Old Man Emu

Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse, November 11

John, Julie, Jan, Frank & Dallas

P.O. Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3039

Welcome back to the pages of ‘OME’. This edition includes reports, previews, some views on PLB’s, a personality profile, and more.

I must thank the contributors, particularly those of the majority who submitted articles well before the deadline. It really does make an editor’s life easier.

Please go out of your way to thank the authors, and don’t be afraid to try some writing yourself. You never know, there may be some latent talent waiting to be unleashed!

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 ‘Ideal’ Cover Photo? Identifiable club members somewhere significant, such as a mountain top or place of interest. Good B&W contrast is helpful.

As we near the end of another year and the start of the next I sit and think of what has transpired these last few months and I do feel good. The Club seems to be doing very well, membership is healthy and there are many new faces and even a few returning who have been away awhile. The programs we are putting together are quite full and varied as is often commented on by visitors and members.

During the last few months we have had a couple of unfortunate mishap's (Chris and Sue's broken ankles), but I am pleased with the way both situations were handled by the leaders and the other walkers present. A couple of valuable lessons were learnt by members and leaders, eg, everyone should be an Ambulance Subscriber. The other point was when calling for help in the bush always call the Police Rescue Co-ordination Centre on 1800 135 729. But all in all we could not have asked for better outcomes in both situations, both members are doing well.

I unfortunately will not be able to lead many events early next year due to work and family commitments but ask that you endeavor to support those that do. I hope to see you out there.

On behalf of my family, and myself, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

By Darren McClelland

Ian and Sylvia McLean and fifteen walkers met at the Taradale Springs Reserve on Sunday 9th September. Inclement weather was forecast but the gods or good fortune afforded us a lovely day.

Ian's mission was to take us on a circuit walk through the Taradale Bushland Reserve (formerly Metcalfe forest) then across the Calder Highway to walk part of the Coliban aquaduct that extends from Malmsbury to Bendigo.

The first few hours was through the interesting outskirts of Taradale and lovely bushland with good views to Mt Macedon and Mt Alexander, and a few roos in sight. On leaving the reserve we proceeded down an old four wheel drive track. Alas a creek, which Ian and I had both crossed with a minimum of fuss (and water!) was full of water and at least a metre deep. No one volunteered to build a raft or ford so we proceeded back, but managed to find some alternative routes and along the way met some others. Firstly we met two young walkers who intended to inspect the creek with a view to swimming it (in 16°C weather!). There has since been no reported drownings so we hope all went well. Sadly we then met a local who told us that our walking territory will in future be the new Calder Highway bypass route. We also met fifty or so cattle who stormed towards us in the hope of a feed.

Ian has a view to programming the walk again (perhaps at a drier time of year). The walk comes highly recommended, with a creek crossing or otherwise.

By Darren McClelland

On Sunday 23rd September eleven walkers and fearless leader Ian McLean headed eastwards to the mysterious Warramate Ranges.

These picturesque hills are located between Coldstream and Seville, near the tiny settlement of Guyere.

Ian provided an early false alarm when we arrived at the junction of the Yarra River and Woori Yallock Creek. Those of us who walked Taradale with Ian feared another abandoned creek crossing!

A couple of gentle but steady ascents provided excellent morning tea (towards Warburton) and lunch vistas (toward Chardonnay and Riesling varieties???). In order to make it a circuit walk we braved the giant wombat burrows and narrow animal pads along the overgrown Yarra banks, which meant we could tell our workmates that we took a "gentle stroll along the Yarra yesterday".

Inga must be congratulated for breaking in her brand new boots for the complete 14kms, and Ian is to be commended for introducing us to this pretty, secret spot.

By Darren McClelland

Eleven walkers from the Essendon Bushwalking Club departed Jimmy's Creek campground on Grand Final day, despite the Bombers' appearance, to make the 800m ascent to the beautiful and somewhat remote Major Mitchell Plateau. A 28°C day below soon became a distant concept once we proceeded up the constant slopes.

By mid-morning we joined the Stockyard Track (that originates in Mafeking), and followed it for a few hundred metres. As we left this 4WD track for the walking track once more, we pondered why the Stockyard Track continues to head west to the tourist road, but this is not shown on the VicMap. Was it a new track built since the 1990 map was charted, or was it an attempt by the mapmakers and the then National Parks Service to dissuade its use by walkers and others?

By mid afternoon we reached the Plateau, having enjoyed stupendous views along our journey of the Serra Range and Victoria Valley to the west, and golden canola fields to the South and east. Our campsite at First Wannon Creek crossing was a welcome sight and good relief for our muscles.

The night bought fits and spurts of strong winds on a mild night, which led me to think that it might be a nightly occurrence at that altitude (1100m). A tired crew were up for an early start to make the steep but quite straightforward decent from the Plateau to Boundary Gap. After a 500m decent we headed up to the ‘big fella’, Mt William, for a very windy vista. To finish the walk we headed down the walking track past the spectacular Cathedral Rock and Wild Sheep Hills to our shuttle car. The only place I had seen a wildflower display to surpass this track was the 4WD track adjacent to Tower Hill and Calectasia Falls, another favourite piece of Gariwerd Grandeur of mine.

Thanks to Laurie and Maureen for organising an excellent weekend.

Bill Casey and his merry band have done it again! With superb planning supported by a team of willing helpers, Bill Casey ran another ‘marathon’ of 45km from Tipperary Springs near Daylesford, to Blackwood, following the Great Dividing Trail.

Club members and extras from Geelong BWC and the Great Dividing Trail Association formed a group of thirty nine walkers who set out to enjoy a pleasant day of walking along the track marked and mapped by the Great Dividing Trail Association.

A support crew led by Mary Atkins met the group at the end of each of the seven stages, providing water, and carrying our lunches, fresh socks and other essentials.

A record thirty four out of thirty nine walkers (87%) completed the whole 45kms in around twelve hours, while others achieved personal best’s for distance walked in a day. The walk finished at the Blackwood pub for a roast dinner and refreshment.

After dinner, awards were presented to those who had, over the years, completed the whole of the Great Dividing Trail from Ballarat to Blackwood in a series of annual ‘marathons’.

Our thanks to Bill and his team for the meticulous planning and organising of yet another great walk.

Sunday January 27, 6pm, 10km,

Ian & Sylvia McLean

Meeting at the BBQ area at the Somerton Road Carpark for BYO BBQ prior to the walk, which starts at 7pm. (NB the electric BBQ's do not function if it is a fire ban day.) We stroll through Woodlands beautiful Red gum forests onto the Homestead and through the wildlife enclosure (dogs are banned from this area), along the creek and up to Gellibrand Hill to sit on the granite boulders watching dusk change to darkness and a fantastic view of the lights of Melbourne. (Last year we witnessed an away off lightning show which was great.) A torch may be helpful but hopefully there should be a cloudless sky and a full moon.

Saturday February 9, 6pm, 10 km

Ian & Sylvia McLean

This year we will be changing the route slightly to actually increase it to 10 kms. Starting at Greenwich Reserve (Corner of The Strand and North Rd) at 6pm. Bring or buy your own tea on route. This will be eaten in Commonwealth reserve before proceeding. This is an enjoyable circuit walk as it encompasses historic homes and areas, Hobsons Bay Coastline and Gardens. After dusk the nightlights over the bay give this walk a fantastic atmosphere. A short snack at one of the cafes will see us back to the cars.

Sunday March 3, 20km. Easy

Ian McLean

Churchill National Park is in Endeavour Hills. The walk commences at the picnic ground and proceeds as a circuit. Mobs of kangaroos will be sighted en-route as we pass some spectacular lookouts, an old granite quarry site and tramway route (used for the dam retaining wall of Lysterfield Lake), small lagoons and stream sides to eventually arrive at Lysterfield Lake for lunch at the picnic area as described above. Return trip involves more lookouts and views. Back to the cars through Churchill Park completing the circuit. BYO afternoon tea in Churchill Park picnic area.

Sunday March 17, 19 km. Easy

Ian & Sylvia McLean

Birds Land is a Reserve in Tecoma containing some small tranquil lakes on Monbulk Creek. The circuit walk extends from this lakes area in a southwesterly direction, via granite outcrops reminiscent of Mt Buffalo, through to Lysterfield picnic area for lunch. This is a popular locality where a lunchtime swim is possible. After lunch we will continue the circuit back through Bird's Land to the cars. BYO afternoon tea.

March 28 - April 7, 75-100km, E/H

Ian Tovey

The Overland Track is probably Australia's most popular multi-day walk (and most scenic) and lies within the Cradle Mountain. - Lake St Clair National Park.

I propose to do the walk over eight days and do as many of the side trips as time (and fitness) will allow, including Barn Bluff, Mount Ossa, Pine Valley & The Labyrinth.

I will probably limit the number of people to eight.

The exact cost and time frame is yet to be determined.

By Bill Casey

By the time you read this, the 2001 Great Divide Marathon will be over. Forty-two kilometres in a day is quite an achievement. But how does a 500km walk sound?

That’s right – 500km – but it will take a little more than one day, of course!

Does 500km in eight years seem reasonable, say, starting next autumn and finishing in late 2009?

The plan is to walk from Point Lonsdale on Port Phillip Bay to Nelson on the South Australian border (hence the Bay to Border name), following the western Victorian coastline all the way.

Until Lorne is reached, day walks will be done, but from there on, weekend base camps will be necessary.

Wherever possible the walk will be on the beach at low tide, but in many places, such as Cape Otway, we will be walking on cliff-tops, with the added advantage of magnificent ocean views. Those who did the Shipwreck Coast Base Camp this year will know what I mean!

The distance of each individual day walk will be determined by the terrain, the overriding objective being that every walk should be no harder than easy-medium standard, making it suitable for all walkers who have a reasonable level of fitness. I envisage some walks being 10km or less, particularly in the Cape Otway – Moonlight Head vicinity.

Tentative time-table with approximate distances:-

2002 Point Lonsdale – Aireys Inlet, 55 km, 3 day walks

2003 Aireys Inlet – Cape Patton, 40km, 2 day walks, 1 base camp

2004 Cape Patton – Cape Otway, 50km, 2 base camps

2005 Cape Otway – Twelve Apostles, 55 km, 3 base camps

2006 Twelve Apostles – Childers Cove, 60 km, 3 base camps

2007 Childers Cove – Yambuk, 80km, 3 base camps

2008 Yambuk – Cape Nelson, 75km, 3 base camps

2009 Cape Nelson – Nelson, 85km, 3 base camps

Current plan is to do Stage 1 from Point Lonsdale to Barwon Heads on a Sunday next March or April. Exact date will depend on tides.

In this financial year we have welcomed the following new members:

Lynne Dickenson, Jean Street, Gianna Devcic, Debbie Duggan, Jan Baxter, Barbara Coward, Theresa Koczyk, Michael Daniel, Julie Jensen, Michelle Kalathenos,

Tony Creedy, Roselyn Huggins, Susan Baxter, Jan Rhodes, Tamara Hycenko, Cheryl Holt

Gillian Ryder, Andrew Saxton, Graeme Tame, David Bassingthwaighte, Vickie Bassingthwaighte

To update our files on your emergency contact information you will find enclosed with this newsletter a copy of the details we currently have. Some members will receive a blank sheet, indicating we have no information on file.

Please confirm and amend your details and return the sheet to the Essendon Bushwalking Club, PO Box 32, Moonee Ponds, 3039. You could leave a message with any committee member but please give it in WRITTEN form so that it is registered.

Some people have been members for so long that we have no such information, and the computer spreadsheet has only been changed minimally in the last four years. As legal and emergency situations have so many more implications these days you can appreciate how sensitive we need to be and how essential an up-to-date central data file is.

By Bill Casey

Q. Where were you born, Nicole?

A. I was born and grew up in Melbourne.

Q. Why did you take up bushwalking?

A. I took up bushwalking with friends.

Q. When did you join EBWC?

A. In 1994.

Q. Why EBWC?

A. Because it was closer to my new home after my involvement with Maroondah Club.

Q. What type of activities have you done with EBWC – day walks, overnight pack walks, base camps, cycling, social nights, committee work?

A. Day walks, base camps, social nights, committee work.

Q. Which activity do you particularly enjoy?

A. I enjoy day walks.

Q. How often do you walk with EBWC?

A. On average once a month.

Q. Where and when was your first walk with EBWC, and who led it?

A. Nov. 1993 to Mt Ida with Peter Baldwin.

Q. What was the first EBWC walk you led, and when was it?

A. Coburg Lake figure 8, Feb, 2001.

Q. Do you remember anything in particular about it?

A. I remember that I underestimated the distance, that two pedometers did not agree and that walking on concrete is hard on the feet!

Q. What is your favorite walking area, and why?

A. I don’t have a favorite area.

A. In Mt Wilson area when I tried to climb the steep ascent to the top, with afternoon tea on the way home (of course).

A. Equal for Mt Disappointment and second trip to Dunkeld to get a view from Mt Sturgeon and Mt Abrupt.

Q. What is the hardest walk you have done with EBWC?

A. Day walk in Brisbane Ranges National Park - Bill Casey led this.

Q. How was it hard?

A. It was hard because the distance increased to 24kms, there were steep hills to climb and descend, and there was tension coping with difficult people.

Q. Is there a walk you have done, and vowed "never again"?

A. No particular walk that I wouldn’t do again except that I will avoid days in open paddocks in 35 degree heat.

Q. What was the most memorable moment you have had in bushwalking?

A. Most memorable moment was getting to the top of Mt Bogong on two different pack walks, and watching a lyrebird who then followed me part of the way on the 1,000 steps in Ferntree Gully National Park.

Q. What was the funniest moment?

A. Seeing Ron Bell leap sideways and give a startled yelp. Later we learnt he had reacted to a sun-baking snake on the other side of a log.

Q. If a prospective member asked you, what would you say are the best things about bushwalking?

A. Being outdoors and active, being able to go to different areas with competent leaders and amiable folk.

I have been getting quite a few inquiries from Club members re my web site address.

My web site address is ‘http://www.wtcasey.com’, and my email address is ‘bill@wtcasey.com’

Do you feel like enjoying alpine fresh air while helping our natural environment? Then you might like to participate in one of two working bees at Mount Stirling to install rubber matting. The working bees will be held on 9th February and 24th April 2002

Interested? Contact the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs (VicWalk) for details

EBC is now a paid up member of the Great Dividing Trail Association. Any members of our bushwalking club may attend their walks. However there is a three dollar per person fee which will apply, as we have a group membership (currently $35 annually). This money will go towards track markers and maintenance.

Anyone having undertaken any of Bill Casey's annual marathons or walked along part of these trails will agree that it is a worthwhile cause. EBC will receive copies of the GDTA newsletters and programs four times per year. Hopefully you will take up these opportunities.

Happy walking.

Ladies HiTek boots

? smaller than size 6

Good Condition.

$30

30lt Tatonka 'Sundrop' day pack

Red, purple and black

Good condition.

$25

The above items can be brought to a club meeting by arrangement for inspection by contacting John Atkinson, email johnny_a20@hotmail.com

For 2001 – 2002 is:

President: Frank Szentmiklossy

Vice President: Paulene Sunderland

Secretary: Nicole Lowe

Treasurer: Lauren Eagle

Committee: Ron Bell, Inge Lingham, Sylvia McLean, John Atkinson, Neil Campbell

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 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 $ 25

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 unless a visitor's fee is paid.

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.

By Chris Jarvis

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are becoming cheaper, smaller and more widely available, not only for marine and aviation use but for bushwalkers as well.

The question of whether or not bushwalkers should carry these devices, whether voluntarily or other means, such as legislation or park regulations etc, is open to much debate. Their effectiveness, accuracy, and the circumstances in which they can be used is not widely understood by many of their potential users.

EPIRBs and PLBs operate by transmitting a signal which can be detected by a passing satellite. The satellite relays the signal to ground stations, and also gives the approximate location of the distress signal. Search authorities may then choose to dispatch aircraft equipped with the same receivers to check the area, homing in on its source.

Some models of EPIRBs and PLB’s give a simple signal only, while more sophisticated registered units send an owner identification code, which alerts authorities about who they may be looking for.

Earlier this year VicWalk News, the monthly newsletter of the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs (VicWalk), received a letter from a member of a suburban walking club praising the benefits of EPIRBs. The Federation executive considered the letter and replied. Both the original letter and the executive’s reply were published in the October 2001 edition of VicWalk News.

Extracts from this article are reproduced here, with permission from VicWalk. In selecting the extracts I have attempted to present the key points from the article, which may help you, our club members, develop a more informed opinion on their use.

For the purpose of this article, the device which can be carried by individuals, Personal Locator Beacon, will be referred to as PLB. Quoted text from the article is in italics.

PLB’s can save the lives of bushwalkers. However, there is relatively little experience with the use of these devices by bushwalkers and no authoritative reports are available on such use. It can be stated that it is clear that the performance of the whole system will be less efficient in a typical bushwalking situation than in a typical marine emergency. (Terrain and vegetation can interfere with the transmitted signal reaching a satellite or search aircraft.)

There are two types of devices.

Activating a PLB is not a magic wand to save the lives of bushwalkers. Emergency situations often arise in circumstances which make it very difficult or impossible to use helicopters for a rescue. Weather conditions can prohibit the use of aircraft, and a group walking out to get help could save time in these situations.

Footnote: The next generation of mobile telephones may have the capability to transmit their location, determined by a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System).

Contributed by Karen Bennett

A group of boundary riders are sitting arguing over what they would want if they were lost in the outback and were only allowed one thing.

The first says "I couldn't do without my trusty old horse. She could probably lead me to a homestead from the back of Burke."

The second says "You can have your horse but I'd want my swag. If you’re going to be lost you may as well sleep warm at night."

The third says "there's no question. I'd want my old Queensland Heeler "Blue". He's my best mate and if I was going to die out there I'd want him beside me."

The last old bushie says "Only one thing I'd need - a pack of cards. See, I'd start playing patience and before long someone would be looking over my shoulder saying "red jack on black queen".