PO Box 2199
QUEENSLAND
BUSHWALKERS
CLUB Inc.
Newsletter
On the sandhills of Minjerribah / North Stradbroke Island (see report page 4)
Club News
From the editor
Welcome to the December 2021 newsletter and
seasons greetings to you.
Aspects of walks to Mt Barney, North Stradbroke
Island and exploratories feature in this edition, one
of which included a dramatic helicopter evacuation
which has become the stuff of legend. A big thanks
to the contributors of articles.
Weather conditions seem to be alternating between
heat and deluges so well done to those walkers who
can still brave the elements. But do stay safe.
The newsletter editorial team enjoys a small holiday
recess for a couple of months so the next edition will
appear in February. Meanwhile we wish you a very
merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Michael H
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Sunnybank Hills
QLD 4109
Email qldbwc@yahoo.com
Phone No 0401 527017
http://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/
December 2021
Photo: MH
QBW Membership and Renewal
If you enjoy bushwalking with a fun and responsible
group then you are welcome to join QBW. Patricia,
our membership officer, would be delighted to hear
from you. The fee of $30 covers the 2021/22 club
year from 1 July. Feel free to contact a committee
member to chat about the benefits of joining.
Payment by direct transfer into the club bank
account is preferred. Payment details are on the last
page of the newsletter.
Note that you need to fill out a membership form
(same form for new member or renewal), sign it and
post, scan & email, or hand it to Patricia at a club
meeting or walk.
The club email is qldbwc@yahoo.com.
Emergency Plus app National Park Updates
A recent event on a club walk has served to remind Part of the Bellbird Circuit walk at Binna Burra
us that we should all download the Emergency Plus remains closed and the section of the Gold Coast
app onto our smart phones. This app is extremely Hinterland Great Walk between Lower Bellbird
useful in an emergency situation whether in the bush circuit and Nerang - Murwillumbah Road will
or in an urban situation, as it can automatically temporarily close from 4 January to 4 March 2022.
provide location data to the first responders. Check Qld National Parks alerts for latest details.
Check on an app store for the free Emergency Plus
app and download it today! It may save a life. Coming Walks
Lifeflight Training on-line QBW provides walks and activities in accordance
with current Qld Health Covid-19 Directions.
LifeFlight in partnership with Shine Lawyers is Any person wishing to come on a club walk must
providing free training online to deal with medical contact the walk leader first. The leader will organise
emergencies. For more details see: the meeting place and car arrangements and has full
https://www.lifeflight.org.au/first-minutes-matter/? discretion on who can come on the walk. If possible
fbclid=IwAR3HHJ897SacFXFHyEh8oPWWixZ8hSF provide leaders with plenty of forward notice if you wish
bXIuHx8wD21_iyaFowUp-fiQAyiQ to nominate for a walk or if you change your plans.
Nominations close 9:00pm a full two days prior to a
Holiday reading walk eg at 9pm Wednesday prior to a weekend trip.
The book ‘Perfect Motion: How walking makes us More details are available in the club calendar.
wiser’ written by Jono Lineen was published in To see what other clubs are doing see:
2019. It discusses aspects of walking from https://qldbushwalks.online/calendar.
unexpected angles. For instance anecdotes from
Nepal are a feature, but not always from the
standard trekking perspective. At 260 pages it may December 2021
take a while to get through, but it is sure to broaden 2 Thur Ravensbourne Falls (Esk) D/W
your views about walking and you may no longer Richard Kolarski
take that simple activity for granted. 3-5 Fri-Sun QBW Christmas Party SOC & D/W
For a summary of this book check out the article Christmas Creek Cafe and Cabins
(via Beaudesert)
‘The simple act of walking changed my life – and Sandy Thomas
it can change yours’ on the ABC NEWS website.
4 Sat Christmas Creek explore(Stinson Park)D/W
Richard Kolarski
More Holiday reading
4 Sat Westrays/ Larapinta Falls 8:30am start D/W
As bushwalkers we know how enjoyable an outing Michael Hoopmann
through natural landscapes can be, usually in the
7 Tues Club meeting 7:30pm
company of fellow walkers. But did you know that Little Kings Hall Cnr O’Keefe/Carl St, Buranda
science is researching and confirming the physical 18 Sat Coomera Circuit (Binna Burra) D/W
and mental health benefits of outdoor walks. The Michael Hoopmann
article ‘Bushwalking is really good for you. Sure, 21 Tues Mt Coot-tha walks (Brisbane) D/W
it’s relaxing – but it boosts your biology too’ in Margie Rae
the Science section of the ABC NEWS website
provides more info. At the least you’ll be able to January 2022
impress your friends with words like ‘biophilia’, 3 Mon Shorncliffe kayak KYK
‘shinrin-yoku’, phytoncides, and microbiomes. Margie Rae

General News
Covid-19
Queensland Health advice must be followed by all
club members while engaging in QBW activities
including social events and meetings. Note the
Covid-19 protocol on the club website and click here
for the latest Queensland Health Directions. Please
consider the safety of your fellow citizens and Health
directions prior to any outdoor activity.
For the latest advice about what rules apply in
Queensland national parks see:
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/covid-19/.
Bookings can be made at https://qld.gov.au/camping
in advance of any planned visits.
Proposed Walks
4 Dec Saturday Christmas Creek explore D/W
M T5 F5
Richard will take keen explorers up Christmas Creek
(literally in the creek), then up a side creek, maybe
to find a waterfall. You will get wet if it rains or not,
so come prepared with a dry bag for the contents of
your backpack. 8am start from Christmas Creek
Cafe & Cabins. Phone Richard on 0455 879 785.
21 Dec Tuesday Mt Coot-tha trails D/W M T4 F5
Margie Rae is leading a walk along the Summit,
Honeyeater, Reservoir and Lookout trails. 3-4hrs.
Meet at Slaughter Falls carpark to start walk at 7am.
Ph: 0431 379 979

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 Humour Past Walks
Gold Creek Reservoir – Sunday, 21 Nov 2021
This event brought out a lot of the qualities for which
The English language is full of QBW members are famous - decisive, innovative,
adaptable, patient, persistent and curious. The
contradictions. Here are some of the original plan was to walk the Coomera Circuit at
best: Binna Burra so the group met up at Calamvale with
that aim. But a worsening weather forecast and a
timely sprinkle of rain wrought a quick change of
1. Found missing plan – since the rain appeared to be in the south we
switched to the north and decided to walk at Gold
2. Open secret Creek Reservoir. Even our phone GPS’s struggled to
keep up with the changes and led us on a bit of a
3. Small crowd Cooks Tour of Brookfield till we finally found the
4. Act naturally carpark at the end of Gold Creek road.
5. Clearly misunderstood
6. Fully empty
7. Pretty ugly
8. Seriously funny
9. Only choice
10. Original copies
11. Exact estimate
12. Tragic comedy
13. Foolish wisdom
14. Liquid gas
At the pumphouse
15. Working holiday... This wasn’t the end of our navigational challenges
and the latest one in the Covid era - as the trail signage at the reservoir appeared a bit
inconsistent. Not to be deterred, we immediately
16. Social distancing! switched to exploratory mode (Richard K would have
approved except that we didn’t go through any
lantana) and eventually worked out where the
********************** ‘official’ path actually goes. Note: it now appears that
Pun fun people are discouraged from entering the area
around the spillway. To do the reservoir circuit one
needs to walk north up Gold Creek road east of the
Does the name Pavlov ring a bell? spillway creek till the walking trail branches off.

Reading while sunbathing

makes you well red

A bicycle can’t stand on its own

because it is two tired.

In democracy your vote counts.

In feudalism your count votes.

She was engaged to a boyfriend with a

wooden leg but broke it off.

A chicken crossing the road is

poultry in motion. Gold Creek reservoir

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Our exploring added a kilometre or so which didn’t
matter as it is a short 5km circuit around the lake.
We did the circuit anti-clockwise. The terrain is
varied with ridges and gullies being a feature.
Views of the lake from the northern and western
tracks are few and far between.

Ti-tree stained water

A further 1.5 kilometres around the northwest margin
of the lake brought us to the main day use area
where we stopped for lunch at a beautiful peaceful
Gold Creek circuit track site in the shade of paperbarks. We were warm from
An elevated vantage point above the northern side our exertions, but a stiff breeze discouraged the idea
of the spillway provides the best view over the lake. of a swim. So we encouraged John to give us a
The path along the southern side of the reservoir tutorial on bee-keeping which was very educational.
provides regular glimpses of the lake and the
opportunity to easily walk down and sit at the waters
edge. The vegetation is mostly open scherophyll
forest with some clumps of vine forest in one or two
gullies. Bird life included yellow robins, ducks and
possibly a wompoo pigeon.
We completed our walk on the road along the top of
the earthen bank dam wall to the concrete spillway.
A few historical notes and photos on the information
board reveal the important role of the reservoir in the
history of Brisbane since the 1880’s.
We completed our outing with refreshments at a
rustic cafe in Brookfield. Thanks to Helen for leading
and Sandy and Noelene for your company.
Michael H

Bumeira / Brown Lake Sunday 28 Nov, 2021

Seven QBW’ers met at the Cleveland ferry terminal
by 8:50am to commence the voyage across to
Minjerribah / North Stradbroke Island for the Brown
Lake walk. Starting at Dunwich we headed north
along the Point Lookout road for 3 kilometres till we
found the firebreak on our right. Then it was a steep
few steps up a ridge to the highest point of our walk
at 120 metres (see photo page 1). The view across
the bay to Moreton Island was spectacular.
After catching our breath we followed the firebreak
southeast along an undulating ridge for about 2km
till we dropped down to Brown Lake. A relaxing sit
under the shade of ti-trees on the lake’s edge was
welcome. Although the lake looks blue from a
distance, up close the brown colour of the water,
discoloured by ti-tree leaves, is evident.
Lake Bumeira northern access point
The lure of a cafe was strong, resulting in a quick
tempo return walk for 3km along a sandy track to
Dunwich where a steep downhill (possibly known as
Killer Hill!) ended the circuit. Revived at the Island
Fruit Barn cafe (we recommend it) we made our way
via an interesting historic cemetery back to the ferry.
A 35kph breeze across the bay produced waves that
made the return ferry trip a little more exciting.
Thanks to John (Dutchie) for leading, and Belinda,
Bill, Lynn, Mary and Richard K for your company.
Michael H

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 Mt Barney – West Peak
Saturday, 6 November 2021

Whilst I had climbed Mt Barney East Peak a number of times previously, I had never been able to find
someone to walk with me to the top of Mt Barney West Peak (MBWP). As a result, I had developed a
burning desire over several years to get to the top of this peak. However, internet searches indicated that
getting to the top would be very challenging. Looking across from East Peak over several years had also
given me the impression that most ways up MBWP were very steep.

As such, when I offered to do an “exploratory” walk of

MBWP, I was pleasantly surprised when four other walkers
offered to do it with me. Three were QBW members and
one was from Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland
(BOSQ) who came along under the reciprocal rights
between the two clubs.

The three “Michaels” and I met up at Yellow Pinch car park

at 6.00 am on a coolish misty morning. There was Michael
D (from BOSQ) and Michael F and Michael H from QBW.
However, I wasn’t going to be completely outnumbered by
the “Michaels” as Richard K had advised me that he was
also going to do the walk. He probably had more fun than
the rest of us as he walked up to Rum Jungle the day
before and camped the night in the saddle. This would
Crossing the Logan
have been a very daunting task as it involved a vertical
ascent of around 900 metres and his through-pack was about
18 kilograms. The two steep rocky slab sections on the way up
were also very wet and slippery and wouldn’t have been
something I would have looked forward to.

After leaving Yellow Pinch, it didn’t take the three Michaels and me
very long to get to the Logan River where two of us crossed over in
old sandshoes and changed into our hiking boots on the other
side. The other two wore their normal hiking boots and by walking
on their heels got across without getting their feet wet. It was
perfect weather for hiking with cool conditions and virtually no
wind. However, there was considerable fog and mist which meant
there were few views to look at on the way up. We made relatively
good time and reached Rum Jungle at about 9.00 am.

Richard was waiting patiently for us and we stopped and had

morning tea. I was happy to take a back seat during the ascent Into the clouds
of MBWP as Richard had done it several times previously,

At Rum Jungle Photo: Will T Up the slabs

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 At Mt Barney summit Photo: Will T

whereas I was already quite weary and had never

’View’ from the top
attempted it before. We set off up the slope not far from
the southern edge of Rum Jungle and made good time.
There were quite a few pads leading upwards and we
were forced to retrace our steps in several places when
the rocks became too steep or became overly slippery.

I am not sure who discovered the yellow tape on one of

the stunted trees, but it certainly made the going much
easier and gave us a level of comfort. Whilst the terrain
slowly forced us towards the north end of the mountain,
this wasn’t an issue as it was also the way the yellow
tape was leading. In just under 55 minutes we made it to
the summit. I was quite surprised and thought it had to
be a false peak as the going had been a lot easier and
quicker than what I had been expecting.

The internet as well as the QTopo map had indicated

that MBWP was much steeper and about five metres
higher than it’s brother over in the east. The steepness
was probably a blessing as we covered less horizontal
distance compared to East Peak. There were also a
reasonable number of long rocky slabs and we were Descent from West Peak
able to scramble relatively quickly up these. I had been
told by various friends that the trees and scrub on the
peak of MBWP left little opportunity to take any pictures
of the surrounding peaks and countryside. However, for
us, it was the fog and mist that made it absolutely
impossible to see anything of East Peak.

We had a well-deserved rest and took some selfies and

pictures of our intrepid little group standing on the peak
and then started our descent. We made very quick time
down the mountain and I was thinking it was way too
early to have lunch at Rum Jungle. However, it turned
out to be a different reason which stopped us from
having lunch there. With less than a hundred metres to
go, the slippery conditions threw our plans into disarray.
Michael F was getting towards the end of a steep rock
slab when he stumbled, tried to brace himself for impact
on the rock and dislocated his left shoulder.

Approaching Rum Jungle

Page 6 of 10
 Identifying our position to the chopper
We were lucky to have Richard and Michael D with
us as they had both completed a medical degree as
part of their professional lives. As such, they were
able to make a rapid assessment of Michael F’s
condition and make him as comfortable as possible.
It was obvious to all of us that he would not be able
to walk out and would need to be evacuated by
helicopter. Within two minutes an initial call was
made to 000 ambulance to advise them of his Arrival of doctor and paramedic Photo: Will T
condition, location, and begin evacuation planning.

It will take an average reader less than a minute to read the following description of what took place in the
following two and a quarter hours which is roughly the time it took for the helicopter to arrive. During this
period, Michael F was in considerable pain but the only painkiller available to him was ibuprofen. The call
centre advised that he was not to consume food or drink. Meanwhile they would assess whether to do a
stretcher or helicopter evacuation based on our location and helicopter availability.

The hours took a long time to pass, although the fog lifted, and we were able to watch several hikers making
their way up East Peak. One person came towards us thinking that he was on his way to East Peak and we
gave him the bad news that he was walking up from the wrong side of Rum Jungle. Richard had a series of
calls with the 000 call centre to gain clarity about our map bearings and the name of the nearest cross-road.
It was also frustrating when he saw messages on his phone indicating that the call centre had attempted to
phone him but they were not getting through. He was unable to return these calls as there was no caller ID.
Phone reception was patchy at best.

It was a relief to receive a call from the helicopter pilot to advise that they were about to depart from
Toowoomba where they had been attending to another evacuation and estimated they would arrive in about
20 minutes. If we happened to live in the age before helicopters, the only rescue option that would have
been possible is a very large dose of painkillers and some kind of lengthy stretcher evacuation.

At about 1.45 pm, an RACQ LifeFlight helicopter came overhead and spent about ten minutes flying around
working out how they would conduct the rescue. We were actually lucky the mishap had taken place prior to
us getting back to Rum Jungle as that campsite is covered by thick tall forest which would have complicated
a helicopter evacuation. In contrast we were located out in a relatively large open area with low shrubby
growth, although Michael F was lying on a steep slippery section of rock slab. As such, it was relatively
straight forward for the doctor and paramedic to be dropped down onto a flatter piece of ground near us.

The doctor checked Michael F’s condition and it was only then that he received a welcome dose of strong
pain relief administered by cannula. I was surprised that the paramedic seemed to be in charge of almost all
of the actual evacuation procedures. While the paramedic carefully fitted a winch harness around Michael F,
the doctor reduced the dislocation so that his shoulder went back into its socket. This was good as it relieved

Page 7 of 10
his discomfort significantly. About forty minutes
after arriving, the doctor, and then the paramedic
with Michael F, were winched back up into the
helicopter.

Earlier in the afternoon, Richard K and the group

had calculated by what time a helicopter
evacuation needed to finish to enable the
remaining four of us to complete the long walk
down the mountain without stumbling around after
nightfall. This turned out to be prophetic as it was
close to dark by the time we got back to Yellow
Pinch. We also had to carry Michael F’s backpack,
although this was comparatively light.

The weather bureau wasn’t my favourite

organisation towards the end of our walk as they
had forecast three to five millimetres of rain in the Readying for departure Photo: Will T
Mt Barney region. In the event, we had around
20 – 25 millimetres in the last 40 minutes of the walk and it isn’t too much of an exaggeration to say we
couldn’t have become any wetter if we had gone for a swim. When I got back to the car, it was impossible for
me to change into dry clothes (given that it was still raining) and there wasn’t a chance of me getting into the
car in any kind of clean dry state. As such, I felt guilty about the way I left the upholstery in Michael D’s car.

It was interesting to find out after the event that Michael F actually got back to his home in Brisbane at about
the same time that a couple of us arrived at our homes. It turned out that the helicopter flew to Toowoomba
airport (rather than directly to Toowoomba hospital) as it was running low on fuel. An ambulance then
transferred him to the hospital where they conducted the necessary tests and scans (such as x rays, MRI,
etc) to determine his condition.

After they were satisfied Michael F could be discharged, he was picked up by his wife (who had driven up
from Brisbane) and they drove home. This would have meant an elapsed time of around four hours from the
time of the evacuation. The rest of us took about two and a half hours to walk down Barney and to traipse
through the mud to Yellow Pinch. We then spent an hour and a half to two hours driving home for a total time
of around four to five hours depending on where we lived. It had been a long tiresome day for me as I had
left home at about 4.45 am and got back again at around 8.30 pm.

West Peak Summit is finally visible as we

descend South Ridge On the long descent Photo: Will T

I am very happy that I have now seen the top of Mt Barney West Peak (through the thick cold fog) and would
like to thank Michael D, Michael F, Michael H and Richard K for accompanying me on what will probably be
one of the most unforgettable walks that I have ever done.
Will Taylor

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 More Humour

Travel

A paragraph from a Swiss hotel’s prospectus reads: ‘This place is known as the preferred resort of
those wanting solitude. People searching for solitude are flocking here from all corners of the globe.’

From a tourist promotion folder in a small Italian mountain village: ‘We offer you peace and seclusion.
The paths to our hills are passable only to asses. Therefore, you will certainly feel at home in our
secluded spot.’

Returning tourist: We took one of those ‘all-expense tours’ – and that’s just what it was!

Change is what a person wants on a holiday – and a lot of currency too…

After a week at a hotel, of tipping doormen, bell boys, waiters, cloak room attendants, taxi drivers,
etc a traveller was completely fed up with the whole system. Then came a knock on his door.
‘Who is it’ he called.
‘The bell boy, sir. I have a letter for you’
A crafty gleam came into the eyes of the tip-tortured traveller.
‘Just slip it under the door’ he directed.
Barely a moment’s hesitation, then ‘I can’t, sir’
‘And why not?’ asked the unhappy guest.
‘Because,’ said the determined bell boy, ‘It’s on a tray’.

On the domestic front

A marriage counsellor began to ask a woman some questions concerning her disposition. ‘Did you wake
up grumpy this morning?’
‘No,’ she replied, ‘I let him sleep.’

A friend of mine who had her hands very full with four young children was taken aback one day when
her husband brought home a surprise – a young, frisky puppy. Her children were excited and asked
what they should name it. ‘Better call it Mother,’ she said, ‘because if that dog stays, I’m going!’

A mum is trying to persuade her youngster to eat, ‘Look dear, make believe it’s sand.’

A dad was absorbed in his favourite TV program when his young son ventured to ask him about a
homework problem. ‘Dad,’ he said, ‘where are the Alps?’
‘Ask your mother,’ came the reply. ‘She puts everything away.’

Wife to husband working on their budget – ‘Perhaps we could borrow a little each month and set that
aside?’

Young voice on the bus, ‘I’ll say this for my old man – he tells it like it used to be.’

A man returning home unusually late was tiptoeing into his bedroom when his wife woke up. ‘Is that
you, John?’ she asked.
‘Well,’ he answered, ‘it better be.’

Page 9 of 10
 General Information Club Equipment
QBW Management Committee Compasses Topo Maps PLB
Garmin GPS First Aid Kits
President Helen McAllister 0419 684 319
Vice President Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
5 GPSs which have a 20 metre contour topo map of the whole
Secretary Lynn Nicol 0400 705 041
of Australia included.
Treasurer Bill Reed 0408 090 754
1 PLB with inbuilt GPS may be made available at each club
Outings Officer Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017 meeting and will need to be returned at the following meeting.
Membership Officer Patricia Kolarski 0448 526 618 Contact John Brunott on 0448 761 097 to book these items.
Media Officer Michael Hoopmann 0401 527 017
Training Officer Vacant Reciprocal Walks with Other Clubs
Social Secretary Sandy Thomas 0403 821 525
Redland Bushwalkers Club
Other Voluntary Positions
The only stipulation is that Redland club members have priority
Equipment Officer John Brunott 0448 761 097 over visitors. Calendar is available at:
Supper Convenor Mary Sherlock 0457 990 067 http://www.redlandbushwalkers.org.au/static/calendar.html
Librarian Noelene McCay 0407 658 023 Bushwalkers of Southern Queensland (BOSQ)
BWQ Rep Richard Kolarski 0455 879 785 Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
walks per calendar year. This will be with the agreement of the
BWQ Rep John Brunott 0448 761 097
activity leader. Members of BOSQ have priority for nominations.
Insurance Queries Ph: 02 9251 8700 Policy: 0012117 Calendar is available at http://www.bosq.bwq.org.au/
Meeting Place Bushwalking Adventures Queensland
Club meetings are on the first Tuesday of the month starting at (formerly YHA Bushwalkers)
7.30pm. There is no club meeting in January. Members of other BWQ affiliated clubs can join up to three
Meetings are held at the Little King's Hall on the corner of Carl walks per calendar year. Calendar is available at:
and O'Keefe Streets, Buranda. Entry is via the gate on Carl St. https://bushies.org.au
There is parking within the grounds and in Carl Street. Gold Coast Bushwalkers
Tea/coffee and cake/biscuits are provided after the meeting. Gold Coast Bushwalkers may admit as honorary members
A coin donation is appreciated. financial members of bushwalking clubs affiliated with BWQ.
Membership This dispensation will be at the discretion of the Management
Committee. https://sites.google.com/site/goldcoastbushwalker/
Probationary Membership
Ipswich Bushwalkers Inc
A non-member automatically becomes a Probationary Member
on his/her first walk after signing the Acknowledgement of Risk Intending walkers must contact the leader in advance. The
form. No fee is payable to become a Probationary Member. newsletter also contains a full description of the grading system
and a list of Committee members and their contact numbers.
A Probationary Member must become an Ordinary Member on
Calendar available at www.ipswichbushwalkers.bwq.org.au
his/her second walk by filling out a membership form and paying
the membership fee.
Ordinary Membership Feature Pic
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 any current member of the club.
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 QBW
members will have priority if there is a limit on numbers.
Payments
Pay fees or other items direct to the QBW club account at:
BSB: 124-057
Account No: 20421276
Account Name: Queensland Bushwalkers Club
Reference: Include your name and what the payment is for –
eg “RSmith member fee”. Water lily blooms at Gold Creek Reservoir
Website
Additional information is available on the club website at URL: All photos by Michael H except where noted
https://sites.google.com/site/qldbwc/

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