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 24 2018 at 6:30pm in the Meeniyan Hotel

General Meeting April 26th at 8:00pm in Leongata Community Centre

Snippets

Whistles
This is regarded as an essential piece of equipment to be carried by everyone venturing into the bush. You should obtain one that is rated at 100 decibels or more so that it can be heard over a long distance.
Generally recognised conventions for signalling with a whistle are:

• One blast = Where are you?. Also used to respond to other whistle signals.
• Two blasts = Used to signal a halt during a sound and light search
• Three blasts = I need help! (distress, emergency)
• Four blasts = Come to me (recall).

Three of anything (whistle blasts, fires, rifle shots, piles of rocks, flashes of light, etc.) is universally recognized as a distress signal.
Each blast/signal should last about three seconds and should be repeated at regular intervals.

Commercial Developments in Victorian National Parks
BWV has provided links to the final master plan for the proposed development of the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing. This includes construction of formed tracks and accommodation buildings together with resupply and multiple access points.
This is well worth reading as it provides an understanding of the Governments thinking and of the way that private business is seeking access to our National Parks.
The link to the document is: http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/alpine-national-park/plans-and-projects/falls-to-hotham-alpine-crossing-master-plan

Hoddle Mountain Trail - Council Outcome
Members may recall that we put in a submission to support the opening of part of Fish Creek Quarry Road.
Council has now resolved the issue in favour of opening this section of the road in the following way:
That Council:

1. 1. Having considered the petition and the submissions, determines that in accordance with s.204(2) of the local government act 1989, that part of the fish creek quarry road, fish creek (shown in figure 1) be opened for public traffic as it is reasonably required for public use.
2. 2. Provide the following conditions and reasons for its decision to the submitters and the lead petitioner:
1. a. The section of fish creek quarry road is currently a public road which has never been formally closed.
2. b. The section of fish creek quarry road has a history of been continually traversed as a trail.
3. c. Council commit works of a cost of $4,000 as well as maintenance weed spraying and slashing.
4. d. Council install a pedestrian counter and review the roads usage in two (2) years.
3. 3. Develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hoddle Mountain Trail group to establish management arrangements.

Club members may recall that we recently completed a Tuesday Walk led by Roz Spratt, that included this section of the road. Given 2d above, it is important that we use this trail to support it remaining open.

Commemorate James Cook’s Departure from Plymouth in 1768
Combine a walk in a National Park and find out more about James Cook’s 1770 voyage along the East Gippsland coast.
This will be held at Mallacoota on August 25-26 2018 and further information can be found in the email that Robyn sent out to everyone on May 8.

A salutary Lesson
With an aging membership it is worth while being reminded of the benefits of walking in a group and of having insurance in the case of injury. This can occur when you least expect it and when on what you might consider a safe route, as the following photos of Ilse’s rescue (having broken an ankle) by a combination of other (very fit and helpful) walkers also on the route, followed by a helicopter.

Activity Reports
Mt Buffalo - April 20-23
Report 1
I can see now why Gayle likes the Lake Catani and Mt Buffalo area so much. It was my first time in the area for hiking and with about 25 others from our Walking Club in magnificent weather, we explored the best the area has to offer. Most of us arrived on Friday evening and set up camp at Lake Catani, dinner around camp fires and serenaded by about a dozen dingoes calling to and fro through the night.
Saturday’s walk was probably the best challenge: the Big Walk more or less from the bottom at the Park’s entrance up to the Mt Buffalo Chalet, 14km and a 1,000m climb. One or two good views along the way and the great outlook from the Chalet itself made this climb the exemplar for the days following. While the Big Walk was going on we caught glimpses of 50 or so cyclists torturing themselves on the road up to the Chalet.
Not everyone did the climb, there was a circuit around Lake Catani for starters, and the climb to the Monolith or the Galleries more challenging. Some went to The Horn, mostly a short drive and then a 1.5km climb on very well maintained steps and rails but absolutely a must for its even greater views out to Mt Kosciusko and the Back Wall and everywhere in-between. There are lots of other walks to be had.
Sunday’s walk had the majority of us (24 or so) led by Gayle walk out to the Back Wall with Dicksons Falls as a side benefit. A lot more up and down on this track but very open most of the way and with lunch at the Wall and its fantastic 360 degree views, well worthwhile. Like the rest of the tracks in the area, while lacking conventional yellow or red triangle markers, the tracks are easy to follow but would be a real challenge after a dusting of snow - and the whole area is mostly above the snow-line.
We all had pleasant times around the fires of an evening (BYO wood or pay $15 for a bag), the facilities are clean and the showers hot; very welcome after a sweaty day.
With a plethora of GPS devices, it became apparent that the paper maps and the track signs show shorter distances than are being walked. A case in point is the Bungalow Spur to Federation Hut and Mt Feathertop; signed as 9km and 11km respectively out from Harrietville. But the distances walked were longer by another kilometre or more and the reason seems to be that the paper maps do not show the very many twists and turns the actual tracks make while generally following the lines on the maps. One needs therefore to adjust timing accordingly. We had Rooftop’s Mt Buffalo Plateau Forest Activities Map Ed 2, 2006 as our guide.
All in all, a very successful outing, thanks, Gayle.
Max Speedy

A view of the Back Wall - the rock formation at middle right - as seen from the Horn

This was a scenic walk through alpine meadows, past pristine streams and ponds containing the native fish, Galaxia, and then through some bush, before wending a way up to the ‘Back Wall’ where spectacular views were had of the Alps and the valleys below. Throughout the walk there were rocks and boulders in amazing formations - often seeming to be only just balancing in position.
The best part was the amazing view from the Wall itself, probably one of the most scenic lunch spots most of us have experienced.
All up this walk was 14km with ups and downs and plenty of variety.
Besides the walking in beautiful surrounds and the magic setting of Lake Catani itself, we won’t forget the good company, the dingoes, sitting around the campfire and of course the pesky fox which seemed to take a liking to Charlie in particular.
Gayle
Report 3
Monday morning found everyone packing up and making ready to both depart for home, and to get ready for the next phase of their time in the North East. Some were going home to prepare for an extended holiday North, some moved down to Everton to ride the bike trails, and others decided to spend the day on a variety of short walks within the Park before making their way to Bright to complete a walk there.

Those that stayed completed walks around Lake Catani and then in two groups went to ‘The Horn’ or to ‘Chalwell Galleries’. A short climb provided spectacular panoramic views including an aerial view of the previous days walk to the Back Wall and of our lunch spot. The Chalwell Galleries provided challenges by needing steep climbs and coping with confined spaces.
Clive

Everton Ride or ’Kerry’s Amazing Technocolour Bike Trip
O.k. so it wasn’t really that amazing but it was in technicolour as long as you’re not colour blind. Anyway it sounds way more exciting than bits of the Wang to Bright rail trail.
There were 8 riders altogether. There would have only been 7 but Kerry graciously allowed me to join in. The other 6 were Julie and Alan Coulter, Zoe and Richard Baillie, George Bentley and Ian James.

Our first effort was from Everton to Myrtleford and return - a distance of 53 km. On day two we drove to Myrtleford and rode to Bright and back - 63 km. Day three was Everton to Bright for approx. 40km, half of which is uphill. Most days Alan managed to snatch the lead from me but only after a mighty effort but, then again, he is YEARS younger.
The only downside to being in Everton Monday to Wednesday is the lack of places to eat. Monday night required a dash to the local takeaway to dine on such delicacies as hamburgers or steak sandwiches - nothing wrong with that according to George! Tuesday night we all drove to a pub in Beechworth and, finally, on Wednesday night the Everton Hotel was gracious enough to open. The highlight of this final meal was Ian receiving a serve of tartare sauce apparently an improvement on his previous serve from the chef. Fortunately Ian was kept in check by the arrival of Diane and George was under the watchful eye of Meg.
After the 3 days the Coulters left for home and the rest of us, unsurprisingly, went west.
Thanks to Kerry (what else could I say?) for organising this event.
David (still married, just) Baggallay

Painted Silos - April 26-29
Leaders; Zoë & Richard Baillie, with participants: Sue & Alan, George & Meg, Ian & Di and Kerry & David. All but Sue & Alan had been at Everton riding our bikes on the rail trail for three days. While there, David had purchased the Age newspaper and read about silos newly finished at Devenish. Looking at the map we realised we could visit those on the way to Rupanyup. So David & Kerry, Richard and I, travelled over the Warby Range from Wangaratta to Devenish. Here we viewed the recently painted silos. The subjects were army nurses, unveiled in time for ANZAC day. Devenish is a very small village and no shops were open although it was mid-morning on a Thursday. A local farmer was there talking to the numerous tourists with vans who had called in for a look. He told us about two more silos at Goorambat about 10 kms away so we thought while we were here we might as well look at those as well. The subjects on these silos was a beautiful rural scene on one and on the other was a beautiful owl.

Devenish

Goorambat

It took us until about 3.34 pm to reach Rupanyup, Alan & Sue were waiting for us. We explored options for camping and after quite a bit of toing and froing we found a unused toilet block at the back of the local footy ground. The other three cars joined us there.
The Rupanyup silos had two local people painted, the proud grandfather of the young girl met us there and told us some of the history. The next stop was Sheep Hills these had lot of colour and were beautiful. Onwards to Roseberry.

Rupanyup

Sheep Hills

There was a nice viewing area at Roseberry but no loo so we went onto Brim for lunch.
There is a lovely spot here behind the Rec Reserve overlooking a water way, a large rotunda with lots of seating/table and even power points to recharge phones etc. and green grass.
There is camping available here as well but we decided to continue on to Hopetoun and find a spot on the edge of Lake Lascelles, where we stayed for the next two nights.

Roseberry

Brim

Patchewollock

Lake Lascelles - Hopetown

On Saturday we were to leave at 9.00 am. At 9.05 there was no sign of George or Meg so the intrepid leader felt she had better see if they were ready. She knocked on the door of the caravan. George appeared in his PJ’s, they were still asleep! In record time Meg and George joined us and leaving the vans we drove to Patchewollock and then to Lascelles to view the remaining silos on this trip. The silos at Lascelles were a bit disappointing but all the other silos were an amazing sight and have certainly put the small towns back on the map. It was astounding the number of people in vans, campers and cars touring around looking at them.
Zoë

Forthcoming Events

Snowy River Camp
The date for this has been postponed due to lack of water in the Snowy River

Federation Walks
This year’s Federation Walks will be a single day event and will be held on Saturday 20th October at Elgee Park, 310 Wallaces Road, Dromana. THe club will receive more details as they become available

Mid-Winter Lunch
Tentative date is 14th July from 1:00pm onwards and will be held at ‘Hydewood’, which is Kate and Graham’s home in Boolara and numbers will be limited to about 20 people
The 14th is Bastille Day and so the idea is that the meal have a French theme and that everyone that comes will bring a contribution to the meal.
RSVP Sunday 1st July. To put your name down you will need to email Kate Senko at hydewood@bordernet.com.au, making sure that you include your telephone number so that she can ring you back to discuss your contribution to the meal.

A Social Event
A few club members recently attended a concert held at the brewery in Mirboo North as part of the Café Concert series and had a very enjoyable time. The next concert will be held on August 11 and is being given by a group called ‘Dr Crask & His Swingin’ Elixir Band’. Why not come to the next concert!

Club Membership Renewal
A reminder that as the financial year approaches, so does the time to renew your club membership. This year’s renewal form is now on the clubs website. Prompt renewal would be appreciated!!!

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.