U3A Ballarat Hiking Group Newsletter No 2
Ballarat U3A Hiking Group
Newsletter No 2
July 2020
Standing L-R. John Maguire, Alan Pittard, Jan Herperger, Malcolm Jenkins, Phill Grant, Yvonne Jenkins, Greg Anderson, Marlene Bell, Arthur Buttler, Terry O'Brien. Front: Tim Bosher, Gordon Talbett, Bob Whitten. Camera: Andrew Parker.
Second leg of the Wallaby Track (now Eureka Track) Redan Wetlands to White Swan Reservoir.
First Aid Kits
Gordon and Andrew recently completed Level 2 First-Aid refresher training. We have also used some of our funds to purchase two new First-Aid Kits complete with snake bite bandages! Gordon has always had his own kit, so now when we hike in three groups each group will carry an appropriately equipped First-Aid kit.
If anyone else, apart from Anne has current or previous First-Aid training please let me know.
Great Dividing Trail Association
As mentioned last month U3A Ballarat is now a corporate member of the Great Dividing Trail Association. Amongst other things, our members can join them on their monthly Sunday hikes/mountain bike rides if we wish. There is a cost for insurance to join an event which is $5.00 pp. (each time)
I will forward any relevant emails to you. GDTA Website
Group Leaders Phone Numbers.
It has become apparent that some members don't have hike leaders phone numbers saved in their phone's address book. It is important that you do so for obvious reasons.
As this site is in the public domain I will not share them here, but when you receive my next hike notification email I will include the numbers on the group lists.
Recorded Distance Anomalies
After a hike there is often discussion about why there are so many variations in the distance recorded by phones and devices.
I will try to explain why this occurs as simply as possible. I have included some screenshots of the track recorded by by Garmin on a recent hike which clearly show why the device continues to add distance even whilst stationary.
For those members on Facebook here are a couple of Facebook Groups that you may want to join!
Great Dividing Trail Association Basically for members only, and has 139 members You would need to search for the group and ask to join.
Hiking & Bushwalking Victoria This group is fast growing and currently has 8,000 members
Friends of the Canadian Corridor and Woowookarung Park
Tree planting day Sunday 9th August (put it in your diary)
I have offered our services with the tree planting in Woowookarung Park on Sunday 9th August at 10am. I am confident that we will have enough volunteers to form our own tree planting group on the day.
They are also in the process of developing a new 13km walking/cycling track which will be known as the 'Bunny Trail' as it incorporates several sections of the old Buninyong railway alignment.
Members Hike Report
Each month I hope to include a report on a hiking adventure undertaken by one of our members. Please submit your offerings to Andrew for consideration.
Hadrians Wall Hike
In January 2019 my sister, brother and I decided that we’d like to go on a long-distance walk in the UK. My brother had an urge to walk right across the country, so after searching the map of England we discovered that we could accomplish this in the least distance on the Hadrian’s Wall walk. Unfortunately, my brother had to cancel because of a serious health diagnosis but he wanted us to go and be his eyes and ears. So, in September 2019 my sister and I landed in Newcastle Upon Tyne, made our way on public transport to Bowness on Solway on the west coast of England and began our adventure. We had paid a company to organise our nightly accommodation and luggage transfers so all we had to do was walk, carrying a day pack. Read on:
Fifth Thursday of the Month Hike
As you know the fifth Thursday of the Month Hike is led by Gordon, and designated as a hike somewhere in Greater Melbourne. Our group has done some memorable walks there in the past. However, due to Covid19 concerns, these are on hold at the current time.
On July 30th, it is intended hold a short hike at Mt Beckworth followed by 'Abseiling for Complete Dummies' (that's me). Seriously though, Gordon is vastly experienced and takes a 'safety first' approach. He will be ably assisted on the day by two other experienced members, Peter and Robert. There has been strong interest expressed in this when discussed within the group recently. Each person participating will be able to make a small donation to our Hiking Group funds.
Hiking Accessories
Some may have noticed these shoulder pouches attached to the straps of my backpack recently. I have found them to be extremely useful. They can conveniently hold a mobile phone, sun block, walkie talkie, insect repellent, GPS device etc. (probably not all at once. ha ha) It is really convenient to have these things so easily accessible. I have four of them on order now @$9.50 each including postage. First in best dressed. I can easily order more if required. 
Folding Sit Pads can be ordered from me at $4.00 each.
Victorian Seniors Festival Reimagined
Most of you will have seen this already, but I (Andrew) was interviewed (using zoom) recently by the Victorian Seniors Festival regarding our YouTube Hiking Video. Between the original video and now this, we are close to one thousand views!
The response has again been amazing. Here are some comments from some of the U3A Ballarat Committee members.
That is great. Both for what the U3A Ballarat Hiking group did and for the great plug for us! Elena
Impressive.. Jeff
Congratulations Andrew and the Hiking Group. A first class production... John Olsen
I think it’s fantastic and really well done. A great advertisement for U3A...Nina
Good work Andrew - really shows how to make the best of this trying time for U3A Ballarat.
Hope it gets to number 1! Cheers, Blake
Well done! You will be in demand now.... Phill
That worked out really well. Well done.Anne.
That was an interesting explanation of the GPS distance anomalies.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan. Good to have feedback comments.
DeleteThanks Andrew re gps. Using Strava, my Xiaomi mob. ph. recorded 15.44kms.
ReplyDelete