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That’s a Wrap – Fedwalks Wilsons Promontory 2024

Three hundred and thirty happy walkers returning on Sunday afternoon after 40 walks, all incident free is one measure for the success for the Fed Walks weekend in October.

The walks program went like clockwork with logistics, excellent briefing of leaders, preparation for boat, shuttlebus and carpooling arrangements. Participants were happy with their accommodation arrangements too, and many made new bushwalking friends from other clubs.

A Reminder of the Importance of National Parks

Professor David Lindenmayer, our Saturday night headline speaker encouraged an enthusiastic crowd to push for more national parks and resources to support national parks. “If people can write to the Minister and Premier that would be wonderful – they WILL respond positively if they get letters from people.”

The Parks Victoria eastern regional director Kerri Villiers was pleased to be there with her son. "It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time in such a spectacular location and to connect with lots of people in a relaxed and casual environment.” She said “This weekend is a great reminder that Parks Victoria and Victoria’s bushwalking community share very similar values around connecting people with our natural areas and protecting these special places. Your advocacy for what we do is greatly appreciated.”

Also, positive response from the Parks Victoria team at Tidal River. “Thanks Lyn it was a pleasure working with you and your team. I hope we can work together again on any future events you may plan at Wilsons prom.”

The sponsors for the weekend spoke highly of the event too and are likely to support future Fed Walks. Tim Wood from Paddy Pallin a major sponsor said “It was great to come down and support the event and chat with so many passionate bushwalkers and adventurers. It was a fantastic weekend and very well organised.

Additionally, there were many happy customers for the Simply Spanish paella, salads and Portuguese Tarts on Saturday evening and the amazing Celtic band ‘Saiorse’ who entertained the weary and enticed the energetic on to the dance floor.

Thank you to the organising committee and everyone who supported the event.

Lyn Curtis

BBC President and Leader of the Federation Walks Organising Committee

A selection of notes from participants:

"I’m sending you my thanks and congratulations on a very successful Fedwalks weekend. Very well planned and it unfolded seamlessly despite last minute hiccups like the bridge being closed! Please convey to Lyn, your president, and all those on the planning committee, my thanks for their hard work in making it happen: beautifully scenic walks, a terrific booklet to keep, tasty afternoon teas (including a fabulous selection of GF goodies), relaxing yoga, great raffle prizes 😊, catering that was highly praised and great music and guest speakers to enjoy. And most importantly, a welcoming, friendly atmosphere to encourage interclub interactions." Jan (Melb. Bushies)

"There is also credit due to you (Jane) and your team.  A very well organised event.  Great communication prior and during the event which makes adapting the plan easier. It was good to be a part of the event, all the participants we very friendly and thankful getting on and off the bus." Rob Cooling (Operations Manager) Warragul Bus Lines

The organising committee did a fabulous job for the Fed Walks! You all worked so hard which was reflected in how smoothly the whole weekend flowed. You’d thought of everything, including the weather! Congratulations! Next year’s organising committee will have a hard act to follow!! Julia  (BBC)

Please thank everybody for their efforts at pulling off this event in our beloved Wilsons Prom. I had a wonderful time catching up with old friends and spotting orchids! I attach a photo of the wonderful Salmon Sun orchid (Thelymitra rubra) that was first spotted by the walkers who climbed Vereker Lookout on Sunday! John (Essendon Bushwalking Club)

Just wanted to say thank you for a well organised weekend. So much fun and exercise.  Ann and Charlie

Congratulations on a fantastic Federation weekend. You were superstars in organizing such a well-run event. Please accept my appreciation and thanks. Leanne (Essendon Bushwalking Club)

 

Three hundred and thirty happy walkers returning on Sunday afternoon after 40 walks, all incident free is one measure for the success for the Fed Walks weekend in October.

The walks program went like clockwork with logistics, excellent briefing of leaders, preparation for boat, shuttlebus and carpooling arrangements. Participants were happy with their accommodation arrangements too, and many made new bushwalking friends from other clubs.

A Reminder of the Importance of National Parks

Professor David Lindenmayer, our Saturday night headline speaker encouraged an enthusiastic crowd to push for more national parks and resources to support national parks. “If people can write to the Minister and Premier that would be wonderful – they WILL respond positively if they get letters from people.”

The Parks Victoria eastern regional director Kerri Villiers was pleased to be there with her son. "It was a wonderful opportunity to spend time in such a spectacular location and to connect with lots of people in a relaxed and casual environment.” She said “This weekend is a great reminder that Parks Victoria and Victoria’s bushwalking community share very similar values around connecting people with our natural areas and protecting these special places. Your advocacy for what we do is greatly appreciated.”

Also, positive response from the Parks Victoria team at Tidal River. “Thanks Lyn it was a pleasure working with you and your team. I hope we can work together again on any future events you may plan at Wilsons prom.”

The sponsors for the weekend spoke highly of the event too and are likely to support future Fed Walks. Tim Wood from Paddy Pallin a major sponsor said “It was great to come down and support the event and chat with so many passionate bushwalkers and adventurers. It was a fantastic weekend and very well organised.

Additionally, there were many happy customers for the Simply Spanish paella, salads and Portuguese Tarts on Saturday evening and the amazing Celtic band ‘Saiorse’ who entertained the weary and enticed the energetic on to the dance floor.

Thank you to the organising committee and everyone who supported the event.

Lyn Curtis

BBC President and Leader of the Federation Walks Organising Committee

A selection of notes from participants:

"I’m sending you my thanks and congratulations on a very successful Fedwalks weekend. Very well planned and it unfolded seamlessly despite last minute hiccups like the bridge being closed! Please convey to Lyn, your president, and all those on the planning committee, my thanks for their hard work in making it happen: beautifully scenic walks, a terrific booklet to keep, tasty afternoon teas (including a fabulous selection of GF goodies), relaxing yoga, great raffle prizes 😊, catering that was highly praised and great music and guest speakers to enjoy. And most importantly, a welcoming, friendly atmosphere to encourage interclub interactions." Jan (Melb. Bushies)

"There is also credit due to you (Jane) and your team.  A very well organised event.  Great communication prior and during the event which makes adapting the plan easier. It was good to be a part of the event, all the participants we very friendly and thankful getting on and off the bus." Rob Cooling (Operations Manager) Warragul Bus Lines

The organising committee did a fabulous job for the Fed Walks! You all worked so hard which was reflected in how smoothly the whole weekend flowed. You’d thought of everything, including the weather! Congratulations! Next year’s organising committee will have a hard act to follow!! Julia  (BBC)

Please thank everybody for their efforts at pulling off this event in our beloved Wilsons Prom. I had a wonderful time catching up with old friends and spotting orchids! I attach a photo of the wonderful Salmon Sun orchid (Thelymitra rubra) that was first spotted by the walkers who climbed Vereker Lookout on Sunday! John (Essendon Bushwalking Club)

Just wanted to say thank you for a well organised weekend. So much fun and exercise.  Ann and Charlie

Congratulations on a fantastic Federation weekend. You were superstars in organizing such a well-run event. Please accept my appreciation and thanks. Leanne (Essendon Bushwalking Club)

 

Federation Walks 2024 - Wilsons Promontory
Federation Walks 2024 - Wilsons Promontory
20241012_074646
Walk 19 Saturday
Federation Walks 2024 - Wilsons Promontory
Lilly Pilly Gully Circuit
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Fed Walks a Resounding Success!

The Federation Walks event (FedWalks) is a weekend of bushwalking held annually in a different location in Victoria.  It is a wonderful opportunity for members of different clubs to walk together and for Bushwalking Victoria's individual members to join a weekend filled with bushwalking, nature, fun and friendship.

Around 210 participants enjoyed a terrific weekend of walks on 21-22 October 2023 in the beautiful Wombat State Forest. Twenty walks ranging from Easy to Hard were on offer all within 35km of the event base at the brand new Trentham Football and Netball Club rooms. It was an excellent location with camping on site and a cricket match on Saturday afternoon to entertain us on return from our walks.

Weather-wise Saturday was a great day for bushwalking but Sunday dawned cold, windy and drizzly. Some walkers either decided to stay warm and dry or change the walk they were going on. The misty drizzle persisted through the morning but spirits remained high on the walks and it dried off during mid-afternoon.

A local army of kitchen volunteers, very ably run by Di, provided a rolling afternoon tea on both days. Club volunteers served the meal for the event on the Saturday evening during which we heard from Jeff McDonnell whose club (Bayside) is organising the 2024 event aided by Melbourne Bushwalkers and South Gippsland clubs. Guest Speaker was Peter Yates, anthropologist and garlic grower, who lives locally. He showed a beautiful video of local environmental images including flood plains, red gums and revitalisation and talked about aspects of left brain/right brain and mythopoetics - a hypothetical stage of human thought preceding modern thought - the language of the soul and how bushwalking can be a way to tap into our right brain potential.

It was a great weekend with all returning back to base safely but rather damp, with friendships renewed and formed over a common interest of walking in the bush. Don’t miss next year’s event at the Prom!!

Robyn Shingles / Jack Winterbottom