Newsletter of the ESSENDON BUSHWALKING CLUB INC. A5559B

To protect the privacy of club members, all references to private telephone numbers and addresses have been omitted from the internet edition of OME. Contact the club secretary by email or snail mail if you wish to contact the club.

Chris Jarvis

Editor

Another Annual General Meeting has come and gone and Essendon Bushwalking Club has a new committee. We have lost Nicole Lowe and Neil Campbell who stepped down after serving through a challenging year in which the committee always seemed to have plenty to keep it busy. The gain has been Greg Passlow, who has come on board for the first time, while Sylvia McLean has returned as the new secretary.

Nicole well and truly earned her release after three years as secretary during which time she brilliantly managed all aspects of club administration. Over the past year her knowledge and assistance were particularly valuable because she helped me to look good while I tried to avoid making too many mistakes. Neil is one of the more experienced leaders in the club and he made a significant contribution throughout the year. A sincere vote of gratitude is offered to Nicole and Neil for their generous service and dedication.

John Atkinson continues as treasurer, Keith Hart as vice-president, and Ron Bell, Carmel Roads, Ian Tovey and Michael Howes remain on the general committee. It was an honour for me to be given the opportunity to return as president. I was always aware that many people contribute their time and energy to make this a great club, but it's only been since becoming president that I've learned the amazing extent of the contribution by so many people on so many levels. Thank you to everyone who has organised, assisted, participated and contributed in any way whatsoever over the past year. You have made this club what it is.

Looking forward, we are now operating under a new insurance schedule. There has been a number of changes, the most dramatic of which is that visitors who are not members of any other club within the VicWalk insurance arrangements are no longer given any insurance coverage. We have been advised that all these visitors must therefore sign a letter of acknowledgement before participating in a club activity. In order to avoid becoming un-financial, and thereby classified as a visitor, we urge all members to re-join for 2003-04 if you wish to participate in any club activity.

On the subject of club activities, as I write this the Spring-Summer program is currently being assembled. It covers the four months from the beginning of September to the end of the year. To give you some idea of the challenge confronting us in balancing the program, the draft covers 17 weekends for which 24 leaders have offered 16 Saturday walks, 20 Sunday walks, 8 base camps, 5 pack walks, 3 bike rides, 7 Wednesday walks, 6 social events, a GPS training day and a track clearing day.

Leaders offer an activity when it fits their schedule, so the draft program naturally contains a few gaps on weekends while on other weekends there are major log-jams. By the time you read this, the program will have been hammered into shape and we hope that leaders and members are happy with the result.

Some members have recently been considering how we can better balance the pack walk component of the program. These activities require careful planning so it is disappointing for leaders if they are forced to cancel a pack walk because there is insufficient interest. We have therefore attempted to distribute the pack walks through the program so that they are not too close to each other, and so that they offer some variety.

If you are a pack walker, or you are interested in getting involved in pack walking, please talk with the leaders, and me, so that we can find out how to better support this area of the club program. Pack walks offer the chance to experience and enjoy the environment in a very special way. They also enable you to reach locations that are inaccessible to the day walker. Perhaps I'm a little biased, but you also get to walk with the best members in the club.

Trust me, I'm a leader.

Rob Hughes

Eighteen event previews! This demonstrates the value leaders are starting to place on the newsletter for selling their events to members. That is, in my opinion, one of the key purposes of a newsletter within a bushwalking club. Keep'em coming!

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

Editor

Last year the Essendon Bushwalking Club (EBC) Committee closely examined the Club constitution. While this document had served us well for many years, change was deemed necessary because the character of the club had changed and evolved. The legislative environment in which the club operates had also changed.

This has sparked a healthy debate among members and has drawn out a wide range of opinions. Other members have been left feeling a little confused. Some have requested more information while a few have asked "Why change at all?" Is doing nothing a reasonable option? What’s going on?

By way of background, EBC is now over 25 years old. It was established primarily as a pack walking club, small in membership and tightly knit. In the ensuing years it has changed in the following ways:

• Growth. Since incorporation the EBC has grown to 184 members as at the AGM 2003. Indeed, at the 2002 AGM there were 164 members and 151 by the end of August 2002. So 13 left and 33 joined, a turnover of 46 (there may have been some late renewals), a greater annual turnover than the entire membership in the early days. This is unlikely to cease; trends in demography and leisure activity strongly suggest that EBC has the potential to grow to 250-300 members in the near future, as has been the case with some other metropolitan clubs.
• Style. A cursory glance at the program shows that we are now predominantly a day/social walking club. While harder walks and pack walks still feature on our program, and they attract enthusiastic participants, the majority of members now prefer to tackle easy or easy-medium day walks.
• External factors. Recent changes to our insurance have resulted in fundamental changes to our club by limiting the range of activities in which we can participate. We cannot ignore the emergence of the so-called "blame and claim" society, nor can we ignore "duty of care" issues. The external environment also introduces a further range of constraints in the areas of equal opportunity, racial discrimination, privacy and sexual harassment legislation.

EBC is therefore a very different club compared to the way it operated at incorporation. It has members with different aspirations and operates in an environment where the social climate has changed dramatically.

Larger membership means greater room for conflict so resolution procedures have the potential to acquire greater importance. It also means that the committee is asked to approve membership for visitors when they are known to few, if any, committee members.

Ultimately we are a bushwalking club in which organisational issues are not paramount to the majority of members. Most of us are only here to walk. Nevertheless, the issues will not go away.

A peculiar limitation in the current constitution is that there is no membership category available for juniors under 15 years of age who occasionally walk with their parents. While they may currently participate in some club activities as a visitor, the constitution limits to three the number of activities in which they may be a visitor. This results in a Catch 22 situation whereby someone can demonstrate their ability to participate on merit, but then can’t join nor continue to be a visitor.

A Special General Meeting was held before the 2003 AGM and two significant changes were made to the constitution. Reference to the Memorial Education Fund was removed, and the procedure for maintenance of the membership role was changed to comply with privacy legislation. These changes were made with the unanimous support of members present and everyone is thanked for their contribution to this process.

The committee is now considering further changes to the constitution. This includes the question of junior or family membership, and possible changes to the joining process and the conflict resolution clauses. We urge all interested members to participate in the debate. The final decision will be yours.

The current constitution is on the club website. Alternatively, please contact the Club Secretary, Sylvia McLean.

By Neil Campbell

Just thought I’d let all you readers know out there know how the 3-day pack walk went in the Brisbane Ranges.

This was the first time the club had completed a walk of the Brisbane Ranges from North to South, so therefore you could say it was the inaugural Walk.

We started off with Bill Casey taking Photo’s of us all heading off from Sappling Gully Picnic Ground (you might have seen the photo’s on Bill Web Site)!

While we were walking along the track a surprise caught us, as we just happened to see a Koala just sitting down on the ground alongside a tree. It made a terrific photo shoot. It was then on towards Boar Gully where we met up with Bill and Carmel for morning tea, and to get any extra food out of the cars. We then headed along the Little River Track section of the 3-day trail, seing plenty of Kangaroos along the way. We stopped and had lunch along the track before we headed into the Quarry, which was very interesting, as we could see how much the area had been mined. The area was heavily mined for slate.

From here it was all go towards our first night’s stop overnight at Little River Camping Ground, which was a beautiful area, (particuly where the camp site was), as it is in a nice deep Gorge. It gave us a chance to have a good rest by the campfire after dinner and reflect on our first day’s walk. We all seemed a bit tired and wanted an early night as I think we had walked 22kms on the first day.

I wish someone had told us though about a party at a nearby house up the hill that night, but it seemed to finish early enough, and it didn’t worry us as we were all tired.

The next morning, once the fog cleared, we set off along the gorge and then climbed steeply out of the gorge taking in the magnificent views along the way. We also passed a monument where we stopped and gave our condolences to a fallen understudy. We also stopped and met up with Bill and Carmel and had morning tea. From here our next destination was lunch at Stony Creek and Anakie Gorge Picnic Ground where we met up with Bill and Carmel again. From here we climbed out of the gorge and headed towards some spectacular views along the way. We stopped at Outlook Lookout and took in the Views and took a few Photos’. We nearly lost poor little BW Bear, while he was looking over the cliff.

From here it was our second night’s Camp out at Old Mill Camp. This would have to be one of the best campsites I’d ever seen. The only problem was we had to carry some of our gear from the support cars to the Campsite, because there was a padlock on the entrance gate to the Campsite. We had a big BBQ, and a nice campfire. A few drinks, and a good night’s sleep. It was magnificent just listening to the frogs, possums and the owls in the distance.

On the last day it was relatively easy. Our next destination was Graham Creek Picnic Ground. We passed an old mine on the way. It was done up like a shelter and it had a proper grid over the mine for safety reasons! We then met up with Bill and Carmel at Graham Creek Picnic Ground for lunch, and wouldn’t you know it after 2 days of magnificent weather, it started to rain, so I had to make an executive decision and hurry up an finish the last 5kms to Steiglitz Courthouse before the rain was going to set in. We then transported everyone back to their cars and headed home for a coffee and a good clean up and well earned rest!

It was a big achievment, 56kms in two and a half days, completing the whole of the Brisbane Ranges and seeing the scenery change so much along the way. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and we will look forward to putting this walk on in 2004!

I congratulate everyone for completing the walk, and putting up with me, and a special Thankyou must go to Bill Casey, Carmel Roads, and Anne Mahoney for helping out as our support vehicles crew, and without there help this walk wouldn’t have been possible. Also thanks to Steve Davenport for being a good co-leader.

Saturday September 6

13km, Medium

Darren McClelland

Here's your chance to visit the less-frequented Eastern border of the Brisbane Ranges. Expect a good deal of off-track walking, followed by afternoon tea in Bacchus Marsh. I would hope we will see a good array of the wildflowers this range is famous for.

Weekend September 6-7

Ian & Sylvia McLean

At the July meeting Ray Thomas the Co-Coordinator of the Regent Honeyeater Project, was our invited guest speaker. He gave us an inspiring overview of this project.

Ray showed us mammal specimens such as sugar gliders and spoke about others such as the yellow-footed antechinus, brush tailed phascogale, grey crowned babbler and regent honeyeater. These are all retuning to Lurg (an area situated near Winton beyond Benalla) as the result of re-growth corridors of Box Iron Bark on agricultural land. Some of these forest corridors are now getting relatively mature and able to sustain these aforementioned threatened and endangered mammals and birds. A welcome crew of volunteer tree planters is achieving this.

Ray arranges three annual spring weekends for these plantings; then a further two wildlife encounter weekends in autumn to monitor nesting boxes in the mature trees previously planted. On all weekends there are organised fun activities to really make it an enjoyable weekend in return for volunteer effort.

Two years ago we participated and had a wonderful time. We just couldn't believe how much planting that was achieved within a few hours. It did not need too much physical effort. The areas to be planted have been pre weeded, fenced off and prepared with plants and guards lined up just ready to plant. Instruction and demonstration for successful tree planting is provided. You will be made feel very welcome and appreciated. We will be going again this year amongst local schools, community volunteers, university students, scouts, churches, bushwalkers and other groups from the city.

For this planting weekend the meeting place is either at the Benalla Post Office at 9am OR the old Winton Roadhouse 9.30am and travel in convoy to the planting site. Accommodation: free at Benalla Accommodation and Recreation Centre and the Scout Hall. Hot showers, kitchen facilities and mattresses available. BYO sleeping bag, pillow (BYO tent if you'd prefer to sleep outside).

Meals: BYO lunch for Saturday as we are in the field. Hot cuppa supplied for morning and afternoon tea. Free sumptuous meal supplied on Saturday evening. BYO Sunday breakfast. Eating gear is supplied in the mess hall. Free BBQ lunch (vegetarians catered for, too) in the bush after lunch on Sunday.

Extra activities: Free woolshed dance Saturday evening or spotlighting of possums and gliders. Optional wildflower/bird walk on Sunday afternoon.

Please contact me in advance, if you have been inspired to participate for this weekend so that meals and bedding can be catered for.

If you wish to participate on weekends of August 9/10 or 23/24 please contact Ray Thomas direct at work or home. Call me to obtain his phone numbers.

Sunday September 7

12kms Easy

Neil Campbell

Enfield forest is located southwest just outside Ballarat and just off the Ballarat-Colac Road.

We will be doing a circuit walk starting from the Surface Point Picnic Ground, and walk along Long and Frith Gully, where we will pass the many Tailing Heaps in the area, and walk towards Bald Hill where there is a Radio Beacon. From here we will walk along Halls Road towards another Picnic Ground for lunch. After lunch we will return along a track that runs beside Misery Creek, and return to the cars.

Weekend September 20-21

Easy

Darren McClelland

Our visit to this little known, young National Park might be a first for the club. Terrick is situated near Mitiamo, about an hour’s drive North of Bendigo. The Park has unique stands of Murray Pine cypress woodlands, gentle hills with granite outcrops, surprising vistas and open woodlands for easy cross country walking. Spring holds good prospect for wildflowers and bird sightings. BYO tent, food and good humour.

Sunday October 26

Neil Campbell

We will be doing some track clearing along the walking track near McKenzie’s Flat in the Lerderderg Gorge, or in the Enfield State Park. Either (still to decide), and confirm closer to the date. Everyone will need to bring along their own equipment like Secateurs, Hedge Clippers, Rakes, Shovels etc, and Gloves. I have also been in touch with the Great dividing Trail Association in regards to helping out with replacing Walking Track Markers, so we may be able to use this date to help out with replacing them with the GDTA.

Saturday November 1

12km Easy / Medium

Ian & Sylvia McLean

Long Forest Flora Reserve is 55km west of Melbourne, north east of Bacchus Marsh. Come and see the last remnants of the Mallee, south of the Great Divide. Enjoy a river ramble and observe the flora and fauna. Wallabies and kangaroos are guaranteed to be seen, along with perhaps a koala or echidna. There is an array of bird life and the flora is unique. Walking will be on and off tracks following the Coimadai Creek with the surrounding terrain gently undulating. Afternoon tea will be in Bacchus Marsh.

Saturday November 15

18km Medium / Hard

Neil Campbell

We are going to do a 18km circuit walk starting from the 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 into a steep valley where Falls Creek is. We then meet a track junction, so we then follow the creek for 1km, and then we encounter a steep climb of 500metres up to a minor jeep track. We then walk along this track for about 2kms, and end up on the main Mt Hickey Road. We continue on towards Horan Track and then turn up along Rocky Track, which can be steep in places. From here we head to the summit of Mt Hickey where we should get some good views. We will then walk down the final section down Cadell Track and back to the cars.

We will leave at 8am from the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park.

Weekend November 15-16

30-34km Easy / Medium

Greg Passlow

This is an easy - easy medium walk suitable for fit beginner pack walkers 30-34km. Departing Melbourne 6:00pm Drive up to Mountain Creek campsite via Towonga Friday night. Leaving early to Falls Creek. Parking at Pretty Valley Dam. The walk then follows the High Plains Road to Heathy Spur track following the track until meeting the Alpine Walking Track. At this point we can drop packs and visit the first of the huts Edmonson’s Hut & Johnson’s. From then we reclaim our packs and follow the snow pole line to Kelly’s & Fitzgerald’s one of which is in original state the other was rebuilt after being burnt down some years ago. Lunch at Fitzgeralds.

A short escapade across the snow plains where we meet the aqueduct which is a gentle grade up to the Wallace’s hut turn off, camping at Wallace’s Hut (classified by the National Trust) after completing 18 – 22km (8 to 10 hours walk time) depending huts visited.

Following morning it's off without packs to do a 4km loop via the Rover Lodge and Cope Hut. Pick up our packs we again wander over the snow plains to the shores of Pretty Valley Dam, which we follow, back the cars a very leisurely 12km (4 - 6 hours walk time).

Expected arrival at the car is early afternoon for the trip home via a pleasant coffee shop at the quiet village of Bogong. Arriving home early evening

Saturday November 22

Bill Casey

This year’s event will be starting from Creswick Township which we have not been to before on a marathon.

After a few gentle kilometres we will join the Federation track at St Georges Lake, and then walk through the koala park with no koalas, then through some gold heritage country, eventually emerging to open farmland before reaching Dean. We continue through similar country for a few km, and then enter the densely forested Great Dividing Range. Lunch is at Mollongghip which many of the seasoned marathon walkers will recall as the starting point for the 1999 and 2000 events.

The walk continues along the route of an old timber tramway before reaching Wombat station. From there the route is practically all in forest to the finish at Sailors Falls.

There will be five en-route checks points where we can replenish our tired bodies with food and drink. At any of these points, a walker can elect to skip the next stage of the walk and travel in a support car if he or she desires. In fact, anyone can join, leave and re-join the walk at any of these five places.

The stages are from five to ten kms, and there is no requirement to do any set number of stages, so the walk is for anyone who can walk at least five km.

Walkers and friends have the option of the customary post-walk two-course dinner at the Spargo Creek Hotel. The charge for this will be $15.

We will be following the established tradition of travelling by bus to the start of the walk, so we will need to be at Sailors Falls on the Ballan Daylesford Road by 7.15am. The walk should be over by about 8.30pm.

Five support cars will be needed – at present we have two. Please let any of the team (Beth Elkins, Mary Atkins, Ray Scilley or myself) know if you and anyone you know can help in this regard.

Saturday November 29

Chris Jarvis

Restrictions apply

With the greater acceptance of GPS (Global Positioning System) as a tool for bushwalkers, it is probably time to remove some of the mystery from its use.

This half day session at the Lauriston Orienteering Course (near Daylesford) will combine some theory, hands-on use of GPS units, and some good, old fashioned navigation practice, with and without GPS.

Four GPS units will be kindly loaned for the day from Bushwalkers Search and Rescue.

Club members with their own GPS units are most welcome to attend, not only as participants but also as mentors to members with no previous GPS experience.

Pre-requisite for the session is previous experience with off-track navigation using map and compass. This is not a beginner's navigation course, but rather a new "module" and refresher for experienced navigators. The emphasis will be on the basics of obtaining and interpreting a reading, going to a pre-programmed location, and learning the limitations of the system. Some notes will be provided for participants as reference.

Due to the small number of GPS units available, numbers will be restricted to twelve trainees who do not have their own GPS. Priority will be given to leaders and current club members.

Saturday December 6

By Sylvia McLean

This year the venue will be at Woodlands Homestead. (At the tank shed just south of the homestead - the homestead will be open for tours.) Melways Ref. 177 K8, entering via Oaklands Rd., just past Melbourne Airport on the right.

There is the likelihood of two optional walks with a second shorter walk so that the chef's can partake also. The BBQ will be underway at 12.30, followed by a talk at 2.30pm by the ranger about the park. At this stage we are looking forward to Mike Cusack, who many will remember as a past guest speaker about his Australian Geographic sponsored six months survival in the remote Kimberly with only his wife and their supplies.

The BBQ will be provided by the club. BYO Drinks, cutlery, crockery etc. and BYO chair would be advantageous as large numbers will be expected.

Hope to see you all there!

Saturday December 13

16kms Easy / Medium

Neil Campbell

We are going to walk from the Distillery creek carpark, and head along the Moggs Creek track, down towards Painkalac Dam. From here we then walk along through lush Otway Forest around Gentle Annie Track. Then we take in some spectacular views of the coastline as we then head towards Moggs Creek picnic ground for lunch. After lunch we will then walk down to the beach at Moggs Creek and head back past Fairhaven and finish at the Lighthouse at Airies Inlet.

We will leave some cars at the lighthouse before the walk, so we can do a car shuffle, so it will be a 7.30am start from the Moonee Ponds Bowling Club Car Park.

Weekend December 13-14

Darren McClelland

Camping at or in the vicinity of Lake Elizabeth near the town of Forrest, we'll enjoy a relaxing weekend with a choice of activities. Bring your boots for a walk or two, your Mountain Bike or Hybrid for a ride, and/or your "early morning rise" spirit to do a kayak on Lake Elizabeth to try and spot some platypi.

Sunday December 21

10km, Easy

Darren McClelland

Come and enjoy a stroll around some of our finest real estate, followed by a late dinner/supper. We'll take a train to Toorak to see how the "other half" lives, and if we're (un)lucky we might even spot a Pratt or McGuire species. Elliotts are a threatened species in the area now apparently.

Sunday December 28

Darren McClelland

Come and enjoy a solid summer work out around the Doongalla (western) precinct of the Dandys. We'll visit the summit in the process. Bring lots of water.

Labour Day Long Weekend

March 2004

Darren McClelland

Labour Day weekend is a good opportunity to get some kilometres on the odometers and visit far flung East Gippsland. Keep this weekend free now for a base camp, with medium grade day walks, in a location to be announced. A "touring" arrangement in multiple locations could be on the cards.

March 2004

Darren McClelland

Are you interested in raising money for cancer causes, while keeping fit, at a local venue? Please contact Darren McClelland if you would like to participate in this relay in March 2004 at the Moonee Valley athletics track by the river. It's a 24 hour walkathon to be shared between ten of our club's most committed. The rest of you can throw donations at us! Look out for tin rattling soon!

This weekend will be held on 8-10 October 2004 (next year) at Walhalla. It usually is a large weekend base camp with a range of organized day walks. This event is alternated yearly with the Federation Day Walk. This year the Federation day walk was held at Warburton. The Melbourne Bushwalking Club was the host club and conducted this very successfully last March. (Afternoon tea was well catered for as well!) There were fifteen different walks to choose from, ranging from hard to very easy. 303 walkers participated, representing twenty two different clubs and a small group did attend from Essendon.

So remember to pencil this one in your diary to avoid missing out next year at Walhalla.

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

E-mail: 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 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 $ 30

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.

The Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs has come into being as of the 15^th May this year. This organization was made up by the amalgamation the various state Bushwalking Federations within Australia. Essendon Bushwalking Club is affiliated with this through VicWalk, the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs Incorporated.

It should be a great asset in advancing the cause of bushwalking and allow us to have more clout in lobbying and hopefully in insurance matters.

Some time ago leaders were requested by the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs (VicWalk) to complete a survey form for each track walked in a state forest. At that time I scanned programs and completed walks sheets for leaders who led walks in such areas and presented them with an appropriate survey form and stamped return address envelope to the Federation. This established a database of bushwalking tracks that are currently used so that they can be protected for future use. Since that time we have a number of new leaders who may not be aware of this and others who need a quiet reminder.

Also, David Rimmer, Federation's Project Officer for the State Forests Track Survey has reported that DSE is conducting a recreational assets survey. We have been asked to share the results of our survey with DSE. Would all leaders please complete the survey after a walk? Forms are available on VicWalk website or from me.

Thank you.

Collated from Leaders Booking Sheets by Sylvia McLean

Statistics for February 2003

Statistics for March 2003

Statistics for April 2003

A great thanks to all leaders for getting your walks sheets in and assisting me to collate the stats before the OME cut-off. Congratulations.

NOTE: John Atkinson (Treasurer) has requested that walk sheets be handed to him first to enable visitors fees received to be reconciled with actual visitor numbers. This in no way suggests any impropriety by Leaders, but rather enables an audit trail to be followed if required. John will then pass the sheets onto Sylvia.

Our renewed insurance policy does not cover visitors, so you are strongly advised to retain financial status. So if your membership fee ($30 this year) has not been paid by now, they are overdue and you are unfinacial. So please see John Atkinson, our treasurer, and pay up.

Committee would like to welcome Denise LaRocca, Helen Troon and Lee Maddison who were accepted in June. We hope you will have many happy walks with us.

Leaders, just a reminder that the club has a good number of maps available for use. It may save having to buy one, just ask the McLeans and we can inform you if it is available.

Submitted by Ian McLean

Reproduced from Wild magazine, issue 89, with permission

Refer to the article "Stoves welcome on board" by John Chapman in Wild magazine, Issue 89.

The article describes protocols for carrying lightweight camping stoves and their fuel bottles on board domestic and international flights.

The hard copy of this issue of Old Man Emu reproduced the article in full, with permission from the editor of Wild. For copyright reasons this article has not been reproduced in the internet edition of OME.