QUEENSLAND BUSHWALKERS CLUB Inc.

Newsletter

PO Box 2199 Sunnybank Hills QLD 4109 Email qldbwc@yahoo.com Phone No (07) 3345 9543 http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

August 2012

Bushrangers Cave

Club News
First Aid Course
14 July 2012

QBW Christmas Party

Fri, 30 Nov Sun, 2 Dec 2012

Eight QBW members attended the St John's First Aid Course at Fortitude Valley. It was a full one day course and covered general first aid plus CPR. Those attending were Patricia Kolarski, John Brunott, Helen McAllister, Norm Johnston, David Kenrick, Margie Rae, Gil Gunthorpe and Richard Kolarski. Though it was rather hurried in comparison to previous two day training courses, there was time to practise practical skills such as bandaging and of course CPR. Also every attendee received a First Aid CD plus a First Aid Priorities card which fits into a wallet, ready to be quickly checked in case of an emergency. There was also time to ask questions of the trainer who did a very fine job. Every bushwalker is encouraged to learn First Aid. QBW will reimburse the full cost of a First Aid Course for walk leaders who have led 5 walks or more in the previous Club year. There is a reimbursement of 50% of the cost of a First Aid Course for leaders who have led 1 to 4 walks in the previous Club year.

Well here it is again another year has just about gone and time for our annual Christmas Party. This year we have booked Camp Laurence which overlooks Moogerah Dam. This is an idyllic landscaped area which has great views of the dam and surrounding peaks. It has a big kitchen and hall with a big verandah overlooking the dam and lots of trees. There are 3 cabins plus dormitories with 8 bunks in each. An amenities block is is separate from the accommodation but close by. You will need to bring your own toiletries, bed linen, blankets, pillow and towels. The cost will be $50 per person for the weekend. The cost is the same whether you stay one night or two. We need a minimum of 30 persons to get the best value, so if you haven't joined us before please consider this weekend. We have a fun time, usually with a walk on the Saturday and in the evening it is party time with lots of food, a BBQ, quizzes, photo competition results and photo presentation of past walks. The meat will be provided by the Club. Vegetarians will be catered for too. Bring along a salad or some food to share plus of course your favourite liquid refreshments. There will be a Dress Up competition. This year the theme is Pyjama Party. Prizes to be won for best male and female. With Lake Moogerah at our doorstep, if you have a canoe, kayak or similar you are welcome to bring it along. Camp Laurence is located on five hectares on the western bank of Lake Moogerah. The centre is approximately 1 hours drive from Brisbane. It is easy to find as you turn left into Lake Moogerah Rd, (Spicers Gap road) just west of Aratula and turn left into Ski Zone Road and then St Lawrence's Road. So please put this date in your calendar and hoping you can come along. There will be a walk sheet out at the meetings for you to register. Closer to the date we will have a catering form for you to note which goodies you will be bringing to share. Any questions please call me 3219 6228. Lynn

Walks Planning Day

15 July 2012

A dozen members met up at Dave Kenrick's place to put together a calendar of walks for the next few months. John Brunott was there with his large folder to put down the nominations. This was followed up by a BBQ and time to chat and relax. Many thanks to Dave and Lynn for their hospitality. The Calendar though has still room for more walks and of course leaders are always needed. So if you are interested in learning more or even better, put your name down to lead a walk, just have a talk with one of the committee members. The Club has many aids to help bushwalkers to lead a walk. A good start is to read the Leaders page on the Club website. It has Notes for Leaders which can be downloaded, plus a list of walks that could be done by first timers, either in the suburbs or on National Park walking trails. For the more adventurous who would like to lead off track walks, the Club has GPS's for free use by members plus the Bushwalk Database now has over 300 walk descriptions with its corresponding GPS file and printable topographic map..

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Meeting Place

General Information

President Secretary Treasurer

The Management Committee

Gil Gunthorpe vacant Marion Laban John Hinton John Brunott David Kenrick Geraldine Burton Richard Kolarski Lynn Nicol David Haliczer

0408 980 694 0405 536 718 3343 3724(H) 0448 761 097 3349 8238(H) 3376 9454(H) 3345 9543(H) 3219 6228(H) 0432 901 030

Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at 7.30pm. There is no Club meeting in January. Meeting are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. Tea/Coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. A coin donation would be appreciated.

Vice President

Outings Officer Membership Officer Editor Social Secretary Training Officer

Membership
Probationary Membership A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on his/her second walk by filling out a Membership Form and paying the membership fee. Ordinary Membership 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 member or walk leader. The proposer may be a friend who is a member of the Club, a QBW walk leader, the Membership Officer or one of the committee members. Only 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 Club members will have priority if there is a limit on numbers.

Other Voluntary Positions

Equipment Officer Supper Convenor Librarian BWQ Rep BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski Maggie Samootin Noelene McCay Gil Gunthorpe Richard Kolarski 3345 9543(H) 0419 739 500 3889 0264(H) 0408 980 694 3345 9543(H)

Compasses Steripen

Club Equipment

Topo Maps Emergency Lights First Aid Kits

UHF Radios

The above are for free use by members. Garmin GPS. QBW has 4 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole of Australia included. Some of these are on permanent loan to members. PLBs with inbuilt GPS The Club has 5 PLBs with inbuilt GPS. The PLBs will be made available at each Club meeting and will need to be returned at the following Club meeting. Back Pack for Hire Bivy Bags For Sale $5.00 charge $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs

Redlands Bushwalking Club
Only stipulation is that Redlands club members have priority over visitors. Calendar is available at: http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html

These bivy bags are 2 metres by 0.9 metres and are bright orange in colour. Use as a pack liner or emergency bivy bag. Space Blankets For Sale $2.50 each. Lightweight and take up no room at all. A must for all walkers! Contact Richard on 3345 9543 for any of the above.

Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)

BOSQ allows financial members from other bushwalking clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Queensland to join in BOSQ activities without having to become members of BOSQ or pay visitor fees. This will be with the agreement of the activity leader. Members of BOSQ will have priority for nominations. Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/

Editors Pic

YHA Bushwalkers
Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at: http://sites.google.com/site/yhabushies/outings

Family Bushwalkers
There is a $5 temporary membership fee per adult. Phone: (07) 3878 3293

Gold Coast Bushwalkers

Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members financial members of bushwalking clubs which are affiliated with BWQ. This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management Committee.

First Aiders

Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc

Their calendar is in their Newsletter which can be downloaded from www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.

Helen McAllister also did the course and took the photo.

New Members
Jean Helyar Errol Thomas As at 1/8/2012 we have 26 financial members

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Special Coming Events

2012 Pilgrimage
7-9 September 2012 A chance to walk & meet with other clubs. Hosted by Redlands Bushwalking Club At Canungra Showgrounds (Showgrounds Road, Canungra) On Cost 7th 9th September 2012 $42

sandy dune walking. However, you will be rewarded for your efforts with fantastic coastal scenery, brilliant wildflowers and the wonderful tingle forest. Walking distances range from 13 to 21km per day. By carrying only a daypack, people with a moderate level of fitness should be able to complete the walk. Excellent food, comfortable accommodation and knowledgeable guides from Inspiration Outdoors will complement your trip. For more information go to the Adventurous Women website.

The cost for the weekend includes: Camping, Hot Showers, Tea, Coffee & Nibbles all weekend, plus Friday Night Soup Saturday Bushwalks from Hard to Easy, Bushband Stone the Crows, and Sunday Morning 'Sausage Sizzle'. An extra option is: Saturday night a tasty Spit Roast Dinner for $18.50 (BYO drinks). Must be pre-booked We are hoping that as many people as possible will join us under the Green Hanger for this meal. For more info and booking see our web site at http://pilgrimage2012.weebly.com/index.html Bookings can be made online or by post. Walks range from easy to hard, on track and off-track. Contacts Western Cliffs Pat & Luke's Bluff Chungaragool Cave Cooginbano & Bimboolba Lookouts Noowongbill Lookout / Darlington Range Bushranger's Cave Tooloona Creek Circuit Albert River Circuit Morans Falls & Western Lookout Killarney Glen Palm Falls Pages Pinnacle Mt Merino West Canungra Creek Circuit Ship's Stern Circuit Blue Pool, Staircase Fall, Bull Ant Spur Caves & Lower Bellbird Tracks Hilary Riley 0415 526 910 & Betty Murray 0408 129 241 Email: Pilgrimage2012@hotmail.com The showgrounds are open to the public for camping, so if members would like to come before the 7th or stay on after 9th they just need to contact the onsite caretaker. For those with caravans, powered sites are also available at a small extra cost.

Nepal Trip

October 2012

I have made enquiries with regard to a 17 day fully supported trek through Langtang region in Nepal with Saran Saba. Departs October 2012 17 days 14 day moderate trek, fully supported tea house or camping option plus 3 nights Tibet Hotel Kathmandu Cost $1645 US or AUS (all land content included) For details phone Steve Pritchett 0431 599317 or spritchett@optusnet.com.au

The Otago Youth Adventure Trust/Rotary Club of Milton Tramping Club Inc
We are a non commercial group of unpaid volunteers, who have, over the past 26 seasons taken almost 16,000 people (mostly middle aged), on some of our most famous tracks and activities in the southern part of NZ. We often find that members of Bush Walking Clubs are generally well suited to our trips, as most have done some backpacking and tramping. And we love Aussies !! Our trips are not the "up Market" excellent guided trips, run by Commercial operators on some of our tracks,. We undertake the "Freedom Walks", where we use the very adequate Department of Conservation Huts, carry all our own gear & food (we supply food), and do our own cooking etc. We are a Tramping Club, and as such, as we operate on Public Lands, are required (by law) to run our trips at "cost recovery'' only, and hence can offer these adventures at very moderate cost. We do ask that participants become members of our Tramping Club, for the season of their trip(s) ($50), and also suggest an optional donation to our funds, so we are able to support the 2 Charitable organisations, that are the parent bodies of our Cub. We organize all Leaders, Transport, (Dunedin or where applicable Queenstown return) bookings, food.,boats, etc. Trips include the Milford Track, Hump Ridge Track, Kepler Track, Borland Lodge Cycle, The Otago Central Rail Trail, Routeburn/Greenstone Track, Catlins-Tautuku Lodge, Mt Aspiring Lodge, Huxley Lodge, Sutton Camp. Full information about us, and the trips, contacts,,costs and dates, etc, is on our Website www.otagorotarytrusttramps.org.nz Peter Vollweiler for the Otago Youth Adventure Trust/Rotary Club of Milton Tramping Club Inc. PO Box 15014 , Waihola 4923, South Otago, New Zealand.

Active Outdoors Expo

6 October 2012

Shows off the wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities available in South East Queensland. When: Saturday October 6, 8.30am 3.00pm Where: Bayside Park, Manly Demonstrations of Dragon Boat Racing, Campcraft, Rock Climbing, Stunt Bike Riding and Healthy Cooking. Activities To Try Climb up the Rock Wall, Lose yourself Orienteering, Walk a while or Paddle a Canoe Come, See and Learn Training for the outdoors, What to do in Moreton Bay, Healthy Food Festival, Outdoor Education Camps, Outdoor Gear & Equipment and Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Go to www.activeoutdoorsexpo.com for more information.

Bibbulmum Track

Sept -Oct 2012

Women only bush walking experience on the Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia this September by the Adventurous Women travel company. Dates: Cost: September 29th, 2012 October 7th, 2012 AU$2,400.00

This challenging but spectacular 125km section of the Bibbulmun Track is possibly the best seven consecutive days on the whole track! There are some steep sections and some

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Past Walks
Goomburra Base Camp
19-20 May 2012 I only had five other punters for this camp so John Hinton and myself set off on Friday morning to set everything up and by nightfall all the other campers had arrived for a fine but cool weekend. For Saturday I had planned a walk to Blackfellow Falls which I had not done before and left Sunday open to do whatever we fancied. Saturday dawned fine and after breakfast we all piled into Marys twin cab and drove up the road past Sylvesters Lookout to the beginning of the winder track. We followed this track for about 4 kilometres to a knoll where we turned off to follow a ridge down to the cliff line near the falls. This was a bit scrubby at first but we soon pick up an old overgrown snig track that we followed most of the way to the escarpment. This track eventually turned back on itself towards a creek so we followed a compass bearing and was soon on top of the cliff line a few hundred metres south of the falls. From here we had a good view of the falls and I was surprised at the height and volume of water going over the falls. They looked very impressive. We contoured north towards the falls and soon came across evidence of old logging activity which we followed virtually to the top of the falls. It is very picturesque in the creek above the falls so we stopped here for a leisurely lunch break. Mary and Linda decided to have their lunch on a rock slab virtually at the top of the drop with fantastic views across the valley to the dividing range. After lunch instead of returning the way we came we followed a compass bearing up the hill to the top of a knoll to rejoin the snig track not far from the winder track. Returning to the winder track we retraced our steps back to the car park returning to camp for well deserved happy hour. John Hinton returned to Brisbane that night and John and Julie Shera had to return home early Sunday leaving only myself , Mary and Linda. We decided to do an easy quick walk so we drove back out to the end of the road and walked to Mt. Castle lookout. After taking in the views for a while we returned to pack up and have an early trip home. By the way, for those who were on my last Goomburra base camp 3 years ago, I did stop at Aratula on the way home and had a cup of coffee and devoured a sausage Roll and it went down no worries. David Kenrick
Killarney Glen Walkers

We tracked direct for the shed marking the Amethyst diggings, with your leadership fully confident in his dead-reckoning. Missed the shed and were well on the way to the Gold Coast, when discretion overtook valour and we turned back. As luck would have it, we discovered the shed on the way back. Thereafter we followed the rough track down to the creek. Let it be known that bracken fern will obscure the bestremembered track and so it happened that the leader had us lost for a second (albeit) brief period. Thanks to our visitor Michael for discovering the key to the regular track over the escarpment and down to the gully. Thereafter an uneventful return to Killarney Glen (falls) for a relaxed and extended lunch-break. The highlight was the walk down stream. It could be fairly described as a T4 F3; very picturesque, and a good addition to the trek in and out of the Glen. If time is short the direct walk into the diggings will save an hour. If Back Creek is flooded the walk down stream is a good add-on. Our team was super-fit and, as evidence, all opted to follow the steep walk out of the Glen, rather than the graded zig-zag of the walk-in. Back to Canungra for coffee and cake. (W)hell, this report is longer than the walk! Interested? Its offered for the forthcoming Pilgrimage on Saturday 8th September, Thanks to Margie, her daughter Nikki, Sandy and friend Michael, Evelyn, John (Morris) and Gail for your company Norman Johnston

Killarney Glen

17 June 2012

Our party of eight walkers met at Canungra adjacent to the park, at 8.30 am We car-pooled to Killarney Glen from Canungra and had a leisurely walk down into Killarney Glen, to the Falls. For the record we have concluded the walk is a T5-F4 and accurately described. The T5 classification relates to a section of track that is relatively steep and involves some scrub-bashing. Crossing Back Creek presented some uncertainty. Some rockhopped and kept boots dry, whilst others shed shoes and waded. It would be fair to warn all walkers in advance of the crossing as wet feet does not appeal to everyone. We ignored the threatening military sign across the creek, turned right and headed upstream along the old vehicle track. We passed the regular access to the Amethyst mine (diggings) and continued until we reached the boundary of the unrestricted area. Killarney Glen is a pocket of freedom within the Canungra Army Reserve where bushwalking is permitted most of the time. The amethyst mine is in the free area. Five hundred to six hundred meters in most directions will bring you to prohibition signs and warnings about live firing. These warnings must be respected. At the upstream boundary of the free area, we turned left and went bush. We climbed a sharp and rocky escarpment. Your leadership cleared the way through light lantana growth, and we arrived at a rocky outcrop for morning tea. A relaxed morning tea and thankfully no ticks reported.

Bushrangers Cave and Wagawn

30 June 2012

With a group of twelve walkers from all over Brizzie we managed to have only four vehicles to park at the Numinbah Border Gate. The walk up beside the border began with a short walk up the side road before climbing the fence into no-man'sland and forcing our way through the long grass to the top of the first hill. No gate into NSW here so we again climbed the fence to access the worn track in Blues territory. Going was much easier from there on but the grass and weeds were at least head high in many places. Morning tea at the cave was interrupted by a loud crashabove us: a tree fall on the slope above the cave. From the cave up to the bottom of the cliff was a steep, slippery scramble. Lots of taped trees gave a confusing choice of routes to follow but we spread out and all managed to meet up under the cliff. Next was the damp and slippery track skirting around the cliff before gaining the sometimes narrow ridge up to Wagawn. Lunch in the sun then the slippery return down to the cars. Many dirty bums !! A relaxing afternoon tea at the nearest cafe rounded off a lovely day. Many thanks to all those who joined me on this walk. Special thanks to drivers John M., Dave K., and Gerry. Patricia

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QBW has both Public Liability and Personal Accident insurance for its members. The Insurance is done via Bushwalking Australia and has been renewed for 2012-13. There are189 bushwalking clubs Australia wide (184 clubs last year) with a combined membership of 21,172 members (21,245 -2011). Most clubs have both Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance

Insurance

Personal Accident
The Policy provides cover for members of Insured Clubs who sustain injury whilst engaged in an authorised activity of the club or in direct travel to or from that activity. In the past several years there have been a number of claims reported under the Personal Accident Policy as a result of falls, slips etc. It continues to run at a loss but the overall situation has improved in the last year. The underwriters have been able to hold terms this year whilst also extending the policy in one area, the Out of Pocket including Injury Assistance Expenses. Personal Accident Insurance provides benefits for: Death & Permanent Total Disablement Injury (Loss of Income) Out of Pocket including Injury Assistance Expenses Non Medicare Medical Expenses Reimbursement and Critical Incident Debriefing For full details of the above benefits contact a QBW committee member.

Liability Insurance
The Sum Insured Limit has been maintained at $20,000,000. There is limited cover for members aged 85-95 years. There have been no claims reported under the Liability policy.

Activities Covered
The list of activities covered include Bushwalking, Recreational Walking, Walking, Track/Hut Construction and Maintenance, Caving, Canyoning, Liloing, Abseiling, Alpine Walking (summer & winter), Snow Skiing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Boating, Rafting, Swimming, Cycling, Rock Scurrying and use of hand held ropes and safety belay equipment as part of a Bushwalk, Caving, Orienteering, Rogaining, Rescue and Leader Training and other related instructions where no fee is charged other than to recoup expenses (Errors & Omissions), Voluntary Work for various Charities and not for profit organisations. Rock Climbing, Mountaineering, Water Skiing, and Animal Riding.

Leisure Travel Insurance

With more and more clubs added overseas trips to their programme the need to offer Leisure Travel Insurance has been recognised. Marsh have negotiated special rates with Accident & Health International Underwriting Pty Ltd for a comprehensive, yet affordable cover for use by club members when participating in club organised Domestic and Overseas trips. A summary of the cover available will be issued to clubs as soon as possible.

Renewal Premium for Queensland

Public Liability Personal Accident $4.00 per member ($4.02 - 2011) $6.42 per member ($6.44 - 2011)

Risk Management
The minimum requirements are: 1. That all members sign an Acknowledgement of Risk Form once a year (for convenience this is done at renewal of membership). 2. That temporary members sign an Acknowledgement of Risk form for each activity that they participate on. 3. That new members sign an Acknowledgement of Risk form on joining a member club.

Activities Not Covered

Income = $7091. Expenses = ($5987)

Treasurers Report 2011-2012

Surplus of Income over Expenses = +$1103 Bank account balance 30/6/11 = $3009 Bank account balance 30/6/12 = $4112 Value of Non-current Assets, after depreciation = $ 7472 All receipts for 11/12 are banked and cleared. All QBW cheques written in 11/12 are cleared. Membership fees were held at $30 for 12/13 after a review by the Committee early in 2012. Membership fees should be reviewed annually. Abseiling activity by the Club was terminated by the Committee in 2012 and all abseil equipment sold to members for a total of $430. A copy of the Income/Expenses statement for 11/12, Balance Sheet at 30 June 2012 and Assets Register at 30 June 2012 are attached. These will be presented for approval at the AGM on August 7, 2012. Regards John Hinton QBW Treasurer 11/12

What To Do in the Event of a Claim Claims are processed by Marsh on our behalf with Insurers who have consistently provided a fair and efficient claims service. In the event of an incident which will or may give rise to a claim, it is necessary that the incident be reported to the Insurance Brokers, Marsh Pty Ltd, by telephone or email wherever practical within 24 hours of the incident to ensure the correct conduct of the claim. Contact Information Telephone Email Cameron Douglas 02 8864 7325 cameron.douglas@marsh.com

QBW has a Report of Accident or Incident Form on the back of every Event Nomination Form. The leader of the walk or the claimant should contact the QBW committee within 24 hours of the incident so that we can contact the Insurance Brokers.

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Financial Report
INCOME 2012 $ Abseiling Bank Interest Bivy Bags Christmas Party Govt Grant Membership Space blankets Sundry Income Training receipts TOTAL INCOME OPERATING EXPENDITURE Christmas Party Donations Equipment-Abseil Equipment-General Food,drinks - committee Govt Charges Insurance Photo Competition Postage,Stationery,Copying Sundry Expenses Training Venue Usage TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE NET PROFIT / (LOSS ) CURRENT ASSETS Bank of Queensland - Main Account NON-CURRENT ASSETS Equipment Less : Accumulated Depreciation/Writedowns TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS TOTAL LIABILITIES NET ASSETS 20216 (16856) 3360 7472 0 7472 19953 (14268) 5685 8694 0 8694 4112 3009 953 0 184 2161 0 43 1083 100 500 70 343 550 5987 1,103 915 250 0 2277 20 42 1012 100 360 20 1280 550 6826 521 865 6 8 1260 1527 3195 10 220 0 7091 2011 $ 390 4 13 735 2484 3000 0 171 550 7347

Statement for the Office of Fair Trading

As required by the Office of Fair Trading I confirm : "The association keeps financial records in a way which properly records the association's income and expenditure and dealings with its assets and liabilities". Yours sincerely John Hinton, Treasurer

Editors Report 2011-2012

As editor I have the duties of producing the Newsletter, maintaining the Club website and checking the Club emails. The Newsletter continues to be published monthly with the exception of January. Many thanks to members who have sent in writeups, photos and article. It makes the job so much easier. In the last few months the number of writeups has decreased dramatically. Where once there used to be two to three pages of Past Walks writeups, it has dwindled to just one page. If this continues then either the Newsletter will become smaller in size or may not continue to be produced. An option is to have just an online News page on the Club website which is added to whenever necessary. This may be the way of the future and do away with paper Newsletters. Yours sincerely Richard Kolarski

Bushwalking Australia Media Release

Bushwalking Australia Statement Shooting in National Parks Released: 6/7/2012 Passive recreation in national parks under serious threat by actions of the NSW government Commenting on the passing of legislation in the NSW Parliament to allow recreational hunters to shoot in national parks the President of Bushwalking Australia David Reid said today: The action by the NSW Government in passing of legislation to allow hunters to shoot in national parks supposedly to cull feral animals is a serious threat to passive recreation in parks and reserves We support the removal/reduction of feral animals from natural areas. However we have not seen any evidence, based on good science, that allowing recreational shooters into parks is the best way to deal with this issue Furthermore in this case we dont think the government is really serious because the Premier in his press release has effectively admitted that this action was purely a deal with the shooters party so that he could secure the passing of legislation related to the sale of state owned electricity generation assets It leaves us with a clear impression that the decision was based on political expediency rather than on good science based conservation management practice Our view is that this is just the thin line end of the wedge said Mr Reid. We are aware that the hunting fraternity have already made other representations to the government to allow recreational hunting of other species (some of them native) such as ducks and quail. Where will it end? This sort of action has the potential to create a fear of serious injury amongst passive park users not to mention discouraging people from undertaking activities that are consistent with the values of parks and reserves that are embedded in the National Parks Act. Further media enquiries; David Reid 0427 369 426 president@bushwalkingaustralia.org Bushwalking Australia: Promotes the active recreation of walking in natural areas and engages in other activities that add value to the community. Bushwalking Australia Inc A38062 ABN 829 347 260 62

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