Friends Newsletter SEPTEMBER, 2013

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1 Friends Newsletter SEPTEMBER, Box 192, Portland, 3305 FGSWW ANNUAL MEETING, 19:9:13 Friends Of The Great South west Walk gathered for their annual meeting, Thursday, 19th. September at the Fire Station. Committee Members were elected as follows: President: Lou Florakx, Vice-President: Dennis Hilder Secretary: Robert Bartlett, Treasurer: Hella Huppatz General Committee: Lawrence Benbow, Don McBain, John Legg, Ewen Lovell, Jan Tonkin, Julie Davies, Gordon Page. The meeting concluded with an excellent presentation on walking in Tasmania delivered by Steve Robertson. His presentation was enhanced by his magnificent photos. Don t be surprised to see a walking trip in Tassie appearing on next year s walking schedule! Articles, photos etc for inclusion in December News Letter to Jan by 19th. December. tonkin.janice.m@edumail.vic.gov.au WANTED VOLUNTEERS. If you believe you could spare some time to contribute then contact Bill Golding, Ph Thank-you to Brewster & Walsh for their sponsorship of our Newsletter and to Kathie Cram for organising 1 the printing of the Newsletter.

2 Walking Group Program: The GSWW Walking group meets for an outing usually once a month and is always pleased to welcome new members. Refer to What s On section in Friday s Portland Observer for any late changes. All walks leave the Customs House, Cliff Street, Portland. Our by-laws require that intending walkers contact the leader by the Thursday prior to the walk, so transport arrangements can be made. Saturday October 12th am start from Portland Mt Clay. Wild flowers walk. Contact: Alan & Robyn Saturday November 16th pm start from Portland - Walkers' End of Year - The Piccaninnie, Dunkeld, Southern Grampians. Contact: Jenny

Our Walk Organizers do a fantastic job, great to know they are

of it. It put wind in my wings and happiness in my heart.

3 Our Walk Organizers do a fantastic job, great to know they are appreciated! Hi Rob, I cant thank you enough for organizing yesterday s great walk. I just loved every step of it and felt very privileged to have been part of it. It put wind in my wings and happiness in my heart. See you on the September walk. Regards and many thanks, Wendy Radley Sand Dune 3 Adventure, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Leader: Rob Bartlett [Photos, Wendy Radley]

Sand Dune Adventure, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, August 10th. Six walkers braved a gruelling 9-10 kms walk in the dunes of the Discovery Coast Park. We walked from Hedditch s Hill on Wilson s Rd.

In reality not a hard walk at all, it was a nice day, the sand was hard after the recent heavy rains and walking west to east we had gentle sloping dunes to large drop offs which prove to be a hit

4 Sand Dune Adventure, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, August 10th. Six walkers braved a gruelling 9-10 kms walk in the dunes of the Discovery Coast Park. We walked from Hedditch s Hill on Wilson s Rd. Kentbruk to Swan Lake Walkers Camp Ground across the dunes of the park. In reality not a hard walk at all, it was a nice day, the sand was hard after the recent heavy rains and walking west to east we had gentle sloping dunes to large drop offs which prove to be a hit with walkers anyway, sliding down the dune face. Once again we saw some amazing dune formations interspersed with the ancient history of aboriginal middens of sea shells and some small tools used for opening these shells. Plus very special coastal scenery everywhere. Then the contrast of early European settlement with very old fence posts dug into the sand. Toward the end of our hike there was a real highlight in that we found Swan Lake overflowing to the sea which meant boots and socks off to cross, quite refreshing it was! I am sure everyone had a great day and thanks for joining me again. Cheers, Rob. Lower Glenelg National Park September 14th. Walking from Sapling Creek to North Nelson Road via Patterson s Canoe Camp. Beautiful bush and river scenery in ideal 4 walking conditions. A great day was had by all. Leader: Heather

5 Installation of new signage at Portland Tourist Information Centre in the rain, Wednesday, 7th. September. 5

Do you love walking? Do you have a sense of history and adventure? Are you looking for a walk with a difference? Then look no further.this could be just what you re looking for!

6 Do you love walking? Do you have a sense of history and adventure? Are you looking for a walk with a difference? Then look no further.this could be just what you re looking for! Hello, I have been talking to Margaret Langford about getting some walkers together for one of our camel treks next June. Margaret has done two safaris with us over the last couple of years so I m sure some of your group have heard her talking about it. We only do 3 safaris (each 8 nights, 7 days) a year, two in June and one in July. We usually take a camel-drawn wagon and between 11 and 16 camels. Next year we hope to do one safari (trek) without the wagon because then we would be able to travel as the crow flies and perhaps get into some country that has been tantalising us for the last few years. Interested people would need to be capable of walking km at least a day. I know it seems early to be asking for interest from people but if you would 6 like more information please contact me. Prue Coulls PO Box 20 Coober Pedy 5723 camels@cowardsprings.com.au or find us on facebook

UPGRADE OF SMELTER WALK AT POINT DANGER. The Point Danger section of the Great South West Walk can now be enjoyed by people using wheelchairs or prams thanks to an upgrade of the track.

7 UPGRADE OF SMELTER WALK AT POINT DANGER. The Point Danger section of the Great South West Walk can now be enjoyed by people using wheelchairs or prams thanks to an upgrade of the track. A 300m section of the walk got a make-over as part of a Get Active Glenelg/Grampians initiative that assists local clubs to create healthy and welcoming environments. Point Danger Committee of Management and Friends of The Great South West Walk secretary, Ewan Lovell, explained that the access gates were widened to allow wheelchairs through and the path was reinforced with road-foundation gravel. Brett Matthews and Jeanette Sandeman put the track to the test, accompanied by Mayor, Karen Stephens and GSWW secretary, Ewan Lovell 7

8 Jackass Fern Gully Walk Great South West Walk With the wind whistling through the trees and storm clouds threatening, this intrepid though well rugged-up explorer, arrived at Jackass Fern Gully for his first foray into the Cobboboonee. This walk was suggested to me by a friend who knew I liked bushwalking. Have you been to Jackass Fern Gully? There s a good picnic ground there, and some great walks! he beamed up at me as he snuggled down into his oversized armchair, grasping a steaming coffee cup with both hands. I could clearly read the amusement on his face as he tested my resolve to venture outside on a day that threatened to give Noah a run for his money. I must admit I only paid scant attention to Joe s directions. I had a copy of the Great South West Short Walks booklet in my car, and had been on the receiving end of some of his dubious directions in the past. Once a shortcut had led to a road that had been closed for over ten years, nearly doubling my original trip time. The drive to Jackass was actually quite pleasant and very simple as it turned out. There are probably a number of different ways to get there, but I simply followed the Nelson road until I reached T and W road (about 3 or 4 kms past the Mount Richmond turnoff) which sported a large brown tourism sign pointing to the Great South West Walk access. The drive up T & W Road was lovely, with flashes of colour and movement as I had a number of brief encounters with Crimson Rosellas, Black Wallabies and even a handful of Black Duck holidaying in the fire Dams on the edge of the road. It was a simple matter of following the road until I came to the turn into the picnic ground. Even Joe could have followed these directions. As a person who enjoys the great outdoors, I have, over the years, wandered along many tracks and trails around the Portland area, and have been fortunate enough to travel many sections of the Great South West Walk. I must say I have regularly taken on sections of the Great South West Walk, but have generally been more coastally biased. This time however, I was headed for a more inland route. Not to mention the fact that I always enjoy the opportunity to check out a new walk. I seem to have the ability to run into people working on the GSWW and as it turned out, this day was no exception. That being said, please let me offer a hearty congratulation to the Friends of the Great South West Walk. Here is a volunteer organisation that puts in countless hours of back-straining labour, in addition to ongoing background, support to provide an amazing facility for all people to use. Arrival at the Picnic ground found an excellent area with numerous BBQs, plenty of shade, and loads of space for the kids to run around. I wrote a mental note to return 8 with the family when the weather wasn t so typical to Portland

9 If you have ever been walking in the bush while it s raining, you will be well aware of your heightened sense of smell. That is not to say your own personal stench, but rather the smell of the environment around you. This was the first thing that hit me as I stepped out of my car. My senses reeled with the smells of sodden mulch, eucalypt oils and many other unknown smells. I found the track was well signposted, easy to follow and well maintained as I followed the gentle slope up towards Mt. Vandyke. Despite the recent rain, the track was not at all slippery, but did provide access to an amazing diversity of Fungi. Now I enjoy testing my memory with different plant and animal names, however, the staggering diversity of fungi really left me bewildered. I was OK with some of the more common species, like White Punk, Parasol Mushrooms and Rainbow Bracket, and even managed to find some Golden Jelly and a small patch of Ghost Fungi but quickly found myself out of my league. At one point I discovered a beautiful collection of tiny little Horsehair fungi gathered together within a hollow in a fallen tree branch. Wonderful stuff, as I imagined children s stories of Fairy Kingdoms. The first stretch of the walk took me through damp eucalyptus forest mixed with Pommaderris and Sweet Bursaria. Tree Creepers ran up and down their vertical walkways, searching for a wriggling snack. Messmate became more dominant as I journeyed towards the summit of Mt. Vandyke. 9

I then turned left (West) and followed the track as it descended through some beautiful Swamp gum stands. Unlike the Swamp Gums I am used to, these grew tall and straight, searching for the sunlight.

A man of some notoriety, but a true gentleman none the less, Bill Golding is a founding member of the Great South West walk.

10 I then turned left (West) and followed the track as it descended through some beautiful Swamp gum stands. Unlike the Swamp Gums I am used to, these grew tall and straight, searching for the sunlight. It was here that I had the pleasure of running into one of the GSWW volunteers. A man of some notoriety, but a true gentleman none the less, Bill Golding is a founding member of the Great South West walk. Always ready with a tale and a cuppa, Bill is well known for his generosity with some homemade rock cakes and tub of sultanas which seem inevitable companions when he s out on the walk. We talked a little about the track and the area, as he helped me out with the names of some of the plants as well as one ongoing bird call, which turned out to be Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. We then ventured down to a glade very near to the source of the Fitzroy River. What a sight a low walkway spanned a beautiful shallow wetland, as it gurgled its way to become the Fitzroy River as we know it. Small gum trees and club rushes grew from the area, and Pobblebonk frogs called to one another. This was a really beautiful area. Bill explained to me that the original log bridge had been burnt down in the fires of 91 and had been replaced by a metal structure, this in turn had neared the end of its life and had been replaced, only last year, by a wonderful, low walkway. As I traversed the walkway, I felt like the Messiah, as I floated only inches above the water. Our walk continued through stands of Blackwoods, dotted with swamp and bog gums until we reached the Fitzroy camp. Time for a break, a cuppa and a sample of those excellent rock-cakes I mentioned earlier. There was a beautiful little wetland just near the camp, which surprisingly wasn t flooded. However, the clearing, surrounded as it was by tall trees and scrub, was 10 very picturesque, and once again I had the companionship of Pobblebonks and Striped Marsh frogs.

As we continued on, the track dipped down, towards the Fitzroy, passing through glades of Swamp and Bog Gums, Hazel Pomaderris and some Blackwood stands.

Even with two left feet and being the envy of many clowns, I had no slipping experiences.

11 As we continued on, the track dipped down, towards the Fitzroy, passing through glades of Swamp and Bog Gums, Hazel Pomaderris and some Blackwood stands. The track was slightly waterlogged at this point, however, despite the rain we had suffered through over the last couple of weeks, was in exceptionally good condition. Even with two left feet and being the envy of many clowns, I had no slipping experiences. Bill told me we were basically walking parallel to the river at this point, and as we emerged onto T&W Road, we were almost flattened by oncoming traffic: a mob of Eastern-Grey Kangaroos also enjoying a Thursday afternoon stroll along the Great South West Walk. A short walk along T&W Road returned us to the entrance to the Picnic Ground, where my car awaited. Once back at the car park, I ventured back down towards the river where there is a stand of Soft Tree Ferns and a viewing platform. This area was decimated in the fires, resulting in the loss of the overhead canopy. Today, Pomaderris and Blackwoods have grown around the Tree Ferns, beginning to restore the canopy and shading the area once more. However, until they do, the undergrowth is growing very thickly and the view of the Tree Ferns 11 is somewhat restricted.

All told, I enjoyed an excellent walk and in excellent company.

I really enjoyed the walk, and some close encounters with a wide variety of plants and animals.

The Forest is magnificent, ringing with calls from Sulphur-crested cockatoos and Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos.

12 All told, I enjoyed an excellent walk and in excellent company. This area of bush is obviously less well travelled (and perhaps less well known) than some of the coastal sections of the Great South West Walk, but no less exciting. I really enjoyed the walk, and some close encounters with a wide variety of plants and animals. All along the walk there was evidence (from scratchings and scats) of animals we didn t see such as Echidna and Owls. The Forest is magnificent, ringing with calls from Sulphur-crested cockatoos and Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos. In conclusion, I would like to take the opportunity to offer my heartfelt thanks to the Friends of the Great South West Walk. You provide a wonderful facility to the people of Portland and District, as well as to visitors to our area. The walk truly is a Great walk, and your dedication and persistence in providing the walk to us all is to be greatly commended. THANKYOU Peter Hill. If you re visiting Townsville, make sure you check out the Cape Pallarenda Trails shared tracks for walkers, joggers & bike riders. Photos are of the Lagoon Walk, the bird life was just amazing! Jan Tonkin 12

FRIEND S NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER, 2014

FRIEND S NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER, 2014 www.greatsouthwestwalk.com, P.O. Box 192, Portland, 3305 F.G.S.W.W. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The Annual General Meeting was brought forward by almost two months to July