BushwalkBushwalkIt’s Sunday morning, the early morning sun peeps through the window. Time to pack the backpack, then drive to meet others from the club for our Sunday bushwalk.
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Credit to Edith Thomas
Western Walking Club – One of the Oldest in the Country Edith Thomas, Western Walking Club
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Back in 1937, 15 women and four men who enjoyed hiking formed the Western Walking Club. Little did they realise that 78 years later the club would still be going strong. While the men were away during the war, the women kept the club going.
After a very successful campaign to get people exercising, the numbers swelled to well over 200. It was not unusual for 80-100 walkers to turn up on a Sunday. Now we have over 150 members, with a number of them who joined in the 1960s and 1970s still active on our walks. Other clubs were formed by some of our members. So the Perth Bushwalking Club, Bush Walkers of WA were formed. Later the Family Bushwalking Club offered walkers with young children a chance to enjoy our unique bush.
We cater for walkers with different fitness levels, newcomers to bushwalking who are
not sure of their capabilities, and our long-time members who are getting bit older, who choose an easy walk. Others choose the harder option. Our easy walks are about 10-12 kilometres, mainly on tracks. On medium-hard walks you can expect to walk 16-20 kilometres, cross country or on rough tracks. Morning tea and lunch somewhere deep in the bush is most welcome by all. We are lucky with the weather in WA. Yes, we do have showers at times but very seldom does it rain all day. In the last 24 years we have only cancelled two walks due to bad weather.
My work colleague’s account of the hikes she participated in over the weekends whetted my interest. With two boys to take to football, cricket or tennis matches I had to wait until I was no longer needed to cheer from the sidelines. In 1991 it was my opportunity to join the club, and from the start I was embraced by like-minded people. The leaders always took the time to find a new terrain, great views, spectacular places for lunch, usually along a creek, or high up on a
On the Bibbulmun TrackCredit to Edith Thomas
“The leaders always took the time to find a new terrain, great views, spectacular places...
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granite rock with views down the valley. I was astounded by the diversity and beauty of our outdoors.
The club offers navigation and GPS training to interested people, which is a great help to maintain leader numbers. It might take a little while for new leaders to take the plunge to lead a walk. More experienced leaders generally take them under their wing and offer to co-lead a walk with them until they are comfortable navigating through the bush.
I was a bit apprehensive about leading a walk for a while. “Women are not good at following maps” was deeply ingrained in my brain. But when one of my favourite leaders unfortunately passed away and no one took over her walks, out came the compass, the map and off I went with a few bushwalking friends in search of Hopeful Falls. I haven’t stopped since. It is exiting to find yet another beautiful area in the Darling Ranges to explore. Unfortunately this is getting harder as suburbia is encroaching into our walking areas.
Our club was instrumental in helping to realign the Bibbulmun Track in 1998. We are still involved as maintenance volunteers to keep the Track in good condition for all to enjoy.
A group of us have an annual backpacking hike on the Bibbulmun Track. It is always a fun time, although maybe not while trudging up a hill with a heavy backpack. But arriving at the campsite meeting other hikers is always special, where stories are shared around the campfire. It’s amazing how far and wide people on the Bibbulmun Track walkers hail from. We’ve met walkers from all parts of Europe, England, USA and of course NZ, as well as from eastern Australia.
Our annual camping trips to our beautiful south-west region gives us the opportunity to explore new areas. This may be to King River or Denmark, Walpole or Northcliffe, closer to home to Dwellingup or the Ferguson Valley. The Wongan Hills or Coalseam National Park in the wildflower season are an absolute must.
The club gives us the opportunity to visit Kalbarri, Karijini, Kennedy Ranges, Mt
Credit to Edith Thomas
“A group of us have an annual backpacking hike on the Bibbulmun Track
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Augustus, the amazing Kimberley, and Lake Eyre. Hiking on the Overland Track in Tasmania or in the Blue Mountains or in the rainforest of far north Queensland, just to mention a few.
We have fond memories of hiking in the Julian Alps in Slovenia, the Austrian Alps, the rugged Dolomites, Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast. Some of our members have hiked the Camino. New Zealand entices many of us to hike their numerous walking trails.
The club is a great source of friendships. As many people end up being single these days, it gives wonderful opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with others. We always welcome visitors, and hope to take them to places they otherwise would not see. We are happy to show off our lovely part of the world to everyone. Just get in touch with the club. Here is the link to their website wwc.iinet.net.au
Edith has been a WWC member since 1991. She has been on the committee for 29 years, with positions including magazine editor, walks coordinator, and five years as president. Edith enjoys leading walks, and planning local and overseas trips. For 14 years Edith has been a Bibbulmun Track Foundation office volunteer as well as a maintenance volunteer. She lives in Perth.
Bibbulmun Track - Helena campsite Credit to Edith Thomas
“...arriving at the campsite meeting other hikers is always special...
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