keith maxwell director wilderness rescue nimbynimbynimby ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · the...

16
..................................................................................................... Magazine of the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs (NSW) Inc ISSN 0313 2684 Spring Issue - August 1999 Volume 25 No 1 http://www.bushwalking.org.au NavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was based NavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was based NavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was based NavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was based NavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was based around Wingello State Forest. around Wingello State Forest. around Wingello State Forest. around Wingello State Forest. around Wingello State Forest. There were over 450 participants in either the one day or two day event. The weather was dry and mild. Once again we had a representative of the NSW Premier (Carmel Tebbutt Minister for Juvenile Justice) to present the two day Shield. The course as laid out by Ken Smith and Glen Horrocks received many unsolicited favourable comments. The course also included National Park and farm land around two gorges. BWR was kept busy with three groups overdue from the one day event and one from the two day event. Two of the three groups turned up quickly on Sunday morning but the third couple were slow to turn up and search procedures were being steadily widened when they belatedly were found on a fre road. The record for lateness was not broken by the overdue two day team who didn’t return until 5pm. penalty points for lateness are 30 points for every five minutes or part thereof! Unfortunately the one day Shield was won by the Victorian SES but Keith McQueen copied his father as part of the winning two day Springwood BWC team. There were also Defence Forces teams, SES, Rural Fire Services, NP&WS, Police, VRA and bushwalking club teams. The VRA radio amateurs WICEN helped again with communications and Radio Checkpoints. Our caterer provided good nourishing food as usual. A TAFE group has improved their navigation skills in helping us retrieve all checkpoint markers. You can find full results on the web at http://www.bushwalking.org.au. Mark your diary now for next years NavShield on July 1st and 2nd 2000. More results and photos can be found on pages 6-7 NAVAGA AGA AGA AGA AGATION TION TION TION TION S S S S SHIELD HIELD HIELD HIELD HIELD 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue by John Macris Conservation Officer In most of the Conservation reports in the Bushwalker, we take the opportunity to publicise the plight of our more remote back country, under threats of unsustainable exploitation, over-the-top develop- ments or other mistreatment. This issue however, is going to focus on some local patches - the much loved urban bushland and open space of greater Sydney. As described be- low, many a fight is underway over threatened patches of urban bushland. Look back at early planning schemes like Bradfield’s County of Cumberland concept of the 1940s. The green belt idea was being championed even then for Sydney. We can be pleased that an outer green belt has largely been conserved in National Parks, closed water catchment areas and Defence Force lands and forms a natural boundary that even crazed developers are compelled to respect. People may be less aware that an inner greenbelt was also proposed for Sydney, sweeping from the bushland of the northern beaches through the Lane Cove valley, thence via the once rural lands of Marsfield/North Ryde towards the headwa- ters of the Parramatta River, south via Prospect Reservoir towards Liverpool and culminating in the upper valley of Georges River. The inner belt has been severely fragmented by decades of urban expansion and since been forgotten about as a concept, worthy though it would be for the health of our city. What has emerged in the same period however, is a strong sense of community ownership of local natural remnants around the suburbs of Sydney. The NIMBY (not in my back yard) sentiment could be viewed as the fuel which allows small local campaign groups to take on major proposed developments by the Government or private sector. Inevitably, people concerned about the impacts a T HERE HERE HERE HERE HERES A NIMBY NIMBY NIMBY NIMBY NIMBY N EAR EAR EAR EAR EAR Y Y Y Y YOU OU OU OU OU! Continued on page 3 Peter Wood Andrew Wood Keith Macqueen Richard Butler Springwood Bushwalkers. Winners 2 Day event with 1630 Points

Upload: others

Post on 26-Oct-2020

5 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

The B

ushwalker

.........................................................................................................................�������������������� �������.....................................................................................................

1

Magazine of the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs (NSW) IncISSN 0313 2684 Spring Issue - August 1999 Volume 25 No 1

http://www.bushwalking.org.au

NavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was basedNavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was basedNavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was basedNavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was basedNavShield ’99 was held on July 3rd / 4th and was basedaround Wingello State Forest.around Wingello State Forest.around Wingello State Forest.around Wingello State Forest.around Wingello State Forest.

There were over 450 participants in either the one day or twoday event. The weather was dry and mild. Once again we had arepresentative of the NSW Premier (Carmel Tebbutt Minister forJuvenile Justice) to present the two day Shield. The course as laidout by Ken Smith and Glen Horrocks received many unsolicitedfavourable comments. The course also included National Park

and farm land around two gorges. BWR was kept busy with threegroups overdue from the one day event and one from the twoday event. Two of the three groups turned up quickly on Sundaymorning but the third couple were slow to turn up and searchprocedures were being steadily widened when they belatedlywere found on a fre road. The record for lateness was not brokenby the overdue two day team who didn’t return until 5pm.penalty points for lateness are 30 points for every five minutes orpart thereof!

Unfortunately the one day Shield was won by the VictorianSES but Keith McQueen copied his father as part of the winningtwo day Springwood BWC team. There were also Defence Forcesteams, SES, Rural Fire Services, NP&WS, Police, VRA andbushwalking club teams. The VRA radio amateurs WICENhelped again with communications and Radio Checkpoints. Ourcaterer provided good nourishing food as usual. A TAFE grouphas improved their navigation skills in helping us retrieve allcheckpoint markers. You can find full results on the web athttp://www.bushwalking.org.au. Mark your diary now for nextyears NavShield on July 1st and 2nd 2000. More results andphotos can be found on pages 6-7

NNNNNAAAAAVVVVVAGAAGAAGAAGAAGATIONTIONTIONTIONTION S S S S SHIELDHIELDHIELDHIELDHIELD 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999Keith Maxwell DirectorWilderness Rescue

by John MacrisConservation Officer

In most of the Conservation reports in the Bushwalker, wetake the opportunity to publicise the plight of ourmore remote back country, under threats ofunsustainable exploitation, over-the-top develop-ments or other mistreatment. This issue however, isgoing to focus on some local patches- the much loved urbanbushland and open spaceof greater Sydney. Asdescribed be- low, manya fight is underwayover threatened patches ofurban bushland.

Look back at early planning schemes likeBradfield’s County of Cumberland concept of the1940s. The green belt idea was being championedeven then for Sydney. We can be pleased that anouter green belt has largely been conserved in

National Parks, closed water catchment areas and Defence Forcelands and forms a natural boundary that even crazed developersare compelled to respect.

People may be less aware that an inner greenbelt was alsoproposed for Sydney, sweeping from the bushland of thenorthern beaches through the Lane Cove valley, thence via theonce rural lands of Marsfield/North Ryde towards the headwa-ters of the Parramatta River, south via Prospect Reservoirtowards Liverpool and culminating in the upper valley ofGeorges River.

The inner belt has been severely fragmented by decades ofurban expansion and since been forgotten about as a concept,worthy though it would be for the health of our city.

What has emerged in the same period however, is a strongsense of community ownership of local natural remnantsaround the suburbs of Sydney.

The NIMBY (not in my back yard) sentiment could beviewed as the fuel which allows small local campaign groups totake on major proposed developments by the Government orprivate sector. Inevitably, people concerned about the impacts a

TTTTTHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE’’’’’SSSSS AAAAA

NIMBYNIMBYNIMBYNIMBYNIMBYNNNNNEAREAREAREAREAR Y Y Y Y YOUOUOUOUOU!!!!!

Continued on page 3

Peter Wood Andrew Wood Keith Macqueen Richard ButlerSpringwood Bushwalkers. Winners 2 Day event with 1630 Points

Page 2: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

2T

he B

ushw

alke

r....................................................................................................�������������������� �������.........................................................................................................................

ContributionsContributionsContributionsContributionsContributions, letters to the editor,original cartoons and suggestions arewelcome. They should be sent to the addressbelow. Except for short notes or letters, allcontributions should be accompanied withtext file on three and a half inch floppy disk inIBM format or E-Mail.

Advertising rates Advertising rates Advertising rates Advertising rates Advertising rates are available onrequest.Ring John Clarke on (02) 9744-1916

DistributionDistributionDistributionDistributionDistribution is through affiliated clubs,major retail outlets, council informationcentres and national park offices. Address allAddress allAddress allAddress allAddress allcorrespondence tocorrespondence tocorrespondence tocorrespondence tocorrespondence to The Editor, TheBushwalker Bushwalkers NSW PO Box 2090GPO Sydney 1043.

E-mail [email protected] Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs

NSW Inc represents approximately 67clubswith a total membership around 10,000.

Formed in 1932, the Confederationprovides a united voice on conservation andother issues, runs training courses formembers, and provides for the public a freewilderness search and rescue service. Peopleinterested in joining a bushwalking club areinvited to write to the Secretary BushwalkersNSW at the above address for information onclubs in their area.

Or web site http://www.bushwalking.org.au

PPPPPRICESRICESRICESRICESRICES FORFORFORFORFOR ADVERADVERADVERADVERADVERTISINGTISINGTISINGTISINGTISING

Back cover $450 - full page insideback cover $400 - full page inside $350 -half page $175 - quarter page $90business card size $50 insert $250+insertion cost approx $125DDDDDEADLINESEADLINESEADLINESEADLINESEADLINES FORFORFORFORFOR MAGAZINEMAGAZINEMAGAZINEMAGAZINEMAGAZINE

Summer edition, 2nd week inNovember - Autumn 2nd week in Febuary- Winter, 2nd week in May - Spring,2nd week in August.

Printed on recycledpaper by MLC Power-house Design Centre,Casula

T T T T THEHEHEHEHE B B B B BUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWALKERALKERALKERALKERALKER

IIIIINNNNN TTTTTHHHHHISISISISIS IIIIISSSSSSUESUESUESUESUE

is the magazine of theConfederation of BushwalkingClubs NSW Inc. It's publishedquarterly. The aim of the magazineis to provide articles andinformation of interest to themembers of clubs affiliated withthe Confederation andBushwalkers generally. Anyopinions expressed by individualauthors do not always represent theofficial views of the Confederation.

TheBushwalker

CCCCCOMMITTEEOMMITTEEOMMITTEEOMMITTEEOMMITTEE M M M M MEMBERSEMBERSEMBERSEMBERSEMBERSPresident - Jim Callaway (02) 9520-7081(H) (02) 9219-4379 (W)The Sydney Bush Walkers

Vice President - Alex Tucker (02)94514028 National Parks [email protected]

Treasurer - Maurice Smith (02) 9587-6325 Sutherland Bushwalking [email protected]

Secretary - Prudence Tucker (02)9451-4028 email [email protected] Parks [email protected]

Insurance Office and membershipsecretary - Anne Plowman (02)9747-1346 [email protected]

Bushwalkers Wilderness Rescue officer -Keith Maxwell (02) 9622-0049 Pager016020 #277321Mount Druitt Bushwalking [email protected]

Conservation Officer - John Macris(02) 9526-7363 (H) National ParksAssociation [email protected]

Tracks and Access officer -Alex Tucker (02) 9451-4028National Parks [email protected]

Magazine Editor & CommunicationsOfficer Colin Wood, Tel (02)4625-0916 H04148814301 Bankstown BushwalkingClub. [email protected] officer - Vacant

NavShield 1999...............................................................................1NavShield 1999...............................................................................1NavShield 1999...............................................................................1NavShield 1999...............................................................................1NavShield 1999...............................................................................1

Thers’Thers’Thers’Thers’Thers’s a NIMBY near you...............................................................1s a NIMBY near you...............................................................1s a NIMBY near you...............................................................1s a NIMBY near you...............................................................1s a NIMBY near you...............................................................1

Great Grose Gorse WGreat Grose Gorse WGreat Grose Gorse WGreat Grose Gorse WGreat Grose Gorse Walk...................................................................5alk...................................................................5alk...................................................................5alk...................................................................5alk...................................................................5

Club’Club’Club’Club’Club’s Calendars Calendars Calendars Calendars Calendar...............................................................................5...............................................................................5...............................................................................5...............................................................................5...............................................................................5

NavShield Photographs..................................................................6NavShield Photographs..................................................................6NavShield Photographs..................................................................6NavShield Photographs..................................................................6NavShield Photographs..................................................................6

Purchase of Corang Peak................................................................8Purchase of Corang Peak................................................................8Purchase of Corang Peak................................................................8Purchase of Corang Peak................................................................8Purchase of Corang Peak................................................................8

Closure of Braidwood-Nowra Road..................................................8Closure of Braidwood-Nowra Road..................................................8Closure of Braidwood-Nowra Road..................................................8Closure of Braidwood-Nowra Road..................................................8Closure of Braidwood-Nowra Road..................................................8

WWWWWarrumbungle Bushwalking - with the Stars................................10arrumbungle Bushwalking - with the Stars................................10arrumbungle Bushwalking - with the Stars................................10arrumbungle Bushwalking - with the Stars................................10arrumbungle Bushwalking - with the Stars................................10

Records broken by Peter TRecords broken by Peter TRecords broken by Peter TRecords broken by Peter TRecords broken by Peter Tresederresederresederresederreseder..................................................11..................................................11..................................................11..................................................11..................................................11

Thredbo - A Bushwalkers Dream (advertisnment).........................12Thredbo - A Bushwalkers Dream (advertisnment).........................12Thredbo - A Bushwalkers Dream (advertisnment).........................12Thredbo - A Bushwalkers Dream (advertisnment).........................12Thredbo - A Bushwalkers Dream (advertisnment).........................12

The Barefoot BushwalkerThe Barefoot BushwalkerThe Barefoot BushwalkerThe Barefoot BushwalkerThe Barefoot Bushwalker...............................................................12...............................................................12...............................................................12...............................................................12...............................................................12

The VThe VThe VThe VThe Views are Great but don’iews are Great but don’iews are Great but don’iews are Great but don’iews are Great but don’t look down......................................13t look down......................................13t look down......................................13t look down......................................13t look down......................................13

Search for VH MDX........................................................................13Search for VH MDX........................................................................13Search for VH MDX........................................................................13Search for VH MDX........................................................................13Search for VH MDX........................................................................13

Bushwalking on the WWWBushwalking on the WWWBushwalking on the WWWBushwalking on the WWWBushwalking on the WWW.............................................................14.............................................................14.............................................................14.............................................................14.............................................................14

Page 3: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

The B

ushwalker

.........................................................................................................................�������������������� �������.....................................................................................................

3

Several rare and endangered species areat risk. The climbing fish Galaxias havebeen observed in the catchment of ManlyDam. This is the only known populationin suburban Sydney and it is thoughtthat water quality impacts will directlyaffect the species. Other species affectedare the Red Crowned Toadlet and ‘DuffysForest’ vegetation - a rare plant commu-nity of State significance.

2) Cromer Heights - adjacent toGarigal National Park near Oxford Falls,this area is also proposed for a housingdevelopment. Most of this dissected

plateau has been sought for addition toGarigal for some time. Other problemsface the area in the absence of manage-ment of its natural values. Vehiculartracks have been severely eroded throughrecreational four wheel drive use, withuniversity soil scientists who have carriedout long term research in the area,noting that some tracks have beenincised by over a metre since the onset ofregular vehicular recreation.

3) Maroota - In 1976 the MarootaState Forest in Sydney’s north-west wasrevoked in order to establish a NationalPark over the rare tall forests occurringon deep alluvial soils of several creekvalleys (see picture). Obstruction fromthe Department of Lands prevented thegazettal of the new park for over adecade. In 1989 a land claim was madeover the 4,500 ha area by a localAboriginal land council. This claim hasrecently been upheld in the NSWSupreme Court. Depending on furtherappeals by the Government, the lands

may receive some type of formalprotection. Options for the traditionalowners range from continued preserva-tion of the area to rural, residential orexploitative developments (eg forestryand sandmining).

4) ADI St Marys - Contrast this sitewith somewhere in the east of Sydney fora moment. The Federal Governmentannounced with much fanfare thatdefence force lands around SydneyHarbour would be spared from residentialdevelopments and made into publicparklands. Travel 50 km west to theformer Australian Defence Industries(ADI) munitions facility on South Creekand its a very different story. This 1,500ha site contains some of the bestremaining patches of the rare andendangered Cumberland Plain andCastlereagh woodlands, yet ADI isplanning a major subdivision of 8,000houses.

The site has recently been placed onthe register of the National Estate, whichobliges the Federal Government to protectthe area. The weasel clause being takenby Government is that because ADI isnow a government owned corporationrather than a division of the DefenceDepartment, the lands should beconsidered as freehold rather than publicestate.

If I may say so If I may say so If I may say so If I may say so If I may say so utter rotutter rotutter rotutter rotutter rot. As therecent law which divided the SydneyWater Corporation into two bodies shows,it is quite feasible to legislate to place theso called land assets of a governmentcorporation back clearly within thepublic domain as occurred with ourcatchment lands after the Giardia scare.The local resident action group remainadamant that the entire site should bemade a Regional Park.

5) Dharawal - The title of leastdisturbed creek system in greater Sydneywould almost certainly go to O’HaresCreek and its tributaries in the ruggedbushland between Wedderburn andDarkes Forest in south-western Sydney.O’Hares was reserved for water catchmentpurposes along with the surroundingcatchment areas for Cataract andWoronora Dams. No water supply damwas ever built on this creek however,while the land remained in pristinecondition through the years of restricted

access. In 1996 the Dharawal StateRecreation Area was gazetted over mostof these lands with management beinghanded across to the NPWS. However a500 hectare hole was left out of thereserve for the development of a riflerange.

Despite the identification of analternative site on already degraded landat the edge of the reserve, plans pro-ceeded to use undisturbed bushland inthe heart of the area for this damagingdevelopment. A stalemate situationbetween proponent and opposingcommunity groups was reached beforethe last State election. It is hoped thatunder new Ministers for Environmentand Planning the merits of including thisarea in the surrounding reserve arerealised.

6) West Helensburgh - a critical partof the green belt between greater Sydneyand Wollongong remains in a curiouslimbo after three public inquiries andyears of effort for protection of theheadwaters of the Hacking River. Thelands sought for addition to RoyalNational Park are currently privatelyowned, except for the small Kellys FallsReserve. Numerous attempts at gainingrezoning from rural to residential landuse have been challenged and defeatedby local groups. Such a rezoning wouldhave seen a new suburb constructed inthe upper reaches of the Hacking. Withthe rezoning knocked back a number oftimes, the problem now is that nofunding has been forthcoming to acquirethe lands for addition to Royal.

You may recall that the PrimeMinister had put forward the case forFederation Funding being used to buyharbourside land from the defencedepartment (effectively the governmentbuying something from itself). A muchmore positive use of such money (andprobably costing substantially less) wouldbe Federation funding of the purchase ofthe upper Hacking lands so as to securethe Sydney/Wollongong green buffer, therainforest filled gullies and key widlifecorridors once and for all.

7) Kurnell Peninsula - Sittingbetween Boral’s Calcsil plant and BotanyBay National Park is one remnant, a tallsand dune with most of its originalwoodland vegetation still intact. This

From page 1

Maroota State Forest

Page 4: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

4T

he B

ushw

alke

r....................................................................................................�������������������� �������.........................................................................................................................

Join one of our treks across the Kokoda Trail.Savour the atmosphere, history andchallenge of this unique destination.

Small group departures operate most monthsof the year. Alternatively, canoe the Sepik

River, hike with Huli Wigman or bikethrough New Ireland.

PNG has a special adventure for you -without the crowds

For further details contact:

(lic.2TA 000 1455)GPO Box 7002

Sydney, NSW 2001Ph (02) 9290-2055Fax (02) 9267-6118

[email protected]

NSWNSWNSWNSWNSWWILDERNESSWILDERNESSWILDERNESSWILDERNESSWILDERNESS

National Estate listed relic has beensought for protection in NPWS estate forover 20 years by local groups. Apart fromcontaining rare plant associations andbeing the last of its kind on the penin-sula, the dune also creates a morenatural skyline for residential areas to thesouth than the heavy industry whichwould be viewed in the absence of anyhigh dunes.

The Department of Mineral Re-sources continues to oppose the inclusionof this dune in Botany Bay National Park,taking the stance that up to 80% shouldbe subject to sandmining.

8) Salt Pan Creek - Recent moves byHurstville Council to sell off bushlandfronting Salt Pan Creek near Lugarnowere met with vocal opposition fromnearby residents. The land in questionforms a missing link between otherpublic parklands along the waterway,meaning public rights of way would beultimately lost as has occurred in manyestablished waterside suburbs, seeminglywithout lessons being learned.

9) Maroubra - The Anzac rifle rangeand other coastal open space between

Maroubra and La Perouse represent thelast refuges for the eastern suburbsBanksia Scrub. This was among the firstvegetation associations to be listed underthe State’s Threatened Species Conserva-tion Act (1996) as an endangeredecological community. Projected futureland uses for the rifle range includedresidential, commercial accommodationor yet another golf course. Somemurmurings more recently about apublic park were apparently heard, withprovisional support being offered by thelocal State MP, a Mr B. Carr.

CONCLUSIONOne of the more ridiculous things

I’ve ever read was from a local bookpublished in the 1980s. The assertion wasmade that groups (perhaps including us)who fought for protection of large tractsof remote land in National Parks werefrequently doing deals with governments,whereby urban bushland could beslaughtered for the ongoing sprawl andeveryone would keep quiet so long as thereally wild places were protected.

This ignores the nature of interactionbetween the large organisations and thegrass roots groups. Sometimes it workstop down, such as all encompassingcampaigns for rainforests or wilderness,but often it is the local group taking thelead and this is especially so with urbanbushland issues. Not opposing forces byany means, just two sides of the samecoin.

If you have a localpatch you believe tobe under imminentthreat and wish totake action, a goodplace to start wouldbe the UrbanBushland projectteam at the NatureConservation Coun-cil, Level 5, 362 KentSt Sydney.

(02)927-92466

Page 5: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

The B

ushwalker

.........................................................................................................................�������������������� �������.....................................................................................................

5

Wed 1st – Friday 3rd Wentworth Creek,North Leura: Survey Wentworth Creekcatchment and associated tributaries forkey weed species.

Sat 4th – Sun 5th One day activities:survey of tributaries possibly Mt Victoriaand North Katoomba areas: to beannounced

VVVVVALLEYALLEYALLEYALLEYALLEY A A A A ACTIVITIESCTIVITIESCTIVITIESCTIVITIESCTIVITIES

Wed 1st to Fri 3rd Brows Ridge toFaulconbridge Point. Good fitnessrequired and creek walking ability.

4th –5th Lower Grose FaulconbridgePoint downstream: Strenuous descent.Good fitness required and creek walkingability

15th – 17th Wentworth Creek:Exploratory. High degree of fitness,abseiling skills, navigation required.

GGGGGREAREAREAREAREATTTTT G G G G GROSEROSEROSEROSEROSE

GGGGGORSEORSEORSEORSEORSE W W W W WALKALKALKALKALK

SSSSSEPTEPTEPTEPTEPT 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999

CCCCCAAAAATCHMENTTCHMENTTCHMENTTCHMENTTCHMENT A A A A ACTIVITIESCTIVITIESCTIVITIESCTIVITIESCTIVITIES

CAMPING BBQ’S OUTDOOR FURNITURE

����������������� ������

������������� ��������� �������� �������������� �� ���� ������

ONE PLANET - SALOMON - SCARPA - GREAT OUTDOORS -COLEMAN - TATONKA - BERGHAUS - AND LOTS MORE TOP BRANDS !

�������������������

CAMPBELLTOWN 2/20 BLAXLAND RD (02) 4627 8288

CARINGBAH 23 KOONYA CIRCUIT (02) 9542 8988

ERINA 201 THE ENTRANCE ROAD (02) 4365 3688

LIDCOMBE 82 PARRAMATTA ROAD (02) 9647 1488

PROSPECT SHOP 7A, HOMEBASE CENTRE (02) 9637 9266

����������� � ��������� ������������ ������� � �����

..........

SSSSSEPTEMBEREPTEMBEREPTEMBEREPTEMBEREPTEMBER

4th - Remote Area First Aid StJohn Ambulance

17th - Annual Confederation BushDance

21st - Confederation GeneralMeeting Ashfield RSL 7-30pm

25th - 12hour Lake MacquarieRogaine

OOOOOCTOBERCTOBERCTOBERCTOBERCTOBER

5th - Remote Area First Aid StJohn Ambulance

16-17th - Advanced Search &Rescue Training

19th - Confederation GeneralMeeting Ashfield RSL 7-30pm

NNNNNOVEMBEROVEMBEROVEMBEROVEMBEROVEMBER

6th - Remote Area First Aid St JohnAmbulance

16th - Confederation General MeetingAshfield RSL 7-30pm

DDDDDECEMBERECEMBERECEMBERECEMBERECEMBER

21st - Confederation General MeetingAshfield RSL 7-30pm

Sketch by Dot Butler -climbing Arethusa Falls see also page 12

DDDDDAAAAATESTESTESTESTES TOTOTOTOTO R R R R REMEMBEREMEMBEREMEMBEREMEMBEREMEMBER, G, G, G, G, GETETETETET T T T T THEMHEMHEMHEMHEM ONONONONON Y Y Y Y YOUROUROUROUROUR

CCCCCLUBLUBLUBLUBLUB’’’’’SSSSS C C C C CALENDARALENDARALENDARALENDARALENDAR

FFFFFOROROROROR S S S S SALEALEALEALEALE1 Pair Scarpa (tracks) MensBoots size 43 worn once$1001 Pair Diadora Mens Bootssize 43 worn & lovedperfect cond $25.Ph (02) 9331-6182 Brenda

Page 6: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

6T

he B

ushw

alke

r....................................................................................................�������������������� �������.........................................................................................................................

AAAAATTTTT THETHETHETHETHE S S S S STTTTTARARARARARTTTTT WICEN RWICEN RWICEN RWICEN RWICEN RADIOADIOADIOADIOADIO O O O O OPERAPERAPERAPERAPERATORSTORSTORSTORSTORS

And the Food was Great Night Lighting Courtesy ofMoon ?

TTTTTANIAANIAANIAANIAANIA ACT ACT ACT ACT ACTSES SES SES SES SES AAAAATTTTT

CCCCCHECKPOINTHECKPOINTHECKPOINTHECKPOINTHECKPOINT

RRRRRAAAAAYYYYY

WWWWWALSTONALSTONALSTONALSTONALSTON

CCCCCARMELARMELARMELARMELARMEL

TTTTTEBBUTTEBBUTTEBBUTTEBBUTTEBBUTT

MP JMP JMP JMP JMP JOHNOHNOHNOHNOHN

TTTTTONNITOONNITOONNITOONNITOONNITO

KKKKKEITHEITHEITHEITHEITH

MMMMMAXWELLAXWELLAXWELLAXWELLAXWELL

WWWWWELLELLELLELLELL F F F F FEDEDEDEDED B B B B BUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWALKERSALKERSALKERSALKERSALKERS F F F F FROMROMROMROMROM N N N N NEPEANEPEANEPEANEPEANEPEAN PPPPPLOTTINGLOTTINGLOTTINGLOTTINGLOTTING T T T T THEIRHEIRHEIRHEIRHEIR C C C C COURSEOURSEOURSEOURSEOURSE

NNNNNAAAAAVVVVVSSSSSHIELDHIELDHIELDHIELDHIELD 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999

Page 7: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

The B

ushwalker

.........................................................................................................................�������������������� �������.....................................................................................................

7

SSSSSOMEOMEOMEOMEOME S S S S SCORESCORESCORESCORESCORES F F F F FROMROMROMROMROM N N N N NAAAAAVVVVVSSSSSHIELDHIELDHIELDHIELDHIELD 99 99 99 99 991 D1 D1 D1 D1 DAAAAAYYYYY C C C C CLASSLASSLASSLASSLASS 1 1 1 1 1

VicSES Central 680Wild Dogs Bushwalkers 650Berowra Bushwackers 630

CCCCCLASSLASSLASSLASSLASS 2 2 2 2 2Hornsby SES 480 Loftus TAFE 300Hornsby SES 180

CCCCCLASSLASSLASSLASSLASS 3 3 3 3 3Dunn & Ferris 500Bishop & Biddiscombe 350Pope & Wood 340

2 D2 D2 D2 D2 DAAAAAYYYYY C C C C CLASSLASSLASSLASSLASS 1 1 1 1 1Springwood Bushwalkers 1600Shoalhaven Ambulance 1400Kangaroo Valley Bushfire 1380

CCCCCLASSLASSLASSLASSLASS 2 2 2 2 2Scotts College “Glengarry” 610Willoughby Lane Cove SES 250NSW Cave Recue 240

CCCCCLASSLASSLASSLASSLASS 3 3 3 3 3Baldwin Stone & Boyd 1510Clarke & Kelemen 1280O’Hagen Veldkamp & Whiting450

TTTTTENENENENEN Y Y Y Y YEAREAREAREAREAR MEDALMEDALMEDALMEDALMEDAL WINNERSWINNERSWINNERSWINNERSWINNERS KKKKKANGAROOANGAROOANGAROOANGAROOANGAROO BFB 3 BFB 3 BFB 3 BFB 3 BFB 3RDRDRDRDRD P P P P PLACELACELACELACELACE

BBBBBASEASEASEASEASE C C C C CAMPAMPAMPAMPAMP ONONONONON E E E E EMERGENCYMERGENCYMERGENCYMERGENCYMERGENCY A A A A AIRIRIRIRIR S S S S STRIPTRIPTRIPTRIPTRIP RRRRREGISTRAEGISTRAEGISTRAEGISTRAEGISTRATIONTIONTIONTIONTION

WWWWWINNINGINNINGINNINGINNINGINNING S S S S SERERERERERVICESVICESVICESVICESVICES T T T T TEAMEAMEAMEAMEAM FROMFROMFROMFROMFROM RAAF RAAF RAAF RAAF RAAF

RRRRRADIOADIOADIOADIOADIO OPERAOPERAOPERAOPERAOPERATORSTORSTORSTORSTORS, , , , , ANANANANAN

IMPORIMPORIMPORIMPORIMPORTTTTTANTANTANTANTANT TTTTTASKASKASKASKASK

‘T‘T‘T‘T‘THEHEHEHEHE B B B B BOSSOSSOSSOSSOSS’ ’ ’ ’ ’ AAAAATTTTT B B B B BRIEFINGRIEFINGRIEFINGRIEFINGRIEFING

SES TSES TSES TSES TSES TEAMEAMEAMEAMEAM NEARNEARNEARNEARNEAR C C C C CHECKPOINTHECKPOINTHECKPOINTHECKPOINTHECKPOINT

Page 8: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

Last November The Hon Secretaryand I represented our President at aceremony at the Wog Wog campsite atwhich a cheque for $8,000 was presentedto Pam Allen, Mininster for the Environ-ment by Wilf Hilder, the Chairman of theBudawang Committee. This cheque

enabled the NPWS to purchase the 152haprivate in holding of Corang Peak.

The minister also unveiled a plaquecommemerating the splendid work ofColin Watson AM as foundation chair-man of the Budwawang Committee andup to the present.

CCCCCLOSURELOSURELOSURELOSURELOSURE OFOFOFOFOF N N N N NOWRAOWRAOWRAOWRAOWRA - - - - -BRAIDWOOD ROAD

Shoalhaven Bushwalkers havelodged a formal objection to theShoalhaven City Council concerning aproposal to close the above road for amonth from 29th September to 27thOctober to allow a private contractor,Duke Energy International to install theEastern Gas Pipeline. Shoalhaven Clubjustifably claims that the Contractorshould employ construction methodsappropriate to a narrow road reserve andprovide traffic controls that involve aminimum disruption to road users.

It seems to be giving the companythe advantage of the cheapest construc-tion method at the expense of

AAAAALONGLONGLONGLONGLONG THETHETHETHETHE T T T T TRACKRACKRACKRACKRACK

PPPPPURCHASEURCHASEURCHASEURCHASEURCHASE OFOFOFOFOF C C C C CORANGORANGORANGORANGORANG P P P P PEAKEAKEAKEAKEAK.....

Alex TuckerTracks & Access Officer

bushwalkers and other motorists whonormally use this road.

The Club maintains that if theCouncil rejects the objections. And itshould assess the value of the loss thiscommunity amenity, levy this amount asa rental for the road reserve and allocatethe funds to improvements to theconditions of the road Particularly in therough length between Bulee Gap andSassafras

I will be seeking Confederation’sapproval to write to Council in support ofthe club’s Objection, As the closure wouldapparently include the October longweekend, other clubs may also wish toobject.

Closure of BraidwoodRd for Construction ofGas pipeline

Construction will begin inNowra in August and headnorth and south from thatstarting point. South of thatpoint the pipeline will be setinto a section of theBraidwood Road which passesthrough the Morton National

Park. In order for this construction to

occur with minimal impact on theNational Park, we are proposing that thissection of the road be closed for a periodof four weeks. The area affected wouldbegin south of the intersection whereTurpentine Road intersects withBraidwood Road, and continue souththrough Sassafras to the Endrick Riverarea, north of Nerriga. This will havesome impact on Bushwalkers, as accessto some walking.

Letter Received from Duke-Energy

LLLLLAAAAATETETETETE N N N N NEWSEWSEWSEWSEWS ABOUTABOUTABOUTABOUTABOUT

NNNNNOWRAOWRAOWRAOWRAOWRA - B - B - B - B - BRAIDWOODRAIDWOODRAIDWOODRAIDWOODRAIDWOOD

RRRRROADOADOADOADOAD C C C C CLOSURELOSURELOSURELOSURELOSUREConstruction can be carried out with

one-way traffic access for approximately 32of the 37 kilometres between Endrick Riverand Turpentine Road.

· There will be some delays of up toone hour, depending on traffic density andpattern.

· In remaining areas of difficultconstruction (approximately 5 kilometres ofcreek crossings, road cross-overs andnarrowing roadbed) there will be some

delays of up to five hours.· A shutdown of construction activity

in the event of prolonged inclementweather.

The construction work will be managedaccording to strict safety standards and inaccordance with RTA requirements.

· Periods of long traffic delays will beextensively advertised with

· Construction can be carried out withone-way traffic access for approximately 32of the 37 kilometres between Endrick Riverand Turpentine Road.

· There will be some delays of up toone hour, depending on traffic density andpattern.

· In remaining areas of difficultconstruction (approximately 5 kilometres ofcreek crossings, road cross-overs andnarrowing roadbed) there will be somedelays of up to five hours.

· A shutdown of construction activityin the event of prolonged inclementweather.

The construction work will be managedaccording to strict safety standards and inaccordance with RTA requirements.

· Periods of long traffic delays will beextensively advertised with particularattention paid to local and regular roadusers.

· RTA-approved signs and lighting willbe used to mark traffic lanes and theconstruction area.

· Precautions will be taken each nightto ensure security and maintenance of signsand lighting for safe night-time travel.

Duke Energy International andTransfield/Wilbros/McMahon appreciateyour interest in this matter and trust thatthis letter adequately addresses your

concerns.If you have any further questions please

contact me at Duke Energy International on(02) 42610542. Rossane Moore

Corang Peak looking towards Pidgeon House

Page 9: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

FFFFFOROROROROR C C C C CARARARARARTOONSTOONSTOONSTOONSTOONS - D - D - D - D - DRARARARARAWINGSWINGSWINGSWINGSWINGS

SSSSSPECIALISEDPECIALISEDPECIALISEDPECIALISEDPECIALISED A A A A ARRRRRTTTTT W W W W WORKORKORKORKORK - - - - -NNNNNEWSLETTEREWSLETTEREWSLETTEREWSLETTEREWSLETTER D D D D DESIGNESIGNESIGNESIGNESIGN

JJJJJOANNEOANNEOANNEOANNEOANNE W W W W WELLSELLSELLSELLSELLS

MMMMMACARACARACARACARACARTHURTHURTHURTHURTHUR NP NP NP NP NPAAAAA��(02)4625-5386(02)4625-5386(02)4625-5386(02)4625-5386(02)4625-5386

CCCCCONVICTONVICTONVICTONVICTONVICT E E E E ESCAPESCAPESCAPESCAPESCAPE

BBBBBUSHUSHUSHUSHUSH W W W W WALKALKALKALKALKWe have a one, two, or three day Bushwalkfrom Circular Quay to Woy Woy. Alltransport, meals and accommodationprovided.

Contact-Chris Gilbert Ph/Fax 02-43412088Bay View Hotel Woy Woy.

email [email protected] www.bushpackers.com.au

European Walking & Cycling HolidaysFRANCE & TUSCANY

A wide selection of independent & small groupholidays from 3 - 18 days including select hotels, localcuisine & baggage transfers. Also UK & Ireland,Switzerland (Mont Blanc), Spain (Pyrenees), Morocco,

Greece &Turkey, Norway,Romania, Poland etc.Also high ‘Mountain Hut walks’for experienced walkers

382 Lt Bourke St, Melbourne 3000 Call toll free 1800 331 582Lic 31102

1A Ross St Glenbrook��(02) 4739-3152RocksportsSteve Lear - Lindy Body

Maps - Camping Climbing Clothing - Adventure Trips Email : [email protected] http://www2.mountains.net.au/rocksports

���������� ��HHHHHAAAAAVEVEVEVEVE YOURYOURYOURYOURYOUR F F F F FAAAAAVOURITEVOURITEVOURITEVOURITEVOURITE H H H H HIKINGIKINGIKINGIKINGIKING B B B B BOOTSOOTSOOTSOOTSOOTS

PPPPPROFESSIONALLROFESSIONALLROFESSIONALLROFESSIONALLROFESSIONALLYYYYY R R R R RESOLEDESOLEDESOLEDESOLEDESOLED ANDANDANDANDAND V V V V VULCANISEDULCANISEDULCANISEDULCANISEDULCANISED

BBBBBYYYYY Q Q Q Q QUALIFIEDUALIFIEDUALIFIEDUALIFIEDUALIFIED B B B B BOOTMAKERSOOTMAKERSOOTMAKERSOOTMAKERSOOTMAKERS

NU-TRED 3/12 SNU-TRED 3/12 SNU-TRED 3/12 SNU-TRED 3/12 SNU-TRED 3/12 SALISBURALISBURALISBURALISBURALISBURYYYYY R R R R ROADOADOADOADOAD

AAAAASQUITHSQUITHSQUITHSQUITHSQUITH NSW NSW NSW NSW NSWPPPPPHHHHH: 02-9477-3944 F: 02-9477-3944 F: 02-9477-3944 F: 02-9477-3944 F: 02-9477-3944 FAXAXAXAXAX 02-9482-1766 02-9482-1766 02-9482-1766 02-9482-1766 02-9482-17663/12 S3/12 S3/12 S3/12 S3/12 SALISBURALISBURALISBURALISBURALISBURYYYYY R R R R ROADOADOADOADOAD A A A A ASQUITHSQUITHSQUITHSQUITHSQUITH NSW NSW NSW NSW NSWPPPPPHHHHH: 02-9477-3944 F: 02-9477-3944 F: 02-9477-3944 F: 02-9477-3944 F: 02-9477-3944 FAXAXAXAXAX 02-9482-1766 02-9482-1766 02-9482-1766 02-9482-1766 02-9482-1766

http://members.tripod.com/~nutred/

265 VICTORIA RD GLADESVILLE

NSW 2111 ��9817-5590

SSSSSUPPORUPPORUPPORUPPORUPPORTTTTT OUROUROUROUROUR

ADVERADVERADVERADVERADVERTISERSTISERSTISERSTISERSTISERS - - - - -WITHOUTWITHOUTWITHOUTWITHOUTWITHOUT THEMTHEMTHEMTHEMTHEM WEWEWEWEWE

WOULDWOULDWOULDWOULDWOULD NOTNOTNOTNOTNOT BEBEBEBEBE ABLEABLEABLEABLEABLE TOTOTOTOTO

PUBLISHPUBLISHPUBLISHPUBLISHPUBLISH THISTHISTHISTHISTHIS

MAGAZINEMAGAZINEMAGAZINEMAGAZINEMAGAZINE

MMMMMAPAPAPAPAP ANDANDANDANDAND C C C C COMPOMPOMPOMPOMPASSASSASSASSASS

TTTTTRAININGRAININGRAININGRAININGRAINING C C C C COURSEOURSEOURSEOURSEOURSE

Bush Navigation - WBush Navigation - WBush Navigation - WBush Navigation - WBush Navigation - Walking Speeds -alking Speeds -alking Speeds -alking Speeds -alking Speeds -Bush TBush TBush TBush TBush Tracking - Wracking - Wracking - Wracking - Wracking - Walks Planningalks Planningalks Planningalks Planningalks Planning

Learn all this with some great sceneryLearn all this with some great sceneryLearn all this with some great sceneryLearn all this with some great sceneryLearn all this with some great sceneryto enjoy along the wayto enjoy along the wayto enjoy along the wayto enjoy along the wayto enjoy along the way.....

Bring “Royal National Park” map and compassBring “Royal National Park” map and compassBring “Royal National Park” map and compassBring “Royal National Park” map and compassBring “Royal National Park” map and compassPhone Brian Saunders NPPhone Brian Saunders NPPhone Brian Saunders NPPhone Brian Saunders NPPhone Brian Saunders NPA on 02 9523 5681A on 02 9523 5681A on 02 9523 5681A on 02 9523 5681A on 02 9523 5681

for more informationfor more informationfor more informationfor more informationfor more information

Page 10: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

10T

he B

ushw

alke

r....................................................................................................�������������������� �������.........................................................................................................................

5–7 N5–7 N5–7 N5–7 N5–7 NOVEMBEROVEMBEROVEMBEROVEMBEROVEMBER 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 Sirocco Under the Southern Sky Sirocco Under the Southern Sky Sirocco Under the Southern Sky Sirocco Under the Southern Sky Sirocco Under the Southern SkyIn the Warrumbungle National Park

Saturday 6 November 9 $20 per personScience in the Pub Imperial Hotel,Science in the Pub Imperial Hotel,Science in the Pub Imperial Hotel,Science in the Pub Imperial Hotel,Science in the Pub Imperial Hotel,

Coonabarabran Friday 5 November 1999A weekend of fine music, Aboriginal

culture, wonderful walking and brilliantnight skies.

Bookings essential:[email protected] Freecall 1800 11 99 55

www.festival-of-the-stars.au.comWWWWWARRUMBUNGLEARRUMBUNGLEARRUMBUNGLEARRUMBUNGLEARRUMBUNGLE S S S S SOUNDSOUNDSOUNDSOUNDSOUNDS

For many bushwalkers and climbersthe lofty spires and windy maze ofwalking tracks in the WarrumbungleNational Park are like a magnet. Oncevisited there is always a desire to return; itcould be to face the unmet challenges ofthe walks or it could even be the solitudeand the feeling of being so in tune withthe environment. Either way, thecommunity of Coonabarabran, which isthe commercial centre for theWarrumbungles, welcomes you.

In November the Warrumbungleswill hum with the sounds of Sirocco inconcert. Sirocco will be performing inthe Warrumbungles on Saturday 6November. The concert is a specialStarRise performance .. Sirocco under.. Sirocco under.. Sirocco under.. Sirocco under.. Sirocco underthe southern skythe southern skythe southern skythe southern skythe southern sky and part of theWarrumbungle Festival of the Starsbeing held in Coonabarabran from 22October to 7 November.

Sirocco followers and bushwalkers ,and remember the performance in theMacquarie Marshes and The WetlandSuite, are advised to organise themselvesearly as there is already a groundswell ofinterest and bookings.

The concert will be performed in thegrounds of the Warrumbungles FieldStudies Centre from 7pm . The BreeDancers and Kamilaroi Didge willperform with local indigenous dancersand the KODA Choir and there will beKamilaroi Storytelling and visual artsperformance. Bushtucker is also beingprepared and will be available. Theafternoon and evening provide a great

opportunity to relaxand be entertained.The FestivalCommittee isoffering two levels of

WWWWWUMBUNGLEUMBUNGLEUMBUNGLEUMBUNGLEUMBUNGLE B B B B BUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWALKINGALKINGALKINGALKINGALKING ~ ~ ~ ~ ~WWWWWITHITHITHITHITH THETHETHETHETHE S S S S STTTTTARSARSARSARSARS

tickets – the concert ticket is $20 perperson and a special catered, table servicedinner under the stars is also availablefor $60 per person – includes a 3 coursemeal, table wine and concert. Food stallswill also operate throughout the evening.Sparkling stars against a clear blacknight sky, fine food and friends – whatmore could you ask for.

For those who are able to make thejourney to Coonabarabran a little earlier– try and be there on Friday evening forScience in the Pub.Science in the Pub.Science in the Pub.Science in the Pub.Science in the Pub. Dr Fred Watsonfrom Siding Spring Observatory andDavid Mallin the astro photographer aregoing to debate the links between cultureand astronomy and Paul Willis fromQuantum will host the evening. Therewill be other entertainment and theImperial Hotel in Coonabarabran (alsoYHA) is the venue – already there havebeen responses from a couple of univer-sity groups, and this will make theevening even more entertaining.

So .. if you’re looking for a weekendjam packed with entertainment in thenicest part of the world why not log ontothe website for more details and to makeyour bookings; www.festival-of-the-stars.au.com or you can email forinformation [email protected] orphone Aileen Bell on the festival freecall1800 11 99 55.

PPPPPHHHHH/////FFFFFAXAXAXAXAX

02 6842 174002 6842 174002 6842 174002 6842 174002 6842 1740

FFFFFOROROROROR AAAAA BROCHUREBROCHUREBROCHUREBROCHUREBROCHURE WRITEWRITEWRITEWRITEWRITE TOTOTOTOTO

GGGGGLENNLENNLENNLENNLENN ANDANDANDANDAND R R R R ROBYNOBYNOBYNOBYNOBYN

“T“T“T“T“TIBUCIBUCIBUCIBUCIBUC” C” C” C” C” COONABARABRANOONABARABRANOONABARABRANOONABARABRANOONABARABRAN NSW 2357 NSW 2357 NSW 2357 NSW 2357 NSW 2357

This park is famous for its spectacular scenery andvaried flora and fauna. The nearest accomodation is“Tibuc”, an 800 acre property adjoining the park.

Our charming self-contained mud-brick cabinsOur charming self-contained mud-brick cabinsOur charming self-contained mud-brick cabinsOur charming self-contained mud-brick cabinsOur charming self-contained mud-brick cabinsoffer you a unique opportunity to enjoy theoffer you a unique opportunity to enjoy theoffer you a unique opportunity to enjoy theoffer you a unique opportunity to enjoy theoffer you a unique opportunity to enjoy thesolitude of the bush in comfort. The closest townsolitude of the bush in comfort. The closest townsolitude of the bush in comfort. The closest townsolitude of the bush in comfort. The closest townsolitude of the bush in comfort. The closest townis Coonabarabran, the Astronomy Capital ofis Coonabarabran, the Astronomy Capital ofis Coonabarabran, the Astronomy Capital ofis Coonabarabran, the Astronomy Capital ofis Coonabarabran, the Astronomy Capital ofAustralia, where Skywatch Observatory is open toAustralia, where Skywatch Observatory is open toAustralia, where Skywatch Observatory is open toAustralia, where Skywatch Observatory is open toAustralia, where Skywatch Observatory is open tothe public every nightthe public every nightthe public every nightthe public every nightthe public every night

WWWWWARRUMBUNGLEARRUMBUNGLEARRUMBUNGLEARRUMBUNGLEARRUMBUNGLE

NANANANANATIONALTIONALTIONALTIONALTIONAL P P P P PARKARKARKARKARK

FFFFFOROROROROR YOURYOURYOURYOURYOUR

NEXTNEXTNEXTNEXTNEXT H H H H HOLIDAOLIDAOLIDAOLIDAOLIDAYYYYY

Page 11: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

The B

ushwalker

.........................................................................................................................�������������������� �������.....................................................................................................

11

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS MAGAZINE AND

BE SURE OF GETTING YOUR COPY

Join the growing list of Bushwalkers who sub-scribe to “The Bushwalker” every quarter. Keepup with all the news and developments happeningwithin the NSW bushwalking scene for only $5 peryear. (This covers posting and handling(This covers posting and handling(This covers posting and handling(This covers posting and handling(This covers posting and handlingcharges only the magazine is free)charges only the magazine is free)charges only the magazine is free)charges only the magazine is free)charges only the magazine is free)

Name............................................Name............................................Name............................................Name............................................Name............................................Address..................................................Address..................................................Address..................................................Address..................................................Address.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Postcode..........................Postcode..........................Postcode..........................Postcode..........................Postcode..........................Do you belong to a bushwalking club?Do you belong to a bushwalking club?Do you belong to a bushwalking club?Do you belong to a bushwalking club?Do you belong to a bushwalking club?yes/noyes/noyes/noyes/noyes/noIf yes name of Club........................................If yes name of Club........................................If yes name of Club........................................If yes name of Club........................................If yes name of Club........................................If NO would you like a copy of our clubs listIf NO would you like a copy of our clubs listIf NO would you like a copy of our clubs listIf NO would you like a copy of our clubs listIf NO would you like a copy of our clubs listfree. free. free. free. free. Please tick.Please tick.Please tick.Please tick.Please tick.

Payment can be made by cheque, money orPayment can be made by cheque, money orPayment can be made by cheque, money orPayment can be made by cheque, money orPayment can be made by cheque, money or-----der made out toder made out toder made out toder made out toder made out to

Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs PO BoxConfederation of Bushwalking Clubs PO BoxConfederation of Bushwalking Clubs PO BoxConfederation of Bushwalking Clubs PO BoxConfederation of Bushwalking Clubs PO Box2090 GPO Sydney 10432090 GPO Sydney 10432090 GPO Sydney 10432090 GPO Sydney 10432090 GPO Sydney 1043

TTTTTHREEHREEHREEHREEHREE P P P P PEAKSEAKSEAKSEAKSEAKS R R R R RECORDECORDECORDECORDECORD

BBBBBROKENROKENROKENROKENROKEN

In April 1999, Peter Tresedermanaged, on his second attempt, toreduce his 1987 Three Peaks record of14 hours 30 minutes to 14 hours 19minutes. This is the fifth time he hasreset this record.

The route is as follows: Katoomba (Cliff Drive)-

Narrowneck-Medlow Gap-Yellow PupRidge-Coxs River- Strongleg Buttress-Dex Creek-Mt Cloudmaker-ThunderButtress-Kanangra Creek-SouthParalyser Buttress-Mt Paralyser-NorthParalyser Buttress-Whalania Creek-Nooroo Buttress-Mt Guouogang-MtJenolan-The Gaspers-Coxs River-Breakfast Creek-Carlon Head-

Narrowneck-Katoomba(Ciiff Drive).RRRRRESCUEESCUEESCUEESCUEESCUE

Two weeks earlier in April 1999,Peter rescued two women who weretrapped in Gordon Smith Chimney. Thisis one of the access routes through thecliffs on Mount Banks in the BlueMountains National Park, NSW.

One of the women had slippedwhile abseiling and fallen to the end ofthe rope where a knot stopped her from

falling to thevalley floor.She did,however,knock herselfout and endedup hanginghundreds ofmetres fromthe ground.

The other woman who went to heraid got herself stuck and ended up alsobeing trapped. The third woman raisedthe alarm.

The rescue was achieved in raining,blustery conditions and took most of thenight. The worst part was going straightto work having missed a nights’ sleep.The day before Peter spent ridingpushbikes for about 120 kilometres inthe company of several Federal Ministersto raise money for Youth Insearch, anorganisation which helps troubled youth.

Peter prepairing for a trip

CCCCCONFEDERAONFEDERAONFEDERAONFEDERAONFEDERATIONTIONTIONTIONTION’’’’’SSSSS B B B B BUSHUSHUSHUSHUSH D D D D DANCEANCEANCEANCEANCE

PPPPPETERSHAMETERSHAMETERSHAMETERSHAMETERSHAM T T T T TOWNOWNOWNOWNOWN H H H H HALLALLALLALLALL

1717171717THTHTHTHTH S S S S SEPTEMBEREPTEMBEREPTEMBEREPTEMBEREPTEMBER7-307-307-307-307-30PMPMPMPMPM

$10 $10 $10 $10 $10 SINGLESINGLESINGLESINGLESINGLE $25 F $25 F $25 F $25 F $25 FAMILAMILAMILAMILAMILYYYYY

DDDDDANCEANCEANCEANCEANCE TOTOTOTOTO THETHETHETHETHE M M M M MUSICUSICUSICUSICUSIC OFOFOFOFOF

TTTTTHEHEHEHEHE C C C C CURRENCYURRENCYURRENCYURRENCYURRENCY L L L L LADSADSADSADSADS

Page 12: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

12T

he B

ushw

alke

r....................................................................................................�������������������� �������.........................................................................................................................

Breathing the fresh mountain air upat Thredbo is the perfect way to get activeafter this long cold Winter. Mt Koscuiszkois 6kms from the top of Thredbo resort,and every self-respecting bushwalkershould have a go at climbing the highest

mountain in mainland Australia at somestage in their lives.

Staying at Thredbo YHA’s clean, cosybudget lodge in the heart of the villageprovides an ideal base for a bushwalkingenthusiast. The lodge has a big verandah

with amazing mountain views and aspacious open plan kitchen and commonarea.

The hostel has twin rooms, shareddorms and a self contained apartmentthat sleeps 4 comfortably. Prices start at$38 per night for 2 night’s accommoda-tion mid week in a dorm room, with

drasticallydiscountedSummer rates.

There isplenty ofinformationaround thehostel aboutbushwalkingtracks aroundThredbo. Pete isthe residentNational Parks

and Wildlife Discover Ranger at the lodgeand he’s an expert ecologist, specialisingin Alpine terrain. He is happy to takegroups on guided walking tours,explaining the Alpine ecology andpointing out highlights along the way.

Nell Kell Sydney YHA

TTTTTHEHEHEHEHE B B B B BAREFOOTAREFOOTAREFOOTAREFOOTAREFOOT

BBBBBUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWALKEALKEALKEALKEALKE

Dot Butler s book“The BarefootBushwalke:r” has beenreprinted for the secondtime. It is availablefrom the ColongFoundation forWilderness Ltd., level 2362 Kent St., Sydney2000. Price $25, postageincluded.

Phone 02-92997341Sketches by Dot Butler

�����

���

�� ��

For bookings or your free information pack call nowph: (02) 9261 1111 fax: (02) 9261 1969www.yha.com.auemail: [email protected]

������������� ������ ������������ ����������

�������������� ������������������������������������

��������������� ����������������� �������������!����" �������

��������� �#�������������$��������������

�������������

�� ����

TTTTTHREDBOHREDBOHREDBOHREDBOHREDBO YHA – A B YHA – A B YHA – A B YHA – A B YHA – A BUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWALKERALKERALKERALKERALKER’’’’’SSSSS B B B B BASEASEASEASEASE

Page 13: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

The B

ushwalker

.........................................................................................................................�������������������� �������.....................................................................................................

13

“T“T“T“T“THEHEHEHEHE V V V V VIEWIEWIEWIEWIEW’’’’’SSSSS G G G G GREAREAREAREAREATTTTT B B B B BUTUTUTUTUT

DDDDDONONONONON’’’’’TTTTT L L L L LOOKOOKOOKOOKOOK D D D D DOWNOWNOWNOWNOWN”””””

TTTTTwo recent incidents provedwo recent incidents provedwo recent incidents provedwo recent incidents provedwo recent incidents provedagain that Australia cannot operateagain that Australia cannot operateagain that Australia cannot operateagain that Australia cannot operateagain that Australia cannot operatewithout volunteers.without volunteers.without volunteers.without volunteers.without volunteers. In April, 1999 twomajor incidents occurred virtuallyright on top of each other. On theCentral Coast there was a poultryepidemic that required quarantine ofchicken farms and mass destruction ofbirds to stop the spread of NewcastleDisease. This disease threatened theexport oriented, frozen chickenindustry in Australia! Although farmsare definitely not bush. BushwalkersWilderness Rescue (BWR) was in-volved.

To maintain the quarantine, therewere restrictions on the movement ofstock birds from properties and amaritime patrol provided by the RoyalVolunteer Coast Guard and (volunteer)Coastal Patrol. People were actuallytrying to smuggle birds out of thequarantine area! BWR is a membersquad of the Volunteer Rescue Associa-tion of NSW Inc. (VRA). BWR workedwith many country VRA Squads (andothers) to help exterminate (thousandsper day) chickens.

This incident had not been fullycontained when on 14th April a massivehail storm damaged roofs in Sydneycoastal suburbs especially the EasternSuburbs. This has been one of thegreatest natural disasters ever inAustralia. Volunteers from SES andRural Fire Services districts acrossSydney were drafted into the cleanup.For safety only persons skilled to StateRescue Board V3 standard or equiva-

lent were allowed on the roofs ofmultistorey dwellings. V3 Fire Brigadespersonnel were brought in from the farNorth Coast among other areas. Allfull members of the Rock Squad ofBWR are V3 qualified. Now, theEastern Suburbs have not been bushfor 150 years. Rock Squad membersspent several days up to five storeyshigh working along side V3 personnelfrom VRA Squads from all over NSW.Non V3 bushies also helped by movingsupplies. I worked on the roof of a fivestorey dwelling in Edgecliff andtravelled up by large cherry picker withgreat views of Sydney Harbour butdidn’t look down! The cleanup is stillincomplete.

Keith Maxwell -Director Wilderness Rescue

BBBBBARRINGTONARRINGTONARRINGTONARRINGTONARRINGTON

TTTTTOPSOPSOPSOPSOPS A A A A AUGUSTUGUSTUGUSTUGUSTUGUST

19811981198119811981“S“S“S“S“SOLOLOLOLOLVEVEVEVEVE THETHETHETHETHE MYSTERMYSTERMYSTERMYSTERMYSTERYYYYY OFOFOFOFOF

VH-MDX”VH-MDX”VH-MDX”VH-MDX”VH-MDX”On the night of 9th August, 1981 a

small Cessna plane, VH-MDX, with fivemenaboardstruggledeastwardsagainsttheelementsas itcrossedthe southern front of Barrington Tops.It was attempting to return to the coastto complete a trip to Sydney fromQueensland. A lightning strike and firedamaged its instruments so it could nottell up from down. High turbulentwinds and biting cold put ice in itscarburettor. When it disappearedaround 7-30pm it was partially in aradar shadow. Barrington Tops isdensely forested as its 1,500 metre(5,000 ft) peaks capture bad weather.An immediate frantic air and groundsearch which included BushwalkersWilderness Rescue (BWR) found

nothing. BWR took part in severalmore large combined searches ventur-ing further into more remote countrythan any other group. The poorlocation details gave rise to multipletheories of its disappearance.

Despite difficult weather BWR haslead several minor searches that havecomprehensively covered severalpotential sites. In October, 1988 whatwas known as the “smell site” wasdefinitely ruled out. Finding VH-MDXhas become a challenge for BWR.Many people have helped in theresearch including friends of themissing men and aviation experts. Themore you learn of its disappearanceand the efforts made to locate it, themore you will be sucked into solvingthe riddle. Our current knowledgesuggests that it had traversed over allbut the last and highest ridge (withWangat Trig. on it). Only bushwalkerswill find VH-MDX now. In October,1994 we only partly covered this highprobability area. Our plan is tocomplete the task.

In 1993 a light plane disappearedaround the back of Kanangra Walls. It

took bushwalkers to find itwhen an aerial search failed. BWRneeds your help on October 15th and16th (and 17th for the keen) in ancombined effort with other specialistgroups to solve this mystery and provewhat we all know - BWR are thespecialists in bush search and rescue.You too could become a bushwalkinglegend on the front page of the SydneyMorning Herald!

Details of the search programDetails of the search programDetails of the search programDetails of the search programDetails of the search programwill be sent to your club closer towill be sent to your club closer towill be sent to your club closer towill be sent to your club closer towill be sent to your club closer tothe weekend. For further informa-the weekend. For further informa-the weekend. For further informa-the weekend. For further informa-the weekend. For further informa-tion contact John Ttion contact John Ttion contact John Ttion contact John Ttion contact John Tonitto on 9789onitto on 9789onitto on 9789onitto on 9789onitto on 97892527.2527.2527.2527.2527.

Page 14: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

14T

he B

ushw

alke

r....................................................................................................�������������������� �������.........................................................................................................................

�������������������� ���

MMMMMEANSEANSEANSEANSEANS D D D D DOOOOO NOTHINGNOTHINGNOTHINGNOTHINGNOTHING - L - L - L - L - LEAEAEAEAEAVEVEVEVEVE N N N N NOTHINGOTHINGOTHINGOTHINGOTHING

TTTTTHAHAHAHAHATTTTT S S S S SHOWSHOWSHOWSHOWSHOWS W W W W WHEREHEREHEREHEREHERE Y Y Y Y YOUOUOUOUOU H H H H HAAAAAVEVEVEVEVE B B B B BEENEENEENEENEEN

“B“B“B“B“BUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWUSHWALKINGALKINGALKINGALKINGALKING

INININININ A A A A AUSTRALIAUSTRALIAUSTRALIAUSTRALIAUSTRALIA”””””GGGGGETETETETET YOURYOURYOURYOURYOUR CLUBCLUBCLUBCLUBCLUB ONONONONON THETHETHETHETHE

WWWWWORLDORLDORLDORLDORLDWWWWWIDEIDEIDEIDEIDEWWWWWEBEBEBEBEB

Some clubs have taken the opportu-nity to put on their own information, suchas activities programme (minus names,phone numbers and meeting places)newsletters and even some photos of theirwalks. These clubs have benefited fromthis with quite a few new members. Yourclub can benefit from this free service too.

All you have to do is send to thewebmaster an IBM formatted disk withany information you would like to put onyour page. Most applications can beaccessed, Word, Works, RTF, TXT, WordPerfect and a few more. Or send it‘attached’ to an email or by snail mail.The webmaster will design your page andput your club on the web at

http://www.bushwalking.org.au

MMMMMEMBERSEMBERSEMBERSEMBERSEMBERS O O O O ONLNLNLNLNLYYYYY

No this isn’t an adultsonly page. We have aMembers Only page whichcan only be accessed bymembers (delegates) ofclubs. The username andpassword can be obtainedby emailing [email protected] C C C C CANANANANAN BEBEBEBEBE

SSSSSEENEENEENEENEEN ONONONONON T T T T THISHISHISHISHIS

PPPPPAGEAGEAGEAGEAGE

On the members onlypage there are minutes ofConfederation meetings,reports from the differentofficers (WildernessRescue, Conservation,Communication, Training,Insurance and member-ship, Tracks & Access,Notices (from Confedera-tion and clubs) Confedera-tion Officers, Finance,Confederation’s Rules and Objects(constitution).

Top: Group of walkers onsummit of Federation Peakabout 1952

Bottom: Camp just belowFederation Peak 1952

Page 15: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

The B

ushwalker

.........................................................................................................................�������������������� �������.....................................................................................................

15

Page 16: Keith Maxwell Director Wilderness Rescue NIMBYNIMBYNIMBY ... quartelys/bushwalker251.pdf · The Bushwalker..... ..... 1

16T

he B

ushw

alke

r....................................................................................................�������������������� �������.........................................................................................................................