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Chardon Award 2023 – Leonie Bell

By on 20 August, 2023 in Awards & Recognition, BNSW Committee news, News Updates, Volunteering

Some of you may remember that in 2013 BNSW held a Presidents Meeting to brainstorm ideas on promoting and running bushwalking clubs. I voiced an opinion that although the Confederation website had been great when it started, that it no longer met the needs of the organisation and we needed a new modern website. I was therefore gratified when the committee set aside some money and commissioned David Morrison to project manage a new website in February 2014. David called for volunteers to help write the content and since I had been so vocal about the website, I felt I should volunteer my writing skills for the project.

The website would have three aims: First to provide communication with member clubs, second to promote bushwalking and club membership to people considering engaging in the sport, and third as the state’s peak bushwalking organisation, to be the go- to place for accurate and current information about bushwalking.

Once the website was launched I was asked to update the content as required. Every so often Kirsten sends an email with a request to add or update information, or occasionally to write a new page. The website is much larger today and more comprehensive when than we first started.

Back in 2014 it didn’t occur to me that almost 10 years later I would still be working on the website. I had never edited a website before and I am grateful to have learnt quite a bit about the process, although I am certainly no expert.

I would encourage you to look at the content. The information is not only useful for people searching for a club, but aimed at new and experienced bushwalkers, and club committees. It contains some ideas for managing your club, lots of safety information, and details of Bushwalking NSW meetings, policies and submissions.

I was very surprised and honoured to receive the nomination for the Chardon award in connection with this work. I would like to thank the Bushwalking NSW committee, and Kirsten our wonderful Executive Officer who keeps us organised and on track, for the opportunity to work on the website.

Leonie Bell

 

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 2023: Event Volunteers needed!

By on 26 June, 2023 in Events, Volunteering

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney 2023: Event Volunteers needed!

Oxfam Trailwalker is a community event that brings people together from all walks of life. We are looking for dedicated volunteers create an incredible experience for our teams, helping them walk 100km in 40 hours to raise much needed funds to tackle poverty. The event spans across nine locations from Parsley Bay through to Bobbin Head and finishes at the scenic Tania Park. We have volunteer roles that suit everyone such as the ones below!

Trail Markers & Sweep Teams

Being an event based in the bush, we require keen and active bush walkers to head out and mark sections of the trail prior to the event and then sweep sections of the trail as our final walkers walk through. This is done in groups of approximately 4 volunteers per section.

Checkpoint Captains & Crew

In this role you will be the first face for participants and support crews at the checkpoint. You will assist with monitoring timing points and walker retirements, manage the food and beverage area and assist with car parking. Best suited for cheery, approachable and understanding people who are happy to rotate roles and create a fun event environment.

Perks?

Walk for Free at any Oxfam Trailwalker event in 2024!
A fulfilling feeling of giving back to the community and helping others in need around the world!
Oxfam Trailwalker food pack and volunteer gift

Want to know more? To volunteer head here to find out more on the roles available.

 

Camp Quality Sydney Trek

By on 11 July, 2022 in Events, News Updates, Volunteering

Camp Quality’s Sydney Trek is on 17-18 September where participants trek 50km in 24 hours for kids facing cancer.

To successfully run the event, Camp Quality are looking to recruit at least 120 volunteers. Every single volunteer will play a critical role in helping to deliver a safe and fun event and raise funds to support families facing cancer.

There are a range of roles available, but many would really benefit from teams of people that already know each other.

Volunteers can select more active roles that involve walking long distances or can choose a less physically demanding role and work at one site for the duration of their shift.

As a team, participants could run a Fun Stop together, managing the Start Line or Finish line, or for a more active roles, mark a section of the trail or act as one of our Tail End Charlie teams.

A trail marking shift or Tail End Charlie shift involves walking a section of the trail (sections range from 8.5km to 20km) and either placing marking equipment or removing the marking equipment. For all roles, there are shifts available across both the day and night, with the average shift length being around 4 – 9 hours with breaks.

Those who are interested should contact Sophie Gallagher​ at Camp Quality on (02) 9876 0594.  Alternatively you can sign up online to volunteer here.

The Walking Volunteers

By on 8 March, 2021 in Affiliated club news, Volunteering, Walks

Sydney Trackwatch

 The Walking Volunteers Inc. have been proof-walking, mapping and providing walking routes around Sydney to walkers for 17 years. They now have over 1,300 kilometres of walking routes on their map and hope to add another 200 kilometres in the next month after approval has been granted by various land managers.

However, keeping track of changes on the walking routes is becoming more of a challenge as the network increases. The Walking Volunteers want to thank the walkers and land managers (e.g. Councils, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Western Sydney Parklands Trust, etc.) who often advise them of new and changed paths and tracks. However, tracks and paths are often closed for essential infrastructure (e.g. sewage pumping stations, light rail, etc.) or damage from natural events. It may take several months before the Walking Volunteers find out about these closures and when they do, they are able to liaise with land managers and establish alternative routes which are immediately updated on their maps and, via the magic of the Internet, updated on walkers’ smartphones, tablets or PCs. However, finding out about changes may take months and, in the meantime, walkers find it very frustrating to find a walking route on the maps has been closed.

So, the Walking Volunteers are introducing a program called Sydney Trackwatch to discover any changes or closures to the walking routes on their maps as soon as possible. It is very simple and does not require filling out complicated forms. Just let the Walking Volunteers know (Email: info@walkingvolunteers.org.au or Phone: 4784 2002) immediately of any changes or closures on the walking routes shown on any of their maps (Sydney Walking Tracks, Walking Coastal Sydney, Great West Walk). Also, let them know of any alternative routes you used to bypass the problem area. They will immediately re-walk, re-map and put the alternative routes on their maps as well as follow up the organisation responsible to find out when the walking route will be re-opened. When it is re-opened, they will immediately re-walk the route and change it back to the original course.

A good example of this is North Head, where the Walking Volunteers changed the route on their maps after the intensive bushfire in October 2020 and are now liaising with Sydney Harbour National Park and Sydney Harbour Federation Trust to change back to the original route when the fire-damaged areas are re-opened to the public.

All it takes is a quick phone call or email to assist the Walking Volunteers and your fellow-walkers!

 

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