Meetings: Held the 4th Thursday of each month (excluding December), at Leongatha Community House, 16 Bruce Street, Leongatha.

Next Meeting: 25th june, 2009 at 8.00 pm

President’s Report:
Winter has begun - welcome rain but also bone chilling wind and hail. At our last committee meeting held at Josie Lomagno’s, we had a good turn up despite the dreadful weather and road conditions. I half expected to drive into snow flurries as I made my way up the Korumburra hills. The radio was giving messages about snow around the lower Dandenong’s (hard to believe 4 months ago the area was under bush fire siege). Anyway, a huge thankyou to those members who have put together another interesting program. Paula had received 3 e-mails from members willing to organise walks and weekends, etc, so together with our ideas the next part of the year should have something for everyone.
Whilst the meeting was on, Josie’s computer screened some interesting photos of Paula, Steve, Annie, Paul and Josie on their amazing Tassie Trek. Some bare or should I say rare views. Supper was a varied collection of scones and slices, remember everyone is welcome to attend these meetings and suggest their ideas (a good supper guaranteed).
I haven’t been able to attend many earlier activities due to an OS holiday - Tasmania is overseas logistically!!!! Great place, one month wasn’t enough. I’ve been hearing reports from members enjoying cycling, scuba diving, beach walks, rogaining and camping.
The AGM and dinner is 23rd July at Austral Hotel - Korumburra. 6.30 dinner - 8pm meeting. Please let me know if you are attending or would like to go on the committee Ph: 56722752.
Also at this meeting I am hoping for an answer to this blackberry question - who was responsible for introducing the Blackberry plant into Australia and why? (I’ve been given some interesting stories helped on by glasses of red wine) Early government resorted to leading botanist for help to stop soil erosion around Gold mining sites etc. The blackberry was the solution! Plants were introduced around schools to aid the health of the young as the fruit is high in vitamin content - and the child thrived - blackberries to the rescue! The high class genteel folk needed thick cover for the foxes to hide in so they had more of a challenge with the hounds when out Tally Ho’ type hunting! The blackberry was fine for this. These theories, and more where given to me when at dinner at the Walhalla pub. Please help me resolve this matter - there will be a prize for the correct or best answer.
Thanks to Julie J for filling in for me this year, she has told me that we will need a new Vice President at the next AGM.
Lastly keep active and warm over winter, most activities will go ahead regardless of weather conditions. Igloo building - definitely. We earn our coffee and cakes when finished.
Leaders please try and appoint someone to write an article or poem on your activity for the newsletter, so we can all hear about the great places we go to and all the fun we have. Paula does a fantastic job but she welcomes our input.
Regards Val - don’t forget the AGM 23rd July

Treasurer’s Report
Just to let all our members know that fees must be paid by the 30.06.09.
For people who used to pay me in July at our AGM, please don’t do that any longer as our Insurance premium falls due in early July and I need your money definitely by 30.06.09.
Now the good news. It has finally dawned on me that we are in the 21st Century and payment doesn’t have to be by snail mail any longer. You have three ways to pay your SGWAAC Fees:

• By Cheque and snail mail to our Post Office box.
• At your nearest Bendigo Branch.
• At home on your Computer using Internet Banking.

Walk Reports

Coastal Walk Sun 3rd May
Lynn, Steve, Judy, Lily, Charlie, 4 legged Zina and l enjoyed great weather and good company as we walked from Eagles Nest to Inverloch. The tide was way out and the sea calm. We parted ways at Inverloch and Lynn, Judy and l indulged in a delicious lunch at the Beach Box and then continued our walk up to Townsend Bluff where the view is always changing and always worth the walk. On our return trip Lynn led us across country amongst the kangaroos to find the elusive board walk near the Broad Beach estate. Zina was very excited and became filthy swimming in ponds and Lynn’s pants became wet! We meandered through the grass and scrub and onto the board walk which is adjacent to the estate. We were amazed at the opulence and waste of the deserted estate but were happy to see a lot of birds and native animals have made the place home.
Rosie

Bike Ride in Kernot Area
Val, Lynn Birt and myself met at Grantville 9.00 on a sunny, but chilly morning. The three of us headed up a long, continuously steep hill but, as everyone knows, what goes up must go down! Yes, there were plenty of ups but plenty of long downs. The views of Western Port Bay and French Island were magnificent and well worth our effort. We headed towards Woodleigh through beautiful farming lands and as usual for a SGWAAC activity we happened upon an eatery. The Kernot Store was open and served us with coffee and snacks. Back on our bikes and up more hills, we arrived at the road back to Grantville after riding 35kms. We waved our goodbyes after having had a good energetic 2 hours fun and fellowship. Thanks Val for organising the ride and I have now seen some more of our beautiful Gippsland.
Julie Johnston

Introduction to Rogaining at Lysterfield Park
The Participants: Lynn, Kaye and Gary, Sue, Kee and Chris, Josie and Natalie, Angela, Heather and Les, Julie, Bill and Emma, Paula and Steve.
A Few High points:

• Checkpoint 9, ‘The knoll’
• Everyone found the meeting place (most people on their first try)
• No-one became seriously geographically embarrassed (lost)
• Checkpoint 3, ‘The knoll’
• All groups arrived back at the cars by the appointed time
• All checkpoints were successfully located.

• I had the ‘flu and felt crappy
• Checkpoint 4, ‘The watercourse’
• There was some very thick and prickly undergrowth
• Checkpoint 13, ‘The gully’
• There are no coffee shops or bakeries in Hallam North Rd

• When following a compass bearing just bash through the undergrowth
• If the undergrowth is really thick and prickly - follow someone else
• If the undergrowth is really, really thick and prickly - go around it
• Watercourses usually don’t have water in them
• If you don’t feel well, just let the group you’re supposed to be leading work it out. They are quite capable of finding all the checkpoints and getting you back to the car.

A Life on the Ocean Waves
Kev Chisholm, who cut his adventure-teeth with SGWAAC trips, has bought the boat of his dreams, and heads off to PNG and the Solomons very soon with a mate. His Compass 28 is small but the Hortons assure me it’s adequate for the voyage. His frazzled parents can’t help much except to make him some beef jerky and pray for good weather! Further details anon.
Annie

Walhalla Base Camp, May 23rd/24th
The weekend of May 23/24 was an overnight base camp at Walhalla where the company and weather added up to another perfect time in the great outdoors. First to arrive on the Friday were Val and Ian with their slide on van, and Charlie and Ian Lester and his kelpie who did the real thing and camped outside in the cold by a beautiful fire, socialising with other real campers.
Saturday morning along came the ‘Pretender’s in the guise of Kerry , David, Lynn and Julie who ‘roughed it’ in a wee little lodge by the name of ‘Tisdal’ with real beds and a heater and a hot shower! After we had had coffees and said hellos we decided to do a bike ride to the Thomson station (8kms) down hill on the rail trail which, I might add, was definitely for mountain or hybrid bikes. The trail features tall forests, tree ferns and views of the Thomson River. We had planned to catch the train back to Walhalla but having to fill in an hour of "Happy Hour" waiting made us think, ‘yes! We can ride all the way back up the hill’.
Our evening meal was at the Walhalla pub where the food was yummy and the tears in our eyes were from laughter not crying. After coffee at Tisdal we all retired to bed for a good night’s sleep.
Sunday we packed up and organised the ‘campers’ to drive to Thomson again. We walked to the Horseshoe tunnel which was manmade during the gold rush days to divert the river so that the miners could wash the gold in the original part of the river. Ian had planned to take us for a walk to the Walhalla Tramway Bridge, however both sections of the track were closed due to fire damage during Black Saturday. Not to be discouraged we decided to walk back to Walhalla where, thankfully, David and Ian had sacrificed their walk to provide transport for us when we got back....very thoughtful!
This was the end of a great time had by all. Walhalla is a magical place, full of history and almost like walking back in time. I recommend to those who haven't been to Walhalla to make it a priority for a ‘must do’.
Thank you Val. I think there are plans to try for another such weekend next year.
Julie Johnston

Upcoming Events
Weekend at Healesville
When: July 31st, August 1st & 2nd
What: Walks, bike rides, Wineries, Sanctuary, Social etc.
How Many: Limit 8 people (only 5 beds, others sleep on the floor)
Staying: Sue Marriot’s Mum’s house (she is away for the winter)
Cost: Not much, combined catering or eating out.
Ring Sue to book: 56635276…Please reply by 17th July

Zest! Friday 21st Aug
Paul and Annie have found a beaut little restaurant, reasonably priced and very cosy, in Cowes. We’ve booked the place out for the walking club on Friday 21st August, and will have a 2 course menu for $25, includes tea and coffee. It’s a licensed restaurant and the coffee is YUM!!! See you there!
Annie

3 day Cycling Trip to Orbost
Date: Nov 14th/15th/16th - drive down Friday evening (13th) Activity: 3 days of cycling Details: Orbost area, Orbost Caravan Park (51 541097) as base camp. Max 20 people Booking Date: Nov 7th Grade: Medium Contact: Mike and Ollie Wellings 0427 723604

Won Wron Rogaine, Sat Sept 5th
Steve & Paula Horton, Paul & Annie Chisholm, Rob James and Melinda Martin are all involved in organising a 6hr/12hr Rogaine near Yarram on Sept 5th. If you have done either of the training days at Lysterfield (or even if you haven’t), you might like to take up this opportunity to try a real rogaine in Gippsland. The course includes parts of the Won Wron and the Mullungdung State Forests. The 6 hour option starts at midday so will be finished before nightfall. For further information and an entry form go to www.vra.rogaine.asn.au, or if this is too hard, ring Paula and she will organise an entry form for you.
If you are interested in seeing what happens at a Rogaine but don’t feel ready to take your compass into the bush to compete, you may like to volunteer to help out at this event. Rogaines are run by volunteers - they are needed to cook and serve food to the competitors, to assist in admin., to set up the site, to stoke the fires, to take water to the waterpoints, etc, etc. If you think you’d like to try this, speak to Paula for further details.
Paula Horton 5674 2980

Tuesday Walks
Tuesday walks are up and running again, or should that be up and walking again?
Contact Kerry 5664 7440 or Chris 5662 5226 by Monday night each week to find out meeting place.

Hiker’s Meals
Here’s another recipe for a tasty dehy meal.
Chicken Curry

Rehydrate by soaking for a couple of hours if you get into camp early enough. This reduces cooking time and, therefore metho burnt, and also makes it less chewy. Add some dried peas at time of rehydrating. Bring to boil, simmer until ready (≅10 mins) and serve with noodles (≅100g per person dry weight).
The above quantities make 2 meals for two so keep that in mind when deciding on quantities of vegies..
Paula Horton
Do you have any favourite dehy meals? If so, share your recipe or hints with other hikers in our newsletter.

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.