Meetings: All meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month (excluding December); General Meetings at Leongatha Community House, 16 Bruce Street, Leongatha and alternating with Activity Planning Meetings and dinner at venues to be announced.

Combined Activity and General Meeting Jan 25 2018 at Meeniyan Hotel
Note that this is a combined Activity and General Meeting

Editors Comment
This is a rather brief Footprints and is really aimed at keeping members up-to-date with club future activities rather than reports on past ones. Our Activity Program has also been updated, both on our website as well as in print.
One activity that has changed for this month is that we have decided to tru having a combined General Meeting and Activity Meeting in an attempt to avoid such a long break between meetings over the summer/Christmas/New Year period, and the committee would urge as many of you as possible to attend. The meeting will take place in our usual Activity Meeting venue - Meeniyan Hotel at 6:30pm.
Our Treasurer, Elizabeth Pearce, has asked me to bring to your attention that she has a new email address, it is now elizabethpearce1437@gmail.com.

Activity Reports
Mt Nicholl - Nov 7
On Tuesday the 7th, 18 of us spent Melbourne Cup day walking the Mt Nicoll walking track at Fish Creek. We started from the township of Fish Creek and walked through farmland to Beard’s Road/Fish Creek Quarry Road which took us to the quarry gates. We then entered bushland where we encountered out first incline, then back onto a section of track with sweeping views of farmland, then back into the bush for awhile before we stopped for morning tea amongst an area of beautiful young gums. Over the stile we went and a little downhill before the BIG climb to the top of the hill with the communication tower. The views were spectacular taking in Tarwin Lower, so easy to pick out because of the wind farm, Corner Inlet, Shallow Inlet and Wilson’s Promontory. Our lunch spot was just over the hill out of the wind, changing our view in the direction of Toora. We were all so comfortable and relaxed but it was time to move on. More up and down with more wonderful views, then back into beautiful bush land. Lots of flowers and bushes were blooming and the orchids were gorgeous. Wendy told us the trees in this section of bush are Gippsland Mallee gums. This section of the track is maintained by Rotary and Lions and they must be commended on the work they have done. We met a couple of mountain bike riders at the Mt Nicholl look out also enjoying the track and the views. After a few more ups and downs we made our way back to the cars that were car shuttled before the walk. We all agreed this is a wonderful walk and a good work out, our thanks to Roz for a job well done in organizing and leading it.
Les

Forthcoming Events

Shearwater Cruise - Feb 14
This activity is a twilight cruise to observe the shearwater birds out at sea. Information can be found on the company website at www.wildlifecoastcruises.com.au
Expressions of interest are required by Jan 10th so that bookings can be made. It is being organized by Jean Jackson who may be contacted on 0408 120 852.

Relay for Life - March 17-18
As a club we have decided to enter a team in this years Relay for Life Walk to do our bit to raise money for the Cancer Council:
Saturday 17th March at Korumburra showgrounds.
We have entered our own team - South Gippsland Walking Activity Club, but we will be sharing our resources and manpower with the cycling group walking in memory of Margaret M (McPherson). If you are interested in being involved with this activity could you please register your name on the Relay for Life South Gippsland website either with our walking group team or with the cycling group.
Registration fees are $20.00 until midnight 14th January, then they increase to $30 from the 15th January. The cycling group will be walking in their cycling tops but you can order your own Relay for Life shirt when you register with our team if you wish. If you have trouble registering your own name please let me know and I can do this for you.
At this stage all we need is your registration - there will be more information and instructions later on.
Thanks
Robyn Scott

Leadership Training
Bushwalking Victoria is offering a weekend course in leadership for members of clubs who would like to lead walks. The course will cover the topics of leadership, planning, conducting a walk, risk management, walk administration and emergency management. The course is given by BWV Board members in a very helpful and informative way where you can meet and work cooperatively with trainee leaders from other clubs.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, 7-8 April 2018
Times: 8.45am - 4pm (earlier finish on Sunday)
Location: Outdoor Recreation House - Conference Room, Westerfolds Park (Melways 33 G3), Fitzsimmons Lane, Templestowe
What do bring: BYO lunch, compass (preferably Silva brand) pen, grey lead pencils, ruler
What’s provided: Morning & afternoon tea, maps and BMLC book

Registration and enquiries: judy@bushwalkingvictoria.org.au
Registration closes on 1 March 2018.

To encourage club members to participate in this activity and as a way of increasing the number of club members who would be willing to lead club activities, it was decided that the club would assist members by making a financial contribution towards the cost of participating. Please give it some thought as it would be an excellent way of increasing both your own bushwalking expertise and increase our clubs resource base.

Mt Buffallo - April 2018
Many people have asked Gayle if she would offer the Mt Buffallo Base Camp/Walking trip again and she is willing to do so. There are no details as yet but the suggested date is 20-23 April 2018 so mark this in your diary if you are interested.

Snowy River Camp
Friends of Robyn and Dale’s have a property in the Orbost area that has a lot of bush that runs down to the Snowy River and they have indicated that the club would be welcome to organize Base Camp and Walking activities there. The meeting was quite keen on the idea in about April next year and resolved to consider it further at a meeting early next year.

Graham and Kate

Walks Program
For the web version of Footprints, the walks program is located on a separate page and is kept up-to-date with changes as they come in.