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198703 [2015/12/11 14:15] – tyreless198703 [2016/01/14 08:19] (current) – tyreless
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 I have been our Magazine Editor for the past three years, since the April issue after the election in 1964. It was fortunate for me that I took over from an able and energetic Editor in Evelyn Walker, and articles were to hand already from some of our wonderful writers. I have been our Magazine Editor for the past three years, since the April issue after the election in 1964. It was fortunate for me that I took over from an able and energetic Editor in Evelyn Walker, and articles were to hand already from some of our wonderful writers.
  
-My first small task was to inveigle someone who knew lots of people in the Club to write up the Annual Reunion at Coolana. Ron Knightley whimpered a bit, but soon gave in gracefully. I suspect that he really had fun writing it up, and that our writers all do enjoy contributing and seeing their efforts in print. +My first small task was to inveigle someone who knew lots of people in the Club to write up the Annual Reunion at Coolana. Ron Knightley whimpered a bit, but soon gave in gracefully. I suspect that he really had fun writing it up, and that our writers all do enjoy contributing and seeing their efforts in print. The printing itself was my first big task. I was involved in the selection of a second-hand tabletop offset printing machine and platemaker and fuser. Whatever are they, you may well ask; I was soon to become informed on such technicalities. Then we needed an electric typewriter, and I hope I selected a good one; Kath Brown has become a convert to using it, and that's what matters. And so the appearance of the magazine has improved, with the full potential of the printer still to be realised by our team of Fran, Stan and Morag; good copy of photographs is our aim.
-The printing itself was my first big task. I was involved in the selection of a second-hand tabletop offset printing machine and platemaker and fuser. Whatever are they, you may well ask; I was soon to become informed on such technicalities. Then we needed an electric typewriter, and I hope I selected a good one; Kath Brown has become a convert to using it, and that's what matters. And so the appearance of the magazine has improved, with the full potential of the printer still to be realised by our team of Fran, Stan and Morag; good copy of photographs is our aim.+
  
 An unexpected and delightful bonus to being Editor has been making more friends in the Club. Writers, typist, printers, collaters, business manager, all needed regular contact by me, and I soon grew to value their interest and loyalty. Along with regular bushwalking friends, they made a great group at my wedding with Mike Reynolds. An unexpected and delightful bonus to being Editor has been making more friends in the Club. Writers, typist, printers, collaters, business manager, all needed regular contact by me, and I soon grew to value their interest and loyalty. Along with regular bushwalking friends, they made a great group at my wedding with Mike Reynolds.
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 At some respectable time after daylight Peter called round and reported 15 to 20 centimetres of snow on the ground. It was hardly fair play for midsummer. He and Dick, encased in their hermetically-sealed rounded cocoon, had known nothing of the night's events until, on opening the tent flap, they were unbelievably confronted by a brand new world. And what a transformation had taken place! The snow lay everywhere, on pine trees, shrubs, rocks, a real picture-postcard scene reminiscent of an Old World Christmas; and with snow still falling softly, there was indeed a charm about the place which only the insensitive would deny. At some respectable time after daylight Peter called round and reported 15 to 20 centimetres of snow on the ground. It was hardly fair play for midsummer. He and Dick, encased in their hermetically-sealed rounded cocoon, had known nothing of the night's events until, on opening the tent flap, they were unbelievably confronted by a brand new world. And what a transformation had taken place! The snow lay everywhere, on pine trees, shrubs, rocks, a real picture-postcard scene reminiscent of an Old World Christmas; and with snow still falling softly, there was indeed a charm about the place which only the insensitive would deny.
  
-But there might also be problems. Peter said we would be in no hurry to move off, if indeed we moved at all. Visibility was next to nothing and besides, some were wearing sandshoes. In the Gray tent the primus was started and Helen duly delivered hot cuppas to every tent; surely no paid waitress has ever been called on for such duties. And what is that strange-looking apparition, magnified by the veil of falling snow, which has suddenly appeared at the edge of the basin? Good Heavens, the Abominable Snowman is here already! Apologies, my mistake, it +But there might also be problems. Peter said we would be in no hurry to move off, if indeed we moved at all. Visibility was next to nothing and besides, some were wearing sandshoes. In the Gray tent the primus was started and Helen duly delivered hot cuppas to every tent; surely no paid waitress has ever been called on for such duties. And what is that strange-looking apparition, magnified by the veil of falling snow, which has suddenly appeared at the edge of the basin? Good Heavens, the Abominable Snowman is here already! Apologies, my mistake, it is only George out for a stroll.
-is only George out for a stroll.+
  
 I needed some activity and decided to attempt a fire. But where was last night's woodheap? Not a sign of it, but never mind. A scrap of paper, a little dry kindling, a meta tablet, part of a candle and lots of patience eventually brought rewards in the shape of hot tea, soup and warm bodies. Damn, I forgot to cook the ritual porridge, what a blessing! But where are Bill and Ivan? Not even a stirring from their tent which is partly buried and oddly misshapen. Are they still alive? "Maybe", says Peter, "I heard a distinct growl earlier on but whether it came from a human being or a Tasmanian Devil was impossible to tell". I needed some activity and decided to attempt a fire. But where was last night's woodheap? Not a sign of it, but never mind. A scrap of paper, a little dry kindling, a meta tablet, part of a candle and lots of patience eventually brought rewards in the shape of hot tea, soup and warm bodies. Damn, I forgot to cook the ritual porridge, what a blessing! But where are Bill and Ivan? Not even a stirring from their tent which is partly buried and oddly misshapen. Are they still alive? "Maybe", says Peter, "I heard a distinct growl earlier on but whether it came from a human being or a Tasmanian Devil was impossible to tell".
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 I will not dwell on that journey, the memories are too painful; but thanks to Peter's superb whiteout navigation and some stiff upper lips we eventually reached Windy Ridge Hut on the Overland Track, only to find that sanctuary already overflowing with wet walkers and gear. Another ten bods would have buried it completely. "You'll find somewhere to camp down the track", came a cheery farewell as we departed in the pouring rain. I will not dwell on that journey, the memories are too painful; but thanks to Peter's superb whiteout navigation and some stiff upper lips we eventually reached Windy Ridge Hut on the Overland Track, only to find that sanctuary already overflowing with wet walkers and gear. Another ten bods would have buried it completely. "You'll find somewhere to camp down the track", came a cheery farewell as we departed in the pouring rain.
  
-And so we did! It looked too good to be true: a large, grassy open flat alongside the Narcissus River. After the snow bowl of the previous night it seemed like Paradise; ah, you little beauty, now for a long night's rest without the slings and arrows of Tassie's outrageous climate to torture our tired bodies. But Bill would have none of it. Half-drowned rat that he was, he pined for dry security and decided to go on alone to Narcissus Hut. How the devil +And so we did! It looked too good to be true: a large, grassy open flat alongside the Narcissus River. After the snow bowl of the previous night it seemed like Paradise; ah, you little beauty, now for a long night's rest without the slings and arrows of Tassie's outrageous climate to torture our tired bodies. But Bill would have none of it. Half-drowned rat that he was, he pined for dry security and decided to go on alone to Narcissus Hut. How the devil did you know, Bill?
-did you know, Bill?+
  
 At dawn the next morning Joan woke me, alarm in her voice: "Can you feel something moving under the tent?" It was the end, or rather it was, unfortunately, just the beginning. At dawn the next morning Joan woke me, alarm in her voice: "Can you feel something moving under the tent?" It was the end, or rather it was, unfortunately, just the beginning.
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 |Douglas; Claudia, 58 Paget Street, Richmond, 2753|Phone (045) 78 4857| |Douglas; Claudia, 58 Paget Street, Richmond, 2753|Phone (045) 78 4857|
-|Floyd, Christine, 9/60 Carabella Street, KIrribilli, 2061|929 4170|+|Floyd, Christine, 9/60 Carabella Street, Kirribilli, 2061|929 4170|
 |Grove, Peter, 41 Lavender Street, Lavender Bay, 2061|929 4435| |Grove, Peter, 41 Lavender Street, Lavender Bay, 2061|929 4435|
 |Hesselyn, Ruth, 2/20 Walker Street, North Sydney, 2060|92 0876| |Hesselyn, Ruth, 2/20 Walker Street, North Sydney, 2060|92 0876|
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 ====Why?==== ====Why?====
  
-Why is it so important to concern ourselves with conserving our 6% +Why is it so important to concern ourselves with conserving our 6% or 7% of remaining forest wilderness in Australia?
-or 7% of remaining forest wilderness in Australia?+
  
 ====The Global View.==== ====The Global View.====
  
-I think the answer lies in considering the danger that our whole planet +I think the answer lies in considering the danger that our whole planet Earth is in. __A global view is harder to comprehend than a local one, but to reach it we can start with our own bushwalking__. We have, in the past sixty years, learned to leave our axes and guns at home and tread the bushland as privileged guests. We have taken positive action to save Blue Gum Forest, Era, Bouddi and now Coolana in Kangaroo Valley. The next step in developing our conservation conscience is to be equally concerned with saving areas we may have never visited, such as the forests of South-east N.S.W. near Eden, or the Carbine Tableland.
-Earth is in. __A global view is harder to comprehend than a local one, but to reach it we can start with our own bushwalking__. We have, in the past sixty years, learned to leave our axes and guns at home and tread the bushland as privileged guests. We have taken positive action to save Blue Gum Forest, Era, Bouddi and now Coolana in Kangaroo Valley. The next step in developing our conservation conscience is to be equally concerned with saving areas we may have never visited, such as the forests of South-east N.S.W. near Eden, or the Carbine Tableland.+
  
 ====The Time Perspective.==== ====The Time Perspective.====
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 ====Day 6 (Wedne6day) 31st December - New Year's Eve.==== ====Day 6 (Wedne6day) 31st December - New Year's Eve.====
  
-Our first overcast day, quite cool and windy. Setting off at the usual time, we passed Mail Box Hill on our left and headed through the gap at the north end of the Brassy Mountains. In this gap were two trees literally blown horizontal and still thriving, both very healthy specimens. Following the lee side (east) of North Brassy we passed above a large drift of show and came to Big Brassy, which we climbed and stopped in a sheltered spot for morning tea, looking out over the Burrungubrugge Valley. From there the route led us to Tin Hut, where we +Our first overcast day, quite cool and windy. Setting off at the usual time, we passed Mail Box Hill on our left and headed through the gap at the north end of the Brassy Mountains. In this gap were two trees literally blown horizontal and still thriving, both very healthy specimens. Following the lee side (east) of North Brassy we passed above a large drift of show and came to Big Brassy, which we climbed and stopped in a sheltered spot for morning tea, looking out over the Burrungubrugge Valley. From there the route led us to Tin Hut, where we had lunch. Again, this hut was in excellent order, being maintained by a Canberra club.
-had lunch. Again, this hut was in excellent order, being maintained by a Canberra club.+
  
 A semi-circular route from Tin Hut formed our approach to the Gungarten Range, which had many large drifts of snow on the eastern, protected side, where we were walking. Soon we were on the peak of Gungarten, just under the cloud cover, with the wind whistling about us. We spent little time there - it was such a contrast with the summit of Jagungal only the previous day. A semi-circular route from Tin Hut formed our approach to the Gungarten Range, which had many large drifts of snow on the eastern, protected side, where we were walking. Soon we were on the peak of Gungarten, just under the cloud cover, with the wind whistling about us. We spent little time there - it was such a contrast with the summit of Jagungal only the previous day.
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 Maps of course came first to mind for they entice me into planning trips and remind me of good walks done. For this the new large scale maps are great, a wonderful improvement on small scale, sketch and provisional maps of the past. But, even on a dry weekend, despite careful attention to folding and handling, I am left with a split and limp sheet with details blurred, while if it rains the paper and printing just disappear, leaving me high if not dry.  Maps of course came first to mind for they entice me into planning trips and remind me of good walks done. For this the new large scale maps are great, a wonderful improvement on small scale, sketch and provisional maps of the past. But, even on a dry weekend, despite careful attention to folding and handling, I am left with a split and limp sheet with details blurred, while if it rains the paper and printing just disappear, leaving me high if not dry. 
  
-What about packs? So many changes over the years, surely the modern ones are a vast improvement on anything before. I remember the pleasure of moving from A-frame to H-frame with batter balance and easier carrying. Good packs they were, with plenty of room, simple of access. strong and capable of keeping gear dry even in wet conditions. Modern packs, made of 'miracle' cloth and designed to take weight off the shoulders sound wonderful - there are so many to choose from, the popularity must arise from their quality. Well, mine is comfortable. It is a pity that the non-slip buckles need continual adjustment - and strange that I should be told by the agents that the large top pocket isn't meant to hold much unless the whole pack is chokka and that my habit of liking maps, first-aid and scroggin readily accessible in an external pocket is odd and should be changed. Perhaps the urgent need to get weight off my shoulders stopped me paying enough attention to the comments about waterproofing. I don't +What about packs? So many changes over the years, surely the modern ones are a vast improvement on anything before. I remember the pleasure of moving from A-frame to H-frame with batter balance and easier carrying. Good packs they were, with plenty of room, simple of access. strong and capable of keeping gear dry even in wet conditions. Modern packs, made of 'miracle' cloth and designed to take weight off the shoulders sound wonderful - there are so many to choose from, the popularity must arise from their quality. Well, mine is comfortable. It is a pity that the non-slip buckles need continual adjustment - and strange that I should be told by the agents that the large top pocket isn't meant to hold much unless the whole pack is chokka and that my habit of liking maps, first-aid and scroggin readily accessible in an external pocket is odd and should be changed. Perhaps the urgent need to get weight off my shoulders stopped me paying enough attention to the comments about waterproofing. I don't expect material to be as impervious as vinyl sheeting, but that the whole contents should be soaked after a couple of hours of light rain came as a shock. So did the solution offered of a pack-cover: through the Colo scrub? "I wouldn't know, I walk on tracks." said the salesman. "Try a canyon bag, it's only the seams that leak." But I'm looking for lightness and convenience, not another complication.
-expect material to be as impervious as vinyl sheeting, but that the whole contents should be soaked after a couple of hours of light rain came as a shock. So did the solution offered of a pack-cover: through the Colo scrub? "I wouldn't know, I walk on tracks." said the salesman. "Try a canyon bag, it's only the seams that leak." But I'm looking for lightness and convenience, not another complication.+
  
 The final blow - the pack base alone is watertight, so everything sloshes around in an inch of water. Oh well, I can save weight by cutting off some of the many straps for holding climbing, skiing and ice gear in place. Of course I removed one strap too many - across the chest - and the shoulder straps started slipping. Back went the sternum band and now, every time I sit down with pack on, I risk garrotting. And all I wanted was a basic bushwalker's sack! The final blow - the pack base alone is watertight, so everything sloshes around in an inch of water. Oh well, I can save weight by cutting off some of the many straps for holding climbing, skiing and ice gear in place. Of course I removed one strap too many - across the chest - and the shoulder straps started slipping. Back went the sternum band and now, every time I sit down with pack on, I risk garrotting. And all I wanted was a basic bushwalker's sack!
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 Of Treasurer's Report there was none. The accounts are all in for audit. Of Treasurer's Report there was none. The accounts are all in for audit.
  
-The Walks Report began with Les Powell's Shoalhaven area walk which attracted five people on a hot weekend, on what was described as a good walk. The leader may well have had his doubts, he was bitten by an eel whilst cooling in one of the pools. Peter Miller reported a large party on his Wollangambe Canyon li-lo trip. They queued with all the other parties who were going through that day. Jan Mohandas had 21 people on his Glenbrook walk which we are told involved +The Walks Report began with Les Powell's Shoalhaven area walk which attracted five people on a hot weekend, on what was described as a good walk. The leader may well have had his doubts, he was bitten by an eel whilst cooling in one of the pools. Peter Miller reported a large party on his Wollangambe Canyon li-lo trip. They queued with all the other parties who were going through that day. Jan Mohandas had 21 people on his Glenbrook walk which we are told involved lots of non-compulsory swimming. Of Ken Gould's 20,21,22 January canoe trip from Coolana there was no report.
-lots of non-compulsory swimming. Of Ken Gould's 20,21,22 January canoe trip from Coolana there was no report.+
  
 On the following weekend, Australia Day Weekend, 23,24,25,26 January, Bob Hodgson's Wollangambe wilderness trip was cancelled, but Don Finch reported 8 starters on his Colo River li-lo trip. Ian Debert's River Island Nature Retreat trip went as programmed with 15 or so starters. Jo Van Sommer's day walk attracted 22 starters on the 25th. On the following weekend, Australia Day Weekend, 23,24,25,26 January, Bob Hodgson's Wollangambe wilderness trip was cancelled, but Don Finch reported 8 starters on his Colo River li-lo trip. Ian Debert's River Island Nature Retreat trip went as programmed with 15 or so starters. Jo Van Sommer's day walk attracted 22 starters on the 25th.
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 April kicks off with the usual Committee Meeting - the first for the new Committee, on the 1st and a General Meeting on the 8th. On 15th April, after __dinner at the Mekong__, 64 Dalhousie Street (Vietnamese cooking) there will be a planning night for Easter walks. (Tell your new Social Secretary if you intend dining - see list of new Committee members, Page 3). Audio-Visual Peter Christian's "From the Snowys to Fraser Island" will be shown on April 22nd. April kicks off with the usual Committee Meeting - the first for the new Committee, on the 1st and a General Meeting on the 8th. On 15th April, after __dinner at the Mekong__, 64 Dalhousie Street (Vietnamese cooking) there will be a planning night for Easter walks. (Tell your new Social Secretary if you intend dining - see list of new Committee members, Page 3). Audio-Visual Peter Christian's "From the Snowys to Fraser Island" will be shown on April 22nd.
 +
 An exhibition of paintings by local artists, some of them club members, is planned for April 29th. Ray Dargan, Vivien Scheffer and Nadeen Lovell have already promised paintings and there may be others. This looks like a very interesting month, so do give it your support. An exhibition of paintings by local artists, some of them club members, is planned for April 29th. Ray Dargan, Vivien Scheffer and Nadeen Lovell have already promised paintings and there may be others. This looks like a very interesting month, so do give it your support.
  
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 $40 for three, $50 for four - Non-active with magazine $10 - Non-active $5 - Active over 70 years of age $10 - Prospective (6 months only) $15 - $40 for three, $50 for four - Non-active with magazine $10 - Non-active $5 - Active over 70 years of age $10 - Prospective (6 months only) $15 -
 Magazine subscription only - $10. Magazine subscription only - $10.
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198703.txt · Last modified: 2016/01/14 08:19 by tyreless
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