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Bulletin 39 - April 2021

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National Volunteer Week - 17 to 23 May 2021



National Volunteer Week (NVW) is Australia's largest annual celebration of volunteers and the significant contribution they make to help where they can. This year's theme is Recognize. Reconnect. Reimagine.

Bushwalking Victoria is driven by over 500 volunteer bushwalkers, from the Board to Bush Search & Rescue (BSAR), Bushwalking Tracks & Conservation (BTAC), Safety, Training and events. We thank each and every one of our generous volunteers for their time, effort and contribution to bushwalking in Victoria. 


BTAC collaborates with National Tail Association Volunteers

 


Our latest Bushwalking Tracks and Conservation (BTAC) volunteer effort was supported by the National Trail Association, clearing the hiking track from Guys Hut to the Dry River, in the Alpine National Park over the weekend of 8-11 April.

This has made it possible to walk from Guys Hut into the Wonnangatta Valley. The volunteer team also turned their efforts to the National Bicentennial Trail (NBT) from Dry River to Howitt Hut. Kudos to the Ben Cruachan Walking Club members who made up 50% of the work party.

To get the job done, a camp was set up at the junction of the Dry River and the NBT. Invaluable support was provided by members of the National Trail Association who used their horses and mules to cart equipment, supplies, and camping gear for the volunteers and Parks Victoria Rangers down into the Dry River.


Renewing Victoria's Public Land Legislation - Submissions Close on 14 May


Bushwalkers have a strong interest in Victoria's public land, so have your say and contribute to a project to renew Victoria’s public land legislation for the benefit of the community through the creation of a new Public Land Act. Consultation is open until 14 May 2021

It is important to note what will not change through the reforms. Among other things, the proposed reforms:
  • will not change any current uses of public land (including current licences and leases)
  • will not reduce the protection currently afforded to Victoria’s protected areas.

Mt Difficult Walking Track Closure



Due to Grampians Peaks Trail construction works, the Mt Difficult walking track between Deep Creek Track Junction and Mt Difficult (Gar) Summit Track Junction will be closed until further notice.

Mt Difficult (Gar) remains accessible from Mt Difficult Road and Longpoint West Hike-in Camping Area as a return walk. Please keep in mind this is a rough grade 4 walking track only suitable for more experienced bushwalkers. Limited roadside parking is available on Mt Difficult Road. Beehive Falls and Briggs Bluff remain open as return walks from Beehive Falls Carpark.

Strzelecki Bushwalking Club turns 30!


Thirteen past presidents and the current president, Robyn Shingles, of the Strzelecki Bushwalking Club ready to cut the 30th birthday cake. 

The Strzelecki Bushwalking Club celebrated its 30 year anniversary this year with a weekend of walks and social activities on 27-28 March 2021.

Four walks were enjoyed in the beautiful Mt Worth State Park on the Saturday with over 40 walkers donning their wet weather gear and tackling the steep and slippery hills, muddy tracks, and persistent leeches with extreme enthusiasm. 

The Saturday night dinner at the Yarragon Hotel was attended by 60 past and present members who reminisced and reconnected. 

On Sunday, two groups set out after coffee in Warragul for a relaxing stroll on local walking trails. 

Point Nepean National Master Plan Implementation Project


New picnic shelter opened in 2020

The Point Nepean Master Plan provides clear direction on sustainable improvements and investment within the national park ensuring that the park’s outstanding natural and cultural values are protected and its rich history is expressed and celebrated.
 

Since the launch of the Point Nepean Master Plan in January 2018, delivery of the plan’s key initiatives is well underway. In the past twelve months, a visitor amenity project has been completed with further initiatives well underway:

  1. An upgrade of the Quarantine Station disinfecting complex.
  2. Park-wide interpretation and storytelling.
  3. A new camping experience at the Quarantine Station. This project will deliver a new low impact, short-stay camping experience within the Quarantine Station area, including access to pre-pitched tents and basic facilities.
The Point Nepean Master Plan is available for you to read via the project website

New Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park - Public Feedback closes on 16 May


A new park is being created in the Bass Coast, to be named the Yallock-Bulluk Marine and Coastal Park that will combine parks and reserves between San Remo and Inverloch. Feedback is welcomed by 16 May - please follow this link

Enjoy a bushwalk with the VNPA

The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) has a fantastic Autumn bushwalking program if you would like to join one of their walks. They have walks all over Victoria suitable for all levels of wakers and specific walks for under 35-year-olds. Have a look at the program here
Take a virtual trip to Canada with Australian Photographer, Mark Watson. 

Bob's Monthly Safety Tip

 
 
 What3Words
 
It is a good idea to have the Emergency Plus App on your smartphone. It will allow you to contact 000 in case of an emergency. It is quick, easy and free to install.

The app features a location identifier called ‘what3words‘ (W3W) that has divided the entire world into 3-meter squares and each of these has been given a unique 3-word identifier. Whilst the Emergency Plus App also provides latitude and longitude, this is 16 digits to relay over the phone, whereas W3W is an easy and quick way of giving the same information in a more user-friendly manner.

Your current location will show as a blue dot on the screen. This can be confirmed by touching the dot to fix a pin (the red symbol displayed), allowing the 3 words shown to remain unchanged. However, if the location is not pinned and you find that the 3 words are changing, these new words will still provide your location. This is caused by the satellite signals picking up the adjoining 3x3 meter squares. In any case, the initial 3-word group provided to 000 will always prevail even though you may see others while at this location.




 

Quick Links

Insurance & Claims Information

All the information about the national insurance scheme for bushwalking clubs and how to submit claims are here

Dates for your calendar

Click here for important dates and events for your bushwalking calendar.

Bushwalking Manual

Find the Bushwalking Manual here - a handy go-to resource for bushwalkers! You are welcome to provide feedback on the manual content and/or offer suggestions using this form.

BTAC (Bushwalking Tracks & Conservation)

Our BTAC team of volunteers participate in track maintenance and conservation projects all over Victoria. BTAC works closely with the land managers of our national parks and forests to schedule around ten projects a year.  More information here. 

BSAR (Bush Search & Rescue Victoria)

BSAR is a dedicated volunteer search and rescue service. They participate in land-based search and rescues for persons lost in bush and alpine areas under the direction of the Victoria Police. More information here.

Find us online

Website
Email
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Follow us on Facebook for news, updates and inspiration! 

Our Discount Partners

Discounts for club and individual members are available from:  
 
Ajays Heathmont - 10% off
Bogong Equipment Melbourne - 10% off
Discovery Holiday Parks (Cradle Mountain - 20% discount on  shoulder and low season rates)
EMC Deepdene - 10% off'
Fjällräven -15% off
Kimberley Offroad Adventures  - 15% off
Paddy Pallin Melbourne, Ringwood, Hawthorn -10% off
Smitten Merino - 15% off online orders
The Wilderness Shop Box Hill - 10% off
Woodslane Walking Guides - 25% off online orders

"No one will protect what they don’t care about,
and no one will care about what they have never experienced."

- David Attenborough

bushwalkingvictoria.org.au







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Bushwalking Victoria · PO Box 1007 · Templestowe, Vic 3106 · Australia