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.

Activity Meeting May 23 at 6:30pm in the Meeniyan Hotel, followed by dinner

General Meeting June 27 2019, Leongatha Community House at 8:00pm>

Colac - Otway Ride - 24-29 March 2019

Day 1
George & myself boarded the bus early Sunday morning the 24th March, joined Pat & Colin at Southern Cross Station, had refreshments before boarding our transport to Ballarat, where we joined the others who had come by vehicle and were waiting at Ballarat Station. 9 in the group in all, David, Kerry, Joy, Jean, Julie, Pat, Colin, George & myself (Ian). We unloaded the bikes excitedly, learning how to achieve this, as the bikes go on a certain way, so it’s the same getting them off, but we all agree that the trailer, custom made to transport our bikes is a huge asset to the club. It was noticed that someone had misplaced their helmet & had to buy a new one, as there were multiple excuses, they shall remain nameless. So, with the bikes down & consternation quelled, we set off for a cafe in the city, choosing The Lava Café where we enjoyed a fine lunch. Riding through the streets, traffic was quite busy; we made our way around Lake Wendouree & on to the Botanical Gardens, which were splendid in their autumn tones, then made our way to our accommodation & dined at the Ballarat Golf Club.
Day 2
Muster was at 9.00am Mon 25th, everyone set off in good humour & found the rail trail, rain was threatening but held off, however the wind was in our faces, slowing down the peloton, the lunch stop at Linton was a well-received break. Regrouping we moved on to Skipton, where our accommodation & evening meal was at the local Service Station. It was fine, a good sleep after a 60km ride.
Day 3
Muster at 8.30am Tues 26th, this was to be the longest leg with 76km to get to our next accommodation. It was a difficult ride with a side wind to start with but it the swung around to be a stiff headwind. Lunch at Lismore was most welcome & hats off to the wonderful couple in the cafe who treated us to great service. The afternoon ride was long & slow but we got there, some understandably opting for the sag wagon. We retired to the Lakes & Craters Caravan Park, dining at the Commercial Hotel Camperdown in fantastic style.
Day 4
Today Wed. 27th no need for early starts with some of us catching the train to Colac, which left Camperdown at 10.19am. After meeting David at Colac station with the bikes, we unloaded again & headed off to Forrest 36k away. The extra break with the train journey helped us recoup for this ride, which turned out to be not so bad, with some taking a nap at our caravan park, others went out to Lake Elizabeth. Dinner was across the street at the Forrest Hotel.
Day 5 28th
Muster at 8.30am we set off, not knowing the next 18k would be all, almost uphill, but got there - I had my only ride in the sag wagon to Ferguson where we found an excellent cafe for lunch. We then got on to the “Old Beechy Rail Trail” taking us to Gellibrand where we stayed at the Otway’s Caravan Park & they had a bistro for us to dine at which was tasty & reasonably priced. Everybody turned in early as we had done for the whole trip, as the daily grind both ensures and requires a good sleep.
Day 6 29th
Last day, as there was a train to catch at 10.47am in Colac & its 27k to go. We didn`t waste any time setting off at 7.30am, the last riders reached the station at 10.25am & loaded up the bikes. Goodbyes said, we were on the journey home. All in all, what a great cycle trip it was, excellent accommodation, meals & company, well done Kerry & thanks to all the drivers that helped.
Ian James

Cape Woolamai


The temperature in the car read 16.5C this Tuesday morning, March 26, 2019. However combined with the wind chill factor the temperature was 5! (a conservative estimate) The keen Tuesday walkers struggled to put their coats on in the ferocious wind, the cheerful leader, Ian welcomed everyone. 11 members and 4 visitors braved the elements of gale force winds and the ‘occasional’ shower to walk in a 8.5 km loop at Cape Woolamai.
The group left the lifesaving club carpark and with the wind at their backs, walked along the beach to the stairs and up to the cliff top. Even the birds were finding it difficult to make progress today!
Spectacular ocean views and the sound of the treacherous waves were enjoyed by the group. Stopping to view the pinnacles, we walked past the beacon down to the sheltered area. We were greeted and observed quietly by wallabies who were also looking for shelter. Morning tea was taken at the old quarry site. Some enjoyed a hot coffee, others wished they had! Walking back along the beach and up through the dunes, the cars were soon in sight. Lunch in San Remo completed an invigorating and most enjoyable outing.

Stony Creek
April 16th saw 22 club members assemble at Robyn and Dales’ Stony Creek property for a very pleasant stroll through both their and Liz Cummins’s properties, which share a common boundary. We commenced walking along a boundary fence and quite soon were treated to the sight of koalas in the tops of the trees before making our way diagonally across the property to a creek which marks the boundary with Liz’s farm. Here we walked through an extensive patch of bush to be treated by the sight of a mob of kangaroos moving at speed from one side of the paddock into the next. As we walked past a dam on the edge of the bush, we were greeted by the sight of three large boletus mushrooms, well over 30cm in diameter, and whilst past their prime were still a magnificent sight.
From there we moved across to the Stony Creek Racecourse for a rest and refreshments as well as the obligatory group photographs before making our way through Stony Creek township to the rail-trail and then back to Robyn and Dale’s place, where we were treated to some victuals, including a very fine passionfruit sponge, and coffee or tea. A highlight during this time was the arrival of Doug D’Oliver and many of the club members took this opportunity to have a chat with him. An excellent morning ably led and catered by Robyn and Dale

Wonthaggi Bush to Beach
A highly enjoyable ramble through the Wonthaggi heathlands down to the beach and back was held on April 23. The weather was kind with very little wind and successful reading of the tide chart meant that a wander along the firm sand at low tide was possible.

Presidential Community Action


Living in a small community can be hazardous as there is always someone watching!!
Snapped recently at the Mirboo North School protest gathering in support of the Global Day of Action is none other than our illustrious President.
Her original plans for the day were to join the march in Melbourne CBD together with her daughter, in support of her granddaughter. Canine illness upset those plans, but undeterred Joy joined the local children instead. As you would expect her behaviour was ladylike and discreet, but heartfelt none the less.
Be prepared for future protest appearances if someone provides an appropriate banner!
Judy ‘supersleuth’ Speedy

Forthcoming Events

Mebership Renewal 2019-2020
Just a quick reminder that membership Renewal and Fee payment is fast approaching - due at the beginning of July!

Bendigo Art Gallery: ‘Tudors to Windsors’ Exhibition - June 12-13
Suggested dates June 12-13,, arriving lunchtime to view exhibition at 2pm. You will need to book in advance at www.bendigoartgallery.com.au Exhibition cost is $25, with a rather upmarket afternoon tea offer at $75 inc ticket.
There are several possible places to stay and many accommodation options. The suggested venue is BIG4Park Lane, Junortoun as it is pet friendly. It has onsite cabins in various sizes as well as powered sites for those who prefer to take their own accommodation. Get together with a bunch of friends to share the trip and the accommodation.
For the second day Bendigo has a lot to offer, from heritage tours, historic sites and artisan bookbinders to the Bendigo Pottery and Woollen Mill. If we are going to drive that far we might as well stay the extra day and enjoy ourselves before we drive home again Please contact Elizabeth Pearce if you are intending to go, but you must make your own accommodation reservation.

Bastille Day Lunch
This event will be held at Hydewood, 625 Barktown Rd, Boolarra South, commencing at 12:30.
Each participant is required to bring a French cuisine dish to share - please consult Kate.
RSVP by July 1 by email to hydewood@bordernet.com.au
Contact Kate Senko on 0412 126 369

Ben Boyd National Park
This is a base camp and booking is required by July 1 to ensure that we book our camp sites/cabins at Wonboyn.
Contact Kate Senko on 0412 126 369

Proposed Walk at Wilson’s Prom - May 19
Jude Speedy has added this activity to our program.

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.