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* * * * * * * * * * * *,* * * * *- *.* * * * * ,* * * *.* * * * * * * * * * * * * *4-'-* * * * * * * * * THE SYDNEY BU iWALICER
* * * * * * 4 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * '* * * * * * * * * * Est'ablished' June 1931 A monthly bulletin of matters of interest -to The Sydney Bush WalkersBox 4476 G.P.O., :Sydney,. 2001. Club meetings are heldevery Wednesday. evening from 7.30 pm at the Cahill Community Centre (Upper Hall), 34 Falcon Street, 010.77 'S Nest. -x-x-x-x-x-xxxxxxx Ainslie Morris, 45 Austin Street, Lane Cove, 2066. Telephone 428-3178. Bill Burke, 3 Coral Tre Drive, Carlingford, 2118. Telephone 871-1207. Helen Gray. Kath Brown.. EDITOR: BUSINESS MANAGER: PRODUCTION MANAGER: TYPIST: DUPLICATOR OPERATORS:- Phil Butt and Barbara Evans. Y, The Mid-week Walkers - Bateman's Bay north to Tabourie by Dot Butler Annual Subscriptions 1984 There Is No Juniper on Jupiter A Pawnrs Friend The Walk of Pinch's Forty Ainslie Morris, New Member & New Addresses Eastwood Camping Centre Advertisement Mittagong to Ka4eesba Mittagong Peter Miller Both Ends of the Budawangs Roger Browne Purchase of Printing Machine Goulburn River National Park Exploratory Trip John Redfern Social Notes for June Roger Browne Far Away Places Peter Christian S.B.W. Committee Meeting 2/5/84 -Page- 2 4 5 6 7 8- : 9 11 12 13 13 14 * * :X- * * * * * * * *. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * -X- * * * * * * * * * * Page 2 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER May, 1984. THE MID-WEEK WALKERS - BATEMAN'S BAY NORTH TO TABOURIE. 27 FEBRUARY 2 RCH. by Dot Butler. Alex dreamt of leading a docile flock who would follow obediently in his footsteps, but he was beaten from the start. There are more individ7 ualists to the hectare in the Sydney Bush Walkers than in any other gathering of people. With 40 miles of beaches to spread along his exuberant flock were not to be roped in. At least their individual footprints showed when they were ahead, and all seemed to get together for meals. There was Reg' Alder, Walks Organiser and Leader for the Canberra National Parks Association and his faithful follower Tim Coffey. There was Frank Rigby,intrepid explorer of the Macdonnells in Central Australia; Paul Howard.who commanded a navigation unit in the Western Desert during the War; Dot 73utler whose' mountaineering urges predominate and who feels that a coastal walk is wasted unless there are some hair-raising stiff climbs involved; then we have Bill Hall whose good sense prevents him setting off around cliffs on hopeless sorties when the seas are crashing against them with enough force to shatter affacht; and Ben Esgate, the one and only Benji, unquenchable bumourist free spirit who lived out the Depression of the '30s in the Blue Mountains' bush, and who won't be druv. After all, 8 leaders in a party of 10 is about average: The only ones who neasured up as good followers were Ron Young' and his friend Ken Walker, the wee Scottish laddie from north of Aberrrrdeen, and Alex told them so at the end of the trip. To start at the beginning: 8 of us travelled by train to.Nora4 then bus to Long Beach turn-off where, under a gum tree, we found Reg and Digby who had been transported from Canberra by Reg's daughter. It was Monday; early afternoon, and hot. With only five miles to go we made our leisurely way by road and track, collecting blackberries as we went, and before long reached the sand of Long Beach. We carried water, which can be got from 'a house tank or from a lagoon which trickles out over the beach in a wet season, round a rocky point to make camp on a grassy flat amongst vine-clad casuarinas. It was a beautiful starry night.. Across Bateman's Bay we could see the lights of Boathaven, now known as “Little Canberra” as it consists mainly of houses of retirees and week-enders of denizens from the Capital City. Round a big campfire of driftwood the affairs of the world were discussed,. Political leaders, industrialists and anti-conservationists were torn to bits and the pieces thrown to the crows. Reg, who never discusses politics, and his tentmate Tim, retired to their sleeping bags. Said Paul, philosophe and poet: Ala Love, could thou and I with Fate conspire To grasp this sorry scheme of things entire Would we not shatter it to bits - and then Remould it nearer to the Heart's Desire:“ 2nd Day: Early morning we were greeted by a fearful sight - an evil grinning face with slavering blood-coated mouth: A vampire? No, don't be afraid; it's only Ben - he's been eating prickly pears. Ten miles to go. Setting out in rain and wind we trailed along Chain Bay with a blotted-out horizon and a big sea roaring. “Do not despair,” said the Comforter, Ken. “The weather forecast said 'scattered showers clearing by Wednesday midday'.” Ilev,f, -1984.1 Tab SYDNEY BUSHWALKER - Page 3 …. , Leaving-the gusty beaol-jte cut up over the hill to near the borders' ofieurmmarang-National Park.. It was ouiteCalm.in the shelter of the trees butrmore wind and, rain-as,we descended to another little nameless beach. Then Oakey Beach amdaichmcnd Beach at the 'north end of which we took to the road, bprpassingYi.yrtle, Dark and Emily Miller Beached to emerge at the Sauth. :Durrat camp,,gzbund.-Vitii Wasp Tdland-a, misty grey shape out to the east in a wild sea. Then the long plod, with the party all 'strung out, along the beach to Durres North. Here the lake, swollen by rain, was pouring out over the beach making an interesting crossing. Luckily the weather now cleared a bit. We camped on,the western side of Pt, Upright. and when the sun appeared briefly through the scudding clouds we saw it setting in the west all right, but into the sea. What!' Are we in Western Australia? - - - Day 32 We took a path Kip the hill, by-passing the Pt. Upright headland., and came down at Depot Beach, everybody Watching for the predictad clearing of the weather. This February was a period of unusua4y.4gh tides. Waves sucked and gurgled through the loads of grey pebbles as we approached Pebbly Beach. This trip had been planned to give us plenty of time for sunbaking and swimming but the cold wet weather prevented that do we kept moving. Finding water for lunch and evening camps was no problem as every little inlet had its runnel of fresh water. We stopped in a beautiful spotted gum forest for lunch during a brief lull in the weather. “What!” crowed everyone derisively as Alex Proceeded to put up his tent.- “What's the idea?” “So I can eat my lunch DRY,” said Alex carrying on regardless. Sure enough, a few minuteslater down dame heavy rain, the scoffers, silenced, sitting it out under the dripping trees with their parkas done upto the neck. As the afternoon wore on the weather began to clear as predicted'but high seas continued to roll in, thundering with mighty crashing against the cliffs around which we had been able to walk an previous trips. Frequently we had to take to the road, but we made back to the rocks and a -little fresh water creek for our night camp, opposite Dawson's Islands.' 4th Day: Hurrah! kfine days' Plenty of time for swimmir,g and sunbaking. Although it turned out that half the par-4'y didn't care for surfing and somehow bushwalkers seem to prefer to walk rather than bask “in the sun.. Nine miles that day t9okus.,a1.-Ong the cliq4.edge to Pretty Beach where I had first camped 39 years ago-when daughter Rona was a baby!. At that time it was Forestry land and CoMpretely deserted,- I used'to feed. the - baby then put her in her -hammock and off we wogld go walking and surfing, leaving her alone for hours. You couldn't do that any longer as the place is now a populous caravan park. We by-passed Merry Beach but called in at-the'stOre!or food and newspapers (civilized man can't last' long without his daily injectiOn'Of “news”). Then via an electricity line. to Kioloa and creeping civiliz- ation. (By now we were out of Murramarang Park.) From Nunderah Point we went via streets to Racecourbe'Yeach. One wonders who named the little beaches around here. What immortal animals gave their names to “Bull Pup Beach” and “Cat and Kittens Beach”? Page 4 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER May, 1984. More stretches of sand - Murramarang, No;2 and No.1 Beaches, then round the road to Bawley Point, which has the lowest trig. in Australia, 26 ft above sea level. Ben knew a lot about the local history. Someone wondered how Bawley Point got its :name. “The timber boats used to-pullin here,” said Ben. The wharf superintendent gave his orders - “TIE HER UP HERE YOU B—.F IDIOTIII DON1T LET HER DRIFT YOU LILY-LIVERED SO-AND-SO:III” Ben's bawling nearly deafened us but ,we got the message. We went merrily along Bawley Beach popping stranded blue bottles. Ken experimented with walking backwards, jogging ice-skating, but couidnI:t help noticing that the purposeful slog was more efficient. At the near end of North Beach we headed through the banksias up into a eucalyptus forest to a beautiful campsite. After dark a strong wind arose, laced with the scent of salt and seaweed. We smelt the night darkness and it smelt good, and presently We went to sleep in it. Day 5: Up before the dawn. Only 6 miles to go but we want time for a swim and sunbake at Tabourie before walking out to the highway. Leaving the campsite we went uphill through the forest, delighted by the sight or..a shining lagoon in a hollow which normally Is dry. Across Nuggan Point add don to the beach. As -we approached where Earoo Lake opens into the sea we saw, on.the-far Side, a young wet-suited board-rider anxiously scanning the channel. Here wa6 some excitement! The sea was rushing in the channel looked wild and deep with shifting flurries of quicksand. We made our packs water7tf-ght, took off our clothes and made a precarious crossing with packs held high;' The young lad on the far side, who no doubt hoped to see us all drowned OX' swallowed by quicksand, walked away disappointed as we gained the other Side, put on our clothes and continued on our way. We 'couldn't go round the rocks so crossed over Meroo Paint and so to - our last, beach. The Termeil outlet was an easy crossing in comparison our previous one, and so up to Tabourie. Some had a swim in the warm water of Tabourie Creek. Then a sunbake for half an hour before heading up the road to the store on Princes Highway. Soon along came the bus, and so to Nowra and train home. ,”Great trip, Alexl Mighty trip! See you gain when you lead the next one!” * * * * * * * * * * ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS 1984. SubscriPtions for 1984 are as follows:- Single-idember $11 Married Couple $15 Full-time Student - $ 9 Non-active Member $ 3 Non-active Member with.Magazine posted $ 9 . The price of the Magazine (single copy) has now been raised to 60 cents. THE SYDNEY BUSHIVALKEIR Page THERE IS NO JUNIPER ON JUPITER, by A Pawn's Friend. There is nothing on Mount Jupiter at all. It is hallowed ground; a sacred mountain. It is both,the beginning and ending of time Aloft the peak rises from the flatlands of McKells Selection and the middle Mersey River valley. A towering fortress-like plateau of rock atid sub-alpine snow grasses. Of iakes and tarns, and running streams of sourceless water. The guardians of the plateau are its circuitous walls of thunder-splintered pinnacle androck, bathed in the shimmering glow of both sunrise and sunset. Sunrise is the dawn of time. Sunset is the end, On Jupiter there is no other time-plane except the life in between the creation and cessation of light and warmth. Battle-scarred and weary it exists as a permanent watchtower of surrounding creation. Movement stirs. It is the dull and hazy ripple of moving water on a small and hidden tarn. A. fountain on a mountain: Dwarfed by the rampant protrusions of smooth and sharply angular caps of lolerite which project like hives on the surface of the plateau. I am alone. I sit upon a rock and think of all that I have seen. The fire glows dimly at my feet. It is dying. The sun is setting. Another day is done and I am older, just as Time is older but is infinite. Such be human frailty: Such fate to suffering Worth is given, Who long with wants and woes has striven To misery brink, Till wretched of every Hope but Heaven, He ruined sina- There is no juniper on Jupiter. The juniper bush is merely another rocky hat; an inverted cooking bowl for giants. Jupitex is the giant: I am simply a wart on the giant's backside. A nothing. Self-importance and egoism are only faotors which ensure survival. They count for nothing in the vast unbridled realm of nature vibrant. The assertion of one petson over another is a meaningless exercise of stupidity. In the vastness of the Jupiter Plateau the significance of Man. is equivalent to the impact of a single falling leaf upon the ground. The brief jolt of a honeyeater landing on a twig. Girt by lake and forest, and anchored into rifting rock, Jupiter rises unrestrained from the Central Plateau, heartland of Tasmania. There is nothing on Mount Jupiter. Not even Juniper. * * * * * * * *:* * * * * EDITOR'S QUIZ QUESTION. Where and when did the term “bushwalking' originate? ANSWER 2uTdmvo qApTuaeAo STTsToedsa at uT Pa04 PesTuSooea eqq.,,e-aeoeci uOupitsmuncill paola eqq. /26T uT pealoj SSA qnTasaeTcem Ilsrq SeupS9 sqq ueu. Pegg 6 THE SYDNEY BUSBWALKER Ma: THE WAIK-OF =Gala. FORTY..- by Ainslie Morris.. Down the,road.down.we rode Through the storm onward. Down to Shoalhaven Valley Rode the fair forty. Forward, Sydney Bushiest When as an Easter night: Aught but wet and sloppy?: Rode the fatuous forty. At dawn they stood huddled, Round campfire they puddled, 'Til Fair Finch and friend farmer Rescued all from the weather. Their's not to make reply, Their's not to reason why, Themselves they did not deny, To that cosy old farmhouse They rode hell for leather. Log fires, food and gossip Made Friday pass gaily. There's no doubt that walkers Make fabulous -talkers. River rose, river fell, Boldly they crossed and well.. Don led them to Turic's Head, Descent to a stream and dell, Strode the fine forty. From thirteen- to seventy three,: 'Mier:had all the ages, Nhippersnam5ers to sages Escaped citycages. MuCli firewood and green grass., Bracken for-Dot's'palliasse, For company a wombat; Down on. Appletree Flat Camped the fun party,. The songs they flowed freely, Songs fine and plain silly, As for lack of a porn porn We put on the billy. And Sunday saw forty. Climb up out of the mist O'er Coorgabene Mountain, Its height hard to resist. They welcomed the Deua, In thdieS waist-deep crossed Four times and no fewer. : May, 1984. THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 7 And now on the last day Moodong Creek found their way, Don chased back the moocows As we stepped in the DONG. We stumbled and slithered, Woe to they who dithered. Waterfalls and tree ferns, Scrambled in twists and turns. Then after a last lunch Our Wendy came a crunch While testing the hardness Of sedimentary rock. Her knee was much softer, So Phil Butt had to lift ler. Up a four fifty foot slope It looked grim with no hope. 'Till Murdoch with hatchet made a litter for Wendy. Never had a bush rescue Been so grand and so trendy, To Vic's four-wheel-drive Rover. The Easter Walk was over For the fabulous forty. XXXXXXXXXX NOTE from Wendy AlianOt- I would ilk, to thank all members of Don Finch's Easter walk for my rescue. It makes me proud to be associated with Sydney Bush Walkers. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (TRACK NOTES by Don Finch of this Easter trip and also a story by Dot Butler will be published in the June issue of the magazine. Ed.) NEW MEMBER & NEW ADDRESSES. Pled6e add the following information to your Membership List. BATTYE, Lisa, 20 Xillarney Street, Mosman, 2088 BROWNE, Roger, 14/7 Lavender Street, North Sydney, 2060 MILLER, Peter, 11 Ferdinand Street, Birchgrove, 2041 * Hec CARRUTHERS has changed his name by Deed Poll to Rod that is how he is known in business. *xxxx Phone 969-3979 929-2342 818-1990 Carruthers, as eastwood camping ce BUSHWALKERS ILightweight Tents Sleeping Bags Rucksacks Climbing & Caving Gear Maps Clothing Boots Food. CAMPING EQUIPMENT Large Tents Stoves tb Lamps- Folding Furniture. DISTRIBUTORS OF: Paddymade Karrimor Berghaus Hallmark Bergans Caribee Fairydown Silva Primus Companion and all leading brands. Proprietors: Jack 8- Nancy Fox Sales Manager: David Fox EASTWOOD CANVAS GOODS & CAMPING SUPPLIES 3 Trelavvney St Eastwood NSW 2122 Phone: 858 2775 Rutledge Street Rowe Street May, 1984- THE SYDNRY BUSHWALYER Page MITTAGONG TO iltATQQMA MITTAGONG. by Peter Miller. WALKERS: Jeiry Leitner, Robert Miller, Barry Wallace, Denise Shaw, Mauri Bloom, Jan Mohandis, Bill Holland, Ray Hookway and Peter Miller. (Wayne Steele and Wendy Lippiatt intended walking with the party as far as Oolong Swamp - but read on). “The Wollondilly at Jooriland gauging station is 0.72 of a metre - you won't have any trouble getting across.” Thus spake the man from the Water Board when I rang on Thursday morning before leaving on he We had planned to cross the Wollondilly near Burnt Flat Creek and proceed via Mt. Oolong, The Axehead Range, Claudmaker, Splendour Rock and Narrow Neck to Katoomba. On Thursday it started to rain and it rained and it rained and it rained and we couldn't cross the Wollandilly. But I anticipate. The first problem arose before the train left Central. Hans Stichter was on a train which should have got him to Central in plenty of time but it broke down near Lewisham station. He saw us go past at Redfern and had no way of catching us up by travelling an a later train as he did not knaw where we intended camping. Aftei. a noisy train trip (sharing a carriage with a gaggle of young Teople off to a church camp) we arrived at Mittagong' in.the pouring rain. The taxis were Waiting and we drove out along the Womteyan Caves road and turned off to Wanganderry along a, dirt road that was liquid mud. Af=ter. only 2 km the taxis were beaten'by the first hill and we had no choice but to-take up our packs and walk. -Wayne and. Wendy had now joined us and they decided to sleep in their car and meet us the next morning. There was no shelter until we reached the end of the road at the first belt of trees. It was nearly 1.00 am by then and the rain still pelted down so it was a miserable crew that settled down for the night. Good Friday. We waited until the rain eased off then headed down the fire trail which follows Burnt Flat Creek. The rain had dislodged several tons of i.ock, earth and trees which slid across the road. We scrambled over the mess and followed the fire trail down to Burnt Flat and camped. By now the rain had stopped and there were promising patches of blue sky showing. Burnt Flat Creek was a muddy brown torrent and all the small side creeks were flowing strongly. Below us we could see and hear the Wollondilly as it roared along with its load of water, silt and floating logs. Robert had a cold andfelt pretty low all day. We were all in bed quite early after our late night on Thursday. Saturday. We packed up early and set off in bright sunshine to examine the river at close quarters: Although it had dropped about a metre during,th0-a:ghtit was impossible to cross. We went to a spot where Barry and I had crossed three weeks earlier an an exploratory trip. Then we had found a way by a chain of small islands but now they were totally submerged and only the pressure waves gave an indicatibn of their presence. We followed the river to the Jooriland gauging station and there it was now 3.1 metres. ?ag8 10 TEE SYnINEY BUSHWALKEal. May, At Barry's suggestion-we decided tib-lbok-fdr Beloon Pass in order to -cross over into the Nattai River and walk out to Hilltop.. Mauri had a Greater Blue Mountains map with a.scale of 1d50,000 'and. contoar lines at 100 metres. As the river was so high we were forced to keep away from the normal route along the banks and several times had to climb up among the thorn bushes and catty grass, We found our way to a pleasant camp site on Douglass Creek and settled down for an evening of picking grass seeds from our sock6 'and clothes. For anyone walking in-this area gaiters are essential. Easter Sunday. As it was Easter Sunday we treated ourselves to a late start. Barry gave us each an Easter egg and finally we set off to find the pass. We climbed up looking for the pass but only came across sheer cliffs and a couple of waterfalls. Jan and Bill eventually found a negotiable route but by then it was 3.15 pm and too late to get down the other side into the Nattai. had an excellent view of Yerrariderie Peak and Byrnes Gap before we retraced our steps down the very steep mountain side and made camp on Colemans'Creek. Monday. . By now we had run out of time to cross Beloon Pass so we decided to follow the fire trail back along the Wbllondilly to Burnt Flat Creek. The weather started off overcast but it cleared to a fine day and it was very pleasant walking. We saw large mobs of kangaroos which have multiplied since the drought broke. We saw the foot prints of another party of walkers and-came across the warm ashes of their campfire but we didn't see them in. person: The trail led us below the high cliffline edging the plateau; across Bonnum Pic Creek and below Bonnum Pic. We made camp near an abandaned farm and carried water from Burnt Flat Creek. The sunset was most spectacular and we had good views across to the cliff line and distant mountain's.: Tuesday. We decided to go home a day earlier than planned so we climbed back 1- up the fire trail to Wangandery and followed the dirt road back to the Wbmbeyan Caves road. It was a brilliant, clear, sunny day with:a-cold wind. blowing and a complete contrast to our wet tramp on Thursday night. The taxis came for us and after having lunch in Mittagong we got the train hom0: When I arrived home I m'ang Wayne and Wendy to learn that they had passed us twice on Good Friday morning as we sheltered from the rain, then gave it up as a bad job and went back to Sydney. I rang Hans and he was: a bit relieved that he hadn't caught the train after all. And so ended a very frustrating Easter. Oh yes - - and I caught Robert's cold too. * * * * * * * * * * * REPORTED: Janiddhandas, leader of the walk of 26th February.- Waterfall to Otford - reports that at the Figure 8 Pool a freak wave swept members'. of the party across the rocks as well as a person in the pool, so that all received' severe bruising and cuts. The message is -.Beware of a big swell and high tides (and of course, rough weather). May; 1984. TT2'51 SYDNEY BUSHWALKER Page 11 BOTH ENDS OF THE BUDAWANGS. by Roger Browne. Walkers- March across the land, KilpatriCk Creek is close at hand, Leeches prowl.for blood to suck, Wriggling, writhing, squirming,,yukl Trip led by.Joan Cooper - 14915 April. The plan was to start at Tanderra Camp, but by Saturday morning only Wayne Steele's carload had made it that far. The others stopped at Newhaven Gap, but after some confusion all parties met up. Some people discovered to their surprise that the trip consisted of two day walks/ rather than an dovernight trip. We donned day packs and walked along the track to Folly Point. Despite some rain on the previous night, the weather was fine. The views of the Castle from Folly Point were quite stunning, whetting our appetite for the trip two weeks ahead. Joan then led us part way down Watson's Pass, declaring that those who had managed this could count themselves sufficiently 'confident at rock scrambling' to tackle the Castle. After a leisurely lunch, and a wander to some more views, we headed back to camp at a fast pace. In fact, at times we were running. Joan had promised a return to base camp by 5 pm – cocktail hour – and we were only a feu minutes late. That evening's campfire saw heated discussions. Even those who retired 'early to tents pitched way in the distance reported next morning having heard shouted argument – something about Greek Doctors, and Inaudible Railway Station Announcers, apparently. On Sunday Joan led us to the ruins of the White Cat Sawmill, then up 1ftti1ties Mountain to the Berra Ground. Some people commented that the stones were more neatly laid out than last time they visited – 'restoration' by the authorities, perhaps? We wondered whether aboriginal people ever came there nowadays to contemplate this initiation rite site. Next we walked to Hidden Valley, my favourite spot in the Budawangs. Joan led us up Mt. Sturgess via a route south of Dark Brothers Cave, not marked on the sketch map. It involved one rather difficult chimney which strained some people's nerves somewhat. We came down via the mapped route for lunch. After another leisurely lunch.we scrub-bashed doun to Kilpatrick Creek, fighting off giant people-eating leeches (well, not quite). Morag Ryder, who had soaped her socks, had no trouble with the leeches. Joan then took us to a hardLto-find waterfall that she knew from a previous trip, veryattractive. I doubt many other visitorw to the Budawangs have seen this one. Then it was back to the cars via another abandoned sawmill near Newhaven Gap, which featured a two-speed clutch-controlled winch, and a log chute up the cliff from the Clyde River. On our way back to civilisation, we stopped at the Pizza Joint in Nowra to devour lasagne and pizza, while Morag tried her best to demolish the'airconditioning'equipment with a chair leg. Page 12 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER. May,, 1984. Trip led by Ainslie Morris.- 28, 29 Fifteen tough bushwalkers started their walk by stringing up a rope across Yadboro River to avoid getting their tootsies wet. Then followed the walk up Kalianna Ridge. At a steep section, Brian Bolton chose to sidle around, taking what he called the “old man's route”, citing as an excuse the fact that he'd had a birthday two days ago. We all fitted through the tunnel, and climbed the Castle withOut too much ado. On the way don we strung up a handline for those wanting it. I suspect the rope's main advantage is as a confidence booster - - I found the same difficulty on the way up as on the way down. Next we headed through Monolith Valley, climbing one of the Seven Gods pinnacles for a great view. Ainslie took us to a camping cave on Mt. Donjon which is not marked on the sketch map, which accommodated the 15 of us in grand style. Sunday saw us climbing up Mt. Owen for morning tea. We then started to climb down its south-western tip. This involved going down a diagonal slot in the face of the mountain, with two handlines, and was very slow going with a large party. On the plateau below this slot we had a long lunch before tackling the next descent. Once again, it was quite tricky, and the ropes were needed. The descent then led onto a fire trail which we followed back to the cars. Dinner on this trip was had at the Nowra Chinese Restaurant, which provides good food at reasonable prices, and offers delicious fruit salad on the house (although sometimes you have to ask for it to get it). E2221ER thoughts. The Budawangs did not conform to its reputation as a wet', cold, misty place. Joan's trip had fine, though not cloudless, weather. Ainslie's trip had fine weather and, for the most part, sported cloudless blue skies. We very much appreciated the way that Joan and Ainslie shared with us these interesting walks, each of whichfeatured an aspect Of the Budawangs not widely known. * * -X- * * -X- * '* * * * CHECK YOUR SANDSHOZSI Two odd sandshoes are in Bob Duncan's care, after the Easter trip. If you have their partners (size about 5 or 6) please ring 868-2679. FOCHASE OF PRINTING WHINE.. The Club is considering buying an off-set printing preSs and plate- maker. If any member of the Club can offer expert advice it would be welcomed by the Committee at its meeting on 6th June. Please ring Jim Percy on 810-5707 if you can help. Discussion of expenditure on this major purchase ($3,000 approx. for a re-conditioned machine) is expected at the General Iteeting on 13th.June. 4(xxxxxxxx)( x May, 1984 TR7 SYDNEY B.USEWALpR Page 1,3 GOUIBURN RIVER NATIONAL PARK EXPLORATORY TRIP 1984. by John Redfern. Walkers:, John Redfern (leader), 12 members, one prospective. After leaving a car at Honeysuckle Creek, our finishing point, we entered; the park at Murrumba Gap. We generally followed the Goulburn River along the eastern end of the southern border of this quite new National Park. The river, in this vicinity, is sandy based and very scenic with pools at the bends, some deep enoUgh for swimming, set below attractive red and yellow sandstone walls.: Many caves' can be found in the walls, however few would be good for camping as the floors are rough. We investigated some side creek gullies which rise steeply into the rugged sandstone country on both sid4s of the stream. In one of these creeks we found a cave with aboriginal hand paintings and axe-sharpening grooves. In many ways this is an attractive and interesting area for walking! Two detractions at the moment are cattle and areas of spiky plants along the river banks. *XXXXXXXXX,X* SOCIAL NOTES FaR'JUNE. by Roger Browne.. June 6 - Committee Meeting. June 13 - Hear the President strike the traditionalgong! the new members; Thrill tOjbhe walks reports' Mix w?th the unrulythassest All this and more at the General Meeting.
June 20 - Quiz Night. Sometimes serious, sometimes hilarious, a quiz night for bushwalkers. Small prizes for participants and -audience members. DINNER before this meeting at the Phuong Vietnamese Restaurant, 87 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest. Meet' outside' at 6.30 pm, late arrivals ask for the “Sydney BushWalkers”' table. BYO,' cheap. June 27 The traditional Mid-Winter Feast. An evening of talking, laughing, eating and 'drinking. The Club supplies beer, wine and fruit juices. Everydhe is asked to-bring-a plate of food, and a mug or oup. The Club meets upstairs at 34 Falcon Street, Crows Nest. Doors open at 7.30 pm. ,Coffee and biscuits are served. All welcome. Page 14 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER May, 1984. FAR AWAY PLACES. by Peter Christian. Feeling hemmed in by the clamour and confusion of civilization The heart aches for the splendour and majesty of far away places. Mystic morn by Myall Lakes, lost in the mists of time, Lofty spires of Warrumbungles, where wedgetail sees few faces. When the smog and stench of the “big smoke” living seems too much to bear, The lungs ache for the freshness and clarity of those distant places Ghostly snow gums by alpine reaches shrouded with their. winter coats; Old Man Banksia allures “come and stay” in sleepy coastal spaces. Forever yearning for the calm and solitude not found in any city, Our thoughts drift out to the quiet and serenity of far away places. Awestruck moments of extensive views in Morton and Barrington Tops; Ageless paintings in lonely caves in Sturt's far-flung, outback traces. To recharge one's batteries there is a need to escape from society. Not a recluse or hermit-like existence, but communion with nature's places; Observing the migration and survival of birdlife on Menindee Lakes; Mootwingee's waterholes sustained a culture for 30,000 years, feel the passing phases. **XXZXXXXXXXXXX S.B.W. CUMMITTEE mEETIELLVJL, Australian Rogaining Championships are on 11/12 August next. Entry forms from Joan Cooper in the Clubroom. Insurance cover notes have been obtained for various property assets and public liability is to be further investigated. Purchase of an electric typewriter is to proceed to replace our old one, to improve the type face in our magazine. Also, a suitable duplicator or printer will be investigated as the old duplicator is not likely to lat beyond the and of the year Resignation as Delegate to the Federation of Bushwalking Clubs was accepted from Ainslie Morris. This position should be filled by election at the June General Meeting. As decided at the April Committee Meeting, New Members will be welcomed at the social meeting on the second Wednesday of each month. Walks Reports for the previous month will also be presented at this meeting, Leaders of exploratory type walks are requested to provide Track Notes to the Editor for inclusion in the magazine. (See page 13 for John Redfern's notes on the Gaulburn River Exploratory trip.)