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199211

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A monthly bulletin of matters of interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers Incorporated, Box 4476 GPO, Sydney 2001. Club meetings are held every Wednesday evening at 8 pm at Kirribilli 'Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milson's Point Railway Station). Visitors and prospective members are welcome any Wednesday. To advertise in this magazine, please contact the Business Manager.

EDITOR Deborah Shapira, 8/1 Blackwood Ave., Ashfield 2131 Telephone: 798 0309 (h), 805 1466 (w), 805 1469 (fax). BUSINESS MANAGER Joy Hynes, 36 Lewis St., Dee Why 2099 Telephone: 982 2615 (h), 888 3144 (w) PRODUCTION MANAGER George Gray, telephone: 876 6263 'MIST AND LAY-OUT Kath Brown ILLUSTRATOR Morag Ryder PRINTERS Kenn Clacher, Kay Chan, Barrie Murdoch, Margaret Niven and Les Powell NOVEMBER 1992 Page Deborah.Shapira 2 2 Mike Reynolds 3 Helen Gray V 4 Alex Colley 7 Ian Wolfe 8 Don Matthews 10 Barry Wallace 13 Spiro Hajinakitas 15 16 Bill Holland 16 16 Editorial Notes New Members Thoughts on the 1992 SBW Reunion The Annual Reunion A Letter to NPWS re Shacks in N.P. To Sled or Not to Sled? Reunion Campfire Verses The October General Meeting Confederation Notes October Report on Action for Negligence Insurance Social Notes Advertisements Paddy Pallin Leaders in Adventure Eastwood Camping Centre Willis's Walkabouts 6 12 15 *# PAGE THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER NUVLMULK IY.74 Well, folks, it's getting near the end of the year and membership list for next year had to be finalized by midDecembe'r. Since you all like to move around so much, please send your address and telephone changes to the Membership Secretary, Barry Wallace, Box 4476 GPO, Dydney, 2001. :Please do not send them to me. The mailing labels come directly from the data base which Barry looks after. You-'11 see a lot. of this issue. isdevoted:to the Coolana Reunion where we had a great time. 'Perhaps you are sorry- you missed it, unless you were among -the 65 people who attended. Well, next year - - - - DEBBIE. TRIPS NOT ON WALKS PROGRAM CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Leader: IAN WOLFE Mount Twynham-(come for 2 Or 3 days) Charlotte's-Pass.- Sentinel (base camp) then day tours to Watson's Crags and - FAX 378 8135 (W) 378 8172 (H) 909 3370 Grade,: Medium/Easy -Maps:,1:50,000 Kosciusko CENTRAL TASMANIA 30 January 1993 to 14 February 1993. Traverse of the Denison, Spires and King William Ranges including a visit to Lake Rhona. 14 days walking (includes 4 day trips). Previous South-west or equivalent experience required. Expressions of interest received. Contact IAN WOLFE as above. NEW MEMBERS Home Work .HORDER BO-b - 6187 Broome Street, Maroubra 2035 '661 5740 -238 5607 MAKINSON Arthur. 10/14-16 Hazelbank Road, . Wollstonecraft 2065 923 1696 419 9325 NEW ADDRESS: The Treasurer has a new address:- HAMILTON Erith 24/1 Addison Road, Manly 2095 976 3832 (H) 411 2011 (B)

Thoughts on the 1992 SBW Reunion

“Let us reune” the President said
And so reune we did,
For the Sydney Bushies were ever willing To do as their Presidents bid.
To our “Happy Meeting Place” we came (For that's what “Coolana” means)
By the banks of the Kangaroo River Where the Casurinas lean.
We came by ones and twos and threes All through that summery day,
And put up our tents beneath the trees And gossipped the hours away.
While some who had no time to chat Were busily, cutting the wood,
And building the fire for the sing-song And some prepared the food,
While others rehearsed their songs and skits For a bit of a show that night,
And some were content to sit and dream In the dappled forest light.
But once the light of day was gone And the stars had all come out
We were summoned to gather and celebrate What our club is all about.
The sun went 'down and the stars came out And we all to the fireplace came,
Where the fire was lit by our President who bears an historic name
For our President is Ian Debert
Whose father (known as Jack)
Was the very first President of our Club full sixty-five years back.
And so the symbolic campfire flame Brightly and strongly burns,
Just as the secrets of the bush
Each new generation learns.
Our Club was founded years ago
Full threescore years and five
Have we been “beating about the bush” And we're still very much alive.
But we must all with vigilance guard Our heritage of the wild,
For unless we keep the movement strong The bush will be defiled.
The vandals are ever at the gate,
And ever there hangs the threat,
For those that believe in the God of Greed Are not defeated yet.

Mike Reynolds

by Helen Gray

The 65th Annual Reunion of SBW was enjoyed by 65 people. and, as no one actually took a survey, exaggerate and say there was a representative from every year. Certainly there was Frank Duncan from 1927, a foundation member now 92aAnd RayJ'age, atA0 as lovely, alert, interested and interesting as she was when she joined in 1930. Dot,Butler and Alex Colley go back to the '30s too, and then teenagers Reg Alder and Bill Burke hailed from that decade also. And then,all those. from the 4Os and 50s right down to the present. Not only old and young but near and far; Dian and Jenny Cornell travelled over 1,000 km for the event.

Coolana was looking good, but with a little help. A lot of help, actually. George Gray had gone to Coolana a week before to work on the pipe-line and have water “on tap” again. Ian Debert and Joy Hynes arrived on Friday night and worked up till I am, carrying tables, lamps, saws etc down the hill, installing a tap George had made to replace a faulty one, and draining the hut's tank., Then at daybreak they, were up again, working on a replacement stand for the tank with lots of help from Karl Lackman and very new member Tony Holgate. Karl had hired a large mower and with Tony's help then proceeded to work on the lower flat, clearing a wide path to the river through the over-head-height weeds. Many thanks from all of us for that and for clearing tracks on the upper levels too.

John Hogan deserves thanks for all his work on the camp-fire site; chain-sawing and clearing all the dead fallen wattles and building the camp-fire. While this was happening, Lorraine Bloomfield was arranging a display of old photos and memorabilia from the Club's archives, adding to it extra photos from Reg Alder and a number of portraits by Don Matthews. And Peter Miller, in reparation for a past sin but also out of the goodness of his heart, cleared many feet of leaf litter from around the hut (an important job for any Coolana visitor this summer if we are to avoid losing the hut to fire).

It was a balmy, beautiful evening that Saturday night as we assembled around the yet unlit fire, this year on the site of the old burnt-down house with its sandstone foundations still standing eerily like tombstones. To the accompaniment of “Fire's Burning” the torch was set to the pyre. Nothing! Another match: Nothing! “Sing louder': someone suggested.

“Pour petrol on it,” shouted another from a safe distance'. “No!” screeched 6 chorus, remembering the fire-lighting, from a year or so ago, when petrol fumes had, unbeknown, drifted down the-hill so that when the match was lit there was a sudden, huge, roaring, brilliant flame as the fumes ignited to a distance of 3 or 4 metres from the fire!

Another song or two under Bill Holland's direction, with the fire now blazing as a fire should, and we were into the entertainment. The talent just kept on coming.

Firstly “The Phone Went Brp Brp”, written by Don Matthews and played by himself, Tom Wenman, Mike Reynolds and Geof Wagg, with assistance from Dot, Jo Van Sommers, Jim Percy and Bob Duncan. Then Mike gave the first of three individual items for the night; songs written while on bushwalks about events and people around him, extremely clever and hilariously funny. “Bobbies and Bushies” was written in the 1950s by Jim Brown, Geof Wagg, Don Matthews and Malcolm McGregor about events in the Club's history over the previous three detades. Jim Brown put in a lot of recent work on this “Chronic Opera”, abridging and modifying, and adding a linking narration for the five episodes. Sorry, if the narration lost a bit of its punch, Jim, but a carbon copy on butchers paper from a 40 year-old typewriter provided some difficulty for ageing eyes by torchlight! No punch was lost with the songs, though, with Geof and Don, Bob and Dot, singing with as much gusto as when they formed it nearly 40 years ago. And as a concession to modern trend's theY6 'Was a genuine nude scene!

Tom Wenman had written about more recent events called “Drought and Flood”; clever and funny and delivered with his lovely, strong singing voice. There was “Tigering On” and “Sonia Snell”, old camp-fire sketches that have lost none of their entertainment value. Then “Dr. Dot's Health Clinic”, an excuse to cast Bob Duncan as a patient whose only cure was to sing comic songs and thus have Bob sing a couple of his falsett.W-voiced songs (usually only heard by those within earshot when he walks and sings along on occasional bushwalks). John Hogan revealed further talent - apart from that seen in the nude scene - in the form of a good singing -voice, when he gave us a.sung version of Gerard Hoffnung's bricklayer's laMent. And there wa some fine mouth-organ playing from ? ?.(sorry, I don't know his name). Next year he will.feature much more, we hope; “Supper's on,” came the call. “They all, rushed like pigs to'-the trough but I got there first,” (as. Owen Marks used to say). Not only JOY Hynes' tea, coffee and cocoa; not only Spiro's famous fruit cakes, but -,Spiro's spinactFipies! I shall formally thank Spiro here, though the speed and enthusiasmat which all was devoured are thanks in itself. On Sunday morning the sun rose through a faint mist, the air was still, the birds were singing their spring songs. Among the trees filtered the first drifts of blue Smoke as the early risers lit their fires. Poetic ramblings from a late-riser, you may think! Yes and no. I have seen Geof Wagg's excellent video of that morning, and other reunion activities. Highly recommended! The damper competition had fewer entries this year, maybe due to the lack of adequate coals from the campfire.- One frustrated cook built up the fire to speed his effort, not realising there was a nearly-cooked damper close by and thus reducing)3everly Smith's damper to a black blob. A blob that was initially dismissed by our learned judges from Canberra, Frank Rigby and Reg Alder, but when it was broken open there it was - the winning damper! It was devoured in seconds, as I can attest, for I blinked and missed out. But I did sample' a very good second placegetter, made by the Holgate's eldest daughter. With dampers devoured and fingers glued with butter and golden syrup, it' was off to the river for the swimming race. In various states of undress, the contestants were off on the long swim to the opposite bank and return. Rudy Dezelin won in good style, and Belinda McKenzie decided if she couldn't wIn she'd come last and at least be remembered. The day's activities ended With a walk led by Ian Debert along a couple of Coolana's. boundaries. . While President Ian modestly says he had lots of help and doesn't need thanks, he's getting it anyway. It was a most well run and happy reunion, and lots of thought and hard work on his part made it so. Thanks, Ian. EARTH WIND FIRE RAIN ADERS IN ADVENTURE SEPT-NOV elcome to issue 1 af ” the “Update, our way. of letting yoti know thelotestdevelopments -; in products and activities available at yoUr166cil Paddy Pallieestore. , GORE-TEX VALUE' - THE BARCOO. $249 The Tanami Barcoo jacket is now available at all Paddy Pullin stOres. At $249.00 it - represents outsionding value for money for a fully Featured Gore:Tex -.- rainshell. The Barcoo. passed with flying colours the stringent tests carried out by W.L. Gore as part of their Guaranteed ' To Keep You Dry ' programme. - The Barcoo is mid thigh length and features seamfree shoulders, a waterproof front closure, external drawcord and 2 large volume pockets. Available in Red and Mid Blue THE PADDY PALLIN CLUB Back in June we launched The Paddy Pcillin Club in order to stay in touch with regular customers: -. ” For an annual subscription of $10-00 members receive 0 host of-benefits includirivt -special; - Clublnembers discev0lon their , , purchases, special rates on 'adventure activities 0is'irell'as-'. exclusive trips for club members… Members receive a newsletter full of outdoor tips, product-news, competitions, information on new offers erc.' - To ioin. simply pick up a brochure in your' foCalr Paddy' Pallin store or telephone 008 805398 TOLL FREE. THE TIKA CORONET –FOR TRAVELUNG BUSHWALKERS. 'tirdU're off on some lengthy travels that. could involve some btishwalking along the-way? lf so the Tika Coronet (089) could be the pack for you. It has both a top loading and front opening facility, a Comfortable 2 size adjustable harness system that can be zipped away for avoiding the airport baggage chewer! The front pocket zips off and converts to:ddoypack. A fine pack for ; thase travelling to Europe but stopping off in “ Nepal on the way home to trek around Annapurna. THE ADVENTURE FIRST AID KIT A while ago some Paddy Pallin staff were tentbound in a storm on the Main Range. As a means of relieving the boredom they began comparing personal First Aid kits. Noticing a number of similarities in what they had ended up with.; over the years, the idea of - “developing a specific Adventure kit came about. A week or so- later we were meeting with St Jahn Ambulance and many - mOnths later the joint Paddy Pallin/SI John Ambulance Adventure First Aid Kit was born. The kit is packed in a brightly coloured,: flexible, multi pocketed PVC pouch sealed with weatherProof press zips; ApOrl froni the'medical' contents, the kit also contains a fully laminated First Aid Booklet, Casualty Record cards, a notebook and pencil and printed information on Hypothermia and Emergency contact numbers. $69.95 PADDY PAWN COVERS THE COUNTRYI All 400+ products in our catalogue or any other item of outdoor equipment can be sent anywhere. So if you can't make if too Paddy Pallin store call Toll Free 008 805398 for a copy of The Paddy Pallin Catalogue and full details on our Mail Order Operation EXPANSION AND FACELIFT FOR CANBERRA STORE By the time you read this the painters and carpet fitters will have left and our Canberra store will be looking bigger and brighter. So next lime you're in the National Capital call in. Sydney -Miranda Canberra Jindabyne Melbourne Sox Hill Adelaide Perth Hobart Launceston Mail Order DON'T BAG THE ENVIRONMENT 16,000 BAGS SAVED! A big thank you. to all our customers for the tremendous support yob hove given the above scheme whereby every time you elect norto lake a bag for your purchases Paddy Pallin donates I 0 cents to a charity. In the first 6 months of this year we were able lo donate $800.00 to the Wilderness Society and $836.00 to a range of charities local to each store. That equates to some 16000 bags not going into precious landfill, less energy being used because we need to order less bags. Thanks to you, everyone benefits. NEW INTEGRAL OFFERINGS Drytech; the fabric that revolutionized the Bodywear market, has two more garments in - the range. The cycle short style Techshorts are obviously ideal for cycling but also well suited to canoeing or bushwalking with the stretch of the Drytech Jersey fabric . accommodating the most extreme moveinents. Available in Blue and Red at $35.95 For those who prefer short sleeves we've chopped them off the old favourite, the Techcrew, to give.the. Techshirt with a pride of $35.95 FROM THE L NAFIN7,. BODMIL1517, 1}0.03,. rurE 6,93 PCSARVIE /4844.0.0.{- CLUB THE LEADERS IN ADVENTURE 307 Kent St NSW 2000 527 Kingsway NSW 2228 11 Lansdale St Brockton ACT 2601 Kosciusko Rd NSW 2627 360 Little Bourke St VIC 3000 8 Market St VIC 3128 228 Rundle St SA 5000 1/891 Hay St WA 6000 76 Elizabeth St TAS 7000 59 Brisbane St TAS 7250 360 Little Bourke Si VIC 3000 (Melbourne Residents Ph 03 6709485) Ph 02 2642685 Ph 02 5256829 Ph 06 2573883 Ph 064 562922 Ph 03 6704845 Ph 03 8988596 Ph 08 2323155 Ph 09 3212666 Ph 002 Mom Ph 003 314240 Toll Free.008 805398 Fax 03 670 4622 NOVEMBER 199Z THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE /

'A LETTER SENT TO NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SERVICE FROM OUR CONSERVATION SECRETARY

Alex Colley Dear Mr. Gillooly, The Sydney Bush Walkers strongly support the representations of Mr. Stan Cottier OAM for the enforcement of your Service's policy, ,announced 40 years ago, of terminating the leases of shacks on the -death of licensees. The SBW have a special interest in the southern beaches of the .Royal National Park, having taken a leading part in the Garrawarra ;campaign 60 years ago and bought lot 7 North Era to forestall development. Since the above policy was supposed to have been adopted, many of the original lessees have died and the shacks (now dilapidated) are occupied by their children and grandchildren and probably by unrelated persons. This was condoned by the licensing system introduced in 1979 which granted leases “for the personal use of the licensee and members of his or her immediate family It The origin of the shacks is described by our late founding member, Myles J. Dunphy OBE, who inspired the reservation of Garrawarra and Era, in the attached passage from “The New Conservators”. The conditions.he describes have not applied for the paSt 50 years. The aim of creating national parks is to preserve natural areas for the enjoyment of the public, not for occupation by squatters. Yours sincerely, A. G. COLLEY OAM

THE SQUATTERS

Times were bad, many people unemployed, so walkers who could afford to indulge in recreation in National Park and Garawarra were charitable and tolerant about the 'squatters' who, severally and as a collection of groups, spread along the unoccupied coast lands including public reserves. By their decisive actions they were developing a philosophy, the basis of which was self-interest at no expense; therefore their attitude was “I'm alright, Jack”. ' The vanguard of this section of the community was made up of unemployed including fellows who had not settled down after the First World War and they were getting along in years, and to some extent were living on a pension and oft-their wits - and 'off the land' as the saying goes. Not impeded by regular employment and preferring an outside environment to existence.in,the cheapest urban environment, they searched the coastlands, found a site which suited them and proceeded to make a home in the form ofa cabin or shack. They shrugged off the matter of tenure; they had great faith in the quality of toleration - other peoples' of course - and on the ,disinclination of park trustees, visitors and recreational , walkers to disturb them. Although most of them usurped choice situations where walkers Could camp temporarily and hikers and others could picnic,' their peculiar philosophy gave them the belief that, since. they had built cribs, or huts or shacks on the situation of their choice - the best offering, by any standard - their effort made the.hut and the gound their .property. So they improved the water supply, cut down trees for future seasoned fuel 7 the best of course - and there they were - to stay as long as they could do so. Their defiance was passive, carefully pitched to attract the sympathy of citizens' better off. Or were they better off? It was a fair question because the average hard-working citizen had to honour all his economic responsibilities, and could not afford to buy a choice home site beside the seaside or estuary. It was a most peculiar situation and had every- body bluffed. It became a political matter, the squatters dared the various quthorities to force them off. It was astonishing how long they were able to enjoy their pocket-handkerchief claims.

TO SLED-OR -NOT TO SLED? This Is Indeed The Question by Ian Wolfe 06-my recent'nine day Cross Country Ski trip in Victoria we took a sled along to carry some of the extra load. It being the nature of sleds that they have to be pulled on the flat or up the hills as they unfortunately have no inclination to propel themselves in such situations. (Going down- hill, however, is something they greatly ,enjoy and they can be counted on to actively seek out opportunities for a 'run”.) Inevitably the question arises as to whether the beast is worth it (usually whilst you are in the traces panting up a hill). This article is devoted to giving a few hints to those who are sontemplating sledding. 1. If the trip is under six days don't even consider a sled unless all you are doing is skiing a short distance into a base camp'. Above six days sleds start to become mare,worth while as the size and weight of a six day + ski tourigg:Tackj:8 a,combersome thing indeed. However the bigger and 1.stronger. you are the larger the size of the pack you can carry. Thus for some,Ipeople aften day pack is manageable. However for a group containing a range of body sizes and fitness levels the 6 + day rule is'a fair guide. 2.-Sleds wbrk:best on fairly flat terrain and are just hard work on hills. Therefore don't even consider taking a sled on a hilly trip, i.e. a traverse of the Main 'Range. Even in fairly flat terrain micro route analysis is warranted to seek; out all the lowest passes and gentlest slopes. Work in Shifts.of 30-60 mins in the traces to.share the joy around. At least three and preferably more people are needed in a party to pull a sled. 4. Put large bulky ,items in the sled rather than heavy compact ones. Have people eat out of their sled parcel first rather than out of their packs, thus quickly reducing the weight of the sled. Pack the weight to the rear of the sled rather than the front. Resist the temptation to put in a whole lot.of extra goodies just because you are taking a sled - i.e. no casks of port, pate, avocados or Camembert!. 5. On the flat and slight uphills (as puller) put your pack in the sled rather than carry it as this lets you swing your arms and use your body more effectively. On steeper grades wear your pack as this gives better traction and swap pullers more frequently. 6. Put the sled-at the rear of the party and have the others prepare a trail for the sled. Depending on the softness of the snow this requires differing levels of effort as the sled is wider than the normal two-legged track. In really, soft snow one ijerson breaks trail, the second person follows behind but skis one track to one side, the third person does likewise but oh the Othet side, thus creating four tracks in total which is the width .; NOVEMBER 1992 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 9 of the sled. This does mean that numbers 2 and 3 are working harder, with one ski in the new now than if they were just following number 1. However they can swap sides when the legJn.the,new know gets tired and in any case it is not as hard as being out ih front as the show is already fractured. In all they work about 30% harder than 'without, 4 sled. In firmer snow only 3 or 2 tracks may be required. 7. Sleds are great fun going down hills as they have a momentum of their own! In soft snow this is a real advantage as it allows you to power through and outpace the rest of the party (they then follow in the lovely track you have created). What you do is to lean back in the traces, let your ski tips rise and let the sled push you down the mountain. Sleds also-have very good longitudinal stability which lets you ride through the crud and bumps that are hard to handle with a big pack on your back. Once you get used to it this stability allows you to ski downhill at speeds others will gasp at. A number of wordsof caution: i) Crashing with a sled is unpleasant as the metal runners leave unsightly marks on your skin. ii) Sleds have a wide turning circle and from experience trees rarely move to get out of the . way! iii) Dips and hollows lead the sled to slow and surge which can be disconcerting. 8. Sleds enjoy side slopes. This gives them an opportunity to engage in all sorts of antics which include flipping over on their backs or sides and sliding.away down the hill. For the puller-it's like being attached to.a trout that doesn't want to be.caught. If you would rather not experience this delight avoid side slopes. 9. What to do when the sled is empty? In normal terrain just keep pulling it with your pack in the sled. In closely treed terrain clip the sled onto your pack with Ocky straps and carry it on your back (watch out for over- hanging branches and at all costs don't fall over on your back or you Will be in for the ride C;of. your life!). The harness and trace are carried by another. person and are best clipped around the top of their pack and trailed behind. In medium terrain when ascending or descending clip the harness through your pack belt but:leave it very loose. This will allow the harness to rotate and the sled to remain still as you do your kick turns. . , 10. Upturned sleds make great seats and stove benches'. ,Sleds,are a very efficient way to transport firewood and in extremis an fnjured person. 12. Let it be clear that sleds are hard work. The benefit of pulling them as opposed to carrying the extra weight is only slight and careful route analysis is imperative. Pullers also need to have a high degree of mental commitment and self discipline to stick with it and do what is required. Not all people have this capability or these qualities. People with small frames often have huge hearts but suffer from the operation Of the laws of mechanics and should only act as pullers on the flat or downhill. These - factors mean that notions of equality are inappropriate when pulling sleds. Rather people need to adopt the team perspective; as distinct from the individual perspective, and contribute on the basis of capability. In summary, like Hamlet, I leave you with the quandary. Oft times it is best to endure the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and NOT to sled. Other times 'tis best to sled, to sled, perchance to dream * * * * * * * * * The phone went Brrp, so we picked it up (Seemed the sensible thing to do) And the voice on the phone said, “President here. We've a job we want done, here, for you. Our=65th Anniversary's due: -ADA although out there, we know, Ws the normal retirement age and all We intend to ignore that, and so Could you stitch up some verse, or a jingle or two Or 'a bit of a skit, or “a song.” “Not us,” we replied, “We've a touch of the !flu, And we've never been terribly strong.” But on thinking it over it seemed at long last We Could have a few tableaux or acts Each depicting a happening from out of the past, : On the basis of nothing but facts. So we went to the book where it's all set in type And extracted an idea or two, -And tonight, with the miniMum bother and hype We now humbly present it to you = It all began in 1927. A young man named Jack Debert was walking the Six-Foot track to Jenolan caves, sd16, and thought a great deal about the formation of a walking club in Sydney,(a,walking club that is, apart from the all-male invitation-Only Mountain Trails Club). “Shortly afterwards,” wrote,Jack, returning from a weekend walk down the South Coast, “I drafted a letter to the 'SUN' newspaper as the train rattled Sydney-wards. Pn August 1st the letter was printed….” “We need a club,” thought John Debert - (They always called him 'JACK'), 'A free and easy meeting place For those who would hit the track. The M.T.C. is,only for men But I'd like to see some ladies, and then We'd all go out walking again and again Again and again and again…. He wrote A nbte marked August one And sent it to the 'Sun', from those who thought A club ,could be.quite,fun. Before a few short months had passed They'd formed a club and formed it fast With the aim and intention of making it last And last and last and last. RE-UNION CAMPFIRE VERSES. 'The Prblogue by Don Matthews

NOVEMBER 1992 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAuE ti They needed some formality, a President, they thought, To lead them through , the labyrinthine rituals of the sport. They piti&I'Debert,-ihey thought it right, And now we've another 'Debert here tonight. So it's clear to us now .We've once more seen the light During the tough times of the Depression,there-were said to be some rough characters lurking out there in. the bush. Some lady walkers were reputed o be carryingfirearms to protect theMselves.. And then the were ladies wile) chose to revolt vGainst unknown assailants, potential assault. For the wild Blue Mountains were no place-fOr fun And they armed themselves fully with cartridge and gun. “I carry a pistol to ward off attacks By the predatory. males I fear, And if one appears then I'll shoot at his daks With the aim of disabling his rear.” And then there were The Tigers, who performed marvelldus feats of endurance and by good planning carried along with them the lesser mortals, known as The Rabbits The Tigers hunted as a pack (We quote page 23*) For three short years of derring-do They wandered wide and free. They, pioneered the trackless bush By strength and harmony. They swam down raging rivers, And they slid down mountain scree, They scaled the highest pinnacles And still got home for tea; *Poetic license, it's actually page 27 - “S.B.W. The First 60 Years:” The Rabbits, those of lesser strength Were not left all behind, For Tigering isn't all strong legs It's mostly state of mind, And you can be a Tiger too If you feel so inclined. But, check up on the Leader first,. Make sure his face is kind. The Epilogue still Don Matthews We've heard a lot of past events, to recent times let's turn, For if the bush is new to you, it's unexplored you'll learn - You'll have the same excitement that the Tigers had of old, And the Sydney Bushies always are resourceful, brave and bold. Our gear has been transmogrified from swag to hi-tech pack, And nothing need the:Modern Sydney BUshie really lack. As far as creature comforts go you can be quite complete, But you need to take good care that you don't overload your FEET! We're always pushing oat towards adventures new and rare, And stretching our capacity by what we try anddare.. , Though regulated by due regard for safety-hence We have,,a'well developed touch of basic common sense. 3 Trelawney St (PO Box 131) Eastwood.NSW 2122 QLD (MB 1\ Butter Concentrate Vic Outgear Backpacks Accessories Feathertop Wool Shirts * Giant Trees Dried meals NSW Sleeping Bags J & H, Mont, Romans Rainwear Mont, J & H, Superior Day Packs High Tops, Summit Gear Bonwick Caving Ladders Hoieproof Undies 4 Socks Trailblazer Hats DB uff C nyon bags TAT.:9.3 Blundstone Boots WA Wilderness Equipment Backpacks Goretex Clothing 'Cycle Panniers ACT National Maps SA Rossi Bo ts Fl. ers Baby Carriers NOVEMBER, 1992 THE SYDNEY. BUSHWALKER:,.: PAGE 1111111111011111101111111.111/ MONTHLY MEETING NOTES 42P1*',1-www,

THE OCTOBER GENERAL MEETING by Barry Wallace It was 20.16 and there we were all in one place shambling around in general anarchy when the President from his lofty vantage point in the chair, interrupted a multiplicity of conversations, called the 15 or so members pre-sent to order and got proceedings underway. there were apologies from Margaret Niven and George Floyd, and new member Bob Horder was welcomed in the traditional way. The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and received with no matters arising Correspondence, in the absence of the Secretary George, was limited to a letter from the Councilof the City of Greater Lithgow forwarding a supplement to the EIS on tha proposed mine at Airly Mountain. Then it was the Treasurer's turn to regale us with tales of financial splendour. We earned or otherwise acquired income of $37342,'spent $1,457.36 and closed the month with a balance of $13,556.95. No, gentle reader,. that closing balance is not a trick of the light, or related to failing or confused memory. There were significant loan redemptions to the Coolana account. These have made it all look too good to be true. Next 'month we 'Will no doubt re-invest and look poor as church-mice. The Walks Secretary was nowhere to be seen, so in order to allow some time for him to appear, or for Morrie Ward to assemble enough bite to present the report in his stead, we proceeded to the Conservation Report. This brought mention of a request from Stan Cottier that the Club write to NPWS asking that the removal of the shacks from Burning Palms be proceeded with in accordance with the existing rulings. A motion to give effect to this re4upst, was passed on the voices and Alex will pen an appropriate missive., WelaTOO'herd mention of a petition, available for signature, from Senator Coulter in sppport of his motion on endangered species. There was no Confederation Report, so by this time things were looking desperate in the Walks Report department. . And then along came Morrie Yard, program inhand and inspiration in mind to guide us through the treacherous shoals of the preceding month's Walks Reports. But where was Bill? It all began at the weekend of 11,12,13 September with Brian Holden leading a team of 8 on his Shoalhaven area walk which was described as a pleasant weekend. There was no report of Dick Weston's Glenbrook area day and a half walk, but Vic Lewin led a party of 11 through gales and sleet on his Pinnacles - Lockley's Pylon day trip which some imaginative soul described as a nice walk. Of the other two day walks, Maurie Bloom's mapping instructional was cancelled and Will's next in an unending series of Great North Walk walks saw the party of 11 struggling with errors on the toppo. map. Despite all this they said it was a good day, with good weather. For the weekend of 18,19,20 September, Jan Mohandas's walk from,Kanangra Walls had no report and so too did Jim rivers's mis-dated walk, in the Morton N.P. Belinda McKenzie's Saturday start barbecue hut-crawl with the YHA went td program with 3 starters and just enough rain on the Saturday to make the choice of hutting look justifiable. Of the day walks, Eddie Giacomel's PAGE '14 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER NOVEMBER 199Z cycling trWWent, but there was no report. Errol Sheedy had 10 or 11 . n his Waterfall Xtv Engadine trip, reported as fine weather, easy - , pnd Morag RWler,44kapartyof.12 enjoying a-pleasant walk on both sides 'pf. Narrow Neck on a good fine day.: - The weekend of 253;26,27 September saw George Mawer leading 8 brave souls through masses of wildflowers on his Morton N.P. walk, while Peter Dorman's 2 day Newnes, Glen Davis, Newnes walk had 5 starters enjoying good weather and a good walk. There was no report of Tony Maynes' Bluegum day walk, but Eddie Giacomel had his party of 6 out enjoying thick scruband muddy feet on his Kuring-gal Chase walk in overcast and cool weather. 'Laurie Bore's Wollongambe River and beyond walk was cancelled due to lack of starters.. The October long weekend occurred from October 3 to 5, unless you were Ian Wolfe, who somehow or other managed to only get three days of ski-touring in between the 2nd, and 5th. The 13 starters reported experiencing every known. type of weather conditons during their sojourn in the vicinity, of Knob and Dicky Cooper Bogong. There was no report of Bill Capon's Budawangs walk or Ian Rannard's Yengo N.P. walk. Wilf Hilder had 6 on - Stages 10,11,12 of the Great North Walk which seem to have involved at least two White Dog style climbs to fog-masked vistas in light rain. Mark Weatherly, in the intermediate Maroota N.P. area reported fine cool weather with the country dry but still greeen. A little further south Jim Callaway and the 10-walkers on his Waterfall to HeathcOte trip reported” light rain. Of the mid-week walks only Jo Van Sommers walk went, with the 5 starters enjoying a good day. Bill Holland-'s instructional walk at Coolana, scheduled for 10,11 Oct. was cancelled and as a consequence so was the Coolana Working bee. There was no report of Oliver Crawford's Wollongambe Wilderness trip over the weekend of 9,10,11 October. Alan Mewett's day walk in Brisbane Waters N.P. attracted 18 starters and went to program In fine weather with good sightings of waratahs, and Tony Maynes had 21 starters on his. Stanwell Park to Otford via, the rocks walk in perfect weather. Only 19 of Tony's starters finished for some reason, but so too, there did the Walks Report. It should be remarked, however, that Bill Holland did show up about one-third of the way through. General Business brought no items fbr attention but Bill took the opportunity to further review the matter of insurance cover(s). There were no announcements that would still be current at the time of writing and the Piesident dlosed the meeting at 2124. * * * * * * * * BOOTS FOR SALE - Hi Tee PCTs, Cut away style - Size 9 1/2 (Why did I chose the wrong size) Worn once $45 Contact George Floyd Home 9294170 Bus 3727886 , (4. NOVEMBER 1992 THE SYDNEY BUSHWALKER PAGE 15

CONFEDERATION NOTES OCTOBER GENERAL MEETING by Spiro Hajinakitas Volunteers required to help with enquiries on theConfederation's stall at the Sydney ,Sports Show at Darling Harbour next January. Shifts flexible. All day or for a-short time Contact Robyn Arthur - 897 2270-(H) or 886 2142 (B). - Confederation's delegates to attend NCC Conference 31 Oct11 Nov National Parks Association has proposed to join Confederation submitting 2497 bushwalking members and is prepared to pay $3 per head. Originally Confederation based its subscriptiOri!lee structure anticipating 4000 bushwalking members of NPA. Vote to be taken at next General Meeting. For insurance purposes Confederation passed a'motion defining “A VISITOR”.. i.e. A visitor is a non-member of a club participating in any club activity with the consent of the leader of that activity. Confederation is to enquire as to the delay by NPWS in re-opening the Govett's Leap track, 'and also enquiring why advisory committee to the management of National Parks have been disbanded. Keith Maxwell announced that S & R has misplaced a Codan Aerial from a field radio. A delegate from the St. Geot2ige Bushwalkers urged all to be very wary of the small white-tailed spider whose bite can cause serious problems if not treated within 48 hours. Apparently Dr.,Tonkin of Terrigal is the expert in the treatment of the bite of the white-tailed spider. Confederation is to update the “CODE OF ETHICS'. It has not been revised for ten years. WILLIS'S WALKABOUTS SLIIBARCTIC SPECIAL Alaska, theYukonandtkeNorthwestTerritories:August-September1993 end enjoy the scenery as you canoe 350 km down the Yukon andTeslinVivers. Good fishing, easy paddling, no rapids that can t be 4yoided. Bushwalk through the mountain ranges along the Dempster Highway, North America's northernmost public road. Cruise through the fiords of southeast Alaska with their spectacular mountain and glacier scenery. Wander through the Tongass National Forest where You can walk, boat or fly to remote wilderness cabins. There is no rigidly fixed itinerary on this tour. If some place is especially nice, we have the flexibility to spend extra time there. Write for full details. 4) Vint( 44, Willis's Walkabouts A 12 Carrington Street, Milliner NT 0810 Phone (089) 85 2134 Fax (089) 85 2355 146 459 04v 1 PAGE 1 6 THE-'SYDNEY BUSHWALKER NOVEMBER 1992 REPORT ON ACTION FOR NEGLIGENCE The Arbitrator, Mr: John Berry,has made anaward in favour of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. in respect of an action from a former prospective member seeking damages for injuries received from a fall during a bushwalk on 10th March 1991. The plaintiff alleged breach'of contract and negligence. The defendant (SBW). whilst not admitting any Contraat denied negligence and alleged contributory negligence by the plaintiff. The alternative of.”volenti non fit injuria” (voluntary assumption of riSk) was also claimed as a defence. Mr Berry, in a.reserved decision handed down on 28th October, was satisfied that there was nothing that the defendant, either by itself, or through the walk leader, could have done to prevent the plaintiff from falling Accordingly, he entered an award in favour of the defendant. The plaintiff was ordered to pay the defendant's professional cost, including witness fees. Explanatory Note: Although this action was broughtupon the club, the defence and all costs associated with the action have been met by our insurance company pending the outcome of the action - see following notes dealing with insurance. It should also be rioted that the Club rules provide for the Club to indemnify all of its officers (including leaders) against costs incurred lnd actions taken in carrying out their duties. 'INSURANCE by Bill Holland In light of the foregoing legal matter, it may be of interest to members to restate the Club's current position regarding insurance. Two types of cover have been taken out: public liability, ie indemnifying the Club against Ofaims arising from club activities. brooertv covPr, ie. the 6ost 'of relacij property such- as 'the printing equipment. The first cover (public liability) is compulsory under The Associations Incorporation Act. It was under this policy that our insurance company acted in the above legal matter. The second cover (property) is optional but we have covered the cost of our equipment located on the printing premises. There. Is'a third cover available to members ie accident and personal loss insurance. The Club do*S.Aot offer this i; cover but recommends that members make their own personal arrangethentS'i-

SOCIAL NOTES: Dec: 2nd Committee Meeting 9th General Meeting 161.1 (Club's Annual Christmas Party (Celebrate our 66th Christmas in the Clubrooms. Oring along a plate. Drinks will be supplied. 23rd Club Closed 30th Club Closed Jan: 6th Club Closed, but don't forget the Barbecue at Obelisk Beach from 6 pm.

199211.txt · Last modified: 2016/01/26 18:04 by kennettj

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