Old Man Emu
Volume 1 Issue 13 August 2000
Newsletter of the ESSENDON BUSHWALKING CLUB INC. A0005559B
CLUB PROGRAM SEPTEMBER û DECEMBER 2000 INSIDE
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS 20ó EACH
INSIDE THIS EDITION
EVENT PREVIEWS
BUSHWALKING IN HONG KONG
SEARCH AND RESCUE
And more. Read on ……..
From the archives – Ron Bell at Creswick, 1992
Photo by Bill Casey
Newsletter of the
ESSENDON
BUSHWALKING CLUB INC.
P.O. Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3039
From the Editor
Welcome to the August 2000 edition of OME, and thanks to all the contributors.
This time we have lots of event previews, and a surprising article on bushwalking in Hong Kong by Julie Moffat.
This is your club newsletter, and articles of interest to other members, photographs, reports or anecdotes from club events, information about parks, track closures or new tracks and walking areas are the type of material I feel should make up the newsletter.
Its NEVER TOO EARLY to submit articles, but sometimes too late!
Go for it!
Chris Jarvis
Editor
Submitting Articles
Articles can be sent to Chris Jarvis, 52 Loongana Avenue, Glenroy, 3046
E-mail: cjjarvis@labyrinth.net.au
Short articles (<500 words) can be sent in hard copy form. Longer articles should be on floppy disk or sent by email.
Photographs are most welcome. These can be sent to Stephen Bocquet or Denny vanMaanenberg for scanning to enable easy insertion into the newsletter.
PRESIDENTÆS
COLUMN
Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who served on the previous committee and did not stand for the new committee. Stephen Bocquet (president), Denny van Maanenberg (secretary), Megan Lakeman, Ian McLean and Neil Campbell (Committee Members). Their contribution to the working of the club for the last year has been greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank Chris Jarvis for his great work in putting together the newsletter OME, and Russell Christensen for keeping the Web site going.
Next, I would like to congratulate all those who were elected on the new committee. I look forward to working with you in the coming year.
When I sat down to write my first President's Column, I thought long and hard about what I should be writing. Should I be letting the members know of any plans I have in mind about the running of the club? What direction the club should be heading in the future etc?
In the end it all seemed a bit pointless to me. What I really felt was that we are a group of like-minded people who all enjoy doing the same thing to varying degrees. Some of us prefer an easy meander, others prefer a bit more of a challenge spending the day in the bush tackling a few undulations or then there are those who prefer the harder stuff and spend a weekend or more tackling another Peak.
But Basically we all enjoy doing the same thing WALKING' and this has its rewards, the mutual enjoyment of the outdoors, the new and lasting friendships and yes, sometimes even the odd relationship has blossomed.
Like all things in life we have our ups and downs, yes even the Essendon Bushwalking club. We have a fluctuating membership; there are the odd concerns about the quality and content of our walks programs and the lack of leaders to put on walks.
Even so, we always seem to get through and continue to do what we like the best. That's to go bushwalking with our friends. So if I do have a plan for the club, it is this. That we keep getting out there, whether it is an easy meander or an undulating day in the bush or even the odd peak concurred. Most of all enjoy it!
Great walking to you all.
Frank Szentmiklossy
EVENT PREVIEWS
BENDIGO BUSHLAND TRAIL
20km Easy side of medium.
Saturday September 2
Ian & Sylvia McLean
We last did this one in August 1996 and have vivid memories of donkey orchids and wattles everywhere, especially in the latter sections.
The Bendigo Bushland Trail is a 65 km walking/cycling trail. It skirts outer Bendigo; linking urban forests with bush and other public land. It encompasses significant historical and natural features and accesses good vantage points of Bendigo.
We plan to walk a 20 km circuit from it's southern section starting from the Spring Gully Recreation Reserve, traversing over One Tree Hill (an ideal morning tea spot and lookout), through the One Tree Hill Regional Park, looping around picturesque Kennington Reservoir to the picnic area for lunch. Then through some interesting suburbia to the Salomon Gully Flora Reserve and the Diamond Hill Historical area back to the cars. Afternoon tea will be somewhere on route home.
This walk is one for wildflowers, places of interest and variety of scenery.
The You Yangs
18kms M, Saturday September 23
Frank Szentmiklossy
Most of you would be familiar with this rocky peak which can be seen from the Princes Highway on the way to Geelong. The highest point of this park, Flinders Peak, was first climbed by Matthew Flinders in 1802 and affords magnificent views of the city and bay on a good day. This area was widely used by the aboriginals for hunting and collecting fresh water and some evidence of this can still be seen to this day. Our walk will start at the visitor's centre passing Big Rock then on to circumnavigate and climb Flinders Peak and also explore the surrounding area. BYO afternoon tea
President's Walk and BBQ lunch
12km E, Saturday October 7
Frank Szentmiklossy
This walk will start in Brimbank Park bring along an esky with your chops and sausages and leave it in the cars.
After exploring the historic sites of the old Keilor Village we will make our way back into the park for a BBQ lunch. After a nice relaxing break we will continue our walk around the park to enjoy the lovely surrounds of the river and Majestic River gums and hopefully the odd native bird will be seen.
DARGILE STATE FOREST
(Mt Ida Flora Reserve)
15-18 km, E/M, Sunday October 8
Sylvia & Ian McLean
This area is just north of Heathcote 120 km NNW of Melbourne, bounded by the McIvor and Northern Highways. Heathcote is surrounded by a myriad of drier box-iron bark forests but the Dargile surrounding Mt. Ida seems to be more fertile with larger varieties of gums which gives instant appeal. Once again we have timed this walk to coincide with the wildflower season. This area is noted for its extensive flora.
The walk plan is to start at the Plantation Rd. picnic area and take various tracks to reach the ridgeline gradually upwards to the fire tower for lunch and fabulous views. Views include Heathcote, the McIvor Ranges, Lake Eppalock, Mt. Alexander, and Mt. Macedon etc. Then it is downhill. We may be lucky enough to find some ancient shell fossils (the area is a geological wonder) and back to the cars and Heathcote for afternoon tea.
Essendon Bushwalking Club is a
Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs Inc.
FEDERATION WEEKEND
21-22 OCTOBER 2000
GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK
The Dandenong Valley Bushwalking Club Inc. is hosting the Federation 2000 weekend. This will be a base camp with day and night walking activities. Details have been distributed to all affiliated clubs.
Bookings are now open for cabin accomodation. Please book with the Halls Gap Caravan Park (03) 5356 4251
Ron Bell is the club contact for this event.
Indoor Rock Climbing
NQE, Monday October 23,
8pm - 10pm, Frank Szentmiklossy
This is an enjoyable evening that has been done by the club in the past. Come along and have a go, we get excellent tuition from instructors on the use of all equipment and safety.
You only do what you feel comfortable with. There is no pressure.
I took my nephews and niece aged 7- 12 and 14 along on the school holidays and they really enjoyed it and highly recommend it. Cost will be about $9 per Person with a group of ten or more.
Location: Altona Sports Complex,
Cnr. Grieve Pde. & Dohertys Rd.
LINTON STATE FOREST
15 km Easy, Tuesday November 7
(Melbourne Cup Day)
Ian & Sylvia McLean
This walk was devised after Bill Casey's Skipton Rail Trail Walk in April. The section southeast of Linton was particularly attractive. It passed through such wonderful forest that was beckoning to be walked through. So that is what we are going to do!
Starting at Linton we walk southeast along the rail trail and gain access to the forest. Before entering it we actually walk between it and a fascinating private wetlands sanctuary and pass under a disused trestle bridge as we continue through a cutting. In the forest we take track northwards and gradually westwards and eventually through a short stretch of pine plantation to continue back through forest onto Linton. Afternoon tea will probably be back in Ballarat.
Marysville Circuit
18kms M, Saturday November 11
Frank Szentmiklossy
This walk will start in the Beautiful township of Marysville and will take in the surrounding area including the Keppel, Oxlee and De la rue lookouts with great views of the surrounding area. Then on to Steavenson Falls and along a few more kms of tracks and on back into town.
GREAT DIVIDE MARATHON
Saturday November 18, Bill Casey
The 2000 Great Divide Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, November 18.
The 42km walk starts at the same place as last year, Mollongghip, at 8 am, but travels in the opposite direction, and will finish in Ballarat about 12 hours later. The route is part of the Great Divide Trail leg which runs from Daylesford to Ballarat.
The walk will be divided into six or seven stages, and at least two support cars will meet the walkers at the end of each stage.
The route starts out through bushland for 1.5km, and then we follow roads through open farming country for several kilometres to Dean township which is the end of the first stage.
After a few more km through open country, we enter bushland, cross Creswick Creek, and meet the support cars at the end of Stage 2, not far from Springmount.
Stage 3 is through the Creswick Forest, passing several historic sites along the way, eventually reaching St George's Lake, the half-way point.
The remainder of the route follows the Creswick Miners' Walk over which both Enid Widmer and I have led walks in the recent past. The support cars will meet us at several points before we reach Ballarat.
The walk does not contain any long or steep climbs, and is really no more than several very easy walks one after another with a rest in between. There is no need to carry more than a litre of water, a waterproof jacket, and perhaps a few snacks, as we will replenish supplies from the cars every 6 or 7 km.
You are free to do as few or as many stages as you wish – you may want to take a turn at driving one of the support cars for one or more legs, allowing the nominated driver to have a walk.
We normally adjourn to a local eating-house after the marathon to wind down and talk about how easy it was.
Mt Feathertop Beginners Pack Walk
20-30kms E/M., W/End November 25 to 26, Stephen Bocquet
If you have been itching to try a pack walk here is your chance for a great experience.
We will begin the walk from Diamantina Hut, on the alpine road not far from the summit of Mt Hotham, and head out along the Razorback towards Mt Feathertop, the second highest peak in Victoria. It is a walk of about 12kms to our camping area near Federation Hut.
The days' walking is fairly easy, not too many ups and downs, and the final goal is worth the effort. After making camp we will make our way to the summit of Mt. Feathertop to watch the sun set. Next day we return the way we came.
Remember this is alpine country so be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions.
LAKES AND WATERWAYS
16-18 km Easy, Sunday November 26
Ian & Sylvia McLean
This is a walk with a difference. It is an alternating walk and drive affair. It strings together many small walks of which we would not consider long enough individually but are pretty and interesting enough to combine for a total of 16-18 kms. The areas to be walked are around Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, Blackburn Creeklands (Gardiner's Creek), Bellbird Dell reserve in Vermont and Yarran Dheran (Mullum Mullum Creek, Scherkolt Cottage and Antonio Bush Park). All walking is done on formed tracks, so you can wear your runners. And if, after all that, you would like to walk some more and time allows it, we have the possibility of including The 100 Acres Bush and fauna Reserve.
Blackburn Lake Sanctuary is one of the few remaining areas of natural bushland in Melbourne. First time visitors to this sanctuary will be surprised to learn that the lake is man made. More than a century old, it looks very natural, surrounded by the remnant of the original bush.
Blackburn Creeklands is a lovely linear walk of natural bush and open grassland along Gardeners Creek, hidden behind the attractive gardens of adjoining Blackburn houses. The walk utilises three parks – Blacks walk, Kalang Park and Furness Park.
Access to the Blackburn Creeklands from the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary is via a National Heritage Street, (Jeffery street).
Bellbird Dell Reserve is a surprisingly intact area of bushland in the heart of suburban Vermont with large ponds, wetlands, boardwalks, a large variety of trees, under-storey and bird life.
Yarran Dheran Reserve is a beautiful little park with very intact bush and a fascinating history. Although abused in the past, an extensive planting program has turned the park into a haven for birds and small animals. Koalas lived in the valley until the 1930's, and a small colony has been re-established. The walk takes in Schwerkolt Cottage, Antonio Park, some linear parks and the Mullum Mullum Creek nature trail.
The 100 acres bush and fauna reserve is a lovely bush area in Park Orchards that has the peace and beauty of natural surroundings. Acquired by the City of Doncaster and Templestowe in the late 1970's to encourage community appreciation of a significant indigenous habitat, it was added to the Register of the National Estate in 1980 and the following year won the Robin Boyd Environmental Award.
Mt. COBBLER via
N.W. FACE
20km, H, W/E December 2-3
Chris Jarvis
An unusual and satisfying approach onto one of Victoria's most prominent peaks.
Revisited by popular demand, this hard walk goes up the near vertical N.W. face onto Cobbler's rocky west ridge, and onto the summit.
It's not as dramatic as it sounds. Some rock scrambling, a six metre chimney climb inside a steep gully, pull the packs up with ropes, and it's nearly over.
Experienced fit pack walkers only.
Warburton Rail
Trail Bike Ride
80kms M, Sunday December 16,
Frank Szentmikklossy
After a train ride to Lilydale pedal power takes over for the roughly 38km ride to Warburton, along what once was the Rail line from Lilydale to Warburton. We pass through picturesque countryside up and down a few hills and through a few old townships, till we reach Warburton for Lunch.
Then after a well earned feed and rest it's back on our bikes for the return journey, and a sense of achievement.
SEPTEMBER PUZZLE
By Frank Szentmiklossy
Unravel the Puzzle and you could win yourself a prize!
These are eight Victorian National Parks but OOPS! We had a little mishap with the spelling and need someone to work out where they are, Good luck!
1. LIWSNOS TOMPYNOROR
2. NOUTM FOLAFUB
3. FYPDELWER
4. OPTR BAPLECML
5. DRINNUREAR
6. LIGOORAOCNGNJ
7. NADOGENDN GARNSE
8. NORAG SEPPI
Entries to be handed in at the September Meeting. First correct entry drawn on the night wins.
LEADERS
COLUMN
NEED A MAP?
WE MIGHT JUST HAVE IT,
thanks to Tony Cave
Tony Cave has recently donated to the club a large assortment of maps. They are stored with the Equipment Officer, and available to all club members. The maps are in a wide variety of scales, from 1:25 000 through to 1:100 000, and include maps from the VicMap Outdoor Leisure series, maps by Stuart Brookes, and many, many more. The whole list is two pages long!
If you know the scale, title, and / or the VicMap catalog number, there is a reasonable chance we may have it.
For a printed list of maps available, contact the club Secretary.
Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Leadership
Handbook
According to a contact on its editorial committee, the long awaited third edition of this invaluable reference should be hitting the shops around early August.
Published by Sport and Recreation Victoria as a reference for participants in the Bushwalking and Mountaincraft Leadership Certificate (BMLC), this book is also very popular amongst most walkers, be they leaders or 'followers' as a general reference on bushwalking topics.
Participants in the club's last Leadership Training weekend in 1998 will be receiving their own copy from the club as soon as they become available.
The books can be purchased from most good bushwalking gear shops, good map shops and Information Victoria.
Chris Jarvis
Z Z Z Z Z Z !!!
He who habitually carries Therm-a-rest® on outside of pack will eventually have a flat night!
Modern bushwalkers proverb.
Therm-a-rest is a registered trade-mark of Cascade Designs Inc.
Life Membership for Chris Jarvis
By Bill Casey
At the 2000 Annual Meeting, I was most pleased to see Chris Jarvis elevated to the honoured group of life members of the Essendon Bushwalking Club.
During his many years at Essendon, Chris has been a prime example of dedication to the Club and his fellow members.
In my time with EBWC, he has served the Club in many areas including as President in 1992 and 1993, and is currently editor of Old Man Emu.
As a leader, he is always aware of how his walkers are coping, and is quick to make allowances for any who might be struggling.
A lot of members have found Chris's help, advice and caring attitude to be invaluable when their lack of bushwalking experience has left them in difficulty. He is always good to have along on a walk as a non-leader you always know that if you get into trouble, having Chris with the group is like having an insurance policy.
My first pack walk in early 1992 found me deep in the alpine ranges with a small group of hardened walkers including Chris on a Rhonda Pawlik walk (enough said!). I had foolishly bitten off more than I could chew in taking on such a hard walk first up, but Chris was at hand to have me leave behind unnecessary items such as a tin of Irish stew and a 2 litre bladder of red wine. He adjusted my pack, and also carried my share of the tent equipment, but at Mayford, after the second of the three days, I felt completely exhausted and somewhat stressed. I believed that I could go no further, and envisaged having to be taken out by helicopter.
However, as we sat by the campfire that night, just before tent-time, from somewhere deep in his pack Chris produced a small bottle of port and poured a portion for me. As a result I slept like a baby (woke every hour and cried - no, only joking). I had a good night's sleep and woke up the next morning re-invigorated, and ready to tackle the climb to Tabletop.
I am sure there are quite a few others who could tell similar stories of how Chris's encouragement and bushwalking knowledge has kept them going when things got tough.
There can have been no more deserving recipient of life membership of EBWC.
Congratulations, Chris!
Bill Casey
MOUNT HOTHAM
JUNE 25
Essendon Bushwalking Club contributed two volunteers to the search for a missing downhill skier at Mount Hotham on June 25.
The skier was reported missing mid afternoon on Saturday 24 when he failed to make a rendezvous. He had become disoriented in poor visibility. Quickly realizing he was lost, he bedded down in some shelter mid afternoon and awaited rescue.
The Police Search and Rescue Squad called out BS&R later that night, and Rodney Williams and myself responded, joining a group of eighteen from Melbourne, leaving for Mount Hotham by police bus at 1.00am Sunday, arriving at 7.30am.
We were joined by another six local BS&R members at Mt. Hotham.
The missing skier was spotted from a helicopter at 8.25 am, just as two BS&R groups were departing for their search tasks.
We returned to Melbourne at 6.30pm.
Earlier on June 19, two males, a father and son, were reported missing after a day walk near Fernshaw Reserve. BS&R assembled a group of fifteen members, and were in transit to Healesville when the two persons were located from a helicopter.
Chris Jarvis
EBC Delegate to Bushwalkers Search and Rescue
Your Committee
for 2000 is:
President: Frank Szentmiklossy
Vice President: Paulene Sunderland
Secretary: Nicole Lowe
Treasurer: Lauren Eagle
Committee: Ron Bell, Inge Lingham, Sylvia McLean, Enid Widmer, 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.
CONTACTING THE CLUB
GENERAL ENQUIRIES
(Snail) Mail: The Secretary, Essendon Bushwalking Club Inc., P.O. Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3039
Telephone: Ron Bell (H) 9338 4057
E-mail: Russell Christensen trekker@netspace.net.au
Club Web Page: www.netspace.net.au/~trekker
WALKS PROGRAMS
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.
CLUB MEETINGS
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.
Hire Equipment
The contact for hire of equipment is Janet Doyle, Ph. 9376 1462.
| Hire Rates |
W/End |
Week |
| 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.
Club Fees
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 renders the member un-financial.
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.
GRADE DEFINITIONS
The following definitions are a guide only, and are referenced against the abilities of fit experienced walkers. A grade can be a combination of any of the individual factors listed. Weather conditions on the day can also affect the grading of a walk.
EASY: Suitable for beginners. Mostly on formed tracks. Gently undulating terrain. Up to 20 km per day.
MEDIUM: Suitable for fit and more experienced walkers. Some sustained climbs. Some scrub bashing. Some rock scrambling. Up to 30 km per day.
HARD: For fit, experienced walkers. Long steep climbs. Heavy scrub bashing. Hard rock scrambling. Long distances.
WALKING IN
HONG KONG
By Julie Moffat
It's a little known fact that most of Hong Kong is not a concrete jungle of high rise offices and flats. Much of Hong Kong is devoted to "Country Parks" where nature abounds, pollution and noise are more or less strangers, and Hong Kongers indulge in two of their favourite outdoor pastimes, barbecuing and hiking.
To take advantage of the greenery and the comparatively fresh air (HK's air pollution is extremely bad) and to explore parts of the territory I might otherwise not see, I joined "boots", a Hong Kong Women's Walking Group. Most of the members are, as the name suggests, women, and nearly all of the members are expatriates. I could have joined a local hiking club, but struggling with Cantonese as well as the steep slopes would have been too much on a weekend.
Walking in Hong Kong is different from walking at home. Firstly, even in the Country Parks most of the tracks are concreted. This, of course, is extremely hard on the feet, hot, and very unsightly. Secondly, Hong Kong is very mountainous, with little flat ground, so on most walks there is a lot of trudging up and down. At times, the concrete steps make this an easier task because many of the slopes are quite steep, but seeing an apparently endless flight of steps ascending into the sky can be quite daunting.
The weather, too, can make walking a challenging experience. Officially, "Boots" cancels walks when a black rain storm is announced. This means that over seventy millimetres (three inches) of rain per hour is falling or is forecast. In fact, the last walk I had intended to join was cancelled when the amber rain warning (thirty millimetres of rain per hour) was hoisted. Typhoons also interfere with walking. The number one signal indicating that a typhoon is somewhere in the general area doesn't stop us walking, while the appearance of the next signal, the number three, means that some public transport such as ferries may be cancelled and this is a consideration when walking on one of the Outlying Islands, like Po Toi, Tap Mun, or Lamma. All life ceases when the number eight is up.
Heat is a major consideration. Most of the weight in our day packs is water. Many people also carry wet face washers to keep cool. On many of the tracks, especially on Hong Kong Island and the Outlying Islands, there is little natural shade, so walking can be quite arduous. On one unexpectedly hot Saturday earlier this year, three hikers in various parts of Hong Kong died whilst walking. None of these was a member of "Boots". The "Boots" walk on that day was a comparatively easy, flat one, and what really kept us going was the thought of the fresh water rock pool where we could swim near the end.
Another difference is the transport used to reach the start of a hike. No meeting at the car park. Meeting places vary from a ferry pier to a particular MTR (underground railway) station to a bus station to outside a particular building. Everybody has to come equipped with an "Octopus Card" (a smart card used on most public transport) and lots of change for when exact fares are needed.
Finally, "Boots" walks don't end with afternoon tea somewhere. We usually finish up at a seafood restaurant for a very late lunch or early evening meal.