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6/ctse)60-0Ae,t- A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to The Sydney Bush- walkers, 14 Atchison Street, St Leon.ards. POSTAL ADDRESS : Box 44769 G.P.O. SYDNEY, N.S.W. 2001. OCTOBER 1971. Editor: Jim Brown, 103 Gipps Street, Drummoyne. Tel. 81-2675 Typist: Gladys Roberts. Duplication: Jim Vatiliotis. Business Manager: Ramon U'brien, 7/25 Batbrook Road, Auburn Tel. 888-6444 (Business) IN THIS ISSUE. Page 2 4 6 7 9 10 11 13 15 16 17 18 From the Editor At the September General Meeting Mountain Equipment Advertisement From Running Stream to Culoul Range Pat Harrison Poem to the Editor Ken Ellis Ausventure - Staff Required - Advertisement Things are not always what they seem ht. Bacon Book Review and letter from …… David Peacock Coming Walks Pat Harrison Paddy's Advertisement Federation Notes The position at Coolana Ramon UlBrien Enquiries regarding Club Marcia Shappert Tel. 30-2028 Page 2 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER October, 1971. ' From the Editor A CONSTITUTIONAL CONTRADICTION - (3) “… and Stamina?” In last month's Editorial comment it was suggested the Club was on good grounds in discouraging temperamentally incompatible people from gaining membership, but it was not so easy to reconcile the Constitutional provisions demanding a certain standard of physical performance with the implied invitation to all interested in walking in the bush, as expressed in the “Objects” of the Club. This requirement of physical capacity is conveyed not only by the demand that test walks be accomplished, but is underlined by the need for a nominator to report on a prospective's “stamina”. It is worth noting that the word is “stamina” - that is, staying power, not “speed” or “strength”. In support of this requirement of physical endurance, it may be argued that, except in cases of illness or injury, a member should be capable of completing any trip undertaken without becoming a burden on the party or leader. A member, yes - but that can scarcely apply to an inexperienced newcomer, who cannot be expected to know if his physical capacity is equal to a trip of unknown proportions. In any case, the trip that proves too much early in his prospective membership may be something he will accomplish with ease a few months later. It may also be urged that it is desirable to exclude weaklings and cripples, yet quite a few respected members have been people of indifferent physique, and several have suffered from serious dis- abilities. If it be accepted that there is justification for demanding a measure of physical fitness, probably the best and fairest way of gauging it is by test walks, as the Club has done from its early years. It follows that there should be a wide variety of trips on the programme, allowing the complete novice to make a steady progression through easy day walks where he can acclimatize; moderate day test walks to get launched on the business of qualifying without being ruined? leisurely camps so that he can get used to carrying a weekend pack, and find out what he should take; and finally, week-end test walks sensibly geared to a prospective's increasing experience and capacity. If some of these set out on a Saturday, so much the better. Unfortunately, in any six months period it would be a rarety to find such a diversity of walks in a sequence that would be suitable to a beginner. If some of the quite numerous members who enjoy walks of a moderate standard would commit themselves to leading such trips it would be of immeasurable help. Page 3 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER October, 1971. Are our test walks too severe, as some members aver? The test walks are selected. by Committee from the trips available on the programme, and should be similar in scope to the Pattern Walks laid down by a General Meeting. Within those restraints a succession of Committees has; over the years, usually managed to make a fairly discreet choice, but it is not an easy task. To make a sound selection, it is obviously desirable that most Committee members should have actually done the Pattern Walks, and some at least should be familiar with the trips to be marked as tests. However, of the three pattern day walks, one has been led only once in the past ten years, and another has never been conducted - the route is rather illogical. Some of the week-end test walks on the various walks programmes have not appeared previously, and others are patently exploratory trips. Their choice is probably due to the fact that a few Committee members know the area concerned in a general way, although they may have only a sketchy idea of the details of the scheduled trip. There is, too, an understandable tendency to think of the Pattern Walks as a minimum standard, whereas the Constitution actually says test walks shall be “approximately equivalent” to the pattern trips. In the circumstances, perhaps it is rather remarkable that so many of the walks marked as tests have been so shrewdly chosen. There can be no doubt, however, that others have been far beyond the reasonable physical capacity of a relatively inexperienced prospective member. The leadership of test walks may also have a good deal of influence on their suitability for newcomers. Unless we aim to play the game of exclusion really hard, it is important that leaders of test walks be tolerant of the physical shortcomings of prospectives and make sensible allowances for the physique, age and experience of those they accept on their trips. Leaders who are not prepared to accommodate newcomers in this way would do better to ask that their trips should not be indicated as test walks, or alternatively decline to take people whose capacity is unknown to them. One of our most valuable member acquisitions of recent years has said to me “On our first walk we were really ruined - but ruined. But we were lonely and in a foreign City, and the walkers were such friendly people …. so we came back.” That's not a bad image in one way, but maybe it could be improved if we concentrated a little more on being “those friendly people” and didn't make quite such a fetish about physical achievement. Of course, we don't subscribe to W.C.Fields' dictum “Never give a sucker a break”, but we don't really go very far out of our way to “amalgamate those who esteem walking” or to “help others appreciate our natural gifts”. Page 4 THE SYDNEY BUSH[i7ALICTR October, 1971. THE HALF-YEARLY (SEPTEMBER) GENERAL MEETING If one excludes the rather abortive gathering of September 1st, when ingress to the new Club Rooms,was, somewhat retarded, the half- yearly meeting was the first .)pportunity for most people to view the new premises. _About sixty people were present when Spiro and Don mounted the pulpit - sorry, d—n pro.ceedings with a welcome to new membei. leter Chorley Four pther admissions of recentmonths were still too shy to claim their badge. -;- The August minutes .,p4nd. in Cor;,.es_Pd,rj.rden.c,e -a3peared. the Annual .eport and 10-tic i 6f ,the''.AnnUal Meeting ofth-cs. Nature `Conservati!oh, Council o N S W Tner rps also an opinion by the Club's tor that the tentative' agreI.,.i.ient with the owners of the new Club Room was sat-isfac-bory. .The Treasurer- reported fineinces .in. August, as. :b.4eir -own, … income ,.and expenditure almeS-t-equ:ar,,- and the closing balance716' in the workinglkitt, Pat Harrison then preSented. the August Walks' Report, trip..2'1:e'd by John Holly in lieu of David. Ingram in the Woolwash. area, alnd attended by -191, despite Army “Keep :Out.” rncticesl,L a sati?sfaetpry trip was, conducted. . Over the. week-end 6, August Max Crisp had a party totalling 14 in thrie3-77-Hit'o'ry –arOu“Er kdgenby south of Canberra… . Soonowfell t during. tile. Saturday tight kIso on that week-end.'-Phil Butt 'had. oth of his 'cross-co,p.ntry skiing instructidnals, while the'alo- ence Peter .Franks. his programed Wolgan Valley jaunt was cancelled. The day walk was again a Holly r..4-oduction7 out froin Waterfall,. whareL the growthLwps reported. denser bhan in the past for the party of 16. NOble was up an over- the..Guouogang ranges with:1411fOlk on the 135!:“rweek-end -.- night bamp.J.on Seturd_ay waz made.. ad-a'.iridge, and breakfast Sunday was taken oh .Kanangra River.. An Instructional week- end. se-b down for Meorabincla_under Dettij- and Erni& Farquhar was insteatt organised by.David Ingram, while the Sunday trip, Jack. Gentiestot '- walk over:Woronora Trig -and”.Sc-outersMt, again found the grovrbh quite thick. . 71 I The third week-end was severe weather-wise. -,-the famou7Sydn'ey hail-storm occurred Satardy morning -.and Alan Round's party of 4 spent all day,-holed up in'…the cave at-',Kanangra Walls ..before abandoning the trip on Sunday morn.ing. )3;1,11 aillam's snow instructional had - three people., and. was laonice,lly,described as “terrible”. Peter Franks Wa7i “i8” -ri'6..–OI577.71anguihed in the miseryarond torlia cudgy, but .-jim .Callaway who had a Sunday.trip combined. with the C.B.C. took out two others and. sloshed around east of Waterfall. The other day walk,. Sack Perryisifrom Brook-lyn, was canceled-: 1 V ; So to the final week-end, when Bob Younger's team of 16 at Coolana Page 5 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER October, 197l. were busily correcting erosion scars and planting trees, as well as hearing about the night of won's infamy. Unhappily some of their good work will have been undone by the fire that struck the Kangaroo Valley a week or so later. On the same weekend Alan Hedstrom with 12 people looked over the attractions of the Myall Lakes area, and there were two day walks one led by Meryl Tatman out along the Uloola track, where evidence of trail bikes was found, and the other, Jim Brown's tea:of 27 bushpushing through superb wildflowers between Cowan and Brooklyn. The September Federation Report was published in the previous magazine but during the discussion of it Pat Harrison mentioned a report that Clutha Organisation was understood to be seeking coal mining leases near the main Blue Mountains ridge between Valley Heights and Wentworth Falls. Also inspired by Federation Report was an official recording in the Club minutes of appreciation for the work of Elsie Bruggy and Heather White as S R Contacts when an alarm was sounded. Dot Butler mentioned a trip to Coolana when the newly planted trees were watered: some had been “slightly chewed by rabbits” but most were in good shape (at that time … the fire came later). The main affair of the evening was the discussion about the Club Rooms. Because it was regarded as a matter of Immediate interest, and time permitted) a summary of the debate was given in the September issue. The resolution adopted means that we stay at St. Leonards for a period of 12 months, see how attendance and membership are affected, and theil reidew the-situation. One got the feeling that some people who came prepared to vote against a move from the City decided, after seeing the place, to support the motion, or, alternatively, to refrain from voting. As a matter of interest, after the taking of the vote, a show of hands was held to determine the residential background of those present. Whilst northsiders Were more numerous than others, there was a good western suburban representation, and a reasonable group from each eastern and southern areas. Spiro now said that Barbara Bruce had resigned as Membership Secretary presumably the first casualty of the new location, which certainly could have problems for a Kirrawee resident. Geoff Mattingley was elected in her stead after saying he would need more effective assistance then the old Membership panel had provided (sometimes, he said, “as useful as pockets in a singlet”). Before winding up, a vote was taken on the site of the 1972 Reunion, which went to Macarthur's Flat on the Nattai River after the various supporters of Woods Creek and Coolana had split the “closer to transport” vote. Then it was time to call it a night for the first time in our latest abode. Page 6 TIM SYDNEY BUSHTTAIKER October, 1971. ,I/TA IN FL)LIIPMEN IF YOU HAVE IDEAS OF GOING AQUATIC THIS SU1EER RpgmB2R,I 70 carry a good range of canoeing gear at MOUNTAIN :EQUIPMENT. Then you're looking it over, soo that we have in the may of superlight padks, sleeping bags and those other gadgets and trappings that can make all the difference between enjoying a trip with a comfortable load on your back, or a burden that makes it hard work all the way. OUR ADDRESS 167 Pacific Highway, North Sydnei:\ Te1ephone_929-6504. Page 7 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER October, 1971. FROM RUNNING STREAM TO CULOUL RANGE by Pat Harrison Friday 17th September '8.00 p.m. at Gerry Sinzig's home at Windsor. Barry Carter, Frank Tacker, 'Bob Younger, Dennis Brown and Pat Harrison swapped cars with Don Finch, Gerry Sinzig, John Powell, Peter Munday and Neville Lupton. Don and party set out for the Culoul Range and we set out in Don's panel van for Glen Davis. Don's panel van is comfortably set up and Frank and I stretched out in the back, but we were troubled by a cold wind that blew in across our bare legs. We thought that Bob had wound his window down to assist his driving, but a mile or two from Glen Davis we discovered that we had kept a window open in the back without knowing ill What could have been a restful journey was made miserable by our own carelessness: 11.15 p.m. at Running Stream. Parked car and made ourselves ready. 11.30 p.m. set out by torchlight on a pitch-black night, and picked up the vehicular track (hard to seemn the dark) and kept going at a steady clip for Barn's Flat. SatuMay, 18th September 12.50 a.m. arrived at the shed on Barns Flat opposite Grassy Hill. We disturbed a large animal which had apparently been sheltering in the shed, if one may judge by the rattle of galvanised iron as we approached in the dark. 1.00 a.m. All of us in our sleeping bags. 5.30 a.m. Bob up and lit fire concession to cookery being,a Frank had a very cold night. happens) had worked under him him and the chill of Spring. Others up excepting inc. My only cup of tea, I could stay longer in. bed. The feathers of his Hotham (as often and he only had a piece of japara between 6,35 a.m. Away to a fine but cloudy morning. Grand, coloured, bluffs all around us. Wattle in bloom-. Birds everywhere. The Capertee carrying a goodly volume of water and running strongly. What a great otly to start a walk: 7.48 - 8.03 a.m. Near the top of the big bond. of the saw two dingo pups. 9.00 a.m. Passed our 1969 camp among the turpentines at ,grid reference 413013 9.25-9.45 a.m. Morning tea at reference 430007. 10.40-10.55 a.m. At the creek which comes from Mount Morgan, grid reference 432983. 12.15-1.45 p.m. Junction of the Wolgan and Capertee River. Now a glorious sunny day. Too cold to swim, but we washed., boiled the billy, and lay in the sun. Capertee. Dennis Page 8 TI-E SYDNEY BUSHWALUR October, 1971. 3.00 p.m. Near the end. of the big bend on the way to Girribung Creek. 3.50-3.55 p.m. At grid reference 480965. Rough going and. high sid- lings. 4.07 p.m. Made camp at reference 484965, opposite mouth of G-irribung Creek. Don and party not at rendezvous. We had. expected him to be there long before we arrived.. Beautiful flat campsite. Sandy beach, gouch grass, casuarinas, and. small overhangs nearby. Waded the knee 'deep Colo, flowing strongly, to get water from Girribung Creek. Billy on. Plunge and wash in river. 5.10 p.m. Don and John Powell emerged from the rock and scrub down- stream. I went to meet them, and_ greeted Don with: “General Blucher, I presume?” I expected the reply: “Lord_ Wellington, I presume?” but all I got from Don was: “You old soandso. This trip was your idea.” We put a billy on for Don, and he then proceeded to tell us all ihe lies in the world about where he had. left our car …. he ha,d taken the wrong turning, he did not find my note near Hollow Rock, he had been walking since 6.45 a.na. (this was hard_ to believe), he had come down the wrong creek, etc., etc., etc., etc. In all these prevarica- tions he was ably supported by his four myrmidons. 7.00 p.m. Don partly made up for his lies by giving me a plateful of a special dessert he had. been cooking for about an hour. 7..15 p.m. Gerry very sick, and had been all afternoon. Had nausea and vomiting, which has been going around Sydney. 7.40 p.m. Having given up trying to get the truth from Don as to where he had left the car or which creek he had come down to the Colo, I go to bed under the nearby narrow overhang. Sunday, 19th September 5.30 a.m. Up and lit fire in warm ashes. Don has completely redeemed himself. My note, which I had. left at Hollow Rock, hangs on a stick stuck in the sand near thc fire. 6445 a.m. My party sets out for the Wollemi Junction. Gerry very sick, but decides to head for Glen Davis. Don still in bed. 7_,A2=1,22 ,in… Drink at creek at reference 502958. Roughish going. Scrub, rocks, high sidlings. We kept to the right bank all the way. Don had crossed. here and there. Last few hundred yards to Wollemi Junction necessitated high sidle. 11.00 a.m.-11.45 a.m. At Wollemi Junction. Glorious morning, glorious place, big sandy beach. Had a plunge, then morning tea, then a long sunbake which made us very indolent and loathe to get going again. 12.30-1.45 p.m. Lunch at foot of Culoul Pass reference 534948. Waded. chestdeep river, scrambled over the huge boulders. to the foot of the pass, put our clothes on again, then scrambled up the big blocks of stone that choked the mouth of the creek. Frank now with the nausea trouble. He had not complained, and it was some time Page 9 TIE SYDNEY BUSHIFALEIR October, 1971. before we woke up to what was wrong with him. What an agonising effort it must have been for him to haul himself up that steep and bouldery creek and then through the two upper cliff lines to the ridge top: As we left the creek to go up to the first cliff line I saw what I thought was a poisonous Broadheaded Snake, and I dropped a big rock on it. However, the rock bounced eff and the snake took off downhill in the direction of Bob and Barry. It turned out to be a huge Diamond Snake, of about 10feet in length, and I never saw anyone move so fast as Barry and Bob. 4.45 p.m. The car and the end of a great trip. Frank sick all the way home, and on Monday I had the same wog. The next Colo trip is in November, and goes from the Culoul Range down to Angorawa Creek. Who's coming? .xxx POEM TO THE EDITOR In all my life I've never known Anything so stimulating as Owen's poem: But he has no knowledge of Biblical lore For much has been written on this subject before. Velikovsky … a Russian man of note'… Made a statement in a book he wrote. It caused a sensation and much derision, Its title, I believe, is “Worlds in Collision”. In the book, a comet was to blame For the pillars of cloud and the other of flame. The earth while passing through the comet's tail Was the cause in rgypt of much travail. There the plagues of which you're aware Were only gases polluting the air. Meteorite dust caused much aberration While earthquake's baused the Red Sea's opening operation. I recommend the book to all Bushwalkers (Especially poets who are nonstop talkers.) Velikovsky's theory makes one think deeper … Regards to all … Ken Ellis … Weipa. 3.:--X-X- VACANCY for one Federation Delegate, so that this Ole -fill have its full entitlement of representation on Federation Council see Federation Report for details. Remuneration NIL. Prestige tremendous. Xxx Did you hear that Julie Frost was underneath a portion of a tree that fell on her tent on the windy October holiday weekend? It happened on the Wollondilly River at Barallier…. but it could happen anywherei so it pays to be careful whore you pitch your tent in breeey weather. Result in Julie's case … a fractured ankle, we understand. Page 10 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER October, 1971. ( ADVERTISEEENT ) AUSVENTURE STAFF WANTED: “The values of a wilderness outing are too often measured solely in terms of the number of miles travelled, the number of peaks climbed or the number of pictures taken. Too little attention is given to the long term signifi,,, canoe of wilderness on our lives. Many have suggested that the opportunities of adventure and physical and spiritual challenge provided by man's contact with nature may well define his humanity; without this contact man may indeed find himself out of his element.” .A.DVENTLTRE WILDERNESS OUTINGS AND CAMPS IF you have a background of enjoyment of the Australian bush environment, IF you agree with the philosophy expressed above, and IF you are over the age of 21 years and have experience of leading bushwalking parties, IF you would like to pass on some of all this to young men and women aged 16-19 who in the main are totally inexperienced in these things, and IF you would like to spend 2 or 4 weeks in January, 1972, as a paid member of our staff running the Ausventure Wilderness Camp, (the aim is an enjoyable holiday, a memorable social experience and the satisfaction of having learned to live and travel with safety) THEN please 'phone 960-1677 by day, or 969-3826 after hours. Warwick Deacock AUSVENTURE Page 11 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALICER, October, 1971. THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM (The following is a letter from a very senior member of the Club. In it he throws some light on a mysterious letter he received recently from another Club member. The writer suggests others may have received similar proposals, and be interested in his experiences when he followed up the invitation.) I was intItigued by a letter, that was sent to me, with a mixture of Conservation, Walking and Scouting ideas wrapped up with Finance. Who would not be intrigued with “Here you will learn that you can increase your monthly income 2 or 3 times”? So I answered the xe. quest and arranged .for an interview on a Thursday morning. On Wednesday I was telephoned and asked if I was free that evening. I was. It happened to be my first free night for five weeks. Still being intrigued, I agreed to be picked up at 6.45 p.m. from my home. I ate a light meal because my caller had not mentioned dinner. It had more than crossed my mind that an appointment at that hour from one who had already had the benefit of having his salary doubled or trebled, would of course be the gracious host and provide the background information in the proper atmosphere of dinner, wine, and the offer of a cigar, A car called and a quite unknown man presented himself at my front door and suggested we go down. I popped into the little Mini car and off we rattled. I had winkled out the information that he lived at Northbridge, but we headed the opposite way. “Hey! Where are we going?” “Off to Rydalmere.” I did not particularly want to go to Rydalmere —– but two or three times my salary! Maybe it must be discussed in some special place or behind security bars. One just can't have the whole community doubling and trebling its salary. What would happen to the cot of lining? The usual conversation ploys to get more details were useless. It was quite obvious that it was all to be a great and intriguing surprise. I 1.7n3'a littic-s-ctous for good thint can-usu-lly-be spoken about, and especially when this was the time chosen to give Background Information. I went quietly i . for after all I was to be the richer by all this wealth. Page 12' THE SYDNEY BUSHWAIKER October, 1971. We pulled up in a side street, several other cars about indicated that other people wanted to do just the same thing. Perhaps it was a memory training scheme, or even a new yogi sect to give one inner calm when all about are getting ulcers from the constant rat race. As Walkers we understand the call of the Unknown. I thought it very nice for Bestline Products Pty. Ltd. to lend their premises to help we strugglers to learn “How to increase your monthly income by 2 or 3 times” and with a nod here and there, I was ushered in. Here all was revealed in one clear, clean, flash: The cltairs were arranged for a friendly talk. A small table with a bowl of water on it. Carefully chosen curtains for a pleasing backdrop. Bright personalityoozing people, sparkling smiles, brittle joyful greetings and a marvelous air of synthetic bonhomie. We were all welcomed and given a thoughtful talk on how the Best line Company had made such a marvelous success since its founding in U.S.A. in 1964. Then just a little demonstration of how absolutely marvelous these biodegradable products were! How only the very best ingredients were used How every household cleaning cupboard should be checked, valued and then multiplied. by six million and there was the market potential!: Just look at the products, which by a coincidence had been built into a large pyramid on the side of the stage. All of those were just waiting to be snapped up by your friends. Just arrange a little morning coffee party for only 1Q people who on the average buy 8.70 per head. Thus income is $87.00 and you get .125.00 for yourself. Only arrange two per week and you already have $50 a week. This was shown on a glamorous movie to be so easy. Not one word however about the easy way to loose your friends. So it went on. All the very best techniques and gimmicks of a wellplanned American Sales plan. Just like “Swipe”, “Avon” and “Holiday Magic” and other promotions. I was quite fascinated to see these all at work. We were told we would be seen the next morning at the same place and then shown how to increase our selling power. It seemed too good to miss, but do you know, I just did not have the heart to let my present boss down, and so firmly told my personal host not to call for me on Thursday morning. He drove me home, not quite realising what had gone wrong and just why I hadn't immediately joined the ranks of the Happy Prosperous Bestline Products Sellers. Page 13 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER October, 1971. I did, however, provide a drink and a couple of biscuits to show there was no hard feeling at all. But just an interest in Conservation and an interest in increasing my monthly income by 2 or 3 times. I wonder if any other club members have had a similar experience. “M. Bacon” BOOK REVIEW (Towards the end of August - just too late to get into the September issue - David Peacock wrote from Brisbane, giving a review of a recently published book on the subject of environment and adding some comment of his own.) “I feel a book review section in the magazine concerning topics dear to the hearts of bushwalkers may prove interesting, and so will set the ball rolling …..” TBE DOOMSDAY BOOK, by Gordon Rattray Taylor. Thames 8c Hudson, 19707 pp. 335 06.25 (in Brisbane) This book is concerned with the abuse that man is heaping on his onvironmont. The author is pessimistically biassed as to the future of the human race, but he does, however, bring to the attention of his readers many features contributing to the question5 which have previously been studied in isolation. As an example, how many people know that earthquakes have been caused by the formation of artificial lakes or that dust and the burning of wastes are causing a gradual fall in temperature over the earth, which had led ,scientists to the conclusion that there may be the start of an io—age before the end of the century. The book also looks at the effects of pesticides and radioactive wastes, pollutants, predominantly the heavy metals, and the “oxygen crisis”, optimum populations, and:the effects of overcrowding on animals. At times the book can be frightening and to the point. For instance, cadmium sulphate is teratogenic - that is, it induces monstrous deformations of the foetus. Do you want a mentally-retarded child? Do you want your daughter to die of leukemia? Do you want to die in convulsions due to the unrestricted use of pesticides? If not, then I recommend you read this bodk and take relevant action. For, to quote the best line of the book “it is the future of the human race that we have been talking about.”. . Page 14 THE SYDNEY BUSITALKER October, 1971. Well, now that I've said all that, I would like to make a few suggestions with particular reference to the Sydney Bushwalkers. Firstly, I fel that the Club should establish a Committee concerned with coosociological problems due to man's technology. Perhaps maybe, a new club could be formed, which may be better. Secondly, a questionnaire could be drawn up with reference to points such as do you know what cadmium is? Do you know what the effects of dieldrin are? Would you be prepared to pay more for your electricity? (If it meant reducing pollution): Would you like to live in the country? And so on. On the basis of these questions, the organisation could produce leaflets answering the most common spheres of misunderstanding and ignorance. Thirdly, the society could try to coordinate the activities of other conservation clubs forming a federation for, as everyone knows, united action is the goal. Fourthly, the Club could prove its good intentions by suggesting various schemes to make the best USG of the environment, and could go a small Way by clearing up litter left by less concerned members of the public. Finally, it could collect books and papers relating to the cause, so as to have a backbone of solid fact to back up its claims. I am sure other people could enlarge on the above, and I hope they do so. Unfortunately, it seems to me, that a club like the S.B.W. is somewhat lazy in its attitude to conservation, which is to say the least, a matter of concern. For who cares, if not the people who profess to enjoy the environment. I even propose that a convention be organised with members from all conservation societies in the Eastern Status attending. It may prove to be extremely valuable. The venue would preferably be Sydney, with perhaps a society as I have outlined as hosts. Surely, members of the S.D.T. could house a “conventioneer” for a few nights. It is a matter for thought, but is needed urgently. I am trying to outline a questionnaire similar in form to the one I have mentioned, and hope to get the Brisbane Bushwalkers interested I will send a copy down if required. If this little lot can be published, it might stir up some action: if not, I'll come down for a weekend, and try to lend a hand. Sincerely, David W. Peacock Page 15 THE SYDNEY BUSIEALKER October, 1971 COMING WALKS by Pat Harrison, Walks Secretary November 5, 6, 7 ++ - The month begins with Roy Higginbottom's leading a trip down East Christy's Creek and up Middle Christy's. Short swim in Middle Christy's and a steepish climb on to Colboyd, but a good walk in the heart of the Kanangra country. Novemloc259 61 7 - Neville Page has a walk around Pigeon House and Byangee Walls in the Clyde River valley. The Castle looks more impressive from the Yadboro side.. November_7. :Waterfall to Audley with Joan Cordell. Track all the way and plenty of time for lunch and nattering. November 12, 13, 14 +++ Don and I have the second leg of our double this weekend. Rockhopping on the Colo and in Boorai and Angorawa Creeks and some sandy beaches on the Colo, but the scenery is worth all the effort. November l34 A Saturday morning start for Alan Hedstrom's walk to the Barren Grounds. The train journey alone is worth going on despite the rise in fares. I wish I could do both trips this weekend. – November 14 g - Jim Callaway start5 at Garie Beach and ends at Heathcote. The usual Royal Natiorial Park voenery. November 12a 20. 21 Bob Younger goes out from Hilltop and down Martin's Creek, up the Nattai River, then out of the Nattai by way of Starlight's Track. Sandztone bluffs and river scenery at their best, and a chance to see Macarthur's Flat where our next reunion will be held. November 20 21 d Neville Page heads an old favourite from Wentworth P Falls to Katoomba over Mount Solitary. Train leaves at 12.50 p.m. on Saturday. November 21 Meryl Tatman has a swimming trip from Heathcote to Engadine via Karloo Pool, KangaroorCreek, and Tukawa Rill. If the day is hot, you can cool off if not hot, you can enjoy a pleasant walk. November 26 28 - Max Cripp's own plug for his trip Wanganderry Bonnum Pic 7ollondilly River Burnt Flat Creek “A fairly easy walk with time to fish, swim, explore, or just sit around. There should be good views of the Upper Burragorang Valley from Bonnum Pic, an unusual sandstone formation on the edge of the escarpment. After a short scramble down a creek the walk will be through grazing land and forest country to- he Wollondilly River. Return to Wanganderry along an abandoned vehicle track which follows Burnt Flat Creek through lovely timbered country.” November 28 ++ Peter Levander's day walk from the Megalong to Billy Gealey Hill was a great success. This one, from Mt. Talson across Peige 16 TEM SYMTEY l'EUSHIPALESTI. Octobersi A lot of people do most of their walking during the cooler months, and “taper off” their activities in the heat of summer. If you're amongst those, Paddy hopes you've had a really satisfying autumn and winter of walking, and are making the most of your last enterprising Spring trips before your summer “hibernation!' Of course, there are others who persist in walking all the year round, but use some discretion about the places to go and the hours to walk in the hot season. Then there are some who wouldn't dream of tripping in the local mountains in December, January and February but make it to Tasmania, the Australian Alps…. oven New Zealand.., for long mid,-summer holiday jaunts. Now2 whether you're “getting over” winter's walking, pr ;pezavering into the summer, it's a good time to check over your equipment, and for any replacements o overhauls, to see PADDY PARIIIM LighfiDelo. Comp Gear 6c1 LIVERPOOL STKEET, SYDNEY 26.2685 Page 17 Ti-E SYDNEY BUSHWALKER October, 1971 Du Faur and Bell Creeks and the WollangaMbi River back to Mt. Wilson, will be equally good and is the next best thing for anyone who cannot get away for a camp trip. . FEDERATION NOTES - September lay! by Ray Hookway and Heather Williams Sixteen delegates represent eleven clubs attended the September meeting despite the lack of cooperation from striking railway men. New delegate Heather Williams representing the Sydney Bush Walkers was made welcome. .yinto Wallerawang Power Lino. Federation are still seeking exact details of the route from the Electricity Commission but it is now known that the final route has been decided upon. The 3309000 volt line is to cross the Meg-along Valley, pass through Medlow Gap, drop down towards the Cox and cross the Cedar and Kedumba valleys towards and or the Kings Tableland escarpment to Minto. At the request of the Blue Mountains Council, the Commission has moved the proposed route further south than originally planned, but they appear determined to make no more changes. The above area is not in either the Kanangra Boyd nor the Blue Mountains National Park, but lies mainly in the Water Board Catchment area. The Commission says that tree clearing will be minimal and towers will, be painted a dull colour to blend in with the background, but this will net detract from the overall depressing picture. The Oolong battle may have been won but it seems that there are always other vandals hovering in the wings to take over the despoilation of our National Parks and surrounding areas. Steps should immediately be taken to include the Jamisork, KedgMba and Cedar valleys in the National Park, if only to retain the economic viability of Katoomba as a tourist resort. Club memb:czs are urged to make conservation a personal issue. Trite to your local member. Write to the Minister for Lands. Discuss conservation with your friends. There is plenty of subject matter. Myall Lakes….Clutha-on-the-Sout# Coast….Clutha-on-the-Mountains….The Boyd-Kanangra National Park. …and now the Electricity Commission's 330,000 volt power line looping across one of the most famous Blue , Mountains outlooks. Snowmobiles. Following receipt of correspondence regarding the use of over-snow vehicles on the Bogong,High Plains, Federation are to write again to the Minister for Lands requesting stricter controls on all all-purpose vehicles in N.S.T. parks. Visitors to Barrington Tops will be well aware of the danger and nuisance caused by unregistered trail bikes in that area. Federation:Ball. 470 people attended the Ball and voted it the best ever. Biggest party was 61 from Spring-wood. A party from the Kamerukas celebrated the Club's 25th anniversary. The S.& R. raffle held in conjunction with the, ball raised over 380., also the hest result ever. Tinning numbers were drawn by Page 18 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER October, 1971 Alison Edgecombe who sold thc,,; mnst tickets, 1st prize was won by..L. Stirk, 8 IT-,polen Street; Rozz;11e. 2nd prize was won by.. .Phil Tricks, St.Patricks College, :wily. Next year's ball will be hold at thc University of N0S.70Roundhouse. Make a resolution to be there…… Federation Delegate. Jim Callaway has found it necessary to resign as S.B.7. delegate to Federation and a replacement is required. This is your chance to participate in a small way in current conservation issues. Only one meeting a month is held on the third Tuesday of every month so calls on your time are minimal0 Thy don't YOU volunteer? National Parks Association. An application from the N.P.A. for affiliation with Federation will be discussed at the October Federation meeting. Lake Pedder Protection Measures. Additional postcards of Lake Fodder being sold at 200. each as part of the campaign to save something of this scenic attraction, arc available from J. Bonmitcha, 54 Swanston Street, Newtown, Hobart, 7008. Membership Notes Due to pressure of other business, the new Membership Seoretaary, Geoff. Mattingley,. found it was not practiCable to supply the usual membership information this month. It is expected that there will be a doublebarrelled comment in November. #-* Despatch on Coolana. Ramon U'Brieen was in Kangaroo Valley weekend, and reports on the fire situation at Thick grass on the camping flat completely shoots coming through. over the October holiday Coolana burned off, but new green * Parts of the river floor have been bulldozed out for about two mi4es down stream commencing just below the bend at Coolana (the reason for this work unknown) 0 Very good roads have boon built on btth sides of the river downstneam from Hampton Bridge . The road on the southern side goes on about 12 miles beyonfi Coolan, and where it passes through the cliff line there is attractive walking country. * Some landholders in the valley are moving out. One .of the walking movement's “old hands” 9 Ernie Austen, recently won a trophy in the N.S.W. veoran Golfers' Competition0 i4PFI4e, now 809 represeented Australia as a track walker at the 1928 OlYnic Games at Amsterdam, then took up bushwaiking, from which he “retired” at the age of 47 back in 1938.