The Sydney Bushwalker September 1962 FEDERATION REPORT - JULY 1962 Attendance of S.B.W. Delefates. This was the Annual Meeting of Federation, but two ofour delegages did not notify their inability to attend or offer any apology to the meeting, with the result that no arrangements were made for substitute delegates to attend and bring our representation up to full - strength. Search and Rescue. The services of S R were not called upon during the past month. The newly formed Rock Rescue Team is now functioning under the leadership of Colin Putt, It is hoped to purchase an L4Mil6 field transmitter (25 watt) for use by the section. A Guessing Competition has been organised for the purpose of buying S &R gear. Tickets are available in the Club Room each Wednesday evening at 2/- each and the prize Will be a C25.0.0 order on Paddy Pallin for the purchase ofwalking :or skiing gear. The Winner will be announced at the Annual Ball on 14th SeptembE,r, 1962. It was reported that ticket sales appear to be satisfactory. “The Bushwalker Annual 1961”. A total of 2912 copies were received from the printer. Up to 30th June 1962, 2001 copies have been sold,. of which Paddy PalLin purchased 1,000 for subsequent sale in his shop. C.M.AW and the Bush Club sold over 100 copies each and the remaining clubs accounted for 430 copies, or an average of about 20 copies each Club. I am happy to 'report that the sales by this Club were somewhat above average. CopieS are'still available at 3/- each. 11:t the moment, the loss on the publiction stands at 55.0.0. “The Bushwalker'Annual 1962”, In spite of the discouraginp, respOn6EYto their last effOrt, the publications Committee is going ahead with the 'preparation of:another'Annual. The Treasurer warned the meeting that the ullest sup…)nrt ot all Clubs is essential to 'ensure the success of the forthcoting,Magazine, _otherwise Federation wiLtfind itself in financial difficultiEjs.. Heathcote Primitive Area. Locked gates are to be installed to bar entrance to motor vehicles to certain electricity supply access roads. Poisen sprays are still being used, but with care; by the Electricity Commission to destroy vegetation under the power lines crossing the reserve. Access by the Water Board's gate is to be restricted. It is planned to employ a ranger. Blue Mbitntains National Park, It wat.-annokInced that Paul Barnes has been . elected to the Trust, A full time ranger has been appointed and a second appointment is Coiltemplated. One ranger will be stationed at Nt. Victoria and the other at Woodford, A motor road has been constructed to Mt. Banks . (Mt. King George) and picnic facilities provided. RamE:p2mulat12242;221-1; is now under the control of a Trust. Song Book. The Kameruka Club and the Hobnails Club are jointly prbducing a p3ng 18dok. It is proposed to donate the proceeds to Federation (S & R Funds) when production costs have been mete. Full support for the publication is requested from all affiliated Clubs. – . 20 , The Sydney Bushwalker September 1962 .:_HILDA-sToDDART- Orbituary. D.I. The Club lost an esteemed member -with'trie sudden death of Hilda Stoddart on 5th August, 1962 at the,age of,76. ' “Stoddie”4 as She was affectionately known became a member in 1935 and, with her daughter Mary (later Mrs. Bob Eastoe) did many interesting trips, particularly in the Talbingo and-Brindabella areas prior to the snowy Mountains Authority commencing activities-there. She was interested in all conservation activities and was a tireless worker in that causew.,As practical evidence Hilda was our representative at the meetings of the Parks and Playgrounds Movement. She was also a keen member of the National Park:Association and the Stoney- Range Floria. Reserve at Dee ' As a resident of the Manly District for many years Stoddie loved the Pittwater section of KUringai Chase. At wild flower time -.every year she took:Club walks, Church groups and other: interested parties dyer to Lovett and Fowler's Bays to walk along the adcess tracks to the tops and there admire the blooms and extensive views over Pittwater.- A mimed route from The Flagstaff at Lovett Bay to the West Head Road near Willunga Trig 'was -her idea and vas carried out with the aid of interested helpers. ' In recent years the well made tracks have become overgrown; mainly through lack of use. Stoddie wrote to the Trust and to this Club suggesting a working bee to clear them up. John White orgapised the party and a lot of good work was done at Lovett Bak. It is to be hoped that the -work will be continued and completed as a tribute to.Stoddie's untiring work in this part of KUringai Chase. ameimwwwelmi a….
BY PtPULLR REQU-JaST ”. ….“';31-T.:P;h1;11;iisiii):RTO . *. SAM.' ARY-7F43RUARY 1931: .b y Miles
Commencing in the October Issue. :
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