Newsletter No. 42  - May 2020
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON ZOOM AT 10.30AM NEXT WEDNESDAY 27th May (see below for details on installing & logging in to the Zoom meeting.  If you want help in installing Zoom please let Andrew Little or Rob Clarke know)

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President's Report

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Presidents Report – May

It’s lovely to see that some of the regulations have been slightly relaxed, and that we can at least enjoy a couple of activities. Last Tuesday19th May eighteen of our members were able to complete a walk through the Knightsbridge bushland, and we have planned a couple of other walks in the next month. I believe a few other activities such as Book Club, Photography group and Book Challenge have been continuing and thanks to those involved for making it happen. More encouraging is the enthusiasm I can see from our members to get back into the thick of Probus socialising.

Almost half of the club have committed to attend the Bright trip next year. The organising group led by Rob Clarke are putting a lot of work into making it a fantastic trip. Max Henderson was overwhelmed by the response to his proposed trip to Batemans Bay in October. Over fifty of our members committed to attend within five days of announcement.

The Committee held its first meeting over Zoom on the 7th May. The major issue addressed was membership and waiting Lists. Jeff Swan will be announcing some changes in this area over the next month or two. We also agreed to welcome five new members to replace those who decided to leave the club. When we get back to face to face meetings we will introduce them to the membership.

Don’t forget our first monthly general meeting via Zoom on Wednesday 27th May. We are extremely privileged to have Kathryn Greiner to talk to us. Further details are outlined in this newsletter, but I think Toni Smith has scored a major coup in convincing Kathryn to address us over Zoom.

Good health to everyone. I cannot wait for restrictions to be lifted so that we can all enjoy one another’s company again.

Bob Carritt                                    


Secretarial

Correspondence In

Email from PSPL with updated membership list plus amendment forms.  I forwarded this to Jeff Swan.

Email confirmation from Dept of Fair Trading re change of public officer from Cathy to myself."

Correspondence Out

Completed Capitation annual return and update forms 2020-21 including payment receipt emailed to PSPL

Bev Dona

Details of the Probus Member Benefit Scheme are at: www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/members_offers_member_benefits_scheme
(click on link)

Treasurer

TREASURER’S REPORT                                               For the Month of April 2020

 
GENERAL ACCOUNT
Opening cash balance      1st April 2020                  $572.30  
Interest                                                                       .02
Membership fees                                                   4281.00
Venue hire                                                           (1520.00)  Audit
Closing cash balance    30th April 2020           $3333.32
                                                                      
All members have paid their annual dues other than 5 members who elected to not renew their membership.  Hornsby Council has provided credit notes for all the hall hire we had pre-paid up to and including June.  They have now advised that they will convert the credit notes to a cash refund which should reach the bank account sometime in May.
 
ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT
Opening cash balance      1st April 2020              $24759.15  
Interest                                                                      3.37
Deposits                                                                1200.00   Bright
                                                                              580.00   Refund received Heiffer Station
Activity refunds                                                   (16372.00)  Mid West
Activity refund                                                          (56.50)  Priscilla
Closing cash balance    30th April 2020          $10114.02
 
 
The main activity for the month was refunding deposits for Mid-West tour and Priscilla.  Previous payment to Heiffer Station associated with the Mid West trip was refunded in full.    
 
The activities that remain open at the end of the month are:
 
Activity                                              Balance               
Bright trip                                           8800.00                
Frozen                                                  702.00                 
                                                       $9102.00
Add:
Interest received                                       7.02
Activities surplus                                   604.98
Bank balance                                  $9714.02
 
TERM DEPOSIT
$5,000 is invested in a Term Deposit with Bendigo at 1.85%.  Estimated interest to date is $76.03.
 
INTEREST
For the year to date, we have received $7.26 in interest from both the general and activities accounts. 
 
SURPLUS
The activities surplus stands at $604.98.
 
 
 
Ian Roberts
Treasurer
4th May 2020

Membership

Just a reminder of our Club policies for attendance at meetings and activities.
  • Members are expected to attend a minimum of 10 functions (meetings and/or activities) per Probus year (April to March).
  • Visitors may only attend a maximum of 3 functions (meetings and/or activities) per Probus year. 

Our membership is currently full, at the agreed maximum of 110.

Jeff Swan – Membership Officer

Welfare

Welfare Report May 2020

Keeping our selves occupied by being mentally and physically active during these isolating times seems, from my observations, through walking, phone calls, emails, messaging, zoom and other video messaging  apps and  social media has been good for us all. Many members , family and friends have said they have been enjoying the slower pace and getting a lot done either around the house or personally and feeling a sense of achievement! I know a lot of you have been keeping active walking and enjoying the local district, parks and forest near us.
Now we can go to restaurants [max 10] I suppose you are venturing out. Our friends booked out a restaurant last Saturday night and we all had a wonderful night catching up as well as good food!

Enjoyed a great walk that Bob Carritt organized on Tuesday around the Knightsbridge area. This was a great for us physically and socially as we were able to connect, talk and walk. Our first get together as a club in these covid 19 times!
Just wanted to wish Marilyn Savic all the best. She is having a knee replacement next Monday. I know she just wants to get it over and done with so she can get back to her walking and bush walking that she and John both love. Will be thinking of you on Monday!

On a personal note I was so excited when our youngest son moved out a couple of weeks ago. This meant that after 15-20 years [not sure exactly] I can finally put my car in the garage! Can’t believe the extra space we now have at home!!

If anyone would like to share a good news story, personal achievement, experience or know of any member who we should contact for support or help please let either Terry Ridge or myself know. This is all about caring about one another, keeping our spirits up and looking forward.
 
Cathy Turner & Terry Ridge – Welfare Officers

Birthday  Celebrations

Happy Birthday
 To all our members
Celebrating a birthday in May
 
Glenda Coote
Cliff Graham
Andrew Little
Desley Little
David Polley
Marilyn Savic
Barbara Taylor 
David Turner


PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GENERAL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON ZOOM AT 10.30AM NEXT WEDNESDAY 27th MAY.

Zoom login details, including Meeting ID & Password have been emailed by Rob Clarke to all members.

If you want help in installing Zoom please let Andrew Little or Rob Clarke know.

Zoom is free and can be downloaded on any android or apple device.

What you need to do:

Click on this link.

Link: https://zoom.us/pricing

When the link opens this page below will appear. Click on sign up its free to download zoom on your device. You will need a device with a camera and speaker, mobile phones can be used, although having a larger screen, such as an IPad, PC or Mac with a monitor is preferred. You will also need an email address to set up your free Zoom account.

Click here:
On Friday the 24th at 9:30am I will start the meeting for people who have not used Zoom before. Please contact myself or Andrew Little if you have any technical problems.  
 
On Friday go to the home page and you will see:
 
To get to home page click on Home at the top.
Note from Editor - I have blacked out the meeting ID as this newsletter can be viewed by the public.

Please see Rob's email for the meeting ID (Andrew)
Make sure you turn on your video. We ask you not to turn on your audio as having to many people on audio makes it impossible for anyone to hear anything.
 
 
At this meeting Rob Clarke will take us through some of the features of Zoom so that we can determine it can be used to hold our monthly meetings.
 
Bob and some members of the committee will also be speaking along with some activity leaders.
 
Please give Rob Clarke a call if you have any questions with Zoom. Hope to see you all Friday.

If you leave it to late to download Zoom click on the link provided in the email, Zoom will open on your device and you will be in the meeting.

However, it is preferable that you download Zoom on your PC, Mac, IPad or mobile first.

Bright trip - 19 to 29 April 2021

We have 49 confirmed travellers and we are unable to take any more people due to venue capacities. If you would like to be placed on the waiting list please email Rob Clarke.

The Bright planning group met twice last month; I would like to thank the members of this group for the excellent work they have done. The group consists of:
We are looking for someone to take on meal coordination.  In some small towns we have booked the only venue that would take a group of our size for dinner. In other towns people will be given options as to where they can eat. There are two days where need to consider how lunch and / or breakfast is provided due to the lack of eating venues. If you are interested in assisting in this area please contact Rob Clarke.

All accommodation has now been confirmed and we will require a further $200 per head contribution by the end of July. The funds are to be placed into the activity account and please add the reference of your surname followed by Bright.

Please return the excel questionnaire that was sent on May 16. It was sent under Rosemary’s email and not mine by error. We need this to finalise our accommodation and transport options.
 
The planning group has put together a fantastic trip culminating in Bright for the first week of the Autumn festival when the trees are turning colour. All the gardens, restaurants, pubs etc will be open over the duration of the festival. As ANZAC day falls on the Sunday we will be in Bright, we are looking at a dinner and two up night at Ken and Kathy Lewis’s home in Bright which should be a lot of fun.

Please note the small changes to the itinerary due to accommodation availability.

If you have any questions on this trip please do not hesitate to call me or contact me by email.

Rob Clarke

Activities & Leaders

As a result of the sign-up sheets at the Foundation Meeting and expressions of interest on application forms we have set up numerous activities and interest groups.

Newsletter Copy Deadline


Please provide your contributions for the June Newsletter by Friday 12th June.

Please email to Enio Dona or Bev Davison for activities or direct to Andrew Little for other articles.

Alternatively place directly into Dropbox under WPHD Probus Activities / Activity Newsletter Contributions / Contributions – 2020 06

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PLEASE NOTE that all activities have been cancelled until further notice.

Click on activity to go straight there!
Activity Group    Leaders
Book Challenge Sue Calabrese
Book Club Bev Davison
Bridge Rob Clarke
Cards David Turner, Barbara Taylor 
Cycling Bruce Bartle
Day Trips (Bus/Train/Ferry) Helen Games
Dining Out Wendy Carritt
Domestic Travel Max Henderson
Gardening Sue Small, Lorenza Powyer
Golf Terry Ridge
Investment Group David Antonjuk
Mens Club Rene Beutler
Mixed Social Group Kim Nicholls
Movies Sue Small and Lorenza Powyer
Overseas Travel Looking For Leader
Photography Rob Clarke
Ten Pin Bowling Douglas Matthews
Tennis Bob Davison
Theatre and Musicals Bruce Bartle
Walking Group Bob Carritt & Enio Dona
Wine & Cheese Julie Shenstone, Susan Antonjuk
 
For an activity group to start, a member needs to step forward to lead the group
                              
WPH&D PROBUS BOOK CHALLENGE
 
🤷 WHAT ARE YOU STILL WAITING FOR!
📚 JOIN UP NOW! 👈
 
The Curl Up and Read Challenge continues – another 7 books added to our tally making a total of 19 books since the beginning of March – the diversity continues as well.
 
The Crossing by Michael Connelly – Book Club book – mixed reviews at our meeting. An ex-homicide detective is roped into helping his lawyer brother prove the innocence of a man with a past. Very meticulous searching for the truth, fraught with danger.
 
Matilda by Roald Dahl – a great book but the reader, Kate Winslet was totally superb. Dahl certainly presents some adults in a very unflattering light. Grandies really got into it.
 
Polly’s Pride by Freda Lightfoot – A story of love, duty and family, set in an impoverished area of Manchester in 1929.
 
The Twits by Roald Dahl – what a disgusting married pair – totally deserved each other. Total ratbags – the kids love it.
 
Sisters by Gabrielle Lord – Lies, deceit, sister rivalry, family in turmoil with one of the sisters disappearing suddenly on the Greek island of Crete. The other sister leaves her Australian family to try to find her.
 
The Black Ice by Michael Connelly – Old fashioned crime, drug and murder story.
 
Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healy – reviewed in last months newsletter.
 
There’s plenty of time to read now, especially with those colder days and nights coming up. Audio books are great if you’re busy – housework, gardening, driving, ignoring husband’s blood and gore choices on television.
 
Come share with us – you get ideas on what intriguing read you have to try.
Estimate an achievable number of books for each month and then add one extra. My challenge is 19! 3 books a month for 6 months, plus the extra book. It’s what you think you’ll do, plus one more!
 
The Facebook page is a closed group, so only members can see the posts.
If you wish to join in via email only, then that is also possible. Just let me know. Search for WPH&D Probus Book Challenge and ask to join. (No gaps in the WPH&D part when you type)
 
Hardcopy, ebook, audio book, fiction or non-fiction, substantial children’s books all allowed.

 
Leader - Sue Calabrese
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Book Club - May 2020 Report

We held our second book club online on Thurs 14th May, we are all getting pretty good at this now. 
 
We had a great catch up with each other and we also discussed The Crossing by Michael Connelly. Which most of us thought was a pretty good read. We decided that our next
book will be Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn.

 
We are meeting monthly while restrictions are on, so our next meeting will be on 11th June.
 
Keep safe everyone

Leader - Bev Davison
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Bridge Group










Leaders - Looking For Leader(s)
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Cards Report

A couple of suggestions……

500 Trickster is a great website you can use to play 500.

You can play with friends or you can play against the computer and improve your skills!
Hearts classic card game is another website you can go to. Playing against the computer as a beginner, average player or a Pro all help in honing your card skills.

Beware though, they can be addictive and before you know it an hour or 2 has slipped by!!



Leaders - David Turner & Barbara Taylor
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Cycling has been cancelled until further notice.










Bruce Bartle & Tony Coote
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If you have any great ideas about trips for next year please let me know.

Leader - Helen Games
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Dining out has been cancelled until further notice
Leader - Wendy Carritt
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Please note that Domestic Travel now replaces Opal Card Overnight Trips & Travel Within Australia.
Max Henderson is now the leader for this activity.
Batemans Bay Trip, Monday 19 to Thursday 22 October 2020
 
Since my initial email, I’m delighted to have already received deposits for 28 rooms and 55 people. If you would still like to join us, best be quick…
 
Rooms
Due to the overwhelming initial response, we now only have two Superior/ Executive rooms and a few Standard rooms (similar to the Superior/Executive rooms, minus the water view) left.
Also included in the Superior/Executive rooms are two Spa rooms (same $ rate) that I wasn’t aware of, so if you would like one of these rooms, be quick and let me know, as it will be a case of first in, best dressed.

Our hotel is Mariners on the Waterfront

https://www.marinerswaterfront.com.au/  

Located on the waterfront in Batemans Bay CBD and just a 2-minute walk from a choice of restaurants and shopping.
The relaxed 3.5-4.0 star air conditioned rooms offer mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, TVs and tea and coffee-making facilities. Most rooms have balconies overlooking the Clyde River. Some rooms have sitting areas, while upgraded rooms have hot tubs.
The swimming pool is located on the hotel’s lawn, which is directly on the waterfront. The bistro offers fresh seafood and Australian/Asian cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Both cooked and continental breakfasts are available from 07:00-10:00 every morning. The lounge bar offers a relaxing place to enjoy a drink and a meal with friends or family. Fresh local Clyde River oysters are available.
Nightly room rates (for our group booking) are-

·        Standard room $109                      $327  for three nights
·        Superior room $129                       $387  for three nights
·        Executive room $129                     $387  for three nights
·        Deluxe room $159                          $477  for three nights

Continental breakfast $10pp or both continental and cooked buffet breakfast for $20pp.
With dinner requirements they can offer a 2 course alternate drop menu, with your choice of entree/main or main/dessert for $30-$35pp or order individually from the Bistro menu. They are also happy to look after any dietary requirements.
Motel payments
The $100 deposit is refundable with no cancellation fees, provided we advise the hotel before 10 October.
Prior to reserving a room we require confirmation from Ian Roberts your deposit has been paid.
We will require the accommodation balance by the end of September.

All payments should be paid into the Activities Account and identified by your Surname & Mogo.
Whilst I’m only too happy to book additional rooms, this will be subject to both a $100 deposit and availability. If necessary I’m also happy to prepare a waiting list.

Please email me for all reservations, please include:
  • Number of people and names
  • Room preference (Deluxe sold out)
  • Twin share or double room
  • Number of nights (if other than the three specified dates are required).

Priority was/is based on the date and time I received your email.
 
Car Pooling
To provide some social opportunities and reduce the number of cars, carpooling is a preferred option, particularly for our local trips on Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
Activities
Given this is a self-drive trip and the size of our group, we will need to break into smaller groups for most activities.
I acknowledged receipt of every request for a room via return email, inclusive of a priority number (as above) so we can readily break into two groups by simply adopting the “odd” or “even” number you were allocated.

This will allow say the “odds” on Tuesday and the “evens” on Wednesday to do the same activities and vice versa.
This doesn’t necessitate we will have to tour as two groups, potentially just the major attractions (e.g. Mogo Zoo, a river cruise and/or whale watching) and/or thereafter into smaller groups, whatever appeals to you.

As previously advised, we will focus on a fantastic 80km section of the south coast from Batemans Bay to Narooma, including the townships of Tomakin, Broulee, Mogo, Moruya, Tuross Head, Bodalla and Tilba. Our current draft itinerary is:

  • Monday, enjoy about a four hour (driving time) scenic 320km drive to Batemans Bay, one option is via the Southern Highlands and Kangaroo Valley
  • Tuesday (or Wednesday), visit the amazing Mogo Zoo https://mogozoo.com.au/, Mogo township (lunch option) all of which are within a 30 minute round trip of Bateman’s Bay, followed by a leisurely boat cruise along the Clyde River (Bateman’s Bay) or sightseeing along the coast from Mogo back to Batemans Bay.
  • Wednesday (or Tuesday), road trip encompassing the various townships and attractions south of Batemans Bay to Narooma (whale watching cruises) and maybe Tilba. About a 160km round trip
  • Thursday, return home via for example Huskisson (lunch at the pub) and Berry (all those craft shops). Alternatively make this the beginning on a longer holiday and travel further down the coas

We will go into more detail next month with regard to:
  • any suggestions for attractions and dining options, plus
  • we have a better understanding of the impact of both the bushfires and the Covid-19 restrictions.
 
Any suggestions or questions please give me a call.
 
Looking forward to both your company and a great trip.
 
 
Max Henderson
Refurbished Activity Leader
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Gardening May update
 
As we all know, we’ve still been unable to meet during the last month. 
Fortunately, we’ve been able to keep reminded of our many gardening project and get inspired by sharing photos of what we’re all doing in our gardening, as well as getting encouraged by some amazing videos of open gardens and large scale garden projects.

Hilda and Desley have found lots of amazing sites that we’ve all enjoying sharing to get inspired by various gardens from around the world. Attached are a links to a few of the examples (contributed by Desley).

https://youtu.be/7jYuJENnQik
https://youtu.be/MQiszdkOwuU
https://youtu.be/jgdtoEfQfZA
 
We’ve noticed lots of people have taken an interest in gardening while we’ve been self-isolating. For example, Maurice has decided to start digging in our garden but won’t tell me what he has in mind!!!

Leaders -  Sue Small, Lorenza Powyer
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GOLF GROUP – To Be Updated Soon

Statement from Golf Australia:
Many golf clubs around Australia have either re-opened, or are considering doing so, after recent state and territory-specific rulings or directives.
Golf Australia, while not wishing to act in a manner contrary to those specific rulings or directives, remains of the view that golf is a non-essential activity, a view which sits comfortably with the current Federal Government directive and rules to “stay at home” unless absolutely necessary.

Of course, Golf Australia is merely recommending that position to all clubs around Australia and ultimately we respect the right of the clubs to act in the way they see fit while complying with all social distancing requirements.
Golf Australia has adopted - and will continue to adopt - a prudent position of respecting and heeding Government advice on all matters pertaining to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The recommendation we formulated around course closure was based on the position Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken and, at all times throughout this issue, Golf Australia has sought to provide the latest Federal and state advice for all golf clubs around the country.

That has proved an extremely difficult task given that various state positions have been constantly changing, almost on a daily basis. We apologise for any confusion that has caused, but we are sure you can understand these are unprecedented times in our country and, indeed, for our great game.

That so many people are passionate about the sport is a great sign of the game's significance in our community and we are truly sympathetic to those who are desperate to once again walk the fairways, but we as the national governing body feel that in this time of crisis for so many in our community, it is best to be safe.
Furthermore, we strongly believe that unity, prudence and safety during this unprecedented crisis is the best way for us to assist with "flattening the curve" of Covid-19's surge through the community and we believe that golf and our industry has a role to play in doing this.

Our recommendation to remain closed therefore remains the same - Australia and our community come first.
We yearn to see full fairways and clubhouses, but not as much as we desire our population to be fully healthy once again.

That being said I hope all the unfinished maintenance and projects are now getting completed.
If anyone has as completed project that they would like to present to me I have some golf balls to use as prizes, I will enlist and judging panel (yet to be confirmed) to give their decisions.
 

Terry
Leader - Terry Ridge
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Investment Group - April
 
Given the unprecedented (most overused word of the year?) and highly fluid situation with the spread of the coronavirus throughout the community, we have for the foreseeable future, suspended the Investment Group meetings.






Leader - David Antonjuk
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MEN'S CLUB - April

All Men's club activities have been cancelled until further notice.








Leader - Rene Beutler
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All mixed social group mornings have been cancelled until further notice.






Leaders- Kim Nicholls & Sue Cordukes
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Movies May Report

Sadly, Events Cinemas are still unable to give a date when they intend to reopen, but hopefully it won’t be too long before our Movie Group members can again see a movie together and have a really good catch up over lunch following the movie.
Leaders – Lorenza Powyer & Sue Small
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Please note that Opal Card Overnight Trips has now been incorporated into Domestic Travel, which Max Henderson is now the Leader for this activity.
Leader - Max Henderson
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Probus Photography Group


Probus Photography Group

The photography group has gone online with a dedicated private Facebook site and we use Zoom for our meetings which are now fortnightly.

The Facebook site is located at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/254025278937219/?ref=group_header

If you would like to see the Facebook site, please put a request in from your Facebook page to join the group. If you are a member of our Probus club you will be granted access, you don’t need to join the photography meetings.

Every two weeks we have a photographic theme for the group and members can submit up to 3 photos into an album on the Facebook site. During our Zoom meetings we discuss each photo so that we all learn how to take better photographs. The best photo is voted on by the group and it becomes the banner on the Facebook site for the next two weeks. Over the last two weeks the group took photos of sunrises and sunsets.

Congratulations to Gerard for this outstanding sunrise taken in Bali.
The theme for the next month will be structures excluding buildings. Structures can be bridges, statues, ships, towers, aqueducts etc.

With the covid-19 restrictions being relaxed we will be having a golden hour sunset excursion to the Greystanes Aqueduct on Wednesday June 3. This brick aqueduct was built for moving water from the Prospect Reservoir to Sydney, it is now a walkway / cycle way. The brick arches make it a great photographic subject. Some of us will be staying until its dark to do some light painting on the arches.

Rob Clarke

Other sunset photos from members of the photography group are shown below:

Leaders - Rob Clarke & Bain Shenstone
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May Ten Pin Bowling Report

It will come as no surprise that Ten Pin Bowling is still off the agenda.
 
I believe this will be the case for quite some time and given we are all in the most at risk group we may not restart for a long time, if at all.
 
Notwithstanding this I will keep you updated.



Leader - Doug Matthews
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Tennis Group Report- May 2020
I hope we are all keeping well and managing to get some exercise into our routines.  We are all still confined to barracks but hopefully the light is now showing at the end of the tunnel.
 
There is still no tennis, so here is a bit of tennis related humour for you.
 
Q: What do you serve but not eat? A: A tennis ball.
Q: Why is tennis a noisy game? A: Because each player raises a racket.
Q: What do you call a girl standing in the middle of a tennis court? A: Annette
Q: Why are fish never good tennis players? A: They don't like getting close to the net.
Q: How many tennis players does it take to change a light bulb? A: "What do you mean it was out, it was in!"
Q: What did one tennis ball say to the other tennis ball? A: "See you round.."
Q: Why should you never fall in love with a tennis player? A: To them, "Love" means nothing.
Q: How do you play quiet tennis? A: Just like regular tennis but without the racket.
 
Stay safe everyone
Bob Davison
Leader - Bob Davison
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Live Theatre May 2020
 
Given ongoing social distancing in response to the Corona Virus emergency, it would appear that live theatre performances will not be reinstated until late in the recovery process however rest assured, any monies received in respect of either outing will be refunded in full.
 
I will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and I will keep you all informed about any further developments.


 
Disney’s Frozen:
A message from Disney 15/5/20: “Due to the COVID-19 situation globally, and in line with all current restrictions and advice from the Federal and State Governments, Disney Theatrical Productions has made the decision to postpone Frozen the Musical at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. The season will now commence on 1 December 2020.

Therefore your tickets to the performance on Wednesday 19 August 2020 at 7:00 PM have now been rescheduled to Wednesday 17 February 2021 at 7:00 PM with the same seating originally selected.”
 
 
Come from Away:
We have had no formal announcement from The State Theatre about the ongoing availability of this show but, I would expect that chances of this show going ahead at the originally scheduled time of August 2020 would also be somewhat remote.
 
Again, I will continue to keep you informed as detail comes to hand.
Leader - Bruce Bartle
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Walking Report - May

The laws have been relaxed a little and we were able to complete a walk on Tuesday 19th May. Eighteen of us broke into two groups, departing 30 minutes apart to tackle the Knightsbridge Circuit walk. We were blessed with a beautiful Autumn day, and I think everyone enjoyed the opportunity to get outside and stretch the legs. It is always surprising that such nice walks exist almost in our own backyards. All the necessary protocols were followed and we even purchased a takeaway coffee at the end of the walk and caught up with friends in the nearby park.
               Bob Carritt & Enio Dona
 
Next Walks
It would seem that walking in the great outdoors may be one of the few activities club members can indulge in just yet. So, with that in mind, we will undertake two walks in the next month. Once again, rules will be followed, and we will break up into groups of 10. Enio Dona will lead one group and I will lead the other. Anyone planning to attend will have to let me know by email beforehand in order that I can break us up into the groups.
Walk 1: Platypus Track     Tuesday 2nd June
A pleasant, short walk of about 2.5 kilometres along the banks of Excelsior Creek and Coachwood Creek. The walk is graded moderate with some slopes and two creek crossings on stepping stones.
Start Point:  The fire trail at the end of Excelsior Avenue Castle hill
Time:    10.00 am or 10.30 am    (2 groups)
 
Walk 2: Heritage Park Trail      Tuesday 16th June
Another walk right on our door step, this is the easiest walk we will do all year. It is only 2.6 kilometres long, but covers the site of the former convict farm established in 1801 and the scene of the rebellion of 1804. The walk is along paved paths and has many interpretive signs that tell the history of the site.
               Start Point:  Heritage Park car park, Heritage Drive Castle Hill
               Time:     10.00 am or 10.30 am    (2 groups)
 
Please let me know by email if you wish to attend.

Bob Carritt

OTHER WALKS - From April Newsletter 

Set out below is the series of walks that I proposed in the last Newsletter. I originally intended to run them as a group activity, but the latest rounds of social distancing put an end to that.

However, there is no reason why you and a friend or partner cannot undertake them. Each walk is local. They are all well documented on the Hills District Council website. There is a PDF that can be downloaded that describes each walk in great detail. Directions, what to look for, degree of difficulty and time to complete are set out. Simply click on the link below and find the particular walk from the list that you would like to complete. You can also Google up the walk to get the PDF if that is easier.

Good luck. Enjoy the great outdoors.

                    https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Venues/Parks-Recreation/Tracks-Trails
                             
Bob Carritt

1. O’Hara’s Creek Walk (Kenthurst)
Enjoy a lovely walk along a sandstone ridge with significant sandstone ridge top vegetation and down into a valley of tall trees. You can also find a large variety of local wildflowers and you will have the opportunity to take in the district views.
  • Distance: 6.2 kilometres   Starting Point: Fire Trail at end of Porters Rd Kenthurst
  • Grade: Moderate includes 95 metre ascent and descent
  • Time: Two and a half hours.

2. Wildflower Walk (Cranstons Road Middle Dural)
Expect to see district views, a variety of Sydney’s distinctive wildflowers and if you are lucky - a glimpse of a swamp wallaby during the Wildflower Walk in Middle Dural.
  • Distance: 3.5 kilometres    Starting Point:  Fire trail at the end of Cranstons Road
  • Grade: Moderate. Steep ascent and descent
  • Time: One and a half hours.

3. Forest Walk (Cumberland State Forest):   Tuesday 28th April
Enjoy walking through Cumberland State Forest - the only urban forest in Australia. A feature of this walk is the tall native trees and Cabbage Tree Palms. As well as gullies and ferns, there is plenty of birdlife to also see in the forest.
  • Distance: 1.8 kilometres     Starting Point: Car park, Cumberland State Forest
  • Grade: Moderate
  • Time: One and a half hours.
 
4. Heritage Trail (Baulkham Hills)
This walk goes through the Headwaters of Toongabbie Creek, which was the earliest settlement in Baulkham Hills.
  • Distance: 6.4 km      Starting Point: Astrid Avenue Baulkham Hills
  • Grade: Easy
  • Time: Two and a half to three hours.

5. Platypus Track (Eric Mobs Reserve/ Castle Hill)
This walk provides the opportunity to lap up views of the Coachwood and Excelsior Creeks and then a walk along the shady valleys of these creeks amongst ferns and Coachwood Trees.
  • Distance: 2.2 kilometres    Starting Point:  Fire trail at the end of Excelsior Ave
  • Grade: Moderate (some steep slopes, two creek crossings on stepping stones)
  • Time: One and a half hours.

6. Bushland Corridors at Rouse Hill
An early farm house, original land grants, a mysterious grave, remnant bushland including Forest Red Gum Woodland and Heathland, waterways and water birds are just some of the things you will see while completing this walk through Rouse Hill.
  • Distance: 4.4 kilometres  Start Point: Car park, Aberdour Ave Rouse Hill
  • Grade: Easy
  • Time: Two hours.

7. Stevenson Creek (Excelsior Reserve/ Baulkham Hills)
This walk is one of the more challenging walks in The Hills Shire. Here you will see beautiful creek valleys, sandstone shelters and some sandstone heath land.
  • Distance: 3.3 kilometres    Starting Point: Cnr Willow Drive & Cook Street
  • Grade: Moderate. Some steep sections and three creek crossings on stepping stones
  • Time: Two hours.

8. Waterfall Walk (West Pennant Hills/Richard Web Reserve)
This walk follows Darling Mills Creek to the only waterfall in The Hills through pretty native scenery including tall Blue Gums, sandstone gullies and wildflowers.
  • Distance: 3.4 kilometres or 3.1 kilometres without the additional loop
  • Starting Point: Richard Webb Reserve, Aiken Rd West Pennant Hills
  • Grade: Moderate
  • Time: One and a half to two hours.
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Bush Walking Group 2
Leaders - Bob Carritt & Enio Dona
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Wine and Cheese

All physical W&C evenings have been cancelled until further notice, however it has been proposed that we hold virtual wine & cheese nights using a Zoom meeting.

Details will be provided if & when this is organised.

 Leader  Julie Shenstone
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