Old Man Emu

P.O. Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3039

After a slow start and some premature despair at a shortage of articles the newsletter quickly filled to overflowing, and trimming articles was not easy! And then at the last minute I found two previews were out! The joys of editing! Well done everyone for being on time.

I’d like to thank the regular contributors Ian and Sylvia McLean, Bill Casey and Frank Szentmiklossy, who plan ahead then sell their walks so well. They set a good example of what the newsletter is for. Also welcome Peter Medforth for his recipe and reflection on his rediscovered joys of pack walking.

My regular proofreader, Stephen Bocquet, has disappeared for fifteen months, so Therese Ryan is my new checker. Proof reading is a valuable part of the team effort required to put a newsletter together. Thanks to Steve and Therese for their help.

Articles can be sent to Chris Jarvis, E-mail: cjjarvis@labyrinth.net.au

Photographs, including scanned or digital photos, are most welcome. Prints can be sent to me for scanning to enable easy insertion into the newsletter.

Hello to you all.

As the Annual General Meeting is fast approaching it is time for all members to think about whether the present committee is doing a good enough job of running the club or if you wish to make changes. Here is your chance to come along and vote or even stand yourself. In the past numbers at the AGM have always been low, if you are interested in the running of the club and who will be elected I ask you to attend and exercise your right to vote.

I would like to thank all those who helped out at the Moonee Valley Festival, especially Ian and Sylvia Mclean, who I was told, spent the entire day there. Well done guys!

Also a big thank you to Enid Widmer and best of luck with your new job. (Enid resigned from the club committee due to work commitments.) The vacancy on the committee will be left open till the AGM.

On behalf of the club we wish Stephen Bouquet all the best as he departs for sunny England, to work for over a year, and we hope to hear from you and see you when you get back.

Finally I wish you all a good and enjoyable Easter and I hope to see you on the track.

Sunday February 25^th.

Thank you to all who helped give out information at the club stall, especially Ian and Sylvia McLean who, with Philip’s help, mastered the erection of the big tent and stayed all day. The sunny weather was great and people milled around all day.

We ran a "guess the weight" of a day pack competition with hilarious opinions. It was 5.84 kgs, so the winner of a club embroidered cap and T-shirt was Maureen Benbow guessing 5.7kg.

At the Annual general meeting in June we will be seeking at least one new general committee member so please consider this aspect of work for your club. The committee meets once a month to deal with correspondence, business and to organise Club meeting nights.

Revisited on 28/29 April 2001

This overnight pack walk is an old favourite. However last time it turned out to be quite an adventure.

In May 1999, Chris Jarvis, Ian Tovey, David Likar and myself set off from Sheepyard Flats on the Howqua River outside of Mansfield. The first thing we encountered was a group of deer hunters. Gun shots coming from the bush made us uneasy but we pushed on, mindful that being riddled full of bullet holes could really bugger up the weekend.

Suddenly out of the scrub charged a fully-grown sambar deer with two hound dogs in hot pursuit, missing our group by a couple of metres. The deer hunters were well equipped with two-way radio and alerted each other that four bush walkers were in the area. I still shudder when I remember these guys with their high powered telescopic sighted rifles and they were all of 16 years old.

We eventually made it through to our campsite that afternoon and it began to rain and rain. In fact it rained all night and the next day, together with the gale force winds, made the final push up the rock face to the summit far too dangerous. We had no choice but to abandon the walk and return to the cars.

On our return journey we were accompanied by a lost hunting dog that happened to wander into our campsite overnight. He walked back to Sheepyard Flats with us, but his owners, the deer hunters, had departed. Some four wheel drivers had a UHF radio and contacted the deer hunters to collect their

lost dog.

We elected to get out of the rain and adjourned to the Merrijig Pub for a counter lunch in front of the open fire.

This year we will try again. The views over the high country on a clear day are spectacular.

Any Club Member with a few pack walks under their belt could handle this OK. Remember there is a lot of climbing and we need to carry 2 days of water. But the views and the country make it all worthwhile.

15kms Med.

Weekend 5/6^th May.

This is the walk I was going to do in march but due to work commitments I had to cancel.

Well it’s definitely on. Departing Friday night about 6pm (dinner along the way) up to Neds gully and our camp for the evening. Next morning a not too early start and a stroll along beside little river before we tackle the short but challenging climb to the farmyard camping area for Saturday night (about 5.5kms).

The afternoon will be spent either relaxing around camp or going for a stroll to nearby Sugarloaf Peak.

The next day it’s a walk of about 6kms back to the cars. Along the way we visit Cathedral Peak and possibly little cathedral. This is not a long pack walk but the terrain is challenging, beginners or people who have only done very few pack walks come along and give it a go.

15 km, Easy Medium

Sunday May 13,

Eastern section of the Macedon Ranges

This is an old favourite of ours, which we have done often, but each time in each different season it is just so enjoyable with such variety in scenery and climate. The walk starts at Cherokee, with slightly undulating quiet country lanes, through prime picturesque mountain farmlands. Here open spaces allow panoramic views eastwards to Melbourne, the Dandenongs and the Yarra Ranges. Next we go upwards via a new route through fern and tall eucalyptus forests to almost gain access to the top. However, just before we reach the top we take a slight diversion to uncover our recent new find- a HUT (same design as you would find in the high plains eg Wallace’s Hut). After exploration we continue on to Lion’s Head via this new route and onto the picturesque Sanatorium Lake and Picnic Ground for lunch. Return via Lion’s Head is by the original route descending, once again through delightful mountain forests back to Cherokee completing the circuit.

Queen’s Birthday L/WE, June 9-11

This year, Ron Bell and I will be staging a combined base camp at Beechworth. Ron’s group will be staying in more comfortable accommodation at the former Mayday Hills Mental Hospital, while my group will be roughing it at the old mining area known as the Woolshed Diggings.

Each day the two groups will meet for a combined walk in the Beechworth area. One walk will visit Kelly’s Lookout from which the Kelly Gang are reputed to have watched the police movements in the valley below during their time on the run from the law.

Other features which we inspect are the Woolshed Falls, the Spring Creek Cascades, the Powder Magazine, Lake Sambell and the many historic sites in Beechworth township, including my boyhood home (how historic can you get!).

The Woolshed camp site has permanent water but no other facilities. We have base-camped there on three previous occasions over the past eight years, and have so far managed to survive the frosty Beechworth winter mornings. The sunny days which always follow (fingers crossed – leaders are allowed a little latitude with the truth) make it all worthwhile. As we drive right to the camp-site, you can bring all the home comforts except anything which requires electricity.

So don’t stay at home – Ron and I promise you a good time whether you choose the five-star accommodation with him or the half-star with me.

60kms Med.

Saturday 16^th June

This ride begins at Diamond Creek Station, so we meet at Flinders Street Station and catch a Hurstbridge Train to the start of the ride.

Then its a lovely ride through the outer suburbs of Melbourne following Diamond Creek to the Yarra River at Westerfolds Park then its just a matter of following the Yarra river back into town.

This is a lovely ride and must not be missed a good track to ride on not too many hills and great scenery.

15kms E/M

Thursday 28^th June.

Here's a walk for all those who are lucky enough to have the day off during the week.

As it says it’s a mystery walk and where we go will depend on the weather and the mood of the leader on the day.

All I will say it won't be too hard a walk, but it will be enjoyable and interesting. So come along if you can.

(including Petty’s Orchard and Westerfolds Park)

15 Km Easy

Sunday 1 July

Starting at Diamond Creek and terminating at the Manor (Mia Mia Gallery and Café) in Westerfolds Park. A linear walk necessitating a brief car shuffle. Follows Diamond Creek through a string of reserves (see below) to where it meets the Yarra at Lennister Farm (Wetland area with a bird hide, viewing platform and interpretative signage) Then diverting along the Yarra for a look at the historic Petty’s Orchard site and terminating at the adjacent Westerfolds Park for afternoon tea.

Murray’s Land Wetland - Wetland area filtering storm water entering Diamond Creek, viewing platform and interpretative signs.

Edendale Community Farm - 100 year old farm housing 51 landcare and friends groups within the immediate shire; examples of environmental best practice and learning; a working farm featuring rare and unusual animals ( $2 entry fee).

Alistair Knox Park - Natural style landscaping adjacent to historic trestle bridge (1902); pond, sculptures; Heidelberg School Artist’s Interpretive Trail and architecturally significant mud brick library.

Wingrove Park - a natural open space reserve with significant flora and fauna.

Eltham Lower Park - Wetlands area, mini railway and nature trail with indigenous plantings.

Huhnes Reserve - (really a grassy paddock with red gums) but home to the endangered Eltham Copper Butterfly.

16kms Med

Saturday 6^th July

This walk starts at Sassafras and ends at Emerald. There is a car shuffle involved.

We will be walking through Kallista, Monbulk and the beautiful area of the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges. There are a few ups and downs, but that’s half the fun of walking.

Come along and enjoy the Ranges in wintertime.

9 Km Easy

Sunday July 29, 9am START

Lebanon Res., Strathmore to Westmeadows Reserve Picnic Ground and return.

Starting at 9am and meeting at Lebanon Res. Car park, Melissa St. (Melways. 16 H8). We pass through some very attractive areas of the creek before morning tea. This section includes Strathnaver Reserve renown for sections of remnant native grassland and revegetated areas. Lichen growing in this area has apparently been estimated to be up to 100 years old. Remnant native vegetation is said to have survived clearing and mowing due to the rocky basalt escarpments on which it is found. These were formed 16-23 million years ago as a result of Victoria’s extensive lava flows, which resulted in the extensive Western Lava Plains that we know today.

Next point of interest is Boeing Reserve with Essendon Airport to the south. There are clear views of aircraft taking off and landing from the North-South Runway. Then through the Kingsford Smith-Ulm Reserve where we cross underneath an immense railway trestle bridge spanning the valley floor. Next is the Riverside Estate where we will stop for morning tea at the playground and picnic area.

Unfortunately, the next 1.5 Km is fairly open as we head from the Western Ring Road toward Johnstone St., but beyond here to our lunch spot is through lovely treed areas and shrubs. Our return trip will have small sections, which can be varied from the outbound trip. BYO afternoon tea in Lebanon Reserve.

20kms E/M

11-12 August

This is one of my old favorites. I have done this many times before and it's always been a great weekend away.

We will depart early Saturday morning. It's a couple of hours drive from Melbourne to the Kooyoora State Park Just past Bendigo.

We camp out in tents. There is a toilet there and we can have a campfire in the evening (it might be a bit cool). We will do a couple of nice day walks. One on Saturday and a shorter one Sunday, then we head home Sunday, stopping for afternoon tea on the way.

13 Km Easy

Sunday 19th August 2001

9.00 am start.

This is a pleasant and surprising urban walk. Mt. Cooper is within Bundoora Park and is the highest point in the Melbourne metropolitan area. We commence from the Historical Museum in Bundoora Park doing a 3.5 Km scenic circuit, up to Mt. Cooper to access the 360 degree views. This circuit encompasses a fauna park, historical museum and children’s farm/adventure park. After this circuit we enter the grounds of LaTrobe University via the abandoned Plenty Hospital Grounds and passing an agricultural, zoology and wildlife reserve. We will transit the Uni via its abundant waterbirds. Our exit is past another nature reserve and continues on a bike track through the Plenty Valley with it’s continuous reserves along the Darrebin Creek to complete another circuit to where our walk commenced.

Afternoon tea at the Children’s Farm.

A map datum is a reference point based upon the centre of the earth’s mass, and is used to determine the grids we see on maps for describing one’s position. Different methods for determining the datum has led to a number of different datum standards being used around the world.

Last year Australia changed it’s datum from the Australian Geodetic Datum (AGD) to the Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA), which puts "new" grid references approximately 200 metres north east of "old" locations.

In other words, a grid reference using the (new) GDA datum will be located 200 metres north east of the same grid reference based on the (old) AGD datum.

"Old" maps (printed pre 2000) are marked to the AGD, while "new" maps (printed post 2000) will be marked to the GDA. The datum used on a map is generally stated near the grid interval legend.

The problem will occur when maps PRINTED after 2000 start to circulate. A map sold in the future, such as in the year 2005, may have been printed prior to 2000, and thus will have the old AGD datum.

In normal bushwalking, the impact of this change will generally not cause problems. However, there are two areas where navigators will need to be alert. One is when using GPS receivers, and the other is in search and rescue.

For GPS users, this means taking care to ensure the receiver is set to the datum of the map being used, which will be either AGD (older maps) or GDA (very new maps). The default datum on GPS receivers is WGS84, which is about 10cm from GDA. GDA is more accurate than WGS84.

For those involved in search and rescue the problem could be much greater. On searches it may be prudent to check that search field command and field personnel have agreement on which datum is being used. For example, when reporting position, being instructed to move to a specific location, or organising a rendezvous. Two hundred metres can be a long way on these operations!

These two problems will exist for however long older maps are being used, which could be for the next fifteen to twenty years!

Information for this article was sourced from an article written by Monica Chapman and Rik Head in the October 1999 edition of Behind the log, the newsletter of Bushwalkers Search and Rescue.

for 2000 – 2001 is:

President: Frank Szentmiklossy

Vice President: Paulene Sunderland

Secretary: Nicole Lowe

Treasurer: Lauren Eagle

Committee: Ron Bell, Inge Lingham, Sylvia McLean, Michael Howes

Members Discount

Don’t forget that members can obtain a discount at Bogong Equipment, 374 Little Bourke Street. They offer a 10% discount on all non sale items.

(Snail) Mail: The Secretary, Essendon Bushwalking Club Inc., P.O. Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3039

E-mail: Russell Christensen trekker@netspace.net.au

Club Web Page: www.netspace.net.au/~trekker

Are released three times each year, at the April, August and December club meetings.

One copy of the program is included within the club newsletter Old Man Emu.

Additional copies are available from the Secretary or Treasurer for 20¢ each.

Are held on the second Wednesday of each month, at Hall 3, St.Thomas Church (behind the church), Mt.Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds Junction (corner of Mt.Alexander and Pascoe Vale Roads. Meetings start at 7.30 pm.

The club has limited equipment for hire. Contact the club Secretary for more information.

Tent $10 $20

Backpack $6 $10

Sleeping Bag $5 $5

Japara $5 $5

Stove $5 $5

Sleeping Mat $1 $2

Maximum hire rate $25 each week. Each additional week a further $25 fee will apply.

Annual Membership $ 30

Visitors Fee (per event) $ 5

Annual Membership fees apply from June 1 to May 31. Membership fees not paid two months after June 1 render the member un-financial. There are no pro-rata membership fees as the club is required to pay an annual Federation / Insurance premium

An un-financial member is required to pay the visitors fee for every event they attend until they have paid their full membership fee.

Un-financial members and visitors attending more than three events in a club year are required to pay the full membership fee.

New members must pay the annual membership fee within 28 days of their membership application being approved by the committee.

As an unfinancial member, the Club's Personal Accident and Public Liability Insurance on any club activity does not cover you unless a visitor's fee is paid.

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon mustard powder

1 teaspoon chilli powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground coriander

Place them all in a small container (I think a 35mm film canister might be too small) and shake.

Add two, three, or four teaspoons according to your own taste to add some extra oomph! to an otherwise boring meal.

Packet spices from the supermarket will be OK for bushwalking. For a less hot & spicy combination reduce the mustard and chilli powders to half a teaspoon.

Those of you who have walked with John Widmer in recent years have probably observed him take the occasional digital photo, typically a few hundred on a good weekend! John then edits them and puts a selected few onto his own site, and he is gradually putting together quite a reasonable snapshot of Victoria and other places.

Here is where you can find it. There is also a link to this site from the club’s own web page. It’s worth a look.

http:// mag-ic.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/outdoored/

Setting out from Lake Catani we followed the Long Plain track for about an hour until it joined the Rocky Creek Track. Dropping packs at the junction we headed off to Mt Dunn. The views from the summit were worth it. Set almost in the middle of the plateau you are treated with magnificent panoramic views over most of the plateau. Continuing along we again dropped packs and left the track to spend a fun half hour or so exploring the rocky jumble of the Giant's Causeway.

Back at the packs again we set off to Mac's Point where we spent a pleasant couple of hours perched on the rocks overlooking the plateau down to Lake Buffalo, and eating lunch in the sun.

After lunch we retraced our steps a short way until we found the little used track (a rarity on Mt Buffalo) linking the Mac's Point and Rocky Creek tracks and headed to the campsite. We set up camp and had an early tea. After tea we headed off to catch the sunset from Mollisons' Galleries. Although the sunset wasn't too spectacular we had fun clambering around on the rocks and arriving back at the camp just on dark.

The next morning we woke to a light rain. Heading off again we retraced our steps towards Mollisons' Galleries, turning off towards Eagle Point where we again dropped packs and climbed to the top using the old rickety wooden and iron ladders installed there some decades ago.

We continued along the track admiring the views and the colours of the sub-alpine vegetation brought out by the previous night's rain. We kept coming across a variety of lovely little pockets such as rocky outcrops with great views, narrow lightly vegetated ridges, fantastically coloured twisted and tortured snowgums, and tiny alpine meadows and sphagnum bogs. This is the sort of thing that Buffalo is well known for.

At Og Gog & Magog we clambered around again trying to work out which was which before having lunch. We then returned to the car via the southern end of the reservoir, climbing over the Devil's Couch, and back onto Long Plain Track and Lake Catani.

This was a lovely walk. I had forgotten how nice the Mt Buffalo plateau is, especially this lesser walked western area.

Then it was the Labour Day long weekend, three days in the Mt. Howitt region - the jewel in the crown of the Victorian Alps.

We started at the base of Stanley Name Spur with our three-day packs and three to four litres of water each, ready for the heat that didn't quite eventuate. We kept climbing, and climbing, and climbing. After the initial slightly steep beginning we eventually left the 4WD track and continued on to Mt Thorn where we had morning tea. After this the climbing was more undulating. The vegetation changed as we climbed, and climbed, from tall mountain ash and thick undergrowth to alpine ash with less dense undergrowth and eventually to snowgums with snowgrass underneath. As we climbed and climbed we were teased with views of the spur we were climbing and the mountains we were heading to.

Eventually we broke trough the tree line and were treated to magnificent views extending from Mt Cobbler, past Mt Speculation, Mt Buggery, The Crosscut Saw, Mt. Howitt, Mt. Magdala, and on to The Bluff.

We continued to climb the remaining 100 metres or so to the ridge proper of The Crosscut Saw. There we were rewarded with wonderful 360° views over the Alps, including The Razor and The Viking. From there it was on to camp at Macalister Springs while we admired the views at a lovely campsite, overlooking The Terrible Hollow, The Devils Staircase, and The Crosscut Saw. The cloud started to build and we had some showers through the night, which set the tone for the next twenty-four hours.

Next morning we climbed out of our tents to the sight of The Terrible Hollow filled with cloud, reaching almost to our little plateau, and the peaks of The Crosscut Saw rising majestically out of the mist. In the early morning light the cloud seemed thick enough to walk on and the peaks close enough to touch. I never get tired of seeing views like this.

We walked through the mist towards the summit of Mt Howitt. Because of the low cloud cover, almost constant rumble of thunder and occasional flash of lightning we decided not to hang around on the summit and dropped down into the snowgums again. Here, with the random heavy shower, we walked along a narrow ridge with the trees shrouded in mist and the occasional shadow of a mountain peak appearing mysteriously in the distance. It felt very much like Tolkein's Misty Mountains, with the eucalypts adding a distinctly Australian flavour.

We finally reached the top of Helicopter Spur and proceeded down. Eventually we came to the dreaded cliff face where we could go no further in that direction and had to back track and climb down the side. Climbing down, including through the small chimney, presented few problems as there were plenty of hand and foot holds. It was a different story walking down the track, slipping and sliding on the loose scree.

Eventually we all got safely to the bottom of the spur and the Howqua River. From there it was a simple walk along the road, crossing the river a couple of times on rocks or a broken bridge, to our campsite at the base of Howitt Spur.

Next morning was a simple case of walking back on to Stanley Name Spur and retracing our steps back down to the cars.

I didn’t realise how much I had missed getting out into the real bush and the mountains, or how much I needed it. Now that I have been out again and had a taste of real bushwalking there is no way I will give it up again. These walks have finished – but there will be others in the future.

"I very sorry that I could not send a letter to you but I was in hostel and my school does not have post office so I cannot send a letter to you.

Now I am back to my Aunts house here in Nepal. Hindus biggest festival has started and I have got a holiday about one month. I am doing my study very well. I will never forget your help. If you would not had helped me then I had never got chance to study in Kathmandu. Its because of you that today I can read, talk, write in English.

Once again thank you very much.

Yours sincerely, Phurba "

March 2001

"Great Namaste and hello. Many thanks for the letter and US250 which will be a great help to Phurba’s study.

Now a day I am in Lukla and it is closed for months therefore there was no airplane flight to Lukla. It is still on under reconstruction. Civil aviation is planning it to complete in coming July, but I am not sure about it. Some time there was a small helicopter flight over there which is we have to charter it by own self therefore it cost too high which normal people cannot afford it.

I am still leading treks and mountain climb and some time I used to look after my lodge and shop. I have a fond memories of my visit to Australia very much. It is great memories for me."

Sincerely yours, Sonam"

March 2001

"I am Bhagawati K.C. Thanks a lot for sending me a long letter which gives me more encourage to write a letter about my hobbies. I study every type of subject in my school such as math, science, English, environment and population education books etc. but I take more interest reading environment and population and science books because we can found many knowledgeable things in those books. I also enjoy different activities with my friends by playing volleyball, sketting (not sure what this is – VR) and joking, laughing with my friends and my family. As we all know laughing is the best medicine of life. We are mostly spending our time by laughing.

At last I like to give a lot of thanks to you and your friends and the members of the Essendon Bushwalking Club who helped me in my education at school and encourage me to read hard. Say hellow, namaste. Warm love and sweet rememberance to your friends and family from my side.

Yours ever loving

Bhagawati K C and the family

Pam McHardy, our club’s number one S&R contact (the first of three club contacts who are called to mobilize club members during a call-out) has stood down after fifteen years in this position. Pam took on this job when our club first became involved in search and rescue in 1985. During that time Pam took the majority of calls, and then frequently had the onerous task of waking sleeping club members to ask if they were available to go searching. We owe her our thanks for a job well done. Mary Atkins has volunteered to replace Pam, and we are confident Mary will perform the task with equal professionalism.

After prematurely announcing the imminent release of the "bible" for bushwalking leadership in the August 2000 edition of OME, I can now confirm that Bushwalking and Ski Touring Leadership, published by the Department of Sport and Recreation was officially launched on March 27.

This invaluable reference for leaders and non leaders alike is now on sale at all good gear shops, Information Victoria and map shops.

I offer my apologies to those who sought it but could not find it. I was led astray by one of it’s authors.