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

Next Meeting: 27th Nov, 2008 at 8.00 pm

Editor’s Rambles:
I’ve enjoyed some great activities over the past couple of weeks, all organised by members of SGWAAC. Three overnighters in less than two weeks! It’s time I stayed home and worked on the newsletter, I think. There’s another full program of activities for you for the next couple of months to be found on the back page of this newsletter. Enjoy!
Leaders, please don’t forget to appoint someone to do a newsletter report on your activity.

President’s Spring Report: What a wonderful time of year. We have packed away our winter coats, hats and gloves, brought out shorts and light shirts, sun hats, sunscreen and some of us donned our bright lycra. Others have dusted off kayaks, and paddles. We are ready for the great outdoors.
Also at this time of year, black and white feathered stealth bombers are in action. Unfortunately, we have to put up with their protective instincts - that's Mother Nature.
Ian and I recently spent an evening camped at Walhalla. I hadn't been up that way for 25 years Ð not since Lynn Birt and I rode horses through the town on a riding adventure. It's now a must do for the club next year - walking, mountain biking or prospecting for gold (Ian’s out to make a fortune!!!!)
The club has put together the new program. Hopefully there is something that will interest most members. Don't forget to ring leaders by the due date if you wish to participate.
A new event on the program is the inaugural Lyle Jacobs Lake Tarli Karng walk - an overnighter starting on the evening of the 5th of December.
I believe David Chalmers has improved slightly - our thoughts are with Marion and family.
On a sad note our sympathy goes to Paul and Annie Chisholm on the death of Paul’s mother recently. She often attended social functions and will be sadly missed.
Well members, as I put this together the sun is shining, the lawn needs mowing and the garden weeding - that’s the downside to spring - ‘Yard Maintenance’.
Regards to members
Val McDonald
PS. Plans are well on the way for the Combined Clubs Weekend. Hope to see you there. You’ll find us by the new SGWAAC banner.

Walk Reports

Eastlink Ride
Kerry, David, Val, Ian, Chris, Kee, Paula, Steve, Jenny O.

Fourteenth of September, a fun filled cycle Sunday.
A rainy dawn, lots of wind, a cloudy sort of grey day.
From Dandenong at 9:30 to Dandenong at 3:00.
Pedal pushing time trav’ling, it’s pointless but it’s free.
We all arrive right on time, except for Jenny O.
Is she coming? Is she lost? Is she just bloody slow?
David drives off to the station on a finding Jenny quest.
But she’s already left there, and she’s heading east not west.
   [some time later…]
North along the cycle path beside the eastlink freeway.
In true S.G.W.A.A.C. tradition we’re looking for a cafe.
Colourful bridges, concrete walls, a railway overpass.
Ponds with ducks, Jells Park, a kiosk, it’s coffee time at last.
But all good things must end , so once more we’re pedal pushing.
Beside us on the freeway cars are both ways rushing.
Sometimes we cycle peaceful paths, by creeks, through parks and such.
Sometimes we’re crossing busy roads. I don’t like those bits much.
Soon we arrive in Ringwood. We invade the Coach and Horses.
Some have the seniors Sunday lunch. I think there were three courses.
With the sun now past it’s zenith we homeward wend our way.
Thanks once again to Kerry for a suburban cycle day.
Steve

Traralgon - Rosedale Overnight Ride
Kerry, David, Val, Ian, Paula, Steve, Ros, Jenny O.

Last Kerry ride, strong winds, this time prediction is for storm force.
But Kerry reckons, “cancel no, we’ll still go; of course.”
Once again we’re all on time except for Jenny who?
She phones to say the trains to blame, or is this dŽjˆ vu.
Time for an early coffee whilst we talk the time away.
The train arrives, we saddle up and pedal on our way.
Traralgon, southeast to Loy Yang wind blowing from behind.
Windblown clouds of coal dust fill our eyes making us half blind.
Confusion ‘bout the gender of the jogger whom we passed.
Most strangely dressed and were those breasts? And when did he shave last?
Paula’s bike has spat the dummy, or rather tossed the chain.
Multiple mechanics fail to fix, they just compound the pain.
Roadside lunch in Gormandale where the toilets are disgusting.
As we head east to Hiamdale the ladies are still busting.
Now the cold front has arrived as we turn north to Rosedale.
The wind has turned to follow us, there is no rain or hail.
Some diverge to Holey Plains to ride sandy tracks in hills.
The rest blow on to Rosedale, to shop then drink their fill.
A great motel, adjoining rooms, with connecting door.
Bikes share with a model T on a spotless workshop floor.
The rain arrives but we don’t mind snug in the local tavern.
Good wine, good food, good company, I think you’ll know the pattern.
Next day; strong headwinds, and we’re not all feeling merry.
Jenny needs her morning coffee. That cough’s still plagueing Kerry.
Pushing north then west to Cowarr, a general store, NO COFFEE.
Rough rail trail to Toongabbie, a general store, NO COFFEE.
Some now use the road, while others bounce along the rail trail scree.
Strong headwinds all the way to Glengarry: shop closed, NO COFFEE.
Push on once more to Traralgon too tired to get shitty.
Rides end at last, we break our fast, and Jenny gets her COFFEE.
Steve

White Water Rafting
Sept 27th   Mitta Mitta River near Omeo
First of all I must say that we would have to agree that we were ‘BLESSED’ with the weather for our day of White Water Rafting. Even though the water was a little cool the sun shone on us the whole day. In total there were 16 rafters between the 4 rafts, all manned by very capable and talented Guides. I had the pleasure of paddling with Ros, Greg and Jenny. Our captain was Rob, who I believe was the boss of the show. After being fitted out at the pub with wet suits etc, we travelled 40 minutes to the starting point on the Mitta Mitta River just past the Blue Duck Inn, which apparently is closed and on the market if anybody is interested in buying a hotel. Rob (the captain of the Guides) briefed us all on safety, parts of the paddle, (for some reason we needed to know the top from the bottom of the paddle?) some funny river terms, such as an "Eddy?" We also had to quickly learn our lefts from our rights and the difference from forward and backward paddle, because once on the river Rob YELLED these commands to us frequently, and I must say, some of us forgot which was our Left and Right and which way was Forward and Backward, and when the penny finally dropped Rob very politely (between gritted teeth I feel) told us ‘TOO LATE!’. So then of course all we could do was laugh!!
Going through one rapid Ros was tipped out, but not for long as her rafting buddy (another river term), Greg swiftly went to the right side of the raft and grabbed Ros by the vest and promptly hauled her back in the raft before she knew it! Jenny was the brave one on the raft and jumped off the rock into the chilly waters for a swim, soon to be followed by other rafters.
Lunch was great, lovely cheese and biscuits, fruit, ham and fresh salad, even cake! Our dining table was an upturned raft! We did actually stop on the bank for lunch. We didn’t upturn the raft in the water and eat there  —  just in case some of you were wondering.
About an hour after lunch we stopped again on the river bank for CHOCOLATE AND MARSHMALLOWS! Yum! Once back, on the Mitta Mitta, in calmer waters, Rob allowed Greg to steer the raft, which I felt Greg enjoyed although Rob did have to give CLEAR instruction on how to navigate the raft around the Huge Boulder and not crash into it!!
One of the other rafts did temporarily loose a passenger. Apparently Margaret, after making it through some rough rapids popped out of her raft like a cork from a bottle of sparkling wine into the calmer waters?! Why, is still a mystery?
I am sure we all have own stories to tell of our Great White Water Rafting Trip down the Mitta Mitta on a Sunny September Afternoon. I am sure that I can say with confidence and a smile on my face that we all had a thoroughly enjoyable time.
Yes, we all made it back to the Hill Top Hotel in Omeo in time for the Final Siren of the AFL Grand Final, to hear of the Hawks victory win over the Cats! I must add that the hospitality of the Hotel was very good. They made us feel very welcome.
Many Thanks to Paul and Annie who organized the adventure but, unfortunately, at the last moment, could not attend.
Polly Riddell

Avon River Walk
Oct 2nd - 3rd
Josie, Lynn, Peter and Liam Charles, Ros, Steve, Paula and Jacob were the takers for the walk along the Avon River from Dermody’s Camp to Huggett’s Crossing. This is a beautiful section of the river with many swimming holes, pebbly beaches, rocky bluffs and shallow rapids as it winds its way through bushland. Springtime had brought out many wildflowers and we walked to the melodic calls of the pardalotes and many other birds.
The weather was hot for walking and we had several quite long and much appreciated breaks at the more scenic spots along the river. Several of us stripped off and jumped into the icy river as soon as we arrived at our campsite. It was lovely to be able to cool off. Jacob, our 9 year old grandson on his very first bushwalk, thought this was the best bit and spent the next couple of hours redesigning the river. He was back down at the river continuing his engineering works next morning, and was most disappointed when people started walking past with their packs on. He could have stayed there all day.
A particularly interesting part of the river was a place called The Channels. Here the river is forced through a narrow chasm with walls about 4 metres high. The track passes along the top of the southern wall and you peer down into the river. Jacob did his best to fill in the channel with rocks and delighted to the echoing sound of the rocks splashing into the water below.
Upon arriving back at the cars, once again we rushed to cool off in one of the many deep waterholes along the river. This time we all went in. Cool and in clean clothes, we lunched at a picnic table before heading off to Rosedale for the obligatory bakery stop. Thank you so much to Josie for organising this lovely walk and enlisting the help of Peter Charles who knows this area very well.
Photo: Peter Charles and Jacob Horton look over the Avon River.
Paula

Recipes
Apparently there has been a request for a couple of recipes of things we have enjoyed at club functions. Ed.

Marg’s Carrot & Peanut Salad
2 cups grated carrot
1 cup peanuts (I use salted)
1 tbsp grated onion (I use chives)
½ cup mayonaise.
Mix altogether adding salt if using unsalted peanuts.

Mayonnaise
1 tin Nestles Condensed Milk
1 tsp mustard mixed in ½ tin water. Combine with milk and slowly stir in ½ tin vinegar until it all thickens. Add a good pinch of nutmeg. Keeps in a sealed jar ‘forever’.

Sue’s Chewy Cranberry Bars

Preheat oven to 170°C. Grease and line tin. Sift flour and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl. Stir in oats, coconut, seeds and cranberries. Mix through sugar.
Melt butter and golden syrup in a small saucepan over a low heat. Remove from heat, leave to cool for 5 minutes and then pour butter mixture into bowl of dry ingredients. Mix with a large metal spoon.
Press mixture into tin and bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden (it may be a little soft when touched, but will firm when cool). Allow to cool in tin, then turn out and cut into squares. You can store them in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Makes 20.

Coming Events

Shooting
Friday Nov 7, 7pm onwards

This is a great opportunity to try your skills with a .22 rifle.
Fully supervised and safe. No licence required. Everything supplied.
Cost: $6.00 per card (12 shots)
Contact: Robert or Ros Spratt 0408642358

Kayak/Canoe Paddle
Nov 15-16 at Lakes Entrance/Johnsonville
Sat 15: gentle short paddle of approx 1hr each way along North Arm Lakes Entrance, lunch at Wyanga Winery. Sat night camp at LE caravan park
Sun 16: Paddle Tambo River, Johnsonville … but only as far as you wish to go!
Contact: Ros Spratt 0404642358

Garden Walk at Wattlebank
Nov 22nd
Rosie is holding an Open Garden Day to raise money for Breast Cancer research.
$5 entry. Children free. From 10:00am to 3:00 pm
Further information: 56749325

Combined Clubs Weekend
25th - 26th October 2008

All queries to Annie on 0409 787333

Rogaining at Kinglake
Nov. 22nd and 23rd
The Victorian Rogaining Association has a permanent course in an area north of the Kinglake National Park. After our earlier ‘Introduction to Rogaining’ day at Lysterfield, several people requested a follow up activity. This time we plan to cater for those who attended the last session and take their skills a little further. For those who missed out the first time, we will also have a group of complete beginners.
We will travel Saturday morning, rogaine in the afternoon and return for the evening meal at our campsite. There will be the opportunity to try navigating in the bush at night for those brave enough. Next morning we will set off again, with or without instructors depending on your level of confidence, to find different checkpoints before returning home.
There is nothing but toilets and a few picnic tables (I think) at the campsite, so you will need to bring your own everything.
For further information, ring Paula or Steve on 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.