2023
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With a few activities already under our belt, our walking season is commencing with several walks, social events, full pack walks, car camps and extended camps already in the program.
March 26 40th AGM at Bicentennial Park Homebush
A successful meeting was held today with a major changing of the guard on the Committee. Many thanks to the outgoing committee members, who have held positions for many years, in one case for 14! This has kept the Club going. We welcome David as President, Ross as Vice -President, Cecilia as Treasurer and Liz will continue as Secretary (for the last time). Details of the meeting and all positions, including non - Committee roles will be sent to members in due course.
Thanks to everyone who attended and to those who took on committee and other roles necessary for the management of the club.
See you on the track
With a few activities already under our belt, our walking season is commencing with several walks, social events, full pack walks, car camps and extended camps already in the program.
March 26 40th AGM at Bicentennial Park Homebush
A successful meeting was held today with a major changing of the guard on the Committee. Many thanks to the outgoing committee members, who have held positions for many years, in one case for 14! This has kept the Club going. We welcome David as President, Ross as Vice -President, Cecilia as Treasurer and Liz will continue as Secretary (for the last time). Details of the meeting and all positions, including non - Committee roles will be sent to members in due course.
Thanks to everyone who attended and to those who took on committee and other roles necessary for the management of the club.
See you on the track
Yarrawood's 40th Anniversary Year
One focus will be an attempt to reach 40 Trigs, Lighthouses or Iconic locations during this year's activities. The first Trig, on Mt Stillwill, Kosciuszko N.P. was reached by a group of 7 members camping at Sawpit Creek, December 30, 2021
March
Our AGM was held on Saturday 19 March at the end of a social gathering and picnic at Sydney Olympic/Bicentennial Park. The rain held off for once and the members present caught up after our summer break. Those present included members from the first year of the club's existence as well as our newest member. We paused to remember the passing last year of our first President, Denis Foster, and the recent death of Geoff Dauncey, also a former President of Yarrawood. Both were remembered fondly and their enormous contributions to the Club and to members present were warmly acknowledged.
2021
So many activities were planned for this year and so many were cancelled or postponed because of the long lock-down June - October. As soon as restrictions were lifted, members managed a couple of the walks before the hot weather and the developing la Nina rain pattern again put a brake on our proceedings.
Ikara Track walk went ahead at second attempt in October 2021
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Tunnels, Bridges, History And A little Bit Of Mystery At the foot of the Blue Mountains, in the bush around Lapstone there are some hidden and not so well known gems: The oldest stone arch bridge on the Australian mainland Railway tunnels and the Lapstone Zig Zag Hidden little creeks and gullies Interesting sandstone formations and mini cliff lines. A gigantic deep hole which nobody seems to know why it was dug. |
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2020
Yarrawood resumed its activity program on June 1, 2020. Procedures are in place to ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with government COVID-19 restrictions.
All of the June activities have been in or close to the metropolitan area at Hornsby, Sutherland, Patonga and Riverview. As the photos show, Sydney has beautiful bushwalking areas right on its doorstep and even closer.
There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes
Five intrepid Thursday walkers, led by Ron "The rain man" Binet, launched the 2020 season on March 4 with a dampish walk from Centennial Park to Bronte Beach.
Five intrepid Thursday walkers, led by Ron "The rain man" Binet, launched the 2020 season on March 4 with a dampish walk from Centennial Park to Bronte Beach.
Yarrawood again reaches great heights - November 2019
After an arduous approach trek through Wendy Whitely's Garden at Nth Sydney, the wild Jacaranda forest of Kirribilli and the fortifications of a former submarine base, 10 intrepid Yarrawoodians made it to Judi's 15th floor apartment. There the Sherpa support party had wine, cheese, strawberries and cherries on hand. Talk about tough!
After an arduous approach trek through Wendy Whitely's Garden at Nth Sydney, the wild Jacaranda forest of Kirribilli and the fortifications of a former submarine base, 10 intrepid Yarrawoodians made it to Judi's 15th floor apartment. There the Sherpa support party had wine, cheese, strawberries and cherries on hand. Talk about tough!
A dragon dropped by
Not satisfied that some Yarrawoodians had seen enough wildlife on their walks, the chef at the Victoria and Albert Guesthouse in Mt Victoria produced his pet eastern water dragon. The handsome fellow (the dragon) sat motionless on the table while coffee and tea were enjoyed.
Meeting Derek's dragon was just one of many memorable moments in two days (September 26-27. 2019) spent on the Upper Blue Mountains. Apart from dining well and sleeping very comfortably at the Victoria and Albert, the party took in some varied and spectacular scenery on the Kings Tableland (Wentworth Falls) and the Asgard Plateau (Mt Victoria). The walks were demanding but rewarding and several in the party were pleasantly surprised to discover walking capabilities they didn't know they had.
Not satisfied that some Yarrawoodians had seen enough wildlife on their walks, the chef at the Victoria and Albert Guesthouse in Mt Victoria produced his pet eastern water dragon. The handsome fellow (the dragon) sat motionless on the table while coffee and tea were enjoyed.
Meeting Derek's dragon was just one of many memorable moments in two days (September 26-27. 2019) spent on the Upper Blue Mountains. Apart from dining well and sleeping very comfortably at the Victoria and Albert, the party took in some varied and spectacular scenery on the Kings Tableland (Wentworth Falls) and the Asgard Plateau (Mt Victoria). The walks were demanding but rewarding and several in the party were pleasantly surprised to discover walking capabilities they didn't know they had.
A rare spectacle
On September 1 , 2019 , a Yarrawood party enjoyed a walk in the Kamay-Botany Bay National Park to see an exceptional display of wildflowers in areas razed by bushfires two years ago. There were unusual expanses of flowers and hundreds of Xanthorrhoeas (Grass Trees) were in flower
On September 1 , 2019 , a Yarrawood party enjoyed a walk in the Kamay-Botany Bay National Park to see an exceptional display of wildflowers in areas razed by bushfires two years ago. There were unusual expanses of flowers and hundreds of Xanthorrhoeas (Grass Trees) were in flower
Yarrawoodian honoured for her contribution to bushwalking
Bushwalking NSW has instituted the Chardon Award to recognise outstanding contributions to the advancement of bushwalking in NSW. Yarrawood luminary, Dodie Green, was the 2017 recipient of the award. A shield to record the names of Chardon Award recipients has now been created. Dodie is to be a special guest of Bushwalkling NSW when the shield is unveiled on August 20, 2019.
Yarrawood members visit a scenic gem just 90 minutes from the Sydney CBD
It's taken 36 years but a Yarrawood party has finally made it to the exceptionally beautiful Minerva Pool in the Dharawal National Park. Although the Park is just south of Campbelltown it has somehow slipped under the Club's radar. On Friday, August 9, 2019, that changed when a Yarrawood party walked to the pool and the nearby Jingga Falls.
It's taken 36 years but a Yarrawood party has finally made it to the exceptionally beautiful Minerva Pool in the Dharawal National Park. Although the Park is just south of Campbelltown it has somehow slipped under the Club's radar. On Friday, August 9, 2019, that changed when a Yarrawood party walked to the pool and the nearby Jingga Falls.
Koala sighting caps off a weekend of car camping in the Yengo National Park
Despite smoke from control burns limiting the walking that could be done, Morrie's car camp in the Yengo National Park over the weekend of July 27-28, 2019 was a great success. Choosing to delay their departure from the camp site for a day, Liz and Ron Binet were treated to a koala sighting. Its seems the koala choose to wait until the crowd had gone before making an appearance.
Despite smoke from control burns limiting the walking that could be done, Morrie's car camp in the Yengo National Park over the weekend of July 27-28, 2019 was a great success. Choosing to delay their departure from the camp site for a day, Liz and Ron Binet were treated to a koala sighting. Its seems the koala choose to wait until the crowd had gone before making an appearance.
The launch of the "reinvented" Yarrawood was a great success
A strong contingent of members gathered at Sydney's popular Marigold Restaurant on July 20, 2019 to mark the beginning of a new chapter in the Yarrawood story.
"In addition to having a good time, we are here to celebrate the Yarrawood that was and to launch the renewed and invigorated Yarrawood", the Club President said in opening the proceedings.
Apart from enjoying a splendid banquet, members entered into the spirit of the occasion by coming up with many ideas for future walks, trips and other activities.
Changes and additions to the Club committee
Les Higgins has volunteered to serve as Club President for the remainder of 2019.
Pam Freeland has kindly agreed to be the Club's Inquiry Contact Officer and Irene Wheatley our Membership Secretary .
The following Activity Co-ordinators have been appointed:
- Day walks – weekend- Ross Norrie
- Day walks - weekdays – Les Higgins
- Pack walks – Dodie Green
- Car camps, trips – Brian Morgan
- Social activities – Gloria Mifsud
- Overseas trips – Marion Pickard.
Map of Macquarie Island
A Yarrawood stalwart makes it to Antarctica
Some of you may have known that for many years it has been a dream of mine to sail south of Hobart and visit the sub Antarctic, Antarctic islands and the Antarctic continent. I finally realised this dream during Jan/Feb and the story below is about an afternoon I got to spend amongst the penguins and other wildlife of Macquarie island.
For those of you who are unaware, Macquarie Island is located in the Southern Ocean at longitude 158°55E, latitude 54° 34’S just north of the Antarctic Convergence. This is a circular zone of ocean where the cold waters of the Antarctic mix with the warmer oceans of the north. The island lies in the path of the ‘Furious Fifties’. These are the winds that circle the southern latitudes uninterrupted by any continental landmass. It is an island of rain and wind averaging over 314 days of precipitation a year. In summer, when daylight can last for 18 hours the sun shines for fewer than 4 hours per day and has a daily temperature that can range between 0.6 – 13.6° Celsius.
So, after spending 3 days cruising, the ship has dropped anchor about half a km off Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island. With ever increasing excitement I descended the steps of the ship’s gantry on a somewhat overcast day, boarding the zodiac for the rather bumpy ride to the beach. Getting aboard a zodiac with the water level differing from anything up to one and half metres is an adventure in itself.
As you get off the zodiac you are just blown away by the wildlife. King and royal penguins, elephant seals, albatrosses, giant petrels and many other types of fauna are just everywhere you look. It seems that nobody has informed the locals of the 5m rule. They are as curious of me as I am of them. I am sure if they had access to a camera I would have been the subject. Because of the non-existence of natural predators they are completely unconcerned with our presence.
The elephant seals were huge and lounged around on the beach alone, or in groups from 2 up to as many 15-20. To the right was a large king penguin colony. To the left and up was where the royals were located. The noise was deafening, the smell interesting. I am talking of penguins in their thousands and elephant seals in their hundreds. In between all this is the constant coming and going as they head out to catch fish or come back full, to feed waiting mouths of their chicks. The bird life was almost too good to be true. I took hundreds of photos but after an hour or two I just put the camera down and watch amazed at the constant passing parade of wildlife. It is hard to describe my feelings. It has to be the most amazing experience of my life. I spent six hours on that beach and was very reluctant as were the other 49 people of my group when we had to head back to the ship.
As we zipped back to Akademik Shokalskly I remembered a quote I had read in a book that I was reading from the ship’s library about Sir Douglas Mawson and his description of Macquarie Island in 1919:
“This little island is one of the wonder spots of the world”
After my visit, I can only strongly agree!
Twenty four hours later, we cleared the bottom of Macquarie Island, heading out once again into Great Southern Ocean where we set a course for the Antarctic mainland ……….. well I think that’s another story for some other time.
Brian Morgan
Some of you may have known that for many years it has been a dream of mine to sail south of Hobart and visit the sub Antarctic, Antarctic islands and the Antarctic continent. I finally realised this dream during Jan/Feb and the story below is about an afternoon I got to spend amongst the penguins and other wildlife of Macquarie island.
For those of you who are unaware, Macquarie Island is located in the Southern Ocean at longitude 158°55E, latitude 54° 34’S just north of the Antarctic Convergence. This is a circular zone of ocean where the cold waters of the Antarctic mix with the warmer oceans of the north. The island lies in the path of the ‘Furious Fifties’. These are the winds that circle the southern latitudes uninterrupted by any continental landmass. It is an island of rain and wind averaging over 314 days of precipitation a year. In summer, when daylight can last for 18 hours the sun shines for fewer than 4 hours per day and has a daily temperature that can range between 0.6 – 13.6° Celsius.
So, after spending 3 days cruising, the ship has dropped anchor about half a km off Sandy Bay, Macquarie Island. With ever increasing excitement I descended the steps of the ship’s gantry on a somewhat overcast day, boarding the zodiac for the rather bumpy ride to the beach. Getting aboard a zodiac with the water level differing from anything up to one and half metres is an adventure in itself.
As you get off the zodiac you are just blown away by the wildlife. King and royal penguins, elephant seals, albatrosses, giant petrels and many other types of fauna are just everywhere you look. It seems that nobody has informed the locals of the 5m rule. They are as curious of me as I am of them. I am sure if they had access to a camera I would have been the subject. Because of the non-existence of natural predators they are completely unconcerned with our presence.
The elephant seals were huge and lounged around on the beach alone, or in groups from 2 up to as many 15-20. To the right was a large king penguin colony. To the left and up was where the royals were located. The noise was deafening, the smell interesting. I am talking of penguins in their thousands and elephant seals in their hundreds. In between all this is the constant coming and going as they head out to catch fish or come back full, to feed waiting mouths of their chicks. The bird life was almost too good to be true. I took hundreds of photos but after an hour or two I just put the camera down and watch amazed at the constant passing parade of wildlife. It is hard to describe my feelings. It has to be the most amazing experience of my life. I spent six hours on that beach and was very reluctant as were the other 49 people of my group when we had to head back to the ship.
As we zipped back to Akademik Shokalskly I remembered a quote I had read in a book that I was reading from the ship’s library about Sir Douglas Mawson and his description of Macquarie Island in 1919:
“This little island is one of the wonder spots of the world”
After my visit, I can only strongly agree!
Twenty four hours later, we cleared the bottom of Macquarie Island, heading out once again into Great Southern Ocean where we set a course for the Antarctic mainland ……….. well I think that’s another story for some other time.
Brian Morgan
