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This page will inform you about our meetings, how to
become a member and how to register for a walk. We will help you get
started as a bushwalker.
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HOW TO JOIN |
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We would like to welcome you at one of our meetings (see
below) where you will be invited to attend a talk for new members.
We consider this an integral part in the process of giving you as much
information as possible to ensure your walking enjoyment as well as
filling you in on some of the Club’s culture. The talk informs you about
walk gradings, clothing and equipment, transport arrangements and
membership options. Your Probationary Membership becomes effective at
the meeting when an application form is completed and the Club fees are
paid.
Probationary Membership for six months is $30; this
includes a magazine with our programme of events each month. After
completing three walks and a New Members Base Camp you may apply for
Full Membership. Your application for full membership should be
forwarded to the Membership Officer for approval. If you do not become a
Full Member in the probationary period you may then nominate for a
further Probationary Membership. There will be no reminder sent out when
your probationary membership expires, it is up to you to renominate for
a further probationary period.
It is also important that you are well informed about
the club and essential equipment before walking, please read this page,
the Club Introduction
(23KB PDF) and the Equipment page. It is
essential that you attend a meeting in the first instance, an
application form will be given to you at the meeting.
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.
Note: You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF
files. You can download a free copy from the
Adobe web site.
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SIGNING UP FOR A WALK |
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Information on walks is found in the magazine and at
meetings. Lists to nominate for the next month's walks are displayed on
tables at meetings. Before nominating for a walk it is essential you
consider the grading on the walk and are confident the walk is within
your capability. Initially this may be difficult to assess, but please
talk to the walk leader if unsure. If you are unable to attend meetings,
you may nominate for a walk by contacting the leader. Details appear in
the magazine
Cancellations: Please be considerate and notify the
leader as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a walk which you
have nominated for. This allows someone on the waiting list to go.
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EQUIPMENT |
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COMPULSORY ITEMS ARE:
FIRST AID KIT, TORCH, JUMPER, RAINCOAT, WATER,
WHISTLE, PEN AND PAPER, MATCHES OR CIGARETTE LIGHTER.
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.
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CLOTHING |
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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 bottoms
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, but you will also
discover gaiters are good leg protection.
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CONTACT OFFICER |
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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.
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NEW MEMBERS BASE CAMP |
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New Members Camps are held five times a year at a
variety of locations. The aim is to assist members to gain knowledge of
bushwalking skills, ethics, first aid, clothing, equipment and food
items. It is a venue to get to know more people in the Club and do some
walking. It is planned to be more social than a strenuous walking event
with time for talking and sharing ideas.
The camps are also attended by experienced members who
bring their knowledge and demonstrate a variety of equipment to
illustrate the advantages of different brands of stove, tent, backpack,
etc. Many new members are experienced walkers and the camp becomes a
venue for sharing experiences and ideas.
Do not buy new equipment to come on this base
camp. For some this will be the only camp you ever attend,
preferring only to do day walks. For others you may soon choose to go on
"through walks" and prefer to spend more money and buy specialised
lightweight equipment. Something you learn about equipment at the camp
may influence what you buy. Most people manage with what they have, plus
borrowed or hired equipment. Please talk to the New Members' Officer for
advice if needed. By hiring club equipment you are able to experience
different tents, through-packs etc.
Refer to the Equipment page
for details of equipment to bring to the base camp.
Transport. See the magazine write up. The leader may
contact you and arrange for two or three people to travel together and
meet at an arranged point. Details are included in the magazine and car
pooling is encouraged.
Read the magazine for instructions specific to your
camp. |
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