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

Next Meeting: 28th August, 2008 at 8.00 pm

Editor's Rambles: This is my first SGWAAC newsletter and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lynn for the excellent job she has done over the past few years. She has continued to work hard to ensure that the changeover is as smooth as possible. I have enjoyed being a member of the club for almost four years now and I felt that it was my turn to make a more active contribution. I won't try to learn everything at once, especially as my time is limited for this first issue. Steve and I are heading off this weekend for the Australian Rogaining Championships near Inverell in NSW and are taking this opportunity to do a three day walk in the Warrumbungles as we head north, and then also to visit Steve's family in the Coff's Harbour area before we return home.
Activity leaders, don't forget to appoint someone to write a report on your activity. We all enjoy reading what is going on, and without these reports we don't really have a newsletter. Thank you to all those who contributed reports for this newsletter. Two activities have been done twice! Such enthusiasm!

President's Report: A word from your new president Val McDonald.
Thanks for the vote to elect me as 2008/09 President. Kee Chiam has been an intelligent, efficient and friendly host for the past 3 years. I hope I can fill his shoes (I had a try of them on the night of the annual meeting, a little large and slightly smelly for meÉ, but he slipped into my pointed toe high heels quite well!!).
I am warning members, as your new president, that you have a dumb blonde with greying roots and short term memory loss heading the club…but I hope the club continues to provide the 3 FFFs for all — Fitness, Friendship and Food — seems we can't go past a good bakery!! Our activities often centre around them. If anyone has any ideas for activities (and Ian McDonald's naked tandem sky diving suggestion could be looked at) please don't hesitate to bring it to a meeting or contact one of the committee and we will do our best to plan it. As Kee is always saying, offer to lead an activity - your own special walking track, bike ride or canoe trip, etc, that you do many times, may be an exciting new adventure to others, so think about sharing it.
Remember meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month (except for Dec 08…think about it??). Venue is Leongatha Community Centre 8.pm. Hope to see you.
Regards Val.

P.S. Thank you to everyone who attended a hastily arranged committee meeting. The new program has many varied activities, so please try to support the leaders and remember to book in by the booking date to avoid the cancellation of an activity.

Walk Reports

Tongue Point Circuit The day dawned cool with a threat of rain, but that didn't deter eleven of us heading towards Wilson's Promontory to venture on to the picturesque Tongue Point track. We met at Darby River and after leaving Tim's car at the car park, we piled into two cars and headed towards Tidal River to park our cars at the start of the walk. Nine of us walked briskly up the hill, stopping occasionally to enjoy the glimpse of the sea through the trees. We came to a new track which headed down hill and were just discussing whether to go down there and how we'd let Paula and Steve know where we'd gone when they suddenly turned up behind us. We investigated the track that petered out at the bottom of the hill and it created a bit of discussion as we wondered if it was the start of a new circuit. Not wanting to go through the tape which was obviously there to deter walkers, we retraced our steps up the hill to the proper track. Now those who've joined me on a walk know that my sense of direction is a little weak and I've been known to take the wrong track quite often and with this in mind when we got to the next intersection with an indecipherable sign, Josie got out her map and we had some discussion about where to go. We decided that uphill was a good choice as it seemed to lead up to a lookout and Steve bounded up the track. I had some doubts part way up, but Steve assured us that all was well. And it was! Arriving at the top of the track, we had the most marvellous views of the coast of the prom. We settled down on the rocks for a snack and just enjoyed our surroundings. Coming down the hill Sue's knee became really painful and it was fortunate that Les was there to adjust the tape he'd applied previously. We checked out the view again a bit further down before we headed down towards Tongue Point itself. Downhill wasn't an enjoyable experience for Sue and she decided to head slowly towards Darby River with Tim while the rest of us trooped down to the point. It was cold and windy and once again Steve shone through, finding a great big flat rock overlooking the sea that was perfect for our lunch spot. I was hesitant about climbing down to the rock, but it was fine and we had a great spot out of the wind with a good ledge for those wimpy people who didn't want to sit to close to the edge. Emerging from our hidden lunch spot, we surprised some other walkers who'd just arrived. It began to rain lightly as we set out on the final section of the walk. The track was good and we were sheltered from the worst of the weather and it seemed no time before we emerged at the bottom of the hill in sight of Darby River. I jumped into Tim's car to go back to collect my car. There were startled looks from Josie and Steve (who also needed a lift up the hill) as they emerged from the bush, but Tim's car was full of goods to be delivered to his clients and there was no room for anyone else. I drove back down to pick up Josie and Steve and then took them back to their cars which made them much happier. We finished our day with afternoon tea at the Flying Cow in Fish Creek where we also celebrated Marg's birthday (she's 30 I think) with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. Thanks to Val, Kerry, Sue, Heather, Les, Tim, Steve, Paula, Marg and Josie for joining me Ð I had a great day.
Lynn

Tongue point Day Walk with Lynn 13th July
IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY AND EVERYBODY FORGOT, so I told them. Happy Birthday was sung and all pledged to be nice to me for the whole day. What a birthday present!
Weather was lovely and we were a happy bunch setting off down the track with Lynn as leader. It was a while since she had walked the track, but no problems with many enthusiastic helpers to add suggestions. Stops were taken to look at the views, have nibbles and to take a newly cleared track which all hoped would be a circular route to the point. This did not eventuate so steps were retraced. Steve found a great spot for lunch amidst the boulders, out of the wind and with exceptional views. Everyone was still being very nice and it was here that Josie sang happy birthday again. Three times, in fact. First in Italian, then English the Italian way and finally the way her mum would sing it in English. What a comedy!
All too soon we were back at the cars and the car shuttle organised. The light showers ceased and we were off to Fish Creek to - yes, you have guessed - the Flying Cow for coffee and cake.
Those enjoying the day were Lynn, Val, Kerrie, Heather and Les, Steve and Paula, Tim, Sue, Josie and myself
Wally

Wilson's Promontary Lighthouse Walk May 8th-9th
Charlie, David, Kate, Leanne and Gaynor — the Gilliam clan, and also Kerry, David, Julie, Sue and Ros.
Weather looking cold and wet…think we might need serious wet weather gear!
For me, it was just fantastic to be heading off to the Lighthouse again. It had been a long time since my last visit.
First stop, Halfway Hut, to eat and to enjoy the surroundings. Too cold to stop, so we move on. It's all of 19 km to the Lighthouse which is a fair jaunt for new chums, but all seemed to cope very well, and the excitement of seeing the Lighthouse again kept everyone keen. We were forewarned about the last steep pinch up to the Light, but hot showers, comfortable bunks and magnificent views all await.
Next morning, after various breakfast delights, we were all ready to tackle the walk back. The track varied slightly as we chose the bush track. Charlie managed to bring out the umbrella on one occasion as rain moved in. I'm sure that only Charlie could walk to the Lighthouse with an umbrella! Go, Charlie!
The 'younger set' decided to get home fast as rain threatened.
I'm sure that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the whole two days. A big 'thank you' to Charlie for all the organization involved. For me, just great to have another opportunity to walk to the Lighthouse again.
Thanks heaps to everyone for the great company.
Ros S.

The Rogaining Ramble with the Hortons
Sunday 15th June was a very pleasant day to be in the outdoors. We met on time at the rendezvous at Lysterfield Park. No one became lost on the way, so we passed the first test.
There were 12 participants with leaders Steve, Paula and Annie. After a quick cuppa each leader took 4 members, gave us our maps and then took us aside for some helpful hints before setting off in our chosen direction. Steve had marked out a hundred metre straight line. We all tried to walk our normal length double step a few times and then averaged this to find how many steps it took us each to walk 100 metres. This became a useful tool when we had determined, by map and compass, that we were a set distance from the checkpoint. We could then walk and count the number of double steps which hopefully put us in close proximity to our target.
We learnt to orientate the map so we could see the direction our first track would take and we were off, each group choosing to attempt different checkpoints.
By the time our allocated time was up we were all becoming much more proficient with reading the map, looking at the various features on the ground and then comparing them with the features we could pick out on the map while using our compass in several different ways. Annie's group of Mary MacKillop students were very enthusiastic as they were attending the schools' rogaining championships the following weekend.
It was a very worthwhile exercise with all feeling we would like a follow up session soon. This is most likely to happen in spring around the Kinglake area.
Thanks to Paula, Steve and Annie for a very helpful day.
As usual, a bakery was found close by.
Wally

Rogainish Ramble
Gee, these Hortons have embraced the sport of Rogaining wholeheartedly! A week prior to the School's Rogaine in June, Steve and Paula led a merry group of SGWAAC members and Mary MacKillop College students through the ins and outs of rogaining. They chose the pre-set course at Lysterfield Park in the Dandenongs, and had organised compasses, groupings and even the weather.
A brief rundown on the niceties of navigation and off we went, discovering the difference between knolls and implied knolls, watercourses and water, saddles and spurs, ridges and the rigidity that sets in after too much exertion.
All groups completed with a sense of satisfaction and a MUCH greater understanding of navigation using a map and compass. The kids and parents even did us proud at the School's Rogaine, and a great time was had by all. Thanks, Paula!
Annie Chisholm

Lance Creek Reservoir Walk Ð Sun. 3rd August
Sue, John, Kerry, Tim, Marg, Michael, Glen, Steve and Paula joined Rosie and Peter on a stroll around Wonthaggi's and Inverloch's water supply. After travelling in our cars to Glen Alvie, we followed a secret track known only to Rosie and Peter who had to get special permission for us to do this walk. On a beautiful, sunny, still winter's day, we circumnavigated the Lance Creek Reservoir rambling along mainly through a young forest planted circa 1985 to help filter the water as it seeps into the reservoir. We crossed a bridge, which I presume crossed Lance Creek, picking our way through watery mud and cow poo 30 cm deep in places. Yuk! We sighted many, many waterbirds who have made their home on the artificial lake and the wetlands at its top end, and also some black cockatoos feeding in the tops of the young trees. We lunched on the wall discussing recipes for dehydrated hiking meals, before returning to our cars at 1:30 pm. A lovely walk.
Thank you, Rosie and Peter, for sharing your secret with us.

COMING EVENTS

World Premiere on the Big(ish) Screen of The Ascent of Fedder
Michael Buckingham has brought all his filming and editing talents together, to give you a thrilling film of the epic inaugural SGWAAC climbing of Federation Peak in SW Tasmania.
You can dress up, appropriate for a red-carpet event — or down, as you think the Chissies and Mr Buckingham may have looked on day 15 of their trip.
You're invited to the Nyora Cinema, (aka Buckingham's shed) on Saturday 13th September at 7:30 pm for an 8:00 screening.
BYO wine, cheese and nibbles to share.
Catch a rare glimpse of some lesser-known backsides as they tackle the rigours of the Eastern and Western Arthur Ranges. All welcome for a fun night!

Hot Air Ballooning
The details for the Hot Air Ballooning are as follows:

• Cost $250 includes full champagne breakfast in the Yarra Valley
• Accommodation FREE staying at Sue's Mum's house in Healesville
• Date: Thursday 11th September. Leave Wednesday 10th September late afternoon.
• contact Sue Marriott 5663 5276 / 0400 635 276
• see www.hotairballooning.com.au for more detail