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QUEENSLAND

BUSHWALKERS

CLUB Inc.

74 Kallista Rd. Rochedale South

QLD 4123 Email qldbwc@yahoo.com Phone No (07) 3341 7509

www.geocities.com/qldbwc

Newsletter February 2006

Christmas Party at Crystal Waters

Club NewsChristmas Party Thirty-seven members attended the QBW Christmas Party at Crystal Waters near Conondale.

For the few members arriving on the Friday afternoon and evening, getting there itself was an adventure. A heavy rainstorm that afternoon delayed a few cars as there was water across the road. Then the actual camping site was not easy to find, but eventually we all managed to join up. While some put up tents in the rain, others decided it would be better to spend the night in the bunkhouse.

Saturday morning broke fine and clear. There were a few eggs and bacon cooked on outside stoves while a few more people trickled in during the morning.

There was a late start to two very easy walks that day. One group led by Paul Makepeace did part of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk near Baroon Dam. The other group led by Linda Hellmuth walked along Summer Creek in the Conondale Ranges.

On the Saturday evening we had a catered meal run by the Crystal Waters Co-operative and it was a very fine meal indeed. Before and during dinner members had a chance to look at photos and videos of past walks on the big screen via the digital projector and screen the Club has recently acquired via the Gambling Community Benefit Fund. Many thanks to Linda, Paul and David for supplying the videos and photos.

During the dinner, Trevor Cox announced the winners of the Photo Competition. Congratulations to Evelyn Campbell, Wayne Thompson, Noelene McCay and Dave Kenrick for their winning entries.

Sunday morning and Barbara had organized some games involving teams and knowledge of bushwalking skills. This brought out the competitive edge and no quarter was given. Amongst cheering, laughter and blatant cheating a clear winning team finally emerged.

Thus ended a great weekend of socializing, laughter and fun. Many thanks to Evelyn and Barbara for their work in bringing to members another memorable Christmas Party.

Map List QBW has been able to purchase 34 topographic maps, all 1:25000, with the Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant. These maps have been stamped and laminated and cover the areas in southeast Queensland where the Club walks most.

These maps are available to leaders to use on their walks. There is a full list of the sheet maps available on the Club web site.

QBW has also purchased a Sunmap CD set which contains 422 raster maps. These are all 1:25000 and cover various parts of Queensland. The maps are available for perusal to leaders.

Ring 3341 7509 if you would like a loan of a map or to view the raster maps.

Leaders Page on the Web Site Beside the maps available to leaders, the Club website has other information of use to leaders. These include

• Leader's Notes

• Walk Nomination Form

• Information for Emergency Officer

• Abseiling Waiver Forms for adults and children

• Contact information for campsite bookings

Go to http://www.geocities.com/qldbwc/aboutus/leaders.html to download any of the above.

Comings and Goings Mel N completed the northern section of the Bibbulmun Track in September 2005! A 462km. Walk. Well Done!

Dave H has recently returned from Tasmania trekking the Western Arthurs.

Gail C has returned from the Indian sub continent. She did walks in Tibet and Sikhim.

Judy J has also returned from the Indian subcontinent after trekking in Sikhim with Gail.

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General Information Meeting Place Club Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the East Brisbane State School, corner of Stanley Street and Wellington Road, starting at 7:30pm. No meetings in January.

There is parking within the school grounds off Wellington Road. Consult a street directory, as there are a number of one-way streets in the area. There is also parking in Wellington Road.

Tea/Coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. A coin donation would be appreciated. Membership Before a visitor can go on a walk, he/she must be a Member (Probationary or Ordinary) or be a member of an affiliated club.

Membership of QBW is only $20 and lasts till the end of the Club’s financial year which is on the 30th of June each year.

Probationary Membership A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member on his/her first walk after signing the waiver form. There is no fee payable to become a Probationary Member.

However a Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on his/her 2nd walk by filling out a membership form and paying the membership fee.

Ordinary Membership A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out a membership form and handing the form to a committee member or walk leader and paying the $20.00 membership fee.

An Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be elected to a committee position. A Probationary Member has neither of these rights.

Members of Another Bushwalking Club Members of another bushwalking club affiliated with the Queensland Federation of Bushwalking Clubs or another State Federation are covered by the same Insurance as QBW. It is not necessary for them to become a member of our Club to go on our walks.

Equipment for Use by Members

ITEM No Contact Ph No

Compasses 29 Dave Kenrick 3349 8238

EPIRBs 5 Frank Garland 3341 5207

GPS 4 Trevor Davern 0411 512 202

UHF Radios 12 Trevor Davern 0411 512 202

Emergency Lights 6 Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

First Aid Kits 3 Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

Topo Maps 34 Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

Sunmap CD’s 1 Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

Abseil Gear Steve Moyle 3800 3963

Back Pack 1 Steve Moyle 3800 3963

Equipment for Sale

Bivy Bags $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00 These bivy bags are 2 metres by 0.9 metres and are bright orange in colour. They can be used as a pack liner and can double as an emergency bivy bag.

Club Polo Shirts $20.00 each L, M and S size left only

Space Blankets $2.50 each. Light weight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers! Ring Patricia Kolarski on 3341 7509 to purchaser any of the above.

The Management Committee President Trevor Davern 0411 512 202

Vice President Helen McAllister 3844 8464

Secretary Lynn Nicol 3219 6228 (H)

Treasurer Gary Woodward 3245 2695 (H)

Outings Secretary David Haliczer 0419 676 893

Membership Officer Lynne Cavanagh 3376 5053 (H)

Editor Richard Kolarski 3341 7509 (H)

Social Secretary Barbara Makepeace 3245 2186 (H)

Training Officer Frank Garland 3341 5207 (H)

Other Voluntary Positions

Equipment Officer Steve Moyle 3800 3963 (H)

Supper Convenor Patricia Kolarski 3341 7509 (H)

Federation Rep Richard Kolarski 3341 7509 (H)

Federation Rep Trevor Cox 3273 3484 (H)

FMR Rep Frank Bowling 0419 715 719

FMR Rep Position Available

Campsite Monitors Ratatat Hut Barbara Makepeace

Running Creek Falls Richard Kolarski

Throakban Kerry de Clauzel

Mt Superbus Christine & Cliff Harrison

Spicers Peak Ann Kemp Mt May John Brunott

Editors Pic

Linda and ??

New Members Dianne Allen Vern Charlesworth

Lyla Cobiac Elizabeth Foord

Denise Harrison Stuart Mackay

Michael O'Neill Gabriel Romaguera

John Rosendale Hasan Titiz

Mari Watanabe Stella Wells

No of financial Ordinary Members 122

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Special Coming Events New England National Park B/C 14-17 April 2006

I will be leading an Easter Base Camp at Easter from 14th to 17th April 2006 in New England National Park.

Access to the park is via Armidale or Guyra on the New England Highway then 85km east along the Waterfall Way towards Grafton or via Grafton on the Pacific Highway then west passing through Dorrigo. It takes approximately 6-7 hours to drive to New England National Park from Brisbane.

There are 2 camp grounds close to each other – Thungutti campground is in the National Park at Point Lookout, cost $3/night/adult and has cold showers, pit toilets, a shelter shed, BBQ’s and tables. It is a small campground on a first in basis, no bookings taken. Just at the entrance to the park at the Styx River is another campground that is free but it only has pit toilets, no bookings taken. It is suitable for campervans and camper trailers.

I have booked a National Park cabin (Tom’s Cabin) which sleeps 8 in bunk beds in 2 rooms, with hot gas showers, solar lighting, gas cooker and pit toilet for the 3 nights of Easter weekend. The cabin does not have refrigeration and all linen, cooking gear and food must be taken.

It costs $40/night ($5/person/night if 8 people). It may be possible to extend this to extra nights if anyone is interested in going down early or staying on after Easter. The cabin and both campgrounds are very close.

Cathedral Rock, Guy Fawkes River, Oxley Wild Rivers and Dorrigo National Parks are all a short drive from New England National Park. There are opportunities for both track and off track walking in these parks with spectacular views over the escarpment and into the gorges and plenty of rock hopping and abseiling in the creeks and rivers with many waterfalls and cascades.

The walks to be done will be dependant on the weather. Expect the weather to be cold in April and there is always the possibility of rain.

If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Barb Makepeace ph: 3245 2186.

Wildflowers of Mt Barney and the Scenic Rim A Presentation by Glenn Leiper

Date Monday 20th March 2005

Venue: The Parish Hall

St Brigid's Catholic Church Red Hill

Address 78 Musgrave Road, Red Hill

Time: 7-45 pm to 8-30 ish

Cost nil, gratis, zilch.

This is an excellent opportunity to find out the names of the little wildflowers you often walk past on your bushwalking trips.

Glenn is an exceptional presenter who has the ability to make a detailed topic like botany come alive and interesting, even to those who only have a passing interest in wildflowers.

Glenn is the Principal at the Jacobs Well Environmental Education Centre. He has published several books on native plants and wildflowers. Most recently he co-authored the book Mangroves to Mountains Volume 2

The Catholic Bushwalkers invites members of the other bushwalking clubs in the Brisbane region to attend this special presentation.

Please note we will have a quick supper at the end of the talk and then hold our regular monthly meeting after the supper.

Phil Murray Vice President,

Brisbane Catholic Bushwalking Club

Phone 3841 0254.

Past Events Beginner's Abseil Kangaroo Point 26 January 2006

Over 23 people attended this beginner’s abseil training day at Kangaroo Point on Australia day. It was a perfect day to be out on the cliffs and the early start made it quite comfortable for abseiling before the heat of the day.

Getting Into Gear

Steve Moyle and Trevor Davern began by showing everyone the various equipment used in abseiling. There was also a short introductory talk.

An abseil on a small slope only about 3 metres high had been set up to give the absolute beginners the feel and sensation of using the rope and harness. There were at least eight people who had never abseiled before and they appreciated the chance to check out abseiling before venturing to the more adventurous cliffs. It was heartening to see many of the more experienced members present lend a helping hand where needed.

Learning the Ropes

Then it was off to the bigger cliffs for all and many were able to do multiple abseils. There was sufficient time for everyone to ask questions and have as many abseils as they desired. Many thanks to Trevor, Barbara, Paul, Linda, Kieran, Chris, Ann, John, and all the others who assisted.

Special thanks to Steve who so generously allowed us to use his gear.

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Past Walks Montserrat / Upper Portals 9 October 2005

HEAT - RAIN -DOUBT - LUCK. Fortunately we had luck on our side on the day, although I told my group that I had special powers. The week before the walk weather conditions were atrocious with strong winds and temperatures reaching 40degrees, and storms forecast for Friday and Saturday.

Richard, David K, and myself had explored the Paddy's Plains area on Thursday. It was bloody hot! Discussions turned to the Montserrat walk on Sunday. David suggested that it was going to be too hot, and offered to take any of the group that found the going too hot back to the cars. Come Friday night I expected some of the walkers may cancel, but no one did.

A GREAT WALK. Sunday arrived with sunny skies and a nice cool southwest wind. Our 3 FWD's (Lynne C., David K., and Richard) picked up their passengers (13 walkers in total) and off we went.

Waterfall Road was very rough, non FWD vehicles were out of the question. We negotiated Windy Ridge without any problems, and were greeted by a beautiful cool breeze. We started our walk at 8:30am with a planned morning tea break by 10am.

On Windy Ridge

To give everyone a hassle free walk, Richard went ahead with the faster walkers, David with the middle of the range while myself and a few of the others enjoying the rear. We regrouped several times on the way up, before the fasties were away again.

Actually the whole walk was organised this way, and worked very well. At no time was any walker left on their own or unaccompanied by an experienced person, and regrouping regularly meant we weren't spread out for miles.

We all enjoyed our walk up the ridge arriving at Montserrat at 10-10. It was windy and cold. We sat behind the rocks in the warm sun out of the wind and had our morning tea. It was extremely pleasant

I don’t know what they had for smoko, but on the downhill run to the Upper Portals I had to run to keep up (must be getting old). We went exploring the rocks before going over the top to our lunch break at the Portals. We had over an hour break for lunch. It was great!

Richard, Chris and myself enjoyed a swim in the big hole. On our exiting the pool, Chris was in a death roll with a huge croc that was attacking Richard. Tom and Mary were in fits of laughter; it was only a log (but with Chris’s acting it did look real.)

We were enjoying lunch when another club arrived. They had walked up from Lower Portals, what happened next made me very proud to be a member of our club. A poor fellow from the other club had a bad fall and had split his arm open, it looked quite nasty and needed stitching. After trying to bandage his own arm, one of our club members took out his own first-aid kit and proceeded to bandage his arm for him. I felt so sorry for the poor bugger, not one of his own club members even acknowledged that he had had a fall, or attempted to assist him.

I rallied our troops together and enquired as to whether they wished to continue the walk or go back on the road with David, all wanted to continue the walk. I think David was disappointed he would have liked an easy walk home (sorry David.)

This time the slower walkers left 10minutes before the faster ones, which should put us up the top together. This is a great ridge, with views, boulders and great gum trees. As we neared the top we could see the faster walkers approaching, it was suggested we throw rocks and logs at them, but we didn’t.

The last part of the forestry road was very pleasant, with Richard finding a huge Lace Monitor about 3 metres in length (up a tree) On our way back down Waterfall Road, Lynne C went last so I could close the gates. Chris was first and opened them, mind you, he didn't open and close them.

Back down with flying colours, and on to Boonah for the traditional "pig out." This was a great walk with terrific company. Many thanks to Richard, David and Lynne for the use of their vehicles

See you next walk. Ken Walters

Box Forest Circuit 16 October 2005

It had rained all night with some heavy falls in the north of Brisbane but I was determined that this walk would still go ahead. In the morning it was still drizzling but who knew what the weather was like up at O'Reillys?

There were a few phone calls early that morning from the walkers asking if it was still going ahead and my answer was yes. However the initial group of ten was whittled down to five.

The five of us met at Canungra. There we met a group from BBW who were doing a walk at O'Reillys and another group from the Gold Coast but they decided to cancel their walk.

We drove up in one car and halfway up the mountain the weather cleared and it looked quite fine. So you can never tell what the weather will be till you get there.

We began along the Border Track which was not muddy at all. We made easy progress to the turnoff to the Box Forest Circuit. The Brush Box itself is a large canopy tree and has the largest trunk diameter of any tree in Lamington National Park. There were many impressive trees along the way with some trees still standing after part of their trunks had been burnt and partially hollowed out.

The creek level was up slightly and though we did get our boots wet we all made it fairly easily across the several times we had to cross over. Along the way we stopped to look at Box Log Falls and Elabana Falls.

Just on lunch time it began to rain and so we sheltered under some trees and had a quick lunch before continuing on. We were back at O'Reillys for an early afternoon tea.

Many thanks to Patricia, John, Winsome and Michael for their company. Richard

Chungaragool Cave 23 October 2005

No write-up for this walk as Ken said it was the worst walk he has ever done. The company was great but the route itself was terrible. The photos though are worth including.

Chungaragool Cave

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Walkers on Way to Chungaragool Cave

Bartopia B/C 29-30 October 2005 This Base Camp led by John Brunott came about after John met a landowner in the Mt Barney area. The owner was opening up a resort located at the head of Yamahra Ck and he graciously allowed us to camp on his property before the official opening.

Some of us arrived the Friday evening and were thankful for Steve and his 4 wheel drive for the drive into to the resort. The road was still rutted and steep in places that would have made it difficult if not impossible for conventional vehicles.

The resort had just erected a few large permanent tents but already had a community kitchen plus toilet and shower.

The Saturday morning was a bright clear day and after waiting for a few more people to arrive we did a walk to check out some cliffs that John wanted to explore. After a few detours we found the cliffs and made our way back for lunch at the campsite. In the afternoon there was another exploratory walk to check out some waterfalls and gorges and to find a new way to Double Peak.

Views From Double Peak

Sunday was a bright and sunny day again and a group of us set off with John to go to Double Peak. After walking up a small hill from the campsite, we dropped down into a saddle. From there it was a long uphill walk to Mowburra Peak. Here we had a welcome rest before continuing along the ridge line to Durramlee Peak. This was a great stop for photo opportunities and a short rest.

The final walk to Double Peak was well worth the effort with magnificent views to the north and south. We had a leisurely lunch plus the mandatory photo shoot before heading our way back.

This new route to Double Peak certainly cut off a few hours from the previous route via Montserrat and Focal Peak.

Many thanks to John for taking us on this weekend. Richard

FMR Report on the Search and Rescue of Two Lost Adventurers on Mt Barney

8th-10th January, 2006 On Sunday 8th January 2006 four individuals set off to climb Mt Barney in the early morning. After about three hours, in poor conditions, with two individuals were well in front, the other two decided to turn back and head for their vehicle and wait for their companions to return. They had climbed to somewhere a little short of the highest point on South (Peasant’s) Ridge, just before it descends into Rum Jungle (the Barney saddle).

The returnees arrived back at their starting point at the Yellowpinch day-use area in the early afternoon. Their progress had been slow, but not particularly unusual in the adverse conditions. They had taken approximately three hours to get back. Torrential rain, slippery surfaces and reduced visibility prevailed throughout their adventure. When the summiters, both aged 30, had not returned by 7:00 PM the authorities were alerted.

At least one local bushwalking club had postponed a walk on the mountain because of the poor conditions. For balance, it is worth recording that all search parties, some proceeding quite rapidly, were able to perform their tasks without any unfavourable outcomes.

The mountain pair had ascended to the top of East Peak and had become disoriented due to the deteriorating weather. Their subsequent route is not known with any certainty. They spent their first night out in cool, uncomfortable, foggy and wet conditions. Warm temperatures had at least not produced life-threatening circumstances. Their subsequent progress down the mountain was slow because of the (to them) unknown and difficult terrain. They had found their way into Barney Gorge, but did not know where they were.

Mount Barney is approximately 20 minutes helicopter flying time SSW of Brisbane at a distance of roughly 120km. On Monday a preliminary rapid search was conducted by SES. A party was placed on East Peak by helicopter and they descended to Barney saddle and then down South Ridge. No evidence of the lost persons was found. The helicopter searched the upper areas and ridges of Mount Barney, again with negative results.

The lost persons discovered a space blanket in their first-aid kit on Monday. This enabled them to spend their second rain-drenched night huddled together but in a warmer state. They had little food except for some sultanas and grapes. Water was plentiful.

A full scale search involving Federation Mountain Rescue, several SES groups from as far away as the Gold Coast and Esk Shire and instructors from the Maroon Outdoor Centre were involved. Senior Constable Brett Taaffe from Rathdowney, Senior Constable Craig Calvert, Canungra and Keith Sullivan, Ranger in Charge, QPWS, were responsible for this call-out.

FMR alerted a number of Rescue Leaders and other experienced and currently fit bushwalkers. The response was excellent. Andrew King dropped off some rescue equipment to supplement that collected by Ron Farmer who had received the request for assistance and implemented the call-out. FMR had first been asked for help around 8:00PM Monday.

Since the walkers had now been out for two nights, anxiety for their well-being was a central concern. A second wave of bushwalkers would have been activated if Tuesday’s more extensive searches had been unproductive. Remaining Rescue Leaders and Club Presidents would have been contacted early Tuesday evening for this purpose. Eagles Ridge, Logan’s Ridge and the more remote tracts of the Ballow area would have been investigated. Helicopter reconnaissance would have been severely hampered in this later and extensive sector. Fortunately, events turned out favourably and this wide-scale inconvenience was avoided.

More than 60 people participated in the search. The Deputy Local Controller Beaudesert Shire Council SES and Group Leader Beaudesert SES were responsible for much of the executive level organization of SES groups. Nik van’t Hof Counter Disaster Coordinator Gold Coast City Council and myself shared our combined past experience on searches in this region for the purposes of developing a search deployment plan with the highest possibility of early success.

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SES with their large number of personnel and less detailed knowledge of the mountain searched the track from the Lower Portals car-park to the Lower Portals, the rough track from the Lower Portals to the Barney gorge campsite, the Graces hut tract down to the Upper Portals and the lower reaches of Back Creek.

The Maroon Outdoor Centre contingent searched Mezzanine Ridge and the gorges on either side.

FMR had several parties. The first, led by Phil Box, was to search South Ridge and descend Barney gorge.

The RACQ CareFlight helicopter found the lost people a short while before Phil’s party would have discovered them. An SES party ascending from below also would have been present afterwards.

Ted Wassenberg’s party searched South East Ridge and were to return to base via North saddle and Rocky Creek.

Doug McDonald’s party searched South Ridge and were to then investigate the full length of Garv’s gorge. Given the heavy rain and swollen creek with splendid waterfalls this would have been a tricky assignment as would have been the Rocky Creek descent.

Ron Farmer’s party, searched the lower part of Egan’s Creek, South Ridge and were to then scour the basin above the old hut site and the upper slopes of Mezzanine Ridge including the upper side of South East Ridge before descending the swollen Egan’s Creek. This party was to be available to any of the other mountain parties in the event of discovery of the lost individuals.

An SES communications officer accompanied each FMR and Maroon Outdoor Centre party providing uniform communications for the whole operation. They performed their duties capably and participated well with each of the mountain search parties, all of which were designated with an individual (Tango then a numeral) call sign. All these parties also attended to probing the gorges on either side of South Ridge and to any movements on Savage’s Ridge. An SES relay station had been set up on the slopes above base at Yellowpinch and toward the Mt Gilles area.

Around 11:15 AM on Tuesday the RACQ CareFlight crew found the lost persons and winched them out from the flank of Barney gorge. Helicopter movements had been hampered early in the day by low cloud, fog and intermittent heavy rain.

The original intent to place mountain search parties high on the mountain to aid rapid descent and prompt investigation had been abandoned and all parties walked in. The lost persons, hearing the searching helicopter, moved to higher ground to aid their detection. Because of exhaustion and lack of food they had no intention of moving further and were dependent on searchers finding them. They are to be commended for the good sense they exhibited in getting themselves seen.

All parties were then recalled. Communication problems were now exacerbated by poor radio reception, but acts of initiatives by various parties in using alternatives ensured that all groups returned to base without lengthy, difficult, and unnecessary searching.

The Police debriefed the chastened overnighters. Relieved loved ones were interviewed by representatives from the media as were the previously lost persons and after a check on their health and a good feed they were allowed to depart.

Transport which had earlier enabled search parties to avoid walk-ins to the start of the ascents were again dispatched and all persons involved had returned, been fed, and debriefed, by about 3:00 PM. The drivers performed their duties capably. There was a de-briefing at the end of the joint operation.

Communications issues and some minor organizational delays were the main points raised in the formal and final debriefing. All agencies worked well together, a solid rapport had been re-established and the thanks from the Police and QPWS had been extended to all participants. By wide agreement the cooked food and refreshments was much appreciated.

Observations The safe detection and rescue of the lost people is the best possible result and we rejoice in it, despite our own inconvenience. Separate tasking of different agencies, which has long been advocated, proved its worth on this exercise.

Given tight money constraints on resources for SES communications, we recommend that future recalls be supported by helicopter mounted relays. UHF radios on appropriate channels could most assuredly cover the recall and confirmation of the status of all parties. A joint submission from Local Shires, SES, FMR, Maroon Outdoor Centre, QPWS and the Police would surely enable rapid implementation of this very cost-effective option to be achieved.

This is a reminder of the need for sound navigation skills and the advantages of some over-night capability. The inexpensive, sturdy packliner & bivvy bag available from the Queensland Federation of Bushwalking Clubs is recommended. This light, bright orange addition to even a day walk pack, may also be used to attract attention and has useful information on minimal impact walking and advice on responding to an emergency printed on the side. It has other non-emergency uses as well. For example, it may be used as a ground-sheet, a temporary fly, or for collecting water in the daytime.

Aftermath Television channels 9 and 2 followed by the Courier Mail, on the 12th January 2006, carried reports of the incident.

As is now normal for these things, on your behalf, I’ve given two radio interviews and have plugged the importance of walkers joining recognized bushwalking clubs so that they might gain the necessary skills to safely enjoy the outdoors. I suspect SES representatives have done likewise.

FMR will now purchase UHF radios. This had been previously approved and we now know for sure SES will be discarding their VHF sets for UHF ones. This should enhance synchronization of activities and still provide mutual independence.

Current building refurbishment of the old Museum has the potential to temporarily compromise ready access to our rescue equipment in an emergency. I have pursued this for a guaranteed sounder result. FMR will now receive regular advice on matters concerning the building. Again, FMR will seek information on the likely future of our storage room with the view to gaining a wider distribution of access keys.

Updated contact information is being exchanged between the various entities involved.

Appreciation My personal thanks to all who participated. You were a credit to bushwalkers and have beneficially raised an appreciation for our chosen recreation with government agencies with whom we have to deal. Each of you kept your eyes and ears open, and your minds focused and attentive. My gratitude to you all for your timely, considered and insightful thoughts plus useful comments throughout the whole course of the activity.

Both Brett Taaffe, the Police officer responsible at base for the overall operation, Keith Sullivan, QPWS and the senior SES Regional and District Controllers extend their thanks for your work.

To those of you, through work or other commitments, or from recent arrival back from New Zealand walking, who were unable to contribute on Tuesday, but who had volunteered to help subsequently, my thanks also. Your honesty is appreciated. Several people indicated a willingness to participate in leadership roles in the wider searching, if it had been needed. Your commitment is much valued.

To those in QPWS who provided behind the scenes assistance and to FM radio stations ABC-FM and B105 my thanks.

Finally, my gratitude to Senior Constable Brett Taaffe, District Ranger Keith Sullivan, and others for providing useful and thorough details on aspects of events leading to this call-out.

Dr Ron Farmer

(President, Federation Mountain Rescue)