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 because several key committee members would be away on the scheduled date in September. Despite the change it was very pleasing to see the meeting being well attended. The format for the meeting was standard with the various reports being presented as per usual including the President s Report, Financial Report, Walking Recreation Report, Works Report and the Parks Victoria Report. The following members were elected to the statutory positions as required by the Model Rules set down by the Department of Consumer Affairs: President: Lou Florakx Vice President: Dennis Hilder Secretary,(formerly Public Officer): Lou Florakx Treasurer: Hella Huppatz There were also seven other Ordinary Committee Members elected. 1
AGM Continued. On behalf of the FGSWW, Bill Golding presented the Vale as well as a posthumous Service Award for Sam Bruton who passed away on 15:15:14. We were also very pleased to present Alvin Cram and Don McBain with Service Awards for their significant contribution and service to the FGSWW. There was no Special Business. The guest speaker for the evening was Peter Novotny from the CFA who gave a very informative presentation on the effects that European Settlement had on the environment as a result of very different land management practices when compared to those of the indigenous inhabitants. Don McBain receiving his Service Award from Rob Bartlett 2
Alvin Cram receiving his Service Award from Lou Florakx Bill Golding, who presented the Vale and posthumous Service Award for Sam Bruton. Thankyou to Brewster & Walsh for their sponsorship of this Newsletter and Kathy Cram for printing it. 3
FGSWW Walking Program 2014 Please read What s On in Friday s Portland Observer in case walk details have changed. Unless otherwise stated, all walks leave from the Customs House, Cliff Street, Portland. Our By-laws require that intending walkers advise the contact person by the Thursday prior to the walk so that transport arrangements can be made. We would like to encourage all walkers who are not already financial members to join up and help keep us running. Membership forms are available from the contact person on the day of the walk or go to our website, www.greatsouthwestwalk.com and either download a form or pay online. Suggested Equipment for Day Walks Morning tea, nibbles and lunch, water bottle (min.1l), day pack, sun hat, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, insect repellant, beanie, comfortable, broken-in footwear, change of clothes for return trip (left in car) if conditions are wet. Additionally, on Twilight Walks, meals will be at designated venues at own expense and, as walks commence after lunch, something to nibble on, eg fruit, nuts or the like, would be advisable. Julie Davies, FGSWW Recreation Officer Ph: 55232131 or Mob: 0407052914 Saturday Oct. 11 9.00am start from Portland Bats Ridges - wildflowers and caves. Watch out for rare orchids. Contact: Julie 55232131 Saturday Nov.15 3.00pm start from Portland - Walkers' End of Year, Henty Bay to Portland. Evening meal at Richmond Henty Bistro. Contact: Jan 55232696 4
FGSWW, July Walk. Hamilton to Coleraine Rail Trail While preparing the final details on the day before the walk, I was thinking " Are we keen walkers, or are we crazy walkers!" The day before was a really cold, winter s day and it hadn't stopped raining for the previous 12 hours. I was on the brink of cancelling the walk - but, by Saturday morning the rain had cleared and there was a weak sun shining. 18 walkers met for a 10 km walk from Russell's Rd. to the Wannon falls along the disused Hamilton to Coleraine railway track. We were very pleased to welcome 3 first time walkers as well as having the generosity of Mrs Hilary Turner who didn't walk, but kindly offered to collect any walkers along the way who preferred not to walk the whole distance. Thank you Hilary. One skiffy shower of rain during the day didn't bother us at all as we were able to shelter under one of the huge arches of the historic old bridge spanning the Wannon River. Lunch was enjoyed under the rotunda with the roar of the falls as a backdrop. Wendy Radley, Walk Co-ordinator 5 Sheltering under the Wannon River bridge.
Wannon Falls FGSWW August Walk. Mt Eccles National Park, [Budj Bim]. On Saturday 9th August twenty eight people met at the beautiful Mt Eccles National Park near Macarthur. Our walk started off road on a narrow walking path, via the dry crater on Natural bridge track. We observed a sleepy koala in the fork of a tall manna gum at this spot. Further along, this path led to the Natural Bridge, formed thousands of years ago from the lava flow. Steps have been made to allow easy access to view the bridge from below. The walk then followed unsealed roads and bush tracks in the south west area of the park. There is an old dry stone wall along part of Thomas Track, reminding us of the skills of clever labourers. Our 7.6 kilometre walk ended back at our cars, then we drove to the picnic area on the crater rim to enjoy our lunch. The weather was perfect for this sheltered bush adventure. Jenny Kirkwood, Walk Co-ordinator. 6
Walkers at Budj Bim in August FGSWW September Walk. Trewalla Camp to Murrell s Beach 19 walkers hiked a part of the Bridgewater Bay beach and Discovery Bay Coastal Park on their way to Murrell s Beach. It was a beaut day and this walk has some great scenery everywhere you look. A great part of the world and we are so lucky to have these places to walk and be able to do it. It has been a while since we walked in this area and nearly every time we do, we see interesting debris washed up. Last time we saw a boat. This time some shipping containers, which created quite a bit of interest wondering where they came from and their travels. The beach conditions were quite good and everybody made good progress, completing the walk in about 4 hours. This is a highly recommended walk for next year for those who may be wondering! A very enjoyable day and thanks to all who joined me, especially Julie who helped greatly with ferrying the drivers. Looking forward to the next walk. Rob Bartlett, Walk Co-ordinator 7
8 September walkers, Trewalla Camp to Murrell s Beach