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

Next Meeting: 27th August, 2009 at 8.00 pm

Editor’s Report
Once again, there is a great mix of activities planned for the next few months. Something for everyone, and maybe someone might go on every one. There are day walks and overnight walks; there are easy walks and challenging walks. For the cyclists, there’s a city ride and a country rail trail ride; and then 3 days of cycling to really toughen the bum. There’s a couple of relaxing base camps, a footy match and an evening meal. So peruse the program, tick those activities in which you are interested and then ring the organiser to find out more. Don’t miss out.........Have you considered offering an activity?

President’s Report:
The annual general meeting was well attended, great to see so many members. Thank you to all the office bearers who accepted their positions for another year. I think the only change was Josie Lomagno being officially elected as walks coordinator, a position she filled when Leigh Phillips had his hip replacement operation (Leigh has now recovered but is still not out enjoying club activities, so felt it was time to hand over the position).
I’m complaining bitterly that I’m ‘time poor’ (catch phrase of this millennium) and I cannot get to many functions. I can see why health officials say that the busier we get work wise, the worse off our health becomes - driving in cars, sitting at desks, computers etc. I’ve decided to ride the Great Vic Bike Ride course this year and have had two short rides. Already I feel less stressed and a wee bit healthier! So with this in mind I encourage members to take part in as many activities as they can. I know that it is impossible to do all the program, especially the hard overnighters, but the reward is worth the effort. Also don’t be disappointed if your event doesn’t get a large response - small groups still have great fun.
That’s about it as I’m ‘time poor’ and I’ve got a spare 1/2 hr, the sun has just appeared and the dog wants a walk.
Looking forward to seeing you sometime in the great outdoors.
Regards Val
PS Just heard the Igloo building was a success. Lucky they weren’t staying 2 nights as the Igloo wouldn’t have made it.

Walk Reports

“That’s as good as it gets”
Anyway that’s what we told Charlie when Marg put her hand on his naked knee. But that’s getting way ahead and, so, we shall return to the beginning.
Around midday, Friday 12th June, the Baggallays, Chiams, Julie Johnston, Marg Waldron and Charlie Gilliam met at the Bruthen Hotel for the start of Julie’s excellent adventure. After checking in and making sure that Charlie didn’t get a double bed - what a waste that would have been - we set off in search of sufficient water for canoeing. Unfortunately, the attractive section of the Tambo above Bruthen would have meant more walking than paddling and we were advised to head to Swan Reach. On the way there we noticed reasonable water at Tambo Upper so Charlie, Julie and the Baggallays launched, to be joined shortly by Cam Thompson, who had spotted our vehicles. Cam and Gris were staying at the caravan park. Chris and Kee were not so lucky; they flew past all the way to Swan Reach and wondered why they couldn’t find us. Next time, Kee, lower the steering wheel a couple of notches. We paddled downstream for about an hour, helping poor-casting fisherman to retrieve lures on the way, then turned around and paddled back again. Who said there’s no excitement on SGWAAC weekends?
Back at the hotel (is there a category for no stars?) we met up with new member Petra Shandley and had to watch whilst Charlie tried, unsuccessfully, to chat up a statuesque blonde at the bar. He assured me that she, and others like her that weekend, were actually trying to chat him up. (Sigh, Charlie the chick magnet!)
Dinner that night was excellent. The only downside being that Charlie (remarkable how he keeps popping up) ordered first and was served last.
After breakfasting in the corridor, outside the men’s bathroom, we prepared to ride to Nowa Nowa. (Did I mention that Charlie has tea and toast at 2 am?). Supposedly we were to ride there, have morning tea and ride back for lunch, followed by another ADVENTURE!!! Unfortunately with the soft going it took us until 11.30 to get there. So that was our lunch spot and, coincidentally, where the aforementioned knee-touching took place. We rode back with much debate about Charlie’s new bike. Does it have an electric motor hidden away inside or not?
Back at Bruthen some of us went for a walk and some of us didn’t.
At dinner that night most of us went for the lamb shanks and Charlie made sure that his fish order went in first. A plate was delivered to him before all others but then he discovered it wasn’t his order so he had to give it up. And guess what? He ended up being served last. Again! (And, no, I was only joking that I paid the waitress).
For some inexplicable reason, by 9.30, the Chiams and I were the only ones up and they didn’t last long. By 10 I was the only one in the bar with 5 members of staff. Somebody has to keep these country economies running. Charlie’s late meal was good for him, it meant that he didn’t have to get up until 2.30 am for tea & toast.
After another breakfast at our convenience some of us went walking and some canoeing, then we met up for lunch at the Bruthen bakery before setting off home. Thankyou to Julie for organising the weekend.
David Baggallay

“Somewhere in Melbourne” Ride - Sunday 28th June
Thick fog on Sunday morning was not a great encouragement to get out of bed and drive to Port Melbourne for a bike ride, however it turned out to be worth the effort.
Kerry, David, Julie. Jenny and Cam lined up at the start and headed north(ish) through a tangle of partly made roads and into the Docklands, parts of which I had never seen before. Lots of coffee shops, but we didn’t give in. Then came a rather industrial landscape along the path next to the Citilink Tollway with Jenny struggling a little on a less than perfect bike (I believe a new one is on its way!).
After riding through nice parklands we were slightly lost and needing a coffee break when - along came Graham! In the year to date, Graham has ridden 7000 kms and knows his way around. He not only volunteered to take us the rest of the way to Woodlands Historic Park (our destination), but insisted that we come to the coffee shop and bakery at Westmeadows first. Damn! There goes the diet again!
We had a look around the old homestead at Woodlands - lots of photos and paintings of famous racehorses, but we didn’t see any of the real ones, probably because we were too tight to pay the $5 entrance fee.
We headed back to Jacana station and a nice, warm train to town, just ahead of the rain, having ridden over 50 kms.
A very enjoyable day - thanks again Kerry.
Cam Thompson.

Bike Ride Around Wonthaggi - July 12th
Recently I led Kerry, David, Steve, Paula and Ian around a circuit from Southern Wonthaggi (my place). Down part of the Rail Trail, then past the sewerage dams, a very important part of Wonthaggi. We lifted our bikes over a stile into the Wetlands; stopped and admired the birds from a well hidden bird hide!! Onto the road and towards the beach where we stopped and looked at an architecturally designed house (under construction) - imagine paying good money for new metal to have a rusting iron look cladding.
Crossed over paddocks (more lifting of bikes over stiles - that’s why we love having the men for company). Down past the Rifle Range - stopped at the new lookout (great views of Wonthaggi and the tip). We followed the road to Harmers Haven and then back to Wonthaggi.
Approx 30km - a nice Sunday Ride. Thanks for your company.
Val

McLaughlin’s Beach with Polly and Dennis - July 26th
When we left Leongatha the weather looked as if the sky would open up and forget to close. But of course we reached McLaughlin’s beach and the weather was blue skies, calm seas and very little breeze; perfect walking weather. Over the boardwalk and through the bush we went.
We had a few new friends: Rose and Frank, friends of Polly; Sue, a new club member; Jenny from Mirboo. Andy and Dennis didn’t come with us, preferring to try their hand at fishing.
As usual the conversation covered all sorts of topics and we stopped several times to take another layer off. It was really quite warm and the view of Mt Singapore on the Prom was quite astonishing. You could pick out all the burnt areas.
The beach was beautiful. It is a hidden treasure; miles and miles of lovely beach and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. We returned through the bush and down the boardwalk.
Rose and Frank invited us to eat our lunch at their house where we sat in the garden. After lunch we had another walk through the wetlands. It was a lovely walk. I’d like to thank Polly for putting it on, and next time we will camp. There’s a few more walks we could do and the guys could do some fishing. Polly wants to know what happened to Charlie?
Thanks to Rose and Frank for the use of their garden.
Chris Chiam

Igloo Building, Mt St Gwinear - August 15th

‘You must build, then sleep, in a snowy igloo’. Annie said this was a thing that I really should do. Such an icy cold task, it was not on my list But was it a thing that shouldn’t be missed? As we hike up a snowless Mt. St. Gwinear. Paul as usual is smiling from ear to ear. And Annie assures us that “it’s all good” This is just as I expected she would. A few miles later we find some white stuff Which is good ‘cos some are beginning to puff. Paul’s instruction was, ‘build a house of snow You’ve got three hours, so off you go Here’s string and a peg, igloos are round Corners, doors and windows should not be found. We need it for only a single night So build it now and build it right.’ Then Paul walked off to his quarry site And quarried away with all his might. A team of helpers delivered blocks of snow Saying ‘lay them faster, you can’t go slow. A spiral is best. Stagger your joints’ An annoying babble from my viewpoint. Labourers, quarriers who think they know That they can tell me how to build from snow Just because they’d all done it before, All their silly advice I chose to ignore. I laid the blocks, I laid them with pride, With renderer Sue working by my side She rendered high, she rendered low, She rendered buckets and buckets of snow Whole blocks of snow fell upon her head But she rendered on ‘til her arms were dead. So we finished the wall or was it the roof? A real snow igloo and quite weatherproof! As per the design there wasn’t a door Someone dug under the wall and up through the floor. A rather stupid way to enter a room Some silly fools tried doing the penguin zoom With a sort of dull thud Kee’s head got struck And in one case the whole penguin got stuck. Time for some food and a hot cup of tea, Soup and a muffin or maybe coffee. Snowy hike to the top of Mt. St. Phillack. Paul carried a shovel, no one had a pack. But it seems that our leader just wanted a poo. So we left him to dig his own long drop loo.

We all hike back to our home for the night. Did I mention that we painted it white? Now a nice hot meal to warm up our tum, While we sit in the snow and get a cold bum. Wriggle under the wall, round room for the night. Josie reckons the space is way too tight. She wriggles back out to sleep in her tent. We snuggle into our bags, warm and content. Now I must explain that the wind blew a gale. It roared through the trees with a moan and a wail. Josie’s tent blew right over, not once but twice. It’s lucky she didn’t skate away on the ice. Now that wind was strong, but it was lazy too. It blew not around but right through our igloo. Tiny cracks opened up and slowly they grew. Not just a couple, there were more than a few. Icy lattice work of windows, early morning light. Crawl out into the day, but it isn’t all that bright. The wind is really blowing, clouds are scudding past. If you don’t hold things down they blow away quite fast. Sue’s flying a kite, Chris’s cup blows away. The snow gums perform a wild ballet. Paul and Annie emerge; they’ve had a lie in. On Sunday morning is that considered a sin? Minutes later there is a sort of a whuuummp. And the igloo is gone leaving hardly a bump. Remember what Paul had asked me to do. Build a single use only, one night igloo. With no prior experience how good was that Five minutes after we’d finished it lay itself flat! Things I must do Build an igloo and sleep in it.,?

Upcoming Events
Weekend at Healesville
When: Sept 4th, 5th and 6th & 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 21st Aug

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(Sat)/15th(Sun)/16th(Mon) - drive down Friday evening (13th) Activity: 3 days of cycling (including a ride on Monday) 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.

Wilson’s Prom 20th Birthday Celebration Weekend With the help of Angela we have booked the thirty bed lodge at the Prom Friday and Saturday nights, 16th and 17th July 2010. As yet we have not decided on a theme or activities. The main thing was the booking. The cost is $25 per night or $50 for two nights. This needs to be paid to Angela ASAP as payment must be made to the Prom.
We cannot book your place until the money is received. There are only thirty places.
We can take the lodge over at 2pm on the Friday and leave Sunday before midday.
Chris Chiam

Queen Charlotte Guided Walk, New Zealand
Julie J’s Queen Charlotte Sound trip is booked out and Josie is planning a second trip for the April school holidays - 29th March to 3rd April, 2010. Limited numbers. If interested, ring Josie on 5657 3305
Or if earlier in March suits you better, you could try Julie on 5664 7458 in the hope of a cancellation.

Jatbula
Josie is planning a 60 Km (5 day) walk in the Nitmiluk National Park (Catherine, N.T.) from Wed. 30th June to Mon 5th July. It will be a self guided walk and you will need to be totally independent.
For more details and expression of interest contact Josie on 56 573 305. Limited numbers only.

Walk Leaders and Ideas Wanted
If you have ideas for activities then come along to a meeting and put them on the program, or ring our Walks Co-ordinator, Josie (5657 3305) to discuss your idea. We welcome fresh ideas and new leader faces. If you are not confident about leading a walk (or other activity) there are many people who can advise you or even help you run an activity.
 

Combined Gippsland Club Weekend - 21st & 22nd November
The Combined Gippsland Clubs Weekend is to be held on the 21st & 22nd of November at the Nayook Outdoor Education Centre Neerim.
Accommodation is either bunk beds and other beds for approximately 40 people. Camping is available with the use of kitchen facilities including Crockery & Cutlery. There are 2 BBQ’s, a Small Recreation Room & Dining Room are also available. There is a big veranda undercover area if it is wet to put out wet clothing.
Cost: $ 10.00 per head per day.
BYO Bedding, BYO Salads or Desserts to Share, BYO BBQ Meat, BYO Seats, BYO Drinks
Approx 15 km from Neerim South and about 38 km from Drouin

Walks Programme:

• Saturday: High Lead - Dowey Fire Line, Moderate to Hard
• Saturday: The Bump, Easy to Moderate
• Sunday: Ralph Cornwall Memorial Walk, Noojee - Combined Groups with an anticipated end of the walk to be around 1.00 pm on the Sunday

Prom in a Day
Telegraph Saddle to Telegraph Saddle via Waterloo Bay, Refuge Cove and Sealer’s Cove. A walk, not a stroll. Stunning views. No bakeries. Challenge yourself.
Steve Horton 5674 2980
 

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.