SBW Magazine & History Project

A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers, Northcote House, Reiby Place, Circular Quay, Sydney. Postal address: Box 4476, G.P.O. Sydney, N.S.W. 2001.

By The Editor.

Well, with the Walks Secretary and most of the Committee away in either New Zealand or Tasmania, and the rest planning their trips to New Hebrides and the suchlike, the job of writing about impending greats in the walking field has fallen to me. Which reminds me, could all contributors to next month's magazine please have their articles in early, say, by 10th February. I'm going on holidays, and don't intend sticking around to wait for late contributions.

If you can't swim, my good friend, I'm afraid February is going to be a washout for you on the walking front; so you'd better take up Tiddlywinks. Of the eleven trips programmed for the coming month, eight involve swimming.

February 5th, 6th, 7th. Intrepid explorer Brian Griffiths will be taking to the mountains this weekend with a mighty 20 mile trip down the Kowmung River, Morong Deep, Megalith Ridge, Boyd River. Don't forget your water wings.

Two Sunday trips are set down, and rather in contrast to each other. You can “Go west young man” with Esme Biddulph on her 3 miles very easy Surprise Historical outing. The other trip on the 7th is “good old Claustral” with its bombing, abseiling down waterfalls, and one reasonably long swim. But remember, you must be able to swim, and don't forget a nice big plastic bag to wrap up all your gear. Lynne Wyborn is the leader.

February 1212, 13th, 14. Gerry Sinzig is loading a trip Jerrara Creek, Bungonia Gorge, Shoalhaven River, Barbers Crook, South Marulan - 18 miles. Again swimming is a must, so if you're a weak swimmer, or likely to have trouble in the water, don't' bother.

All prospectives who haven't yet done their Instructional should be signing up for the Lake Eckersley Instructional to be under the direction of Barbara Bruce and Jim Brown. On Sunday the Annual Swimming Carnival will combine with the Instructional to make it a Gala Day. The Carnival part of it will be run by Nan Bourke, who will, as usual, win all the prizes.

February 19th, 20th, 21st. Alan Hedstrom will be leading a nice easy swimming trip down on the meandering Wollondilly. Don't forget your togs.

Two Sunday trips are programmed: one to be lea by the Walks Secretary himself, who should by then be back from Mountaineer School. It's another canyon trip, so polish up those carabiners, and air out your canyon packs. The other Sunday trip is one of David Cotton's now famous bee-keeping trips to Darke's Forest. Especially recommended if you have a sweet tooth.

February 26th, 27th, 28th. This last weekend in February has Mad Marion (Lloyd) leading a 9 miles easy trip again to the Wollondilly River from the Wombeyan Caves Road. It should be good.

The Sunday walk is to the wilds of Burning Palms, under the leadership of Sammy Hinde.

- Jim Brown.

The names of no less than seven new members graced the beginning of the last meeting of 1970: what's more, five of them were there to be welcomed - Beryl Hand, Jan Hall, Len Berlin, Claire Howden and Pat Kaye; while Elizabeth Priestley and Max Crisp received honourable mention.

From the November minutes the only matter arising was Phill Butt's comment that he had attended the meeting to discuss the future of huts in Kosciusko State Park and would report later in the meeting. Out of Correspondence came some reassurance from the Nurses Association that they had not as yet any word of demolition of the building, but would let us know as soon as they could when something did occur. The Treasurer's statement for November showed a closing balance of $1,482, and then we were tackling the Walks Report.

November walking began with Ray Hookway's jaunt from Kanangra into the Kowmung below Cambage Spire: there were 12 People, the water was cold, and only two lilos were brought; it also rained. On Sunday David Cotton had 21 in his party on one of the variants of bee-spotting and walking in Darkes Forest. The experiences included rain, honey from the comb direct, and “it's your own fault if you get stung.”

The second week end included Peter Franks journey into the range between Wolgan and Capertee valleys, with 15 citizens - reported in November's magazine, and on Sunday Sheila Binns with party of 10 came down Kangaroo Creek. That same Sunday Jim Callaway's day walk from Audley to Lilyvale was conducted in showery conditions.

Between 20th and 22nd November Anne O'Leary's Splendour Rock - Cox's River trip went as scheduled, notwithstanding some “navigational problems” and misty conditions - about 13 people present. An instructional weekend conducted by Betty Farquhar had 18 folk, including 11 prospectives, and your reporter had a day walk through some lantana (again) on the shelf between Bulgo and Stanwell Park - 13 present.

Came the last week end, and the notorious occasion of Owen Marks regiment of 53 at Bindook and Tomat. They descended from Tomat in “five waves of about 10” to diminish the risk of injury from rolling rocks. Unfortunately, some gates were left open on the trail alongside the Wollondilly, and the farmers were more than a little annoyed. There were still 11 people left to do Spiro Ketas' distant day walk in Megalong on the last Sunday in pleasant weather - for a change!

Of Federation affairs, Ray Hookway,reported insurance cover of up to $10,000 had been arranged for searchers “provided you did die more than five times in a year”. There were proposals under discussion for a Tri-State trail (N.S.W., Victoria and A.C.T. - from the Baw Baws to the area): new maps of the Katoomba and Hampton areas on 2-in. to the mile were available, and the next Federation Reunion would be held in Wolgan Valley.

Phil Butt gave report on the Kosciusko huts meeting, which was well attended by groups representing a variety of interests. Mainly they espoused three points of view - those who wanted many more roads and much development, those who would prefer road access to remain much as it is, and others like the Perisher Valley Association who were mainly interested in the tourist and accommodation facilities now existing. It had been decided to form a Hut Association to co-ordinate maintenance and look to the design of any future buildings. Some clubs may undertake to care for a particular hut. The Park Trust had showed a good deal of interest in the various points, and had raised questions about disposal of rubbish and food dumping at huts.

Phil also commented on the Tri-State Trail project, saying some work was in progress in Victoria on the southern extremity from the Baw Baws to Bogong High Plains.

Now it was General Business, with David Ingram remarking that, if our accommodation position became difficult, there was a possibility of securing a hall at Sydney Technical College. Owen Marks questioned the insurance of his new pride and joy, the duplicator, and was assured by the President that cover of about $400 was being arranged. With that, and Barbara Bruce's reminder of activities of the Colong Committee and its need for financial support, the meeting came to a tranquil closure at 9.20.

Farmers at Barallier (opposite Tony Carlon's) have been ordering cars off the land, even though it is a public right of way. It has been suggested that this action is a result of the recent episode when three gates were left open by a party of Bushwalkers going through. It happened through a misunderstanding, but the fact remains, it should not have happened. Remember the rule: gates should be left as they are found. And the only way to ensure this is for the person opening any gate to also close it. Don not take it for granted that others will understand.

If anyone knows of the whereabouts of Bruce Stuart, of Dunedin, N.Z., a member of the Otago University Tramping Club now walking in New South Wales, will they advise, or request him to contact: Ray Hookway, Phone 20333 Ext. 232 (B) or 644-6849 (H)

- Allan Wyborn.

“The Nadgee Faunal Reserve, No. 6, is in the South-Eastern corner of the State, having a total area of about 28,802 acres, the largest of our Faunal Reserves to date. Its appreciable size makes it a very worthwhile factor in the Wildlife Conservation Programme of New South Wales, and it could be of the highest value, not only in the matter of preservation and breeding of wildlife, but in the more important field of education. The Reserve is well protected, having the Merrica River as its northern boundary, the seaboard on the east, a State Forest on the west, and a vast swamp area south of the Victorian border. The Forestry Commission is interested in the land north of the Merrica, and there are moves to place the Victorian land under a National Park, contiguous with the Mallacoota National Park. These are both important moves. A variety of habitats occur in Nadgee, which is well watered, and reasonably protected by virtue of its isolation from destructive human activities. The main body of the Reserve is so well encircled by the Table Range that, with the cooperation of the Forestry Commission on the western side, entrance to the Reserve is made from the north, with an access road of twelve miles from the Prince's Highway, 16 miles south of Eden, to Merrica Administration Centre.” (end of quote from Nature Reserves booklet no. 2)

It was Christmas Eve 1970 when Alice & I arrived at the Centre, after a 350 mile drive from Sydney. By coincidence it is 350 miles to a mile also from Melbourne via the Princes Highway. Here we were met by Chief Ranger David Hope and Assistant Ranger Paul Scobie. They enquired about our crossing of Merrica River, as most of the stones in the fording had been washed away in the 11“ rain which had recently fallen. They were isolated by the flooded river for a whole week - it could be hazardous crossing after a lot of rain. Mrs. Hope's tame joey kangaroo came over to see the visitors.

We were received in the Visitors Office and asked to sign on the dotted line. This was a “Permit to Visit Parts of a Faunal Reserve Not Usually available to the Public.” The purpose of the permit was-

1. Camping at Newton's Visitors Centre.

2. Walking and enjoying the wilderness.

It must be emphasised that permission must be obtained to go to Nadgee. We had written to Mr. Hope a month before and given our reasons for wanting to enter. Also accommodation is very much restricted.

The conditions for entry are worth recording:-

Special Conditions:

Special care with fire. Burn all waste matter possible. Avoid stream pollution. No specimen collection.

Ordinary Conditions:

Cause no unnecessary noise. Dogs not permitted to accompany party. No fires other than in official fireplaces. Firearms or means of taking fauna not permitted on reserve. No divergence from tracks unless authorised. Camping only in places authorised.

On the Bottom of the permit:-

“Wildlife Conservation Saves for Tomorrow's People”.

Camping at Merrica is not encouraged, so we went on six miles to Wally Newtons Visitors Centre, going down a steep but hard dirt road. There were only two other campers there during our stay - what a change to all the other places down the coast at Xmas! The camping area at Newtons is delightfully set in a glade about 400 yards from the boom of the surf. There are no huts, only made fireplaces are visible, and a map on a post. In fact the whole place at Nadgee spells - unspoiled, by human hands. Clear water comes from Wirra Birra Creek nearby. Under a log in the centre of the camping ground is a family of tame black snakes, after fed by the Ranger. In the mornings and evenings the grey kangaroos (mac-ropus major), some seven feet high, come out to graze and we could approach them to within ten feet. More timid were the red necked wallaby and black wallaby, keeping in the background. Rabbits and goannas roamed free, and lyre birds were strutting around in the scrub - most of which was impenetrable to humans even if we were allowed off the tracks - and Ground (swamp) Parrots on the heath.

The birdlife was most plentiful up in the trees, particularly the bellbirds, also black and red cockatoos, crimson rosellas, and many others.

Christmas day dawned with great promise - a clear sky after dull ,days - the summer's heat tempered by a cool north easterly breeze. We walked down the coast track four miles to Little River Inlet to stop at the clear lagoon for a swim. Back to the main track which goes inland over Little River to skirt the South Arm in a wide are and return to the coastline. Crossing the Little River Inlet would save this skirting of about four miles, but it is a delightful walk through tall timbers and ferns, not to mention the large colony of bell birds in there. On to the Nadgee, a delightful old selection about four miles up the Nadgee River from the sea. Jim Palmer used to live here before the Reserve, was declared, he being a relative of my friends the Singletons. The site of his house in a lovely clearing is marked by a concrete floor slab, and now a Ranger's Hut is nearby, called “Arry's 'Ut”. Lyre birds were plentiful here even at midday. Camping is permitted only by special permission. From here the track leads south to the Salt Lake and Cape Howe right on the border, another 18 miles return, making it too much for one day, so we returned to Newton's Beach by the way we had come, making it 18 miles for the day.

Next day we took the nature trail north, at the back of Newton's Beach Lagoon, and after crossing Mountain Gum Creek followed the Jane Spiers Nature Trail past Jane Spiers Beach, so called after the shipwreck of the “Jane Spiers” in that locality. The trail winds through fairly open timber to rejoin the road at the top of the ridge. We then followed the road inland and branched up to the top of Tumbledown Mountain, elevation 1100ft, and about two miles inland. From here there is an extensive view south over the Nadgee River and moors to Cape Howe, and in the far distance we could see the lighthouse on Gabo Island. The view north into Disaster Bay shows Green Cape Lighthouse, but is largely excluded by trees. We returned to Newton's via the road for an easy eight mile stroll.

On our last day in the Reserve we arose at 4.30 am and walked 3/4 mile north along the beach to get round the cliffs to the Devonian Caves at low tide, with the sun in the east for photos of the caves. However the storms had pulled the sands away from the cliff base, leaving the ocean too deep to approach the caves. A boat would be needed to photograph the archways leading into the caves, and even then a much calmer sea. However the coloured strata in the cliffs made good photographs.

Driving back to Merrica we left the vehicle, and walked 3 1/2 miles down another nature trail to tile Merrica Inlet, a beautiful spot hemmed in by wooded headlands and cliffs. It had been hot walking, so we swam in the lagoon and then lunched. We later went round the southern headland to the first creek entering the ocean. By some quirk of nature this creek has been diverted from its original course to the ocean, and now goes through a tunnel about 100' long, up to 15' high and down to 4' wide through the solid rock. Waves roar into the tunnel from the ocean, causing a hasty retreat after taking photos. On the way back to Merrica in the heat, we were stopped by a nice rock pool on Wombat Creek, when Ranger Hope arrived in his landrover, and we got a lift back to Merrica. Here we said goodbye to the Hopes, after receiving notes on Nadgee and charts of animals and birds.

One more visit was to be made on our way up the coast. Just before Bega we turned off to Tathra on the ocean front and proceeded north to Tanja. Here we met John Cremerius, the enthusiastic conservationist manager of Pender's Timber Preservation and Wildlife Refuge. He is working hard for a far South Coast National Park, and currently to preserve the area around Nelson Lake. He is an inspired man with marvellous ideas on conservation. At Pender's all trees are raised from seed, and as timber is taken it is replaced in a continuous process. The final timber product is preserved by chemicals inserted by a pressure gun, and the whole thing is highly scientific. We saw groves of Sydney bluegum and other trees in cultured rows, but maintaining the moisture with light ground cover of grasses. The bushland here is a wonderful place for wildlife, and is outstanding against some of the adjacent countryside. John has offered a fully conducted tour of the property by appointment, and can be reached care of the P.O. Tanja via Bega.

- Ray Hookway.

No it is not the first line of a popular Mexican song nor is it a pedestrian's curse on all motorists but it is an introduction to an irritating subject that is of particular importance at this time of the year.

On a recent trip to Barrington Tops all four members of our party became unwelcome hosts to several hungry (or is it thirsty?) Paralysis ticks (Ixodus holocyclus). Subsequent discussions revealed a lamentable lack of knowledge of these parasites and sparked a little research.

The following notes on the intriguing life cycle of the Tick and of the symptoms and treatment of its bite, were extracted from Ion Staunton's informative book, “All about Australian spiders.” by kind permission of the author and of the publishers, Ure Smith Pty Ltd. This fascinating book from the “Factfinder” series is strongly recommended to all those interested in Australian insects and at $1.85 it is remarkable value.

The Paralysis tick is distributed along the east coast from Queensland to Tasmania but rarely south of Lakes Entrance Victoria. It appears to be most abundant on the central coastal plain from Kempsey to Wollongong.

Tick poisoning causes many deaths to domestic animals as well as discomfort, illness and infrequently death to humans.

It is interesting to note that the number of recorded deaths due to tick bite is greater than that for either the redback or the funnelweb spider. However most deaths due to ticks have occurred in children of up to three years of age.

There are four distinct development stages in a ticks life cycle. Viz. egg, larva, nymph and adult. Continuity of growth is dependent upon a blood meal by larvae to become nymphs and nymphs to become adults. The adult female must also be engorged on blood before eggs can be produced. The adult male does not appear to feed on blood, preferring perhaps dead skin tissue or epithelial cells, and is distinctive in that it has a large shield or plate which covers its entire upper body surface. In the adult female, and in both larval and nymphal stages, this plate only covers about one third of the upper body surface.

Eggs are laid in very moist situations such as under bark and debris. A female may lay up to 3,000 eggs which hatch in 40-60 days but this depends upon the prevailing temperature and humidity conditions.

The Larvae are often referred to as Seed Ticks and measure about 1/20” in length. They have six legs and after a short time during which the skin hardens they climb onto the foliage of plants, and it is from these situations that animals brushing by, pick them up. They insert their mouthparts into the tissue of the selected host and commence to withdraw blood. It appears that the larval stage requires a native host such as a bandicoot, kangaroo or possum for its blood meal. However the latter stages are not so host specific. After feeding for a period of 4-6 days they fall to the ground.

When the larva moults it may remain for an extended period in the moist vegetation before being picked up by a warm blooded animal. This period varies from 15-40 days. The Nymph measures about 1/10“ and has eight legs. It also selects a position on an animal, becomes engorged on blood after 4-7 days and then voluntarily falls to the vegetation again in moist situations where it moults.

The Adult female tick, after a period in the moist vegetation again becomes attached to a host and commences to feed. The period of engagement is quite variable being from 6-20 days.

The tick becomes attached to its host by inserting the sharp mouthparts, which bear backward-projecting barbs, thus retaining it in place during feeding. At the same time a material is injected from the salivary glands of the tick to prevent the coagulation of blood which would cause the fine mouthparts to become clogged. It is this anticoagulant, and perhaps other materials, which are toxic to animals. Fatal paralysis in mice has been produced experimentally by injecting them with fluid from the salivary glands of ticks. The tick does not burrow into the skin but because there is localised swelling of the skin the tick appears to be embedded deeply.

The initial symptoms develop about 24 hours after attachment, but this depends on the number of ticks and to some extent to the reaction of the individual.

1. Headache develops, particularly when the tick is present in the scalp.

2. Inability to read or focus the eyes properly.

3. General malaise.

4. Later blurring of vision occurs and weakness in the limbs gradually increases to paralysis after 4 days.

5. Death may be due to lower motor neurone paralysis by the tick poison. Involvement of the muscles of respiration usually proceeds death.

1. Remove the tick. This is best done with a fine pair of forceps which should be inserted below the body of the tick, seizing its head and mouthpart region and pulling it firmly sideways. Avoid, pressing the tick body, lest more venom be squeezed into the tissue. The use of irritants such as kerosene, oil, etc are not favoured.

1. Injection of canine tick serum. 1M 20m1.

This serum should only be used where there is a strong possibility of fatal results.

A subcutaneous skin test should be carried out first. If no reaction is observed after 30 mins the full dose can be administered and the patient closely observed for a further 30 minutes. Serum sickness has been known to occur up to 10 days after the administration.

In children up to 2-3 years with paralysis the dose is 20m1s, given by intramuscular injection. In older children the dose is correspondingly larger.

When you suspect that you have been in tick infested country it is wise to carry out several tick searches of your body over a period of several days, as ticks may become attached to clothing, sleeping bags, etc and may not attach themselves to your skin immediately.

Favourite locations are in the folds of skin near the groin, on the scalp, in the ears, or even in the mouth.

Perhaps future Barrington walks may conclude with a communal “Tick-out” held in the bar of the Dungog hotel. Who knows?

If so Happy hunting…..

Oh. For those 7ho may have read this far and are still wondering.

The tick is of the order Acarina, of the class Arachnida and a person unfortunate enough to be infested ticks is suffering Acariasis.

I would never have gone on this trip apart from the fact that having accompanied Owen Marks on his romp dawn Tomat Creek I felt very fit and adventurous! I therefore rang up Don Finch on the Monday morning to get his approval and that was that. Here matters rested until Wednesday evening at the Club when Spiro Ketas and others were pessimistically urging people without abseiling experience, like myself, not to go. That was the first stage of disillusionment, the second being when Don, Ian Guthridge and John Campbell started to discuss the trip in all its technical aspects, I was out of my depth. I felt like sneaking away and forgetting the whole affair but I'd, unfortunately, opened my big mouth, which I do quite frequently saying - I'm going on Don's trip this weekend - and I try not to go back on my words.

Anyway, before I knew it, I was being bundled into Don's car on Friday evening and we were off. The trip down was made interesting by Leslie Wood's apparent craving for beer and indeed we did make a couple of stops, arriving at the campsite, just off the Kanangra Road, at about 10.30. Frank and Joan Rigby had already arrived and wore asleep.

Peter Levander and his crew arrived at 8.00 the next morning, with the car bonnet held slightly open with an arrangement of string and lumps of wood. Apparently the car had boiled at Katoomba and Blackheath and lost its oil at Jenolan Caves. But they survived and the twelve of us: Don, Heather Smith, Leslie, John Campbell, Ian Guthridge, Ross Templeton, Peter Frank and Joan, two Kiwis by the name of David and Paul, and myself, set off.

To reach Dannae Brook we had to 'scrub bah' it up a hill for about half-a-mile and it was quite warm going. When we reached it I was a bit disappointed as it was apparently not a very large creek, but I was to learn. There was a short walk along the creek to the first abseil which was a forty-footer. At this point Frank and Joan decided to return home - and then there was ten.

Leslie then pulled on her 'Glad-bag' dress which gave me a surprise as I'd thought of the same idea on Thursday and thought I'd patent it. As it happened about five other members of the party had beaten me to it. Very inventive - bushwalkers.

Ross, Ian and John were quickly down and then it was my turn. Don showed me how to arrange the rope ii the krab and I was off. I STUMBLED at first through hugging the rock face but one you lean back it's pretty easy and it's a great feeling. At this stage there was an ominous cloud build up and it became quite cool.

The rock faces formed a kind of passage-way, about six-foot wide closed at one end by the platform we were standing on. There was a seventy-foot abseil to the floor of the 'passage' which looked quite interesting. We were standing on a platform which was cut away underneath and therefore for the first twenty foot of the abseil it was quite easy to descend but then it was really a case of 'free-falling' on the rope. The abseil terminated in a pool which Don had assured us was ankle-deep but he must have queer ankles for there was about four foot of water in it. At this point it began to rain and grow colder. There was a struggle to retrieve the rope and it was a relief when it came.

Immediately following this there was another abseil and this was probably one of the highlights of the expedition for it was through a waterfall about which I hadn't been told. Over we went abseiling normally for about thirty foot and then there was no rock. It had been cut away and the creek just poured over in quite a large fall. Here one felt the full forces of the water and one did a fast forty-foot abseil literally immersed in water. This part surprised quite a few of us, just being surrounded by water and apparently being pounded to bits. It was a welcome moment when your foot touched the rock at the fall's base. John had lost his glasses during the abseil but our intrepid leader went back under the fall and found them in about three foot of water - undamaged. The act of a true gentleman!

We had lunch at the base and it was a very difficult job getting a fire lit but David, one of the Kiwis, proved himself to be master of the situation. A communal soup kitchen was set up and about five varieties of soup went into the pots but it was the best soup I've ever eaten.

After lunch we walked about one hundred yards along a ledge and then we abseiled again. Dannae Brook falls a tremendous distance in a very short stretch and we abseiled down the rock face forming one side of the canyon with the creek at the bottom. We abseiled about eighty foot onto a ledge whereupon the packs were lowered, by rope, onto another ledge approximately forty-foot above the creek and Heather accidentally knocked her pack over the edge and it landed in a pool at the bottom. As you may well imagine it didn't do the contents much good. A short abseil on a single rope and the creek was reached.

Te then walked a short distance to reach Dannae Falls, there being a couple of short twenty-foot abseils - through water again - and a couple of very short swims on the way. Abseiling down alongside the Falls was very good, just right to terminate the day. When we attempted to retrieve the rope it snagged and there is, therefore, a one hundred-and twenty foot rope hanging beside the falls. So if, perchance, some observant person, whilst abseiling down Dannae Brook, just happens to notice a one hundred and twenty foot rope apparently doing nothing at the Falls I'm sure Don Finch would be most happy to hear from them.

The campsite that night was about ten feet square and there was, therefore, not much room to sleep. Don, having grabbed the best spot, sent most of the party to scrape sleeping spaces amongst the rocks. Of course tents couldn't be pitched and it began to rain at about 8.15. Everyone was in sleeping bags by half-past. As far as I can tell it rained all night and there were quite a few wet sleeping bags the next morning. A very miserable night.

On Sunday morning we had to scramble down onto the canyon floor which is a very tricky descent, strewn everywhere with boulders. There was only one abseil on Sunday and five members of the party, including myself, attempted to “White-ant”, for it terminated in a waist deep pool and it wasn't the weather for swimming. Of the five, only Ian Guthridge found a way round over the top and we had to swim after all. After walking a mile along the creek we had lunch at the Dannae-Kanangra Creek junction. There were several attempts to spear, or stone, trout in the creek but alas, we had no success.

After lunch, we had an 1800' climb out of the canyon and a very damp climb it was too. There was mist at the top and a steady drizzle while we walked along the ridge top. The last stretch of the trip was along the Kanangra Road for a couple of miles to the cars.

It was a very good trip, marred only by the inclement weather, but even that in a way was pleasant now that one can look back on it. Time is a great healer: even as I'm writing this I'm thinking of how I cursed the trip on Sunday, only just over 24 hours away, but now I wouldn't mind doing it again. I think I've caught the notorious “Abseiling-bug” and I've been eagerly scouring the walks programme for trips requiring ropework.

Anyway, to close I'd like to thank Don for a very well-organised and enjoyable trip - I'm very glad I did it.

Have you paid us a visit yet?

At 167 Pacific Highway, North Sydney, we are conveniently located for all Northsiders, and not too far away from the city for Southsiders. We'd be more than happy to welcome you, and show you what we've got.

And what we have got is the very best available. Sleeping bags (FAIRY DOWN of course), and have you seen our NEW HIGH LOAD PACK, Priced at only $27.50. It weighs. only 3lb 10 oz.

All the best gear for walking, climbing, canoeing etc. We've got the lot!

Mountain Equipment. 167 Pacific Highway, North Sydney, N.S.W. Ph. 929-6504

- Ray Hookway.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and correspondence dealt with - nothing out of the ordinary.

Receipt for $94 was received from the G.I.O. covering insurance for S & R activities. Any person who signs the attendance register at a Search and Rescue incident is covered. Coverage of the total number of people is unlimited i.e. any number can play…. Full details of the coverage are given in the Federation Notes of the December magazine.

Balance in the General Account is $1,750, whilst the balance in S & R Account is $100. The final Ball profit was given as $142, and the Raffle profit was $203. Paddy Pallin still has to be paid $25 for the prize from the above amount. A cheque for $121 was presented to S & R representing proceeds from recent films.

The short-changed rope has been replaced by the supplier. Two stretchers manufactured by members have been donated to the S & R Section; value is possibly $200. A motion was passed to pay affiliation fees for the Association of Rescue Clubs. Some new gear has been acquired including 10 carabiners and 3 dumers.

The President reported on the meeting held at Sawpit Creek (was to have been at White's River hut but due to large attendance and inclement weather venue was changed). Main theme of the conference was regarding the huts in the park, and the future policy to be adopted. There were three main points of view presented:-

1. Commercialisation of tops with better style of huts.

2. Status quo to be maintained, with Spartan huts.

3. Perisher Valley type.

The Snowy Mountains Authority gauging stations are all to be removed. Consensus of opinion was to retain the status quo until more thinking on the subject can be done. A group was formed to draw up a constitution for a Kosciusko Huts Association to plan future huts and hut maintenance. This constitution is to be presented in February or March. The group formed will manage maintenance of huts by asking Clubs to take the responsibility of maintaining one hut. Discussion was also had regarding the tri-State trail from Tidbinbilla in New South Wales to the Baw Baws in Victoria via Tom Groggins, the Barry Mountains, Bogong High Plains, and Mt. Wills. A second idea was via the Cobberas to the Pilot. Federation moved that we write to the Victorian Government Tourist Bureau suggesting the original route via Cobberas.

Krawaree, Snowball Lands Dept. 1/25000.

New Hawkesbury tourist map in 8 colours includes a lot of revisions including fire roads.

Jamison 2”:miles reprinted, Katoomba ditto is to be issued this month, as is Hampton ditto.

The Roundhouse was proposed as venue for the next Ball.

The Wolgan Valley was chosen as site for the next Reunion.

By Observer.

Ian Stephen took a hurried trip by aeroplane from Djakarta and is now taking a spell in St. Vincents Hospital. Observer is not sure what it is that Ian is suffering from, but he would probably be pleased to have a visitor or two to cheer him up.

Ken Ellis is back from his world meanderings, after a forced short holiday in India, where he lived on tea and biscuits for a while. He was in Sydney, but has now returned to work at Weipa, on the top of Australia.

Roger Gowing is still away, and at last report was picking oranges in Israel with some Generals there - hasn't been caught up in the fighting as yet though.

Anne O'Leary, we hear, has been given a new appointment in Canberra, and will therefore be taking up residence shortly in the Nation's capital. We hope she has a large guest room to accommodate passers through.

Ken Chapman and Judy Simpson were recently married, and a good spattering of the bushwalking fraternity were present at their wedding. They are now living at Eastwood, and we wish them all the best for many years of wedded bliss.

By Jean A. Titton (Copied, with her permission, by Esme Biddulph)

Rippling waters softly sing
Laughing, gurgling, chattering,
Ferns all bright with sparkling spray
Quiver and bow along the way.

Bell birds, whipbirds, magpies, call
While sparrow hawks soar over all.
Tread softly and you may espy
A lyre bird on his mound so high.

Dainty wrens decked out in blue,
Parakeets of wondrous hue,
Bower birds so very shy,
Flash away as you pass by.

Up there in the gum trees gaunt,
You will hear the jackass taunt,
The lizards laughing as they pass
Darting through the leaves and grass.

In a cool and shady dell
There the pale lush violets dwell
And orchids bright in gold array
Run riot where the sunbeams play.

Spider bush of pink and mauve
Is there beside a wattle grove.
Mint bush blue and wild rice white
All colours blend to give delight.

Australia you're my heart's own land
With plains and mountain ranges grand.
May God protect your land and sea
And ever keep your people free.

- Barbara Bruce.

The January meeting of Committee did not interview any Prospective Members. This was not due to the fact that by the time of the meeting I was well into the beauty that is Tasmania. I gave it a cursory thought however; very cursory.

At the General Meeting in January Max Crisp and Elizabeth Priestly received their badges and were welcomed by the Club, as they had not been present in December.

During December the following joined as Prospective Members:-

Peter Chorley, Terry Donohoe, Don Hitchcock, Peter Sanderson, Connie and Geoffrey Smith, and Colin Walpole.

I hope you all might enjoy some of the easier walks on the Summer programme. Then you should be reasonably fit and more capable of tackling your test walks later on, when the weather is cooler and more amenable to harder walking.

I would like to draw to the attention of the next list of Prospectives the fact that they should now be applying for full membership - or seeing me about an extension - Quickly!

Kurt Bieri, Jane Butcher, Ken Hebblewhite, Sylvia Ledger, Bernard Rostron, Helen Smith, Peter Thomson, Jim Ward.

(Extract from “The Australian Financial Review 3/11/70.)

The limestone deposits at Colong in the N.S.W. Blue Mountains would not be developed by the local Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers until the company “was sure there was no alternative”.

Sir John Reiss, a member of the board of APCM (Australia), and chairman of the parent company in the U.K. said this in Sydney yesterday.

Sir John denied suggestions that his visit was a result of conservationist pressure in the U.K.

“I can assure you I was coming at this time, irrespective of any conservationist whatever,” Sir John said.

“I come from a very small island with too many people. The conservationist movement is well established in England: for example, we have a thing called the Council for the Preservation of Rural England. I'm quite aware of these facts of life; I myself am a lover of the countryside too.”

A Happy New Year To All!

The time will soon be here that you're planning your autumn and winter walks, so there's no time like the present to make sure all your gear in in shipshape order.

We have a full range of bushwalking and camping equipment, designed to meet your every need. and what we have has been designed with years of experience behind us.

For the new walker also we can help you get started on the right foot, with quality equipment you know you can trust.

Paddy Pallin Pty. Ltd.

69 Liverpool Street, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.

Phones: 26-2685, 26-2686, 61-7215.