U3A Ballarat Hiking Group Newsletter

U3A Ballarat Hiking Group Newsletter

No 1

This was our very first hike on 21st October 2016

Left to right: Jan Herperger, Phill Grant, Alan Pittard, Marlene Bell, Anne Ottrey, Robert Whitten, Arthur Buttler and Greg Anderson. Camera: Andrew Parker.

Welcome to the first edition of the U3A Ballarat Hiking Group Newsletter.

For some time now, I have been thinking about the need for a group newsletter, rather than constantly sending out emails, many of which seem to slip through unnoticed! So this is a trial to see if this idea is worthwhile.

I envisage that if anyone has anything interesting they would like to share, it can be submitted for consideration.

Blogger Site

Currently, not all of our hikes are featured on our Blogger site. We commenced on a different platform but, down the track we encountered issues which led to me transferring to 'Blogger'. It was always my intention to migrate all the initial hike reports over to Blogger, but good intentions sometimes need a 'kick in the pants'.

I have 'good intentions' of attending to this in the very near future and I will email everyone each time one is completed. It may be fun to revisit our early hikes in this way! Stay tuned.

Fundraising Update

We finally received the funds from our fundraising effort from early this year in which we delivered Community Newsletters on behalf of the Ballarat Goldmine. It seems there was some mis-communication between the U3A Ballarat treasurer and the Goldmine which contributed to the delay.

We received $1,700.00  from which we have paid for Level Two first aid training for Gordon and Andrew at a combined total of $290.00. We have also become corporate members of the Great Dividing Trail Association at a cost of $50.00 and purchased a Goldfieds Track Guide and Maps ($40.00)

The track guide is able to be borrowed by members when available. The finances can be viewed by any member at any time: Here

Resource Library

We are looking at building a resource library based on books, DVDs,  hardcopy maps, etc etc, which will be available to be utilised by any member. I will make available some hiking DVDs of my own for members to borrow, and I invite anyone who has anything they would like to make available to let me know so that I can add it to the list.

I am also compiling a hiking route database which will eventually have every hike we have completed as a group, with route maps (google maps) downloadable GPX files and Track Notes as well as other weblinks.

Great Dividing Trail Association.

'The Great Dividing Trail Network is a pathway for walkers, mountain bikers and trail runners to central Victoria’s hidden treasures from deep gorges and fern-lined rivers to the artefacts and cultural heritage of the greatest gold rush the world has ever seen.'

Since our very first hike we have  often utilised the tracks created by the GDTA, hence our decision to support them by taking out the corporate membership.

I will share more about what this means for us in the next newsletter.

One way we may want to be involved is by becoming a ‘track warrior,’ joining work crews that aid in the network’s maintenance needs.

REROUTING THE GOLDFIELDS TRACK THROUGH WOOWOOKARUNG REGIONAL PARK

Parks Vic is in the throes of deciding on a new route for the Goldfields Track between Buninyong and Ballarat. It will pass through the Union Jack Education Area, Federation University and Woowookarung Regional Park, and then on to the Ballarat CBD.

Representatives of GDTA and Parks Victoria had a phone hookup recently to discuss plans for a bridge to cross the gorge north of Greenhill Road in Mt Helen.

This is no minor task with extensive landscaping also being a crucial component of the project. Funding is being sought from Regional Development Victoria.

The new route avoids the long and boring stretch between Buninyong and Mt Clear. The GDTA lodged it on the management plan for Woowookerung Park some time ago. It has the support of the Friends of Canadian Corridor Committee.

Friends of the Canadian Corridor and Woowookarung

We will also be looking at supporting the FoCC as they work closely with Woowookarung Regional Park which has a very exciting future right here on our doorstep in Ballarat.

Amongst other things they hold tree planting days from time to time and I thought that this would be something that we might consider becoming involved in.

Proposed Sponsorship of Tanzanian Child

Recently I emailed everyone as follows:

'I am writing to everyone in the Hiking Group about something I have been thinking about for quite some time.  

Lately, with plenty of time to ponder on the meaningful things of life I have come up with an idea! 

I know that it is all very nice to go hiking together on a regular basis (when we can) and it is very rewarding to me to see the success of this group, but there are bigger issues in life to consider. 

As a group living in one of the wealthiest nations on earth, I would like to think that together we could make a small difference in the world. 

I want to know who would be interested in help paying for the education of a child living in poverty in Africa, from prep to graduation!! 

A twelve-year commitment. (please don’t calculate how old you will be in 12 years as it is very scary!!)'

As I clarified in a later email: 'The commitment will be by the group and not the individual.

Therefore, once a member leaves the group for whatever the reason, the commitment by that individual will come to an end'

After sending out the original email I realised that I had understated the cost involved which in actual fact is $240 per month.  If we decided to go ahead on the basis of each member committing to contribute each month that works out to be:

40 members = $6 pm

30 members = $8 pm

25 members = $10 pm

20 members = $12 pm

Another way we could do it is by holding fundraising events.

Or a combination of both.

After sending out the emails I immediately had a commitment from thirteen members, however, as stated above I understated the monthly amount.

Please email me with any thoughts you have about this, and if you are one of the people who have already indicated support let me know if that still stands!

I am sure that we can make this work!!

Please watch the following videos

Welcome to the school of St Jude

as seen on 60 minutes

Graduation Day For Our First Twenty Four Uni Students This was very recent

If you have anything you would like to submit for the next newsletter, or any suggestions for what we should include,  please email to me by 30th June.

Andrew Parker