MVB Bulletin #58 February 19 2013
Meet your committee
This week we will introduce our founding secretary Tony Marsh who worked closely with Hans Kaspers in the establishment of MVB Inc
Where were you born and go to school?
I was born in Melbourne and lived in Coburg and then moved to the outer north eastern suburbs at age 16 which in those days was very much the bush. Instead of a 2 hour public transport commute I now had a 1.5 hour walk through the bush to and from school. And I loved it. I borrowed the Trees of Victoria booklet from the school library (Eltham High) and started on a journey of discovery of Australian flora.
How did you come to bushwalking?
In 1973 I took a year off uni and was working on a farm when my sister cajoled me to join her on a trip to New Zealand. I was reluctant but eventually agreed - and what a great decision that was!. NZ opened my eyes to both travel and bushwalking.
What is your favorite bushwalk?
Thats easy - its the 4 day Main Range walk from the top of the chairlift at Thredbo to Mount Tait in Kosciusko National Park - Ive walked it 5 times and I still get excited when its on the agenda.
What is the best thing about being president of Murray Valley Bushwalkers?
Without a doubt that would be the people Ive met in the last 18 months and the joy in seeing them get excited about participating in club activities - very often for the first time. A great example of this is the canoeing training program weve just had in January 2013 where we had 40 participants. I would love to think we could do something like that with cross country skiing / snowshoeing in 2013.
What advice would you give to a member considering joining the MVB committee?
Go for it! you've got a great opportunity to learn new skills and meet a heap of amazing people along the way. Dont think you are not up for it as we will take you under our wing and train you to take on a role on the committee.
Walking Poles for Sale
Lin Starke recently wrote
"I have acquired an extra 2 pair of walking poles, that I will on sell for cost price which is $20 per pair. These poles are for sale in the sports shops locally for $102 or thereabouts. There were 3 pairs left in the shop when I went to buy a pair for myself so I decided to buy the lot. Phone me on 02 6056 0938 or email me at lindastarke@oneseniors.com.au if interested"
Welcome to new members
Brandon Read is our most recent member who joined canoeing on Thurs Feb 14. Welcome Brandon we hope you enjoy all the activities and social events that Murray Valley Bushwalking Club offers to its members.
Social Activities
Looking ahead on the calendar there are some great social events coming up.
An amazing social ecotour of the Barmah wetlands is scheduled for Saturday March 16 - Tracey needs confirmed bookings by Thursday March 8
Join us for dinner at the Barnawartha Hotel on March 27
Peter has some surprises in store for an afternoon and evening in Beechworth - more about this in the next bulletin
What Weve Been Up To
Thurs Feb 14 Canoe the Murray After Work
Sat Feb 16 Easy Abseiling at the Albury Quarry
Whats On Feb 19 to Feb 26
Find the activity on the website calendar that interests you and hit the Join button to start a conversation with the event leader.
Fancy a day walk in Tassie? Hans has put 8 day activities on taken from 60 walks in Tassie
Canoe after work 21 February
Check out the information on the website calendar or contact Tracey on 0409155338 for further information.
Sustainability Fair
Neil is looking for assistance to staff a club stall at the Sustainability Fair if you can assist Neil contact him on 0417813951
If you cant view photos in this email you can read the bulletin on the MVB Website
Catch you on a club event soon!
regards
Tracey Barkley
Secretary
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
MVB Bulletin #57 February 12 2013
Meet your committee
Over the next few bulletins we plan to profile a few people on the MVB committee. Maybe this will inspire you to put your hand up or to happily receive that tap on the shoulder to come on board and contribute to the club's viability come the 2013 AGM. But thats not the real purpose - it is to recognise and celebrate the wonderful diversity of people that our club has brought together.
This week we will introduce our founding president Hans Kaspers who was instrumental in the establishment of MVB Inc and the champion of MVB day walks - he has planned, scheduled and led over 60 since July 2011!
Where were you born and in what circumstances?
I was born in Arnhem, Gelderland, a province of the Kingdom of The Netherlands, a little over two months before the Battle Of Arnhem one of the most famous battles of World War II. Residents of the city of Arnhem were evicted, and my family and I were forced to flee on foot. So you could say I started wandering at the age of two months!
When did you come to Australia?
I first set foot on Australian soil on Monday, 1st November 1965; on Tuesday 2nd November we explored Sydney and couldn't understand why around three o'clock everything went quiet! (ed. Doc Evatt's death or was it the Melbourne Cup!) My voyage reached it's destination at Melbourne Station Pier on 4th November 1965.
How did you come to bushwalking?
My first job was as a survey assistant employed by the Victorian Department of Crown Land & Survey, based in Wangaratta. Our job was to mark out which pieces of Crown Land a farmer could add to his property, so really my job involved bushwalking (all off-track). During the Christmas Holidays in 1966, with one of my workmates we did the 6 day walk from Mountain Creek to Mt Bogong, Roper's Hut, Mt Fainter, Dibbins Hut, Mt Hotham, Razorback to Mt Feathertop and the Bungalow Spur to Harrietville. Later I moved to Melbourne and turned into a town-planner. In 1981 I moved to Albury to escape the rat-race.
In 2007 I was diagnosed with Diabetes type 2, and the doctor recommended walking as an excercise. After two months I became bored with walking the streets of Albury so I headed for the bush!
What is your favorite bushwalk?
I can't make up my mind. I can nominate four great walks: The Big Walk at Mt Buffalo, the Razorback to Mt Feathertop, the part of the Hume & Hovell Walking Track from Wymah Road to Tunnel Road, or the Wet Gully Track from Bright to Harrietville.
What was the best thing about being president of Murray Valley Bushwalkers?
That's a very hard question! I was a very reluctant president, but if you start something, you have to follow it through. I think the best thing was to start with an inaugural meeting of 14 people and during the first year to see the membership grow was highly satisfactory! The greatest reward is occurring right now: a membership over 100 is an incredible outcome!
What advice would you give to a member considering joining the MVB committee?
No club can function without a committee, it is a legal requirement. However according to WGP desk calendars quotes: "A committee is a group of people who keep minutes and waste hours" can be true. But fortunately with the Murray Valley Bushwalkers, we do not have regular Committee Meetings, we have a committee meeting when committee members feel we need one! By law we have to have a committee meeting four times a year and we are determined not to break the law by having 5!. Also according to our constitution no committee member can serve more than four years, or be on the executive for more than three years. So if you are thinking about joining the committee, go for it! You may be sorely needed! And after serving for whatever time you are able, Im sure you'll get the satisfaction of a job well done!
Grading of Club Events
One of the more difficult issues that outdoor activities clubs have to address is how to adequately advise members and guests on the various grades of both difficulty and skill required to safely complete an event.
The three level scheme of Easy, Medium and Hard is a pretty loose mechanism because an activity that one person finds easy another may find hard. Other factors such as weather and available time can easily turn an easy event into a hard one.
And then when you complicate matters by trying to apply a grading scheme across a whole range of event types that we participate in it all gets a bit too hard!
However its in everybody's interests that we address this so that our leaders have some guidelines to work by and our members have a good idea what the event may entail.
If you have thoughts about this topic please feel free to email them to me. We would love to hear from you.
While on the subject of safety members are reminder that they are encouraged to carry personal health information with them on club events - you can view club policy on this topic here.
Walking Poles
Peter has recommended an article to read on the use of walking poles. I think it should be pointed out that this article can be found on the website of an organisation that sells walking poles so clearly this is an advertising pitch. But if only a fraction of the article is factual it still creates a compelling argument in favor of walking with poles. Personally I beg to differ with the statements regarding walking with inexpensive poles - I believe you have nothing to lose by starting out with such poles.
http://www.helinox.com.au/pages/australian-bushwalkers-guide-to-trekking-poles.asp
Lin Starke recently wrote
"I have acquired an extra 2 pair of walking poles, that I will on sell for cost price which is $20 per pair. These poles are for sale in the sports shops locally for $102 or thereabouts. There were 3 pairs left in the shop when I went to buy a pair for myself so I decided to buy the lot. Phone me on 02 6056 0938 or email me at lindastarke@oneseniors.com.au if interested"
Walking poles can be put to all sorts of uses!
Welcome to new members
Theo and Colleen Richter are our most recent members.
Social Activities
Looking ahead on the calendar there are some great social events coming up.
An amazing social ecotour of the Barmah wetlands is scheduled for Saturday March 16 - Tracey needs confirmed bookings by Thursday March 8
Join us for dinner at the Barnawartha Hotel on March 27
Peter has some surprises in store for an afternoon and evening in Beechworth - more about this in the next bulletin
Bushwalking Victoria Sites
Sports Medicine Australia Hot Weather and Exercise Tips
Bushwalking Victoria Huts etiquette
Whats On Feb 12 to Feb 19
Follow the "full details here" link to an event that interests you and hit the Join button to start a conversation with the event leader
Thurs Feb 14 Canoe the Murray After Work
Due to threatening thunderstorm activity last week's paddle was cancelled. But you have another chance to enjoy this extraordinarily popular event with a bbq which is rapidly becoming one of the significant food and cultural events on the Albury Wodonga calendar
Sat Feb 16 Easy Abseiling at the Albury Quarry
Be brave and have some exhilarating fun with Neil Brown our excellent abseil instructor - click the photo to find out more info on this event.
Sun Feb 17 to Feb 26 Tasmania
I will be one of 8 MVB members who will be walking the Overland Track in Tasmania. So there may be no bulletin next week but I will try to get one out soon after we return to the mainland - hopefully full of great stories of bushwalking in Tassie!
Catch you on a club event soon!
regards
Tony Marsh
President
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
MVB Bulletin #56 February 5 2013
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
What a great summer for canoeing its been so far. Members and visitors are flocking to the regular paddles on Thursday evenings and a fourth beginners evening training session for members and guests was held last Tuesday. There is plenty more hot weather on the way so its not too late to start as we plan to canoe until the end of March when daylight savings finishes.
Huge attendances at canoeing events has boosted club membership - we are delighted to report that at the time of writing this bulletin we have 103 financial members of the club - a remarkable achievement in just over 18 months of existence.
The rescue procedures that we reiterate before every paddle were put to the test last Thursday when a boat hit a snag and capsized. Everyone responded to the 3 whistle blasts and quickly assembled to help get the two paddlers safely to the river bank. Recovering the boat was a little more difficult but thanks to Paul Bailley for his assistance and to Jan Douglas for her cool headed instructions and Anne Hopkins for manouvering her kayak to good effect we were back in the water and paddling to Noreuil soon enough.
Jan, Tracey and I have reviewed the canoeing safety and recovery procedures again in the light of this experience and will be implementing further changes as of this thursday.
Inspired by our experience, Lin has created her fourth Canoeing Safety article appropriately called So-o-o-o You are in the Water
More Mammal Encounters
As you read last week hardly a week goes by without us seeing a platypus or two on our paddling activities. Well last Sunday a group of 4 members walking Baranduda Range saw this:
Welcome to new members
Michelle Matthews and family along with Michael Giardina and Julie Willis are our most recent members and all participated in the fourth canoe training evening last Tuesday.
Since the last Bulletin....
Sunday Jan 27 Dragon Boat
Read Claire's poetic event report here
Mon Jan 28 - Day Walk Indigo Falls to Baranduda
4 members completed this challenging day walk and had a close encounter with a furry animal as shown above. It is rumoured that Tony was attacked and raked with the sharp claws of an angry wombat. But you dont believe everything you see on Flickr do you?
Tues Jan 29 Easy Walk Along the Murray
A group of 4 members led by Hans took this delightful 8km stroll along the south side of the Murray that few people seem to know about.
Tues Jan 29 Canoeing Training at Lower Mungabareena
10 people enjoyed the fourth training paddle for 2013 conducted by Dave Breedon of Murray River Canoe Hire
Thurs Jan 31 Lower Mungabareena to Noreuil Paddle
A total of 15 members and 1 guest completed this paddle - as referred to above we had a bit of drama but it all turned out for the best and we had some valuable recovery experience in the process
Sun Feb 3 Evening Walk Baranduda Range
Social Activities
Looking ahead on the calendar there are some great social events coming up.
An amazing social ecotour of the Barmah wetlands is scheduled for Saturday March 16 - Tracey needs confirmed bookings by Thursday March 8
Join us for dinner at the Barnawartha Hotel on March 27
Peter has some surprises in store for an afternoon and evening in Beechworth - more about this in the next bulletin
Whats On Feb 4 to Feb 11
Follow the "full details here" link to an event that interests you and hit the Join button to start a conversation with the event leader
Wed Feb 6 Beginner Abseiling
At the Albury Quarry Full Details Here
Thurs Feb 7 Canoe the Murray After Work
Another chance to enjoy this extraordinarily popular event with a bbq which is rapidly becoming one of the significant food and cultural events on the Albury Wodonga calendar
Sat Feb 9 and Sun Feb 10 Overnight Canoe
From Noreuil Park to 12 Mile - there are still 3 spots left so get in touch with Tracey asap!
Catch you on a club event soon!
regards
Tony Marsh
President
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
MVB Bulletin # 55 Jan 27 2013
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
What a great summer for canoeing its been so far. Members and visitors are flocking to the regular paddles on Thursday evenings and a fourth beginners evening training session for members and guests is to be held after work Tuesday 29th Jan. Its not too late to start as we continue to canoe until the end of March.
Bushfire in the Alps (again)
The 3 day walk in the Tawonga Huts area and the Mile High dragon boat championships had to be abandoned this long weekend because of the all too familiar wildfire occurrence. One wonders what the future holds for the alpine environment - the frequency of these events is cause for alarm. Parks Vic are wrapping huts in some sort of reflective material to try and protect them from ember attack.
Platypus Sightings
Hardly a week goes by without us seeing a platypus or two on our paddling activities. Unfortunately we are generally not able to take photos of what we see because firstly people are understandably reluctant to take a camera in a boat and secondly the platypus dont stop their activities and pose for the camera/
Global Warming Threat to Bushwalking
In a submission to the Senate inquiry on extreme weather events, Bushwalking Victoria says it has ''serious concerns about the effects of climate change on bushwalking". Read more on the Age website here.
Rescue on Mt Feathertop
The Gippsland Power football team were flown to safety recently when a bushfire ignited as they were hiking to the peak of Mount Feathertop.
Head coach Nick Stevens said 37 players and staff had to be rescued in three helicopters about 4pm on Tues Jan 24th
Welcome to new members
Toni Young and Kerryn Wilson are our most recent members and both are participating in canoe training activities with the fourth training evening happening this week.
First Aid courses for MVB members
Always wanted to do a First Aid course or need to update? Here is a great opportunity to do so fully paid for or subsidised by the club depending on numbers who want to undertake it, at a location and in a mode suitable to you. The club has received funding from DPCD in Victoria for exactly this purpose. If you are interested please lodge an expression of interest using this form
Since the last Bulletin....
Tues Jan 22 Canoeing Training at Lower Mungabareena
11 people enjoyed the third training paddle for 2013 conducted by Dave Breedon of Murray River Canoe Hire
Wed Jan 23 - Evening Walk and Dinner at the Stump
A total of 10 members and a guest attended - the pub was very noisy, busy and crowded - suggestions for next venue please!
Thurs Jan 24 Lower Mungabareena to Noreuil Paddle
A total of 22 members and guests completed this paddle again in very hot but perfect conditions on the river. At least one platypus was sighted and we got back to Noreuil in 1 hour 45 minutes.
Fri Jan 25 Evening Walk
Claire was joined by 4 other members on a short steep walk from Morningside Place Albury to Nail Can Hill and return
Sunday Jan 27 Beechworth Lake Sambell to Wallaby Mine
A substitute walk was scheduled at short notice by Peter Presutti to replace the cancelled base camp at Tawonga Huts on the Bogong High Plains. Here is Peter's report
Tony Sasho myself and the club mascot, headed off about 9:45 following the well defined walking track. We soon encountered the first sign to Kerford Dam, 5.2 km away. We meandered through some very interesting sites mainly mining holes scattered everywhere even on the track, fortunately these were covered with very strong looking steel mesh. Didn't take us long to arrive at the Silver Creek Caravan park turn off.
Up and down a set of steps, our mascot was not very amused with the steel bridges we had to cross several times eventually ariving at the Kerford dam, we decided to stay on the north side so had to find a track and scramble up a steep cutting.
The next few km was very pleasant along the edge of the lake as the road was very shaded, but it didn't last. We were out in the open for a few more km then out of the pine plantation and back to the bush again.
The turn off to the Wallaby mine track had been disassembled by someone with nothing better to do. However we were confident we were on the right track. Down and down we went, and then some and at last we got to the Battery site.
While having lunch another walker arrived with his small children and told us about another way out to the road, and down to the mine. Oh what an awesome site, the only amusing thing about the mine is the name on my map its called Rechabite Mine. Weird. Maybe someone can explain.
After exploring the mine the 2 sure footed ones and the mascot crossed the creek unscathed but yours truly slipped and nearly went for a swim, or shallow dunking. The rest was a retrace of the way in got back to the car about 3.30. We had covered 16.90 km with a 400 m or so elevation gain and loss.
Down the Track
Looking ahead on the calendar there are some great events coming up.
An overnight canoeing event from Noreuil Park down to 12 Mile is happening on the weekend of Feb 9/10 and an amazing social ecotour of the Barmah wetlands is scheduled for Saturday March 16
Whats On Jan 28 to Feb 4
Follow the "full details here" link to an event that interests you and hit the Join button to start a conversation with the event leader
Tues Jan 29 Easy Walk Along the Murray
Starting at 9am you can join Hans for this delightful short stroll for as long as is comfortable along the south side of the Murray tha few people seem to know about.
Tuesday Jan 29 Beginner Canoe Training
This is another opportunity to engage in canoe training on Jan 29 at a cost of $10 for members and $15 for visitors. Come and see why canoeing is far and away the most popular activity we offer. There is a limit of 10 people with 5 booked in already but we are still taking bookings.
Thurs Jan 31 Canoe the Murray After Work
Another chance to enjoy this extraordinarily popular event with a bbq which is rapidly becoming one of the significant food and cultural events on the Albury Wodonga calendar
Sat Feb 2 Day Walk hard to Wheelers Hut via Tooma River
Iris Joss from Corryong is putting on this event for the second year - one of the best huts in the Snowy Mountains, Wheelers Hut is well worth the visit.
Sun Feb 3 Evening Walk Baranduda Range
A 5km medium walk on Baranduda range followed by a bbq
Catch you on a club event soon!
regards
Tony Marsh
President
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
