QUEENSLAND

BUSHWALKERS
CLUB Inc.

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

Newsletter

November 2013

Richard, Kurt, Bob and Dave on Noowongbill Walk

Club News

Payments made easier!

Girraween Pilgrimage
Sunday 15th Sept 2013
Club Presidents Report

It's now really easy to pay for your membership fees or the
Christmas party. Our interim treasurer Helen McAllister has
made arrangements so that members can deposit payments
directly into the club's bank account, either online or at your
local branch. The details are:
Account name: Queensland Bushwalkers Club Inc
Account number: 20421276
BSB: 124057
Reference: Surname of person making payment.
It is essential that at least your surname appears in the
'Reference' field, otherwise the treasurer will not know whose
payment it is.
Of course, cheque or cash payments are also still welcome.
Note that whichever way you pay, you will still need to complete
and lodge the membership renewal form with the club.

Christmas Party Weekend

Photo: Gerry Burton

7-8 December 2013

Reminder!! The most fun and exciting party of the year is

nearly here! Make sure you set aside this December
weekend in your diary. We are staying in Grooms Cottage
Binna Burra. It is equipped with fridge-freezer, stove, microwave
and wood-burner and not far from showers, toilets, and gas bbq.
Cost for the entire weekend accommodation is $50 for the 2
nights. It's easy to pay online (refer article above for details) or
by cash/cheque to the treasurer at a club meeting or walk.
For more details refer to the October newsletter.

This years pilgrimage was a back to basics affair with no bush

dance, no Saturday night flash roast dinner and no Sunday
morning Community Breakfast
Without reliable figures from Toowoomba club available I believe
that at least 70 people attended. There were of course about 10
well planned walks, Friday night supper supplied, tea and coffee
etc available all hours, 2nd hand items sale Sunday, bush
Olympics, prizes for various competitions and handing over the
boot to 2014 pilgrimage organising club (BOSQ).
At the Presidents meeting on Sunday morning I was privy to
some inside info - there was no bush dance Saturday night
purely because at the last moment the only suitable venue in
Wallangarra was unavailable and there was a reported desire
by clubs and members for a more austere pilgrimage!
Now the real surprise, Queensland Bushwalkers (yes, us)
have been asked to organise the 2015 pilgrimage, and I am
being encouraged to revisit our clubs 2007 KALBAR
EVENT!!!
With the Kalbar showgrounds site, the School of Arts hall,
excellent catering facilities in showgrounds pavilions (sheds),
power available for caravans or camper trailers, and toilets and
showers available we have a good basis for excelling there.
Please feel free to catch up with me about any suggestions you
have and note opinion AFTER Girraween was that the Saturday
night Bush dance and Sunday morning Breakfast are essential
to a great Pilgrimage..
Yours Sincerely, Robin Laban

Page 1 of 4

2013 Photo Competition

30 November 2013

Reminder! Entries close soon.

Correctly labelled photo competition entries saved to USB or
disk must be handed or posted (no email) to Patricia Kolarski by
the end of November. The club meeting on 5 November may be
a good opportunity to lodge your entries.
Categories are 'Pictorial', 'Nature', 'Club Character' and 'NonClub Bushwalk'. There is also a 'Peoples Choice Award'.
No cost to enter and prizes are awarded at the Christmas Party.
Full details including how to label your entry correctly, etc, are in
the September newsletter or check your recent emails. For more
details contact Patricia on 3341 7509.

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.

Members
As at 31 October we have 54 financial members.
New members are very welcome. Why not introduce a friend to
the club? Membership renewals are also acceptable. Fees are
still only $30.00 for a whole year. Download a form from:
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/membership

Club Equipment

General Information
QBW Management Committee

Compasses

Topo Maps

UHF Radios

Emergency Lights

Steripen

First Aid Kits

President

Robin Laban

0417 991 149

Vice President

Mary Sherlock

3209 8514

The above are for use by members at nil cost.

Secretary

Marion Laban

0405 536 718

Treasurer

Helen McAllister

0419 684 319

Garmin GPS
QBW has 4 GPSs which have a 20 metre
contour topo map of the whole of Australia included.

Outings Officer

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Membership Officer

Margie Rae

3395 1838 (H)

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.

Editor

Michael Hoopmann

0401 527 017

Back Pack for Hire

$5.00 charge

Training Officer

John Shera

5546 0381 (H)

Bivy Bags For Sale

$3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

Social Secretary

Sandy Thomas

3711 4134 (H)

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.

Other Voluntary Positions

Space Blankets For Sale

$2.50 each.

Equipment Officer

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Lightweight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers!

Supper Convenor

Noelene McCay

3889 0264 (H)

Contact Richard on 3341 7509 for any of the above.

Librarian

Mary Sherlock

3209 8514

BWQ Rep

Anne Kemp

3371 2707

BWQ Rep

Richard Kolarski

3341 7509 (H)

Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs

Redlands Bushwalking Club

Meeting Place
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.

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.

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

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.

Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc

An Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be

elected to a committee position.

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.

Members of Another Bushwalking Club

Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au

Members of another bushwalking club which is affiliated with

Bushwalking Queensland Inc. (or an interstate Federation) and
Page 2 of 4

Special Coming Events

John and Lynn Daly Walks

Past Walks

November 2013

John and Lynn are doing some walks in northern NSW and
approached the club asking if anyone would like to join them.
The walks are already underway, but you may be able to catch
them after 7 November for the Bongil Bongil NP, or Red Rock to
Sawtell walks.
If so, phone 0417 611810 or email info@takeawalk.com.au

Tasmania's Tarkine Wilderness

February 2014

Leader: Patricia Kolarski Tel: 33417509

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 .

Reclink Australia National Paddle Series 2013/14

The Reclink Australia National Paddle Series is an event
designed for paddlers of all ages, craft and ability.
Find more details at: www.reclink.org\paddle

Coming Walks
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.

November 2013
2

Sat

Coochie Mudlo Island

(Kayak)
John & Julie Shera 0403 308407 / 5546 0381

Sun

Mt Bangalore Exploratory (Boonah) D/W

Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

9-10

Sat-Sun

Booloumba Creek (Kenilworth)

B/C
Sandy Thomas 3711 4134 / 0403 821 525

17

Sun

Southbank (Walk/coffee/swim)
Sandy Thomas 3711 4134 / 0403 821 525

23-24 Sat-Sun

Mt Ballow
Peter Weallans

(Boonah)
0429 950 352

23

Sat

Mountford Creek (Bellthorpe)

Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

24

Sun

Toolona Creek Circuit (O'Reilly's)

D/W
Aileen Elliott
54 2793 69 (after 7pm)

30-1

Sat-Sun

Lizard South (Boonah)

Julie Shera
0403 308 407

Noowongbill Lookout Circuit

28 September 2013

Four QBW members Gerry, Bob, Dave and myself, and a visitor,
Kurt, met up at Canungra on a bright sunny Saturday.
We were going to walk up to Noowongbill Lookout, but not by
the usual way where you had to scale a small cliff break. There
used to be a vine hanging down to help steady yourself up this
cliff break but after years of use it had finally given way. We
were going to go up an alternate ridge and then return via a
completely different way. None of the others had gone this route
before.
We drove up to the Binna Burra information centre and donned
our packs.
It was an easy walk down the Illinbah Track to Gwongoorool
Pool. We crossed Coomera Creek downstream from the pool
and began the ascent on the other side.
There was no track and we had to skirt round fallen trees and
bits of vine jungle. Gerry did a great job of getting scratched as
she was wearing shorts. I don't think we had enough band aids
to cover all the scratches.
Kurt was a visitor and carrying a heavy pack as he was in
training. He made the walk look easy as we sweated, panted
and grunted our way up. Maybe we should have added our
packs for him to carry too?
We finally got up to the ridgeline of the Darlington Range and
had a rest at the rock cairn there. It was then a relatively level
walk to Noowongbill Lookout. There were great views despite a
large tree having fallen right over the lookout spot.
After some photos and a rest we continued on just past the
usual descent. We then ploughed through some bush to get to a
different ridge. Some of the grass was very thick and we felt we
were walking on air before getting to more solid ground and the
descent ridge.
It was then down, down, down, including a steep grassy slope to
negotiate round.
We got down to Coomera Creek about a kilometre upstream
from the pool. It was an easy rock hop down to the Illinbah Track
and then up to the cars.
Afternoon tea was at Canungra to finish off a great day.
Many thanks to my co-walkers for an enjoyable outing.
Richard

What Walk is This??

T/W
D/W

T/W

December 2013
1

Sun

Boyds Butte (Springbrook)

D/W
Norm Johnston 5541 2755 / 5541 2873(a/h)

6-8

Fri-Sun

Christmas Party (Binna Burra)

Sandy Thomas 3711 4134 / 0403 821 525

14

Sat

Bohgaban Falls Survey (Binna Burra) D/W

Richard Kolarski 3341 7509

D/W

Answer to last month's puzzle: The Stinson Walk.

Page 3 of 4

Lyme Disease and Tick Bite Prevention

Recently two bushwalkers in another bushwalking club in
Brisbane believe they have contacted Lyme Disease from tick
bites. This has had a debilitating effect on them so that they are
no longer able to do any bushwalking.
Previously it was doubted that there was Lyme Disease in
Australia but recently the Australian Government Chief Medical
Officer has established a Clinical Advisory Committee on Lyme
disease to provide advice on the evidence for Lyme disease in
Australia, diagnostic testing, treatment and research
requirements.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is an infectious disease caused
by bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia. The disease is
named after the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, Connecticut, US,
where a number of cases were identified in 1975. Although it
was known that Lyme disease was a tick-borne disease as far
back as 1978, the cause of the disease remained a mystery until
1981, when Borrelia was identified.
Symptoms and Signs
Lyme disease can affect multiple body systems and produce a
range of symptoms. Not all patients with Lyme disease will have
all symptoms, and many of the symptoms are not specific to
Lyme disease, but can occur with other diseases as well. The
incubation period from infection to the onset of symptoms is
usually one to two weeks, but varies widely.
Early
The classic sign of early local infection with Lyme disease is a
circular, outwardly expanding rash which occurs at the site of
the tick bite three to thirty days after the tick bite. The rash is
red, and may be warm, but is generally painless. Classically, the
innermost portion remains dark red; the outer edge remains red;
and the portion in between clears, giving the appearance of a
bullseye. Patients can also experience flu-like symptoms, such
as headache, muscle soreness, fever, and malaise.
Intermediate
Within days to weeks after the onset of local infection, the
Borrelia bacteria may begin to spread through the bloodstream.
A rash may develop at sites across the body that bear no
relation to the original tick bite. Other discrete symptoms include
migrating pain in muscles, joints, tendons, heart palpitations and
dizziness. Various acute neurological problems appear in 10
15% of untreated patients including facial palsy and meningitis.

Prevention of Tick Bites

Bushwalkers should be especially on guard against tick bites.
Ticks occur in moist sheltered bushy areas. They may drop on
clothing as you brush against shrubbery, or drop from
overhanging branches. Ticks like weedy areas, especially
lantana.
Dress appropriately for bushwalks. Wear a wide-brimmed or
floppy hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long trousers tucked into
socks. Ticks are more easily seen on light coloured clothing.
Spray clothes and hat with insect repellant brands containing
pyrethrum/pyrethroids, preferably the night before wearing. Pay
attention to openings (eg collar, cuffs, fly) and hang on a coat
hanger to dry or treat clothing with permethrin which will endure
up to 7 washings. Permethrin is not a repellent but rather an
insecticide; it causes ticks to curl up and fall off the protected
clothing.
If possible, use insect repellant with DEET on exposed skin.
Most common insect repellants contain DEET (eg Aerogard,
Rid). DEET is apparently the most effective topical insect
repellent for humans.
Check clothing before entering the house. Remove clothing to
check for ticks. Pay attention to head, behind ears, groin,
armpits and back of knees. It is a good idea to use a set of
"outdoor" clothes which can be promptly removed (and ideally
washed in hot water) once inside the house. Be careful where
you put the clothing e.g. it may introduce ticks into your
bedroom, carpeted areas, sofas etc.
The best means of tick prevention is to avoid the areas where
they are. If you can, walk on the wider tracks and avoid brushing
the vegetation along the edges. Because animals often traverse
the edges of clearings, these tend to be hot tick spots.
More information at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease
http://www.lymedisease.org.au/about-lyme-disease/about-lymedisease/
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/oh
p-lyme-disease.htm
http://medent.usyd.edu.au/fact/ticks.htm

Late
After several months, untreated or inadequately treated patients
may go on to develop severe and chronic symptoms that affect
many parts of the body, including the brain, nerves, eyes, joints
and heart. Many disabling symptoms can occur, including
permanent impairment of motor or sensory function of the lower
extremities in extreme cases.
Lyme arthritis usually affects the knees. In a minority of patients,
arthritis can occur in other joints, including the ankles, elbows,
wrist, hips, and shoulders. Pain is often mild or moderate,
usually with swelling at the involved joint.
Diagnosis
Lyme disease is diagnosed clinically based on symptoms,
objective physical findings or a history of possible exposure to
infected ticks, as well as serological blood tests.
Treatment
Antibiotics are the primary treatment. The specific approach to
their use is dependent on the individual affected and the stage
of the disease.
For early cases, prompt treatment is usually curative. However,
the severity and treatment of Lyme disease may be complicated
due to late diagnosis or failure of antibiotic treatment.

Thanks to Richard Kolarski for collating this information.

Page 4 of 4