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
MVB Bulletin # 54 Jan 20 2013
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
'Tis the season to embrace the Murray River - its cool, wide and fast flowing - just the way we love it.
Beginners canoeing events are being held on a separate night to the regular Thursday evening paddles - the third evening training session is after work Tuesday 22nd Jan
For the last two summers we've flinched at every drop of water that lodged upon us while canoeing and were hanging out for a hot summer's evening paddle and tonight it finally delivered - shivers it was hot for the first hour on the paddle that 19 people enjoyed on thurs Jan 17th - but no one was complaining - its not hard to stay cool when the water temperature is about 18 and youre sitting in it!
Welcome to new members
Col and Jo-anne Ward and Louise Evans are our latest members
Having trouble viewing photos in this bulletin? you can view this bulletin on the clubs website here
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 by the club at a time, location and 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
Shooting Feral Animals in NSW National Parks
New laws allowing hunting in 78 NSW national parks came into effect recently, though shooters will not be allowed to open fire until March next year. While we applaud all efforts to control feral animals it appears that bushwalkers may pay the price of the state government's decision to allow amateur hunters into national parks through increased insurance costs to reflect the risk of being shot. Read more in this Sydney Morning Herald website.
Canoe Training Webpages
Club member Lin Starke is working on developing pages on our website to support the canoe training program and has now developed three articles. You can also view some of the articles that have appeared in the Border Mail recently about canoe capsizes that have occurred - please note these incidents have not been Murray River Canoe Hire activities. But they do highlight the critical importance of safety procedures in our canoeing activities.
Check out the canoeing pages here
Since the last Bulletin....
Tues Jan 15 Canoeing Training at Lower Mungabareena
8 people (and Ailla the wonder dog) enjoyed the second training paddle for 2013 conducted by Dave Breedon of Murray River Canoe Hire
Thurs Jan 17 Lower Mungabareena to Noreuil Paddle
A total of 19 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 time for the usual bbq.
Sat Jan 19 Evening Walk
Claire was joined by 4 other members on a short steep walk from Morningside Place Albury to Nail Can Hill and return
Whats On Jan 21 to Jan 28
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
Tuesday Jan 22 Beginner Canoe Training
There are two more opportunities to engage in canoe training on Jan 22 and Jan 29 at a cost of $10 Come along to a canoe training session and see why this is far and away the most popular activity we offer.
Dave from Murray River Canoe Hire will get you up and paddling safely in no time. There is a limit of 10 people with 5 booked in already but we are still taking bookings.
Wednesday Jan 23 Easy Abseil
There is a 10am start to beat the heat for this beginner level abseil at the Albury Quarry
Wed January 23 Social Dinner at Stump Hotel and optional evening walk
Thurs Jan 24 Canoe the Murray
Another great after work paddling opportunity - we can cater for up to 22 paddlers but need early bookings please - and dont forget to mention if you are bbq'ing or not!
Fri Jan 25 Evening Walk Nail Can Hill
Join Claire to participate in this walk up Nail Can Hill from Morningside Place Albury
Fri Jan 25 to Mon Jan 28 Tawonga Huts Basecamp
Sunday Jan 27 DragonBoat paddling At Falls Creek
Join Claire for the Dragon boat Mile High championships at Rocky Valley Falls Creek
Catch you on a club event soon!
regards
Tony Marsh
President
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
MVB Bulletin # 53 Jan 13 2013
Murray Valley Bushwalkers Inc
'Tis the season to embrace the Murray River - its cool, wide and fast flowing - just the way we love it. Beginners canoeing events are being held on a separate night to the regular Thursday evening paddles - the second evening training session is after work Tuesday 15th Jan
Welcome to new members
Jean Cumming, Zoe Mason, Kellie Miller, Kerry Keil, David Amery, Annette and Breeanna Ash. Also we are happy to have a number of guests attending canoeing events at the moment and they are just as welcome.
First Aid Kits
We have two comprehensive kits purchased with funds made available from the City of Wodonga. Each kit includes two state of the art snake bite bandages.
You can read more about the kits and bandages here
Canoe Training Webpage
Club member Lin Starke is working on developing pages on our website to support the canoe training program. The first article is about safe canoeing with other boats in the water. You can also view some of the articles that have appeared in the Border Mail recently about canoe capsizes that have occurred - please note these incidents have not been Murray River Canoe Hire activities. But they do highlight the critical importance of safety procedures in our canoeing activities.
Check out the canoeing pages here
Since the last Bulletin....
Tues Jan 8 Canoeing Training at Lower Mungabareena
12 people (and Ailla the wonder dog) enjoyed the first training paddle for 2013 conducted by Dave Breedon of Murray River Canoe Hire
Wed Jan 9 Easy Evening Walk at Baranduda
10 members and guests enjoyed the respite from the hot weather to enjoy this 6km x 2 hour walk
Thurs Jan 10 Lower Mungabareena to Noreuil Paddle
A total of 17 members and guests completed this paddle in perfect conditions on the river. At least one platypus was sighted and we got back to Noreuil in time for the usual bbq.
Whats On Jan 14 to Jan 21
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
Tuesday Jan 15 Beginner Canoe Training
Come along to a canoe training session and see why this is far and away the most popular activity we offer. The club has been funded to offer a series of heavily subsidised canoe safety and technique training sessions arising from a recently successful funding submission.
Dave from Murray River Canoe Hire will get you up and paddling safely in no time. There is a limit of 10 people with 5 booked in already but we are still taking bookings.
Thurs Jan 17 Canoe the Murray
Another great after work paddling opportunity - we can cater for up to 22 paddlers but need early bookings please - and dont forget to mention if you are bbq'ing or not!
Sat Jan 19 Easy Evening Walk
Join Claire for a brisk short walk from Morningside Place Albury to Nail Can Hill and return
Sat Jan 19 Hard Road Bicycle Ride
Join John for a testing road cycle from Mt Beauty over Tawonga Gap to Bright and then up Mt Buffalo and return - 120km all up
Sun Jan 20 Dragon Boat paddling
Join Claire for another opportunity to experience this fun activity
Sun Jan 20 Intermediate Abseil
Join Neil for another opportunity to experience this fun and exciting activity
Catch you on a club event soon!
regards
