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The Sydney Bushwalker Page 1
OCTOBER 2006 issue No. 863
THIS MONTH INCLUDEG…..
REGULAR FEATURES Page Presidents Report - Jan Roberts 2,3 From the Committee Room - Bill Holland 3 New Members Notes - Maurice Smith 5 Walks Report - David Trinder 5 Social Program - Kathy Gero 18 SPECIAL FEATURES
Leaders Profile - Maureen Carter 13 The Last of the Coxs River Men - Ben Esgate 1914-2003
by Jim Smith 16 CONSERVATION
Coolana Report - Grete! Woodward 4 Conservation Notes - Bill Holland 6 Tracks and Access Report - September - Wilf Hilder 6 Report on the Wilderness Conference - Bill Holland 7 Two great days doing maitenance at Coolana - Rick Angel 0 Sustainable Bushwalking - Where do | start? 7
THE WALKS PAGES
Georges River in Spring - Maureen Carter 4 Do bushwalkers go to heaven? - CLIO 8,9 Caught in a blizzard - Pam Campbell 11 Walks Notes - Barry Wallace 12 Bushwalking Adventures - Peter Dyce 14,15 ADVERTISERS
Alpsport Inside front cover Wild Asia 5 Williss Walkabouts 11 Wilderness Transport 17 Paddy Pallin Inside back cover
iydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 -ublication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. Page 2
The Sydney Bushwalker
October 2006
About Our Club
The Sydney Bush Walkers was formed in 1927 for the purpose of bringing bushwalkers together; enabling them to appreciate the great outdoors; establishing a regard for conservation and promoting social activities. The Clubs main activity is bushwatking but includes other activities such as cycling, canoeing and social events.
Our Walks Program (published quarterly) features day walks on most Saturdays and Sundays, some mid week walks and overnight weekend walks. Extended walks are organised in areas such as the Warrumbungles, Snowy Mountains, etc as well as interstate.
Our meetings start at 8pm and are held on Wednesday evenings (see Social Programme) at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre, 16 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli (near Milsons Point Railway Station).
Visitors and prospective members are welcome. Website: www.sbw.org.au
Office Bearers Members are welcome to contact the following officers on Club matters: President: Jan Roberts 9411 5517 (h) janc.roberts@bigpond.com Vice President: Margaret Carey 9957 2137 (h) margaret_carey@bigpond.com
Secretary: Greta James 9953 8384 (h) gjam6037@bigpond.net.au Walks Secretary: David Trinder
9660 9945 (h) Social Secretary: 9130 7263 (h)
dt28@tpg.com.au Kathy Gero social@sbw.org.au Treasurer: Anita Doherty 9456 5592 (h) alinta@bigpond.net.au Members Secretary: Fran Holland 9484 6636 (h) fernband@bigpond.com New Members Secretary: Maurice Smith 9587 6325 (h) newmembers@sbw. org.au Conservation Secretary: Bill Holland 9484 6636 (h) billholland@bigpond.com Magazine Editor: Pam Campbell 9570 2885 (h) pamela.campbeli@bigpond.com Committee Members: Ron Watters wattersr@bigpond.net.au Caro Ryan 9909 1076 (h) justshootme@ozemail.com.au Delegates to Confederation:
Jim Callaway
(no email address)
Wilf Hilder walkingwilfgretel@bigpond.com
9419 2507 (h)
9520 7081 (h)
9587 8912 (h)
Presidents Report
So are you getting out and enjoying your spring walks in the cooler months before the brow and back start to drip furiously in the summer heat? | certainly have been, and in the past month have enjoyed a number of walks both on and off the SBW program.
Wilf Hilders Tuesday walk in the Mount Annan Botanic Gardens last month was a warm one, and took our group on an interesting circuitous traverse of the Botanic Gardens just as Wilf had promised. The gardens have matured significantly since my last visit some years back and now feature many fascinating theme gardens with the natives showing off their flowers in great abundance. Our walk included the Wollemi Pine Garden which consists of about ten dinosaur trees in various stages of growth, and was very exciting to see. Mt Annan was central to the research and propagation of the Wollemi more than ten years back, and the resulting young trees can now be purchased on site to take home and pop in your awn garden! The mind boggles.
We also summated Mt Annan which was not too difficult, and this provided us with great views to the south-west Cowpastures area. Cowpastures is significant historically as cattle that wandered from the colony in Sydney Cove in mid 1788 were found seven years later near Camden and gave the area its name. Although not around that far back, Rick recounted to the group his time working as a lad on a dairy farm in the area. Another special day out with Wilf was had by all.
First time for the SBW walks program was Jan Rannards walk to the west of Mt. Victoria on the Monday holiday of the long weekend, and those of us who managed to book early enough had a challenging day. We started the day slipping and sliding down Fairy Bower Creek, or Tree Fern Gully as it was known on the 1930s map, and then up a steep climb to Horns Point to take in the spectacular views of Kanimbla Valley and the farms beneath. Some of the party became alarmed when lan announced we would then head on to Pulpit Rock, but they soon settled down when reassured it was not too far away, and was NOT the one looking into Jamison Valley. We finished the day with a challenging descent of Little Zig Zag to the valley and back to train or pub as per personal preference. Look out for more of lans 1* time waiks on future programs. You wont be disappointed.
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. October 2006
The Sydney Bushwalker Page 3
Perusing the Spring and upcoming Summer walks program, its obvious that SBW continues to be very much a multi activity club with more kayaking trips than ever before featuring strongly. To that end the Committee has recognised its responsibility to increase safety on the water for participating members. At the last Committee meeting it was agreed to include a number of safety one day workshops on the program to support our growing band of keen kayakers. David Trinder will be organising the dates and times which will be announced in forthcoming short walk notices, so make sure if you plan to come kayaking with SBW, that you also come along and get waterproofed.
Hoping to walk with you soon.. Jan Roberts
Assistance required for the Web Master !!
SBWs Webmaster, Mike Chapman, currently has a dual role:
(a) to consolidate the various databases of the Sydney Bushwalkers, and
(b) to maintain the web site (www.sbw.org.au) for the club.
The database consolidation is a major project
requiring Mikes attention which means the essential maintenance of the website is falting behind.
The website needs some changes to the text to bring
it up to date. The work involves adding or deleting text. It does NOT involve change to the design or structure of the site.
Accordingly the clubs Electronic Communications Sub Committee (ECS) is seeking a member to carry out the task of maintaining the clubs website. The ECS would be pleased to hear from you if you have:
(a) the time available and (b) server side scripting skills
As with all our roles the only payment you will receive is the grateful thanks of your fellow members.
Further information can be obtained from the Chairman of the ECS, Ron Watters at wattersr@bigpond.net.au or by telephoning 9419 2507.
From The Committee Room A report of proceedings at the Committee
_ Meeting on 4 October 2006
in the absence of the Secretary some matters of correspondence were carried over to the next meeting. A proposed article from Jim Smith promoting a book he had written on Ben Esgate will be passed on to Pam Campbell as Editor for attention and reply to Jim.
The President reported on a range of events under consideration for the 80th Anniversary celebrations next year and timing. Major focus will be on last haif of October to coincide with Foundation Meeting held on 21 October 1927. It was agreed that the Club could subsidize major events. The proposal to update the publication The First 60 Years was discussed. Maurice Smith offered assistance on catering advice and David Trinder will liaise with Patrick James about special series of walks to be held in the Spring 2007.
The Treasurers report was adopted and approval given for the following payments; Office of Fair Trading $38 and $386 magazine postage.
The Walks Secretary suggested that In the light of the increasing number of kayaking events on the program a water safety day should be considered. lt was agreed that he develop a proposal for inclusion on the Short Notice Program
Regarding progress on the proposed toilet at Coolana, David Trinder reported that the required modification to plans to meet. water catchment and council has been submitted to the Council
The Membership Secretary tabled the names of eleven unfinancial members and it was resolved that they be removed from the Club Membership list.
The Conservation Secretary reported on his attendance at the recent National Wilderness Conference.
The New Members Secretary reported that the next training night will deal with camp hygiene and bush craft. The Committee resolved that Inge Stocker be admitted to full membership.
General Business included discussion on the end of year SBW Christmas Party and it was agreed that availability of backyard area should be checked with KNC and a booking made. Also the main hall and kitchen should be booked in case of inclement weather.
The Electronic Communications Sub Committee has asked Michael Chapman for an update on progress with Database consolidation project. Assistance will be sought for Michael to do textual changes to web site.
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. Page 4 The Sydney Bushwalker August 2006 |
COOLANA REPORT - OCTOBER 2006 Gretel Woodward
Our regular monthly maintenance weekend will not be until the 21 - 22“ October and will be reported on next month, however Don & | have just come back from a one day visit (6 October) which was short but not uneventful. The main purpose of this visit was to catch up with Eric Zarella (our Landcare officer) who was coming to Coolana with some Conservation Volunteers (CVA) to complete the last day of a 10day contract required under our latest agreement with the SRCMA).
We arrived early (9am) walked down to the three sided shed, turned on the tap and no water, not a good start. We then discovered that the water had not been turned off at the shed meaning that there could have been a leak somewhere either up or down the pipe line. The water supply will need to be fixed on the 21* - 22” October.
We then continued down the hill to the tool shed and another surprise greeted us, a dirty big wattle had crashed on to the roof of the shed flattening the left hand side. Because of the strong frame for the shelving built inside the shed previously by Don the damage could have been a lot worse, aluminium tool sheds are not known for their robust nature. It was also fortuitous that Don had the chain saw with him, even so it took until lunch time to remove the tree from the roof, cut it into moveable bits and knock the shed into shape so that the door could be closed, another repair job for the 21st - 22 October. After lunch a few more of the old dead wattles were cut down around the area being prepared for the composting toilet.
The CVA team (Supervisor and three girls from Germany) finally arrived over an hour late and then advised that they would need to leave early because two of the girls needed to get back to Sydney. Eric was not happy and neither were we; however this matter is being investigated and will have an outcome in due course.
Our planting of 100 trees for this year are still doing extraordinarily well and at this point in time only 1 Casuarina cunninghamia has died for no apparent reason and it is too early to tell how our native grasses are going, not that we have used very much too date. We will probably have to wait now until after the main heat of the summer dissipates and we get some rain as it is very dry again and only 15mm of rain recorded in the last month.
Eric Zarella is amazed at the progress we have made this year on the eastern flat and in his opinion (which is considerable) the SBW efforts on the eastern flat have started to turn the property from a degraded useless piece of weed infested bush to a healthy piece of land becoming capable of regenerating and looking after itself. There is still a lot to do but we all feel also that our progress is good.
We owe a special thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Moyes, neighbours of Ros and Dons who donated to our club a new 2000 litre water tank to use as part of our composting toilet exercise. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Moyes. Patrick is still in negotiations with Shoalhaven Council; however our DA should not be far away.
~ Georges River in Spring ~
On Saturday 23 September ten eager walkers met at Riverwood Station on a warm day with a breeze off the water, and began walking along Salt Pan Creek, but, this time we saw no spoonbills. We walked along a couple of streets at Padstow viewing the colours of spring in tidy gardens before re-joining Salt Pan Creek and enjoying morning tea locking across to Lugarno.
We then spent an hour walking off-track with everyone looking for the best way forward and carefully avoiding falling in the river. After a little slippery rock hopping, we followed the mangroves, then the sandy banks of the river, before reaching Cattle Duffers picnic area of the Park. We walked on a track high above the Georges River and picnic areas to lunch sprawled across some rocks.
We then walked another section of spring flowering bushland before arriving at Sylvan Grove Native Gardens, where we saw hundreds of bush orchids, including cymbidiums and greenhoods, as well as native flowers of every hue. Amost enjoyable day concluded without incident and afternoon tea at our home. Maureen Carter
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. September 2006
The Sydney Bushwalker
New Members Notes by Maurice Smith New Members Secretary
Joining us as Prospective Members since my previous report are Pepe Newton, Adele Hays, Ruth Eaton, Philip King-Turner, Carolyn McKinnon, Louis-Philippe Viens, Marie-Eve Lafenaye, Ross McDonald, Bronwyn Dingwall, Marilyn Steirn, Clive Steirn, Sandra Avila, Simon OBrien, Kim Bailey, Virginia Riley, Rita Fargiorgio, Sherrin Craig, Lise Lafferty, Michelle Wagemaker, and Dennis Loneragan. Please make these folks really welcome.
In addition one of our Prospective Members has been accepted as a full member of the club. Please welcome Inge Stocker to our ranks.
The new Spring Walks Program in now your hands so Id suggest that Prospective Members spend a few minutes going through it and marking those walks that they are interested in walking. Start with the walks with the lower grade values to start with. Remember that it pays to book onto a walk early as some walks fill fast. With the warmer weather already upon us dont forget to take plenty of water with you on your walks. Dehydration headaches are definitely not enjoyable. | do speak from first hand experience.
On Wednesday 27 September we held a training evening in the club rooms for prospective members where | was the presenter. | talked and showed in detail the gear needed for a weekend walk. We had 6 interested prospective members present and | do believe that they learned heaps.
At the date of writing this column we have 118 prospective members, sixty two percent of that number are of the female variety, | will let you figure out the gender of the other thirty eight percent.
See you on a walk soon Maurice Smith newmembers@sbw.org.au
WANTED!!
Companions for Tassie South Coast Track photographers pace small group walk with members of Hobart Walkers Club.
Commencing Friday January 12, 2007 for approximately one week.
More details from Byron Comninos - 9387 7208 (h).
Walks Report X from the Walks Secretary
David Trinder
On the 28“ and 29” October lan Thorpe is taking a group to help him explore some more of the deep gullies and rocky ridges of the Wollangambe while Maurice Smith takes a group to enjoy the Yalwal area. Kathy Gero and Greta James are also leading day walks to the Royal NP and Ku-ring-gai on that weekend.
On the following weekend the 4% and 5* November there will be three weekend trips and a Sunday walk. Maureen Carter and Richard Darke are leading separate trips in the Budawangs area and Bill and Patrick are putting on their regular quarterly weekend instructional weekend at Coolana. Nigel Weaver is leading the Mt Solitary to Kings Tableland trip for fit walkers.
Similarly interesting walks, Kayak trips and bike rides are programmed for the remainder of the month on weekends, weekend days and midweek.
Leaders are asked to send their trips for the summer program to me so the program can be completed and posted out with the November Magazine.
David Trinder, Walks Secretary dt28@tpg.com.au
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The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
Page 6 The Sydney Bushwalker October 2006
TRACKS & ACCESS REPORT - September 2006
KANANGRA BOYD NP. Afurther apology. Last month | reported that young David Stead (recently deceased) rode a motorcycle from Kanangra Walls along the old stock track down Gingara Ridge to the Cedar Road at Gingara Junction in 1929, following the great bushfires of 1928/29. | also reported that this fact was roundly condemned by his mother Christina Stead - | should have reported that it was his stepmother Thistle Harris of the Wildlife Preservation Society who roundly condemned the feat. Foot in mouth disease anyone?
GRAND COUNTRY. Blue Mountains NP. Last months report of an Army tank on the shores of Lake Burragorang near the site of Moodys Commodore Ranch guesthouse has proved that there is no shortage of sceptical bushwalkers. | even quoted a grid reference for the tank and this information was obtained from the Recidivists Club using methods that would be condemned by Amnesty International, let along the Geneva Convention. Lionel Kill of the famous Kill Family of Coxs River and whose name is perpetuated by Kills Defile has supplied the following information on the tank. Lionels recently self published book Memories of an Earlier Time show 2 large colour photos of the mythical tank credited to bushwalking historian Jim Smith. Obviously these were donated to Jim by some faceless person from the Recidivists Club or some other well wisher. Lionel states that during the clearing of the lower Coxs River flats for Lake Burragorang he believes contractor Rex Leigh purchased it at Army Disposals and brought it into the valley in 1955 to use instead of a bulldozer, but it proved unsuccessful according to other contractors. Dam levels continue to drop around the state and reports from Adaminaby state that Lake Eucumbene is now lower than it was in the 1983 drought. Lake Burragorang is also low and below the magical 40% mark again.
BLUE MOUNTAINS NP. | was asked recently about the naming of Knights Deck in the Wild Dog Mountains. Clearly the title deck is adunphyism laden with architectural connotations. Wilfred Knight was a member of SBW but he was always known as Wiff not Wilf. The late Stan Cottier - CMW was adamant about this and SBW records confirm it. The deck which is obviously a lookout can be clearly seen from Hassans Walls just south of Lithgow. It was a significant place for the Therabulat band of the Gundungurra tribe of Aborigines.
DAY WALKS IN THERABULAT COUNTRY. The book on the Wild Dog Mountains by Michael Keats has not yet been published, but will be available soon when a few minor hassles have been resolved. | hope Michael is not doing some more field checking in (Eleven) Grand Country for his book?
% WOLLEMI NP. The road along the Culool Range from the Putty Road has deteriorated in recent years and is in such poor condition that it should be classed as four wheel drive, but is negotiable by two wheel drive vehicles 4 with reasonable clearance and due caution. The caravan park on the right had side of the Putty Road, just across the Colo River Bridge has been closed for some time and therefore fuel is only available in the area at Colo Heights. Some barbarian has destroyed the tiny historic cairn on Hollow Rock which marked Major Clews early 1930s trigonometrical station for over 75 years. To quote Major Nin Melville CMW May camels sit? on the graves of their ancestors.
SYDNEY CATCHMENT AUTHORITY is reviewing their Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management. Hope they have a conservation plan for that historic Army tank mentioned above. W have only until Friday 20% October 2006 to lodge our submission to prevent further restrictions on access, which are not detailed in the Plan of Management. Wilf Hilder
Conservation Notes
Having recently seen Al Gores presentation An Inconvenient Truth and some alarming reports on the ABC and SBS it is most disconcerting to hear the Federal Environment Minister lan Campbell still defending Australias longstanding refusal to sign the Kyoto protocol to limit greenhouse gas emissions. | wonder do other members have the same feeling of unease as | do.
When | look at my grandchildren | fear that their future will most certainly be affected by environmental decay and climate change. | question whether they will have the opportunity to enjoy the rivers, the bush, the beaches and the parks as we do. Within their lifetimes the east coast of Australia may be significantly affected by a drying continent, rising sea levels and more severe storm activity. The pressures from suburban expansion ina less hospitable environment may see the bush-land in Sydney reduced.
If you are concerned | urge you to take the time and trouble to write letters to our State and Federal politicians. They take careful note of personal letters and with elections on the horizon it is most certainly time to let them know that we, the public, are concerned about climate change and environmental impacts.
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
October 2006 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 7
Report on the Wilderness Conference 8th -10 September
Last month | attended the Fifth National Wilderness Conference. The conference was held over a weekend with the theme Celebrating Wilderness. There were several speakers and the sessions were interspersed with workshop group discussions.
At the opening session on Friday night we heard from Helen Gee as Keynote Speaker. Helen is a long serving __ wilderness activist. A founding member of the Tasmanian Wilderness Society and the recipient of the Peter
Adams Peace Prize in 2003 for her efforts to protect our democratic right to free speech. Helen related the
experience in Tasmania and the success in protecting at least a substantial part of old growth forests. The fight =
goes on!
On Saturday morning the proceedings commenced with a talk by Bob Brown. In avery relaxed style he started
with an imagery of the Canadian Wilderness where silting caused by logging killed the trout in the streams,
therefore the bears could not eat the trout, the birds could not feed on the leftovers; even beavers were “88m.
affected. The point was that the problems we readily observe may have follow-on effects further up the food
chain that we cannot see and may not be aware of until too late. He suggested that the very fine series Planet Earth by David Attenborough may give some the impression that all is well with the wilderness - when it is not!
Wilderness is decreasing. Life stems from wilderness and wilderness is not re-creatable. This, he suggested,
may indicate that perhaps the human race will evolve to the extent that it is not sustainable - and we will ae
become just another endangered or perhaps extinct species. He drew our attention to climate change. Using %
just one example; an estimate that 100 million Chinese people will soon be seeking an overseas holiday - just as we do. What will that mean for air travel (pollution) and tourist impact on natural areas?
Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick was the next speaker with the subject The Value of Wilderness for Nature Conservation. He spoke of the economic impacts; of water flows from roads, edge effects and weed spread.
The difficulty in persuading governments to take appropriate action to prevent the spread of weeds and feral
animals. Recreation also was a growing threat.
In the afternoon Keith Muir presented a paper prepared jointly with John Sinclair on Northern Australia. This
covered the need for more national parks and declared wilderness; that some of the park systems are so large ;
that they have de facto wilderness sections due to local micro climate; the impact and flow-on from the minerals boom; and the need to consult with and seek the co-operation of aboriginal groups.
Virginia Young from the Wilderness Society was the first speaker on Sunday. Her message was Keeping the Wild in Wilderness. She signalled a change in perspective for the Society with emphasis on restore as well as preserve wild country. Connectivity between park systems was important. She also emphasised the need to look after top order predators to maintain a balance in nature.
Haydn Washington followed. He spoke of Untying the Knots. Wilderness protection has many strands and there is a divide or lack of understanding of how these work. Some see wilderness as a lock-out and he questioned the terminology.
Peter Prineas commenced the afternoon session speaking of a National Wilderness System. The concept of National Parks and Wilderness Areas is not accepted by all and many question whether the system is appropriate or successful. Perhaps a more integrated and long range approach is required.
As the weekend progressed and litening to the discussions around me | started to question in my own mind whether we, the converted and keen conservationists are losing touch with the average person. The understanding of wilderness at the grass roots level may well be different from how we see it. Perhaps many of the public identify wilderness areas and national parks as the same thing. When we talk about limiting access to wilderness our opponents relate this to parks and forests. The language we often use tends towards jargon, easily understood by the dedicated few but not accepted by the average person. Our messages may be distorted or manipulated by those seeking unrestricted access and development. The workshop groups reflected this to some extent and spoke of the need for greater emphasis on sustainability and increased education to lift awareness. Tell them that we want action taken - NOW!. age
Bill Holland Conservation Secretary
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc.
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Page 8 The Sydney Bushwalker October 2006 |
Do bushwalkers go to heaven?
During the course of some research it crossed my mind whether the origins of bush walking, from 1927, were based upon sin? And if so do we then, as beneficiaries and descendants, continue to sin (through the sins of the fathers)? In these days of increased religious orthodoxy (of any label) and political correctness do we need to perhaps be reflecting upon our spiritual future?
Case 1
Women are not to wear mens clothing, and men are not to wear womens clothing: the Lord your God hates people who do such things. (Deuteronomy 22:5)
During this third decade of the twentieth century there were many changes to society; the replacement of the horse by horsepower, advances in science (radios, gramaphone records, talkie films), raised hemlines and scandalous (American) dances, and to top it off a world wide depression.
Yet here were these hikers (and bushwalkers) who dressed in outlandish clothes, exposing limbs, and who paraded themselves to public gaze. What more they even did this on the Sabbath!
The Right Rev Dr Duhig, the Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, preached when girls go hiking and wear mens attire they are encouraged to boldness and tend to run very great risks … | know that young girls dressed in mens garments would go places where they would never venture in their proper attire. (July 1932)
Case 2
In addressing the issue of swimming on public beaches Archbishop Carr, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, stated to me mixed bathing is an abomination. (In 1912 bathing was segregated and had no regard for family units).
If you were a beach goer (of either sex) then you were required to be clad in a costume that covered the torso from level with the armpits down to the upper 76mm of the thighs. Whats more a modesty skirt had to extend, from the waist at the front (optionally at the back as well), down to the bottom of the costume. Shoulder straps were also required.
In 1935 Mosman Council refused to permit men just wearing swimming trunks on beaches in their municipality deeming it was a disgrace that males should bare their chests on public beaches.
Yet early in 1930 we have Myles Dunphy skinny-dipping in the Kowmung with seven females. A speaker at the Womens Christian Temperance Union declared | do not care if the people engaging in this pursuit (ie nude sunbaking) are educated, wealthy or leaders in society, they are not cultured. They are savages, and behaving like savages. | am glad that none of my friends are among them. (October 1931)
The Temperance Union also attributed the greater use of freedom and liberty to boys and girls of today who were going astray are an echo of the war, having been born during or just after the war. Undesirable films and novels, and the effects of alcohol, are also held in part responsible.
In June 1934 the Club conducted a debate that the nude cult is detrimental to the best interests of the Australian community. Dot English participated in the government team. However later that year Dot was reported to the Committee as having indulged in mixed nude bathing at North Era Beach and called to a special committee meeting to account for her action. Subsequently she was asked to resign.
At the next Annual General Meeting the meeting carried the motion that the policy of Club dissociates itself entirely from nude bathing in public places (my emphasis).
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. October 2006 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 9
Case 3
The Bible emphasised that young men and women should be chaste (not provoking the senses of the other sex) prior marriage. (it is your Christian duty) to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do. (Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 3:20)
By 1926 the Baptist Union of Australia acknowledged the steady movement away from the old centre of home and church, aided by the coming of the cinema and dance halls, and improved transport. Chaperones had disappeared and the sexes mingle with much greater freedom.
The following year a group from the American Free Church noted the forwardness of young (English) women was most deplorable and the average girl ran unbelievable risks to her reputation. There was also a more marked tendency to throw off parental control resulting in girls spending holidays apart from their parents. And thirdly the habit of courting couples going on holiday together was responsible for many moral shipwrecks.
A Sydney letter writer asked whether it was all right for a boy and girl to undertake a weekend trip to the city and stay together in a hotel with no hanky-panky. Dorothy Dix answered no girl who cares for her good name would dream of doing such a thing … everybody would believe the worst of her. (July 1931)
Dr Duhig did not object to parties of girls going out into the country provided that they went, under proper supervision, for such purposes as the study of botany or geology, or to visit places of interest. (July 1932)
From about 1932-35 there were changes within the Club over issues of co-tenting and nude bathing with an informal group who demanded that these be tolerated, even encouraged.
Following the Christmas 1933 Camp the Clubs committee had nine people up before it for offences including nude bathing, females wearing insufficient costume, petting party and co- tenting.
Coda
The above cases presented themselves during the period 1927-34 when bushwalking clubs started to form.
Therefore a prima facia case appears to exist that early bushwalkers (as clubs) conducted (organised) their activities flaunting Gods Laws and thus are sinners. And we, their inheritors, are also in error.
But following the carnage of the Great War, and the subsequent breakdown of social and political structures, the churches obviously saw themselves as the means of salvation. Only by returning to Christian values could the natural order of things be restored.
In defence it might be argued that bushwalking was not a sport but a recreation. And that being outdoors, observing Gods work, might be better than being stuck inside the walls of a church.
But laws continually evolve as new conditions develop; many old laws become obsolete and must be abandoned or modified. Quite often the edicts of Deuteronomy (and elsewhere), like the regulation on the correct procedure for taking eggs from a birds nest, sound very strange from a modern perspective. Human reason, not divine command, should govern modern community standards.
So in my secular world |m safe. Spiritually | might be committing a venial sin. But since my own laws are based upon the Ten Commandments | still might be in error in disobeying the Fourth.
If anyone has an ouija board !ll answer this question in due time. CLIO (Warwick Blayden)
Sources Newspapers of the time, The Good News Bible, The Sydney Bush Walkers: The First 60 Years
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Officiat Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. Page 10 The Sydney Bushwalker October 2006
Two great days doing some maintenance at Coolana
After two weeks of rain, it was great to have two days of perfect weather for building roads, planting trees and enjoying good company around the fire in the evening. Coolana really turned it on for us providing beautiful sunshine during the day and a moderately cool night for a winters evening.
Fifteen people gave their time to crush rock and spreading fill, for the road down as well as planting 60 new trees on the Eastern flat, a very worthy effort.
The diminished growth all round that would be expected at this time of the year, enables us to see how the previous efforts in the weeding by earlier volunteers are netting positive results. The weeds are greatly diminished on the western bank, the wombats love it and the clearing on the eastern bank has now reached our boundary.
Should you wish, you may walk east along the track, at the foot of the hill to the border and then back by the river by a couple of ways through open and cleared spaces.
Among the trees planted, Gretel is putting in some Angophoras. This is long-term thinking and a part of the overall plan. Last week, while on a walk with Patrick James, we used a photo taken in the Royal National Park in about 1866 of an Angophora_ growing over an exposed rock alongside a cavalry dam. That tree is still there today, some 140 years later and it still enjoys excellent health. It was by using this tree, that we, on re finding the dam were able to locate the place where the photographer actually stood, all those years ago. He used a plate and emulsion; we went digital.
Why should we plant such a tree as the Angophora, plus cedars? You might just think about it. We are also planting Australian wild grasses, $1,000 worth. Before your eyebrows come down, | hasten to add this is also a part of the plan but it is also a requisite of meeting the obligations of our monies received from government grants. In other words, their money, not ours, but in doing this we make the wallabies happy and it helps to keep down the weeds.
Allin all, it was a good to talk about these things and other matters around the fire on the Saturday night. Good rains over previous weeks had the creeks running and both the Coolana domestic spring and the Kangaroo River are full. The Tallowa dam is pouring over the runway for the first time in many, many months and our grounds are looking good.
We are now viewing many more trees that have been freed from their lashings to guards and star posts. My job the first day and the consequent one, was to prepare the used star posts for life with another sapling as the planting continues. Bills job was to keep heaping up in a never-ending pile the posts in front of me.
Fran, Ros and Conchita had been planting on the eastern Flat, where the grounds had been cleared of weeds and the rains had loosened the soil. Mae was one at war with the Thistles. Fortunately, Phillip arrived with the adequate shoulders and height to take over the use of the big hammer that the women had been using to ram down the posts. This was to the relief of the ladies who had been standing on their toes to manage the job.
Like the in days of big John Henry and his hammering whilst working on the railroad, the Kangaroo Valley rang with the Hammering of our Big Phil.
The Press Gang that Don had put together have done a great job on the road running down from the car park and this will help us to get the building materials in place for the new toilet.
Patrick meanwhile, has started on the foundations of the said Toilet. You heard it first here:
One of Dons Press gang had bought along his four year old son Jamie and we were able to his huge delight, introduce him to four of the Wombats.
By the way, one of our wombats is a mother and we watched her keeping her baby close to the entry of her burrow by nudging it with her snout.
Jamie woke up at about 4am Sunday morning, still dark of course to loudly ask his dad, who was sleeping the sleep of a very tired man. Dad can we get up and dig some more dirt.
How good is this, a camp two and a half hours from Sydney where you can mostly always light a fire and there is drinking water on hand. You are by the river and the invitation to be there is always open. So come down and linger in the beautiful surroundings that are now here at your Coolana. Rick Angel
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. October 2006 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 11
Caught in a Blizzard Pam Campbell
There were fifteen people on Kenn Clachers ski trip, staying at the Southern Alps Lodge at Charlottes Pass. There were three from Melbourne, one from Nowra and one from June with the majority belonging to The Nordic Ski Club and six from SBWs. The Southern Alps Lodge was the last lodge operating for the season and was equipped with a TV room, quiet (reading) room and comfortable dining and lounge area. The staff provided some amazing meals and | am glad to say the calories were burnt up the following day. We indulged in some champagne and schnappes as well.
On the first day out we had to carry our skis due to the lack of snow (carrying skis became easier by the end of the week). As Kenn, Helen and | climbed the first hill we could see sago snow swirling from above but kept going until we reached the top and found a large stretch of snow to practice on.
As the morning progressed, it became more difficult to see Heten and Kenn who took it in their stride and gracefully practiced their telemarks. Due to a 12 year hiatus from cross country skiing, | found it difficult to find my ski legs and remember how to turn. | fell over often especially when the snow got heavier and the wind gusts came. It is amazing how the weather can be fine one minute and foul the next. | recommend taking waterproof gloves (I had left mine at the lodge) as my two layers of thermals were wet through. | think the Australian highlands, unlike Europe can be treacherous and I was glad that Kenn knew the way back to the lodge which was via a gully and the Mount Kosciusko Road.
The snow continued during the night and the next morning we were able to ski along the road for most of the way to Mount Kosciusko which was a 20 kilometre return trip. The snow fall was a god send as it lasted for the whole week which was sunny and fine. We climbed Mt Kosciusko for tunch where there were great views of the Bogong High Plains in Victoria. After taking a lot of photos we returned down the Mountain either skiing or walking depending on ability. By the end of the week | was a lot fitter and thrilled that | could negotiate steep terrain using my new skills.
New Year at the Top
wild and wonderful
Local bushwalkers know that summer is the best time to enjoy the wild rivers, gentle creeks, thundering waterfalls, carpets of flowers and spectacular storms for which our region is famous. They know that warm rain and cosy rock shelters mean that comfort is never far away.
Click the photo galleries link on our website and see what it's really like. See how we saw in the last New Year. See what our wet season accommodated trips are like. Browse through our photo galleries for great trip ideas at any time of year.
We love it and we want to take you there. We offer everything
from trips with full accommodation to major expeditions.
We give you the tropical summer the way it was meant te. to be experienced on foot.
Visit our website or ask us for more information.
www. bushwalkingholidays.com.au
Williss Walkabouts 12 Carrington St Miliner NT 0810 Email: walkabout@ais.net.au
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. Page 12 The Sydney Bushwalker October 2006
June 2006 Walks Notes
Walks notes covering the interval 22 April 2006 to 10 May 2006.
No, gentle reader you have not lost sense of time. We are merely engaging in a spot of warping to cover the day walks from the extended Anzac weekend. Caro Ryan had the 15 starters on her Saturday 22 April walk out from Lawson car-shuffled and away along the fire trail by 0830 in stunning Autumn conditions. The reported 12 cm of snow at Thredbo the day before may have had something to do with this, but the scrub along the ridge was something else again, particularly when enhanced in ferocity by a bit of navigational right hand bias on the part of the leader. Morning teas No. 1 and 2 were attended by great views as some measure of consolation, and then it was on down the ridge to Jims (Percy that is) Creek and back up a short way to a sunny spot for lunch half way up the exit ridge. It was here that the party indulged in one of those tittle luxuries, the 1 hour lunch. Or should one say overindulged in the case of whoever it was that woke themselves up snoring in the sun. The leader disclaims responsibility. Once they were all awake again they scrambled back up to the fire trail before heading back to the cars on a track that stretched before them as they went. All-in-all a pleasant day with a large and friendly group.
Sunday that weekend was the appointed time for Ron Watters to lead his walk out into Morton National Park from the landing ground in Wingello State Forest. A party of 17 turned out in conditions that started cold but became pleasantly sunny. They paused for morning tea at the Tallowa Gully overlook, then took an un-named but now marked pass into a side creek that gave access to Tallowa Gully proper via a short but challenging boulder scramble. The miniature canyon with interestingly shaped overhangs that followed led on to lunch on the cliff edge with yet more views, this time into Tallowa Gorge. 1410 hours saw the party at the view spot where the gully widens out to lines of impressive sandstone cliffs with Mount Broughton clear in the distance. They were back in Tallowa Gully by afternoon tea time and then tackled the gradual climb into Bull Point Gully and there managed to find a new exit to Bull Point forest road. The sun was well on toward setting by the time they made it to the forest road and began the 3.5 km stage back to the landing ground and the cars. Night descended as they reached the cars and headed out back to the bright lights to round off a great day out with a meal at an Italian restaurant in Mittagong.
Anzac day saw lan Rannard and a troupe of 21 out on his walk from Faulconbridge to Springwood through the lower Blue Mountains. All went to program and there were no incidents.
Richard Darkes North Shore walk, from Gordon to Narrabeen on Saturday 29 April attracted a party of 17 who duly formed the (large) circle in rain that cleared to a fine sunny day before they could all introduce themselves. It was just a short while after Richard had spent time warning the party of the increased risk of becoming separated, and the need to exercise caution to avoid this due to the larger than usual numbers, when the trailing three did exactly that in a maze of tracks near the Cascades. Good mobile coverage assisted to sort it all out in around 30 minutes. Other than that it was a happy group, an enjoyable day out, and uneventful. On the following Sunday Nigel Weaver led a party of 12 on his 21 km trek from Mill Creek picnic area to Spencer through Dharug National Park. Conditions were fine and mild with just a little afternoon cloud and a variety of tracked and un-tracked going. They even climbed to a high saddle to view a number of aboriginal rock carvings inctuding kangaroos, fish, shields, and a gentleman! Various points along the way provided good views of the surrounding countryside. The final leg into Spencer involved an extended traverse of a ridge line, passing Haycock trig on the way and providing extensive views of the Hawkesbury River as they neared Spencer. It was described as a great day with around 10 km of rugged off-track walking.
Frank Davis substituted for Errol Sheedy as leader for Errols programmed walk from Cronulla to Bundeena that same Sunday. It was described as a pleasant stroll on a fine Autumn day in convivial company. No blood shed, no one lost; could one ask for more?
There were 9 starters for Chris Dowlings Saturday walk on 6 May from Govetts Leap to Victoria Falls via the low road. Despite some leg and hip problems that afflicted one of the members in the afternoon the walk was still completed in good time. On the Sunday Rosemary MacDougal led a party of 5 on her trip in Wattagan State Forest from Heaton Lookout to Monkey Face Lookout. They were surprised at the general lack of both mud and leeches, as these often characterise the route. Must be something to do with all that hot sunny weather! A good walk generally with plenty of time to enjoy dinner afterwards. Bill Holland was also out that day, with the party of 14 on his walk out from Mountain Lagoon to the Colo and return buffeted by strong winds. Two of the members, one of whose shoes were not suitable for rock scrambling, opted for a spot of bird- watching at the end of the fire-trail but the rest of the group pressed on. Lunch was taken at a viewing spot overlooking the river and the walk ended back at the cars at a very reasonable hour so we are told.
That completes the reports for this period. The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. October 2006 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 13
Leader Profile - Maureen Carter
| have enjoyed the bush since arriving in Australia in 1964, but, | didnt believe that |
competent enough to join the tiger walkers of SBW until 1990 when | walked the K to K as a prospective. | was surprised to find that they would not count it as a Q walk! | was too nervous to put myself forward as a leader at first, in spite of leading people on walks for many years, so,
| co-opted my husband David as the navigator and | looked after the logistics. Now |
acquired the confidence to navigate and | would encourage others, particularly women, to try this method of becoming a leader, that is, by leading with a mentor for a few walks. | am happy to help wherever | can.
Walk Locations
alone walked on. The pagoda formations of the Budawangs in Morton National Park are a favorite too, but, | keep returning to Tasmania (7 trip coming up) for its wild and wonderful mountains, beaches and forests.
Walking Style
One prospective said to me, You are much better than | thought you would be. She had been warned that | would run through the walk. Sure, | like to walk fast on occasions and | am thankful that | can still enjoy 50kms in a day, but, | also like introducing people to the flowers and birds of the bush, as well as spectacular places. | do wait at all intersections on the tracks and insist on people stopping to enjoy views and | even take time to introduce walkers to my favorite trees that always deserve a big hug. On overnight walks happy hour is mandatory.
Memorable Walks
Tasmanias Western Arthurs are outstanding for unadulterated scenery and the scare factor!
e The GR20 in Corsica for its rugged mountain passes and endless wilderness.
The clear pools of Kangaroo Creek in the Royal ! wouldnt swap them for anywhere in the world.
Walks Philosophy
When people unknown to me book on my walks | quiz them about their recent walks, as | tell them that | want to ensure that they enjoy themselves. However, | also believe that we have a duty to conserve the beautiful areas we enjoy and to lobby for the protection of the wonderful wild places that remain.
The Sydney Bushwaiker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers inc.
Page 14 The Sydney Bushwalker October 2006
BUSHWALKING ADVENTURES by Peter Dyce
Recently | was asked why | have not been seen on club walks as for many years | was a regular walker. Before | answer that question, let me start at the beginning.
As a seventeen year old | was an apprentice in the engineering department of the Sun Newspaper in Elizabeth Street. A middle aged man, Keith, with whom | was friends also worked there. Keith was a member of SBW, a keen walker who every Monday spoke to me about the weekends exciting exploits with the club.
It was not long before Keith accompanied me to Paddy Pallin and advised me on the purchase of a backpack, tent, sleeping bag and ground sheet which also substituted as a rain cape.
stirring the leaves and waves breaking over the beach at Little Marley seems atmost like yesterday. | was smitten and participated in a number of club walks.
visit out west.
Wearing a pair of boots, jungle green pants with multiple pockets, a bush hat and carrying my newly acquired pack and camping gear | caught a train to Liverpool and commenced walking south along the Hume Highway, thumb expectantly raised in the hitchhikers way.
Soon | got a lift. Melbourne and Adelaide were achieved with lifts from pleasant drivers looking for companionship on the long country roads. North of Adelaide in desert country | camped off road ina dry creek bed, attracted by the soft sand to sleep on. The night was clear and starry but | woke lying in water. it had rained far away, perhaps days ago. As I neared Alice Springs, the married couple who were giving mea lift asked me where | intended to spend the night. | told them | was going to camp. Dont do that Peter, we have a spare bedroom, please stay with us. How would | refuse such as gracious offer?
Their home was on the outskirts of town. During the night | heard moaning outside, took my torch and went to investigate. Not far away, in the bush under a ghost gum lay an aboriginal woman in the last stage of child birth, her husband in attendance.
In the stillness of dawn | heard a baby cry. | went back with some food. The mother was nursing her new born baby. She had a large swelling on her head after being struck by her husband with a stick no doubt to ease the pain of childbirth, perhaps a primitive form of anaesthetic.
scarce, water in short supply and being stranded, a risk after being dropped off by a motorist turning off the road to a remote property.
In an Alice Springs pub | met a man who was looking for a driver to transport a ten ton load of beer to Darwin as his regular driver was sick. | volunteered and thus arrived in Darwin. During the heat of the day | slept under the truck and only drove in the cool of the night.
One night a scrub turkey crashed through the windscreen, its wings beating wildly, and died in my lap. This scary experience | still dream about. At the next road side truck stop | was offered a free breakfast in return for the turkey. This | accepted. There was one long stretch of road which looked like a carpet of kangaroo skins. The hapless roos would sit in the middle of the road mesmerised by the lights of vehicles and got run over. There was no way a truck could stop to avoid them.
where I visited a number of islands. The light weight gear from Paddys had proved its worth. My friend Keith who had recommended this gear to me was a light weight fanatic who insisted that | trim the leather straps on my new pack as short as possible. Every ounce counts, he told me.
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. October 2006 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 15 |
The years went by, marriage, mortgage, kids, business. When | was in my late forties one of my sons was friends with a SBW member. My son David often told me about the bushwalks his friend had done. My sons friend was a similar age to me. Until then | thought | was a bit past bushwalking, a little too unfit. One day | decided to give it a go, enrolled as a prospective, completed the test walks, navigation and first aid, and rejoined the club.
One night at the club rooms we had a photo exhibition on Nepal. | decided to visit Nepal and at the age of fifty completed a four hundred kilometre walk over twenty days. There was one part of the walk that troubled me. | was lying in my tent at an altitude of about seventeen thousand feet, sick with flu and a high fever and worrying about the climb over the high pass the next day.
We started walking upward through the snow in the predawn darkness using our torches. One of the shaped noticed | was not well, offered to carry my pack and stood by me in case !| needed help. After crossing the pass it was downhill all the way. We met many pilgrims visiting a sacred shrine in the mountains. Sometimes herds of heavily loaded yaks obstructed the track.
After a diet mainly of rice, chappatees and bananas, the first western style breakfast back at Kathmandu tasted great.
During the Nepal walk | became friends with a newly married young couple who were on their backpacking honeymoon. They were farmers from a Kibbutz in upper Galilee. After completing their compulsory army service, they married and used their defence pay for the trip of a lifetime. They pitched their tent near mine a number of times, and as they planned to visit Australia and New Zealand | invited them to phone me when in Sydney. At the two hundred kilometre point, about half way through the walk we lost touch until they phoned me and came to dinner at my daughters Bondi home when they told me about their misadventure.
After we last camped together in Nepal, the wife became seriously ill, became so weak, could barely stand. With no roads or motorised transport the husband had the choice of yak or horse. Horse was faster. The husband bought a Tibetan pony, renowned for their endurance and sure footedness.
He tied his wife to the saddle and ran alongside the horse until he got his wife to hospital some days later. The doctors told him that he saved her life. She would have died without medical help. | well remember the husband, a modest giant, toughened by years of farming work. We subsequently exchanged a number of letters, but then lost touch.
Now in my late seventies, playing tennis singles four times a week and suffering shortness of breath the doctors diagnosed a faulty aortic heart valve ad recommended surgery. My valve was replaced by a calf valve. Result: still breathless. The medico then found a below normal lung function. No more surgery, thanks!
! recently gave up tennis singles. Breathing was too difficult. For the same reason | have not recently participated in club walks. It would not be reasonable to hold up fitter, younger members, nor do | want to push myself.
| walk most days locally with a keen companion. The way he pulls on the leash he must think |
My Jack Russel called Puppy is a two year old, a teenager in human terms, so no wonder he is very fit.
Often | let him choose the direction of our walk. As we come out of the gate Puppy sometimes heads for the Harbour at Rose Bay, sometimes to Cooper Park with its rainforest and lowing creek, sometimes down to the beach at Bondi. To all my friends at SBW, | send you my best regards and good wishes.
Peter Dyce
fl
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers inc. Page 16 The Sydney Bushwalker October 2006
The Last of the Coxs River Men - Ben Esgate 1914-2003 by Jim Smith
Ben Esgate was born in between the deaths of the Gundungurra elders Billy Lynch and Billy Russell. From his youth, he instinctively sought out the ancient Aboriginal pathways and campsites of the Blue Mountains. He developed, in particular, a deep knowledge of the country of the Therabulat or middle Coxs river clan of the Gundungurra. He closely studied the plants, trees, wildlife, fish, weather patterns and natural cycles of the region. Ben was the last living naturalist to have known the world of the Cox River before the devastating environmental changes brought about by the drought years of 1935-1942, the effects of erosion caused by rabbits and floods, excessively frequent fires, fox predation and the damming of the river to create Lake Burragorang. For about 40 years he carried out a one-man fox extermination campaign to try and save the last colony of Rock Wallabies in the Megalong Valley. No one understood better than Ben Esgate the ecology of the fish species of the Cox and Duckmaloi River catchments.
This book is based on almost 20 years of Bens walks and talks with Jim Smith as well as the authors historical research into such topics as the history of the Coxs river settler communities, the activities of the Volunteer Defence Corps in the Blue Mountains and the Aboriginal and environmental history of the region.
The most important project carried out by Ben and Jim was the interpretation of the Aboriginal legend of Gurangatch and Mirragan. Ben was the only living person able to identify the locations of important Dreamtime landmarks in this Gundungurra creation story of the Blue Mountains.
This book describes the life of Ben Esgate from his first trip to the Megalong Valley in 1919, his struggles to survive the depression when he learned to live off the land, his close relationship with the Carlon family of Green Gully Megatong, his career as a builder and his explorations of the Blue Mountains over 80 years. Ben thought deeply about the mystery of time and expressed his lifes philosophy, during his last years, in the creation of a sculpture from an ancient fallen Red Cedar tree that he called the Tree of Life.
The book The Last of the Coxs River Men - Ben Esgate 1914 - 2003 is well illustrated with early pictures of the Katoomba and Megalong Valley areas and Bens bushwalking activities. It includes three of Bens own sketches of historic bush huts, two wonderful caricatures of his weathered face by cartoonist Mick Joffe and a reproduction of a magnificent drawing by artist Elizabeth McAlpine of the Birrimbunnungalai waterhole on the Cox, being used by Gundungurra people for freshwater herring harvesting, as interpreted by Ben. The book also reprints all of Bens own writings, including his own autobiographical notes and the three articles he wrote for bushwalking magazines.
HOW TO ORDER THE LAST OF THE COXS RIVER MEN - BEN ESGATE 1914-2003 |
The Last of the Coxs River Men - Ben Esgate 1914 - 2003 is being produced as a limited edition of only a few hundred copies. It will not be sold in bookshops. It is only available by prepaid mail order.
To order a copy send $27.50 (includes postage and GST) by the 24 November 2006, to: | Jim Smith
65 Fletcher Street Wentworth Falls NSW 2782
Make cheques and money orders payable to Jim Smith. Institutions can be invoiced. Books signed and receipts issued on request. Full refund is available if not satisfied.
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. October 2006 The Sydney Bushwalker Page 17
SUSTAINABLE BUSHWALKING -
WHERE DO | START?
The following is a guide to minimal impact bushwalking:
As a SBW member you are on the way to saving Sydneys water supply by not showering for the duration of your walk. Dont blow it by using too much on your return home
Give unwanted bushwalking gear to the SBW Club, Salvos or St Vincent de Paul and save on landfill
Save petrol costs and the environment by car pooling (where practicable) when travelling to bushwalks
Do not throw foil into the campfire while on overnight walks, it does not decompose and causes unsightly litter
Stay on the track - whether you re walking or driving through the bush, even if its rough or muddy. Walking on edges and cutting corners on steep,
* zigzagging tracks increases erosion and scarring.
Stay on rocks and hard ground wherever possible and avoid wet areas on the track as this just widens the bog area
Tread softly - keep group sizes small to lessen the environmental impact. Swamp and bog plants, mosses and other soft vegetation are very easily destroyed by trampling, so watch where you put your feet
Dont feed birds and animals - its bad for their diet and can encourage them to become dependent on humans for food. Or they may become pests. Secure all food in animal-proof containers. Remember to collect and stow all rubbish including unwanted food scraps. Discarded organic litter such as apple cores or orange skin adds nutrients to the soil increasing the spread of weeds
Report wildlife injuries - injured, sick or orphaned native animals cannot be kept as pets. Specialist - wildlife rehabilitation groups care for and return injured native animals to the wild. If you find an injured native animal contact WIRES on (02) 8977 3333 or 1800 641 188
Use designated fireplaces or fuel stoves - most recreation areas have barbecue facilities. Use established fireplaces wherever possible and never leave a fire unattended. Extinguish campfires and barbecues properly before leaving and remove any
food scraps and rubbish. Do not cut standing timber, alive or dead, for firewood
@ Observe fire bans - listen to local radio, check the NSW Rural Fire Service website or contact your local Forests NSW office for updates
@ Avoid using soaps, detergents and toothpaste - or if you use them, keep them away from a watercourse
e@ Use existing toilet facilities - where there are none, bury waste at least 100 metres away from a watercourse at a depth of at least 15 centimetres
@ Leave the bush as you found it - at the end of each trip reflect on the outing. Take a moment to think about how you could lessen your footprint and tread more softly on your next walk
@ When visiting Aboriginal sites, do not touch or walk on rock engravings and cave art. It is disrespectful to picnic at an Aboriginal site.
Source: The Editor and www.livingthing.net.au
JENOLAN Caves. 1 KANANGRA WALLS. YERRANDERIE GHOST TOWN STARLIGHTS TRACK. BUNGONIA CAVES. Woa Wo. NERRIGA
Departs from Sydney's Campbelltown Railway Station |
Via Penrith, Katoomba & Blackheath for Kanangra Walls Mon & Wed at 11am. Frid at 7am Returns 4pm Mon, Wed, Frid. Via Starlights, Mittagong & Marulan for Wog Wog-Nerriga Tues.& Thurs & Sun at 11am Returns 4 pm Tues, Thurs, Sun.
I Yerranderie Ghost Town first Saturday in each
month, returns Sun at 1 pm (any Friday min 6) f Group booking discounts or charter service
: Tel 0246 832 344 Mob 0428 832 344
The Sydney Bushwalker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. Page 18
The Sydney Bushwalker
October 2006
October/November Social Program
All meetings are on a Wednesday night at the Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre unless otherwise indicated
25 Oct First Aid for Prospective Members
7pm Learn about healthy walking. This is not a first aid course but offers the chance to learn and to pass your first aid test for full membership. Full details in the Walks Programme. wee
1Nov Committee Meeting
7pm Observers Welcome
8 Nov New Members Night
8pm Introduction to SBW for intending prospective members
15 Nov Glenbrook or Bust
8pm Peter Christian will present an audio/visual
of Roger Treagus and friends bike ride from Wentworth Falls to Glenbook station earlier this year. The narration was in our magazine now come to see and experience all the joys and agony.
A short Club Update will take place prior to the presentation on club matters together with upcoming walks announcements from leaders.
22 Nov New Members Training Night at the Clubrooms
An opportunity for prospectives to learn the basics of the art and science of cross country navigation using a map and compass. See
Walks Programme for more details.
t Notice - Camp Fires and Stoves
3 All members are asked to check the
restrictions on lighting fires in intended camping areas. Be aware that high to extreme bush fire danger currently applies throughout most of NSW. This means that fires in the open are restricted and may only be used under certain conditions eg camp fire for cooking purposes.
5
eS
However, most national parks, reserves and forest areas around Sydney have Local Fire Bans which mean no fires of any nature permitted.
Total Fire Bans may be declared on days of extreme fire danger and fires in the open, including cooking and camp fires, are totally prohibited for the period of the ban.
Lighting of any fire in the open on a day of Total Fire Ban may lead to a fine or imprisonment.
This applies to any naked flame including camp fires and camping stoves.
JOKES
Men vs Women
Three men were hiking through a forest when they came upon a large raging violent river. Needing to get on the other side, the first man prayed, God, please give me the strength to cross the river.
Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across in about 2 hours, having almost drowned twice.
After witnessing that, the second man prayed, God, please give me strength and the tools to cross the river.
Poof! God gave him a rowboat and strong arms and strong legs and he was able to row across in about an hour after almost capsizing once.
Seeing what happened to the first two men, the third man prayed, God, please give me the strength, the tools and the intelligence to cross the river.
Poof! He was turned into a woman, She checked the map, hiked one hundred yards up stream and walked across the bridge.
Never tick off a nurse
A big shot attorney had to spend a couple of days in the hospital. He was a royal pain to the nurses because he bossed them around just like he did his staff. None of the hospital staff wanted to have anything to do with him.
The head nurse was the only one who could stand up to him, but finally even she had had enough. She came into his room and announced, I! have to take your temperature.
After complaining for several minutes, he finally settled down, crossed his arms and opened his mouth. No, Im sorry, the nurse stated, but for this reading,
round of complaining, but eventually he rolled over and bared his behind.
After feeling the nurse insert the thermometer, he heard her announce, I have to get something. Now you stay JUST LIKE THAT until | get back!
She leaves the door to his room open on her way out. He curses under his breath as he hears people walking past his door, laughing. After a half hour, the mans doctor comes into the room. Whats going on here? asked the doctor.
Angrily, the man answers, Whats the matter, Doc? Havent you ever seen someone having their temperature taken?
After a pause, the doctor confesses, Not with a carnation.
The Sydney Bushwatker: First Edition July 1931 Official Publication of The Sydney Bush Walkers Inc. discover
comfort
IN THE BUSH, THE PROBLEMS OF LIFE ARE NO LONGER COMPLEX
Paddy Pallin Sydney - Parramatta Miranda - Katoomba Jindabyne Canberra Adelaide + Melbourne Hawthorn * Ringwood Fortitude Valley Perth
Launceston * Hobart e 1 800 805 398 add, oL2 i
www. paddypallin.com.au