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-AT OURJUIVIJALGENER&L MEETING.
+===== At Our Annual General Meeting. =====
 Alex. Colley
-The Club's founders, who are reputed to have spent several meetings discussing one word of the constitution, "mild have been proud of the bush lawyermanship of members both old and new who attended the thirty- fourth anniversary of their first annual general meeting. Points of order were more numerous than the needles of a hakea, but considerably Sharper. The acknowledged winner, on points, was our new President. If he shows the same form in the chair as he did on the floor of the House (Northcote House) he will be impervious to even the finest of points.
-At the start of the meeting apologies were received from Rene Browne, Joe Turner, Edna Garrad, Mollie Rodgers and Elsie Bruggie. Then two
+The Club's founders, who are reputed to have spent several meetings discussing one word of the constitution, would have been proud of the bush lawyermanship of members both old and new who attended the thirty-fourth anniversary of their first annual general meeting. Points of order were more numerous than the needles of a hakea, but considerably sharper. The acknowledged winner, on points, was our new President. If he shows the same form in the chair as he did on the floor of the House (Northcote House) he will be impervious to even the finest of points.
-members wers welccmed by the President, one an old member who has rejoined - Alan Rigby - and the other a new member, Pat Geby. In case anybody doesn't know, it was Alan who designed our magazine cover over 20 years ago.
-Atter the presentation of the swimming carnival prizes the meeting got down to the serious business of adopting the annual report. Speaking against the adoption, Ron Knightley said that a report should be factual rather than Opiriaative. Specifically, he objected to the statement that "financially, we have been going into reverse over the past three years," and that the response to an invitation to members to consider and bring forward proposals designed to improve the position had been "apathetic and negative.' Ron pointed out that depreciation provision for the year gees 72.2.4. This included E22.5.2 'written off the old duplicator - a nonrecurring item. Depreciation for 1962/3 was e54 above that for 1961/2 and 30 above that estimated for next year. Despite this greatly ircreased provision for depreciation the deficit on normal club activity was only 9.10.4. Secretary David Ingram had no =tient on Ronts views except to say that he was delighted the Annual Report had brought forth at least this much discussion. Kath Brown then drew attention to the practice of publishing the swimning carnival results in full in the animal report. Ttwre was no purpose in this as the results published wore a year out of date anyway. Ron Knightley said he always understood that tushwalking was not competitive, so why have prizes? At this stage new doubt was east on proceedings by Paddy Pa plea that he hadn't received his annual report. But Dick Childs remembered folding reports for Paddy, (and for nee others who said they hadn't received one) and Denise Hull remembered posting them. Jack Gentle said it was the P.M.G. 's fault if they weren't delivered. Fortunitely spare copies were available and given to those who didntt have them. The discussion on depreciation was left over until they had time to study the report.
+At the start of the meeting apologies were received from Rene Browne, Joe Turner, Edna Garrad, Mollie Rodgers and Elsie Bruggie. Then two members were welccmed by the President, one an old member who has rejoined - Alan Rigby - and the other a new member, Pat Gaby. In case anybody doesn't know, it was Alan who designed our magazine cover over 20 years ago.
-Meanwhile correspondence was read. It included a letter from Joe Turner in which he expressed thanks to the Committee for keeping "the old club going" and the hope that Bill Rodger 's words to active ydung members would not fall on deaf ears. There was also a letter from the National Parks Board of Tasmania saying that, though it welcomed maintenance and
-April 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker 5
+Atter the presentation of the swimming carnival prizes the meeting got down to the serious business of adopting the annual report. Speaking against the adoption, Ron Knightley said that a report should be factual rather than opinionative. Specifically, he objected to the statement that "financially, we have been going into reverse over the past three years," and that the response to an invitation to members to consider and bring forward proposals designed to improve the position had been "apathetic and negative." Ron pointed out that depreciation provision for the year gees £72.2.4. This included £22.5.2 written off the old duplicator - a non-recurring item. Depreciation for 1962/3 was £54 above that for 1961/2 and £30 above that estimated for next year. Despite this greatly increased provision for depreciation the deficit on normal club activity was only £9.10.4. Secretary David Ingram had no comment on Ron's views except to say that he was delighted the Annual Report had brought forth at least this much discussion. Kath Brown then drew attention to the practice of publishing the swimning carnival results in full in the annual report. There was no purpose in this as the results published were a year out of date anyway. Ron Knightley said he always understood that bushwalking was not competitive, so why have prizes? At this stage new doubt was cast on proceedings by Paddy Pallin's plea that he hadn't received his annual report. But Dick Childs remembered folding reports for Paddy, (and for some others who said they hadn't received one) and Denise Hull remembered posting them. Jack Gentle said it was the P.M.G.'s fault if they weren't delivered. Fortunately spare copies were available and given to those who didn't have them. The discussion on depreciation was left over until they had time to study the report.
-development of existing tracks it did not want new tracks blazed as they might be in the wrong places and lead to confusion. Some areas were planned as wilderness, without tracks (bulldozer-happy N.S.W. authorities please note).
-The depreciation bone was then returned to the meeting. Frank:Barlow moved that, in future, the depreciation charge be 20% flat. He pointed
+Meanwhile correspondence was read. It included a letter from Joe Turner in which he expressed thanks to the Committee for keeping "the old club going" and the hope that Bill Rodger's words to active young members would not fall on deaf ears. There was also a letter from the National Parks Board of Tasmania saying that, though it welcomed maintenance and development of existing tracks it did not want new tracks blazed as they might be in the wrong places and lead to confusion. Some areas were planned as wilderness, without tracks (bulldozer-happy N.S.W. authorities please note).
-out that, after 5 years, we would be very lucky to get 25 for our deuplicator: 'Gordon Redmond supported the motion because our loss this year was due to inadequate depreciation in previclus years. The motion was put and carried.
-Wilf alder then gave us his walks report. The first walk on the
+The depreciation bone was then returned to the meeting. Frank Barlow moved that, in future, the depreciation charge be 20% flat. He pointed out that, after 5 years, we would be very lucky to get £25 for our duplicator. Gordon Redmond supported the motion because our loss this year was due to inadequate depreciation in previous years. The motion was put and carried.
-programme (a swimming trip to the Shoalhaven) was "reprogrammed" into the
-Megalong Valley to include the great granite section of the Cox. The walk was led by himself, and attended by four members and one prospective. On
+Wilf Hilder then gave us his walks report. The first walk on the programme (a swimming trip to the Shoalhaven) was "reprogrammed" into the Megalong Valley to include the great granite section of the Cox. The walk was led by himself, and attended by four members and one prospective. On the Saturday the Cox was 4 feet in flood, making cascading "fast and furious". After a storm on Saturday night it rose to 12 feet, becoming far too fast and dangerous for swimming. The party then turned to Mitchell's Creek - a "mighty side trip with plenty of suffering and even a little bit of trout tickling". Keith Renwick led another walk, attended by five members, on the same week-end - to Neates Glen and Grand Canyon. The party camped in Neates Glen on Friday night among a lot of glow-worms and luminous fungi. Next day they descended to the foot of the Evans Lookout track and attempted to follow the Canyon upstream, but the heavy rain made the creek too strong to swim against and they had to give it up. After camping in a cave, they walked up to Evans Head Lookout and followed the cliff tops around to Govett's Leap. On Sunday of the same week-end Stuart Brooks led 4 members and 3 prospectives from Salvation Creek to "an unknown trig" and thence to Cottage Rock, near which they spent three hours on the beach.
-the Saturday the Cox was L. feet in flood, making cascading "fast and furizunu. After a storm on Saturday night it rose to 12 feet, becoming far too fast and dangerous for swimming. The party then turned to Mitchell's Creek - a "mighty side trip with plenty of suffering and even a little bit of trout tickling. Keith Renwick led another walk, attended by five members, on the same week,-end - to Neates Glen and Grand Canyon. The party camped in Neates Glen on Friday night among a lot of glow-worms and luminous fungi. Next day they descended to the foot of the Evans Lookout trJ..ck and attempted to follow the Canyon upstream, but the heavy rain made the creek too strong to swim against and they had to give it up. After camping in a cave, they walked
-up to Evans Head Lookout and followed the cliff tops around to Govett's
+On the 8th, 9th and 10th Bob Duncan, amply equipped with abseiling gear, led 5 members down Middle Christy's Creek. Nevertheless they found the falls far deeper than the length of the abseiling rope, so the party had to sidle patiently around some very steep and tricky slopes. Some practice abseils were done. The leader was lucky to find a shingly campsite beside the Creek, which had been completely scoured-out by the November 1960 floods. On Sunday a spur of Dark Angel ridge was climbed for the first known time. (It may have been the spur descended by Gordon Smith and party in 1939). The other trip on the same week-end was a prospecting trip led by Bob Godfrey. In view of the absence of information on this trip it is believed that pay dirt was struck. The next week-end was taken up by the Swimming Carnival. On Feb. 22-3-4 Tony Queitzsch led 3 members from Tallong to Long Nose Point, Shoalhaven River and Billy Blue's Crown. After some long swims in the river, which had a good volume of water the party camped at Tallowal Creek Junction and next morning set out to climb Billy Blue's Crown. Several good passes were found, and after some difficult rock scrambling a successful first ascent was completed. On the Sunday walk Dick Childs led 11 members, 4 prospectives and 3 visitors from Waterfall to Uloola Falls, Karloo Pool and back to Heathcote. Tracks were found to be overgrown around Uloola Falls. The other walk for the weekend was led by Bill Burke who took a party of 6 from Goodman's Ford to Bindook and back via Murruin Creek.
-Leap. On Sunday of the same week-end Stuart Brooks led 4 //embers and 3 prospectives from Salvation Creek to "an unknown trig" and thence to Cottage Rock, near which they Tent three hours on the beach.
-On the 8th, 9th and 10th Bob Duncan, pi:Ply equipped with abseiling gear, led 5 members down Middle Christy's Creek. Nevertheless they found the falls far deeper than the length of the abseiling rope, so the party had to sidle patiently around some very steep and tricky slopes. Some practice abseils were done. The leader was lucky to find a shingly campsite beside the Creek, which had been completely scoured-out by the November 1960 floods. On Sunday a spur of Dark Angel ridge was climbed for the first known time. (It may have been the spur descended by Gordon Smith and party in 1939). The other trip on the same week-end was a prospecting trip led by Bob Godfrey. In view of the absence of information on this trip' it, is believed that pay dirt was struck. The next week-end was taken up by the Swimming Carnival. Oh Feb. 22-3-4 Tony Queitzsch led 3 members from Tallong to Long Nose Point, Shoalhaven River and Billy Blue's Crown.
+Wilf reported that the 50,000 series maps of Ulladulla and Wingham were now available. There was also a new edition of Myles Dunphy's Kanangra Tops map available. A two chain road, allegedly for fire protection, but carrying a double lane road was being cleared from Yerranderie to Butcher's Creek Hut. An aerodrome was proposed at old Kowmung House, and the old Cedar Road was to be rebuilt. The road from Goodman's Ford to Barallier was no too bad for an ordinary vehicle. At the conclusion of Wilf's report, David Balmer commended Wilf on his prose.
-After some long swims in the river, which had a good volume of water the party camped at Tallomal Creek Junction and next morning -set out to climb Billy Blue's Crown. Several good passes were found, and after some difficult rock scrambling a successful first ascent was completed. On the Sunday, walk Dick Childs led 11 members, 4 prospectives and 3 visitors from Water.. fall to Uloola Falls, Karloo Pool and back to Hoathcote. Tracks were found to be overgrown around Uloola Falls. The other walk for the weekend was led by Bill Burke who took a party of 6 from Goodman's Ford to Bindook and back via rruin Creek.
-The Sydney Bushwalker April 1963
+In general business Jack Wren pointed out that two months after the Annual General Meeting unfinancial members could, at the discretion of the Committee, cease to be members. Why not save work, money and postage by merely crossing them off after two months? One reminder, giving them seven days notice, would be enough. Colin Putt thought that we were barking before the dog (the committee) we had elected to do our barking for us. Jim Brown said that, as the notices went out with the Walks programme and the September notice of meeting there was not much extra work and, if they were crossed off most would have to be readmitted again. It was decided to leave it to the dog.
-NUf reported that the 50,000 series maps of Ulladulla and Wingham were now available. There was also a new edition of Myles Dunphy's Kanangra Traps nap available. A two chain road, allegedly for fire protection, but carrying a double lane road was being cleared from Yerranderie to Butcher's Creek Hut. An aerodrome was proposed at old Kommung House, and the old Cedar Road was to be rebuilt. The road from Goodman's Ford to Barallier was no too bad for an ordinary vehicle. At the conclusion of Wilf's report, David Balmer. commended Wilf on his prose.
-In general business Jack Wren pointed out thft two months after the Annual General Meetiiv unfinancial members cJuld, at the discretion of the Committee, cease to be members. Why not save work, money and postage by merely crosSing them off after two months? One reminder, giving them seven days notice, would be enough. Colin Putt theucht thet we were barking before the dog (the committee) we had elected to do our barkin,e for us. Jim Brown said that, as the notices went out with the lelks pi'ocremme and the September
+The last business of the evening was to decide the amount of the annual subscription and entrance fee. Jack Gentle moved that a new scale of fees - Active single members £2.5.-, active married couples £3.10.-, juniors £1.10.- and inactive 12/- be adopted. He estimated that the new scale would increase revenue by £60 to £70 a year. His argument for more income was illustrated by a graph of club revenue and expenditure. For most of the time until recently the two lines kept their distance (income above) but, in 1963/4 they diverged in an alarming manner, expenditure almost vertical, income horribly horizontal. Ron Knightley thought that higher charges might in the end mean less total income. What we should do was to reduce the subscription to £1.19.11, thereby cheapening the cost of membership, increasing the number of members and avoiding stamp duty, this increasing total revenue. He also pointed out that we already had assets of over £1300. Gordon Redmond, however said that this was not £1,300 of realisable assets - £580 was in the Era Fund. Colin Putt criticised Jack Gentle's graph on the grounds that the lines between the dots shouldn't be straight. In fact they shouldn't be there at all. If we built up a reserve for no forecast purpose we would be inviting a takeover move. Stuart Brooks drew attention to the need for a new typewriter - cost £150. Takeover risks notwithstanding, Gordon Redmond fought for our reserves - we could easily dissipate the good work of the past, and even if we spent only £100 on a typewriter we would be "right down to the boards." However the most he could wring from the meeting was a rise of 10/- for married couples and 5/- in entrance fee - sufficient to bring in some £25 a year extra.
-notice of meeting there was not much extra work rind, if they-were crossed off most would have to be readmitted again.. It was decided to leave it to the dog.
-The last business of the evening was to decide the amount of the annual subscription and entrance fee. Jack Gentle moved that a new scaleof fees - Active single members 22.5.-, active married couples E3.10.-, juniors 1.10.- and inactive 12/- be adcpted. He estimated that the new scale would increase revenue by E60 to E70 a year. His argument for more income was illustrated by a graph of club revenue and expenditure. For most of the time until recently the two lines kept their distance (income above) bUt, in 1963/4 they diverged in an alarming manner, expenditure almost vertical, income horribly horizontal. Ron Knightley thought that higher charges night in the end mean less total income.. What we should do was to reduce the subscription to E1.19..11, thereby cheapening the cost of membership, increasing the number of members and avoiding stamp duty, this increasing total revenue. He also pointed out that we alreatr had assets of over 1300. Gordon Redmond, however
+The meeting closed at 10.40 p.m., beating the cleaner by a narrow margin.
-said that this was not E1,300 of realisable assets  580 was ih the Era Fund.
-Colin Putt criticised Jack Gentle's graph on the grounds that the lines between the dots shouldn't be straight. In fact they shouldn't be there at all. If we built up a reserve for no forecast purpose we would be inviting a takeover move. Stuart Brooks drew attention to the need for a new type-
+----
-writer - cost 150. Takeover risks notwithstanding, Gordon Redmond feUght
-for our reserves - we could easily dissipate the good work of the past, and even if we spent only 100 on a typewriter we would be nrht down to the boards." However the most he could wring from the meeting was a rise of 10/- for married couples and 5/- in entrance fee - sufficient to bring in some E25 a year extra.
+===== Letters To The Editor. =====
-The meeting closed at 10.40 p m., beating the cleaner by a narrow margin.
-April 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker
+Mr. Colley's many business activities apparently do not include a working interest in any of the motor vehicle companies. This is obviously an oversight as, even though Mr. Colley may not realise it, the automobile is here to stay and must play an ever-increasing part in our daily activities. Investment in this field should be sound enough for the most cautious operator. (This advice is offered for what it is worth and Mr. Colley need not feel under any obligation if he makes unrestrained use of it).
-LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
-'Nit Colley's many business activities apparently do not include a workinginterest in any of the motor vehicle companies. This is obviouSly an oversight as, even though Mr. Colley may not realise it, the autpmobile is here to stay and must play an evermiincreasing part in our daily activities. Investment in this field should be sound enough for the most cautious operator. (This advice is offered for what it is worth and Mr. Colley need not feipa under any obligation if he makes unrestrained use of it).
+Since the dawn of time, man has had to pit his wits against his environment. The fact that cars have replaced sabre-toothed tigers and that walkers (as distinct from people) seek simplicity and solitude in a concrete jungle does not alter the basic problem of adaptation for survital. Mr. Colley's cave-dwelling ancestors would have received few sympathetic grunts had they sat down and wept every time they saw a sabre-toothed tiger, and turning on convulsions at the sight of a fire-trail or self-propelldd vehicle is not likely to achieve any worthwhile result in 1963.
-Since the damn of time, man has had to pit his wits against his environment. The fact that cars have replaced sabre-toothed tigers
-and that walkers (as distinct from people) seek simplicity and solitude in ,a concrete jungle does not alter the basic problem of adaptation for
+The situation is not as black as all that. It is now possible, for example, to reach the Kowmung from Kanangra Road by means of a 20 minute car drive and a 90 minute walk as against a 4 or 5 hour scrub-bash in the good old days. There should be some solace for Mr. Colley in this.
-survital. Mr. Colley's cave-dwelling ancestors would have received few
-gympathetic grunts had they sat down and wept every time they saw a sabre- toothed tiget, and turning on convulsions at the sight of a fire-trail or self-propelldd vehicle is not likely to achieve any worthwhile result in
+The danger lies (and here I am in full accord with Mr. Colley) in allowing ourselves to become, like a sun visor, just another accessory attached to the automobile. What with motels, drive-in theatres and bottle departments and power-driven golf buggies this is easier than it may sound. And with the advent of automatic drive it is a distinct possibility that left legs will, before long, completely atrophy and we will become a race of one-legged sitters.
-.
-The situation is not as black as all that. It is no possible, for example, to reach the Kowmung from Hanangra Road by means of a 20 minute car drive and a 90 minute walk as against a 4 or 5 hour scrub-bash in the good old days. There should be some solace for Mr. Colley in this.
-The danger lies (and hete I am in full acaord with Mr. Colley) in allowing ourselves to become, like a sun visot, just another accessory attached to the automobile. that with motels, drive-in theatres and bottle departments and power-driven golf buggies this is easier than it may sound. And with the advent of automatic drive it is a distinct possibility that left legs will, before long, completely atrophy and we will become a race of one-legged sitters.
 Dissembling Hot Rod.
-Anxious Eastwood Mother need not feel so anxious. I knew two valkirs, who carried away by a zeal for lightweight walking, shared the one pack, the one toothbrush, and the one pipe. They still remain reasonably active and  even appear occasionally on club walks. The fact that Eff See in can still summon the energy to write about his experiences and thus, presumably, enjoys reasonable health, bears mute but telling testimony to the danger in becoming over excited over the interchange of a few germs.
+----
+Anxious Eastwood Mother need not feel so anxious. I knew two walkers, who carried away by a zeal for lightweight walking, shared the one pack, the one toothbrush, and the one pipe. They still remain reasonably active and even appear occasionally on club walks. The fact that Eff See Wun can still summon the energy to write about his experiences and thus, presumably, enjoys reasonable health, bears mute but telling testimony to the danger in becoming over excited over the interchange of a few germs.
 And don't forget, the end result of A.E.M.'s line of thought would be the elimination of osculation.
 Beecroft Bacillus.
-The Sydney Bushwalker April 1963
-COUNITGAN/ TO ARALUEN
-The Story' of an 01d-fashioned Walk. - A.Colley
-It was on Christmas Eve that three old-fashioned walkers boarded the 8.45 p m. for Coma. Oblivious to Progress and Development, we were determined to get as far away from our own car's and everybody else's as we could. Without beer on ice, guns, fishing rods, transistors,
+----
-folding chairs and tables, or any of the rest of the equipment popularly considered necessary to make the bush bearable, we set out, determined to walk from Countegany to the Araluen. River with the help of a 4 mile to the inch ordinance map and a compass. Equipped for the heat and flies of summer, we had nothing but our packs and clothes we wore. Bill Cosgrove and I, apprehensive of an 8 day pack in the heat, had cut our food below the 2 lb. a day mark. John Scott's method of reducing weight was to determine what Bill and I were carrying and simply double it. Thus his pack, though perhaps lighter than it might otherwise have been, remained no mean cornucopia.
-The boarding of a train at the start of a long bushwalking trip is, to me, always an exciting event. Behind lies work, the city and the business uniform (block suit, white shirt, tie). Ahead is the bush,
+===== Countegany To Araluen. =====
-.perhaps the challenge of country you don't know. After days; or weeks of weight-paring preparations, plans are complete. There is, at the' back of one's mind the fear that something must have been, forgotten - a knife? a groundsheet? a torch? or something else irreplaceable which you won't forgive yourself for forgetting? But there is no purpose in worrying. You can't do anything about it now. Let the New South Wales Government Railways carry you effortlessly to your destination. Relax and epjqy the company of your partyc,
-John and I were delighted to climb, into our bunks between clean sheets and fleecy blankets in our well polished cedar-.lined sleeper (none of your steel and plastic for the likes of us). Bill, thade of sterner stuff, was determined to sit up all night, if necessary, in second class and save KO. The main concession to progress waS'a diesel electric locomotive. I missed the chuffing of the engine, but it did improve the ride. The bangs and thumps which used to distinguish the Coca
+=== The Story of an O1d-fashioned Walk. ===
-(268 miles in 10 hours. 24 minutes - ay. 25.77 mph) had been eliminated.
-..
+- A.Colley
-Dawn, as we approached Cooma, revealed a dull wintry looking day.
-We were the only walkers on the train and the only passengers to breakfast at the R.R.R. 'There was jut one taxi available, which we secured for our ride to Countegany. We Mere in new country as soon as we left the Station, so map-reading commenced, as we had to pick: from the car the divide between Toss and the Badja for the start of the trip. By -about 9.a m. we had
+It was on Christmas Eve that three old-fashioned walkers boarded the 8.45 p.m. for Cooma. Oblivious to Progress and Development, we were determined to get as far away from our own car's and everybody else's as we could. Without beer on ice, guns, fishing rods, transistors, folding chairs and tables, or any of the rest of the equipment popularly considered necessary to make the bush bearable, we set out, determined to walk from Countegany to the Araluen River with the help of a 4 mile to the inch ordinance map and a compass. Equipped for the heat and flies of summer, we had nothing but our packs and clothes we wore. Bill Cosgrove and I, apprehensive of an 8 day pack in the heat, had cut our food below the 2 lb. a day mark. John Scott's method of reducing weight was to determine what Bill and I were carrying and simply double it. Thus his pack, though perhaps lighter than it might otherwise have been, remained no mean cornucopia.
-April 1963 The Sydney Bushwalker 9
-Note: In deference to the old-fashioned author, the mp shows Icnds as a single broken line and the author's route as a series of dots. Ed)
+The boarding of a train at the start of a long bushwalking trip is, to me, always an exciting event. Behind lies work, the city and the business uniform (block suit, white shirt, tie). Ahead is the bush, perhaps the challenge of country you don't know. After days, or weeks of weight-paring preparations, plans are complete. There is, at the back of one's mind the fear that something must have been, forgotten - a knife? a groundsheet? a torch? or something else irreplaceable which you won't forgive yourself for forgetting? But there is no purpose in worrying. You can't do anything about it now. Let the New South Wales Government Railways carry you effortlessly to your destination. Relax and epjoy the company of your party.
-Arokaea
-.1 Er017; heia
+John and I were delighted to climb into our bunks between clean sheets and fleecy blankets in our well polished cedar-lined sleeper (none of your steel and plastic for the likes of us). Bill, made of sterner stuff, was determined to sit up all night, if necessary, in second class and save £3. The main concession to progress was a diesel electric locomotive. I missed the chuffing of the engine, but it did improve the ride. The bangs and thumps which used to distinguish the Cooma Mail (268 miles in 10 hours 24 minutes - av. 25.77 mph) had been eliminated.
-In, I I
- le  f t
+Dawn, as we approached Cooma, revealed a dull wintry looking day. We were the only walkers on the train and the only passengers to breakfast at the R.R.R. There was just one taxi available, which we secured for our ride to Countegany. We were in new country as soon as we left the Station, so map-reading commenced, as we had to pick from the car the divide between Tuross and the Badja for the start of the trip. By about 9 a.m. we had paid off the taxi, put on our ground sheets, and headed though the mist into the wet scub in a generaly easterly direction. Within five minutes our feet were wet. They stayed that way till we caught our next taxi 8 days later.
-I  I /
-1 4 31- 3
+[ Map ]
-tr.
+(Note: In deference to the old-fashioned author, the map shows roads as a single broken line and the author's route as a series of dots. Ed)
-8 1
-In :)L0 Mtn.
+Our map showed the Badja River to the north west and the Tuross River to the South east, the distance between the rivers being about 6 miles. Both streams sported only one mapped tributory in their upper reaches. There were 8 contour lines between us and the Tuross and three between us and the Badja, from which we inferred it was going on for 2,000 feet down to Tuross Falls - too much of a climb to be worthwhile, a decision we were glad of later. The divide we were to follow ran in a general north-eastly direction, but beyond that we knew nothing. Nor could we see anything. The bush was thick, the mist was thick, and the divide almost featureless except for occasional granite outcrops covered in thick wet undergrowth. This was meant to be an easy day with our full packs (in the anticipated heat), but it was too cold to sit around. After a couple of hours we stopped, lit a fire to warm ourselves and had a cup of tea. Not long after we found a dry spot under a granite rock where we were glad to get out of the drizzle, light another fire, and have lunch (Christmas dinner). The afternoon was much the same, except that it became flatter and swampy. Near one swamp we were glad to find a well drained grassy rise inhabited by inquisitive Herefords. Here we lit another fire and camped - for the first time we really got warm and dry. We still hadn't seen anything, nor did we till the next evening. Then we saw too much.
-nt,t)7,111) eiti,472-
-(raiDaree x.
+Next day we groped our way further along the divide in the mist, crossing little swamps and streams and occasionally finding timber tracks. We hoped at some stage to see an eminence called Big Badja, but visibility was almost nil. From this point we intended to turn due east along a ridge leading to the Deua River. Judging by the time we had taken we calculated we must be somewhere near this eastward running divide. Since we couldn't see around we could well be on, or near, Big Badja, an impression that was strengthened by the fact that the ground was falling away to the north, where lay the Shoalhaven. There was only one way to find out - turn east and see. For a couple of hours the theory seemed to work out. There were ups and downs and much crawling through ferns and under and over logs, but no big drop. Sometimes we started down, but came to a saddle and rose again. It seemed all right. Then we went down two or three hundred feet, and it was getting late. Was that water we could hear down below? A bit further, 800 feet down. Yes, it was water. Better to go down to it and camp than to get up to a dry ridge top just before dark. Down and down, steeper and steeper. Then the mist rolled away for a few minutes, and for the first time we Saw. About four miles to the north and some 2,000 feet above us there rose a mighty crag - Big Badja, of course. By the look of the country it was a tough day's walk away.
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+Down we went through ferns and over rocks on a slope so steep we could barely cling on to it, till at last we found our stream, noisy not because it was large, but because it was rushing steeply down a narrow gully without a skerrick of a bank. Camping was hopeless - the only way to progress was along the stream itself. Perhaps beyond that waterfall things would improve. But after ten minutes scramble over roots, water and rocks, things were no better, so there was nothing for it but to crawl up the ridge on the other side. Up and up we went - getting dark now. One or two places at last where we might make a camp spot. Then a little rocky shelf about three quarter way up the ridge. We all got to work. Heaved the boulders away, pulled out the scrub, and there was room for the tent - rough, but flat enough to sleep. We made a fire, but cooking wasn't worth the effort in that cramped spot. Nor did we have water (though we collected some off the tent later). We were thankful just to lie down - it was too cold and wet to feel thirsty.
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+By morning we were quite attached to our little plot on the ridge, and were reluctant to resume our climb over the boulders through the cold, dripping undergrowth. But soon the scrub thinned the slope flattened and we sensed an improvement in our fortunes. They were, in fact, to improve all day. It was the first of many days of most enjoyable walking. In about half an hour we reached a track, then a timber-getter's clearing with a hole full of clear water. The drizzle had stopped and a ray of sunshine shone through the clouds to warm us. Soon we had a good fire going and were eating a hearty breakfast.
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+After breakfast we crossed more swamps. Keeping east (away from those gullies) we soon espied a clearing on our left, which we rightly surmised was the head of the Badja River. In the middle of the clearing, not far off our course, was a house. In these days when every car may carry a load of shooters, fire starters, fence destroyers, or potential lost hikers, one is never sure of one's welcome in what were once the back blocks. But we decided it would be nice to know for sure that we were on the Badja, so we started towards the house. "Let's go straight across that green paddock", said Bill. But somehow John and I sensed that the green paddock wasn't quite what it looked, so we went along a track to the entrance road. As we neared the house we crossed a stream over 6' deep and about 12' wide flowing through the rushes which made our paddock so green. Had we tried to cross it, only our hats would have remained above water. At the homestead we soon found we had come to exactly the right place. The owner, Mr. Bert Broadhead evidently had mostly the right kind of visitors. Most of them were trout fishermen, some of whom had clubbed together to build a hut on his property. One of them, by his description, was Bill Johnston, ex S.B.W, member. When we were invited in for a cup of tea we felt that Christmas had really arrived. Our eyes glistened as Mrs. Broadhead cut large slices from a beautiful Christmas cake. Mr. Broadhead, whose father had taken up the property nearly 60 years ago, operated a modern saw mill and he knew the district inside and outside. After tea we had an interesting tour of inspection, and then Mr. Broadhead produced his large binoculars through which we could see the grass on Big Badja itself. There it was, reaching into the mist some 4 miles away. We took a sight on it and listened, not quite as carefully as we should have, to Mr, Broadhead's description of the track to it. After that we lost a few minutes in one false move, but from then on found the track nearly all the way. We knew when we camped that night that we were quite near the mountain, though we still couldn't see it.
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+Next morning we at last ascended the misty crag. For a few minutes the mist lifted sufficiently to see Mr. Broadhead's property, and mountains, probably the Snowy Mountains, far beyond. The view to the South was blotted out. By the look of the contours, and what we had seen two days before, it was probably quite spectacular. We could, however, see the watershed to the east which Mr. Broadhead believed we could follow to the Deua. We could see nothing to stop us walking that ridge, but nothing to make us want to either, though it was our original plan to do so. We could see a couple of miles of rolling, boulder studded, ridge top, covered with burnt trees, fallen logs, and thick dripping undergrowth. We had had enough of that already, so we turned north west as Mr. Broadhead had suggested and, about a mile along, came on to the jeep road to Snowball. By lunch time we were on the open country at the head of the Shoalhaven, and by evening were in familiar country on the route we had followed the previous Easter, when we had done another old-fashioned walk from Moruya to Krawarree. It was delightful walking, over undulating grass and open forest country, cooled by the clouds which hid the sun and rested on the mountain tops.
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+We camped on the edge of a clear stretch, over which we looked to dark hills covered in low scrub, between the two upper branches of the Shoalhaven, and beyond to the edge of the Deua escarpment.
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+Next day we made our way across the valley and up an easy ridge to the top of the old track leading down to Con Creek in the Deua Valley. It is difficult to find the track from above because there is no defined ridge at the start. We made our way to a blue bush ridge which indicated limestone, like the ridge we had come up at Easter, and it took us some time to find out that there were two blue bush ridges. Had we kept on to the wrong ridge we would have faced some hours of battling. Once on the right ridge we soon ran into burned cuntry, which continued for some ten miles down the river. Wherever there are cattle there are regular bush fires.
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+We camped that night on another beautiful camp site next to the Deua. Apparently the scrub burners don't operate much above this point, because the banks are intact and the river is perfectly clear and almost free of the stones, sand and gravel which is washed from a catchment constantly bared to erosion by burning. A river like this is rare now.
-F
+The old Bendethera homestead is an interesting relic of the days of Dad and Dave, built with the axe and adze and the crosscut saw, out of slabs and round bush timber. Scattered around was the discarded equipment of the era of horses - single furrow plough, diamond harrow, horse collars, an old grindstone with hand forged handle, hooks, bits of chain, camp oven etc. We found later that the equipment had all come over the track from Moruya by pack horse. We rightly surmised that, since life without a car is insufferable the farms marked on Myles Dunphy's map on the river above the road would be abandoned. There too we found the impedimenta of the days when horses, bullocks and human muscles were the only sources of farm power.
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+Our first move after putting up the tent was to go for a swim in a lovely rock pool some 20' deep and 100' long. Here a tantalising sight was seen. At our end of the pool, a couple of feet under water and a couple of yards away, nosed a trout well over a foot long. We had a small length of line and hooks, but had inadvertently omitted to buy any fishing license. Anyway the canny fish wouldn't eat worms.
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-paid off the t=i, put on our ground sheets, md headed though the mist into the wet scub in a gencraly easterly direction. Within five minutes our feet -rors wet. They strTed that way till we caught our next taxi C days later.
-Our map showed the Badja Fixer to the north west'and the Tuross.River to the South east, the distance between the rivers being about 6 miles, Both streams sported oray one mapped tributory in their upper roaches. There were 8 contour lines between us and the TurosS and three between us and the Badja, from which we inferred it was going on for 2,000 feet dawn to Turoas Falls too much o2 a cliMb to be worthwhile, a decision we were glad of later. The divide we were to follow ran in a Eeneral northr-eastly direction, but beyml that we knew nothing, Nor could we see aq)Thi
-The bush was thick, the mist was thick, and the divide almost featureless except for occasional granite outcrops covered in thick wet undergrowth. This was meant to be an easy day with our full packs (in the anticipated heat), but it was too cold to sit around.' Ilfter a couple of hours we stopped, lit a fire to warm ourselves and had a cup of tea. Not long after we found a dry spot under a granite rock where *e were glad to got out of the drizzle, light another fire, nd have lunch (Christmas dinnel'). The afternoon was much the same, except that it became fInttr and swampy. Near one swamp we were gd to find a well drained grassy rise inhabited by inouisitivo Herefords, Here we lit another fire and camped-fcvthe first time we really got' warm dnd dry. We still hadn't seen anything, nor did we till the next evening. Then we saw too mucl-).
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-The Sydney Bushwalker April 1963
- Next day we groped our way further along the divide in the mist, crossing little swamps and streams and occasionally finding timber tracks. We hoped at some stage to see an eminence called Big Badja, but visibility was almost nil. From this point we intended to turn due east along a ridge leading to the Deua Elver. Judging by the time we had taken we calculated we must be somewhere near this eastward running divide. Since we couldn't see around we could well be on, or near; Big Badja an impression that was strengthened by the fact
-that the ground was falling away to the north, where lay the Shoalhaven. There was only one may to find out - turn east and see. For a couple of hours the theory seamed to work out There were ups and dawns and much crawling through ferns and under and aver logs, but no big drop. Sometimes we started down, but came to a saddle and rose again. It seamed all right. Then we went down two or three hundred feet, and it
-was getting late. Was that water we could hear down below? A bit further, 800 feet down. Yes, it was water. Better to go down to it and camp than to get up to a dry ridge top just before dark. Down and down, steeper and steeper. Then the mist rolled away for a few minutes, and for the first time we Saw. About four miles to the north and some 2,000 feet above us there rose a mighty crag - Big Badja, of course. By the look of the country it was a tough day's walk away.
-Down we went through ferns and over rocks on a dope so 6teep we could barely cling on to-it, till at last we found our stream, noisy
-not because it was large, but because it was rushing steeply down a narrow gully without a skerrick of a bank. Camping was hopeless - the only way to progree was along the stream itself, Perhnps beyond that waterfall things would improve. But after tenminutes scramble over roots, water and rocks, things were no -better, so there was nothing for it but to crawl up the ridge on the other side. Up and up we went - getting dark now. Ofte or two places at last where we might make a camp spot. Then a little rocky shelf about three quarter way up the ridge. We all got to work, Heaved' the boulders away, pulled out the scrub, and the:be was room for the tent- rough, but flat enough to sleep. We made a fire: but cooking wasn't worth the effort in that cramped spot. Nor did we have water (though we collected some off the tent later). We were thankful just to lie down - it was too cold and wet to feel thirsty.
-By morning we wero quite ?ached to our little Dlot on the ridge, and were reluctant to resume our climb over the boulders through the cold, dripping undergrowth, But soon the scrub thinned thEi slope flattened and we sensed an improvement in our fortunes. They were in fact:, to improve an day. It was the -1:iet of de s of most enjoyable walking. In about half an hour -idu reached a track; then a timber-getter's clearing trith a hole full of clear water. The drizzle had stopped and a ray of sanshine shone through thc clouds to warm us. Soon we had a good fire going and were eating a hearty breakfast.
-April 1963 The Sydney Bushmalker 11
-.K.
-After breakfast we crossed more. svamps Keeping east (away from those gullies) we soon espied a clearing on our left: which we rightly surmised was the head of the Badja River. In the middle of the clearing, not far Off our course, was a house. In these days When every car may carry a load of shooters, fire starters, fence destroyers, or potential lost hikers, one is never sure of one's welcome in what were once the back blocks. But we decided it would be nice to know for sure that we were on the Badja, so we started towards the house. "Let's go straight across that green paccock", said Bill. But somehow John and I sunsed that the green paddock -wasn't quite mhat it looked, so we went along a track to the entrance road. As we neared the house We crossed a stream over 6' deep and about 12 wide
-flowing thrOugh the rushes which made our paddock so' green; Had we tried to cross it, only our hats would have remained above water, At the hoMestead we soon found we had come to exactly the right place. The owner,
-Mr. Bert Broadhead evidently had mostly the right kind of visitors, Most of them were trout fishermen/ some Of wham had clubbed together to build
-a hut on his property. One of them, by his description; was Bill Johnston, ex: S.B.W, member. When we were invited in for a cup of tea we felt that Christmas had really arrived. Our eyes glistened as Nrs. Broadhead cut large slices from a beautiful Christmas cake.- Mr. Broadheadr whose father had taken up the property nearly 60 years ago, operated a modern saw mill and the knew the district inside and outside. After tea we had an interesting tour of inspection, and then Er. Broadhead produced his large binoculars through which we could see the grass on Big Badja itself. There it was, reaching into the mist some L. miles away. We took a sight
-on it and listened, not quite as carefully as we should have, to Mr, Broad- head's description of the track to it. After that we lost a few minutes in one false move, but from then on found the track nearly all the way We knew when we capped that night that we were quite near the mountain; though we still couldn't see it.
-Next morning we at last ascended the misty crag. For a-few minutes the mist lifted sufficiently,to see Mr. Broadhead's property, and mountains, probably the Snowy Mountains, far beyond. The view to the South was blotted out. By the look of the contours, and what te had seen two days before, it was probably quite spectacular. No could, however, see the watershed to the east which Mr. Broadhead believed we could follow to the Deua. We could see nothing to stop us walking that ridge, but nothing to make us :want to either, though it as our original plan to do So. We could see a couple of miles of'rolling, boulder studded, ridge top, covered with burnt
-trees/ fallen logs, and thick dripping undergrowth. We had had enough of that already, so we turned north west as Mr. Broadhead hAd suggested and, about a mile along, came on to the jeep road to Snowball.' By lunch time we were on the open country at the head of the ShoRlhaven/ and by evening were in familiar country on the route we had followed the previous Easter, when we had done another old-fashioned walk from Ebruya to Krawarree,' It was delightful walking, over undulating grass and open forest country, cooled by the clouds which hid the sun and rested on the mountain tops.
-The Sydney Bushmalker Aoril 1963
-We camped on the edge of a clear stretch, over which we looked to dark hills covered in low scrub, between the two upper branches of the Shoal haven, and beyond to the edge 6f the Deua escarpment.
-Next day we made our way across the valley and up an easy ridge
-to the top of the old track leading down to Con Creek in the Deua Valley. It is difficult to find the track from above because there is no defined ridge at the start. We made our way to a blue bush ridge which indicated limestone) like the ridge we had come up at Easter) and it took us some time to find out that there were two blue bush ridges. Had we kept on to the wrong ridge we would have faced some houi-s of battling. Once on the right ridge we soon ran into burned cuntry, which continued for some ten miles down the river. Wherever there are cattle there are regulnabush fires.
-We camped that night on another beautiful camp site next to the Deua. Apparently the scrub burners don't operate much above this point, because the banks are intact and the river is perfectly clear and almost free of the stones, sand and gravel -which is washed from a catchment constantly bared to erosion by burning. A river like this is rare now.
-The old Bendethera homestead is an interesting relic of the days of Dad and Dave, built with the axe and adze and the crosscut saw, out of slabs and round bush timber. Scattered around was the discarded equipment of the era of horses  single furrow plough, diathond harrow, horse collars, an old grindstone with hand forged handle, hooks: bits of chain, camp oven etc. We found later that the equipment had all come over the track from Amayaby pack horse. We rightly surmised that, since life without a car is insufferable the farms marked on Myles Dunphy's map on the river above the road would be abandoned. There too we found the impedimenta of the days when horses, bullocks and human muscles were the only scources of farm power.
-Our first move after putting up the tent was to go for a swim in a lovely rock pool some 207 deep and 100' long. Here a tantalising sight was seen. At our and of the pool, a couple of feet under water and a couple of yards away, noeed a trout well over a foot lone. We had a small length of line and hooks, but had inadvertently omitted to buy au' fishing license. Anyway the canny fish wouldn't eat worms.
 Next day, for almost the first time, some flies arrived. It was our rest day, so we were glad to take shelter in Bill's mosquito net tent, emerging only to make cups of tea, cook dampers and wash our clothes. It seemed ages since we had left the car at Countegany. So varied had our experiences been since then that we found difficulty in recalling where we had camped on the previous nights.
-We spent that afternoon and the next two days making our way down the River to its junction with the AraIuen. It is a beautiful valley,,
-April 1963 The Sydney Bushwnlker 13
+We spent that afternoon and the next two days making our way down the River to its junction with the Araluen. It is a beautiful valley, comparable in its upper reaches to the lower Kowmung and in its lower reaches to the Cox, although it is a much higher and more open valley, consequently it is probably much cooler in summer. On the last day we came into cleared country. From here we could have followed the road into Araluen, but we preferred to follow the River all the way. It was easy walking, though erosion had taken its toll further down. What must have once been long clear deep pools, were now shallow gravelly reaches. On the Araluen the gold fossiker had added his destruction to that of the scrub burner. The result was a large expanse of bare sand, the Araluen itself flowing in a sandy bed some 10 or 20 yards wide and a few inches deep.
-corapa,rable...in- its Apper-reaches-to the lower Lawmung and-in its lower' reaches to the Cox, although it is a much higher and more open-valley,
-consequently it is probably much cooler in summer. On the last day we
+Mr. Wildey, the taxi proprietor whom we had engaged three weeks before to take us back to Tarago, arrived dead on time. He was a very interesting guide. Araluen itself, he told us, once had a population of 70,000. It was now reduced to two little groups of old houses together with a few shops and a hotel or two, each group separated by about half a mile. Dotted over the flat valley landscape are the remains of some miner's huts, stone fire places, and some exotic trees, planted by the miners. There are large mounds of gravel. No doubt almost the whole valley floor was sifted for the yellow metal. Above the valley we passed an old blockhouse with slits in the walls for the guns of the riflemen within, defending their gold against bushrangers. We went through Braidwood, a town out of last century, then past the large estates of the wealthy early settlers and the wealthy city tycoons of today.
--
-came into cleared country. From here we could-have- followed the road
+And so back to another train. This time a modern stainless steel one which whisked us quickly, though by no means smoothly, back to Central in four hours. How nice to observe the rat race on the road from a train window!
-into AraIuen; but we preferred to follow the River all the way, It- was easy walking, though erosion had taken ita- tcal further down What must have once been long clear deep, pools, were now shallow- gravelly reaches. On the Araluen the gold fossiker had added his destruction to that of the scrub burner. The result was a large expanse of bare sand, the Araluen itself flowing in a sandy bed some 10 or 20 yards wide and a few inches deep.
-Mr. Nildey, the taxi proprietor wham we had engaged three reeks before to take us back to Tarago, rrived dead on time He was a very interesting guide. AraIuen itself, he told us: once had a population of 70,000. It was now reduced to two little grouns of old houses together with a few Shops and a hotel or two; each group separated by
+We had covered some 70-80 miles, done about 50 river crossings, and arrived back tired but happy. I always think it is a good walk if you feel a bit lost when the party breaks up at Central, and this was no exception. I keep recalling views and incidents on the walk, and I will go on doing so. One may forget nearly all the days in one's life, but a day's walk is never quite forgotten.
-about half a mile. Dotted over the flat valley landscape are the remains of some miner's huts, stone fire places, and some exotic trees; planted by the miners. There are large mounds of gravely No doubt almost the whole valley floor was sifted for the yellow metal,, Above the valley we passed an old blockhouse with slits in the walls for the guns of the riflemen within, defending their gold 'against bushrangers0 ffe went through Braidvood, a to out of last century, then past the large estates of the wealthy early settlers and the wealthy city tycoons of today.
-And so back to another train. This time a modern stli inless steel
+Back in town I was pleased to find that for a few more easy payments, a new lawn mower, on which one can sit while the works whirr beneath, is now available to tired business men and others. A car to the office, a seat at the desk, a car home, a seat on the lawnmower for fresh air and exercise, and a run on the bitumen on Sunday. No walking at all! Isn't Progress wonderful!
-one which whisked us quickly, though by no means smoothly, back to Central in four hours. How nice to observe the rat race on the road from a train window:
-We had covered some 70-80 miles, done about 50 river crossings, and arrived back tired but happy,, I always think it is 'a good walk if you feel a bit lost when the party breaks up at Central, and thia was no exception. I keep recalling views and incidents on the walk, and 'I will go on doing so. One may forget nearly all the days in one's life, but a day's walk is never quite forgotten.
+----
-Back in town I was pleased to find that for a few more easy paments, a new lawn mower/ on which one can sit while the works whirr beneath, is now available to tired business men and others A car to the office, a seat at the desk, a car home, a seat on the lawnmower for fresh air and exercise, and a run on the bitumen on Sunday, No walking at all: Isn't Progress wonderful!
-...-eirsha.,-)...
-+ The Sydney Bushwalker April 1963
 REUNION =CET
  Capon