Albury Wodonga's outdoor club for bushwalking (and skiing, cycling and canoeing)

Walks Coordinator's Report 2007 -2008

This report by our energetic walks coordinator Debbie Khan, gives a good overview of the club's activities during the past year.

We had everything...

To say that the 2007-2008 year for the Border Bushwalking Club was a busy one does not even come close to describing the diversity and number of activities that our members had available to them.

...even early snow

An early flurry of snow saw members flock to the Alpine regions to enjoy pursuits of a white crystalline nature; snow shoeing and cross-country or downhill skiing. The more adventurous members embarked on ski touring trips out into the pristine areas for rest and relaxation. This however did not last long and all too soon the snow was gone, the skis in the cupboard and the walking boots back on.

What a great season!

We were extremely lucky to be blessed with a walking season that was most conducive to outdoor activities. The summer of 2007/2008 was a bit Buddhist in nature, there were no extremes in conditions, as it took the middle path and was just right for everything that we do. Total club activities were up on last year with over 160 choices made available for members. On some weekends members would have had a difficult time choosing between the type of activity, the location and the level they wished to participate in as there was just so much on offer. As usual day walks formed the majority of our activities.

It wasn't just walking...

Other activities included; navigational skills days, evening walks, walks for all levels of fitness, skiing, working bees, bike rides, overnight hikes and extended trips either within or outside Australia. These longer trips were organised to places both near and far such as Waterfall Way in Northern NSW, Montague Island off the far south coast, The Larapinta Track in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Fraser Island, Dinner Plain and of course New Zealand.

Leaders are our most important asset

Whilst we had quite a few new and returned leaders venture into the great outdoors, mention must be made that getting people to lead walks is a continuing problem. The majority of walks are put on by a set of regular leaders who do a terrific job. Have a think about what walk you might put on in the coming twelve months to expand this 'band of merry people'. Something you're very comfortable with? Or something you've always wanted to do? [See the section on Personal Development] As walkers we seem to enjoy getting out all year but autumn and spring seem to be the prime times. As a club I think we do an admirable job putting on a variety of activities throughout the year that encouraging people off the couch and into the outdoors.

And for the really fit...

I feel that at this stage I need to mention the walks put on by John Stevens. John as many of you would know has just left the region to return to sunny Queensland. For the last 3 years John has been a regular leader on the walks calendar, leading at least 2 walks every month. There was however nothing regular about John's walks. The majority of them were hard and due to this John had his band of groupies that pounced on each new addition of Footprints with phone in hand to book in. You see on John's walk magic happened. While rabbits never appeared out of his pack, all sorts of whole melons (watermelons and rockmelons were John's favourite), fruitcakes and biscuits appeared with little fanfare.

Thanks to all who helped.

This is my final walks report as I am leaving the committee this year. Meetings will no longer have to be cat free. Finally, a huge thanks to all those leaders; regular, infrequent and even 'just thinking about it' whose activities make up the walks program. My job was made much easy by their offering to go where many have gone before them. Make 2008 your year to lead. I know you'll like it!

Debbie Kahn - Walks Coordinator

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