Month: June 2015

Walking With Warren Bonython 2015 Brock Lecture, Thursday 18th June 2015

Posted on by Walking SA

Royal Geographical Society of SA5:30pm Thursday 18th June 2015, hosted by Royal Geographical Society
Goodman Lecture Theatre, Hackney Road.

The death of Warren Bonython in 2012 at the age of 95 marked the passing of a person who had made an unparalleled contribution to our understanding and knowledge of the natural environment of South Australia.

He was a member and contributor to many organisations including time as President of the Royal Geographical Society and Patron of the Friends of the Heysen Trail, but it was his outstanding personal achievements, his remarkable treks, his leadership and vision, and his books, that constitute such a powerful legacy for our state.

Walking-on-Eyre-by-Terry-KriegThe 1950 filling of Lake Eyre saw Warren a key member of the Lake Eyre Committee set up by Archibald Grenfell Price. His fascination with the Lake Eyre Basin continued over the years with numerous scientific field trips and treks in both wet and dry seasons.

The guest is Terry Krieg, who completed an epic 500 kilometre hike with Warren around Lake Eyre in 1982, and authored the book Walking on Eyre and Walking with Warren.

Position Vacant: Executive Officer – Walking SA

Posted on by Walking SA

Walking SA is the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia, including walking for recreation, transport, health, wellbeing, organised events, adventure, environmental appreciation and fun.

Our vision is to see more people walking more often.

Members include walking clubs, informal groups, individuals and organisations whose aims and objectives align with those of Walking SA.

The Board seeks to employ an Executive Officer for Walking SA. The Executive Officer reports to the Board Chairperson and is responsible for growing, leading and coordinating the activities of the organisation. The Executive Officer will also champion and represent the organisation to the wider community, including other peak recreational bodies, government departments and key stakeholders.

We require a person with administration, financial and leadership skills, and a passion for promoting walking to the community. Excellent interpersonal and problem solving skills are a must, as well as demonstrated experience in securing funding and managing multiple-agency projects.

Remuneration of $30,000 per annum for a 20.0 hour week; plus superannuation; time allocation is negotiable.

More information about Walking SA can be found at www.walkingsa.org.au.

View a copy of the Position Description.

Please forward your resume to Ms Wendy Keech by email to office@walkingsa.org.au by 5pm Friday 26 June 2015. For brief telephone enquiries phone: 0457 006 620

Project Wild Thing – Are Kids Spending Too Much Time Indoors?

Posted on by Walking SA

Filmmaker David Bond is a worried man. His kids’ waking hours are dominated by a cacophony of marketing, and a screen dependence threatening to turn them into glassy-eyed zombies. Like city kids everywhere, they spend way too much time indoors – not like it was back in his day.

He decides it’s time to get back to nature – literally.

  • Our children are the first generation who face the prospect of a shorter expected life than their parents.
  • Can marketing which is so persuasive to stay indoors and enjoy devices be used to show parents and children the free fun available outdoors?

Screening in Adelaide, Thursday 25th June 2015

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Concept Plan for 100km Willunga Basin Trail

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Concept Plan for 100km Willunga Basin Trail

The Friends of Willunga Basin have spent several years working on a concept trail in the Willunga Basin.

The 100km 6-day loop trail could be hiked using overnight stays in nearby accommodation. The route takes in Kangarilla, Willunga, Sellicks, Aldinga, Maslin Beach, Seaford Heights, McLaren Vale, the Onkaparinga River National Park.

They have been in discussions with the City of Onkaparinga since 2012. They have a walking group which walks the trail regularly, determining its suitability. Public consultation has yet to take place before waymarking can go ahead. This will include at least two easements on private land to be negotiated as well as some trail improvements.

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Grant Opportunities, June 2015

Posted on by Walking SA

We’ve prepared a shortlist below of current grant opportunities available to walking clubs.

View our 6 Tips for Grant Applications

Grant Information Sessions

Two free sessions will provide information to community organisations about grant availability, eligibility and guidelines. Each presentation will be followed by a Community Benefit SA grant workshop.

Hosted by the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

Find out more

Nabo Community Grants

This program provides funding for projects or programs that help build safer and stronger communities.

Walking clubs may be able to tap in to two eligible activity areas:

  1. Community connectedness: Projects or programs that assist in building healthier and more vibrant communities and ultimately foster community spirit.
  2. Community inclusion: Projects or programs that encourage more inclusive communities by connecting and supporting marginalised Australians, for example:
    • Culturally and linguistically diverse
    • Disadvantaged youth
    • Economically disadvantaged
    • Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or intersex (GLBTQI) community
    • Indigenous
    • People with a disability
    • The aged
Find out more

A Walk in the Woods – Movie

Posted on by Walking SA

A Walk in the Woods - MovieFollowing on from last year’s movie Wild with Reese Witherspoon, another movie about walking is set to hit cinemas.

Based on the popular 1998 Bill Bryson book, A Walk in the Woods, the story tells Bill’s struggle with taking on walking the 3,500km Appalachian Trail.

Do these movies present opportunities to walking clubs to harness?

The movie is due to be released on 2 September 2015.

Walkable neighbourhoods ease stranger danger fears, Australian study

Posted on by Walking SA

Walkable neighbourhoods ease stranger danger fears, Australian Study

Creating pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods with trees, footpaths, parks, shops and cafes could be the key to allaying parents’ age-old fears about stranger danger, according to a Perth study published last month.

It found living in a neighbourhood that encouraged pedestrians helped to ease parents’ fears while more vehicle traffic had the opposite effect, increasing parents’ concerns that their child could be harmed.

She says an ideal neighbourhood would include footpaths, street trees with high canopies and destinations such as parks, local shops and cafes where people can bump into their neighbours.

Read more at phys.org

Book Review: The Ways of the Bushwalker: On foot in Australia

Posted on by Walking SA

book cover - The Ways of the Bushwalker, On foot in AustraliaA book review was recently published on Wild, about a book that has become something of a bible for local bushwalking enthusiasts.

From gentleman walkers to the mystery hiking mania of the 30s as well as how bushwalkers contributed to conservation, Melissa Harper gives an insight into the origins of bushwalking in Australia and how it is unique because of this.

The Ways of the Bushwalker: On foot in Australia, by Melissa Harper (University of New South Wales Press Ltd, 2007).

This book is based on the PhD thesis of the author and as such there are numerous quotes and references, which can, at times be, distracting. However, this detail is necessary, especially in the early chapters which explore how early colonialists and settlers began to walk for leisure (in comparison to early explorers) in the Australian bush.

The book picks up pace around half way, with chapters on the hiking “crazes” of the 30s.

The author captures the reader’s attention with the sections on how bushwalkers took simple recreation a step further and became conservationists, map makers and lobbied for national parks to be created.

Read the full story on Wild.com.au

2015 Bushwalk Leadership Course Taking Enrolments

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2015 Bushwalk Leader Assistant Course Taking Enrolments

Course commences 24th June 2015.

The course is conducted once a year and is the required minimum qualification for leaders intending on working with DECD schools and many independent or CEO schools.

It provides bushwalking enthusiasts a concrete knowledge to conduct successful bushwalking day and light weight camping expeditions.

Ideal for leaders from youth groups, bushwalking clubs, the educational sector, government agencies and commercial operators.

In 2015 the course has been re-structured with the sessions in Adelaide, further practical days in the Adelaide Hills, and three days in the Southern Flinders Ranges. For interstate or people living outside of the Adelaide area there are some provisions which enable you to experience the theory sessions online.

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Opening of New Grampians Long Distance Trail

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Grampians Peaks Trail

Whilst we don’t normally cover out-of-state trails, this one caught our interest in the nearby Grampians. Being less than 500km from Adelaide, the Grampians is a popular long-weekend destination for South Australian hikers.

The Grampians Peaks Trail is one of the Walk Victoria’s Icons new long distance trails. The first section is now complete and offers a 36 km, 3 day/2 night circuit walk departing from Halls Gap.

Be inspired by the spectacular outlook of rugged mountain peaks from the top of Mount Rosea, panoramic views from the Pinnacle Lookout, ancient rock features of the Grand Canyon and the rich cultural history of this truly iconic Grampians landscape.

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