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Walking SA Newsletter
Find out about what is happening over at Walking SA in their latest newsletter:
- Report from the new Board
- Introducing the People of the Transitional Board
- Report of the Structural Review of Walking SA by BDO
- Lavender Federation Trail Volunteers Win Awards
- Walking with the Kangaroo Island Walking Club
View the newsletter at www.walkingsa.org.au
Summer 2014
Issue 130
December 2013
Highlights include:
- Corsica - GR10
- Horseshoe Range
- Warren Bonython Memorial Walk wrap-up
- Tracks of Time
- Origin of the Heysen Trail
- Richard Savage completes a hat trick
Book launch: Walking with Warren – during one half life
Book launch: “Walking with Warren – during one half life” by author Terry Kreig.
Sunday 1 December 2013, 4pm at the Fullarton Park Centre, 411 Fullarton Road, Fullarton.
Official launch by Alice Bonython. Screen presentation of some of Warren’s exploits and 30 minute Super8 movie film shot during Warren’s and Terry’s walk around Lake Eyre in 1982.
If possible, please RSVP early this week to patez1@yahoo.com
Success of the Day on the Heysen Trail – the Warren Bonython Memorial Walk
What a success Sunday was, 556 people hiking along the 60 sections of the 1,200km Heysen Trail. Every section of the trail was walked on the day, and with such a fine weekend plenty of other people out hiking the trail too.
Thanks to all leaders, members and guests, for being involved. It was wonderful to meet new people and have them raving about the county we walked through. Simon Bonython walked in his father’s footsteps, completing the Cleland to Norton Summit walk.
A big thanks to the organising committee led by Simon Cameron, and all the members who jumped on board to make this event a big success. 18 months in the planning, and a fantastic outcome.
A great celebration of Warren Bonython’s life and the Heysen Trail.
View a collection of photos up and down the trail on Facebook (no Facebook account required): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.627709787273187.1073741834.106108449433326
Now Selling Online: Multi-Walk Cards and Golden Boots Cards
We are now selling Multi-Walk Cards and Golden Boots Cards online during walk registrations.
The cards are virtual. As you use trips off of your Multi-Walk Card those trips will be debited. When you have insufficient trips remaining to participate in a walk you are registering for you will be prompted to purchase a new card, and a new card of five trips will be credited to your account. Cards will no longer be issued as paper cards.
If you have any questions, please contact the office.
Event Clothing now Available – the Warren Bonython Memorial Walk
It’s just 4 weeks until the Day on the Heysen Trail – the Warren Bonython Memorial Walk. We’ve released a selection of event clothing you can wear on the day, or keep as a souvenir of the event.
Purchase online now at www.sportscentre.com.au.
Delivery is available. Orders placed prior to 22/9/13 will be available before the October 6th event.
The t-shirt is moisture wicking, and available in womens and mens fit. The polo top is breathable polyester and available in red or white.
Politics and Walking, a Look at the Election Policies
With Saturday’s election looming, Bushwalking Australia has investigated expressed policies and the track record of political parties on a range of environmental, health and transport issues that may interest walkers.
“Too often, strong industry lobbies and vested interests have successfully derailed attempts to improve and reform important policies to the detriment of walkers and walking. Unlike other forms of sport, recreation and transport, the benefits of walking are not captured by powerful industries and interests, but flow across the entire society and economy, ” states the introduction.
View the information, including the policies of the Labor Party, Liberal/National Coalition and The Greens at www.bushwalkingaustralia.org/bushwalking-news/119-2013-election-scorecard
For broader environmental issues besides walking, refer to the Australian Conservation Foundation’s Senate Scorecard: www.action.org.au
Spring 2013
Issue 129
September 2013
Highlights include:
- A Day on the Heysen Trail, the Warren Bonython Memorial Walk
- Chicks on the Beach
- Nepal - A Trekker’s Paradise
- In and Around Wilpena, part 2
Re-route of the Heysen Trail affecting Map 3.7, August 2013
This is a temporary re-route
View pdf map showing re-route
Foresty SA is conducting logging in the area of Bennett’s forest (Mt Crawford Forest), also known as Simmonds Hill adjacent to Little Parra Road. Logging activities are expected to be ongoing for at least a few months in this area. The short re-route has been marked by Forestry SA.
View all re-routes for the 2012 and 2013 Southern Guidebooks, 4th & 5th Editions
Re-route of the Heysen Trail affecting Map 3.7, August 2013
This is a temporary re-route
View pdf map showing re-route
Foresty SA is conducting logging in the area of Bennett’s forest (Mt Crawford Forest), also known as Simmonds Hill adjacent to Little Parra Road. Logging activities are expected to be ongoing for at least a few months in this area. The short re-route has been marked by Forestry SA.
View all re-routes for the 2010 Southern Guidebook, 3rd Edition
Independent Review of Walking SA Complete
The independent review into the governance and organisational structure of Walking SA by BDO (formerly PKF) has been completed. The response rate to surveys conducted last year was one of the highest BDO has ever received for this type of review, which is an indication of the importance of walking within the community.
Walking SA has agreed in principle with all the recommendations of the review (view summary of recommendations). The Minister for Recreation and Sport has agreed to provide some additional funds to assist with their implementation.
Key aspects include:
- Drafting a new constitution and implementing a modern governance structure to support a wider range of walkers and walking interests than has been possible in the past.
- Better collaboration with local government and like-minded community organisations.
- Enabling Walking SA to be more adequately resourced to perform these roles.
AGM This Thursday
We would also like to draw your attention to Walking SA’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting this Thursday 15th August at 7:30pm in the Unley Community Centre, 18 Arthur St Unley. At that meeting an interim committee will be elected, whose main task will be to implement the changes, as well as continue with the present operation of Walking SA. The AGM is open to members of the public as well as members of all affiliated walking clubs.
Ten new camping platforms
In recent weeks multi-purpose camping platforms have been constructed at four campsites, with six more to be built.
This program of constructing ten platforms has been permitted with funding from donations by the End-to-End 3 group, who completed the Heysen Trail in 2011.
Volunteers have installed these four multi-purpose camp platforms at:
In the near future, platforms will be built at Smith Hill Campsite and Black Jack Shelter.
View an album of photos on Facebook.
Re-route of the Heysen Trail affecting Map 6.8, July 2013
View pdf map showing re-route
Parachilna Gorge Hikers campsite
Established in July of 2013 by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. This new water tank will avoid the problem of walkers having to rely on the water tank at the nearby Parachilna Gorge Trailhead (the tank there is readily accessible by vehicle so water supply is sometimes over-used.)
Approx 500 metres south of the Parachilna Gorge Trailhead. Grid reference 646 523.
View all re-routes for the 2010 Northern Guidebook, 2nd Edition
End-to-End Minus 1 – Walkers charge across a raging swollen Stony Creek – again
Yesterday the End-to-End Minus 1 group charged across a raging swollen Stony Creek, north of Melrose, again and again, while walking along the Heysen Trail.
Completing the weekend’s soggy wet walking in the pouring rain, we climbed up and over the wet and rocky Lavender Hill. Saturday was a very wet 26km walk. From Alligator Gorge Road to Grays Hut, then up Mount Remarkable and passing gushing streams, down to Melrose. It rained all night Saturday and the following morning a raging torrent rushed across the campground access ford, by the caravan park, as we left Melrose for the days walk. There were many pools and lakes of water to be seen on our way to the Horrocks Pass walk start.
Walk Leaders Training Day
There is a lot of satisfaction in becoming more involved in walking and we encourage walkers to engage further in the activities of the organisation either as walk leaders or tail-enders.
This Walk Leaders Training Day on Saturday 20 July aims to give interested people the information needed to prepare and lead a walk successfully and goes through how to deal with issues that might arise. Part of the day is spent talking about how the Friends organisation operates and the assistance available to new leaders. The day goes from 9.30am to about 2.00pm and lunch is provided.
There is no charge for this day but you do need to register via the website or office. For more information phone the office or email Arrienne at wynena@ihug.com.au
End-to-End 5 Plants 600 Trees
Last weekend Russell O’Brien’s End-to-End 5 group hiked the Heysen Trail north of Worlds End, near Burra. A relatively long road walk, along the way the walkers helped the Greening Committee plant nearly 600 trees along the trail. The weather was kind, so the planters did not get wet yet planting conditions were ideal.
The Greening Committee is moving on to its next planting at Spalding from Thursday 13th June to Sunday 16th June. We’re looking for volunteers to assist, please get in touch with Neil at neil@noztours.com.au or on 0447 922 617.
The Jodi Lee Foundation’s inaugural SA Hiking Challenge
From time to time other groups conduct events on the Heysen Trail. The Jodi Lee Foundation’s inaugural SA Hiking Challenge will take place in a few weeks time, to hike or run on one or two days along the Heysen Trail through the spectacular Flinders Ranges National Park environment.
The Jodi Lee Foundation raises awareness and education of bowel cancer, a cancer that is 90% curable if detected early. Despite this, it is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia.
Their event on 21 & 22 June 2013 will cover 80km of the trail over two days, with full support at checkpoints.
It’s not too late to:
- Register for the event
- Donate to the cause
- Volunteer to assist on the weekend
- Register your interest for next year’s event
Find out more about the event on their website jodileefoundation.org.au or via these event itinerary and registration documents. To donate click on any one of the participants, or on the event administrator’s page.
Whilst we mention events along the Heysen Trail, please note that this event is not associated with our organisation.
Winter 2013
Issue 128
June 2013
Highlights include:
- Cotswolds
- Kahurangi NP
- In and around Wilpena
- Awatere Tussock Track
Re-route of the Heysen Trail affecting Map 1.4, May 2013
This is a temporary re-route
View pdf map showing re-route
1. Following January 2013 Bundaleer Forest bushfire, Forestry SA advises that the Heysen Trail through the Forest remains closed until further notice due to danger of tree falls, logging and heavy vehicle traffic. Logging is expected to continue for several months. In the meantime, walkers may bypass the danger area by using Browns Track, from Gate BG1 on Neindorf Road (GR 710 159) to the Heysen western exit from the forest (GR 703 138). No other forest access is permitted. This re-route has now been marked with trail arrows (20 June 2013).
2. Walkers are also advised that when walking westward from Bundaleer Forest a new fence has been installed at GR 691 124, SE of the spring. Until a stile is erected, walkers should use the gate about 200m SE of the trail at approx GR 693 123 (towards the forest).
View all re-routes for the 2010 Northern Guidebook, 2nd Edition
Safety in Remote Areas – should hikers carry an emergency device?
A public talk on whether hikers should carry a safety device, like a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), or Spot Tracker. How does a search and rescue operation work? What safety devices are available?
Two guest speakers:
- Trevor Arnold, SES Commander North Region and Manager Technical Rescue Services
- Anthony Chan, Electric Bug (retail)
Wednesday, 12 June 2013, 7.30pm
Venue: Burnside City Uniting Church – Cnr Portrush Rd/Fisher St, Tusmore (Enter from Fisher Street).
Trevor Arnold will speak on:
- How SES see ‘remote’ as in ‘remote outback’. Should bushwalkers really equip themselves with a safety device?
- The role of SES as a volunteer organization – how they are alerted to and respond to an emergency
- Approximate time delay from call up to arrival on site, for instance for Parachilna in the Flinders Ranges
- What is the surest device to achieve the surest response in the shortest time? Comparison of PLB and Spot devices
- case stories
Anthony Chan will speak on:
- How to use technology to keep ourselves (bushwalkers) safe in the bush
- Comparison of devices (initial costs, recurring costs, reliability)
Please bring $5 for donation to offset cost of Hall hire and refreshments – there is no need to book for this event.
View event on Facebook