QUEENSLAND BUSHWALKERS CLUB Inc.

Newsletter

PO Box 2199 Sunnybank Hills QLD 4109 Email qldbwc@yahoo.com Phone No (07) 3341 7509 http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

September 2013

The Governor, Mt Kaputar, NSW.

Photo: M Hoopmann

Club News

Hand your entries to Patricia Kolarski or post them to 74 Kallista Road, Rochedale, 4123 by the November Club meeting 2013. The winners will be announced at the Club Christmas Party. Besides the winners in each category which will be decided by a panel of judges, there will also be the People's Choice award. Any questions call Patricia on 3341 7509.

Annual General Meeting

The club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Tuesday the 6th August 2013. All elected positions were filled and are listed on the next page. The new committee members are capable, enthusiastic, and keen to meet members and do what they can to promote the services of the club. Congratulations to the new committee members and a huge thank you to the previous committee for your work over the last year. Helen McAllister has agreed to take the role of treasurer on an interim basis. If you would like to nominate yourself or another person for this position, please advise a committee member.

2013 Photo Competition

The Queensland Bushwalkers Club Photo Competition is on again. Entries of digital images only. Sorry, no prints. Images must have been taken on a Queensland Bushwalkers Club event since the November meeting 2012. There are 4 categories: Pictorial: Photographs of any broad natural scene. Pictorial photographs can include for example creeks, seascapes, waterfalls, mountains, rocky outcrops, and clouds Nature: Photographs depicting flora or fauna, excluding domestic animals. This category should also exclude evidence of man. Examples of nature photographs are birds, animals, native flowers, forest, fungi, reptiles, insects etc Club Character: Photographs showing one or more people participating in a bushwalking type of activity and can be humorous as well as serious. Non-Club Bushwalk: Photographs taken on private walks that comply with the Nature or Pictorial categories. 5 entries allowed per category per member (limit of 20 in total). Photos must be saved as a JPEG image file with no compression. Make them the maximum resolution from your camera and they will be resized to suit viewing. The images may be produced from a digital camera or a scanned image of a print or slide. Photos must be submitted on a CD or DVD, or USB Memory Stick (named, which can be returned). Please do not email your entries. Each entry photo needs to be titled as follows: Name_Title_Location_Category_Image Number.jpg eg. Patricia Kolarski_MtNorman_GirraweenNP_Nature_1.jpg Photos must be titled this way or the entries cannot be identified.

Membership Now Due

Membership is now due for the 2013-2014 financial year and is still only $30.00 for a whole year. A membership form can be downloaded from the club website at http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/membership

Walks Planning and GPS Training Day

29 Sept 2013

A walks planning day (with social lunch function) will be held at 43 Danyenah St, Loganholme at 2.30pm on 29 September. So check the club website for ideas of walks that you could lead and come along. Note that this is not just for leaders! As well there will be a GPS training session at 12 noon.

2013 Pilgrimage

13-15 September 2013

Toowoomba Bushwalkers are hosting the Pilgrimage this year at Castle Rock Campground, Girraween National Park. Details are at: http://www.bushwalkingqueensland.org.au/pilgrimage.php If you attend, please also send an email to Helen McAllister at heli.mac@bigpond.com so that QBW has an idea of how many QBW members are going.

Christmas Party

7-8 December 2013

The high point of our social calendar will again be held on the first weekend in December so mark your diaries. This is not to be missed!! Details will be published soon, but so far the cost will be $50, the theme is 'South Pacific', the venue is Binna Burra and the disappointment of missing out immeasurable...

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Meeting Place

General Information

Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at 7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January. Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. A coin donation would be appreciated.

Garmin GPS QBW has 4 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole of Australia included. PLBs with inbuilt GPS QBW has 5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will be made available at each club meeting and will need to be returned at the following club meeting. Back Pack for Hire Bivy Bags For Sale $5.00 charge $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

Membership
Probationary Membership A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying the membership fee. Ordinary Membership A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and signing a membership form, having a proposer sign the form and handing the form with the membership fee to a committee member or walk leader. The proposer may be a friend who is a member of the club, a QBW walk leader, the Membership Officer or one of the committee members. An Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be elected to a committee position. Members of Another Bushwalking Club Members of another bushwalking club which is affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland Inc. (or an interstate Federation) and who are covered by the same insurance do not need to become a member of our club to go on our walks. However QBW members will have priority if there is a limit on numbers.

These bivy bags are 2 metres by 0.9 metres and are bright orange in colour. Use as a pack liner or emergency bivy bag. Space Blankets For Sale $2.50 each. Lightweight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers! Contact Richard on 3345 9543 for any of the above.

Redlands Bushwalking Club

Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs

Only stipulation is that Redlands club members have priority over visitors. Calendar is available at: http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html

Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)

BOSQ allows financial members from other bushwalking clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland to join in BOSQ activities without having to become members of BOSQ or pay visitor fees. This will be with the agreement of the activity leader. Members of BOSQ will have priority for nominations. Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/

YHA Bushwalkers
Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at: http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings

Family Bushwalkers
There is a $5 temporary membership fee per adult. Phone: (07) 3878 3293

Members
As at 31 August we have 42 financial members.

Gold Coast Bushwalkers

Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members financial members of bushwalking clubs which are affiliated with BWQ. This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management Committee.

QBW Management Committee

President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Outings Officer Membership Officer Editor Training Officer Social Secretary Robin Laban Mary Sherlock Marion Laban Helen McAllister Richard Kolarski Margie Rae Michael Hoopmann John Shera Sandy Thomas 0417 991 149 3209 8514 0405 536 718 0419 684 319 3341 7509 (H) 3395 1838 (H) 0401 527 017 5546 0381 (H) 3711 4134 (H)

Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc

Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers. Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au

Special Coming Events

2013 Pilgrimage
13-15 September 2013 Toowoomba Bushwalkers are hosting the Pilgrimage this year. The Pilgrimage is a great opportunity to meet and walk with members of other clubs. At Cost Castle Rock Campground, Girraween National Park. $15 for one night or $20 for two nights

Other Voluntary Positions

Equipment Officer Supper Convenor Librarian BWQ Rep BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski Noelene McCay Mary Sherlock Anne Kemp Richard Kolarski 3341 7509 (H) 3889 0264 (H) 3209 8514 3371 2707 3341 7509 (H)

More details can be seen on the BWQ website: http://www.bushwalkingqueensland.org.au/pilgrimage.php Contact: Rodney Bradey President Toowoomba Bushwalkers Inc. 0417 711 007

Club Equipment
Compasses UHF Radios Steripen Topo Maps Emergency Lights First Aid Kits

Great Noosa Trail Walk

5-7 October 2013

The above are for use by members at nil cost.

Tourism Noosa is promoting this inaugural 3 day event. It costs $150 and places are limited. The walk is supported and the trail passes through Cooroy, Pomona and Kin Kin. For more information go to: www.greatnoosatrailwalk.com.au . Page 2 of 7

Brisbane BushwalkersSnow Trip

28 Sept - 7 Oct 2013

18 21-25 21 22 28

Wed

Leader: Peter Lock (BBW) Tel: 3351 1184 / 0419 496 837 or peter@lock.id.au. More info at: http://picnicpete.com/snowtrip/

Mt Byron exploratory (D'Aguilar NP) Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

Active Outdoors Expo

5 October 2013

Sat-WedNew England Wilderness Walk Neil Douglas 3875 1090 Sat Sun Sat Sun Mt Greville (Aratula) Helen McAllister 38444866 Mt Alexander (Beaudesert) Aileen Elliott 5427 9369 after 7pm Noowongbill Lookout (Binna Burra) Richard Kolarski 3341 7509 Walks Planning Day, BBQ & GPS Training 43 Danyenah St, Loganholme

The website www.activeoutdoorsexpo.com has more information.

Tasmania's Tarkine Wilderness

Leader: Patricia Kolarski Tel: 33417509

February 2014

For further details refer August QBW newsletter.

Otago Rotary Trust New Zealand Tramps

2014

Details of the Otago Rotary Trust 2014 event calendar are available at www.otagorotarytrusttramps.org.nz .

29

Sandakan Ranau Walk, Borneo

August 2014 5-7 5-7

(with TYK Adventure Tours www. sandakan-deathmarch.com/ ) I am planning a walk to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo leaving on 13th August 2014 and returning 31st August. While we are away we will be walking along an approximately 100 km section of the route that was taken by over 2,400 Australian and British prisoners of war who were systematically killed by the Japanese towards the end of WWII in a series of Death Marches. The tour is over 12 days combining hard physical effort with sightseeing, cultural and historical elements. It also has great flexibility, allowing all trekkers to choose their own level of physical challenge each day. Overnight accommodation while trekking is basic but comfortable, with good sanitation and bathing facilities, fans and/or air conditioning. We only need to carry a bum bag or small backpack during the walk. After the walk the plan is to climb Mt Kinabalu - South-East Asias highest peak. The total cost of this program is approximately - 12 day walk $3000 + Mt Kinabalu $350 + airfares and additional accommodation and taxis etc. To secure a place we need to book by paying a deposit of the tour fee by the end of September 2013. If you are interested in coming please contact me by email at aileenelliott@bigpond.com or ring me on 07 54279369 for more detailed information. Aileen Elliott

October 2013
Sat-MonBoonoo Boonoo NP (Tenterfield, NSW) Patricia Kolarski 3341 7509 Sat-MonGirraween

Grade: M 6 6 Leader: Neil Douglas Tel.: 3875 1090 Meet: Girraween NP headquarters 9.30 a.m. Saturday Petrol: $50 (BOSQ payment system) Map: Hema Girraween NP 1:33 000 Water: 2 litres (camping at water each night) We'll take advantage of the still relatively novel October long weekend to do a 3-day throughwalk at Girraween. Meeting time will be somewhat later than usual to allow time to travel up from Brisbane on Saturday morning - thus avoiding the crowds in the camping areas on Friday night. The majority of the walk will be on tracks or fire trails, but there will be some scunge and rock scrambling as well. From park headquarters we take the graded track over Mt. Norman and down to the Mt. Norman day use area. Then we follow the Mt. Norman Road north for a couple of km before we turn off to follow Racecourse Creek to Racecourse Creek Falls. We camp at the superb unofficial campsite at the top of the falls. On Sunday we'll head across country to the fire trail just north of West Bald Rock, where there'll be an opportunity to climb the Rock. From there we follow fire trails north and east for a while until we take off without packs on a side trip to climb Bald Rock still mainly on fire trails. Returning to packs, we'll find somewhere suitable to camp on Paling Yard Creek upstream from Underground River. On Monday we'll follow Pyramids Road north for a while until we pick up the fire trail on the northern boundary of the park, following it west into this little visited area. A final scunge bash and scramble will bring us back to the starting point by skirting the Pyramids. 12-13 Sat-Sun Cockscomb Point (Border Ranges) Peter Weallans 0429 950352 Sat Gap Creek Falls & Palm Grove Crct Gerry Burton 3376 9454

Any person wishing to come on a walk must contact the leader of the walk first. The leader will organise the meeting place and the car pooling. The leader has full discretion on who can come on the walk. Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to a weekend trip. For Wednesday walks, nominations close 9.00pm on the Monday before. More detailed information is available on the club calendar.

Coming Walks

September 2013
1 1 8 8 11 13-15 Sun Sun Sun Sun Wed Enoggera Reservoir Patricia Kolarski 3341 7509 Coominya to Esk bike ride Aileen Elliott 5427 9369 Neglected Mountain Marion Laban 3805 3300 Boondall Wetlands Patricia Kolarski 3341 7509 Diana's Bath (D'Aguilar NP) Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

12 18-20

Fri-Sun Black Canyon (O'Reilly's) Richard Kolarski 3341 7509 Sat-Sun Girraween John & Julie Shera 5546 0381 Sat Northbrook Mountain & England Crk Falls David Haliczer 0432 901030 Commando Track Exploratory Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

19-20

26

27

Sun

Fri-Sun Pilgrimage (Girraween NP)

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Boyds Butte

Past Walks

20 July 2013

Collins Gap - Mount Glennie D/W

29 July 2013

This walk was to check out a new way up Boyds Butte. Instead of the same route up and down we were planning on doing a circuit and walking along all three of the crags that make up Boyds Butte.

This walk was not as hard as the description suggests. Eleven starters met in Beaudesert (Maccas) at the nominated time of 7.30am. Notwithstanding the showers in the city early in the morning, the weather cleared quickly and the drive south through Rathdowney was picture perfect. The three pooled vehicles arrived on time (8.30 am) at the Collins Gap (Mt. Lindesay) border gate. It was a leisurely walk through to the old Mt. Lindesay gate (in the saddle between Mt Lindesay and Mt. Glennie), where we stopped for morning tea. Photo shoots back to Mount Lindesay were good. In this section, there were a couple of steep spots and a couple of stinging trees to negotiate. No mishaps and no dirty tails to report. We passed the point on the fence where walkers leave to climb to Mt Lindesay cliff-face. The track was obscured by fresh weed growth and it looked likely to be slippery. Circumnavigation of the cliff-base at Mount Lindesay is a possible future walk. After morning tea we set off at a lively pace for the base of Mount Glennie. The entire walk follows rabbit and border fences so that it is clear walking and the only obstacles are the various steep pinches. Mount Glennie itself provided the exercise for the day, and the reason for ranking the walk as an F.5. Few can truthfully say that they didnt grab the rabbit fence for a help-up at some point. We were fortunate that the ground was quite dry despite recent showers. At the top of the climb we turned left and away from the true summit of Mount Glennie. (That too is a walk for another occasion). A very relaxed lunch with sunlight but limited views was enjoyed against the fence. Fortunately no ticks reported.

Gil and I drove down to Nerang to meet up with Norm. While there we met up with a group of Gold Coast bushwalkers who were doing a different walk. After joining up with Norm, the three of us drove down to the Currumbin Valley and parked at the National Park picnic area. The first part of the walk is an all bitumen track and passes some lovely cascades in Currumbin Creek. This ended at the sawmill after about a kilometre. We continued on past the sawmill on an old forestry road which took us up along Currumbin Creek for a short distance. We crossed Currumbin Creek near a small tributary. Our route now was along a ridge between Currumbin Creek and the tributary. There were signs that the ridge had been logged and soon we came across a disused logging road. Following it up we came across a firetrail which marked the boundary of the park. Walking up this firetrail took us right up to the ridge on the northeastern side of Boyds Butte. It was an easy walk but the next section along the ridge to Boyds Butte was not so easy. The ridge was overgrown and we needed careful navigation to stay on the correct ridge. There were some views to the north but thick lantana stopped us from walking right on the ridge. Coming to the first crag we skirted round it on the southern side. There did not seem to be a way up it plus the rocks looked crumbly. The second crag did have a route up it along a narrow ledge which had a fallen branch hindering the way. On top of the second crag were some good views. Going on to the third crag we found the way up and had our lunch.

The return walk was notable for the steep descent along the fence at Glennie. At the bottom and once into the sunlight, the team were like horses headed for home. A short rest and regroup at the Old Lindesay road border gate. We climbed the gate at this point and went cockroach for the return to the cars. There was a short shower but not enough to slow the stampede home. Back to Maccas for coffee and the end of what was for many a fairly long day. A stunning social success, no? Timings: Meeting at Maccas in Beaudesert, 7.30am. Commencement of walk at Collins Gap 8.45 am The normal route back down was just below the third crag and marked with tape. This made it a lot easier and quicker finding the way. Coming back to Currumbin Creek and crossing it we met several other walkers just doing the easy walk to the sawmill. We had our afternoon tea at the picnic area and drove back to Nerang. Many thanks to Norm and Gil for joining me. Richard Kolarski Page 4 of 7 Morning Tea at Old Mount Lindesay Road border gate 10.30 am Lunch on top of Glennie 12.30 pm 1.00 pm Rest on return to Old Mount Lindesay Road border gate 2.15 pm Return to Collins Gap 3.35 pm Return to Maccas 4.45 pm Norm Johnston

Somerset Trail

10 August 2013

The Somerset Trail is a 13k graded track walk in the Mt Mee Forest section of D'Aguilar National Park. Access was via Samford and Dayboro then along Mt Mee and Sellin Roads into the park. Four of the group met at Samford shops to car pool and then linked up with two more walkers at the Gantry picnic area where the old sawmil site is still in evidence. The track is a circuit walk and after the lead in pathway through rainforest and piccabeen palms it divides into a loop formation weaving through a variety of vegetation; dry open eucalypt forest, scribbly gums, hoop pine forest, open grassed areas with rocky outcrops and gullies with small creeks. There's no chance of getting lost, as the track is well marked and criss-crosses a number of 4 wheel drive dirt roads. The halfway point is at the top of cliffs overlooking valleys and ridges with views of Somerset and Wivenhoe Dams, a great vantage point for our late morning tea break and photo opportunity to record the fine weather and clear views, and our team spirit.

We set off up the mountain, and although it was a warm day, it was not overly hot or humid so we made it comfortably to the top of the ridge & stopped for morning tea. On to the next peak, where the views to Lake Moogerah & beyond were obscured somewhat by the smoke from burnoffs. We were making good progress so had time for a longer break for lunch at the top of the final peak before descending to the where the cars were conveniently waiting at the bottom. As we did not have to walk down the long & winding road to the campground, we were finished in 4 hours and drove to Boonah for coffee before going our separate ways. Thanks to Patricia for organising the walk, to John for his usual expert leadership, and to all for their company on the day. Gerry Burton Canungra Creek 14 August 2013

The track then follows the top of the ridge with the view continuing until we veer back into the bushland and continue the remaining 6 kilometres to the picnic area. We easily found a table to have our lunch and enjoy the early afternoon. Margaret and Noelene then left for their trip and Michael, Margie, Helen and I drove the dirt circuit road which roughly followed our walk and noted all the pathway crossings, before enjoying the adventure of returning to Dayboro and the bitumen via a 4wd track and ridge through the forest. Thanks to everyone for coming along. Mt May Sandy Thomas 11 August 2013

Five of us were on this walk on a new way to get to the junction of East and West Canungra Creeks. After meeting up at the township of Canungra we drove up to the start of the walk near Duck Creek Road. We had heard that Bull Ant Spur had been damaged by the storms earlier this year. We were pleasantly surprised then when we found that the track down it was in very good condition with no treefalls. At Blue Pool we had a short rest on the rocky slabs there. We crossed West Canungra Creek below the pool getting our boots wet in the process as the creek was high. We walked a short distance downstream and then it was then up a ridge as if going to Fountain Falls. After ascending a few hundred metres we turned left and headed down the ridge between East and West Canungra Creeks. This section of the ridge had never been done by the Club before and required some navigation. We had to change course a couple of times as we wandered too far to the right or left but there were no major obstacles. Finally we arrived down at the junction after a couple of hours and had a well earned rest. It was a pleasant warm day and we enjoyed a leisurely lunch there at the creek.

Patricia had put Mt May on the walks calendar, but unfortunately was not well enough to make it. However, when she phoned me the night before, I reassured her that with all the capable people going, we would be able to find our way without her, and I volunteered John as substitute leader. John & Julie were camping overnight at Cleared Ridge, with Robin & Marion, so I sent Julie a text to let her know, & that we would still meet at the campground at 8am as originally planned. Judy and I manage to find our way there thanks to the marvels of modern GPS technology, although my poor little city-slicker car was complaining about the dirt roads and flashing warning lights at me on the way in. Norm, Bert & Aileen were already waiting when we arrived but there was no sign of the Sheras or the Labans. As the meeting time came and went, we were beginning to wonder what had happened to the usually punctual crew. Norm & Bert were just about to drive the cars up for the car shuttle, when we heard the others coming down. Apparently our new Chairman had locked his car keys in the tent when packing up. Camping 101 could be the first subject for our new Training Officers.

We still had a long way to go though with some rock hopping back up West Canungra Creek. We found the old walking track beside the creek and tried to follow it as much as possible. Treefalls and landslips though slowed our progress. There was a large treefall just below Stairway Falls. Continuing upstream we had to crisscross the creek several times but finally we were back at Blue Pool. We had done about seven hours of walking so far but we still had to get up Bull Ant Spur. Knowing that this was the last section though kept us going. Finally we were back at the cars. It had been a solid day of walking but we all got back safe and sound. Many thanks to Gerry, Marion, Michael and Ryszard for their company. Richard Kolarski

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Flinders Ranges Simpson Desert Trip

21 June 7 July

On Friday 21st June we set off from Aratula on our giant adventure. Participants were John and Julie in the Forester (White Chook]), Sandy and Michael in the Navara (Bluebird 1) and Mary, Dave and Margie in the Hilux (Condor 1). Robin and Marion were to meet us on Saturday in their Hilux (Robin Red Breast) As it was raining when we left we decided to drive directly to our destination of Mt Kaputar. This is a remarkable place, with the campsite at 1400m elevation and invariably 10 degrees or more cooler than the plains below. Fortunately we had wood for a fire as that night and mornings were very cold. On Saturday we did some walks and welcomed Robin and Marion, with Margie winning the prize for guessing when they would arrive. Sunday morning saw us packing up freezing cold, wet tents so we could head off to our next stop of Gundabooka NP, south of Bourke. This is a pleasant little campsite which Michael and Sandy made the most of by doing a pre dawn walk to watch the sunrise. After breakfast it was off towards the Darling River, which we were to follow down for 500 km to Menindee Lakes. The road is dirt and roughly follows the Darling River passing through Wilcannia and the Paroo Darling NP. It was about here that the Robin Red Breast left us for a few days as Robin had made an emergency appointment to see the dentist in Broken Hill. On arriving at Kinchega NP we were dismayed to find that most of the campgrounds were closed so we embarked on a frantic drive around the park where we eventually found a site with a condemned toilet which Sandy bravely tried out and pronounced it still useable (just duck under the police tape and watch nothing living in the cracks in the slab). Next day we drove to Broken Hill to top up on supplies and Julie decided to let SIRI in the iphone find Woolies for us. Well what a snafu that was! SIRI led the convoy around on a wild goose chase down Bromide St up Chloride St across Sulphide St finally leading us up a dead end in Slag St. After giving her the sack we pulled up a map and found our way there by ourselves. After lunch we headed west towards SA (still minus Robin and Marion) intending to approach the Flinders Ranges via the sealed Hawker Orroroo Rd but while we were stopped at Yunta , Dave spoke to someone who had come across the unsealed short cut and said it was worth trying. So we turned right at Yunta and on to one of the most interesting and enjoyable tracks of our trip. The road was all undulating smooth dirt with interesting scenery. Camp was made along here beside the road. A very quiet spot as not a single vehicle passed while we were there. Next morning we wound our way towards the main road and emerged at Craddock just south of Hawker. Here we had a surprise. As we turned on to the main road, who should be driving along it but Marion and Robin! Then we drove to Wilpena info centre and up to a camp at Brachina Gorge.

Oodnadatta and camped just short at the Algebuckina Bridge having passed Leigh Creek, Lake Eyre South and William Ck. Arriving early at Oodnadatta next day we had time to do the 4x4 challenge where you drive around a sandy track just outside of town. It is supposed to prepare you for the Simpson Desert. Despite all the warnings that we would get bogged if we did not let our tyres down we all managed to get around on our road pressures. If only the Simpson Desert was as easy as that! Then the road took us up via Hamilton Station and Pedirka Ruins to the amazing Dalhousie Springs. We arrived just after lunch, which is the quietest time and set up camp at a good spot. The Springs are exceedingly popular but still worth a visit .It doesnt matter if you swim day or night the temperature is always around 34 degrees. We were one of the first parties to set off next morning. From now on it was all Eastbound till we reached Brisbane. It is about 80k of rocky corrugated road before you reach Purnie Bore and the first hint of the desert proper, then another 30k before you must let some air out of your tyres at Wonga Junction. From here it is 300ks and 1200 dunes to the last dune, Big Red. Every year the desert is different, last year it was covered in green vegetation and footprints and burrows from millions of small mammals. Some years it is awash with billions of white, yellow, blue and purple flowers. This year it was dry and soft, the hardest conditions to drive through. There were no little footprints on the dunes this year just the occasional abandoned burrow, the remains of a massive population explosion gone bust. That night we camped near the Coulson track junction at the base of a large dune. We walked up the dune in the afternoon to catch the sunset and get that wonderful feeling of isolation as you look across the tops of hundreds of dunes. We continued along the French line next morning and did a side trip to the Knolls an important aboriginal landmark. Then we drove for another hour or so to find another camp in a grove of trees near a dune. It was onwards next day towards Poeppel corner for lunch where we managed to take a short cut up the lake to get past some slower convoys. Some of these slow convoys were struggling to cross the dunes as their vehicles were overloaded and had too high tyre pressures. Camp was made this afternoon not far from Eyre Creek. We crossed Eyre Creek next morning on our way to the famous Big Red. Just before we got to there we were held up on a dune by some 4WD'ers towing camper-trailers struggling to cross a dune (only about their third dune) After speaking to them they sensibly decided to give the idea of a desert crossing a miss. Big Red had its usual welcoming committee of spectators and tourists from Birdsville. We all made it up the dune and parked on top where we watched the fun as people played around in the sand. Then we drove to the base of the dune and completed the rather depressing task of re-inflating our tyres to road pressures for the 36ks back to Birdsville.

Next day we climbed the famous St Mary's peak. It is quite a strenuous walk especially if you come back the long way (as Sandy, Michael, Mary, Dave and Margie did). Day three of our camp had Dave set up the worlds longest camp washing line, using 50m of Telecom rope. He then proceeded to fill the line up with hundreds of bits of clothing. Opposite our camp was a large mountain, Hayward Bluff, and Mary set off to climb it. Four hours later she was back having climbed it and the other one behind it as well. We set off early next day travelling north towards

Camp that night was on the banks of the Diamantina in the Birdsville common. We managed to get to Windorah next day to camp on Cooper Creek where we enjoyed the displays of the numerous wild birds. Our last night was in the free campground at Morven where we were serenaded all night by the large flock of the town geese. We finally said our goodbyes in the park at Dalby. Thanks to everybody who came on the trip. I enjoyed every day and would be happy to do a trip with the same group again. John Shera

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QBW ANNUAL REPORTS 2012 / 2013 (Cont'd from August newsletter)

Queensland Bushwalkers Club Presidents Report for AGM - August 2013 The AGM is an appropriate time to reflect on the highs and lows of the previous twelve months and think about the next year coming up. A couple of major events stand out as significant gatherings of club members to enjoy the bush and each others company: the Pilgrimage at Canungra organised by the Redlands Bushwalkers Club, and the QBW Christmas party held at Lake Moogerah. As enjoyable as these major events are, our main activity happens on a weekly basis with small groups venturing out into the bush to escape from the city, for adventure, to get close to nature, and to challenge ourselves physically and mentally. Thanks must go to those who volunteer time and energy to lead walks for all of us to enjoy. During the past year we have had a couple of incidents on walks that necessitated emergency services to be called in to evacuate ill or injured walkers. While these incidents may not have been foreseeable, they remind us to always take care and look out for each other. The weather has played a part in curtailing some club activities. Several walks and a base camp had to be cancelled in the summer due to heavy rain, which also resulted in a number of track closures for varying periods of time. While many have now re-opened, others such Shipstern and Warrie Circuit will remain closed well into the future. While some old favourite walks are not available to us, Id like to acknowledge the fantastic work done by Richard in developing the walks database, which has added a number of new walks to the menu. This year, a milestone of 500 walks was passed and Richard tells me he has set his sights on the next 500! I would encourage any aspiring walk leader to have a look at what is available on the database. By the end of the 2012-13 year, club membership stood at 82, which was a decline on the previous year. In any year, there will be a number of new members, and some others will choose to not renew membership for their own personal reasons. Last year, more left than joined, but this isnt necessarily a trend, and I hope the balance can swing a little more the other way in the next year. Finally, Id like to thank the committee for the extra they have given over the past year to keep the club going. I know there are a few current members who are ready to take a break from committee duties so Id like to encourage others to take a role for the next year. Helen McAllister

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