North,un Rivers Bushwalkers
Incorporated
i(
commemorative
bookletissued
on the twentiethanniversary
of the club'sformation
november1996
NORTIIERN RnIERS BUSHWALKERS' CLTTBINC.
(NRBc)
2oth Arrnlversar5r Corrmemorative Booklet
Compiled by Barbam Worthlngton, Presldent, November, 1996
ACKIITOWLEDGTMENTAI\ID TIIANKS
Acknowledgement and tharks to all who have asststed tn any way to
the production of thts booklet.
2oth Annlversarlr CoEmlttee
Bert and Mary Carter
Helen Ph potts
Peter and Pam Ralph
Roger SheppeaJd (special thanks)
Steve (H.A.) Stevens
Joan Stevenson
Brian and Ltz ftoke
Brlan and Barbara Worthington
Also:
Cralg Belamy
Dorothy Clancy
Nancy Devine
Duncan Fowler
Nlta Halnes
Brtan Maha-ffey
Cover deslgn alrd photograph by Peter and Pam Ralph
NRBC . 2oth Alllvcrs.rjr
Bootlet
Page
INTRODUCTION
1
HISTORY
2-7
ROLL OF HONOUR
8
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
I
SUMMARYOF NEWSLETAERS
/MEETING MINUTES
10-30
THE CLUB IN THE CLARENCE
3t-32
PUBLICATIONS
n
EXTRACTS FROM WALK REPORTS
33-41
BUSHWALKING
42-47
COMEDY CORNER
4a-51
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
.
NEWSLETTER SMPPETS
53-56
D'\F'TDW
rc-57
CONCLUSION
D6
s6
IYRBC - 2oth ADliversary Booklet
It i,s wonderful, if one reflects on tt, that The Norttrern Rivers Bushwalkerc,
Club Inc. has continued to functon and be acuve slnce its beginntngs in
1976.
Thls booklet has been produced on the occasion of the Club,s 2oth
Annlversary to celebrate the solldartty and the comrnltmenr given by many
dedlcated club members over the pasi two decades.
It f.3.l:r.9i extracts from past newsletters, meeting mlnutes and members,
contrtbutlons.
When three orlglnal club members of the NRBC (who are current Eemb€rs)
mentloned that 1996 was the twenuettr btrthday year of the Club, lt was
declded to set r! a sub-comrdttee to be called 'Th6 ZOth Anntversa.ry Sub_
Cominlttee'.
.1!e oPJec_tof thts commlttee was to organlse suttable
celebratlon acth'lttes
for the occasion.
As a result arrangements were made to hold a blrthdav dlnner on 23rd
November, 1996; a comrnemorative bushwalk to Eroadwaier Na onal park,
Salty La€oon (one of the Club's 0rst walks) on 24th November, 1996; the
production and launSlung of the Washpool Vldeo and the producflon of a
commemoratlve Booklet.
As ts often the case, some people, when readlng thls booklet wtll find
omlsslons. I1 was lrnposslble to lxclude all tnforhaflon as valuable and
lnterestlng as lt may have been.
I am conffdent thls zoth Anntversary Commemorauve Booklet wlll brlng
enjoJmrent to Club memb€rs past ard present.
Barbara Worthlngton, Presldent, NRBC, 1996.
CLT'B LOGO /EMBI,DM
In June 1977 durtng the Club's ffrct yea-r,a comf,e uon was conducted
for a Club logo/emblem. There v/ere qulte a few entrtes whlch were
Judged
by those present at the July monthly meetinA. The entries ranEed froni
very complex arld ptctortal to qulte stmple.
The i tnning entry (from Roger Sheppeard) depicts t}te mountains and
creeKs.wnicn ar-e an Integral part of the Northern Rivers region, e,tth the
'lootpr'rnts'leading Inro the picture representtngthe ,wattrig
.
-1-
NRBC - zotlr AD.niversarv Booklet
HISTORY
NORTIIDRN RTVDRSBUSIIWALEERS' CLI'B BEGINNINGS
by Roger Sheppeard - August, 1996.
The Club had its beginnings in late 1976 when Dar'ld Brov/n. a young
recreatlonal officer with the NSW Department of Sport and Recreatlon, was
transferred from Sydney to the Lismore office. Dave had been dohg some
bushwalklng (and canoetng) ln Sydney, but found that there was no local
bushwalktng club in the Llsmore area. So, through the Department of
Sport and Recreatlon, arr adverflsement was placed in the classilied secuon
of the Northern Star newspaper for a meetlng of people lnterested in
forrnlng a bushwalktng club.
Some 20 or 30 people were at that lnitial meeting, where a very newous
Dave explatned the proposal. Many of those present belonged to the
qdstlng local Naturaltsts club and the local bmnch of the Natlonal Pa-rks
Assoclatlon, v/ho suggested they may be able to meet the lnterests of
bushwalkers. But others present felt that a separate club was needed to
more speclflcally sult bushwalkers, and a second meeting of those
interested was held a few weeks later. At thts second meetlng, a steerlng
commlttee was set up, comprtstng Da!'ld Brown, Greg Wright, Graham
Thtes, Rob Andrews and Roger Sheppeard. Thls corDDtttee met ser€ral
ttnes ln an old tumble-down house where Greg was living, on the Swan
Bay road near Woodbum, and by the llght of kerosene lamps (the house
had no electrlc power), drafted a constltutlon based on those of other
slrDllar clubs.
To keep lnterest ln the Club allve, several day walks were conducted ln
October and No!€mber of 1976. The ffrst was ln the Nightcap Range along
tfre old mal] track, ttren a walk tn the Coolgardle area beh een Broadwater
and Balll.na; and flnally on 21st November, a walk from Broadwater Beach
south to the Salty Lagoon area in the heath behlnd the beach between
Broadwater and Evans Head. A fev/ days after thls last walk, on 24th
November, 1976, another meetlng was held at the Northern Rlvers College
of Advanced Educatlon ln Llsmore where the Club came lnto belng; an
elecuon was held and the followlng people fllled the positlons:
Presldent:
Secretar5r:
Treasurer:
Social Secretary:
Walks Convenor:
ComEdttee:
Greg Wrtght
Davld Brown
Gra-ham Thles
Roslyn Cravrford
Rob Andreq's
Heather Cmllford, Carol5n Stuckey
Ian MacDonald
Also at thls meeting, the Club adopted the name "The Northern Rlvers
Bushwalkers' Club". The club's current emblem/logo was adopted
folowlng a competltion held dudng the early months of the club's llrst
year.
The CIub had very few members E'ith any solid bushwalking experience in
those early months of that ffrst year, and most outings were day walks or
weekend ffxed camps. But the CIub sijll had an acttve program and a keen
folloMng. Within t2 months, with the influx of more experienced walkers
and navigators like Ian Hickson, Kimbal Curtis and Ian Barnes, more
adventurous rrcIks were undertaken into lesser known areas.
-2 -
I{RBC - 2oth AnEiverserr Booklet
This eveltua]ly included the Washpool and surrounding State Forests, and
this became a particular project erea for the Club, a; we lobbied for its
dedication as a Wilderness area. Many members spent a lot of ttme
working on this project, resulting ir a report whlch wa; submitted to the
NSW Goyernment. A short audio-ltsual of t]:e area was also produced ard
loaled out_to_lnterested groups and people. The area was iubsequenuy
decla-reda Wldemess (and we ltke to think that our input contrtbuted to
Lhis resull).
The people in the Club ln these early days were very soctal, and many
pa-rtleswere held at various people's places. paddy's Flat west of Tabulam
became a favourlte place for ,slack q/eekend,camps, and it became a
tradltlon to return there each year ln the mfddle 6f winter for a social
camplng weekeld. Llttle walk,ng .was ever done, but we did tradl onally
cascad€ doqrn the usually freezlrg cold water of the Clarence River by our
carnpslte. It was also tradltiona.l for Jan Eldrldge, (our Social Secretarjr) to
brtrg along arl eLaborately decorated cake (hcfudtng our Club Sr.mbol) to
eat on the-Salurday games_ntght, whtch was sp6nt around i roartng
campflre. It was also a tradltion to hold a separate Alnual plcnic eacfr
year, another soctal event where games such as volley ball, egg and spoon
races a-ndshntlar were held. At these ptcnics. we worrld also"iradtttonally
take a Club Photo of the members present.
But the- maln _eve_ni
was always the walldng, and though we were only a
relatlvely small Ctub, we always had a fairty actlve wa-iklng program -for
both easy and hard trips over a wlde-ranAlng area extendfrdlito
the New
England dlstrlct and up into gueensland.- -
-3-
I{RBC - 2oth AEiversarjr
!$
Booklet
HISTORY
NDWSLETTER - FDBRUARY, I97A
"David Brown unfortunately leaves us early this month on transfer re'ith
the Department of Sport and Recreation to their camp at Narrabeen in
Sydney. As we owe the existence of our Club to Da\'ld's efforts, a little
hisrory would not be out of place.
Davld began working for the Department up here in Lismore in 1976.
However he mtssed the tJpe of outdoor acttvltles he'd been used to in
Sydney, so with the help ofthe Department ofsport and Recreation,he set
about forming a bushwalktng club in this area. The Department arrarged
public meetlngs in September and October of 1976, and at the second
meetlng, a steerlng com.nlttee (which included David) was set up to
normulatea constttution. Desplte the odstence ofa Naturallsts club and a
branch of the N.P.A. of NSw in this area, there was sumcient interest to
proceed $'lth a bushwalkers' club. At a meeting in November, 1976
electlons took place, the draft constltutlon was adopted and the Club
declded to call itself the "Northern Rivers Bushwalkers' Club". David was
elected secreta.rjrfor lts fl.rst yea-r
To Davld must go our sincere tharks for the work he dld, and we wish htm
well tn Sydne5r.But lt won't be the last we'll see of hlm - he tells us that
he'll be back vtsltlng at every chance he can get",
b:
i: t - .i4
i ?*r"
:r'; -
rer.X
-4 -
THE EARLY YEARS
A
OcVNov 1975, NiAhtcap Track. On the
firs,t walk of those inrerest€d In forminc
the club. ln the loreground are Ken Hass;ll,
lohn Hitchens bacl(,and JohnMewin8.
of the club'g
Nov 1976,Coolgardie.The2ndwalkof rhoseinrerested
in forminrrhe
club.V'ewingthe coastsourhol EallinaareJoan
Srevenson.
tunrdemifiedJ.
RobAndr*s, GrecWrishr.lunrdenti{iedl,
suecrawford.
lun'dentifiedl.
2 | Nov l9?5, Salry ragoon (Broadwat€r N.P.).
The thirdandlastwalk betorethe clubwasformed.
HelenPhilpotts
secondtrom leftin standinttroup.
27 Mar 1977,Mt. Warninr. [un'denrified],
sue
Crawlord, Heather Crawiord. Norma Wafts anu
RoslynCraw.ford'shead,dunng the climb.
12 Feb 1977,Broken Head. Our campsire
in dunesjusrabove
thebeach,forarather lazycampingweekend.
DavidBrown,
GregWrighr, RobAndrews
27 Mar 1977, Mt. Werning. On the peak, lan Hicksonhdds
out 'snake'ielliesto (clockwise)SueCrawford, Heather
Crawtord, RoslynCrawford, [unidentrfied],David Brown.
27 ran 1978,David Brown/Ma?k Dowling Far6w€ll. President
Gr% Wrighi (at right) thank club fo'inder andinauguralsecretary
David Brown. Dick Watrs, Mark Dowling andKen Hassallat back.
| 0 lul | 977, Paddy's Flat. Thc first ot what wasto
becomean annual'slack'we€kendof games,culinary
delights
andairbeddin8
downthe lcyClarenceRiver.
I Oct 1977,WiangarieS.F,H€adingto Stinson
wreckwe
25 S6p | 92, NlShtcap Tra.k. Preparlngto set oll on a walk
alongthe HlstorlcNlglncapTrack,whlch followsa part of the
find Davldgrown's tobaccoleft on slgnon a previoustrlp!
old horseback
mallrout€ betw€€nLismoreandMurwillumbah. Chris Gillen,Kerry Whlttleld, RobAndr€ws,Gr€gWrlght.
29 Oct 1977,LamingtonN. P.lohn Hulme,S're
Cravvford.HeatherCraMord. DavldBrown.
Ro6lynCrawford,JanEldridge,andunidentltied
head.camoedat 'Gre€nMountains'.
crawford
5 F€b 1978,Mt. Chin.oFn. Roslyn
watts,
fieather
iraMord,
Su;
Eldndge,'Dick
Jan
the viewoverMullumbimby.
CrawfordenloyinS
30 Oct 197r, LamingtonN. P. Lunchat Blue
Pool.ChrisGillen.KathyGero,lohnHulme,Ros.
Crawford. Heathe.Crawford. Davd Brown,
PeEr Mccarthy(back),Suecrawfo.d,chris sim.
,; ii
26 Mar 1978,cibralta. RlnAe N.P.lan Eldridge,
Vivienne
Panrte,
Robyn,lanHrckson,
SueCrawford,creS Wrighr(squafting)
at breakfasr.
29 Apr 1978, LGve.s Plateau. From Bald Knob,
Chris Gill€n looks acrossto llr. Lindesay.
I lul | 978,Paddy'sFlat.Sarurday
nigh(feet. RobAndrews,Sue
Crawford,HeatherCrawford,LynSmith,LeishRobinson,
Chriscitten_
22 Oct 1978,Sundjalung.lanHicksonand
JanEldridgeunderstarter'sordersfor the e8s
fld spoonraceon picnicdayat Gummacarra_
28 O<t 1978, Washpool. Pr Pi Flar.ampnrc lor
the club'svory liEt Warhpool walk. Kerrie
Pimm,Chns Gillen, jan Eldridge,SueCrawford
HeatherCrawford. lan Hickson. KimbalCuftis
25 Ma. l9?9, BunAawalbyn.CamPalmer,
GregWright,KerriePimm,lunknown],
lunknownlandChriscillen on a bicycleride.
l6 Ap. 1979,Washpool.WashpoolCreek's
r€ach6 du.ing a descentofthis creeki wilderness
raverse. Roger Sh€ppeard,Cam Palmer,Heather
Crawford, Kerrie Pimm, Chris Gillen.
,,1, .
l2 Oct 1980,BungarvalbynCreek, A gameof volleyballat our
annualplcnicday.DanAnde6en,H€atherCralvford,ChrisGillen,
Carol Sellers,funldentlfied],SueCrawford.
?t S€p l9q), Gravrt€|l N.P Yogi[an] B6nies.
A gianileapfor mankind;andfor womankind.
| 5 lun 1980,l4ann Wldern€6, ValLdlam.
.l /.\i
| 4 FGb198l. WashDoolWilde"ness.AnnaWllllamson
wknesses
rhe
spectacleof raelngwhlte wat€r at the junctlonof Washpooland
Ea8lehawk
Cre€ks,In flood aft€r vory h€avyoverniShtrains.
Mar | 90 | , Warhpool Wildemess. A farewelltoast (wth real wine
andglassetto Dougduringa full descentof OoroorooCreek.Chris
KerriePimm.
Gillen,K'mbalCunis,DougBinns,RogerSheppeard,
| 2 Apr I 98 | , BundialungN.P. Exploring
the upp€rreaches
thetallant
of the EskRiver.Frontto backJoanStevenson,
CamPalmer,ChrisGillen,KerriePimm,FayDonaldson.
NREC - 2oth A.o.oiver6ary Booklet
EISTORY
ABSEILING IN TIIE NRBC
by Duncan Fowler
First documented instructtonal abseiltng day was believed
held in 1978 at Mooni-Ebar range cliffs near Woodburn.
good sandstone cltffs up to 3Om htgh. Tdp was well
members and was belleved to be lnstructed/run be a
member.
to have b€en
The slte has
attended by
Dast female
Several Club trtps incorporated absellng between lg78-I988. One of
these trlps was the descent of Coomera Creek Canyon ln the Lamlngton
Natlonal PaJk ln ttre late 7O's, posslbly the flrst or one of the flrst
descents of thls canyon br anyonel
lSth September, 1988. Instructlonal absetltng day at Mummulgum.
Start of the recent trafnhg fn baslc abse lng and rock clllnblng for Club
memDers.
1988-1993. Numerous bushwalks ndth absetling and separate absetling
trips ln local areas. Flrst descents of some waterfaltrs and cltfis. Several
rock cllrnblng trlps tn the loca-l area. Club absell equlpment cache
started.
1992. Openhg of the South Grafton Gym Indoor Cltmblng Wall. Butlt
by NRBC wlth money from Area Asslstance Grant. Flrst wall of tts t'?e
ln the countqr and only wall between Sydney and Brtsbane at the ume.
1993-1996. Trainlng ln abse lng lncludtrg Beglnners, Intermedlate and
Advanced level trlps. Well attended by Club members. Range of
dlfferent locations. New Addltlons to Club abselllng gear.
1996.
New A.R.C.E.E.R. safety checklng procedure used ln
abselltng / verttcal actlvltles.
Notable first abselllng decents
CoomeraCk. Canyon Blnna Burra (late 7O's)
Moonlrnbar Ralge Woodburn (1978)
Cave Area Terania Creek ( 1989)
Collum Collum Fall,sLlonsy le (1989)
Ogilvte Crags Baryulgll (1989)
Boundry Creek Falls Glbraltar Range (1990)
Culmaran Ck. Falls Malanganee (1992)
Middle Wyan Creek Clffltnes (1993)
Calamous Creek Teranta ( 19931
Busbys Flat Clifflines (1994)
Mongabbarra Cliffltne Minyon Fa[s (1994)
Mulgum Creek Falls Mt Nardi (1995)
5
IO YEARS OF THE NRBC
by Steve (ILA.) Stevens - Aprif, f987
"The earuest dated walk report I could ffnd was dated l2th March, 1977
when lan, Roger, Greg and Da!'id did a walk tn the Lost World.
The second walk was better attended s'lth 20 when they all cltrnbed Mt.
Wa-rnhg. A yeaj later they had 24 on a e€lk at Mlnyon and 11 at Glbraltar
Range Nauonal Park.
The Club now has tqdce as many members but are stUl only getting about
the same amount of walkers. Helen and Joan are the lonqest suwl'vlng
members.
CLI'B NEWSLETTER
FRONT PAGE
nonh.m RivGEBushwalke6clublhc
Jamie Ho e, a past
member of the Club,
deslglnedthe current
cover page of the
NRBC Newsletter in
1987 and it has been
used each month
since that date.
#;it*.;'r4
-6 -
-l)L
r
NRBC - 2oth Anniverssty Booklet
Y
ABSEILING IN TIIE NRBC
A.R.C.II.E.R. SAFETY CHECEING PROCEDI'RE
A = Anchor
Check; anchor lnte$ity (shake), connection to the
anchor (look and feel),rope status (sln€lle-flxed'
double, pulldown etc.), arlchor backup, knot lrtegrlty'
R = Routtn€l
Check the routlng of the rope through the descendlng/
ascendlng device. Check for correct threadlng {tuln
and look), e)dtlng of rope out of device.
C = Carabiner
Check carabtner, look for connecUon of carablner to
device and ha-rnesslrr correct Pl,ace(pull), screwgate
flrm (squeeze!),check for tqdsttJrg or crossload,ng.
II = Harness
Harness checks; check harness flttlng (correct.no
tqdsts), all buckles threaded co[ectly and doubled back
(physlcally check atl buckles), check harness fft ls l!-rm
(feel).
E = Dqutpment
Check for equlpment neededfor the descent/ascent;
gloves, helmet, ascendlng gea-r,loose aftlcles, halr
ed back, radlo, pack, clothing.
R = Rapp€t
On RaDDelchecks include; sufflcient frlctlon, confirm
behy ;Aurlty/ setup, check rope length, on rope ca-lls,
check for hazards on t}le descent,check the route' rope
protector pLacement.
a.ad Asslstants NRBC 19EB - 1996.
The followtnp a.rethose menbers who have bfstructed and some of those
who have asilsted. of whlch there har,e been many and perhaps some have
been forgotten.
Abselllng ltrstructor€
Instructors
Cralg Beuamy
Duncan Fowler
Peter Heiliger
Peter Fry
(late) John Hunt
Rodney Walbridge
Matthew Amour
Bruce Smith
Michael Mtanda
A$lstants
Danlen Wade
Patdck Walbridge
Belinda Megee
Heather Williams
Glenl Sanders
Bryce Abbot - also tnstructed
Naomi Norrls
Gaye
Perry Kline
-7-
<E
\r .e. a )a -N
cD{6ooNN@
O6 @ O.0
6@@
9 \ 6 cDOr N6 ]\f€ o ) o
\ N F .F OO@ Oco 6 @ O
@
0)6)0)0)00o)o)
oooooo
-a-
NRBC ' 2oth Anntversary Booklet
LIFD MEMBERS
George Parker, 1995
George Parker was
nade the first
life
nenber ilr 19 95.
Helen Phtlpotts, 1996
Joa! Stevenson. 1996
Ee has been keen on
around lhe
"ranbling
bushLaDal" since his
boyhood and joined the
Club in the early 1980's
Ee has taken an active
part in the club including
Executive Positions.
Eelen has been
a nenber of the
Club since its
be9inIIin9s.
Eis philosophy is "Bushwalking is aonething
people can do just for
the pleasure of it".
she has been a
regular hard
nralket and a
great walks
leaaler.
Thanks Georgel
Eelen has always
contributed
to
the Club and its
flrenbers. she is
a role noalel for
us all.
Joan is an
original
nenber
of tbe NRBC.
Eelen was the
Club's first
fenale President.
Joan is a very
infoaEd,
well
travelled
lady
who i-9 a constant
inspiration
to
Congratulations
She has a wide
knoidedge of
birds and their
calls.
A great
asset on a bush
walk.
Joan has a
vonderful
sense
ot hunour.
Congratulations
-9 -
NRBC - 2fth Annivers:rrv Booklet
SUMMARY OF NEWSLDTTERS/MEETING
MINUTES 1976-
1996
November, 1976 - October, 19EOby Roger Sheppeard
foriEinal melrber)
November, 1976 - Newsletter # I
.
Nouce of meethg of interested Feople to form a Club.
.
Notice of plarned v7a.lkfrom Broadwater Beach to Salty Lagoon.
Ja.ouary, 1997
.
Results of elecuons and adopflon of Club,s name, as Club comes tnto
belng. Club accepted the fltle "The Northem Rlvers Bush\ralkers'
Club'.
Februsfy, 1977
.
Notlce of Club's ffrst overntght camp at Broken Head.
.
Reslgnatlon of lnaugural treasurer, due to transfer to Tenterneld.
March. 1977
.
Plans to host a one-off radto program on 2NCR FM.
.
Continulng plan to get our own Search & Rescue scheme IIr ptrace.
Aprtl, 1977
.
Number of flnanclal members totalled 26.
May, 197?
.
Natlonal Park to be proclalmed tn Border Ranges areas.
.tune, 1977
.
NRBC plans to Join Federatlon.
NRBC logo/emblem competttion to be held.
'
.
Flrst caving tdp (Ashford caves) planned.
;luly, 1977
.
Exploratory walk, Rlchmond cap to Mt. Ltndesay atong the border.
.
Club logo chosen from competluon entrles (Roger Sheppeard winner).
.
Notlce of flrst Paddy's Flat 'socla_l'ffxed canp {'eekend.
Aug$r, 1977
.
Dectslon made "walks reports by all future trtp leaders for lnclusion ln
newsletters. Reports should be approdmately 2OOwords".
September, 1977
.
Inaugural secretarJr& Club'founder' Davld Brown,
tmnsferred ftom distrlct.
.
First Annual Genera.l Meetirg held.
.
Audto vlsual of flrst yeal's walks shown at meeting.
.
Plans to produce a Club T-shirt.
.
Mentlon of fust Annual Dtnner held.
.
Applicatlon to amlate wlth NSW Federation.
.
Financial report for fust year.
-1 0 -
I{RBC - 2oth AD.nivcrssfv Boollet
T6
October. 1977
.
'Comedy Corner' introduced in newsletter.
.
Ntghtcap Track wa_lkreport ('repeat, of Club,s first ever walk before
coming tnto hing).
.
Affrliatlon with NSW Federatlon comDlete.
.
New meettngvenue, East Lismore primary School.
.
First'Club News in Brief (becomes a regular feature) menttons
Club photo at ffrct Annual Picnic.
November, l9?7
.
Bicycling and Caving featured in Club s fust year.
.
Gradlnqs lntroduced for walks.
.
Federadon delegateselected.
.
Club T-shirrs belng ordered - featurlng Club logo/emblem.
.
walks (and Ga.stronomic) report of fr;t Annuaf ptcnlc.
Decbmber. 1977
.
Local place names,
.
CycUng an hdicator of varlety of Club acth'ifles.
.tanuarj/, 1977
.
Controversy over logging ln Border Ranges - subject relevant
to us as a Club, as these areas provlde tlle Club &'1th some of
the most worthwh e walkhg country tn thls dtstdct, therefore
deserves carefuI consideratton bv the Club.
February, 1978
.
New member ffnds our Club bI, slghttng a member wearing
Club's new T-shirt.
.
Club Htstory.
March. 1978
.
Artlcle on the orlgln of the Yow.te.
Aprtl, 1978
.
Scope of lnterests of members.
.
National Parks proposa_lfor Evans Head to lluka.
.
Border Ranges Natlonal Park proposa_lto extend from Mt Llxdesay
iI the west to Llmplnwood Nature Reserve nearlyalgum ln the e,st.
June, 1978
.
CelebraUon of 150th Annlversary of R:ichmond Rtver Dlscovery Club in'lted to particlpate.
ituty, lg?a
.
Feesfor 1978-79 set at $5 single or family.
August, l97A
.
.
Motion to join Federation.
Club display at Rlchmond River Isoth Anniversary.
September, 1978
.
Club took part ln the celebraUons of l5oth Anniversarv
of the Discovery of the Richmond River.
.
'Snoopy the Bushwa_lker'cartoon intoduced to Newsletter.
.
Annual Genem-lMeettng report "Anoth€r very successful year, Club as a whole doing extremely well.
Not a Club that w l fold quickly - lots of solldartty. -Thanks t6 aI
members especla-llycommittee and speclal coErnlttees. It would not
be a Club without the people".(Ian Hlckson - presldent).
Bank balance $IO5.53. (Treasurer).
"More lnvolvement allo$red €lreater range of trtps. A need to lnvolve
more people ln the more ac ve trlps to lr:crease bushwaldng skills
and lnrerest. Hlghughts were trips to Gtbraltar Ranges. Mt Lindesay,
Mt Barney, Girraween and Levers Plateau. Most of these were ln latter
part of year lndlcatlng our gro&'tngstrength.....'
(Chrls G len - Walks Convbnor).
"Closeness of people in Club ls strtktng. We have a damn good tlme,
proud to be assoclatedwlth the Club... '
(Jan Eldrldge - Soctal Secretary).
October, 197t
.
Club to lead Federatlon Edk ln WashDool Wldemess
near Glbraltar Range Nauonal Park in-August, 1979.
.
Club q<presses !ie;s by letter to Premler 6n the Nauona_l
Park proposals tn the Border Ranges.
.
Club held annual dlnner and cor nA events tnclude annual
barbeque and games day.
November. 19?8
.
"Three Club members (Ktmbal, Greg and Rob) met stth
a freelance wrlter from 'New ldea' to offer thetr llrorldlv adt'ice
to be used ln a feature arucle on outdoors arrd bushi€Iklng
for the lnexperlenced $'lth an emphasts on safety aspects". .
'From t]:e Club Spy' artlcle trfoduced as reguLar Newsletter feature.
.
Annual picnlc at Bundja_lung Reservea tremendous success
December. 1978
.
"TWoClub mernbers (creg and RoEer) visited Kadtna HtEh School
to talk to the students abbut busliwalkinE. The !'tslt als-oincluded
the showjng of an audlo visual of the Club's Last 12 month,s actil'l es.
The school chose Bushwalking as one of the end-of-year acu!'lties and
over 50 students norDtnated to parucipate.
.
Club to approach Department of Sport and Recreation to enqurre
about the posslbtlity of being eligible for a grant to buy some climbing
equlpment.
-r2-
NRBC - 2oth Alntvei€arjf
Booklet
.Ianuar5r, 1979
.
Club expresses views on the use of track markers.
Februar5r, 1979
.
Club recelved Federation's draft policy on major q,€lklng tracks for
corment.
March, 1979
.
Club receives invttaUon from Hea-lth Comrdssion to attend
the launching of thelr Healthy Lifestyle programme.
.
Club display board to go on dtsplay at the Northem Rlvers
CoUegeof Advanced Educatlon, Llsmore.
. ' Cro ssw o r d 'i ntroduc ed,
AFtl, 1979
.
Ian Htckson, Prestdent, representing Club, took part in an lnterview
on 2LM as part of the publlcity carnpalgn for the Healthy Lfestyle
Centre.
.
'Gea-rcheck llst' pubUshed.
May, 1979
.
State government announcement of proposed Wollemt Nauonal park.
.
Artlcle "What ts Bushwalktng'.
.trme. 1979
.
CIub ln\'lted to take part tn Klngsford-Smlth celebrattons in Balltna.
Jury, 1979
.
Start of Club's Washpool Project. ',Should we have a project?,'
.
Are Club members lnterested tn overntght walks?
.
Cin€iratuLatlons to creg and Ros on thelr engagement.
.
Abset-tingactlvlty - HorseshoeCreek.
August, 1979
.
Cornmlttee formed to coordlnate Washpool project.
.
Club's Brct btcycle dde - Tuckl Koala Reserve - 40 km.
Septenber, 1979
.
Declslon made to appotnt newsletter edttor to relleve
secretarJrof this job.
.
Club to participate ln'Getting to Knoq' your Bush'weekend
at Bundjalung organtsed by Departrnent of Sport and Recreaflon
for family groups. Club to lnstruct on map reading and
dfectton ffndlng.
.
Dtsplay board t5 go on show at SurrmerLand Tourist Authonry
Centre at Balltna. Club a_lsoprepared ltst of walks and camping
spots tn the Surmerland district for the Surnnertrand Tourist
Authority.
.
Corruntttee on Washpool Project received information from
Natlonal Pa-rksal]d the comlnlttee has prepared a questionnaire
to be distributed to members and outside Darties to collect data
for the reDort.
-13 -
qry
IIRBC - zoth Anniversarjr Booklet
October, 1979
.
Search and Rescue ca_llout procedure included in nev/sletter.
.
Suestionnaire - "What do you .want?r'to guage members' expectations
of the Club.
November, 1979
.
Search and Rescue siAnals included in nev/sletter.
.
Problem gettlng a quo-rum at some meetngs.
December. 1979
.
Results of quesuonnalre summarised
"Seems the Club is catering fairly weU for lt,s members. Grade of
walks, soctal acttvltes and meettrgs seem to be aEreeable to
most. 'l:lpes of walks available to date are generaly OK
E'ith the excep-tlon of cavtng, canoelng and]oint clib walks
where demand seems to outstrtp supfty. ftealttrtest Dgure
ts the overall demand for 'more or 'same' reflected ln tle
llstlng of suggested watks. A UtUe cusappoin ng however ts a
bit of unw lingness to lead these walks.- Overa.I the Club seems
to be on an even keel,.
.
leta €d oelanation and dtagramrDatlc view of the Ka.Irtrnat
closed cell foam sleeping mat.
February, lgEO
.
Donauon from Club ofSI per member to the Tasmanlan
Wlderness Comr ttee ln support of the preservauon of the
Gordon / Franklin E/stems, Tasmania.
March, lgEO
.
Copigs of Club's Constltuuon prtnted ready for dtstrlbuuon.
.
R€sults of photo ..ompeflflon . Ian Htcksoi's "Early momtng
l'lew ln Oorooroo Creek" wlns.
Apr[, r98O
.
Presldent Ian Hlckson moves to Bourke.
.
Waste disposal et]:lcs ouuined.
.
Ideas on alumlnlum foll cookerv.
May, lgEO
.
Kimbal Curtts elected as new presldent.
.
Australia Post reglstEtton approved for Newsletter
CategoryB Publtca on.
.t$e. l98O
.
Fllm on 'South West Tasmarria' screened aJter business
section of June MeetinA - donations to the Tasmanian
Wilderness Society (who loaaed t}Ie Ilkn to the Club.)
.
Annual fees due aIId remaln at S5.
.tuly, 1980
.
Club to hold a NRBC Annual Car Rally organi,sed by
Ian Barnes and Chris Gillen.
-1 4 -
NRBC - 2oth Arrniversa.rv
Booklet
August, l98O
.
LJm becomes new Newsletter Editor
.
'Communicaung with the Wildemess User'. J.R. Fazio, l97gSeptember, l98O
.
"How good is your First Aid Kit,'?
October. l98O
.
"Completion of 4th year whicl
enjoyable walks- Emphasis h
The Club remains strong, mel
has remained static ovei the r
Important aspect of 4th year has been decision to lackle
Washpool Project.
This has provided a forum to work together as a ,Club Tean'
Report nears completion '.
.
Orienteering activity to be conducted by Rob Bennett, a loca_l
orienteerino enthusiast.
NRBC - 2oth AnEluers.ry ltooklet
Summarv of Newsletters/l\{eetind Mlnutes 1976 - 1996
November, 1980 - December, lgEl
by Helen Philpotts lorlglnal member)
Overview:
The walks covered ln these newsletters lncluded a wlde range stretching from
reasonably close to Llsmore to walks up to 4 to 5 hours away. Many wa-lks
entajled back-packing, had walking lslth rock scra-Eblilg and abse tng. Of
the harder rlalks, slx \trreree4ploring the Washpool valley and lt's tdbutaries,
the Oorooroo, Eaglehar rk, Malara, Desert, Willowie.
One walk nras for 8 days.
A few comments reported concerning tlxese s"alks:
"exploring the gorge tn Oorooroo Creek confirmed my bellef that lt ls the
most spectacular creek ln Washpool. In half a k ometre lt cascades and
falls constantly for ISOm tn helght".
"we were treated to the scampertng of marsuplal mlce in the elkhorns above
and a fashlon parade of three superb lSneblrds".
"entertahment was provlded bl/ the 'who has got the most leeches' game!"
"raln contlnued throughout the nlght but we weren't prepared for the
dramatlc rlse ln Washpool Creek - at least 3 feet of raghg torrent".
Comments fton other walk9:
"When crosstng the Esk Rlver we used convenlent logs tn an attempt to keep
ourselves dry but some dld lndeed get wet - right up to the plimsoll ltne".
"Chrls's shlrt tums tnto pylaEras at nlght and then back to a shlrt tn the
morning".
"A bushwalk when the words 'close' and 'soon' lose all resemblance to their
ortgtnal meanings".
November, 198O
.
Washpool Wflderness item appeared ln November, 1980
Federatlon Newsletter. It included a reference to Club belnp
able to advlse on potentia-l walks in area.
.Ianuery, l98l
.
Washpool draft completed.
.
'Welcome to Northem Rh€rs Bushwa-lkers' Club' lnformation
sheets produced to be dlstrlbuted to prospecflve members.
.
Several members assisted Natlonal Pa-rks& Wildlffe Service
during tfreil appeal for funds.
February, 1981
.
Washpool project report despatched to various groups - vote
of thanks to those who assisted with this.
- 16-
March, l98l
.
Suggested that Club produce an audio-!'isual on
WashpoolWildemess.
April, lgEl
.
Producflon of a sltde show and sound track. The pumose to
support the submission for the Washpool Wildemess-to be
declared a Na onal Park.
walks intrcduced.
rtes on 2LM Community BiUboard.
lsed at Black Rocks Jerusalem Creek
It[ay, 198 t
.
Feesto remaln at $5.OOper annum.
.tune. l98l
.
Pubuclty and adverustng focus.
August, lgE I
.
Australla Post accepts Newsletter,s ReAlstrauon.
September, l99l
Hlghllghts of the year from Annual Meeting .
Publlcatton of Washpool Report.
.
Submtsslon to Forestry Washpool E.I.S.
.
Submlsslon to Old. NPWS Scenlc Rtm Management
Plan Draft proposal.
.
Llatson lvlth other bushEdldng clubs.
.
Two marrtages.
.
Actlve year wlth 2l bushwalklng trlps.
.
Soctal acuvlttes lncluded plcntc. annua.l dlnner and camD.
October. lgEl
.
Twelve Northem Rtvers' members attended the Annua_l
Bushwalkers' BaIl and ,were there seen (and heard) to be
havlng a rolllcktng good tlme!!' This event was held tn the
Ashfield Town HaI, Sydney.
Nov€mb€r. lgE I
.
Wa,shpool Wlderness Audio Vlsual ofncially adopted by Club.
'were ones led by Steve (H.A.) Stevens
to Washpool Creek and e<ploring several ofi|.s
LrlDutaries.
Helen Philootts
My best
December, 1981
"What is bushwalking?", December, lgEo-January, lgal
by Eerfie Plmrn
"Bushs€Iking is leiuning to appreciate nature.
It's learning to wash hands and pots wtth gravel, not soap, and to use a
leal for totlet paper, learntng how to remove a leech.
It's the warm tired muscles, and the hard earned mellow smell of three
days sweat, the dirty ffngernails ard the wonderful fflthy clothes.
Bushwalking is the elauon of reachlng the top of a mountaln, and then
another!
It's the adventure arrd the fun ofa rock-hop down a ralnforest creek.
It's your own cooked dinner, and a healthy appeute.
It's the great companlonship of your fellow alalkers, the frlendly chatter
along the track, and the warm feeling of oneness slttlng around a campfue,
It's the excttement of seelng a snake or two wedge-talled eagles,
magntncert ln thetr natural beauty.
It's the love shared for these thlngs between us all, for the smoky camp
Ilre, for the cllnglng vines, for tlire scratched and cut legs, for the bush and
each other.
It's a love for the world and lfel"
- la-
NRBC - 2oth Anniversarf. Booklet
Januarjr 1982 - December, l98g
by Joan SteveDson (origiinal member)
Overview:
David Brown was the Founding Father of the Club.
, recalls that at the original meeting
proposed name of the Club. Several
but Pat flnally satd, .Why not call it
rs' Club', and that was lt.
The Club at that time was matnly composed of young, energeflc,
enttruslastic shgl€s, who got together soclally qutte aparl frono'tushqiaUrs.
tno DaOlesor husbands or &'ivesto curb their style!).
At one stage squar_e darrglng yas
?U the rage, and on a weekend to be spent
camped ln the Natlonal Parks &
WlldltfE camp ground at Binna Burra
NaUonaI
Park),
a
dtverslon
was made oi tne nnday nrght to trrp
tl,a"glCto-"
the ltght fantastlc at Murw lumbah
Members arrived ln the Blnna Burra area at about I I.gO p.m., wlth no ldea
where the newly deslghated camp glround was sttuated,-so the boys went
raclng up and dorrr the road trylng to ftnd a track leadtng to soEre open
slxrce
Suddenly a ghostly flgure wavlng a torch appeared out of the darkness
(someone from Brlsbane - not sure who) arrd polnted the dlrecflon to an
abandoned dal5r farm wlth tumbledown batls wtth concrete floor, on whlch
we stretched out tn the freezlng cold and trted to sleep, with the wlnd
whlstling through the spaces wheie palngs had fallen off. '
There was a smaller room whlch was sluhfly warmer and thls was dubbed
the "honel,Tnoon sulte,' and glven to a co'irpl6. lWtsh I could remember who
they were?- Sue and Adam I suspect). A cold ntght was spent by all except
the "honelmooners".
Most ofthe young members were at ar early stage ln thelr careers alnd were
destlned for better thlngs, so tnevttably they w:erelost to work transfers,
mafftage etc.
Roger Sheppea-rd is the stalwart of thls band who sflU remalns in the area
and rejotned the Club trx 1995. Helen philpotts and Joan Stevenson,
ingyg"ol members of the older brigade are also still ln the area and are
stlll members of the Club.
Have you ever been on a walk aJxdbeen left behind? Thl,s haDpened to pat
Lumsdahe and me (Joan Stevenson)on one occasion. The tiick was verv
muddy gollg up towards the Border fence, and we stoptrled to take sorne of
the mud off our boots. lvhen this was conpleted no one was tn siEht and
we had no chance of catching up, so we iust returned down the tra-ck arrd
went home! Nobodv missed us!
Leadership has always been of a high quality, q,{th walks researched
beforehand unless designated "exploratoryn. An article iII the September,
1982 Newsletter titled 'You the Leader" by lan Barnes may bi pardy
responslblefor this.
-1 9 -
I{REC - 2oth Anniversary Boohtet
Interesting and humorous articles called ,,Dr Foot" appeared in doe
November,1982 and subsequent neu/sletter. Dr Foot descri6edhtnseu as a
'Podlatrist who walks'. The focus of the article was the imDortarce of feet
in relation to walking and how we couldn,t have a buahwa_lldnAclub
without them. Dr Foot answered quesflons about these important p;Jts of
the anatomy in each monthly newsletter, This provlded a lot of huniour("Dr Foot" was tlle nom de plume used by member, Brett Jones.)
.tsnuarjr, 1982
.
Steerlng Comnlttee formed to examlne the Club,s Constituuon.
.
ClubJoins the North Coast Enllronment Council.
.
Dlscussion on format of meethg - proposal to hold separate
'buslness meetlng' prlor to geneial mee ng.
February, 19E2
.
Copies of Washpool Report donated to 6 ltbranes.
March. l9a2
.
Request from N.P.A. Clarence Valey Bralch to Join CIub walks subsequenuy put on newsletter clrculauon list.
Apr , tga2
.
Fees lncreased to $8.0O for all classes of membershtp.
.tury, t9E2
.
Copy of each monthly newsletter to b€ sent to The Natlona.l Llbrary to
comply &'lth requlrements of 'Legal Depostts of publlca ons'.
August, 19E2
.
Detalls of Search & Rescue contacts sent to Federauon.
geptember, 1982
Annua-l General MeetlnE hlphllghrs .
Overall a good yea.r:i NEed-morewalk leaders.
.
Membershlp currenuy 30.
.
ConsUtutlonre-dra_fted.
.
C4E)UCcrossword arrd cartoon re-appeared tn newsletters.
.
27 trlps organlsed - 5 ffxed canps, 6 x 1 day walks,
16 ovemtght trlps of 2 or more days.
.
Comp atlon of bushEElkjng resources of thts area.
.
Club map listing.
.
Trlp gradilE system refined.
.
Nal'tgation orcrcise held.
October, 1982
.
New Consfltution adopted.
November, 1982
.
Outline ofsearch & Rescue operauon for Club tabled.
.
Corrments on proposed record reference walks sheet.
- 20-
January, 1983
.
List of books on bushwalking arrd reLatedsubjects owned
by members who are 1&llltngto loan compiled and published
rn newslelter.
February, l9EB
.
Contact $'lth polltlclans advistng members, anti-daJa
stance in S.W. Tasmania.
.
Chief Ranger NPWS, Ross McKinney, addressed meeting.
Merch. lgag
.
Push to adverttse Club through varlous centres.
Aprtl, 1983
.
Dlscusslon on the-holdjng of occaslonal meetings on tlre Tweed to
generate lnterest from that area.
.tune, lgEg
.
Kimbal Curtls resl€lned from poslflon of walks convenor due to
move from the dtstrtct.
July, 1983
.
Club to lnvlte Joumallst from "The Northern Star,' to attend
day walk - pubuclty stratesr.
August, lgEa
.
Guest spealer - Ambulance omcer - safety and ffrst ald
$'lth an emphasls on bush safety.
September & Octobef, lgEB - meeflngs cancelled,lack of quorum
Annual Meetlng Htghlgbtsl
.
A good year wlth emphastrson vartety.
.
?Z tttp" - more day rDalks - less overntght/ffxed camps.
.
Membershlp slrDilar - 30 members.
.
Search& Rescueprocedureslmplemented.
.
Club made a brtef sublr|tssion on draJt plan of management
of Yuraygir Nattonal Park.
.
Dedtcatlon of ralnforests as NaUonal Parks in our area.
-2I -
NRBC - 2oth Adiversarlr
Bootlet
November, 1983 - October, 1985
by Steve (H.A.) Stevens
Overview:
Suote from 'Cans Corner' , Newsletter Februarv. I984i
"Help! Club meetings have been very poorly at6nded lately - haven't had a
quorum since September,Lastyear".
November,lgEg arrd January, 1984 meeungslapsed - lack ofa quorum.
Febnrarjr, l9E4
.
Incorporauon of Club not practical at thts stage due to small
slze and low level of actlvity. Club \Irill E'att foi Federatton to
tal<e the lead in this matter
March - August, 1984 - meetings lapsed - lack of quorum.
September, 1984
Annual Meetlng Report:
.
Attendance at meethgs duftlg past year very poor.
.
Walking activlttes ma-lntained-ritth i good v-artety of actlvlttes.
.
Membershlp totals 40.
.
Annual dlnner held at Whlan Whlan Restaurant.
.
Assistart $€lks convenor elected to co!€r the expandbrg
Grafton membershlp - Jtm Fear acceptedthts posltlon.October, 1984 - meetjng lapsed - Lack of quorum.
NoveEber, 1984
.
Absetling harness tape purchased.
.
Brlan Worthlngton suggesred a membershlp appltcatton
forrr be lncluded on the Club's lntroducuon sheet.
.
Constttutton sectlon 9.3 changed to tnclude'classes of membership,.
.tanuerJr, l9E5
.
IaII Stlff agreed to act as Walks Convenor in absence of Cam palmer.
FebruarJr, 19E5
.
Wendy Hodgman elected as Treasurer tr absence ofDon Harns.
.
Suggssuon that further enqulries be made regardtng Insurance
arrd Publlc Liability.
Annual Meetlng, September, 19E5
.
FareweU for tlme belng of Steve (H.A.) Stevens.
.
Change ofClub addressto P.O. Box East Lismore.
October, 1985
.
Declsion to lDtroduce an AppltcaUon for Membershlp form.
.
Brian Worthington offered to provide a tophy for polnt score
system for most valuable Club memb€r. potnt score posiuon on execuUve
I polnt
2 points
attendlng monthly meeting
3 polnts
attendlng a rrcIk
points
2
leadtng a walk
2 points
writing a walk report
t point
attendjng a social outiDg
-2 2 -
RBC . 2oth ArniveEarY
Booklet
Novembef,, 1985 - November, 1986
by Nlta Haynes
November, 1985
.
Volunteers requested to assist in cleanng Rotary Park.
.
Our ra.ft 'Pom'sPontoon' came 93rd irl Scmb to Pub race.
.
Channon Market sta-I] to publiclse CIub. Sold damper & btlly tea
in 40 degree heat. 20 new nanes for ma{ing llst.
.tune. 1986
.
Club purchased a back pack.
July, rga6
.
Htre of back pack $2.OOper day.
Merch, lgao
.
Murray Scrub & lron Pot Creek - 'Don't plck up craldsh,
carpetsnakes'.
September, 1986
.
Cata-ract Gorge Boorook Creek/Waterfall - Dtscovered gold h
pleceof red rock,
.
Glbbergunyah Range - Nlghtcap Track - back to Barbara & Brlan's
for BBO, de-leechand de-ttck.
.
Suggested bumper sttcker following walk to BaId Rock
for comet watch - 'I saw Halley's Comet (I think)'.
.
Helen Ph potts back after Peru trlp.
.
Glraween Natlonal PaJk - some ladles took hot water bottles
and bone chtna platesll
Annual meetttrg report, September, lgEo
.
Very successful year - one of the best yet.
-23-
March, 1987 - rtanuary, l99l
by Nancy Devine
[[arch. 1987
.
Club back pack purctrased.
ituty, 1987
.
Nancy and Joan offto CapeYork.
August, 19E7
.
Thanks to Ellen Goodyer for assisting $'ith Newsletter at short notlce.
September, 1987
.
Brlan Worthlngton ofi on Caman'on Gorge Motor Blke trtp.
.
FeesS1O.O0slngle or fam y.
November. l9t7
.
Dectslon that non-members be asked to slgn a dlsclalrner form
arrd to Joln as a temporaSr member for the day.
A feeof SI.OOto be chargedFebrrrary, l9EE
.
Steve, CeUa and Cral€i hvolved ln search and rescue ln
Glbraltar Range N.P.
Aprll, lgEE
.
Ron Smlth from NATS. club to address meeung to oelajn
process of lncorporathg and taking out publlc liabtllty.
May, 1988
.
Donatlon of$100 made to the Club ln appreclation of efforts
made b5rSteve, Cella and Craig lrl locatlng arld resculng
Cam W son who was lost tn Glbraltar NaUonaI Park last
February. Club redlrected money to the Helicopter Rescue
SeMce (tull story appears later ln booklet).
.Iune, lgEg
.
Incorporatlon oftle Club - Pubuc Offfcer - George Parker.
.
Gra.fton branch acuve in promoting Club.
.
Craig Bellamy and Richard R ey leavtng the area.
.Iuly, 19EB
.
Electlon of Vice President, Peter Ralph, requtrement for lncorporatlon,
.
Club name now becomes -"Northern Rlvers Bushrrdkers' Club Inc."
- 24-
NREC . 2oth AtrEtver€aFy Booklet
August, 1988
.
Annua] feesraised to $I5.OO.
.
Wa-lk through Bungle Bungles and Keep River N.p. - Kevin & Nance.
Arnual Meeting - September. 1988
.
New positon of Vice Presldent created.
.
Another successfulyear. Becameincorporated.
.
New stock of T-shfts to be prlnted and sold.
.
Severalenvtonmental and;onserEuon lssues supported by
submisslon to local M,P.'s and Doltflctans.
October, 1988
.
Club members tntroduced to new experience of abse ing at
Mummulgum thanks to Duncan Fowler and John Hunrl
November, 1988
.
New letterhead destgned foltowing tncorporauon.
Februsry, 1989
.
Declslon to rejoln North Coast EnvFonmenta_l Councll.
DelegatesSue Pajme and Steve (H.A.)Stevens.
.
Indlvlduals requested to wrlte to loca_lM.p. to save the
North Washpool ftom lo€€itng and to add tt to the Nattonal park.
March, lgEg
.
OueensLand Natlona.l Parks introduce carnplng charges.
.
Farewell to Leonle.
.
Some of our members 'tjapped by swoUen creek' tr W lowle
Scrub - $?ter level fell ne)(t day - all safely retumed home.
Aprtl, lgag
.
Meethg canceUeddue to flood,ng.
May, 1989
.
Club declded to use recycled paper for newsletterc.
August, 1969
.
Pay_at Broken Head to provtde ffnancial help by donatlon to
Btg Scrub ENtronment Centre.
.
Bush darclng tal(en up by some Club members.
September, 1989 - Arurual report
.
Membershlp totats 1OO.
.
Congratulations to Sue and Steve pajme - birth of son.
.
Good attendance at walks over past vear.
.
Financiallysucccessful.
.
Craig Bellamy, Grafton, appointed as Asslstant Walks Convenor.
NRBC - 2oth Alntversary
ffi
Booklet
October, 1989
.
Ltz returns from trip to Peru
.
Kevtr successfuUy ahrnbs Ir,it. XUi-ulr.1-o.
.
Conmunlty and Envtronmental groups organise a
I OOOldlometre walk ftom Tweed Heads to Bondl Beach
to show concern for N.S.W. Coastllne - 'Coastwalk'. Members
of Club plan to joln this group to e€lk from Byron Bay to D]rans Head.
.
WaIk gradlngs to be lncluded ,n Club's newsletter.
.
'Information Booklet'to be repdnted.
.
Brochures to be upgraded.
Januarlr, 199O
.
Barbara and Jeannette !'lslt Heron Island as Dart of an en!'lronmental
studtes program organtsed by Ecofest.
February, l99O
.
Llz walks ln New Zealald (and meets Brlan).
.
Request for members to n'rlte to local M.P. re threat to lluka
Rainforest extenslon.
March, l99O
.
Cella, Peter H. Ian D. and Cralg requested to asslst ln
Sea.rchand Rescue ln WashDool Natlonal Park on gth March.
.
John Hunt - abse fng September, 1988 - fatally injured . sadly rdssed.
.
Steve(H.A.) Stevensvolunteered as equlpment omcer.
Aprtl, l99O
.
Orlenteer[rg at Cape Bjnon Academy slte very popular.
May, 1990
.
Request for Ust of volunteers for Search & Rescue from
Cralg Bellamy, Gra-fton.
itune, l99O
.
Club purchased a gipe\trTlter.
Annual Report - September, l99O
.
Another very successfulyea-r.
October. 1990
.
Club ran an abse lng day for ChristiaD Unity Singles - Peter Hetliger.
.
Club raised S4O.OO
tor Btg Scrub ar outlng at Broken Head.
November. l99O
.
Helen visits China aIId Pakistan.
.
CongratuLatlons to Jim and Zan Fea-r- birth of daughter.
.
Club agreed to send only 2 ftee newsletters to prospective members.
-26-
IIRBC ' 2oth A[nivergarJr Booklet
FebruarJr, 1991 - November, lgg2
by Brtan MehaEey
Februtry, l99l
.
Club a€ireedthat a 6 months vralks proEFambe developed bl.
coDmjittee consls ng of cunent ofrce bea.rers.
March. l99l
.
Declslon to wrtte to Mtnlster for the Envlronment opposinp
the 4WD accesstrack to Shellv Beach.
May, 1991
.
AIan Jefferles, local snal(e expert addressed Club.
itdy, r99l
.
Purchase of hlgh qualty back pack sultable for female
Club members 45 - 50 Utre caDacltv.
Augut, 1991
.
Absetltnggear purchased - harness $60 Irer set, rope $151.
November. l99l
.
Cralg Bellamy, Grafton presented submlsston from Club to the
Department of Planntng for a grant to construct an aruffclal
clmblng &?I ln Grafton Clty Councll's Sports Centre.
Februerjr, 1992
.
Club photograph album purchased to dlsplay walks photos.
May, 1992
.
Absetling hlre charges for non-members $3.OOper day tntroduced.
.Iune. 1992
.
Increase in hfe cost of meettng venue (Llsmore publlc School).
August, 1992
.
Feesto remaln at $15.00.
September, 1992
.
Openlng of Grafton ChYnbhg WaI.
November, 1992
.
Club brochure uDdated.
-27-
March, 1993 - August, 1996
by Liz Pearce (Tfoke)
March. 1993
.
Kayak and paddle purchased - $tOO.
.
Fee for hire of meethg venue - $5.O0per hour.
.
Post Box organised foUowtng notice from East Lismore post Master.
Apr , 1993
.
NRBC took part in the YHA 50 peaks Annlversary Walk.
.
Peter Hetllger recetved congratulations for galning 3rd pLace
in the Austra_llan Nauonal Cltmbtng chamltonships h;ld h the
Blue Mountains.
.
Compass added to Club equlpment.
May, 1993
.
NRBC cloth badges produced and on sa_leto members.
rtuly, 1993
.
Map reference to be lncluded ln walk report.
AugtEt, l99S
.
Funds dvrlndling.
September, l99g
.
Annual fees set at $2O per fam y or stngle plus gg for each
addtUonal farDly member. S2.5O extra lor -newmembers to
cover cost of a Club badAe.
.
Club rejotned the N.S.W: Confederauonof Bushs'altrdnqClubs.
Octob€r, 1993
.
5 tltrepld walkers Jol]ed Steve (H.A.) Stevens for hls eptc 2l day
walk from Ebor to Ewlxgar along the creat Dtltdtng R;nge.
January, 1994
.
Requested coples of 'The Bushwalker, ftom Confederation.
' Newsletter.
)ntlnued to be used and leaders to
trced lf hlred gear not returned.
February, 1994
.
Club involved ln NP\&S.
It[arch, 1994
.
we were all saddened to learn of the death of Club member
Mary Bebb from Kyogle.
Apr , 1994
.
While lopping across tJre creek to galIl a better view of the
Tuntablefalls, Helen slipped and broke her leg. She was
Ilown b5/Rescue Helicopter to Llsmore Base H6spital.
.
Cralg BeUamy, Grafton, advised that the Grafton Climblng WaI
was a ffnallst in the North Coast Tourlsm Awards and haJ
had good media coverage.
.
Donation of$5O to RescueHelicoDterService.
.
Steering commitlee formed to review Club procedures.
-2 A -
6*
ut/
RBC . 2oth Anoiver6ary Booklet
September, 1995
.
Annual General Meeting Report At this meeting George Parker became t].e Club's flrst Life
Member. President Bert Carter presented George ll,'ith a suitably
worded ceruffcate and George tharlked the Club for its klndness.
.
ComrDlttee agreed that 'Ouldance to Walkers' infomation be glven to
Prospectlve members.
October, 1995
.
Personal Injury lnsurance coi€r $2.65 per person per annum
November, 1995
.
Guest Speaker - Peter Merrotsy - Arnhem Land {'alk.
Merch, 1996
.
Guest Speaker - Dlck Smnh - SES.
Apr , 1996
.
Duncar Fowler introduced the new ARCHER safety procedure
tnto his abse ing lnstructlon t.e. Anchor, Routlng, Carabtner,
Harness, Dqulpment and Rapp€I.
May, 1996
.
The Club purchased a UHF radlo to be carrled on rpalks.
Rodney gave members a talk and lnstructtons for lts use.
.
New posltlon of Safety Oncer created - Duncan Fowler
agreed to take on thts posltlon.
.Iu[e. 1996
.
Sub commlttee forrned to coordinate the NRBC'S 2oth
AnnlversarJrCelebratlonsto be held on 23rd & 24th November,1996.
Auguet, 1996
.
Club purchased two new abseflhg ropes.
.
Welcome to members from Waverlev Bushwalkers Club. Melboume.
September, 1996
.
Annual report revealed that most objectlves ln constitutlon were
belng met in a !€rlety of bushwaltrdng/soctral actlvlties.
.
Membershlp numbers around lO0.
.
Soltd strong cormlttee and membership.
.
Plans for 20th Annlversary Celebraton pro€iresslng well.
October, 1996
. Club purchased 2 abseiling bags to protect new ropes.
. Secretary to keep a colry of newsletters for a.rchlves.
. Guest speaker Dr Frank Whitebrook - recent canoe trlp lr'ltl: wtfe Doreen
where they paddled down the Testraand Yukon Rlvers ie Canada.
November, 1996
. Acti\'lties for this month tnclude a btrd-call fleld day, a follow-up to a
talk by Allison and Btll at the July meetirg; a weekend car camp at
Glrrav/een Natlonal Park; the 2oth anniversary dinner and
cofirmemorative r€lk ln the Broadwater National Park and a canoeinA,
swfmming and wa-lking weekend at Station Creek in Yuraygir Natlonal
Park.
-30-
NRBC - 2oth ADniverssry Bootlet
-,r-g..
q::p
TITE CLIJB IN TIIE
For,a perlod of Um€ peaking in the mld to late I98Os, the CtrarenceValley
had a strong bushwalking contingent that were members of the C1ub.
However, talk from tlme to time centred on the possibi_litv of a 'Govder
Line south of Casino (gtueDan apparent absence of Lismore -area peopF on
many Clarence Valley activlties!)
Local_u'alks organised over the years itcluding not only short walks (such
as a half day ln Moonee Nature Reserve with a tidal v/alk/swtm of the
Creek) to longer walks (like the three day ltrdk ln the Washpool attended blr
a cast of thousands (would you belteveabout 12?) - including Brad, arr ex
CIA/Atr America employee and at that ttme Woombah newJpaper edltor
huge taste for my green glnger wtne,
. Washpool Creek and lost hls glasses
: creek in an unsuccessful attempt to
x by nolt" and the obllgatory lce c-rearn
stop at the Jackadgery shop.
The Clarenc€ group dld a dlverse range of acth'lues mixtng walldng wlth
sdrnmlng (llke sq,t-mming the Wooll Rlver wlth garbage bags fuU of g;a-r to
walk in Yurayglr Natlonal Park), canoelng (l*.e th; Sanldon and-Orara
Rlvers),walldng $'ith lllolng (Chandlers Crtek, off the Old Glen Innes to
Grafton Road and the ha-rder Mann Rlver Wlderness trlps lncludlng an
abandoned gold mtne, raptds and New Zealand FaIs), and also brandhed
out lnto cycltng and va-rtous rock cllmbtng escapades.
Perhaps a little qulet these days, the Gratfton ,faction' of the Club was once
qulte actlve on walks programs, medla promo on of the Club and tts
actMtles and even the odd party! Unfortunately over the years the group
has d$'tndled as members retlred, moved away, had l,rids or concentrat6d on
other actlvlties - but the memories are there!
Then there's the edflce the Club was responslble for....the NRBC butlt the
'GRAFTON CLIMBING WALL' ln |Idd 1992 tn a Councll owned lndoor
sports complex ln South Grafton. The WaIl was (apparen y at the time)
the only publlc one between Katoomba and Stngaporellt was well before tts
time - the numerous walls in Sydney and Brisbane followed some trme
a-fter).
Ih. y4 was built by a couple of NRBC meEbers using funding from the
North Coast Area Asststance Scheme (looking back ontt we sh-ould have
applted for a blgger slice of fundlng!). The fuhdhg also partially paid for
assoclatedsaJetyclimbing equlpment. Slnce that tlme ie Wall has been
It w_asofficially opened
September, 1992 b5/creg Mortimer
l.ll {""di"g
OAM, an accompUshed Australian mountaineer.
'rr
The North Coast's first indoor climbing competition was held on the Wall
in mid 1994. The 'Jaca Rock Comp' saw 54 cltmbers bat e lt out for some
$2OOOworth of prizes. Participants came from the local area as well as
further afield, including from Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Brisbane
ald even Sydney. It was a spectacuLa-rsuccess.
I{RBC
- zoth AnniversiFs
Booklet
THD CLT'B IN THE CIIIR.DNCD
Cr
Bellam
The Wall (while now smallish by today's standards) has seen considerable
use from both locals and visitors. It is Drobablv still the most
spectacularly painted indoor wall at least in NSiV (paintid by local artist,
climber and ex NRBC member Graeme Pajme). Thousands of 'user visits'
have been recorded and these include mainly individuals but also the Armv
Cadets, the Girl Guides, 'Get Started' alld local school groups,
The WaU rMasan entrant (and a ffnalist) in the inaugura-l 1994 North Coast
Tourism Awards. It was a-lsoan entrant in the -1994 NSW Awards for
Excellence in Local arrd ReEional Developm€nt.
PT'BLICATIONS
Bushwa-lking Resources of the Washpool wlldefness, NRBC, lgal
Washpool Wildemess Audlo Visua], NRBC, June, l98l
Washpool Wlderness Vldeo, NRBC, (From audio visua-l) October, 1996
NRBC Songbook
Walk from Ebor to Ewingar, H.A. Stevens, 1996
C:/cling around Gmfton alrd the Clarence Valley Area, Craig BeUany, 1988
Search and Rescue Document, Duncan Fowler, 1995
NRBC - 2oth AnniversarJr Booklet, NRBC, f996
-3 2 -
qry
IIRBC - 2oth Anniversary Booklet
EXTRACTS FROM WALK RDPOR
Lemingtoa welk - Long Weekend lst-3td October, l9??.
....."The walk began from Wiangade State Forest at 12.30 p.m. Saturday
a-fter leaving one car at the fooi of Mt Glpps and observini a v/ell-flmed
goods tratq meanderlng through the border loop near Lton: Road. A.fter
lunch at the cars, an embarrassed leader meeklv announced that he'd
forgotten-his Volleys and proceeded to put on a pah of borrowed purple sox
and hts falthful slippers. Occaslonauy durtng the afternoon's-walk, the
tranquilllty of the forest was dtsturbed by an object of technolos/ - a
translstor radlo; but an exception was made to allow a fanaflc exVictorlan to ltrsten to her VFL Grand Flnal', ...
Chrls GlUen
Bundjalurg Walk - l6th October, 1977
" On_Sund.y l6th October, 28 peopleattended the Club's annual plcntc at
Bundjalung Reserve, Evans Head. After the strenuous SOOmwaik to the
plcnlc slte, eskles were carefully placed in an orderly row and the day's
actMues commenced. Besldes enjoylng the flne meal whlch was eaten
wfthout hasle or formelrty, the assembled ttrrong enjoyed many physlcal
actlvlttes. These tncluded lytng llat on your baci[<,sitdng on o-n6'stum,
and for the more energe c, volley ball, three-legged races, wheel-barrow
races, crawllng reLay race arrd open,ng unnles.
Jan Eldrldge (wtth, I suspect, help? ftom IH)
O'Ret[ys welk - 29th ard SOth October, lg??
....."hotr' does on€ sleep through the tnordtnately loud nolse of a possum
openlng a cellophane packet of monte carlo bl,scutts (ptnched from lnstde
o-ne'stent) - followeq by a qulck scamper up a tree and loud gnawlng wh e
slorely_consumlngt}Ie btscuit. Repeateduntil the packet was emptyl.....
......."Sundaywas clear and flne. After a qulck vlslt to the Orchtd
Sanctuaq/, we set off on the 6 mtle walk to Blue pool, along the West
Canungra Creek. Thls passed several falls, lncludlng Alabaaa Fals where
a male_scrub tlrkey came up to be photogra.phed aad-Gd. Thts walk pass€d
through matnly raln forest country. We stopped for lunch at Blua pool,
where some of us had a qulck but refreshtng dlp ln the cold water. At 1
p.m., we set off on the return Journey vla a relatlvely new track whlch
partly followed DarrabooLa Creek. There were some splendid trees a-long
thts part of the walk, notable ones being the Brush Box, Flooded GumE
and Hoop Plnes of magnlflcent dirnensiona."
Roger Sheppeard
Mt Lindesay - 25th Aprll, 1978
A.fter falllng to extract the slxth member of our parbr from the Broadwater
Hotel we went to the base of Mt. Llndesay and camped next to the
highw"ay.
On Tuesday rnorntng we left at 7.OOarn and sta-rted to climb the very steep
gra.ssslopes. Two-thirds of the way up we met 3 people from gITBWC and
combined wlth them. From the base of the ffrst ctff we followed the rock
arould past Vldlers grave to the eastern rtdge where the rabbit fence
should have been, The climb was very exposed-v\rlth poor footings on dirt,
leaves, tree roots and occasionally rock. In several ptaces we belaJreda lead
climber ard then the remalnder used a fixed land line for the ascents of
the several patches requlred to get through the rock band.
The clmb through the second bald was l-essexposed but more technica_I.
ihe top
W.e_r_eached
12.OOand had lunch. Wb absetled down through the
cliff line, went Pack "lthrough the rainforest ard sltd down the grass sldpe.
(an e)<ampleof a 'coincise' style).
IaI1 Hi;kson
-33-
IIRBC - 2oth Amiver6arv
Booklet
EXTRACTS FROM WALE R.DPORTS
Mt Barney via Short Learing Ridge - loth - l2th June, 1978
.....One section necessltateda pack haul for safety, otherwise the summit
'i'as reached without tnspLred difficulty. credit must be given to Thrasher
who did test the breaking strain of part of one movement. ln descending
15 ft (clear) onto his back, thus avoiding arly damage to his camera, he
sco re s6 I /2 out of a pos s ib le1 C. . . . . .
....we descended via Moonlght Slabs. Half way down, Dave gave us an
example of leap and slide.
Method I Start on ledge which then glves way.
Method 2 Fly through the air vertically for 10 ft.
Method 3 Slide on your stomach for a turther 30 ft.
Thls scoresyou 8 out of lO. Further he attracted our attention so that we
werewatchtng-8& 1/2 outoflO. Threefeet from his stoppingpositton
'q/asa lOO foot sheer drop. I out of 10 because of this and the nice scars
for the memory. well done Dave
The rest of the trip out was uneventful except for a sighting of the lesser
known red tufted Luptn lancer and discussion of whether abseiltng
classlcal wtth barbed wlre was better than mopping up wlth G]'mpie
GJ,'rnpie
Kimbal Curtis
leavesafter dolng God's work.....
-34-
I{RBC - 2oth Anniv€rsary Booklet
EXTRACTS FROM W,
Kempsey Caves - 3rd - 5th Jrrrre, 19ZB
....Teawas cooked and eaten while still fajrly light (must be a first for the
club) and the evening was spent laughing, -sinling to Greg,s and Kerry,s
on. the guitar. and also recordtr. harmonica, mugs ahd
3:j9Tp1l"T"it
tong:), yarntng and beanie-snatching (one of Roger.sfavourlre pasiimesl.
Fin€Ily the noise died down, only to be sta-rted up-agaln by the wind, whicit
buffeted the tents and gave most of us a sleeplessriigtrr. ......
......Our arrlval back at caJxrDwas IIri
dung all over the camp flri, a brol
dragged 20 ft and covered iJr cow slobl
clean. Of course Rogerhad to get a I
the way of cow-on.a--sptt,but ive dei
drlve to Kookaburra, a short distance away, was proclalmed and we
9_toqpedon the way to !'tew the magnlflcenf scenery and ta-ke photos.
Kookaburra ls a tlny set ement wltE a school butli ln 1968 but now
unused except for shelterllg campers, and a ruined sawmll whtch we had
a^lgo.kal
to camp ard another daylight dtnner (must have been the
efflclent -Back
le_adershlf) wlth more stnging-, laughlng and photography
sesslons... Rosllm Crawford
Canoelng at Bungavalbjm - l6th October, lg7g
when one of us had an unfortunate
.t of hts kayak. Thls clearly showed
be a dangerous sport, especlally for
score_mustgo to K,mbal for ttpplng
eventhough he only ttpped out once,
pts I potnt for a forced capslze (Itr'lth
get half a potnt each for bra!'lng the
Kerrle pirnm
Lamlngton Natlonal park - l2th - lgth August, l9?8
...Come.dlnner,Roge_r.
Ian, Don, Chrls and Indrew gave a great display of
ltghl; a ffre-..In fact
low:o
lley'd got lt alrDost to th'e stage-of burnirrg Uy
the tlme Rob and I had comDleted
our meals.
In the tent department, noU *,r"t galn credtt for the shelter he ca-lled
home. Its open-air, wall-less design f;atured floor-to-ceiling windov/s that
never need to be opened. Think ofthe saving in e€Ipaper! " Kimbal Curtis
One qua et ofa the
bonesin rhe bodr arc
-35-
NRBC - 2oth Anniversary Booklet
EXTRACTS FROM WALK RDPORTS
Terania Nigihtcap Track - loth December, 1978
On Sunday loth December,NRBC instituted its flrst ,key-swap'bushwalk
(two carloads of bushwalkers drive separately to opposite ends of a set
route. They meet half-r.ay, sv/ap car keys, continue walking and hopefully
Iind the other partyrs car and drive back to a pre-arranged rend;zvou;
point).
...Party B comprising 5 peopledrove to the begtnning of the Nightcap Track
and set off tov/ards the volcantc dyke formations where th;two parties
were to Joln each other for lunch.
...PartyA vrrth 3 people plus the leader,set off for upper Teranta Creek and
reached thelr destilauon ln record tlme desplte soEe car trouble,
....Later on we found the sheer deep-slded 200 ft hlgh volcanlc dyke
formatlons perched on the apex of the Range and-overlookhg the
magnlflcent Tweed Valey. Party B arfived 5 mtnuies later.
Party A strikes trouble! A bew derlng array of mul -coloured routemarkers lure us off in the v'rong directlon. Thls dastardly devilry is
leUgved t9 have been perpetrated bl/ the flendlsh ghouls and guys of party
B. Total dlsortentauon ensuesl Tha leader pantcsistands on Eii treaa ani
trles to cll-mb a tree backwajds. He's so iost he doesn't know up from
down!
...Str Glenn Galahead comes to the rescue and urges the party to bush
bash up a verttcal Jungle, safely leadlng us out of h*orrlble i4trk-woodand
ojr
the Nlghtcap Track, even-tually ffnd,ng LJm,scemlnt and returnlng to
that-to.
transcendental Channon Market where a relteved L]'n was deughteii to
see us after endurlng an hour or more of teaslng and leg-puUhg by -horrlble
Danny, Heather, Llbby and Roger. And so it wai a day-oi ups dnd downs and bushwalkers betng such c6htrary people, they enltyed tihe downs more
rnan rne uPst...
Major Blunder
Desert Creek - 26th - 2tth Jenuary, lgEO
The tflp carr be best descrtbedas an exhausflng failure, a 3-day trtp that
was cut-short after I day. The factors responslEle were huh temperitures
(most of the district expertencedtemperatures around 40 degreesC), lack of
water, and dlflicult access into ouf goal, Desert Creek.....:.Wth barely a
lltre of water each, v/e were so dry that eathg anlthing was dtfftcult. But
fir.U points must go to Val for somehow marrlging to eat a RlMta biscuit
wltn peanut butter".
RogerSheppeard
7 day walk in Apsley corge - .tanuary, 1983
"On the sixth day while returning upon steep sideslopes from Washpool
Creek Fa-lls, Cam gave a display of aerobaucs whtch i am sure was very
tnpressive but unfortunately no one saw except perhaps a glimpse from the
corner_of the eye. Unfortunately for Cam he tradn't perfect;d the technique
of landing and in the process ofhis undercarrtage folding up he dtd pahlul
harm to both wrists plus other superflcla-l damage. Later at Wauchope
Hospita-l it was conlirmed he had broken both wrisG,'.
Ian fyogi) Barnas
-3 6 -
Don Harris
lB- pre* and healthy indtvrduals
lglsrraded,
tree_coveredgio" fofi"*ri!
'
t3
-31-
EXTRACTS FROM WALK REPORTS
Cataract River - 23 & 24th April, lgaa
"Footnote
This_was,my lirst overnight pack walk- I kissed my children goodbye
thinking this could be the last time. I had heard aU sorts of stories about
tlis mad Pom.....hair-raising stories of being driven along narrow ledges
about a IOO metre drop (one slip and you're dead!), riding tearaway lo-gs,
crossing treacherous rivers - boots and aI (q/ith pack on liead) and, woist
of all - eating dry cat foodl Why was I going?... v/hy would anyone want to
leave the safe corforts of suburban bliss foi this?
Well, I stiU don't know...-.....but I suspectit,s m\' mid-life crisis at work.
lAlways a good excuse troroddball behaviour).
There w_eren'ta:ny ledges or tearaway logs, the boots and all bit iS quite
true (although thankfully wtttrout packs), as is t]:e dry cat food (but aJter a
hard days walk even that tastes good!).
T\^rodays and 1l different orchids later (he lorgot to mention those) we
relumed inlact to the cars - llttle the worse for-wear and feebng like we,d
had a month's holiday - strange, but true, and in retrospect I havi to say When do we go agaln Steve? (l have to pick up my plnk facecloth which I
lelt hangtng on tlre tree root)."
Roblm Westbrook.
-3 8 -
ITRBC - 2otlr A&tvef,saqr Booklet
WAI,E REFOR
Search and Rescue - Tuesday gth February, 1988
Walkers - Celia, Craig and myself.
On Monday night a ftiend satd to me "Dtd you see the TV news about a
Grafton bushw;-lker that was lost tn the ranges?" I rang CIaig but he did
not know anlrthlng and lt was about mldnlght when he -rarlg back and said
that Cella had been out tn the search and wanted some help.
On Tuesday we arrtved at the search headquarters about 9.30 arn.(Iate
becauseI could not get petrol untlt 6.00 a.m. that mornlng). The NPWS
ranger and SES coordlnators assi€
Da;dahra Crags around to Old MaI
north and back to the road. It wou
stumble. We ffrst walked to the CrE
Mlstake for a view of the area and thel
was a lonE tlme back. The walk behlnd the Cmgs was very tadng to say the
least, a dass of large boulders $'lth lots of vegetatlon between and over
them. If tllle lost on! was ln here and unconscious there lgas no hoPe for
hlrn. We cllmbed to a hlgh Polnt and
Tor t}len plunged down tnto the vegetz
and wtth prlckly acacta up the trous
underfoot. we cooeed ftequenUy. Th(
stage.
About 2.OOp.m. we cllmbed yet another Tor and had a vlslt from the
hellcopter at the top of the rock, we cooeed and got an answer. was lt
other searchers? "Are you lost?" we shouted. but there was no reply. "Are
you Cam Wtlson?" we shouted, but agaln there was no reply The choPper
Lame back very low. Was lt the lostbne $/e had heard? Do we slgnal the
chopper? It would have been good to have a radto (there were none to
spaiej. w" slgnalled the choppdr that we were gollg to -the next Tor - old
Man Hut whtc-h was 1/2 km away and the chopper flew off.
The next hlAh polnt we spllt up, Cella at the base of the rock, Cralg on the
next ledoe iirdmvself a lttue hlgher. A.fter a wh e I saw h,l! (the lost one).
I shouteE down t; Cella to keep-on watking. Cralg and I cltmbed down and
foUowed and by the tirne we got there Ce[a had ied hiln the sandE'tch she
had rrade for hlrn the nlg;ht before arld had given hlm a drlnk of orange
Juice.
He was phystcaly sound but his reasonlng powers had detertorated' he had
a few fails-arld had banged his head a fefu times b5, the look of the temPle
Arazes and btrack e]€. Cr-a+iand I climbed up the rock face to watch for the
dhopper. we waved a-rldcooeed to AN'II Rock 1 & 1/2 km away where there
was,lo we were told, to be a base radio statlon, but to no avafl.
Then the chopper took off, we could Just see it, lt flew around a distant
ridge then flew a$/ay. "Ba$oaod What about us?'' we shouted.
We were told later the radio station pulled out at 2.0O p.m. we were angry
but enough said about that
steve tH.A.) stevens
-39-
IIRBC - 2oth Anniversary Booklet
EXTRACTS FROM WALK RDPORTS
Search & Rescue, Washpool Nationat park - 9th March, l99O
Who: Celia, Peter H., Ian D., self along x,.ith dozens of others from NPWS,
SES and Police.
O-n Thursday two walkers were reported overdue from a 7 day walk along
Washpool Creek. NPWSrequested assistance from local wa_lkeis
Friday began wlth a 6.30 am briefinA at the Glbraltar Range NPWS house
where we discussed how the sea:'ch should be conducted.- The 40 or so
people were dlvided lnto 4 search parues, one mounted pollceman (trotted
off along the N.W... flre trail), SES radio operauons people and NpWS
hellcopter peNonnel.
Whtle CeUa helped to coordinate the groups the other walkers drove out
along the Washpool Forest Way, where-we Lft the 4WD and walked the old
Glbraltar Range Road. The plan was to drop down to Eaglehawk Creek
then on to Pl Pl Flat, stopping there overntghi. We v/ould tT-renreturn r.la
the Hlanana Spur to Coombadlha.
Happlly, the searchers were radloed late mornlnp bv heltcoDter wlth the
news that the two walkers had been found saJe aia weU, Luck v we were
ca.lledJust before we began whar would have been a dlmcult birsh bash.
After a cup of tea and munchles on the track we r€turned to the vehtcle
and back to the NPWS house. There we met the two wa_lkers,fft and well
but embarrassed a-fter belng wlnched by the heUcopter from the Washpool
Creek near Pl Pl Flat. The ieason they were overdrie was becauseone'had
'gqstrq for 3 days and was tent rtdden. The day ended wtth a useful group
debrteflng.
Spectal tlanks to Peter and Ian who w llngly left thetr beds ln the rdddle
ofthe nlght to travel to ctbraltar nange by 6.aOa.m.
Craig Bellarny
Booaoo Boonoo Falls - October. lggl
"At the foot of the falls, Brlan (of Liz fame) declded that he would have a
swirn but worrted about getttng his 'thlngs, wet. We are sull not sure just
what those 'thtngs' were. Just as well he dtdn't leave them in the water too
long as all the pools were full of eels and catffsh.,'
Hell Hole Falls W'lk - February, lgg4
Two incldents - Kate had a fa_llwhile attemDting to sw.lnp into a waterhole
on a rope - nothing seriousJust a couple of grazEsand a iounded dlgntty.
Joan demonstrated how to charm a Red Bellied Black Snake with her
posterior - the snafte was content to remah in the hollow log that Joan
was sitting on.
Liz pearce (Troke)
-4 0
![RBC - 2fth AnDiversery Booklet
f Steve Gf.A-) Stevens
a tree. It was dated l9S8 wlth the
fodgett_,Btll Davey, Ron Lal4on. Bob
ro oI plate.
he {irst name. He ls a Z6 year old
e tree during a 3 day walk doum the
.t it had only been done once before _
tt wtll be in the cooler rveather sav
o on thetr venture and will be lookin!
helr gear - any takers??
rst walk to the Washpool I saw what
le remalns of. It was only a casual
r maybe flood debrls but slnce then
ave come from - a mystery??"
me lootprints o/ an
elrtcientwalker.
-41-
NRBC - 2oth Atuiversar-y Booklet
qry
BUSIIWALKING
Over the past 20 years, on numerous occasions, members have asked the
question "What is Bushwalkilg',?
Listed betosr are some interesting
a-rticles and stories on different facets of Bushwalking Reasons for Buslrwalking - Jamie Hoile
'Sunlight shafting through the trees and the smoke from the camp lire.
The colours and textures, the worlds within worlds. A minute red ;pider
runntng in-small circles around a small rock pool no bigger than my harrd
and full
strange lan'ae. ,The variety of tlrsects, bta-s, tichens,-fungi,
-of
mosses, f€ms, orchids that fly and crawl and sprout and ts,lst to make"a
qomptel tilfn€ pattern that thrlves, supports itsell feeds on ttself, slowly
decays back lnto itselJ. Shame man stuffs it uD."
The Art of Bushwalking - Roger Sheppeard
"The a-It of bushwalkhg ls more than Just walktng tlrouAh the bush; tt's
the enjol.ment that comes from such walkinS. S-owhat-consrltutes the
enjol.ment? M-ost would probably answer tha--tit is the scenlc beaut5z,the
restfulness of natural surroundings, the wonder created by rugged
mountaln ranges....in other words, the aestfreucquallties of the bush. -But surely it is more than that.
Doesn't an aDDrecla on and
understanding of the thlngs you see around you add to ihe enjoJrment?
'lne ab tty to recognlse vartous flora ard fauna,
and to understand how
they al.l fft ln to the ecologlcal scene. lt ls the quest for such knowledge
that allows you to 'see'\phat you mlght other$,tse not no ce. The reil
enjoj.ment comes tn seelng, not Just lookhg.
Of course, some would argle thls point too, and claim that lt ls the
challenge of climbtng that mountaln, traverslng that Ellderness, etc that
dtsthguishes tJle true bu sh\tr€lker?
NR.DC - 2oth AaniversaFe
GD
Bootlet
BUSHWALKING
q*hn'afktng
['Bushwalking' Lambit/Noble, 1979, p ?\
"Bushwalking is a form of outdoor recreation which is enjoying increasing
populan_ty. Bushwalking Clubs repon a regutrar increase in-me-mbership o"f
.
around lu'% Dervear.
at its stmplest, Uustrwatting ts just that - a walk in the bush. It can be
anlrthtng,from a short stroll after a picntc, through to a weekend camp
along a bush track to a two week expedi on throuqh a tracklesi
wilderness. Bushwalktng can also be comblned wlth lther outdoor
acttJrltie: such as rock-climbing, cavtng, canyoning, ski-touring or rafting
ano wlut nature aDDreclatton.
Bushwalklng f" popof., for a number of reasons. It ls a relaxlnE and
lnterestlng form of exerclse. Much of the lnterest ls associated wfth the
rugged scenery and attracflye bushland through whtch one walks.
It can also pro\,'ldea challenge to the lndh'ldual. There are always new
frontters to be found - peals whtch haven't been cltmbed, creekJ which
havenrt been vtslted, new feats of endurance and so on. Bushwalklng
offe_rsthe chance to do thtngs one never felt posstble and attatnment oT
such objectivescan convey a sense of achlevementand sausfac ol.
As lt lnvolves groups of people, bushwalldng ofiers an excellent chance to
meet people.
Bushwalktng offers a chance for people to escape from the problems of
modern llvtrg. The natural surroundlngs and senseof solltudE mean that
everyday worrles become unlmportant. An lndlvldual returns from the
bush better able to cope u'lth stressful sltua ons.
Bushwalking ts not restrlcted to young, fft people. When starttrg walking
It ls best to go $'tth so_meonewho ts experienced. Bushwall,rtng Cfubs hav6
many such people and generaJlyvisit more tnteresttng ptraces".Walklng tn Scrub - Robert Lambtt / Davld Noble, f929, /gJ'-41.
"Few.decent bushe€Iks are posslble wlthout doing a little 'scrub bashing' that ls, walking cross country, offa track or throuth undergrowth.
In most pa-rts ofAustmlla, shorts can be worn with onlv a Uttle dlscomfort.
If necessary,say ln scratchy scrub, long p.rnts may be worn, The use of
galters and/or gardentng gloves should be consldered.
In some cases, such as bushwalking off the Uack in south-west Tasmania
where such botanlcal dellghts as bauera-tea tree Jungle, horizontal scrub,
moss jungle, scoparla, aIId of course cutting grass are to be found, it is
necessa-ryto swap the lead every ten mtnutes or so. Good progress may
only be one or two kllometres per day. Remember that, tri ttrick scrub,
more care is needed with na!'tgauon,
Axes or machetes NEVER need to be used or carried, even v/hen 'scrub
bashing'."
Hope you have had and Elll have lots of tun tn the NRBC
-43 -
I{RBC - 2oth Anniversaqr Booklet
BUSHII4
In the Eush (by Fred Da{gs)
"Gidday, t'd like to have a look at one of the great outdoor acfivities, and
I'm. referring trere of_course to the age-old business of tramptng, or hiking,
or bu-shwalking, or bush sttting down and resting, depending "on how yo"u
reel aDout lt.
The ftrst thing to_do is a\,'a yourself of a certaln amount of equrpmenf, a
pair of good sturdy boots, so that you can wear holes in your paii of good
sturdy socks and get a comprehenslve range of good sturdy blisfers on your
pseudopodta.
You'll
a- pack of some sort so tlxat you carn carry essenual supplies
-need
tnto the
unknown, and drlnk them when your lnterest tn end6mtc
dlcotyledons ls flaggtng.
The maln thlng to remember before embarklng on one of these ltttle
adventures, that lou'll get lost. and when yofget lost there are several
-ts to bear ln mlnd or you'll remaln lost more
carolnal rutes
or less
interEhably.
The ffrst rule to take account of once you,ve achleved lostness ls not to
There's probably someone ln Jrour parbr who knows how to use hls watch as
a compass, and whtch berrtes are edlble and how to llght a flre u,lth two
)rson ls called a natural leader arld
. The best thing to do ts v\raltunul
/our way home uslng tle sta$. Thls
)u don t have ro know u'here the
Nl you do ls plck out some celesual
ry to remember where lt ls relauve to
fve got to do ts to keep walktng until
le. You mlght be a street or two out,
rve ralsed you to a helght of about thlrty
rld be able to rnake oit the roof of voui
own resldence ard make your way towards lt tn your o$Tr time."
Some Bushwalklng lles
"Tomorrow wlll be much easler"
"Thls creek ls real shallow,'
"It's all downh l from here,'
"Only another 20Ometres to the top"
''GradedEasy!'
:]E_ubsonqecunjevot Julce on lt and the sting wiU dlsappe€r"
"Thls ts the l,ast rid{e"
"We're not lost." -
cordon
IIREC - 2oth A.D.niverserjr BooLlet
BUSI V
Ulhat_is BrfshwalkinE - LJm Ardersen (nee Smith) - May, l9?9
"I look on bush$,?_l!dng as a healthy way to relax with nature, where the
enjo]'rnent comes flrst and dtstance
the full enjoyment of the expertence
get with a clutter of people... I
competltlve, q'here the concern is h(
seen. My interest ln the bush ls be
mountalns and I llke to watch wav
flowers and anlmals too, but the fec
feelhgs of n'onder are more t.Eportant
don't want to turn the bush into a textbook,'.
"Eoi to Decome e Bushwalker,' - Harrfr trrauca (Australlan Outdoors)
iterles, you have to move quletly, you
:ound underfoot, smell the scents of
: of the surrmer's sun, the sunA of the
you crawl, ant-llke, over the sfopes of
jtr
thebush,
toeettounderstanu
n,n ""*T*ii"i?f.'3Sl3l'jX1""trt*;ff
get started as a bushwalker.
lt,s really the stmplest acuvity. After-all, you
already have the
|rnportant equtpment - -two feet ani two legs. iou
-most
are Dom a wanker".
"Dushwelktng' by F. W. Ea|I,8 (RtgFy)
"BushE'alktng ts not Just a matter of stmplv putung one foot down after
the other. Most of all tt tnvolves the abflity io-be able to ltve happ y, tn a
relaxed fashlon, off the resources stowed lnslde your mcksaili,'..-.....,,In
reasonable weather condluons, lt ls a most rewardtng, rela)drrg recreatton,
ensurlng revltallsatlon of body, mtnd and splrit".
Paddy Peltn on "Gettlng Lost',
'You are only lost when you don't know where you are or you donit know
where to go to safety. So I've never been truly lolt but l,ve iomettmes been
somewhat bew dered",
nl o Durphy on 'rFlreplaces,'
"A good genera_l
ts 'the bigger the fire the bigger the fool.. Thts has
Dee_n
countered -rule
by the unanswerable ,The bigger the ffre the warmer the
fool"'.
-4 5 -
NRBC - 2oth Adriveroary Booklet
BUSIItrl
All the Whats and Wherefores to Enow About
Belng a Leader of a Bushwalk.
Perhaps you often feel that you would ltke to be able to lead a Club wa_lk.
bu_tfeel that your ab lties exclude the elpected experlence.expertise and
exhtbltioni,sm needed to exact such execution of er<cursions_
Just recently I've been taldng pa_rflcular note of how some of our more
notorlous leaders handle the trickjr aspects of leadershlD. I thlnk l,ve
dtscoveredsome of the trtcks of the trade, so I'd llke to p.ass them on to
you.
Flrst and foremost, your reputation as a navlgator wlll be at stake. Fear
not - there e|re w:rys around these embarrassiig sltuauons. Say you nake
the ETongcreek, chances are, of courid, that no
Ihen no problem. But lf some knowtral{e a coEment that you were testtng
rad left the proper map of the aJea ln
$r+ ,are so lnaccurate that lt was only
your bushman's know-how that got you as close as you did.
ql ogghg a c-ampslte ls an trnportaJf,t aspect of leadershlp, and ls best
rttualised as follows:
Select-what you clah looks a promlslng slte on t}le map. As the day's
walk dmws to an end, do not be deterredfrom reaching your goal by ',flits
looks a good spot", or "let's stop now".
When y.ou.get there, loudly extol lts r'irtues and walt unt everybody has
dropped thelr packs at the chosen campslte. Now suggest the spoi IOO
yards downstream and on the other stde of the creeFlooks betler and
irn.Eediately head for it (Unore the sweartng and groans). Watt at the new
slte for th€ mob to Joln you (they vy l eventiallyy ihen say perhaps the ffrst
spot was better a-fterall and return to lt.
Remember too, that you are tlle Boss. When walklng down creeks some
wa-lkers show- reluctance to getttng thelr boots wetl The besr way ro
overcome such mutlny ls to force them, bS,careful route selection, lnto a
posltlon where they must choose between walking through deep water or
face a steep rock cllmb or dense lantana and Iaryer "vine - they urlll
eventually succumb.
And t].e most important thlng is to be irresponsible, have no ldea of Ume,
or. directlon. Be a flre bug and an habltua-l tea drtnker. And always be
late-
If you flt the profile give lt a go because we need you.
Yours Anonvmous
-4 6 -
IYRBC - 2oth A.nniversarJr Booklet
BUSIIWALKING
Daeper - BushwalkinEi Food
"Since damper-maling will be a highlight of the paddy,s Flat weekend
coming up, the follow-ingdissertaton onlhe oriAins of this fine Droduct is
appropriate.
The worg'darnper' derives from two separate notions. In earlier tlmes ir
the,north
England a daqrper was a 'hunger stopper', eaten by poor people
-of rhet appetites in the sam;way as a roaring nie
to damp down
is AimfeA
down. Trwas while the oven was sdll hot, but the flre checied by meani of
a m€chanlcal darnper, that this form of loaf was cooked tr the co-oltngo.,ren.
Early-Australian_ pto,n_eersparncularly gold diggers, often had to m;ke do
wlur oamper Inade ol llour ard water cooked for about haU an hour in tl'-e
ashes of an open ftre. This resulted ln flat, unfermented bread. so
somettnes Eno frult salts would be added in place of baking powder. If not
eaten irnmediately the product became very hard and tt ha6 been said that
diggers could dance on the stale loaf in hob-nalled boots wlthout malitng
an trnpresston on lt. If there was not time to bulld up a sultable fire, thE
mlxture was rapidly_fued tna pan and becane known as a ,journey cake',
Iater corrupted to 'Johnny cake'.
A well mlx€d damper, whether cooked tn the ashes or an electric oven, ts
sttu a good qutck hunger-stopper and a dellghttul change from shop bread.
In ar emergency. a daEller can be made ftod flour alrd irater alone or wlth
the addttton of sal1. bakhg powder. shortentng and mllk.
m+{,
u warning to-those co-r_ttemplaUngan entry ln the damper maktng
contest - you \,!' l be faclng s ff compeUUonfrom those ofus whb perfected
the art during a recent sojoum in papua New Gutnea',.
Roger Sheppeard
-4',7-
,^y\
o\r)
b'v
NRBC - 2oth AraiversarJr Eootlet
COMDDY CORNER
Is a squa.reroot somethlng you lrip over?
If so. can you clalm compensation for a cublc foot?
Sphinx Walk - Februarjr, 1989
"Next time go earlier and perhaps leave Steve at home, or follow Ian
because he knows a short cut to the top""I dldn't mention Sue and Llz's ilvoluntaw collislons wlth mother earth or
wayward vegetadonrt.
Overheerd one when nlght {'hen camptng Hubb5z: "Are you nea-rly ready for bed dear.7 I'll put out t].e UEht lf you are".
Wfe: "Won't be a r nute - Just have to put on my wrirrkle cream".
Hubby: "Oh come on Barb, you've got enough of those already " ,
Memorable ewents - Glrraween Natlonal Park - October, 1988
Jack - Part I - showed us how to cook a corDDletelv black laffle (the
blackest thlng I have ever seen),
Jack - Part 2 - showed us how to put out the ffre &'lth only one cErrefuUy
Duncan cllmbed up the centre of Granlte Arch using the spllt leg method about I feet from the ground nearly sp[t everythhg-he owned aid couldn,t
get up or down.
Leonle - after 84 Elasses of Helen's quava wtne announced to the world
that she wanted dveryone to call hei by her real name, TOOTS. (I think
that ls what she sald but I w'll not be responslble for anv Clvll ac on or
black eyes.)
Decree: Walkers who do not get to bed before 11.30 p.m. are NOT to be
'
woken before 7 -3Oa-m. the nei momlngl!
guote from Rlta sttung around the camp flre observlng the moonllght, the
rushlng water and the dlspLay of many hundreds of ffrelltes flashlxg in the
moonllt bush at Washpool. "A slght prhted ln the memory to be anjoyed
for ever".
Davld and Mary sald they got sick of Steve (H.A.) carrj.ing on about hls
new 4WD wagon, so they bought a nerv Subaru 4WD wagon. Who,s next?
Kevin said that Selqgof Nancy's photos were actually better than hls.
guote - "Oh my girl's a corker, she's a bushwa-lker",
True story - A member of many yea-rs dutifully paid fees every year, v/as
asked how many walks he had been on - "None" was hts reply. "I get
exhausted Just reading tlxe Ne\Msletter".
October. 1977
A EFoupof bushwalkers on a camptng trip were watching the sun go down
n'hen they began to wonder Just where the sun went after it had stt. The
question perplexed them, so much so, that they stayed up ail ntght
pondering the question. Then at last, it dawned on them.....
"What would you do?" - February, 1978
Overheard, one National Park ranger to another: "What do we do tf v/e see
a-nendargered animal eating alr eidangered pLant?"
-4 8 -
NRBC - 2oth Alaiversarv
qry
Booklet
COMDDYCORNDR
"The next story must go down as the absolute limit of decadeDce in the
long history of rhe NRBC. We've heard of stories of champagne glasses.
roast carvlng dishes etc. but a colour TV set up in the back of ones Station
Wagon?? t mean I tf-I9-ughtwe were rough, toughies, ones who would sleep
on oyster shells arld things on the beach wtth no blarrkets.
Bush Barry, go urla
ln the corner until the bell Eoes. He tried to
bribe me with money,"turia
unheard of delights at Serendiplty;even promlsed to
wash my car, not to tell the tale - brit not I. Well I ciid take ihe monev.
I'm not that stuptd."
SPECIES GITIDE TO lEE IIRBC by Drmcan Fowler
Rodney Walbrldge
Sp€ctes &'lth abnomal medlcal condttron
(Jaffelous ma)dmus)
requiring hlgh dosages of radlo noise in natura_l
areas. Feed only chlps, cheese and onlon
Jafles.
Steve (H.A. ) Stevens
Introduced specles, terrltorlal to Far North Coast
(Pedopusglbraltartt)
and ranges of N.S.W. Commonly found tn the
Glbraltar Range area. Sedate lvtth red port only,
also prefers chocolate. Carr suM\,€ extanded
travel away from nest. Relaxes bl, huggtng large
Cedar trees.
G^eorge
Parker
lltghly house trained and domesucated. Very
tuouneous ma)dmus
klnd specles sho$tng great courtesy to other co_
ssp. domesttcus)
inhabltants. Often slednnear campnres maktng
tannln llke products for other thirsty rnrgrator/
spectes. Often found tn forest ana cioastil areis
nea.r Llsmore. Endemlc specles.
Mlke HaIl
Introduced r
(Tangleous calamous
to local con,
ssp brtttar cus)
on htgh tan
intervals. S
tllckets. Ll
lnterest raptdly. Frequents most haccesslble
areas of the local reglon.
Helen Ph potts
Another very hardy, stlfu spectes. Valuable co(Activltus lmpresstva)
tnhabitant for providing mealy bush tucker foods
on remote area stravinEs. Specieshas been
scratching a-round ioca] ra-tnforest remnants
seeking fe-ralplant and vegetable matter.
B. ar B. Worthington
Clever comn ttee couple canoelng creeks to
l^oventurous aquaticus camFsltescoplously consuminA colourfuI
ssp custardu)
custard concoctions around coastal candlelit
camp€lrounds, constdering club cashflow
concesslons carefully. Frequents wet swampy
areas. presen y at top of food chain.
-49 -
NRBC - 2oth Atrstver8ary Bootlct
COMDDY
Stephanie Chrlstin
(Adventurii femtnalisl
Fun seeking specles, widespread tn local habltats.
Has adapted to organisational behat'iour on
behalf of other co-inhabitants. Can also be
sedated vdth tea arrd cake.
Peter & Steph. Merrotsy
(Madmus exertus
ssp. sweauus
ssP roganus)
Wild walkers on weekends w firlly wander where
wide rivers s'tnd weshvards while whlDbirds
whlstle tr:l wet wooden $'llderness. Very acflve
creatures travel long dlstances arld often mlgrate
to troplcal areas ln the dry season aIrd southem
areas of the contlnent ln the northem $'et
season.
PeterHe tger
(Vertlcus adventurtl)
Frequents vertlcal cllff areas and rock ptnnacles,
Has knowledge of shelter constructlon. Thtrd
best }'eteran cllmblng monkey specles on the
contlnent. All round adventurous crltter.
playfrrl.
Bert & Mary Carter
(Pedopus corunltuus)
These spectes are often trapped at meeungs of
other specles,usually on a monthly basls. Specles
tequenUy wander around the eastem coastal
reglons preferably tn scratchy vegetauon. Nath€
specles non endemtc to north coast. slowly
becomlng naturallsed, very hardy
Peter & Pam Ralph
(Carefulus adventurtl
ssp edltorus)
Often seen on tracks & clearlnEs tn forested areas
ln the local reglon. Cauflous, dhy specles, very
qulet & sedated. Long establtshed nauve
creatures of the North Coast regton. Produce
lnformattve art tJpe lustratlonis & script ltke
communlcatlon on pressed, whlte wood dertved
pulp.
L 'zP& B rl anT
(Adventurous austra_lls
ssP caprlcornus)
Specles nearly became establlshed in the North
Ken & Bev Rumsby
(Edipus nibbleus)
Specles provides edible foods and tannin
products to other spectes at monthbr night
gatherings. AcUve dlumal habit in foreated areas
of north coast, ftequently observed on weekends.
Good companion spectes. Food often preyed
u_ponby otler hungry specieshigher up the food
chain.
-50-
IIRBC
- 2oth AnBiversary
Booklet
COMEDY CORNDR
Arne & Brian Mahaffey Mature species often miErates overseas
(Intrepidus oceanius
on a yearly 6asis. endemic to Noithem NSW, v/ell
ssp adninistratium)
established. Suffers itchy foot type afflicuon
comrnon among NRBC species,often
co[rmunicable and eastly spread by close
verbal contact.
SPDCIES GUIDD TO THD NRBC by Bda-n Worthlngton
Duncan Fowler
(Wanderus NovaeHollandiae)
ssp.Abseillfl expertus
Often seen tn local bushland and on rock faces
Picks up rrales and females on Saturday nights
ln Lismore. Must be good as they pay him money
for hts efforts. Hobbi- Taxidermy.
Seemsto be a leader of the young pack. Stblings
look up to him {as he is usually tt top of rock).Has fond llldng for electronic devices'thar have a
certain ring about them. Can be easily tdentified
by endlng call u,'ith - EH!
Popular and very energeuc. Must have beena
footballer in predous Ufe - will tackle just about
anlth,ng.
I{REC ' 20th Anniversary Booklet
osr)
uc/
Coldest walk - Rocky River, Steve Stevens July, Ig88
My ffrst car carnp wtth tlae NRBC was at Crooked Creek Forestrv Rest Area
in rnld-winter.
I purchased a sleeping bag a.rldborrowed one of ttre Club,s small tents. On
arriving Steve assisted me to put the tent up, as this was all new to me unfortunately lt was misslng a couple of vlta.l pegs.
Steve looked rlrlth horror at my sleeplng bag whtch was a very lightwelght
summer one and offered me several old patrting drop-sheets whlch he had
in the back of his carThat nlght gale force wtnds blew, my tent flapped all ntght and desplte the
drop sheets and going to bed wtth all my clothes on, I shlvered aU ntght
long. _On Steve's advtce, I purchased arother much heavler weiEht sleep-tng
bag. Thts was the flrst of many happy camptng weekends I havdspent wrti
the Club.
Best Walks
Cathedral Rocks - Easter, 1992 - car camp &'ith Cratp BeUamv.
Boonoo Boonoo State Forest Basket Swamp and B;Id Rocli - June 1993
long weekend wlth Duncan Fowler.
Wettest walk - The Cougals, I lth August, 1993 wlth John CoUeJ.
Hottest and Hardest - Btrack Hand Mountaln, February, 1992
lr'lth Peter Merrotsy.
Most Scentc - Washpool NaUonal Park several flmes.
Worst Walk - Iron Pot Creek, November,1993.
Llz pearce(Troke)
Highest Lea,p - Duncan Fowler on the western ascent of Mt. Warnlng
reactlng to sharing hts lunch spot $'tth a death adder.
Most mlserable walk - John Collev leadlnq us throueh the mlst to the
Stlnson Wreck. Entire party fatled ine nre-lfuhung testf
Most gruelllng llrst Club walk , Davld Browrrle on the Lower to Upper
,long
lo+a]s- along Barney Creek tn the raln. We still haven't sighted the
flat sLabs'we elqpectedto be v/alking along.
Most complalned about walk - Iron Pot Creek (after the rairs). Thlgh deep
water wasn't mentioned ln the walks progftunme. Slanpatly to Dennis!
Hlghest tlck attractlon count - Jenny Cornell wtth IOO+ on the Cataract
Rlver walk. Ma-ry Carter a close second.
Highest sa-rtodal elegance award aIId Htghest rnasochistic award
Bryce, John, Mike, Dennis, Bert and Mary after conquer'mg,TheSphtnx".
Marv Ca-rter
Vlew from the Sphtn:K
November, 1993
Bert, Mike. John
Mar:Jr& Bryce
NRBC - 2oth AnDiversary Bootlct
SNIPPETS
Footwear - October, 1977
An _age__oldquestion that is the basis for many arguments among
bushwalkers is - what footwear ts best for bushwalking. bdots or ,'Volley's"i
The leader of one of our very recent ou ngs (who shall remain nameless)
has answered this questlon by circumventing lt completely, l.e. wear
neither of these! He came up wtth a completaly new style of footwear,
which I won't reveal for fear of embarrassing him. (I know leaders are
supposed to be irnovatiye, Chrts, but I do thlnk you sllpper...er...sltpped
up thls tlme).
Gastrcnomlcs - November, 1977
Thls trsa subject dear to all bushwalkers hearts. It seems that one of the
greatest deughts on our camptng trlps ts ffnding out what everyone else has
to eat - and then seelng if you can cadge some of lt. I wonder does anyone
ever eat Just_the food they've tal{en themselves? Meanwh e Jan regularly
provtdes the best lncenuve I know to get the bustness part of our meeflngs
over - last month lt v'as orange ca*e and home-made chocoLatemint sllcei,
a real irnprovement on lced Vo-vos. (I dtd my best to persuade everyone
that the cake was not too good, but I st0l only got one piece).
Edltor's report - Novemb€r, lg77
"In the relattvely short tlrne slnce our tlrcepflon, we've enjoyed a varlety of
actlvltles. ranglng ln strenuoslty (
(crawllng, pla]'lng voUey ball etc. ts a
10 the overnlght camps. As well I
canoeing and (shortly) blcycling to pr
cases,the outlngs have glven people
never had a go at before. And alwal
coruadeshlp and filendllness".
Local Place Nao€s - Decembet. lg77
"The origin of local place names would, one would lmaAlne, deflne thelr
spelllng
but not necessarlly so as the followlng ixamples show.
'Wangarle'is usually spelt thus or as'Wangaree', ye1 the ortgin of the
name comes from a local Statton spelt 'Wy-angarle,. 'Mt Lindesay' ts
usually spelt correctly - tt was named ln honour of patrlck Ltndesav (-who
was Colonel of the 29th regiEent) by e)elorer Allan Cunntnghan, o;e of a
pa.rty which 6rst climbed the mountain tn 1828: however tha Forestrv sDell
It 'Mt Lindsay'. The nearbSztown of ,Lirrdsay Vled would thus atso ippear
to be spelt incoEectly. The 'Massey Greene' camping reserve on- the
northern side of Brunswick Heads should be spelt 'M-ass-y
Greene', as the
name perpetuates the former federal member of that name. Also of
interest, Peach Mountain in the Whian Whian State Forest is about to be
renamed PeatesMounta_tn. Arrd if you have any objections to that, you'd
better lodge them wlth the Geographtcal Names board quick smar-t ,,.
-53-
NRBC - 2oth ADiivcrsary
Booklet
SNlPPDTS
Loggtng in the Bordcr Ranges - .taruary, l97a
The controversial issue of loEging the Border Ranges area has received
much publicity ln the tocal-fre6s recently, folloi'ing a tour given to
representatives of press, radlo and TV by the sawmillers. Whlle not
wtshlng to propound or corment on particular a-rguments here, the subject
is nevertheless relevant to us as a Club. as these areas Drovide us wtth
some of the most worthwhlle walking countuy In this district. The subject
deserves careful consideration on this basts.
Llfe - Be ir It - February, 19?E
The 'Lfe -Be ln lt' calendar has lots of suggestions on how to get out and
enjoy Ufe e.g.
* head for the h trsand dlscover the sights and sounds
* run instead ofjog,
Joglnstead of w-alk,walk instead ofrtde,
ride instead of &lve.
R€ading these relllnded me ofan ercerpt ftom the wrtting of peter Ryan ln
"The Australlan" newspaper a few years ago, which rve used on the FM
radlo prograrn we broadcast for the Club last year. It somehow helps
explain what we get out of bushwalktng, and is worth repea ng hele
(abrldged from t}re orlglnal arttcle):
"One of the salts that glves most savour to huEran llfe ls the slmple
contrasts of the natural world. Summer arrd Wlnter, nlght and day, heat
and cold. It ls essenUallysuch contrasts whtch sttmulate our mlnds and
bodles, and prevent llfe from slumphg lnto a sort of subconsclous
boredom. Yet this salt ts betng leached away by ctvlllsed progress as
archltects, town pLanners, englneers and technologlsts of el'ery kfnd pursue
thelr common consplracy to smooth all contrasts away. Alr-condttionlng
converts both weather and seasons lnto a bland and steady twentysomethlng degrees ln whlch we are supposed to be happy, healthy and
elllcient, all of us, forever. Sweaflng and shlverinE altke are to be
abolished, and very comfortable lt vrtll b;. But \^,'1llwe 5e any happier for
It? W l we lose soEethllg of !'a.lue when we no longer pray for the blessed
relief of a cool change? itook some clty chlldren ior i waft in the bush
one night recenuy. Thel/ were astonlshed to discover darkness and sllence
and tfie true brllliance of the sta_rs,all for the 0rst time. What can dawn
mean to someonewho has never seen the pltch black of midniEht? Man's
nature needs these contrasts that heighte; hls sense of natu-re and the
world. He needs them as much as his lungs need the ftesh alr to breathe',.
Of morrlrtains - a wise man once said we should a_lwavscltrnb mountains
just to see what's on the other slde.
"The,higher the molntajn I climb the better the view I get arld, the older I
get, the more puffed I get" (unkrloq'n source)
guote ftom Richard following return bike flde from crafton to Mlnnle
Waters July, 1989. "Onwards we cycled towards our goal, crafton. Like a
magnet it drev/ us on, maling the blood rise in our veins and our eyes pop
somewhat. About 4.OOp.m. we aIllved, tired but pleasedq,'lthour Joumey".
oS.-
NRBC - z0th A.Eotvenssry Bootlet
The Origln ofthe Yowte - March, 1978
An article
'lFeared in "The Australial" very recendy by Martin Colllns that
Australta's leading Yowie-ologlst, Rex Gltroy, plani to launch a Blue
Mountalns Yowie expedition dudng December, LgZZ. T}J.eaim of the
expedltion is to flnd, and hopefully to photograph and trap, the elusive
Yowle or Hairy Man. Arrd if this expedt on fails, than an even grander
hunt will be launched up ln the Northern Rlvers some flme tn tne new
year, L978.
The Abortglnes had a word for 'The Hatry Man' which apparenfly was
around last c€ntury - and they called him the 'yahoo'. Is yori,re perhaps a
corrupuon of tlae word Yahoo? If this is so, as MarHn Colllns Doints out.
then the sea-rchts over, because we have an abundance of yahoos about
which $"ould be readfly trappable.
n of the Yowle
he has emerged a€alt a-fter a long hlbernauon?
Our wldely read member Ken Hassall has been readlng about a creature he
feels must be a forebear to our Yowle. That creiture ls the yett of
Hlmalayan fame, and Ken polnts out the slmllarl es ln the beasts,
descrlptlons. The YeU ls descrlbed as about Z ft. hlgh, wlth long arms and
a powerful body covered rvlth dark hatr. It has an'oval head rinning to a
point at the tgpe of the head - the face ls ape-Uke. Durhg the day lt Jleeps
in lts lalr, whlch tt does not leave un l nigntfaU. Its ipproacir may 6e
recognFed by the cracklng of branches and lis pecultar whis'tling calt. But bushwalkers can relax - apparently lt ls regarded as i harmless
creature tflat would attack man only tf wounded. And tt ts a-fratd of fue.
Cowardrs Gulde to Bushwalklng, December, lgZS
Cosmopolltan ma$aztne last yeai (1977) offered this adl'lce to women wlth
thelr handsome, hirsute rnan who !'appens to be a (horrors!) bushwnlking
twe- "Anyone flIad_enough to go htking deserves all she gets. The thoughi
of plodd ng along through mllts of up and down vlrgli countryslde,-tn
clumpy boots. djdng of thirst and discoverlng achlng -muscles you never
suspectedyou had, ls a form of torture that would do 6redlt to the Mamues
de Sade. However, if your lover is a htker/bushwalker, trv a few Ee;ue
walks \tr'ithhim, then beg off saying that you feel you re holdtng him-back,
lhat your legs are really more sulted to a pall of spiked heels rather than
splked boots, and doesn't he really prefer glrls wlth lansuld rather than
muscly limbs? You can be hts uttle helpmdte bv packind uD a nutrluous
lunch, inslstlng that he lnform the parli ranger bf tris ptinnia route, and
massaglng his achlng ltmbs when he finally gets home".
NRBC - 2oth Anniversarv
Booklet
NEWSLETTER SNIPPETS
Message in bottle - April, l99O
Found by Peter Ralph on Broken Head uralk on the beach, April, 1990 message inside read:
"Michael Townsend on board 'HMAS Geralton' en route to Nevr Caledonia,
25O miles south of New Caledonia. dropped at 10,30 on a/IO/ag.
32
Ronald Crescent, Somerset. Tas. Australia 7322".
POETRY
Bungawalbjm Nature Reserve - 7th May,
Alead was the sound of the Rangerln hls Rover,
And next tfrlng we knew, BIU Mason takes over:'
"I'll teach you a trtck or two" he observed, '
"'bout animals and flowers ln thts Reserve".
whtch he proceeded to do, till v,rebid htln adieu
and he left all tl:e footwoTk to us.
Getttng nearer to canp, the lcaders did scarnp.
And a $dking race turned to a run.
"Ffst past the postuhe was heard to boast,
But nobody really cared who q'on.
A good day wa6 had W all
And I even seem to recall,
Someonesaj,'jng"let's do lt agaln".
Greg Wright
,, :.|
,
A poem
,,
At
Po
'li-alled, through gates ajar
urst and Yulgilbar,
tfle CLarence ftom afar
'
His noble tide.
.1
,
E.J. Brady
IYRBC - 20th Anniversary
6S
Booklet
POETRY
WASHPOOL
green
Earthy.
and nysterious
Shaded arrd cool throughout
Except for a catbird's raucous
"Meow", that turns the quiet inside out
Trickling stream is a welcome sight
A sip to ease our tired thirsts
The ridge we stomped was more of a fight
Fallen branches ald vines a curse
A terrace above the creek bed
Beckons adjournmelt for the night
I can see a camp fire, I'll soon be fed
We should find the wood alrlght
:
Sleep time. Excavations made
Our flies with angled sides
But you d need a pich and a spade
The roots and rocks 10 scrap asldc
And first light erupts wtth bird song
A deafening cacophony
You Iind yourselfjoining along
Pa)ring tribute to nature,s syrnphony
Stephen Wright
NATIIRD'S ARCHITDCT (Jereusalem Creek - 22nd October, l99O)
Canoc gliding, warm sunshinc. nool gentlc brecze: cxplorinp
Rrrslling,dpplcs. bubblcs: floating leavesand seedpods
Paperbarks: gnarled. lu'c blackencd trunks. bcnding, drooping
Branches cnlwined. rools exposcd: nalural shapes
Rcflcctions, nirrored images, refiaction; tree formed havens
Winding crcck. dapplcd sunlighr. slowly wcnding: giant cucallpl
Houow logs. prolnrding slumps. mossy banks
Boughs, twigs. branches; knotted, tangled, tortured, hooked
Shadows, dark crevices, tunnels: sereire, peacefu[, cool sanctuary
in undergrowth; in\rasion of territory
traight twistcd, round porntedr darting, flitting, diving
afe; undisturbed envtonment
Smells of earth, pcrfumed wildflowers, brackish water
Colours, depths, shades and tonesi eardry, blending of nature
Disoriented, flo_ating,calm, hidden; special magic feeling
Darting butterflies, insects skftlming;
gossamei winged dragonflies
Grasses and reeds, straight, flattened, Eending like siraws in-to the strcam
Trccs dragging.drooping. seeping: banks muddy alld slipperl
l\atures arcnitecl
Returning, canoe gliding, warm sunlight, peaceful feeling.
Barbara and Brian Worthrn{ton
NRBC . 2oth AtrDlver€erJf Booklet
T€
NCLUSION
TIIE NRBC TODAY AND THD FUTI'R.E
Objectives (Quote from The Consfltution)
. To promote interest in bushwalking arrd related actF'tties.
. To promote the associatlon of persons hterested in bushwalkinA.
.
To provide llformatlon, lnstruction and advice on all matters
pertalntng to bushw€Iking.
.
To arrarge walks ard other outdoor ard soclal acu!'ltles
for membeF.
.
To promote the establlshment and presen'auon of areas sultable
for bushwalktng.
.
To do a.ll such thllgs and acts conduclve to the furtherance of the
objectlvesand tnterests of the Club.
The Club today has endeavoured to contlnue to fulftll these objecflves tn
the followlng ways, by:
. Bestowing Llfe Membershtp to George Parker and at the 2oth
Annlversary Celebratlons, to Helen Ph potts and Joan Stevenson.
. Malntajning membershlp of the Club at approd-Eately IOO members.
.
Organlstng and leading a wlde range and varlety of actt\.'lties to cater for
all levels of fftness and llrterest.
.
Ensuring_the safety and wefare of members by updating equtpment
e.g. abse tng gear, carnptng and backpacking gear and UHF radto.
.
Prepadng submisslons to local state government; management plans;
parUclpattng in varlous surveys as weU as lnvolvement in local
en}lronmental/conservatlon acfl\,'l es.
.
Representatlon in The Confederauon of Bushv/alking Clubs.
Regular donatlons to the local RescueHeltcopterServiceetc.
.
.
Promottng the Club through the Club's monthly newsletters,
brochures and media relea-ses
.
Orgadsin€ r€gutrar guest spealers at monthly meetings and aranging
soclal acnvrues lor members.
The objectlves have been successfully achleved through the continued
support, enthuslasm and commltment of committee mambers and club
members.
lrs who are dedicated to ensurinp that
n strength and solidarity and new
)ir knowledge and exllerience to the
o the 25th Anniversa-rJrof the NRBC.
Barbara Worthington, PresidentNRBC, 1996-1992.
-58-