If you are interested in joining the Brisbane Bushwalkers Club, then this is the page for you! Your best bet is to read the website thoroughly, and then come to one of our club meetings. At the meeting you will be able to find out about the club, meet some members, join on the spot, and nominate for your first walk. Read on for some more details..

COME TO A MEETING

The club averages 1 new member every day. The best way for us to look after all these new people is for them to come to a club meeting. There will be around 20 potential members at each meeting, finding out about the club and making their decision whether to join. This is what happens:

The club meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm at the Newmarket Memorial Hall, corner of Enoggera Road and Ashgrove Avenue, Newmarket. (Note, because of Christmas, there is no meeting on the 4th Wednesday in December.) [Google Map]

Bring $25 cash or cheque because if you do decide to join, we don't take cards. And bring your diary so you know which days you have free, and you can nominate for a walk on the night.

You don't need to tell us that you are coming. Just turn up, preferably on time at 7:30pm, or even a little early. Don't park in Dominoes car park. There is plenty of space across the road in the underground carpark of the shopping centre.

When you arrive, find the membership team in the kitchen and say hello. The membership officer will answer any questions you may have, have a little chat to you about safety (the induction briefing) and sign your application form.

If you decide to join, pay your fee of $25 (cash or cheque - no cards) to the treasurer, who will then give you a membership card, members handbook, and recent magazine. Then you may nominate for a walk or two.

There will be a sit-down meeting for about one hour, starting about 7:40. Leaders will promote upcoming walks, club business will be conducted, and there is usually a guest speaker. This is followed by a free supper, which gives you more time to finish your paperwork, nominate for a walks, and meet some more leaders.

Your probationary membership lasts for 6 months. (And you can renew as many times as you like.) You will get a club magazine mailed to you each month. You will have access to the members area of the club website (which has the details of all the walks.) You may attend any of the walks on the calendar that are within your capability. For your first walk with the club, the best option is the MinIMaxS walk, where we go slow and explain what is expected. You can nominate for a MinIMaxS walk by putting your name on the mango coloured clip board at the meeting.

If you decide not to join, that's OK. You are welcome to stay for the whole meeting and free supper.

DOWNLOAD PAPERWORK

Meeting paperwork, including application form Do not mail this form. You must bring it to a meeting in person. We have the paperwork available at the meeting, but sometimes it gets a bit hectic with 30 new members, so if it is convenient for you to print this and fill it in before you come, that would be better.

Members Handbook You can download this and read through it. There is a printed copy available for you when you join.

ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP

We encourage members to upgrade to the status of "ordinary member." To do this, you must complete a MinIMaxS walk, and 4 other walks. Most new members try to do it within 6 months of joining. (The club does not impose a time limit - you may renew your probationary membership as many times as you wish.)

We have a MinIMaxS walk most weekends. They are special events where we have some fun, meet some friends, and learn about bushwalking in general and Brisbane Bushwalkers Club in particular. We also have weekend camping trips for new members. If you can spare a weekend away, this is the best way to meet other club members and get accustomed to the club culture.

Ordinary members pay a yearly subscription. They are entitled to vote, to stand for committee positions, and to lead walks.

GOING FOR A WALK

Information on walks is found in the magazine, on the website, and at meetings. The first thing to do is choose a walk that is within your capabilities. Refer to the description of the walk and the grade to determine the level of difficulty. New members should begin with an easy walk while they get to know the grading scheme and the club culture. Contact the leader if you are in doubt. There are several methods to nominate for a walk. For example, by adding your name to the list at the meeting, by emailing the leader, by entering your details on the club web site, or by phoning the leader. Check the details for the walk you are interested in to see which methods that leader prefers.

EQUIPMENT

The "always take" list is a list of equipment that you must take on each club activity. On many walks, some of this gear will not be used. But we carry it just in case the trip does not go as expected. It emphasises taking enough food and clothing to stay fit and warm even if the weather changes and you are caught out at night.

The must take items are: thermals, fleecy jacket, raincoat, first aid kit, hat & sunscreen, water (at least 2 or 3 litres), lunch and snacks, spare food, torch, whistle, pencil & paper, change of clothes and shoes for driving home, money for car pooling & coffee, membership card

We strongly recommend that you delay buying expensive new equipment until you have been on a few walks. You may not continue bushwalking or you may wish you had made a more informed choice. After a few walks and advice from experienced walkers you will be wiser. Refer to the Equipment page for a list of suggested equipment. 

CLOTHING

The majority of Queensland bushwalkers walk in shorts summer and winter. Even in cold weather, most people warm up shortly after beginning the walk. If you prefer, long pants with zip off legs may be your choice. Jeans are generally not suitable for walking. If it rains, wet long pants are not as easy to dry as wet legs! In scratchy terrain some wear long pants of light material. Gaiters offer excellent protection for your shins, but not your thighs.

CONTACT OFFICER

The Club has a designated Contact Officer. All walk leaders provide the Contact Officer with a list of participants on their walk. If there is a problem or a delay returning to Brisbane the leader will endeavour to make contact with the Contact Officer. Walk participants should ensure any relatives or friends who would be awaiting their return have the phone number of the Contact Officer. If they are concerned they can call the Contact Officer for information or to report that the person has not returned.