NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the AJCX Inc.

September October November 1978 Vol. 16 No. 1

Registered in Australia for transmission by post as a periodical Category B 75c

NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF THE A.C.T. INC.

"A National Park for the National Capital"

President: Darryl H A W K E , B Emery St., Chapman, 2611 H3 37.:« (H. 39"u-. Vice-President: John Banks, 9 Furphy PI., Garran, 2605 816641(H) 493b3 Past President: Ian Currie, iu Arnhem Tiace, Red Hill, 2603 Jboll.(ii) Jjoib Secretary: Sheila Kruse, 5U/C Currpng Flats, Braddon

Asst. Secretary: Fiona B r a n C . 11 Dyson ^trret, Lvnenam, • 4 ~ ' 1

Treasurer: Neville Esau, 11 Rymill Place, Mawson, ^ U U J ^ O M 1 / ; n i •• Publicity Officer: Cynthia Hook, P.O. Box 580, Manuka, 2603 Editor: Reg Alder, 45 Starke Street, Higgins, 2bl4 L)4. ±H Committee Members: Reg Alder, Penny Hebbard, Charles Hill, Leigh

McClintock, Trevor Plumb, John Schunke

All Correspondence to Box 457, P.O., Canberra City, 2601

National Parks Association Phone Number: 486104 or °56 Q 1 J '

Subscription Rates : Fami ly - $10.00 Corporate - $ rj. 00 Single - 38.00 Student -

Subscriptions fall due on 1 July

,1M.> ANL OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION

* Promotion of National Parks and of measures tor the protection oi fauna and flora, scenery and natural features in the Australian Capita 1 Territory dr.;:; elsewnere, and the reservation of specific areas.

* Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation areas.

* Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment of, such natura1 phenomena by organized field outings, meetings or any other means.

* Co-operation with orqani zations and persons having sim i lar i.-. tert st~ ar.i objectives.

* Promotion of and education for nature conservation and the planninq u f lanu-use to achieve conservation.

EDITORIAL

Another Association year has passed and committee elections have come and gone. Ian Currie has stood down from the president's chair and Darryl Hawke has taken over. John Banks will be vice-president for the coming year. Bill Boswell has had to drop out of committee work and the resulting two vacancies have been filled by Reg Alder and Leigh McClintock. We wish every success to the new committee.

One other change has taken place. Reg Alder will be taking over as Bulletin editor. This could be a good time to contact your new editor with any criticisms/ comments or suggestions. I'm sure Reg would welcome any correspondence regarding the Bulletin. Articles for the Bulletin are always needed, the more articles an editor has to hand the easier the job becomes. As the deadline for articles is the end of October you have plenty of time, so contributions, please I

N.E.M.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Farmers in the American Sacramento Valley have some problems. (Ecologist Vol.7 No.9). One farmer interviewed had 1400 acres of tomatoes. Here and there a few rows would be nearly blank. 'That's where the fertilizer spouts get blocked, nothing grows here without massive fertilizer injection.' Pesticides also must be constantly used to keep up production.

A $30,000 tomato-picking machine lay abandoned in a shed while his new $40,000 machine would soon be scrapped also. When asked why, he answered that he needed 25 workers to colour-sort the tomatoes, the latest machine, at $60,000, will colour-sort by electronic eye to select red from green. 'Only five workers are needed. Labour costs have gone up and I can't afford to pay 25 workers. To pay interest on my loans I need the latest equipment. All we medium-sized farmers are the same. We are all in debt and have given up all hope of ever getting out of it.'

MACQUARIE ISLAND CATS

Some 250 to 500 wild cats live on Macquarie Island. They were first introduced by sealers in 1810 and a wild population existed by 1820.

The cats live mainly on rabbits, another introduction, but a large percentage of the cats also prey on birds, particularly the white-headed petrel and the Antarctic prion. Other studies have shown that the number of native birds on the island is declining and it seems almost certainly due to the impact of the cats.

N.H.M.

'I AM GLAD I shall never be young without wild country to be young in. Of what avail are forty freedoms without a blank spot on the map?'

Aldo Leopold

A P L E A S A N T A L T E R N A T I V E T O B U S H W A L K I N G

H a v e y o u e v e r h a d t h e f e e l i n g t h a t y o u n e e d a s h o r t b r e a k 'with a d i f f e r e n c e ' - s o m e t n i n g tnat s t i l l g e t s y o u i n t o the b e a u t i e s a n d j o y s of o u t d o o r s , g i v e s y o u f r e s h a i r , e x e r c i s e , g o o d c o m p a n y , a n d d o e s n o t i n v o l v e c a r r y i n g a r u c k s a c k ? If a l l , o r any of t h e s e a p p e a l to y o u t h e n try a s i x - d a y s i x - n i g h t c a n o e t o u r , a s I d i a r e c e n t l y w i t h n o r e g r e t s w h a t e v e r !

E a c h w e e k l y t o u r ( N o v e m b e r t h r o u g h t o e n d M a r c h ) s t a r t s w i t h a d e l i c i o u s l u n c h at J u g i o n g ( s o u t h of Yass ) o n a S a t u r d a y , a n d n o r m a l l y t h i s is a l s o the 'put in' p o i n t . F o r u s , it w a s G u n d a g a i (the H.Q. of C a n o e T o u r s A u s t r a l i a ) a s t h e r i v e r w a s t o o l o w a b o v e t h i s p o i n t . P r i o r t o t h i s w e h a d p a c k e d o u r p e r s o n a l g e a r i n t o i n d i v i d u a l w a t e r - t i g h t c o n t a i n e r s , a n d left o u r c a r s , k e y s a n d w a t c h e s w i t h tne m a n a g e m e n t - t i m e , d a y s , a n d d a t e s w e r e of n o i m p o r t a n c e t o u s f r o m n o w o n ! U p to 17 p e o p l e can b e a c c o m m o d a t e d , w i t h t h r e e i n s t r u c t o r s / c o o k s . O u r g r o u p w a s n i n e p l u s t w o c o m p a n i o n a b l e s t a f f m e m b e r s . T w o - m a n f i b r e g l a s s c a n o e s o f a p p r o x . 12 t o 14 feet a r e s u p p l i e d , a s a l s o a r e t h r e e - m a n t e n t s (only t w o in e a c h ) , a i r b e d s , s u m m e r s l e e p i n g b a g s , p o n c h o s , e t c .

' L a u n c h i n g ' i n t o t h e g e n t l y - f l o w i n g M u r r u m b i d g e e , w e r e c e i v e d b a s i c i n s t r u c t i o n s f r o m the 'bow m a n 1 , w h o p r o v i d e s the e n g i n e p o w e r , a n d t h e 'stern', w h o d o e s t h e g u i d i n g , s t e e r i n g a n d d e c i s i o n - m a k i n g (often a i d e d a n d a b e t t e d by t h e 'bow') A b o u t s i x p e a c e f u l m i l e s l a t e r w e m a d e c a m p , w h i l e t h e s u n s e t w i t h b e a u t i f u l r e f l e c t i o n s o n t h e w a t e r . A l l f o o d is s u p p l i e d - a n d v e r y g o o d it is t o o - a n d c o o K e a Dy tne s t a i r w h o ( n a t u r a l l y ) w e l c o m e a n y h e l p , b u t d o n ' t E X P E C T it! S o o n e is t r e e t o l a z e , t i s h , w a l k , s w i m , c h a t , s u n b a k e , a s y o u w i s h , at a l l t e a , l u n c h a n d c a m p s t o p s . F r e s h f o o d is p i c k e d u p d a i l y a n d s u p p l i e s a r e p l e n t i f u l a n d v a r i e d . H a v i n g n o i d e a of t i m e w e g o t u p w h e n w e w i s h e d , a t e l e i s u r e l y b r e a k f a s t s , p a c k e d c a n o e s a n d a w a y , a l l w i t h o u t a s t r i c t t i m e - t a b l e . M o s t w e l c o m e !

S u n d a y , w e c o n t i n u e d dowr t h e ' B i d g e e , u s i n g o u r ' s k i l l s ' a n d e x p e r i e n c e t o t a k e t h e c a n o e s t h r o u g h n a r r o w g a p s b e t w e e n b a n k a n d s n a g s , u n d e r , o v e r , t h r o u g h o i a , p a r t l y - s u b m e r g e d t r e e s o r t h r o u g h t h e l o v e l y , o v e r h a n g i n g w i l l o w s . On M o n d a y , a l t e r D r e a k f a s t , a l l e q u i p m e n t w a s l o a d e d i n t o a c o a c h w i t h t h e c a n o e s on a t r a i l e r a n d we w e r e d r i v e n t h r o u g h i n t e r e s t i n g c o u n t r y s i d e t o B l o w e r i n g D a m . H e r e , a f t e r u n l o a d i n g , w e w e r e t a k e n t o t h e t o p o f t h e d a m a n d t h e n s h o w n o v e r the T r o u t H a t c h e r i e s

( w h i c h s u p p l y yu'i of S y d n e y r e s t a u r a n t s ) , b e f o r e ' p u t t i n g i n 1 t o t h e c t e a r , c o l d , s w i f t l y - f l o w i n g T u m u t R i v e r .

T h e r e s t o f M o n d a y , a l l d a y T u e s d a y a n d W e d n e s d a y w e f o l l o w e d i t s e v e r -t w i s t i n g , z i g - z a g g i n g , low b a n k s , w i t h r e s t f u l , h i l l y s c e n e r y , l o v e l y w e e p i n g w i l l o w s , o l d , o l d , r i v e r e u c a l y p t s , p o p l a r p l a n t a t i o n s , a n d t e e m i n g b i r d a n d w i l d ­f o w l l i r e . T h e m i d d l e d a y b e c a m e ' c a p s i z e d a y ' , a s w e t o o k a s m a l l t r i b u t a r y , tne Nimbo , r e q u i r i n g q u i c k t h i n k i n g a n d a c t i o n t o s t e e r b e t w e e n s n a g s , u n d e r b r a n c n e s , t n r o u g n o v e r h a n g i n g t r e e s - o n e o b s t a c l e a f t e r a n o t h e r . H o w e v e r , t h e w e a t h e r w a s l o v e l y a n d w a r m , a n d far f r o m c a p s i z i n g b e i n g a d i s g r a c e o n e f e l t a l m o s t g u i l t y at n o t d o i n g s o !

W e r e - j o i n e d t h e M u r r u m b i d g e e s o o n a f t e r b r e a k f a s t o n T h u r s d a y , t h e l a s t f u l l d a y , a n d by l a t e a f t e r n o o n w e r e b a c k at o u r s t a r t i n g p o i n t , u n l o a d i n g g e a r e t c .

From here we were taken to a motel, where rooms had been booked for us -heavenly hot showers, a change of clothes, and a Chinese meal and hilarious evening at the District Services Club.

After bre-ikfast on Saturday we stood around in the sunshine feeling a little odd in our good, civilised clothes, one and all loathing to part and go our various ways. Civilisation was a ghastly thought after a wonderful six days -which seemed like twice that amount - of peace, beauty, good company and food all away from the daily rat-race.

Would I do it again? I can't wait! Meanwhile, if you would like more information, please contact me on 733017, preferably not between 1 and 3 p.m.! If you are already a proficient canoeist, the company are planning some 'white water' day trips on the Goobarragandra river using Tumut youth centre in that area as a base, in October.

Olive B.

SIDE EFFECTS

People in the Oaxaca district of Mexico have called the men who come to spray DDT in the malaria eradication programme Los mutagatos - the cat killers. Apparently the cats walk over the contaminated areas, lick the DDT off their paws and die of a disease of the nervous system. The result is that rats in the area have multiplied, are eating all the food and the local people are hungrier than ever.

WALKING STYLES

'Mr Scott has very kindly come with me on some of my tramps. Ke was patient enough to put up with my snail's pace without complaining. For my short sight, and my need to be sure of what I see, oblige me to dwell on things and to compare them carefully wherever I go. He, on the other hand, is inclined to proceed briskly, like a nimble huntsman, and his sharp eyes notice the less conspicuous of the new varieties of plants more easily than mine do.'

This extract is from Letters of Ludwig Leichhardt, p.532, Newcastle, 12 October 1842. It seems as though the habits of bushwalkers haven't changed much through the years!

4 Bullet.*.** September October November 1978

Acacia genistifolia Link.

This wattle is more commonly known as the 'Early Wattle' because it flowers early in winter. It has also been more commonly known as Acadia diffusa Lindl. However a careful study of the literature revealed that Acadia genistifolia was the earliest published name applied to this taxon. According to The International Code of Nomenclature, which Taxonomists abide by, the earliest published name is the only valid name. Hence Acacia diffusa Lindl. becomes a synonym of Acacia genistifolia Link. This may be irritating to the users, after all 'a rose by any other name is a rose.' However just as road use would be chaotic without Rules, so would the naming of plants be chaotic.

PHILOSOPHY AND THE FUTURE

In 1976 the Mt McKinley National Park in Alaska saw ten fatalities, eighteen frostbite victims and nine cases of serious high-altitude oedema. In all there were 21 air rescue missions costing $80,000 of taxpayers' money. The rescue operations reflect the legal situation now being felt by the U.S. National Parks Service (NPS). When injuries or deaths occur in wild areas judges and juries in the United States are granting increasing awards and damages to the victims and their relatives.

Galen Rowell, a veteran rock climber and trip leader, finds the situation worrying (Sierra Club Bulletin Nov/Dec 77). On the one hand the NPS faces legal costs and on the other rescue costs. The answer is to reduce 'incidents' and invariably such reduction involves denying access to certain categories of visitors on the assumption that some will get into trouble. Court decisions have forced the NPS to consider visitors as invitees, hence the rescue back-up and the possibility of restrictions to would-be climbers and walkers. Rowell raises two questions. The first is an emotional response. People who willingly expose themselves to high-risk wilderness feel the need to be totally self-sufficient. If rescue is only a radio call away then this feeling is destroyed and the climb becomes less meaningful.

The second and larger question is, should the mountain area be managed as pure wilderness? Is it worth trying to preserve the appearance of wilderness while destroying the mental state necessary for a true wilderness experience? Rowell has decided that he would prefer to sacrifice some of the appearance of wilderness. He considers that some basic facilities at the main camping area plus caches of emergency equipment such as oxygen bottles and stretchers at higher sections are better than the destruction of the feeling of self-sufficiency.

Hopefully the legal question will not arise in Australia, but the question of pure wilderness remains. In our area we have the Kosciusko huts. Some see them as man-made intrusions into wilderness. Others feel they serve both historical and shelter purposes. It seems that we have to go beyond the presence or absence of huts and other facilities and ask the question, how would the NSW National Park and Wildlife Service react if there were several serious accidents in the Kosciusko Park? Would they demand rigorous standards to be met by potential walkers and skiers, including the possibility of carrying two-way radios as on Mt McKinley today? And would the alternative to such control be a series of shelter huts with first aid equipment on hand?

A further article in the Sierra Club Bulletin (Jan 78) extends this line of thought and takes what one hopes will be a tongue-in-cheek look at U.S. bushwalking in 2078.

Your would-be walker has to apply for a permit and as demand is high, and the NPS of 2078 limit numbers, he has to wait three years for his two-week hike. When he enters the park, he is briefed by the ranger and told he must stick to his itinerary. He carries a small transmitter so that the park authorities know where he is at any time. All other visitors have similar transmitters and those wandering off-track can be monitored and brought back if they stay off it too long.

!!•• also has an emergency transmitter which emits a distress signal. He can activate this if necessary and summon a rescue-craft to his aid.

Camp fires are not permitted outside of a few designated areas and fuel is supplied by the authority. People caught breaking the rules would have their permits revoked and they would be escorted out of the park. Can you see it all coming or is it an avoidable future?

LOCAL NEWS

Precipitous Bluff. The Association contributed S100 to the Tasmanian Conserv­ation Trust's appeal for funds to defray legal costs incurred in an attempt to save Precipitous Bluff from mining explorations. In 1973 a number of individuals, representing community groups, lodged objections to an application for a mining licence and the Warden of Mines ruled against the granting of the licence. The mining company successfully appealed in the Tasmanian Supreme Court on the grounds that the Trust had no estate or interest in the land. Subsequently the Trust appealed unsuccessfully to the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Tasmania and to the High Court. Following the loss of the first appeal, the main objective became the establishment at law of public interest in the management and usage of public lands.

To a certain extent, though losing their appeals, the Tasmania Conservation Trust has been successful as Precipitous Bluff is now part of a national park. An adverse corollary is the possibility that the loss of commercial forests foregone by including Precipitous Bluff in a national park will envolve the revocation or a part of the Hartz Mountains national park to provide an allegedly equivalent volume of commercial forest, unless an a Iternative can be found within two years.

Black Mountain. Members of the Black Mountain Sub-Committee met the Secretary and three senior officers of the Department of the Capital Territory to discuss developments on Black Mountain which could adversely affect the Reserve.

Gudgenby. At the annual general meeting the Display Sub-Committee showed a 'draft for comment' version of their new audio-visual programme which concentrates on the Gudgenby Park region.

Victorian Alpine Area. In 1977 the Victorian Land Conservation Council issued its Alpine Study Area report for comment, and in April last published its Proposed Recommendations for the area, again inviting comment. National park associations, the VNPA in particular, are bitterly disappointed that no Alpine National Park has been recommended, and, along with other conservation bodies and the Australian Academy of Science, find the Proposed Recommendations generally unsatisfactory. NPA of ACT's comments concentrated on opposition to the LCC's proposals for grazing, and recommended that all the alpine grazing leases be progressively withdrawn.

The MPA library holds copies of the LCC Alpine Study Area report, and its Proposed Recommendations for the area. Park Watch, the VNPA Journal, has a detailed list of their objections in the June 1978 issue.

For sale. NPA badges, 50 cents each, and the booklet 'Rambles around Canberra', at $2.50 to members, are available at general meetings or through committee meetings.

New Pamphlets. The Association has produced two new pamphlets. One is for new members and has a section asking new members if they have any expertise or experience that could be put to good effect for the Association. The same question can be put to present members. If you have and are willing to help, please let the committee know.

The other is a guide to behaviour and safety in the bush and is entitled 'Enjoy the Bush'. Both pamphlets can be obtained at meetings.

TASMANIA 1979

Leigh McClintock would like to organise a walking trip to the Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair area of Tasmania. The walk would take a week. While dates have not yet been decided upon the trip would be some time this summer, after Christmas. Anyone interested should contact Leigh on 474587.

FOR SALE

Block, unspoiled, unenclosed, natural bushland, watered, treed 40 acre share in 240 acres block. $4,500 or offer. Ph. 811438.

NEW MEMBERS

Peter & Cynthia Barrett, Barbara Breakwell & family, Kath Collings, Bruce & Marcia Daniel, M.N. Donoghoe, Robert & Veronica Goldrick, Beverly Hammond, Ann Heard, Mary Hutchinson, Jim & Marjorie Landman, Alan & Pam Ray, Isolde Slattery, Jean Weber, David Watson, Francis Christie, Graham Kanaley, Lyn Leader, Allan Sorrenson, Jim & Lyn Shelton,

RENEWALS

Alan & Marjorie Ashley, Jeffrey Bennetts, Kenneth & Jocelyn Betts, Tony & Judy Corp, G. & R.M. Schneider, Pam Swaffield, Jocelyn Long, Gerda Zietek, Bob Bird, Ruth Davidson, Thea Exley, E.C. Favier, Margaret Finnis, Mr fi Mrs K. Kerrison, Allan Mortlock, Alastair & Hedda Morrison, Delwyn Price, Jim & Lyn Shelton, Fred & Elizabeth White, Bill & Phyllis Adams, Joclyn Long, Sheila Kruse, Ross & Valerie Campbell, Clay & Rose Allen, Margaret Aston, Peter & Cynthia Barrett, R. Bird, Betty Campbell, John & Helen Cumpston, Ross & Joy Carlton, Ian & Jean Currie, Ann Marie Heard, B. Holt, Gladys Joyce, E. Koch-Emmery, Kath Moriarty, Ian McLeod, Leigh McClintock, Norma Price, Delwyn Price, Harold & Jean Marshall, Neville & Maxine Esau, Isabel & Bruce Hamilton, Betty Temple-Watts, Hela Lindemann, Charles & Audrey Hill, Trevor & winsome Plumb.

LIBRARY ACQUISITIONS

Electricity Commission of NSW. Environmental Impact Statement and Addendum, Canberra-Royalla Steel transmission line, 1976.

Land Conservation Council of Victoria. Proposed Recommendation for the Alpine Area. Mar/Apr 1978.

Report of the Inter-Departmental Council of Vegetation Clearance, South Australia. Oct. 1978.

National Parks Association of NSW. Further proposed addition to the Morton National Park. 1977.

N.C.D.C. A Structure Plan for West Murrumbidgee, Tuggeranong. Technical paper no. 19, 1977.

Smith, F.G. National Park Policies in Western Australia. 1977.

Land Conservation Study Group, Initial report. Land Conservation in NSW, Sept. 1977

SYDNEY'S SUPER RATS

Both the press and the scientific literature have recently been focussing attention on the resurgence of malaria. The widespread use of DDT took the disease to its lowest point in 1966 but with mosquitoes seemingly developing immunity to this pesticide some 120 million victims have now been reported throughout the world.

Other creatures can also develop immunity or tolerance and the rat is no exception. A mutation is reported which has produced rats with reduced sensitivity to warfarin, the most commonly used rodenticide. These 'super rats' were first reported in the U.K. in 1958 and were later found in Europe and America. The first examples in Australia were reported in 1974. Twenty-five rats from Sydney, 20 Canberra rats and ten rats from outer Sydney suburbs were tested recently. Over a 62-day period the rats were fed for six days on a diet containing 0.025 per cent warfarin. The rest of the time was an acclimatisation period. Twenty of the 25 Sydney rats survived, two Canberra rats survived and all the outer suburban rats died.

Science ' <: >• - -r-

1. All those intending to go on camps and pack walks, please contact the leader - preferably by the Wednesday of that week.

2. For those who would like a day walk, on the weekends that a camp or pack . walk has been scheduled, please contact Hela Lindemann, tel. 864926.

3. Any queries about any of the outings, please contact the leader, or Jan Kiek, tel. 862140.

SEPTEMBER 3rd/ Sunday Ridge south of Honeysuckle Creek: walk Ref: A.C.T. 1:100,000 A medium grade walk through open scrub country. Unsuitable for small children. Meet at Tharwa at 9.15 a.m. or Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station carpark at

approx. 9.30 a.m. Leader: Charles Hill 958924

10th, Sunday St. George Hill: walk Ref: A.C.T. 1:100,000 A walk along tracks and in bush along the Lake George escarpment. Thirty mins. drive from Canberra. Meet outside the Canberra Club, West Row, Civic, at 9.30 a.m. Walking; 9 km total: easy Leader: Nicholas Blandford 723933(W)

17th, Sunday Devil's Peak: walk Ref: A.C.T. 1:100,000 A fairly easy walk through reasonably open bushland with a lunch-time view from the top (on clear days Mt Kelly is visible). Meet at the corner of Eucembene Drive & Cotter Rd. at 8.30 a.m., or at Uriarra

Homestead at 9.15 a.m. Leader: Penny Hebbard 814070

23rd, Saturday Black Mountain: walk Ref: A.C.T. 1:100,000 An easy ramble on tracks with wanders into the bushland to view the spring wild flowers. Meet at 2 p.m. at Belconnen Way entrance. Leader: George Chippendale 812454

23rd-24th, Saturday-Sunday Dubbo Falls, Fiery Range: pack walk R e f : Brindabella 1:100,000 (NTMS) There will be an exploratory/'democratic' pack walk. This is a medium grade walk of about 20 km. Meet at Brindabella Bridge at 9 a.m. Leader: Les Pyke 812982

OCTOBER 30th Sept., Saturday lst-2nd October, Sun-Mon. Pretty Beach: camp A pleasant, relaxing long weekend camp at the coast with walks along the fore­shores . All those interested, please contact the leader.

Leader: Fiona Brand 479538

8th, Sunday Gudgenby-Glendale Crossing: walk Ref. A.C.T. 1:100,000 After crossing Gudgenby River, the walk follows a track for approx. 7 km., then through the bush and up a rise where we will stop lor lunch. The walk tnen con­tinues along a ridge before descending steeply down to Glendale Homestead. This is an eayy, very pleasant, but long walk (total of lz - 14 km).

Meet at Tharwa Bridge at 8.15 a.m.

14th-15th, Saturday-Sunday Mt. Scabby, Mt. Kelly: pack walk Ref. A.C.T. 1:100,000 It's on again - a double summit pack walk! We hope that this time there is no fog to spoil the superb views. All interested please contact the leader.

Leader: Neville Esau 864176

22nd, Sunday Mt. Bramina: walk Ref. Brindabella 1:50,000 A hard day walk without track (not suitable for young children) - ideal for those who want to stretch their legs. Meet at Brindabella at 9.30 a.m. Allow one and a half hours for travelling. Leader: Lyn Richardson 41242b

28th, Saturday Black Mountain: walk Our second visit for the year to Canberra's local reserve, this time to view the late wild tlowers. Meet at s. p.m., Caswell Drive entrance. Leader: Laurie Adams 4 7 3761

29th, Sunday Billy Billy Rocks: walk Ref. A.C.T. 1:100,000 A moderately difficult walk through dense scrub and up fairly steep slopes. Meet at Eucembene Drive/Cotter Rd. at 8.45 a.m. or at Smokers Gap on Corin

Dam at 9.30 a.m. Leader: John Webster 476769

NOVEMBER 4th-5th, Saturday-Sunday Weddin Mts National Park: camp A camping trip with walks in the Weddin Mts. National Park. For details of walks and directions, please contact the leader.

Leader: Reg Alder 542240

12th, Sunday Fishing Gap, Mt. Domain: walk Ref. A.C.T. 1:100,000 An easy walk along a track to Fishing Gap and then, for those who like it, a bit of rough climbing with some scrub bash ing to Mt. Domain. There should be good views from the top. Those who prefer an easier walk can stop at Fishing Gap for lunch. To Mt. Domain & return 4-5 hours; to Fishing Gap only Si return 2 hours. Meet at Cotter Kiosk at 8.45 a.m. Leader: Hela Lindemann 864926

llth-12th, Saturday-Sunday Coronet Peak area: pack walk Ref. A.C.T. 1:100,000 An exploratory pack walk in the vicinity of Coronet Peak. Those people interested, please contact the leader.

Leader: Pat Michel 473264

19th, Sunday North Tinderry: walk Ref: Michaelago 1:100,000 A must for those who felt disheartened by our last try; surely by November the fog will have clearedl Meet at Cooma Rd & Mugga Lane at 8.15 a.m. or at Michaelago (take the road into

Michaelago, off the highway) at 9 a.m.

Leader: Neville Esau 864176

25th-26th, Saturday-Sunday Broken Dam: pack walk Ref. SMA: Cabramurra A pack walk (with tents) to Broken Dam via Four Mile Hill. In the area are old gold diggings, and if the group is sufficiently energetic an assault on Table Top will be made. Meet at 9.30 a.m. at Adamihaby by the 'Jumping Trout' model. Leader: Bob and Sybil Story 812174

D E C E M B E R

3rd, S u n d a y Mt Boboyan, Hospital Hill

: w a l k R e f . A . C . T . 1 : 1 0 0 , 0 0 0

A n o t h e r w a l k ( a p p r o x . 10 km} in t h e p r o p o s e d G u d g e n b y N a t i o n a l P a r k , w i t h e x c e l l e n t v i e w s of t h e v a l l e y a n d s u r r o u n d i n g w e l l - k n o w n p e a k s . T h e a s c e n t a n d d e s c e n t a r e q u i t e s t e e p w i t h s o m e l o o s e s c r e e s l o p e s - n o t s u i t a b l e f o r y o u n g c h i l d r e n . M e d i u m g r a d e .

M e e t at G u d g e n b y R i v e r , n e a r G u d g e n b y H o m e s t e a d {past R e n d e z v o u s C r e e k ) at y a.m L e a d e r : J a n K i e k 8 6 2 1 4 0

luth, S u n d a y C h r i s t m a s P a r t y R e f . A . C . T . 1 : 1 0 0 , 0 0 0

A n e a s y w a l k o f 6 k m f r o m W o o d s R e s e r v e to P y r a m i d a n d G i b r a l t a r R o c k s r R o c k s , f o r t h o s w h o w i s h to w o r k u p a n a p p e t i t e .

M e e t at W o o d s R e s e r v e at 9.30 a.m.

utherwist-, t h e C h r i s t m a s P a r t y w i l l be iield at W o o d s R e s e r v e c o m m e n c i n g at a p p r o x . 4 p . m . W i n e , c h e e s e a n d b i s c u i t s w i l l be p r o v i d e d . F o l l o w i n g t h e b a r b e q u e C h r i s t m a s c a r o l s w i l l be s u n g , s o c o m e in g o o d v o i c e .

C o n t a c t : D a r y l H a w k e 8 8 3 7 6 3

GENERAL MEETINGS

at 8.00 p.m. in Room 1/ Griffin Centre, Bunda Street, Civic

Thursday, 21 September

Professor J. Mulvaney, Department of Prehistory and Anthropology, A.N.U.

"Art and Archaeology of the Alligator Rivers Recion"

Thursday, 19 October Dr Nigel Wace

, ')s*?r>rtment of Ljiogac^rc-"" hy c.nc!

"Plants as Hitchhikers "

Thursday, 16 November A Great White Bird

A colour fi"1 r-. on the i":inooinn rv-'ns - Izy c. :r':.vy n Canadian High Commission .

PLEASE NOTE — SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE

SEPTEMBER 3 Sunday

10 Sunday 17 Sunday 2 3 Saturday 23 Saturday-24 Sunday

OCTOBER 30 Sat., 1st Sun., 2nd Mon.

8th Sunday 14 Saturday-15 Sunday 2 2 Sunday 28 Saturday 29 Sunday

NOVEMBER 4 Saturday-5 Sunday

12 Sunday 11 Saturday-12 Sunday 19 Sunday 25 Saturday-26 Sunday DECEMBER 3 Sunday

10 Sunday

Honeysuckle Creek area Walk George ;;ill Walk Devil's Peak Walk Black Mountain Walk Dubbo Falls Pack Walk

Pietty Beach Camp

Gudgenby-Glendale Walk

Mt. Scatby - M f . Kelly Pack Walk

Mt Bramina Walk Black Mountain Walk Billy Billy Rocks Walk

Wedoin Mts.

Fishing Gap - Mt. Coronet Peak area

North Tinderry Broken Dam

Camp

Domain Walk Pack walK

Walk Pack Walk

Mt Boboyan - Hospital Hill Walk Christmas Party