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The Bush Club – 85th Birthday Celebrations

By on 18 October, 2024 in Affiliated club news, Bushwalking club management resources, Bushwalking history, Events, News Updates, Walks

The Bush Club

Bush Club Birthday Celebration Walks

The Bush Club came into existence on 19th September 1939. The Club was founded by Marie Byles and Paddy Pallin. Both Marie and Paddy believed that the rigorous standards of the tests, pack walking etc., for gaining entry to bush walking clubs was too high. They believed this prevented those who simply want to walk in and appreciate the bush from joining clubs. Their belief was that a love of the bush and a willingness to protect its environment should be the main qualification criteria along with making friendships through bush walking. These core values remain the same for the Bush Club today.

Today the Club has 890 members. While the Club has grown considerably over the years it remains thru to the core values of its founders. The Club places great emphasis on celebrating the creation of the club each year. We mark certain milestones with special events.
The Bush Club celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2014 by completing club walks in 75 national parks all over the world. The walks ranged from the Blue Mountains, the Lake District in England, Horton Plains in Sri Lanka to Los Glaciares in Argentina and were completed between May 2013 and end of August 2014. See here for more information.

The Club celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2019 by completing 80 different club walks by 80 different leaders. The walks were completed between December 2018 and October 2019 from the Ophir Goldfields in NSW Central West to the Garden of Stone and as far afield as the Kerry Way in Ireland. More info.

This year we celebrated the 85th Birthday of the Bush Club. We asked our Leaders to put on 85 ‘trig’ walks / cycles to mark the occasion. As always, our Leaders responded enthusiastically and completed the 85 ‘trig’ events. The trigs were visited between October 2023 and October 2024. These walks and cycles took place throughout NSW, Interstate and the Lake Dunstan trig was claimed on a Club cycle in New Zealand.

All our special birthday events are recorded and a page created on the Bush Club Website for future members to look back on and continue the tradition into the future.

Along with the special occasions, we celebrate the Club’s birthday each year with walks to a central location within a National Park around Sydney. This year the walks finished at Commandment Rock, Lane Cove NP. There was tea, coffee and the birthday cake. We had in excess of 50 members attending the celebrations.

Iluka Day Walk – Clarence Valley Bushwalkers

By on 20 September, 2024 in Affiliated club news, Bushwalking safety, Conservation, Events, News Updates, Walks

Iluka Day Walk 18 August 2024 – Clarence Valley Bushwalkers Trip Report, by Christine Casey, Secretary

As Christine noted “We are very lucky in this part of the world to have rainforest and beaches right next door to each other, with a river ferry ride thrown in”.

On a perfect winter’s day ten of us met at Yamba jetty for a ferry trip across to Iluka, where we met up with another two of our bushwalkers, to walk around the foreshore to the World Heritage listed littoral rainforest at Iluka.

Although we have done this trip a number of times before, each time it is different. This time we did not have an East Coast Low sitting off the coast, blowing so hard that the National Park was closed, and generating massive swells and waves that threatened to sweep us off the breakwater.

Nor was there a power outage that closed the coffee machines in Iluka. And the track through the rainforest wasn’t so flooded that we had to either bush bash through the smilax creeper or wade waist deep the dark tannin stained creek that used to be the track.

This time we just had a cool westerly wind at the Yamba that had us pulling on jackets and fleeces, then finding shelter downstairs in the ferry for the crossing. Morning tea was in Iluka’s riverside park, out of the wind and in the sun.

The walk itself was relaxed and enjoyable. Conditions were very dry through the rainforest, but cool and shady under the tall canopies covered in vines and epiphytes. National Parks had gone to a lot of effort to replace the old faded signage along the track and at Iluka Bluff picnic shelter. There were now impressive new versions with interesting information about the birds, plants and landforms along the track.

We had lunch at the beach and picnic area at Iluka Bluff then returned in time to catch the 2:30 ferry back to Yamba. Another very pleasant day with friends enjoying our spectacular part of the world.

Byron Hikers – Extreme adventure in the remote East Kimberley Western Australia!

By on 25 August, 2024 in Affiliated club news, Events, News Updates, Walks

Byron Hikers – Extreme adventure in the remote Kimberley!

Four members of Byron Hikers Club recently undertook an amazing adventure – a 14-Day exploration of the Drysdale River in the Solea Falls area. Drysdale River National Park in the northern tip of the remote East Kimberley is one of the least accessible national parks in Australia. There are no public roads, no airstrips and no tracks – the park is pack raft or seaplane access only.

The Drysdale River flows through a magnificent pristine and untouched landscape. The Drysdale River NP is the kingdom of nature and showcases vast tracts of Kimberley wilderness featuring open woodland, gorges, cliffs, waterfalls and the creeks of the Drysdale River. The many water holes allowed for lots of swimming and every night our camp was a ‘dream’ site.

However, the real treasure of this magical place are the hundreds of hypnotic Gwion Gwion figures, an ancient Aboriginal painting style describing a forgotten time of dancing and ceremonies. Byron Hikers visited different rock shelters every day. See the Byron Hikers Facebook page for more information.

Remote Area First Aid Course – South Coast Bushwalking Club

By on 18 July, 2024 in Affiliated club news, Bushwalking safety, Events, Training

Remote Area First Aid Course – South Coast Bushwalking Club

South Coast Bushwalking Club are organising a Remote Area First Aid Course which will be run by Highlands First Aid.

It will be held on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August in Austinmer (northern suburbs of Wollongong) from 8:30am to 4:30pm (please arrive 8:15am on the first day).

The course will be run by Highlands First Aid. Please register and pay the full cost of the course ($245) to Highlands First Aid here.

HLTAID013 – Provide First Aid in remote or isolated site

The cost of the hall is $24 per person ( payable to SCBW – bank details will be provided).

You will need to bring lunch and snacks for both days (there are kitchen facilities available).

There is an option to sleep overnight at the hall for anyone travelling long distances.

Wear comfortable clothes that are suitable for practical first aid.

For more information contact Belinda at South Coast Bushwalking Club by email – scbw.trainingoffficer@gmail.com

 

2024 Bushwalking NSW Photo Competition

By on 26 May, 2024 in Affiliated club news, Events, News Updates

2024 Bushwalking NSW Photo Competition

Show us your best shots!

Do you take beautiful photos of people and scenery in the bush?

We want to share them with the world!

Image: Sunset from Mt Townsend, Robert Croll

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter our competition to be in the running to win over $230 of great Paddy Pallin prizes! See your photos featured in our newsletters and on our website!

Share your NSW/ACT photos of bushwalkers or wildlife in nature or a national park scene.

Please share your photos in these categories:

  • People bushwalking as team enjoying nature in NSW/ACT
  • NSW/ACT national park scene
  • NSW/ACT wildlife

Simply email your images or a public link to your photos (eg google drive, dropbox or photo share apps) to Bushwalking NSW here.

The Competition closes on 31 August 2024.

 

Great Paddy Pallin gear to be won!

Smartwool patch beanie
Gear aid hybrid gear clip
Arcade performance stretch belt
Ultralight dry sack 20L
Nalgene glow in the dark bottle
Nalgene wide mouth bottle 32oz

 

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 2023: Event Volunteers needed!

By on 26 June, 2023 in Events, Volunteering

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 2023: Event Volunteers needed!

Oxfam Trailwalker is a community event that brings people together from all walks of life. We are looking for dedicated volunteers create an incredible experience for our teams, helping them walk 100km in 40 hours to raise much needed funds to tackle poverty. The event spans across nine locations from Parsley Bay through to Bobbin Head and finishes at the scenic Tania Park. We have volunteer roles that suit everyone such as the ones below!

Trail Markers & Sweep Teams

Being an event based in the bush, we require keen and active bush walkers to head out and mark sections of the trail prior to the event and then sweep sections of the trail as our final walkers walk through. This is done in groups of approximately 4 volunteers per section.

Checkpoint Captains & Crew

In this role you will be the first face for participants and support crews at the checkpoint. You will assist with monitoring timing points and walker retirements, manage the food and beverage area and assist with car parking. Best suited for cheery, approachable and understanding people who are happy to rotate roles and create a fun event environment.

Perks?

Walk for Free at any Oxfam Trailwalker event in 2024!
A fulfilling feeling of giving back to the community and helping others in need around the world!
Oxfam Trailwalker food pack and volunteer gift

Want to know more? To volunteer head here to find out more on the roles available.

 

Happy 90th Birthday Bushwalking NSW and Blue Gum Forest!

By on 11 July, 2022 in Affiliated club news, Bushwalking history, Events, Walks

On 21 July it will be 90 years since the Federation of Bushwalking Clubs (now Bushwalking NSW) held its inaugural meeting. Soon after, on 2 September, we’ll see the 90th anniversary of the reservation of the iconic Blue Gum Forest, in the Grose Valley, following a campaign by bushwalkers.

The two events are not unrelated. The success of the collective action by the walkers had encouraged them to form the umbrella group which would assist Myles Dunphy and others in their campaigns to create national parks. Blue Gum Forest was the kernel of today’s Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, and is the cradle of the modern conservation movement in NSW. You can read more about this in Andy Macqueen’s book “Back from the Brink: Blue Gum Forest and the Grose Wilderness”, which is available at Blue Mountains bookshops and here.

Celebratory campout

The saving of Blue Gum Forest will be celebrated on the weekend of 3-4 September 2022 by a campout in the Grose Valley, at The Meadow (near Acacia Flat). Attendance will be limited to members of clubs affiliated with Bushwalking NSW, and their families.

The agenda will include a ceremony at the forest on Saturday afternoon and a communal campfire in the evening. On Sunday morning some interpretive ambles will be on offer, the topics including birds, plants and geology.

The activity is being organised by volunteers, with the support of NPWS. Participants will have to make their own way in and out of the valley. Numbers will be capped at 80. Registration is essential and will be on a first-in-first-served basis. All participants:

  • Must be a member of a bushwalking club, or accompany such a person as a member of their family.
  • Will preferably be in a party organised under the rules of that club.
  • Must be experienced and self-reliant overnight walkers, or in the care of such a person. The access tracks are steep and involve 600 metres of vertical descent/ascent.
  • Are expected to car-pool, to limit traffic congestion at the track-heads.
  • Be packed up and making their way out of the valley by noon on Sunday.

Further details, including advice concerning track conditions (and closures if any) will be sent to registrants prior to the weekend.

For all enquiries please email Monica Nugent at monica.nugent@environment.nsw.gov.au

Every person, including family members, must be registered. REGISTER HERE.

Camp Quality Sydney Trek

By on 11 July, 2022 in Events, News Updates, Volunteering

Camp Quality’s Sydney Trek is on 17-18 September where participants trek 50km in 24 hours for kids facing cancer.

To successfully run the event, Camp Quality are looking to recruit at least 120 volunteers. Every single volunteer will play a critical role in helping to deliver a safe and fun event and raise funds to support families facing cancer.

There are a range of roles available, but many would really benefit from teams of people that already know each other.

Volunteers can select more active roles that involve walking long distances or can choose a less physically demanding role and work at one site for the duration of their shift.

As a team, participants could run a Fun Stop together, managing the Start Line or Finish line, or for a more active roles, mark a section of the trail or act as one of our Tail End Charlie teams.

A trail marking shift or Tail End Charlie shift involves walking a section of the trail (sections range from 8.5km to 20km) and either placing marking equipment or removing the marking equipment. For all roles, there are shifts available across both the day and night, with the average shift length being around 4 – 9 hours with breaks.

Those who are interested should contact Sophie Gallagher​ at Camp Quality on (02) 9876 0594.  Alternatively you can sign up online to volunteer here.

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 26-28 August 2022

By on 12 June, 2022 in Events, News Updates, Volunteering, Walks

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 2022: Event Volunteers needed!

Oxfam Trailwalker is a community event that brings people together from all walks of life. Event organisers are looking for dedicated volunteers to create an incredible experience for teams, helping them walk 100km in 48 hours to raise much needed funds to tackle poverty. The event from the Hawkesbury to the Harbour spans across nine locations from Parsley Bay through to Bobbin Head and finishes at the scenic Tania Park. There are volunteer roles to suit everyone!

Trail Markers & Sweep Teams

Being based in the bush, the event requires keen and active bush walkers to head out and mark sections of the trail prior to the event and then sweep sections of the trail as final walkers walk through. This is done in groups of approximately 4 volunteers per section.

Checkpoint Crew

Checkpoint Crew look after walkers as they rest along the 100km journey at checkpoints, making sure they have the support and supplies they need. You will assist with timing points, walker retirements, and general operations.

Perks?
  • Walk for Free at any Oxfam Trailwalker event in 2023!
  • Have a fulfilling feeling of giving back to the community and helping others in need around the world!
  • Receive an Oxfam Trailwalker volunteer gift
How to sign up?

Fill in this Expression of Interest form here or head here to find out more.

Bushwalking NSW 2022 Photo Competition

By on 21 January, 2022 in Awards & Recognition, Events, News Updates

Show us your best shots!

Do you take beautiful photos of people and scenery when you are walking?

We want to share them with the world!

Enter our 2022 Photo Competition to see your photos featured in our newsletter and on our website and to be in the running for a great prize from Paddy Pallin. The competition closes on 30 March 2022.

You can share these types of photos:

  • NSW/ACT national park scene
  • People bushwalking in NSW/ACT
  • NSW/ACT wildlife
  • Website banner sized 1000 x 250 pixels to illustrate any BNSW web page

To enter simply email your images or a public link to your photos (eg google drive, dropbox or photo share apps) to Bushwalking NSW here.

There’s $245 of great prizes to be won courtesy of Paddy Pallin.

1 Arcade Adventure Belt

1 Camelbak Chute Mag 750ml bottle

1 Sea to Summit 2 Piece Dining Kit

1 Osprey Ultralight Roll Organiser

1 Inflatable Solar Light

1 North Face Horizon Breeze Brim Hat

Prizes courtesy of Paddy Pallin

Please note that by submitting images to this competition, you acknowledge that:

  1. You possess copyright to the images,
  2. You give Bushwalking NSW permission to use your images in any Bushwalking NSW website, newsletter, social media, email, online and printed publications without attribution, and
  3. You warrant that Bushwalking NSW will not infringe any copyright by using the images you have supplied in any way.

Thank you for sharing the beauty of our bushland and wildlife with the world!