Old Man Emu

To maintain privacy, all references to private telephone numbers and addresses have been omitted from this edition.

Why is the President of Essendon Bushwalking Club similar to the President of the United States?

No, it's not because I have the power to invade unfriendly countries, I can't distort world trade, I didn't get to be your President because of immense wealth and family connections, and I certainly don't have a special relationship with John Howard. The similarity is that, like the President of the United States, I am allowed a maximum of two terms in office.

Two years ago when Frank stepped down from the Presidency, with a huge, huge smile on his face, I had no idea what I had agreed to take on, and I felt very nervous about the size of the shoes I was filling. Now I can confirm that it's all been quite easy and enjoyable. People have talked with me about their concerns and interests, so many of you have contributed to this club in many ways to make it active and vibrant, and, like Frank, I am definitely departing with a huge smile on my face (but Julie must take some of the credit for that).

As we approach the Annual General Meeting on June 9 you therefore have the responsibility of electing a new set of office bearers and the opportunity to introduce some new blood into the committee. Please think carefully about the future of our club and if you would like some information on what's involved and how the committee goes

about its business then just talk with any of the current committee members (sorry, committee work is not all wild parties and alcohol, but it is rewarding).

At the June AGM your membership also becomes due. If you have the intention of participating in any future club activities, I urge you to rejoin promptly. Not only will this make life easier for the committee, but you will also avoid the risk of being classified as a visitor if you have not rejoined within two months after the AGM. Visitors now receive no insurance coverage, so there is strong incentive to ensure that your membership is up to date.

It is regrettable that we have had to raise membership fees for the second year in a row, but the committee was faced with the dilemma of either cutting spending or seeking further income to maintain services. It was also deemed prudent for the club to build a small surplus to cover future leadership training and to guard against unforseen cost increases. Clearly the best response is for you to get value from your membership by taking full advantage of our program of activities

In the last couple of months much has been said and written about the draft Bushwalking - Adventure Activity Standard. In the worst-case scenario, it could be a major challenge for us if we are forced to comply with this draft document. Special recognition must go to Chris Jarvis for his diligence in circulating information to members, informing us on the issue, and leading our response to the originators and legislators. We are hoping that recreational bushwalking does not become governed and constrained by excessive bureaucratic red tape.

In February, our second club member in two years suffered a snake bite. While she has recovered from the experience, it did result in an overnight stay in hospital so it is worth reviewing the incident. As in the previous case, the victim was unaware that she had been bitten. All that was felt was a sensation like a sharp stick brushing past her leg. Subsequent headache, nausea and the discovery of bite marks were the pieces of evidence that revealed the attack.

In Australia there are about 3,000 snake bites every year, about three of which will prove fatal. The good news to remember is that no one who has received correct medical treatment has ever died from a snake bite. Therefore please be vigilant during the warmer months, invest in a pair of gaiters, review the first aid procedure for snake bite, and if you suddenly experience a headache or nausea, please talk with your leader. Leaders really do want to give you the appropriate care, and they prefer to bring back all the walkers they take out on a trip.

Trust me, I'm a leader.

P.O. Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3039

Well done again folks. Thanks to you this edition contains a mixture of event reports, event previews, items (hopefully) of interest to members, plus important administrative bits.

One unnamed source even submitted an article for the August edition! Now that’s advance planning!

As a cost saving measure, the committee and myself are considering the partial distribution of this newsletter by email. Some successful trials have taken place, using the ‘pdf’ file format to overcome possible software incompatibility problems over a wide range of recipients. Stay tuned for more on this topic.

Keep writing!

Editor

Short articles (<500 words) can be sent in hard copy form. Longer articles should be on floppy disk or sent by email.

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

The new program marks a return to having activities above the snow line. This has resulted from legal advice that VicWalk has received on the Wrongs Act. The outcome is that leaders are now covered, with respect to liability, for their activities with the club subject to the usual riders (ie. Within club purpose, lawful activity etc). Significantly this means that a leader would be personally protected for club skiing activities. However, the club could still be sued to the limits of its assets because there is no public liability insurance for the club. Member to member incidents are also not covered at present. Several other Victorian bushwalking clubs have decided to reintroduce skiing activities on this basis. Please remember that everyone will still have personal accident cover for above snow line activities, the recent stumbling block has only been with our liability coverage.

A Special General Meeting of the Essendon Bushwalking Club Inc. will be held on Wednesday May 12, 2004 at 7:30 pm at Hall 3, St Thomas' Church, Mt Alexander Road.

The business of the Special General Meeting will be to debate and vote on amendments to Section 18 of the Constitution; Duties of Office Bearers.

An ordinary General Meeting will follow.

Details of business:

It is proposed that there be changes to the constitution with respect to the duties of the office bearer's in relation to cheque signing (to reflect current banking practices).

Twelve stages of the Bay To Border Walk have so far been completed. Total distance covered by each of the five walkers who have not missed a stage is 151 kilometres. A further seven walkers have missed only 1 or 2 stages, and all intend to "catch up" when some walks are repeated at a later date.

The walk started from Point Lonsdale on 21 April 2002 with 45 participants, and while the first 6 stages were done as day walks (as far as Lorne), the average number of walkers was 42.

Base camps are now necessary, and the average number of walkers for stages 7 to 12 has been in the low twenties.

Remaining distance is about 350 kilometres, and it is still planned to be at the South Australian border some time in 2008.

Immediately after the completion of Stages 11 and 12 from Apollo Bay to Parker Hill, Mary Atkins, Beth Elkins and I spent a hectic week doing a reconnaissance of the future route all the way to the border. We were continually amazed by the magnificent scenery which awaits the walkers.

A small section of the track in the Moonlight Head area is still under construction, and unfortunately two sections between Johanna Beach and Princetown take the easy way out for the track builders by going some distance inland along 4WD tracks. However I believe that the State Government is to provide funding to complete the Great Ocean Walk from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles by mid-2005. Hopefully that will mean that proper walking tracks are provided close to the coast all the way.

Beyond Princetown there is no continuous track until Warrnambool is reached. This is the coastline which contains such features as the Gibson Steps, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, the Bay of Islands and Childers Cove, so we may be forced to become tourists for this section, driving between features and walking any of the short coast tracks which are open. I don’t think anyone will be disappointed as the sight-seeing should make up for the lack of coast walking.

From Warrnambool to Port Fairy we will follow the Mahogany Trail along the beach, and from Port Fairy to Portland a similar beach walk is possible.

Beyond Portland to the border we will be on one of Victoria’s great walking trails, the Great South West Walk.

The road is some distance from the beach in this last section, and we spent some time investigating the limited number of car access tracks. Two of these walks will have to be around 20 km, but with the easy beach-walking involved this should be no real problem.

So, all is going to plan, and I am quite excited with what is to come. I am confident that all Bay To Border walkers can look forward to further great walking and scenery.

On the Labour Day long weekend six intrepid walkers headed for Wilson’s Promontory. After much red tape and phone calls for permits, track and water conditions, we commenced the Northern Circuit of some 58 km. The walk is listed on the National Parks walks as for experienced walkers only, and how true.

Setting a blistering pace it was off to Five Mile Beach for an early lunch, followed by a shallow river crossing where half the group ‘wossed out’ and removed their boots. Crossing to the Johnny Souey campsite required some keen eyes to keep a look-out for coloured tape (track markers) tied to the waist high prickly bushes. Little did we know how important it would be later to be able to pick out those tapes. Arriving at the camp we were to find out the only water was salty and brackish. With the aid of a water filter and Pura Tabs (Some walkers are prepared for all eventualities) something resembling water was achieved. Some game members actually went for a swim, be it very short.

Next day saw us walking along beaches and rock hopping around headlands, following a very overgrown 4WD track. With the day becoming warmer and very poor quality water we crossed The Prom to Long Chinaman’s beach. This was where the true competitive nature of a member came to the fore. It was mentioned a following group might beat us to the beach campsite. No one could keep up with the determined walker. With much glee we found good clean water at Tin Mine Cove.

Monday saw us set off with the expectation of having to wade through various swamps and the possibility of long walks in water and mud. But as the conditions gave us poor water on the first night it also removed the swamps and mud, much to the relief of some. The walk out was difficult as it was through waist high bushes and scrub with no defined track apart from the tape on the occasional bush. The leader even suffered tape blindness, he could not see any until another member pointed to one four feet away directly in front. Time for a new leader! We arrived back at the cars at 4pm weary but feeling we had all achieved yet another milestone.

The point that did come from the walk and should always be remembered is not to believe all that you have been told and always be prepared. We were lucky it was pleasant walking.

On return I rang National Parks regarding the conflicting water conditions, only to be told that they only change the reports after they receive feed-back from walkers. If there is any changes of conditions on a walk always report it to the rangers so the next walking group will be better informed.

Postscript By Chris Jarvis

On Tuesday March 9 a walker was reported overdue from a visit to the same area. That afternoon the Police Search and Rescue Squad put Bushwalkers Search and Rescue (BSAR) onto standby, and some members were notified via a new email alert system, although the details in the email did not mention the specific location. The situation was resolved shortly after and the standby was cancelled.

EBC BSAR Delegate

Weekend May 1-2

This year the practice will involve a twelve hour rogain to sharpen navigation skills (as part of the VRA’s 12/24 hour event), followed on the Sunday by a full day practice search

Final attendance confirmation is required two weeks prior to the event.

Sunday May 9

7km, Easy, Non Qualifying Event

Eat your Sunday roast at home before coming on an afternoon's walk to enjoy Melbourne's beautiful autumn leaves in a location our club does not visit at all often. We'll take a train from Essendon station (always an adventure with yours truly) to our secret starting point. BYO thermos and afternoon tea as they'll be no convenient spot for coffee and cake (no apologies!)

Sunday May 16

Sunday June 20

Sunday August 22

We had a good start on the tip-to-tip Port Phillip Bay walk on February 22 with fifteen walkers. We left Port Melbourne for a 20km walk to Black Rock, and the weather was very kind to us.

If you didn’t come on this walk come along and enjoy a nice beach walk.

This term we shall be walking from Aspendale to Mt Eliza, Mt Eliza to Mt Martha, Mt Martha to Dromana. This is a lovely section of the bay along the cliffs of Mt Eliza and Mt Martha. This will be the hardest section of the walk. At this rate we should be at the heads of Port Phillip Bay, Point Nepean, by December.

Depending on feedback from members who have missed a stage of the Eastern side of the bay and numbers I may re-walk that section first term next year.

Saturday May 22

14kms, Medium

Today we will be starting the walk from the small Township of Graytown, which is situated between Costerfield near Heathcote, and Nagambie, and bordering Puckapunyal Military Camp. From the township we will head out along the Spring Creek Nature Reserve towards a section of the Rushworth Forest area and back towards Melville’s Lookout, which is in the vicinity of Mt Black. We will then head back towards Quarry and Tin Hut Tracks and do a loop walk near the township and near Mt Moormbool and back to the town. We will be leaving from the Moonee Ponds Bowling club Car Park at 8am.

Sunday May 23

Easy / Medium

This is a walk is being repeated as it was incompletely done in September 2001 due to the Coliban River flooding making the ford crossing impossible. (It must be the only reasonable water in the last seven years!) However, do not let that deter you. This time we will do it in reverse. This is a walk of variety! It is a circuit: using a walking track along the Coliban aqueduct. (Which carries water from the Malmsbury/Lauriston system to supply Bendigo!) This aqueduct winds through bushlands, which abut the Fryer's Ridge Flora Reserve. From there we complete the circuit through some historic places in Taradale and onto the Mia Mia Forest and back to Taradale under the huge railway bridge which spans the valley. (Easily recognisable from the Calder.)

Afternoon tea on the way home.

Sunday May 30

40km, Medium

This will be a pleasant ride on the Eastern side of the Dandenongs, starting in Puffing Billy country and making our way through the picturesque Toomuc Valley to "Nappy Valley" territory. It won't be a race so although they'll be a few hills, a moderate level of fitness will get you there. For those who are really keen, we might ride from Dandenong to Frankston on our return. BYO lunch, spare tyre and puncture kit please.

Saturday June 26

18kms, Medium / Hard

We are going to do an 18km circuit walk starting from Freeman’s Camp Picnic Ground and walk along Mill Creek to an old Ruin. This area is a very dry open forest area where the old mine is. From here we walk up to Falls Road, then down a steep valley where Falls Creek is. We then meet a track junction and follow the Creek for about 1km, where we encounter a steep climb of 500 metres out of the valley and on to a minor jeep track. We walk along this track for about 2kms until we meet Mt Hickey Road. We continue on towards Horan Track and then on to Rocky Track, which is steep in sections, as we head up to the summit of Mt Hickey. We should get some magnificent views from here. We then do our final decent down Cadell Track and back to the cars at Freeman’s Camp Picnic Ground. We will be leaving the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park at 8 am.

Sunday June 27

12 km, Medium,

75 km south west of Melbourne, Petrol cost approx. $6; Sturdy footwear with good grip is essential for this walk.

This is a circuit walk which commences at Little River Picnic Area in the Brisbane Ranges. The Little River cut quite a significant and picturesque gorge, which we follow. This is a medium grade walk involving mainly foot tracks and rock scrambles. As there is approximately 3 - 4 km along the river bed, rock hopping skills are required. There are some very short off track distances, but do not let this deter you, as it is well worth the effort.

A leisurely lunch is planned at one of the deep rock pools with a chance for a dip. After following the river gorge downstream past peregrine falcon nesting sites, and guaranteed koala sightings, we head uphill for spectacular views across the Werribee Plains to the You Yangs, Mt Anakie, Mt.Macedon and the Melbourne skyline towering over the edge of the surrounding countryside.

We continue our circuit back to the cars through forests of grasstrees, wildflowers and the rare plant species that the Brisbane Ranges are renowned for.

BYO afternoon tea.

Sunday July 11

18kms, Medium

Today we will be starting our walk from the bridge at the bottom end of the town centre of Marysville (Stevenson’s River), and head up steep Red Hill Track, which leads us up along the Trestle Track. We should get some great views looking back at Marysville along the way. We walk along the Trestle Track until we meet up with a Track called Manfred Track, as we head out towards an area called Island Hop. We will visit the Old Oak mill where we will have our Lunch. Then hopefully walk along part of the Remains of the Taggerty Tramway. We will then head back along Lady Talbot Drive and visit the wishing well on our return back to Marysville. We will be leaving Moonee Ponds car park at 8am.

Sunday July 18

22km, Medium

This walk starts at the Garden of St. Earth in Blackwood and steadily rises to a first picnic area called McLaughlin's Lookout for morning tea and good views over the Wombat Forest. After morning tea the scenery changes dramatically from dry stunted eucalypts on the tops to tall damp forest interspersed with blackwoods and ferns nearer the Lerderderg Valley.

The Lerderderg River is met and followed for a good distance until Nolan’s Creek Picnic area is reached for lunch. Following lunch, the tip of Mt. Wilson is circumnavigated with a quick side trip to the summit if we are feeling energetic. Last time at this location we discovered that the topography and tracks had changed drastically due to logging so there may be an alternative more attractive route.

During the decent there is a very interesting rock formation to note, known as the Chimney Rock. The river then needs to be forded (not a problem in the past) to regain our return track. At this point we follow the river well beyond where we picked it up initially, past lovely deep pools. We eventually leave the river to pick up a water-race which continues to complete our circuit back to the cars.

Boots strongly recommended. Afternoon tea will in Blackwood.

Weekend August 14-15

30kms, Easy / Medium

We plan to set up camp in the Whipstick State Park on the Saturday in the Campsite at Shadbolt Picnic area. We will explore Flagstaff Hill and the Old Tom Mine, which is an old gold mine nearby, as well as the many walking tracks in the Whipstick State Park. There is abundant bird life and kangaroos in this area. On Sunday we will walk on to Kamarooka State Park nearby and explore the Rush and Mulga Dams and see the Historic Charcoal Pits and the mallee vegetation before heading back to our campsite in the Whipstick State Park at Shadbolt Picnic Ground. Our meeting point will be determined before departure. We will have to bring our own water, and firewood for fireplaces.

Saturday August 21

40km, Easy

We'll train or drive to Nagambie then take some quiet country roads on our saddles to sample the local delights. Tahbilk is famous for its unique white varieties while, Mitchelton is known for its distinct tower. Should get some pleasant views of the Goulburn River. A day out for those who enjoy the good life.

Saturday August 28

22kms, Hard

This will be a walk for the people want to keep fit. Today we will be doing a HARD 22km walk starting from the Murrindindi Cascades in the Toolangi State Forest, and which is just off the Melba Hwy near Devlin’s Bridge. We will leave some cars at this point as we will be doing a car shuffle from this point. We will start from the Cascades and head up a very steep Camp Creek Road, which elevates above the Cascades. From here we walk up a very steep Mt Despair Track up to the summit and firetower. It is just over 800metres in elevation and we should get some magnificent views as it is one of the highest points in the area. This will be our lunch spot. After lunch we will take the steep decent down towards Pine Tree Camp Ground and the suspension bridge, where we will have left some cars from the car shuffle. If time permits we might visit Wilhelmina Falls, but only depending on time. We will leave from the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park at 7.30am.

Sunday August 29

12km, Easy

The Dry Diggings Trail crosses through this area, which contains so much gold era evidence and history that it needs some time to be explored and appreciated.

The walk starts exploring old mine sites and relics reflecting on how the area would have once looked and how it would have operated. Next it deviates off the Dry Diggings Trail onto the remnant site of Cornishtown (as opposed to Irish Town and Welsh Village!) where we wander through the town remains and decipher where and what building ruins we pass and along with any other peculiarities.

From there we continue to a grapolite quarry. This is a slate quarry, but in the course of extracting the slate in the 1930's they discovered many different worm and fern like patterns formed by colonies of millions of simple single celled creatures in fossil form, hence known as Chewtonian and Castlemainian grapolites. Hopefully we may find some to prove that they exist.

From there it was a pleasant walk through ironbark and box forest, passing more gold era evidence, back through farmland and on to our cars to a pleasant afternoon tea to reflect on a lovely day.

A proposed trip is in the planning for a three-day weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in late November or early December. It will require a day off work so get in early.

We will drive to Nelson on Thursday night. On Friday we will pick up canadian canoes and be driven back to commence paddling from Moles Side back to Nelson. It is a very leisurely paddle with lots of bird life and a possibility of seeing platypus, camping at specific canoe camps along the way. These have toilets, water and fire places.

No experience is necessary. You just need a strong back, thick head and a numb backside! (Only joking!)

The cost is in the order of $120 per canoe (two people per canoe $60 each) which includes a large barrel for gear, safety gear etc, and the canoe is big enough to fit a car fridge as well. Transport cost is approx $50.

I will be taking names and deposits ($20) late September so I can make an early booking to ensure we get the number of canoes and transport required.

For 2003 - 2004 is:

President: Rob Hughes

Vice President: Keith Hart

Secretary: Sylvia McLean

Treasurer: John Atkinson

Committee: Ron Bell, Greg Passlow, Carmel Roads, Ian Tovey & Michael Howes

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

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 contact for hire of equipment is Nicole Lowe

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 (from June 1)$ 40

Visitors Fee (per event) $ 5

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

An unfinancial member is required to pay the visitors fee for every event they attend until they have paid their full membership fee. As an unfinancial member, the Club's Personal Accident and Public Liability Insurance on any club activity does not cover you.

Unfinancial 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.

Congratulations and welcome to our newest members who joined from December till March: Lois and Allan Oliver, Gillian and Joel Fagan, Fiona Richardson, Linda Minty Ann Drohan, Ali Coban, and the return of Michael Daniel. It is heartening to know that a good many of our new members are very keen pack walkers! Wishing you good luck and hopefully many enjoyable walks with the club.

If any long time member has any programs pre dating September 1988, I would appreciate if I could have a lend or copy of them. If it is possible, I would like to start an archive of the early members/committee/leaders and general history of the club. Anything may be useful. I would also be sharing these programs with Michael Howes who is interested to build up a profile on all previous areas walked by the club.

Thanks

Preceding the February General Meeting a Special General Meeting was held. There were 68 present including 56 members who unanimously voted to accept the resolution put forward. The change involves an addition to the "Expulsion, suspension or fining of members" clause. This addition involves the process of mediation. The pre-existing clause on its own was fairly punitive and this now allows for a more harmonious way to settle a dispute.

To help keep our records correct, please remember to notify any changes of details, eg names/address/phone or even discontinuation of membership to the Secretary.

What is it?

What does it mean for us?

In 2003 the State Government commissioned the Outdoor Recreation Centre (ORC) to prepare a number of reference standards for outdoor adventure activities, including four wheel driving, scuba diving, skiing (downhill and cross country), and of course, bushwalking. These standards are known as the Adventure Activities Standards (AAS).

The purpose of the standards is to be a reference for the courts, insurers and land managers for acceptable practices, and to assist users in the preparation in the preparation of their Risk Management plans.

The AAS’s will apply to incorporated groups and commercial operators. Schools could also use these standards, although they generally have their own established standards which are equivalent to, and sometimes more stringent than, the AAS.

In the context of bushwalking, the Bushwalking AAS will apply to commercial operators and clubs. Individuals and non-incorporated groups are excluded.

To prepare the Bushwalking AAS, the ORC consulted many representatives of users, including commercial operators, Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and of course, the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs (VicWalk). In early January VicWalk circulated to clubs the "Final Draft" of the AAS for comment. VicWalk had many concerns about the document’s contents, but it needed feedback from its constituents to validate its concerns and to receive directions on future involvement in the AAS.

As the document contained many flaws, the objections that erupted from clubs and individuals were very loud, to a level almost unheard of from usually quiet and conservative bushwalkers. On March 2, VicWalk convened a special meeting for club representatives to discuss the AAS and Risk Management. Ian Tovey and myself represented Essendon at this meeting.

Without going into detail of the meeting, VicWalk was requested to continue negotiating with the ORC to make the document more acceptable to bushwalkers. Unfortunately, all other "consulted groups" have signed off the document, leaving limited room for changes. However, there is room for optimism, despite the limited scope for changes. Time is also limited, as the AAS must be completed by July.

One major concern, and one which could not be answered by the ORC at the meeting, is this: "What is there to prevent insurers using compliance with AAS as a condition of insurance?" The reply was uncommitted. If the AAS contains many flaws, then compliance by clubs as a condition of insurance may be very difficult.

On the positive side, if the AAS can be made more acceptable, then it can be used as a reference for clubs to develop risk management regimes and consistent acceptable codes of behaviour. Insurance costs might drop. Court costs might drop, by having an immediate reference, instead of having to consult "experts" for every case.

Overall, we should look to the AAS as an opportunity to improve, and to make our activity safer for all users. Stay tuned for more!

As more members of the club are now owning or considering owning a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), it is timely to remind members of a couple of key points.

In 2009 the COSPAS/SARSAT satellites will cease to handle 121.5/243 Mhz signals. This means the older, and currently cheaper models of PLB will not be detectable except by a nearby aircraft, if you are lucky!

The new generation of PLB’s operate at 406Mhz. These units have substantially improved features, which include:

So, if you are in the market for a PLB, consider the advantages of the 406Mhz units, despite their extra cost. Also, the cheaper 121.5/243Mhz models will be ineffective after 2009.

Alternatively, consider a satellite phone.

Where did the club logo come from?

It was conceived on a winter’s night at the Bogong Rover Chalet around 1980. The original was later "mislaid", then re-drawn for the club program by Greg Jorgensen, with Chris Jarvis adding the words using Letraset.