PO Box 2199
QUEENSLAND
BUSHWALKERS
CLUB Inc.
Newsletter
QBW on the 1km walk to the tip of Cape York
Club News
From the editor
Welcome to the September newsletter.
True to our word in the last newsletter, this month we
bring you accounts of walks to the tip of Cape York and
the top of Mt Bartle Frere - Queensland's highest peak.
The latter may or may not inspire you! Those articles
are part of several from those intrepid club members
who recently drove from Brisbane to the tip of Cape
York. We hope to bring you more stories...
The annual general meeting is here again. A couple of
reports from committee members are provided inside.
Pilgrimage is also only a month away! How time flies.
As always, watch the club walks calendar for the latest
updates on club walks.
Walk early and walk often... Michael H
QBW Annual General Meeting
The club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held
on Tuesday 3rd September 2019. The venue is the
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Sunnybank Hills
QLD 4109
Email qldbwc@yahoo.com
Phone No: 0401 527017
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/
September 2019
Little Kings Hall on the corner of Carl and O'Keefe
Streets, Buranda. The AGM will immediately follow the
usual monthly club meeting which starts at 7:30pm.
To vote at the Annual General Meeting you must be a
financial member of the club. Proxy votes are
allowed if you are unable to attend the meeting.
The nine management committee positions which will
be up for election are:
President Vice President Secretary
Treasurer Membership Officer Training Officer
Editor Social Secretary Outings Officer
If you would like to nominate yourself or another
person for a position, please fill in the nomination form
(see p.7) and provide it at the AGM.
The other important positions to be filled but which do
not have a vote on the management committee are:
Supper Convenor, Equipment Officer and two
delegates for Bushwalking Queensland Inc.
No nominations are necessary for these four positions.
Membership the meeting place and car pooling and has full
Membership is on an annual basis and comes due on discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible
the 1st of July each year. The fee for 2019/20 is $30 provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish
which must be paid before the annual general meeting to nominate for a walk or if you change your plans.
to remain a voting member. Please send your payment Nominations close 9:00pm on the Wednesday prior to
to Helen or by direct transfer into the club bank a weekend trip or by 9.00pm on the Monday before
account. Payment details are on page 8. Wednesday trips.
The same membership form is used whether you are a More details are available in the club calendar.
new member signing up or a current member wishing
to renew – it is on the club website. Please complete September 2019
the form, sign it and either post, email a scanned copy 3 Tues AGM & Club meeting (Buranda) 7.30pm
or hand it to Helen at a club meeting or on a walk. Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
The club email is qldbwc@yahoo.com. 7 Sat Mt Hennessy (Glen Rock) D/W
Richard Kolarski
General News 7 Sat Great Houses of Ipswich SOC
Pilgrimage Sandy Thomas
The 50th Pilgrimage is on at the end of September 8 Sun Yul-yan-man Track (Glasshouse Mts)D/W
(27-30) at Camp Laurence, Moogerah Dam. See Patricia Kolarski
bushwalkingqld.wordpress.com/pilgrimage for 13-15 Fri-Sun FMR Search & Rescue (Lake Maroon) B/C
details.The page also has a link to the booking form, Lynn Docchar (FMR)
which can be completed online. Be there with QBW! 17 Tue FMR AGM
21 Sat Illinbah Circuit (Binna Burra) D/W
National Park Alerts Aileen Elliott
Green Mountains – roadworks to widen the approach 27-29 Fri-Sun 50th Pilgrimage Camp Laurence(Aratula)B/C
road from Kamerun Lookout to Romeo Lahey Memorial 30 Mon Optional extra day at Pilgrimage
will restrict access to O'Reilly's from September to
December 2019. One lane will be open with traffic October 2019
control during the day and the road will be completely 1 Tues Club meeting (Buranda) 7.30pm
closed from 8pm to 6am. Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
Check https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/park-alerts for the 5-9 Sat-Wed Washpool - Gibraltar (Glen Innes NSW) T/W
Patricia Kolarski
latest information prior to doing a walk.
FMR Search and RescueTraining
FMR are running their annual Search and Rescue Past Walks
training weekend on 14/15 September to maintain Margaret Olley Exhibition 25 August SOC
capability and train new volunteers. Skill sessions on A group of 8 members enjoyed the superlative
Saturday will be followed by a realistic exercise on Margaret Olley exhibition currently on show at GOMA.
Sunday. The training at Lake Maroon costs only $20 Margaret grew up in West End, began formal art tuition
per person, which includes use of bunkrooms and at the South Brisbane Technical College and went on
cooking facilities in Pointro House. to great fame in Sydney and internationally. Over 50
Contact Lynn Docchar (0411811241) for details. works in the current exhibition were sourced from
galleries and private owners all over Australia and
QBW Christmas Party 29 Nov/1 Dec 2019 portray various periods and aspects of her artistic style.
Make sure you note your diaries for the annual QBW
Christmas party on the weekend of 29 November to After soaking up the exceptional art works on display,
1 December at Spring Gully Stays near Canungra. QBW members enjoyed a brunch at the riverside cafe
This year we will enjoy the company of the Redland in the glorious (almost springtime) sunshine. Thank
Bushwalkers. There will be good walks and lots of you Sandy for organising this excellent outing.
socialising so do come along! More details will be
available next month.

Bushwalking article
An article recently published in Bushwalk Australia
magazine has been brought to our attention. The
author is David Bell, who is the Bushwalking NSW
Conservation Officer. To read it online go to:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8LgeUdLDcq8Wm1
MX0Z6NEFoaGlqX2RVeUVWbUxUd2t4aFBF/view

Coming Walks
Any person wishing to come on a club walk must
contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise

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Following are three accounts of different experiences on a road trip from Brisbane to the tip of Cape
York undertaken by 8 of our club members in July-August 2019.
Mt Bartle Frere via Western Approach - Wooroonooran National Park NQ Sunday 21st July
On the recent trip to Cape York instead of spending a restful day
sightseeing around Lake Eacham like every other sensible person
Mary Sherlock, Ralph Hales and Michael Freemantle decided it
would be better to climb to the top of the highest mountain in
Queensland, Mt Bartle Frere (1622 m). The schedule we were to
go by was posted by a 77 year old gent on the Aussie
Bushwalking site so should be easy, right...
(https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/qld/wooroonooran-national-
park/mt-bartle-frere-western-approach )

Alarms were set for 4 am and up for a quick breakfast and into the
car for a 40 minute drive southeast to Junction Camp and the end
of the road on the Western side of Bartle Frere. Under the light of
our headlamps we started about on schedule at 5:45 am into the
rainforest to warm up on the relatively flat first couple of
kilometers. Once we were ahead of schedule we forgot about it
other than to decide to turn around at 12 noon so as not to be
returning in the dark. To add to our experience it started to rain as
we started ascend the steepening slope and stayed that way for
the rest of the day.

The track is well marked by orange arrows but care needs to be taken around the mossy boulder fields -
sure footing and good grip required. There were few places that offered any respite from the rain and a dry
place to rest, just the odd rocky overhang with the best places further back down the mountain. We ran into
a bedraggled and wet trio of young campers who had spent the night at the uninviting upper camp which
looked more like a muddy lake when we got there.

To get to the main summit from Western summit

includes descending almost 200 m and we were
eventually welcomed by the NPS summit sign -
some quick selfies and snacks and we turned
around to retrace our steps. On the way down
where the track runs between two huge touching
boulders we meet Paul from the Netherlands
who was also on his way down - it soon became
apparent that the descent from Western summit
had fooled him into thinking he must been on the
main summit and he turned around too soon -
we were later to run into Paul at Paronella Park
where he was working as a tour guide.

Stats wise we took about 9'30" to go car to car

with a moving time of 4'20" with rain most of the way, no views anywhere and we would have been quicker
down if Ralph's knee had been more supportive – (Note from Ralph: "if anyone has the possibility of
getting sore knees on the downhill run of any walk; that two sticks be taken for supporting the
knees on the way up as well as minimising the pain on the way down; especially on this walk;
whether or not you are walk fit. One stick is insufficient.”)

Finally I should mention the leeches – yes there were hundreds of leeches and quite a number found a good
feed on lower legs with some even venturing towards Ralphs nether regions and one made it into Mary’s
eye.
Michael F

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Tip of Cape York 26 July
There were many interesting and wonderful things to see and do in the journey of 7000 km, but when
anyone asked where we were headed, the short answer was the tip of Cape York, so you could call it the
destination.
Our northernmost campsite was at Loyalty Beach, near Seisia, 41km by road (just over half that distance as
the crow flies) from the tip itself. The drive took over an hour, with a brief stop at the Croc Tent on the way to
stock up on souvenirs and for Michael to catch up with a former work colleague.
The road ended about 500m from the tip and the rest
was a walk/scramble over a well-worn path to reach
the sign close to the water indicating your arrival at
the northernmost point on the Australian mainland. Of
course we weren’t the only ones who had made the
journey that day, so everyone had to wait their turn for
the obligatory photo with the sign (see also photo on
page 1).
An interesting side note was the number of plaques
stuck on the rocks nearby as memorials of various
people, who presumably had their ashes scattered at
this point by their loved ones after death. You could
only wonder at some of the human stories behind the
plaques – maybe someone had always wanted to
come here but didn’t make it during their life so their
family ensured that they at least got there afterwards;
or maybe someone’s pilgrimage here had been of sufficient significance that they left instructions for their
ashes to be scattered at this point.
After the tip, we drove across to the east coast nearby to look at the ruins of Somerset, which was
established in the 1860’s as a centre to service the far north of Queensland. It didn’t last long before an
administrative centre was established on Thursday Island, and the settlement at Somerset was no longer
required. A visit to Punsand Beach west of the tip rounded out the day.
Helen
Chilli Beach 31 July

After 30 years of visiting, camping or staying in places as far removed as Bruny Island, Wyndham, Cape
York and countless other spots in between, the best destination and camping spot for me and my family
without a doubt was Chilli Beach in 2007. There was something almost mystical about travelling through
miles of rainforest in Iron Range (now Kutini-Payama) National Park and camping in this youbeaut hidey-
hole under a forest canopy away from the wind but still only 50m from an almost deserted beach that seems
to go on forever fringed by coconut palms waving in the breeze (read ‘wind’, there's nothing breezy about it).

Approach to Chilli Beach 2019 after Cyclone Trevor

Approach to Chilli Beach 2007

Retracing my steps this time was a very different experience thanks to Cyclone Trevor. It hovered over
Lockhart River for 10 hours in March and smashed the rainforest. Seeing all those stripped, broken and
blown down trees along the way and our trashed campsite was enough to make me want to weep.

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But then, we (my family) visited Paronella Park just after Cyclone Yasi left its mark in 2011 and I could not
believe how well the vegetation recovered in the 8 years since then. So, Trevor will hopefully also be just a
bad memory at Chilli Beach in years to come. Cyclones are part of nature and so are those trees. They are
rebounding and there were already new shoots forming on the broken branches. Even some of the birds
Iron Range is famous for were back and came to check us out.

Camping at Chilli Beach Palm Cockatoo

After the horror of the forest, walking out onto the beach was a blessed revelation. It was like walking back in
time. The palm trees were still there, seemingly untouched by events and still waving in the wind. As the
front line on the beach their ability to withstand storms must be one of the miracles of God’s creation.
Adding to that, the beach was as pristine as ever and, if I put on my reading glasses, still almost deserted;
the little rocky island just off the beach seemed untouched; the sunrise over the Coral Sea the next morning
was magic and the ‘golden hour’ that followed was something to savour.

'Golden hour' on Chilli Beach

Chilli Beach sunrise

Standing on that beach it was as if nothing bad had happened and that is the image I will keep of Chilli
Beach 2019.
Bert
(PS: Anyone interested in the havoc wreaked by Trevor at Iron Range, have a look at this drone footage
reported by the ABC in July. You’ll get the idea.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-13/iron-range-national-park-cyclone-recovery-to-take-
decades/11282936.
The park’s custodians did an awesome job opening the roads and cleaning up the mess so that we could
actually get in and camp in comfort.)

(Photo credit: All photos provided by Bert)

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 Queensland Bushwalkers Club
2018-19 Annual Reports

PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2018-19

for September AGM

The 2018-19 year was quite a successful one for the Queensland Bushwalkers Club. Much of the credit for
that success must go to the very capable and enthusiastic committee members who perform key roles that
support the various elements and activities of our club. I propose a huge vote of thanks to them. I pay
particular tribute to Patricia who has provided diligent service as Outings Officer in coordinating our core
walks and outings activities. Patricia now plans to step away from that role.

Success can be measured in many ways but I believe that for a club of our size (averaging about 55
members across the year) to put nearly 100 outings on the club calendar and to have many of those well
attended is a very good indicator of our vitality. The diversity and consistency of the walks is a tribute to our
volunteer walk leaders and we are always very thankful for their efforts.

Major events in which our club members participated and enjoyed the company of other walkers included
the Pilgrimage at Jimna organised by Bushwalking Queensland and the QBW Christmas party at Bigriggen.
The club also passed a milestone in January 2019 with the 20th anniversary of the club foundation. This was
acknowledged with a return walk to Diana's Bath, scene of the first club outing, and a subsequent lunch.

This past year has been remarkably free of any emergency situations, though a few incidents which could
have ended much worse did remind us of the value of first aid training, communications awareness and the
values of bush survival skills, should they be needed.

It was with some relief that a number of walking tracks in National Parks were finally re-opened following
storm damage. This extended our walk opportunities, though this was partly offset by the withdrawal from
some planned walks due to excessive heat, or in a couple of instances, lack of water. Most planned walks
have gone ahead.

Richard continues his excellent work in developing the walks database, which has gained new walks from
interstate and overseas. The database is now well on the way to 1,500 walks and has become a much
valued resource for walk leaders from other bushwalking clubs as well. It is an asset to our walk leaders and
a credit to Richard's diligence and application. All walk leaders are strongly encouraged to use it.

By the end of the 2018-19 year, club membership stood at 58, which is quite stable. Sadly during the year
we experienced the loss of Norm and Anna who were battling serious illness. It has been gratifying to
witness the support given by other members of the club to those most impacted by this loss. The care and
concern for other members extends well beyond the bushwalks. The experience of this loss has only
strengthened the resolve of many to participate in outdoor recreational opportunities as they arise, just as
our absent friends would have wished.

Thank you to each and every club member for indulging in your love of bushwalking (and camping, kayaking
and cycling) and for choosing Queensland Bushwalkers Club to do so. We value your presence and trust
that your outings with us continue to enrich your experience and appreciation of the outdoor environment.

Michael Hoopmann

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 OUTINGS OFFICER REPORT 2018/2019
LEADER D/W T/W B/C BIKE/ KAYAK TOTAL
Patricia Kolarski 20 2 22
Richard Kolarski 12 2 4 18
Aileen Elliott 16 1 17
Peter Pendle 6 6
Helen McAllister 5 5
Michael Hoopmann 3 2 5
Gerry Burton 4 4
Lynn Sawtell 4 4
Ron Owen 3 3
Mary Sherlock 0 2 2
Ralph Hales 1 1
Sandra Thomas 0 1 1
Total 88
Peter’s Program of Walks
Congratulations to Peter Pendle for leading a series of widely varied well-researched walks in and around
the South East. I especially enjoyed the inner city walk from Roma Street Parklands, across the river and
back, then up through the city to the starting point.
Peter planned these walks in order to encourage new walkers to join the Club. We all know about the
declining membership of most bushwalking clubs and this was one member’s attempt to boost our numbers.
While it wasn’t successful in that respect, it provided Club members with many opportunities to do half-day
to medium day walks in pleasant settings and in great company. And, the reciprocal arrangement we have
with other bushwalking clubs meant the occasional new face on walks.
I wasn’t able to do all his walks but did stagger around Wivenhoe, struggled up the hills at Enoggera
Reserve, and especially enjoyed the coffee and cake at Mt Nebo.
Hopefully there is another series of walks to come.
Patricia
2018-19 Media Officer Report

This year 11 newsletters were published, consistent with previous years. The general look and feel of the
newsletter has been retained.
While I enjoy writing about QBW and personal walk experiences, I have probably relied a little more on this
to fill the newsletter pages in the past year than I should have. I resolve to encourage other walk participants
to write about their experiences more in the future, should I be asked to continue in the editor role.
I am very grateful to all those authors who have provided walk write-ups. They always provide an interesting
and unique perspective on our shared pastime of bushwalking.
And I am very thankful to those who have provided positive feedback on the newsletter. Keep reading!
Michael Hoopmann

Nomination Form For Committee Position

I wish to nominate …..........................................................……………………………….

For the position of …………...........................................................……………..……….

Nominator ……………………………….........................................................….

Seconder ….....................................................................................................

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 General Information Club Equipment
QBW Management Committee Compasses Topo Maps
President Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
Garmin GPS First Aid Kits
Vice President Lynn Sawtell 0419 686 559
Secretary Lynn Nicol 0400 705 041
5 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole
Treasurer Aileen Elliott 0457 144 012
of Australia included.
Outings Officer Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618
PLBs with inbuilt GPS
Membership Officer Helen McAllister 0419 684 319
5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will be made available at
Media Officer Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017 each club meeting and will need to be returned at the following
Training Officer Vacant club meeting.
Social Secretary Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525 Contact Gerry Burton on 0408 793 715 to book these items.

Other Voluntary Positions Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs

Equipment Officer Gerry Burton 0408 793 715
Supper Convenor Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067 Redland Bushwalkers Club
Librarian Noelene McCay 0407 658 023 The only stipulation is that Redland club members have priority
BWQ Rep Gerry Burton 0408 793 715 over visitors. Calendar is available at:
http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html
BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785
Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)
Insurance Hotline 1300 574 980
Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
Meeting Place walks per calendar year. This will be with the agreement of the
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at activity leader. Members of BOSQ have priority for nominations.
7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January. Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/
Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl YHA Bushwalkers
and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings
A coin donation is appreciated.
Gold Coast Bushwalkers
Membership Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members
Probationary Membership financial members of bushwalking clubs affiliated with BWQ.
A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management
on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk Committee. https://sites.google.com/site/goldcoastbushwalker/
form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc
A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The
his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system
the membership fee. and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.
Ordinary Membership Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au
A person may become an Ordinary Member by filling out and
signing a membership form, having a proposer sign the form
and handing the form with the membership fee to a committee Feature Pic
member or walk leader.
The proposer may be any current member of the club.
An Ordinary Member has the right to vote at an AGM or be
elected to a committee position.
Members of Another Bushwalking Club
Members of another bushwalking club which is affiliated with
Bushwalking Queensland Inc. (or an interstate Federation) and
who are covered by the same insurance do not need to become
a member of our club to go on our walks. However QBW
members will have priority if there is a limit on numbers.

Payments
Pay fees or other items direct to the QBW club account at:
BSB: 124-057
Account No: 20421276 I couldn't resist including one more pic of the gorgeous
Account Name: Queensland Bushwalkers Club Chilli Beach in Far North Qld – thank you Bert!
Reference: Include your name and what the payment is for –
eg “RSmith member fee”.
Website
Additional information is available on the club website at URL:
https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

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