Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Bulletin #104 January 19 2016

Recent Event reports

Mt Field National Park Tasmania 1 week base camp - click the photo for full report

Pine Valley Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park Tasmania - backpack click the photo for full event report

Fortescue Bay Tasmania 1 week base camp - leader Hans Kaspers- click the photo for more of this event

Khancoban Day Walk leader Iris Joss Jan 9

Iris continues to offer this walk on a regular basis accompanied by her trusty dog

Canoeing After Work Jan 7 and Jan 14

Thursday evening paddles and bbq resumed Jan 7 and will continue through to the end of daylight savings period

Mt Buffalo Back Wall day walk Jan 16 - leader Iris Joss - click the photo for full event report

Mt Buffalo Mollisons Galleries walk Jan 17 - leader Mick Webster - photos by Vera McLusky

Mick Webster wrote: "Good walk yesterday, 11 bods, 18ks, 6 hours.... Mollisons Galleries are a little underwhelming, but a good spot to stop after the walk in which was harder than it should have been - we came up from the Rocky Creek track, so big drop down and climb back up.... 3 snakes seen - close-up!"

Exploring the Jagungal Wilderness - A Wonderful New Book

The following message was received from Robert Green from the ACT - note he recommends not buying the e-book for another month because its about to be updated.

I have just finished a book called "Exploring the Jagungal Wilderness" which summarises the work done, since the 2003 fires, by me, others, and especially by Graham Scully of the Kosciuszko Huts Association, in recording the hut ruins, graves, mining and other relics which became visible in Kosciuszko National Park after the 2003 fires. Of particular interest was the rediscovery of the historic dray and bridle tracks, which had been used by graziers, miners and by the SMA. Those routes, and the old maps which show them, are included in the book, along with the GPS positions which enable them to be followed today.
Klaus Hueneke, author of “Huts of the High Country” and “Kiandra to Kosciusko” described it as "The most detailed coverage of track and hut sites in the Jagungal Wilderness ever compiled.”
On the bushwalk forum MeanderingFlyFisher said “Wow, I just opened my copy 15 minutes back after a very busy day today. What a great book full of info and appears to have almost been custom written for my trip in to Valentines area next week.”
The book has been published as an ebook and a sample can be seen at Amazon.com by searching the eBooks section for "Exploring the Jagungal Wilderness".
The major purpose in writing the book was to encourage the use of this part of the Park by bushwalkers. I would like to give a free copy of the book to your club and wonder if it would be possible to meet one or more of the committee members to give them a copy of the book and explain the activities which form the background to its writing.
Please contact me at rvhgreen@outlook.com or on either of 6282 2667 or 0402 647 040.

MVB Membership

Financial Membership Total as at Jan 18 2015 is 108

Note that when you login to the website now, it takes you straight to your subscription status - if you need help with logging in just contact Tony Marsh for help. Although we do well at attracting new members we dont do quite so well in retaining them - this is something we need to work on.

Membership Subscription Renewal

You will be advised by email a month before and then a week before your membership renewal date - as well as a couple of times after expiry.

Note that there is no penalty involved in renewing your membership prior to the expiry date or past the expiry date for that matter - yes we are a generous organisation - you will always get 12 months financial status from the current expiry date or from the payment received date whichever is later.

Whats On!

Note re booking in for events: We are experiencing some difficulties with booking in system at the moment after a software update - if you have a problem with the online system you can email, sms or even ring the leader! The problems should be resolved shortly.

Click on an event image to find out more of the details of an event - then click the Join button to express an interest in participating in that event.

Click the back button in your browser to return to this bulletin from an event.

After Work Canoe#15 Grade 2

From January 21, 2016 5:15 pm until January 21, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Howlong to Rutherglen Grade 3 Backwater paddle

From January 23, 2016 9:30 am until January 23, 2016 3:30 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Bogong High Plains Grade 3 Backpacking

From January 24, 2016 8:00 am until January 26, 2016 5:00 pm

At Falls Creek Categories: DayWalks
Mt Jim Circuit Grade 3 Day Walk

From January 24, 2016 8:30 am until January 24, 2016 6:00 pm

At Pretty Valley Pondage Categories: DayWalks
After Work Canoe#16 Grade 2

From January 28, 2016 5:15 pm until January 28, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Khancoban Loop Grade 3 Walk

From January 30, 2016 7:30 am until January 30, 2016 10:00 am

At Corryong Categories: DayWalks
After Work Canoe#17 Grade 2

From February 04, 2016 5:15 pm until February 04, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Kayak Grade 3 - Bonegilla to Wonga Wetlands

From February 06, 2016 8:00 am until February 06, 2016 3:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Kayaking
After Work Canoe#18 Grade 2

From February 11, 2016 5:15 pm until February 11, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Mitta Mitta Grade 4 paddle 2016

From February 13, 2016 8:00 am until February 13, 2016 4:00 pm

At Lockhart Gap Categories: Canoeing
After Work Canoe#19 Grade 2

From February 18, 2016 5:15 pm until February 18, 2016 8:15 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
City 2 City - Grade 2 Walk Club event

On February 21, 2016

At Albury Wodonga Categories: DayWalks
After Work Canoe#20 Grade 2

From February 25, 2016 5:30 pm until February 25, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Mt Buffalo Day Walk Grade 3 Leaping Around on Buffalo!

From February 28, 2016 9:00 am until February 28, 2016 3:00 pm

At Mt Buffalo Categories: DayWalks
After Work Canoe#21 Grade 2

From March 03, 2016 5:15 pm until March 03, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
After Work Canoe#22 Grade 2

From March 10, 2016 5:15 pm until March 10, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Bogong Conquestathon Grade 4 Walk

From March 11, 2016 11:00 pm until March 13, 2016 10:55 am

At Mt Bogong Categories: Backpacking, Volunteering
After Work Canoe#23 Grade 2

From March 17, 2016 5:15 pm until March 17, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Weekend Camping and Canoeing at Bundalong - Grade 2

From March 18, 2016 6:00 pm until March 20, 2016 5:00 pm

At Bundalong Victoria Categories: Canoeing, CanoeingOvernight
After Work Canoe#24 Grade 2

From March 24, 2016 5:15 pm until March 24, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
After Work Canoe#25 Grade 2

From March 31, 2016 5:15 pm until March 31, 2016 8:00 pm

At Noreuil Park Categories: Canoeing
Hume and Hovell Grade 3 Walking Track From Henry Angel

From April 08, 2016 4:00 pm until April 10, 2016 5:00 pm

At Hume and Hovell Walking Track Categories: DayWalks
Wombeyan Caves

From October 29, 2016 8:00 pm until November 01, 2016 5:00 pm

At Wanbeyan Caves Categories: Social, Carcamping, Halfdaywalk

Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Bulletin #103 December 22 2015

Bushfire At Barnie

The club offers its condolences to those who lost property, stock and fencing. and recognises the amazing effort put in by CFA, DELWP, RFS last weekend to prevent what could easily have become a major catastrophe.

The recent weekend of extremely hot weather and resultant wild grass fire that started at Barnawartha was a salient reminder of what the future may hold for those of us who love the outdoors. At the 2013 AGM our guest speaker was Bruce Key who presented on the topic Global Warming and the implications for outdoor activities in Albury Wodonga. Bruce didnt paint a pretty picture but as a keen walker himself it would be giving him no joy that his predictions are already proving to be spot on. The frequency and severity of wildfire events in North East Victoria is alarming. Its appropriate to reiterate the club policy which is that walks in forested areas on days of total fire ban are to be cancelled.

So aren't we lucky we are a multi disciplinary club - when its too bloody hot to walk there's Nothing to Do! So Get in a Canoe!

When this club started in July 2011 we had just a few people with some canoeing experience - but there was lots of enthusiasm. Reflecting on how strong the club is now, the depth and expertise and numbers of experienced paddlers is something we should be proud of. I would like to name names here - president Jan Douglas, secretary Cheryl McCarten, events coordinator Michelle Crofts have just about led or at least participated in practically every canoeing event over the last 5 years. Then weve got some resident experts Sasho Dillow and Tony Crawford to call upon for special events - and of course none of it would have been possible without Dave Breedon of Murray River Canoe Hire and who is of course a member of MVB. Tony Marsh reckons after 5 years of paddling the Murray he now knows which one is the right side of the river!

Some recent canoeing highlights:

Bundalong Xmas Paddle and Party

MVB XMAS PARTY - oh what a party!

We had 15 canoes, 3 pooches, and a bunch of members - about 20

Not to mention a great Saturday paddle, and smaller paddle on sunday.

Canoeing After Work Dec 17

saw another large group of paddlers 14 in total enjoying the perfect conditions for a 2 hour paddle from Lower Mungabareena

And we had a second Christmas celebration and Kris Kringle - specially for those who couldnt make it to Bundalong

Sasho's Classic Annual Christmas paddle Dec 19 -

Only one problem - Sasho had to work but Catherine Byrne stepped up to the plate and 11 of us had a really enjoyable paddle. The heat had everyone worried so we started early from the Weir wall and the cloud cover meant the first 3 hours were really pleasant. There are some great photos on our Facebook site - the post about this event has had an amazing 1100 hits! Just imagine if 1% of those people joined we would have 11 new members! - speaking of which...

Welcome to New Members

Since the last time we welcomed new members Fay Hicks and Carol Gardiner have joined the club - thanks for expressing confidence in our club!

Financial Membership Total as at Dec 22 2015 is 111

Membership Subscription Renewal

You will be advised by email a month before and then a week before your membership renewal date - as well as a couple of times after expiry.

Really and Truly

We are not just a canoeing club - here are some recent bushwalking highlights

Ray and Jill Hancock's epic Tantangara Hut Crawl

Click the link below to read the full report by Jill Hancock

https://travelswithmycamerainoz.wordpress.com/2015/12/17/tantangara-hut-crawl/

Iris Joss exploration of Mount Jagumba - you can read her report by clicking on the link below

http://mvb.org.au/index.php/news/event-report-submissions/view-submission/3949

The Mount Buffalo epic Big Walk (all downhill) and OMG how we suffered for days after!

Iris Joss Grand Traverse in New Zealand - click the link below to read the report of this event

http://mvb.org.au/index.php/news/event-report-submissions/view-submission/3883

Yes we are walking in January!!

Tasmania - Mt Field NP, Pine Valley and Fortescue Bay

7 members are trembling with excitement about walking in the New Year in Tassie

Mt Buffalo NP

There is a camping and walking weekend on Jan 16-17 with walks led by Iris Joss (and camping at Lake Catani on the Saturday night) and Mick Webster on the Sunday

And speaking of Tassie....

Tarkine Wilderness in NW Tasmania

Committee member Vanessa Giles has the following to say about the Tarkine Wilderness in NW Tasmania.

Dear fellow bushwalkers and nature enthusiasts,

I am writing to plead with you to do something you will really love - go for a walk in a pristine wilderness! And then tell everyone about it.

I'm currently in Melbourne. Last night I sat and listened to muka nawnta, a group of Aboriginal women, sing about their connection to this wild land of North-West Tasmania, and to Bob Brown telling us that 90% of this so called "protected" land is open to mineral exploration. And I decided that we collectively need to do all that we can to save this wilderness for future generations, and to return it to Tasmania's first people.

If you haven't yet heard about the Tarkine, see this trailer, which gives you a glimpse of its beauty and significance. I have expressed interest in hosting an event in Albury-Wodonga to show the full-length Tarkine in Motion film and hope it that will happen in the next few months.

In the meantime, the Bob Brown Foundation have just published a new guide book (made possible by crowdfunding) to help you plan a trip to the Tarkine whether you wish to explore by car, bike, boat or foot. The very first copies of the book were available last night and I am donating a copy of this stunning book to the Murray Valley Bushwalking club in the hope that at least some of you will go there very soon. I would very much like to plan a trip for the club however and unable to take leave over summer. If you want an easier option for organising a trip, you can also book through Tarkine Trails.

Please consider making the Tarkine your next holiday destination because if you wait much longer, it may not be there.

Thanks and best wishes,

Vanessa Giles

The MVB Committee would like to thank members for their ongoing support of the club and wish all members a safe and fun Christmas and New Year

regards

Tony Marsh for MVB

Whats On!

Access the Upcoming Events page on the website here

Click on an event image to find out more of the details of an event - then click the Join button to express an interest in participating in that event.

Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Bulletin #100 June 30 2015

Hello MVB Members

I guess this being the 100th bulletin in our 4 years of existence should have some significance - perhaps I should spend more time in the outdoors and less time writing about it! At the AGM in August all positions (both on and off committee) are up for grabs. If you would like to volunteer for any position - including newsletter editor! - we would love to hear from you.

The first month of winter is done and dusted and for those of us hanging out for some snow action its a bit frustrating. But there are also those amongst us who like a ski but never want to let it get in the way of a good bushwalk! Walking in winter is absolutely delightful - no flies, no heat, no sunburn - feeling cold and you want to get warm? all you have to do is walk faster or steeper - Hernia Hill on Nail Can or Ridge Lane at Baranduda will do it- its a guaranteed fix!

A group of 10 members and 2 guests did just that in the Northern Territory recently during a week of walking the Larapinta Track west of Alice Springs. The weather was perfect the whole week - the scenery, wildflowers, ancient plants in gorges, waterholes, birds and dingoes were superb.

The photos below capture some of the extraordinary program of events that have been on offer in the last two months. Clicking on a photo will take you to an album of photos for that event.

In the meantime of course Hans undertook his great trip north in which he covered nearly 10,000 km visited many parks and walked about 80km. The Warrumbungles National Park was one of the first destinations where he was joined by two other club members for a day walk.

Closer to home there have been many walks happening over the last 6 weeks some of which have reports you can access here

Mt Pilot to Eldorado - by Peter Presutti

Ross Lookout Burrowa/Pine Mountain NP by Barbara Williams from Cudgewa

Several walks on Baranduda Range

Close to home there was a walk to Hidden Valley on Huon Hill led by Peter Presutti

Peter Presutti's easy walk on Baranduda Range attracted 13 walkers!

Indi river loop led by Iris Joss from Corryong

Grandmothers (and one wanna be grandad) loop at Koetong led by Iris Joss from Corryong

A number of exploratory and known walks in Chiltern Mt Pilot NP often to lesser known features led by Peter Presutti and Mick Webster have taken place.

Members and Guests Night May 21 at Thurgoona Community Centre

This was a great evening organised mainly by Peter and Jan - a DVD was shown called Beneath the Razorback, which was made after the 2003 fires that ravaged the area but which also exposed lots of historical artifacts from the gold mining past. You can find out lots more about the forgotten gold mining history of the Victorian Alps here http://www.heritagerat.com.au/products.php.

Peter also gave a short presentation on nutrition which engendered discussion and Lin had prepared a slide show from our amazing Flickr repository.

Event reports

There are a number of new event reports available on the website - you may like to check them out - click on the link below to do so. There has been a change in report format and the older reports will need to be updated to match this.

Access the MVB Event Reports here http://mvb.org.au/index.php/news/event-report-submissions

Welcome to new members

Welcome to 4 new members Sharon Edmondson Sharon Roberts Margaret McLure and Vanessa Giles

Membership steady on 109 interestingly there are 70 female members and 39 male members

We are thrilled to have new event leaders and members from the Upper Murray / Corryong district join the club. You will notice events led by Iris Joss and Barbara Williams on the program.

Membership Subscription Renewal

You will be advised by email a month before and then a week before your membership renewal date. Tony has prepared some short movies that you can view to bring you up to speed with how to renew. You can view them by following the menu path Join, Renew Membership Now. Once you can login to the website its really easy to find out when you are financial to and how to go about renewing your membership.

Note that there is no penalty involved in renewing your membership prior to the expiry date - you will always get 12 months financial status from the current expiry date or from the payment received date whichever is later.

Whats On!

There is a distinct lack of snow based events for one good reason - we are waiting with bated breath for the white stuff! If it arrives snow events will very quickly appear.

Check out the club's first (correct me if Im wrong) winter canoeing event on the Murray on July 19

The clubs AGM will be held August 14 at Thurgoona Community Centre - this year we will have the key to get us in!

Upcoming Program of Events

Click on an event image to find out more of the details of an event - then click the Join button to express an interest in participating in that event.

Baranduda Range Challenge Gully

From July 04, 2015 10:00 am until July 04, 2015 2:00 pm

At Baranduda Categories: Halfdaywalk
Clear Creek loop from Eldorado

From July 05, 2015 9:00 am until July 05, 2015 4:00 pm

At Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park Categories: Day Walks

Hume and Hovell Walking Track From the Tree

From July 10, 2015 6:00 am until July 10, 2015 6:00 pm
At Albury Categories: Day Walks
Granya Forest Loop Grade 3 Day Walk

From July 11, 2015 8:30 am until July 11, 2015 3:00 pm

At Mt Granya Categories: Day Walks
Winter Paddle on the Murray

From July 19, 2015 10:00 am until July 19, 2015 3:00 pm

At Mungabareena Reserve Categories: Canoeing
Bike Ride through Chiltern Forest

From July 19, 2015 10:00 am until July 19, 2015 3:30 pm

At Chiltern Box - Ironbark National Park, Chiltern VIC 3683 Categories: Cycling
Murray Valley Bushwalkers 2015 AGM

From August 14, 2015 6:30 pm until August 14, 2015 8:30 pm

At Thurgoona Community Centre Categories: Meetings , Social
Kangaroo Hoppet. Cross country ski races on Saturday 22nd August 2015.

On August 22, 2015

At Falls Creek Nordic Bowl Categories: CrossCountrySkiing
The Grand Traverse NZ

From November 09, 2015 7:30 am until November 14, 2015 7:00 pm

At Queenstown NZ Categories: GuidedExtendedWalks
Henry The Grazier - Upper Murray

From November 21, 2015 10:00 am until November 22, 2015 6:00 pm

At Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park Cudgewa Categories: Social , Carcamping , Halfdaywalk
Mt Field NP Tasmania Base Camp

From December 27, 2015 7:00 am until January 02, 2016 5:00 pm

At Mt Field National Park Categories: Base Camp cabin accommodation

Committee for 2014-2015 - email them for any assistance you may require

President	Jan Douglas	president.mvb@gmail.com
Secretary	Lin Starke	secretary.mvb@gmail.com
Treasurer	Michelle Crofts	treasurer.mvb@gmail.com
Events	Peter Presutti	events.mvb@gmail.com
Assets	Cheryl McCarten	assets.mvb@gmail.com

You can catch up on committee deliberations at any time from the minutes on the website

Catch you on a club event soon!

regards

Tony Marsh

Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc Bulletin #97 February 24 2015

Your Committee for 2014-2015 - email them for any assistance you may require

President - Jan Douglas president.mvb@gmail.com

Secretary - Lin Starke secretary.mvb@gmail.com

Treasurer - Michelle Crofts treasurer.mvb@gmail.com

Events - Peter Presutti events.mvb@gmail.com

Assets - Cheryl McCarten assets.mvb@gmail.com

Welcome to new members

Dennie Streller

Sebastien France

Mary Done

Jacqui, Richard and Jordan Bradbury

Ryan Black

Julia Hardiman

Becca Meldrum

Roz Phillipson

Anita Ryding

Rachel Proctor

Welcome back to 6 returning members.

MVB membership is steady at around 100, very healthy!

Mid week update From Events Coordinator Peter Presutti

Hans has recently posted a few new weekday events that will take place over the next few weeks - If you are lucky enough to have some free time on Tuesdays you can join Hans

Don't forget the Dragon Boat Regatta - starts on Sat 28th Feb, worth a look see, I was part of a rowing team a few years back and it was awesome fun, even though it rained all weekend.

Club Website

Most if not all of our members have successfully negotiated the online membership and subscription reminder system we have in place.

The event bookings system has also really proven its worth this summer with very large numbers of people booking in - its worth noting that achieving such participation rates using telephone based communication would have put intolerable strain on our leaders - so thanks everyone for engaging in it so enthusiastically!

We are always looking for ways to improve the system so watch this space!

Committee

A committee meeting was held recently, minutes will be available on the website as soon as possible.

Also if you wish to bring up an issue or suggest an event please feel free to contact any committee member

Check our website for committee contact info..

You can catch up on committee deliberations at any time from the minutes on the website

Facebook and Flickr

We regularly post photos and comments of club activities on our Facebook site - you dont have to have a facebook identitity to check us out at https://www.facebook.com/murrayvalleybushwalkers

The clubs Flickr site is an extraordinary collection of photos collated over the last 4 years - literally hundreds of events have been documented by camera - what an amazing resource this will be for the next generation of Murray Valley Bushwalkers - https://www.flickr.com/photos/murrayvalleybushwalkers

What We've Been Up To

Canoeing

Weve notched up yet another very succesful after work canoeing program this year on Thursday evenings (18 so far this summer) with partipation of up to 20% of the club per event - we are proud of the fantastic participation rate by our members and guests in this program. There have also been a number of longer canoe trips: Hume Weir to Noreuil Park, Noreuil Park to Richardsons Bend and Killara to Wonga Wetlands as well as 3 canoe training for beginners events. If you have missed out on a longer paddle there is another opportunity this coming weekend to paddle down to Richardson Bend with Jan Douglas. Canoeing is the mainstay activity of our club and our program would never have eventuated without the ongoing support of Dave Breedon of Murray River Canoe Hire who took the photo below by the way!

Tuesday morning walks

Hans has once again been leading these highly achievable mainly flat walks along Lake Hume or along rivers throughout summer. Its never too far to walk to cool off! Thanks Hans for your ongoing commitment to putting these events on for our members and guests!

Day walks

There have been plenty of day walks on Mt Buffalo and the Bogong High Plains this summer - its guaranteed to be 10 degrees cooler in the mountains so these events have been extremely popular - 18 people recently walked the Packhorse Heritage Trail - Frying Pan Spur loop at Falls Creek - the photo below was taken at Mt Buffalo on an event led by Hans

Backpacking

Wilsons Promontory for 8 days (8 people) and a beginners event at Tawonga Huts (6 people) were recently conducted successfully - thanks to Tony for making these events possible. Playing Hopscotch on New Years Eve at the Oberon Bay beach was pure fun!