I was an active member of the KBC – the Kameruka Bushwalking Club from the mid 1970’s to the early 80’s. Last week I attended a reunion of the club held at Blackheath.
It was a great opportunity to catch up with a lot of bushwalking friends – many of whom I had not seen for years, and also to meet a big group of bushwalkers from before my time in the club. I had heard of a lot about these walkers from stories told on club trips and from their exploits recorded in the club magazine.
The KBC owes its origins to the Sydney Teachers College. There was a bushwalking club there, and at one stage they voted on a name – and the name “Kameruka” was the most popular choice. However, in 1953, the club was given the ultimatum by the College authorities to either become a male only club or to only do day walks. The club then decided to break its association with the Teachers College.
In its early years, it was seen as a more liberal club then many of the other bushwalking clubs and attracted walkers from other clubs. In particular, many members of the Sydney Rockclimbers, joined up – and this meant a wide range of skills was available. This made for some great club trips in very rugged places.
Examples of some of these early KBC firsts, where KBC members were on the trips included – Byangee Walls – 1957 (Ted Hartley and Al Merriman), The Three Peaks – 1957 and the Western Arthurs Traverse (Barry Higgins), Katoomba-Kanangra return (Daywalk) – Barry Dunnett and Rolfe Walker, First ascent of the East Face of the Geryon (Aat Vervoorn and Dave Lambert), The first ascent of the SE Face of Frenchmans Cap – 1965 – Bryden Allen and Jack Pettigrew, The first ascent of Balls Pyramid in 1965 (Kamerukans in the party were Bryden Allen, Jack Pettigrew, Don Wilcox and Ben Sandilands), The descents of Ranon and Claustral Canyons 1962-63 (Barry Dunnett, Dave Lambert, Jack Pettigrew, Dave Rhodes and others), the first ascent of Danae Brook ( a trip reversing the canyon) etc….
It was very good to meet or renew acquaintances with the walkers and climbers that were on these trips – many of whom were at the reunion. On the first evening, Jack Pettigrew put on a slide show detailing these exploits and a lot more.
On the second day of the reunion, a lot of us went on short walks near Govetts Leap. It was a beautiful day. The waterfalls were flowing nicely and the wildflowers were blooming in profusion.
After that we assembled at the local caravan park for the “Bushwalkers Museum”. This was a collection of old bushwalking gear that had been brought along and the best of each item was voted on. This included tents, packs, “Bottle Washers” ( the KBC term for spondonicals), maps and of course Walkers Song Books (First editions!). The “Walkers Song Book” was a KBC project, as a memorial to Rolfe Walker.
One thing missing from the reunion, that was commented on was a lot of singing. We did sing a few songs during the dinner on the second night – and the sprit for more singing was certainly there. But there was simply not enough time and it was certainly good to talk and reminisce. Perhaps at the next reunion?
Thanks from me to all the organisers – especially Stan McDonald, Jack Pettigrew and Barry and Jenny Dunnett.
More photos from the reunion are on my website here.
I am from Newcastle. In late 1960s I attended several Federation Reunions, S & R practices where at the campfires a very popular item was presented by someone from the Kamerukas who recited a poem with great audience participation. We called it “The Tiger Hunt” but it was actually a parody of Hilare Belloc’s poem “Jim”. Does anyone know who wrote the parody? In recent years I have re-created the parody from my memory and a copy of ‘Jim’ – but would like to at least acknowledge the real origins of the poem.
The Tiger Hunt was written (and often performed) by Ted Hartley. See – http://www.bushwalkermagazine.org/the%20quartelys/bushwalker252.pdf for an obituary on page 1.
Good day everyone….I just googled KBC on a whim, although have often wondered what happend to everyone…amazed at how many people on the site that I walked with…Barry Dunnet, Rolfe Walker, Bruce Vote, Aat Vervoorn, at least in SW Tassie, not to mentionThurat Rift and other canyons…and I recall Barry D and Rolfe doing the three peaks….I went part of the way, but gave up at Gaoagang(?)…will check up on my old slide collection….Best wishes to all…
If any more reunions are organised in the future could you email me I would like to attend.
Greetings David, I was treasurer of the club 1960’s early 70’s. I took Jenny Dunnet on her first bushwalk with the club and also on the first walk after Barry and Jenny had their first child. I have not had any contact since the 70’s as I changed location to Coonamble area and then further afield , Darwin , overseas Excetra. Great pictures, brought back lots of memories. Now living in Loxton SA
The old motto that followed me after my back walking days just come to mind;
Career men spurn us,
Cowards doubt
But oh the mad joy
As we burn ourselves out
Great memories
A comment from Roy Bishop (he posted it to a different page on my blog) –
KBC on The Castle 1954
Erik Parris, Roy Bishop, Geoff Alcorn, Bob Thomas, with (sitting) Brian Petrie and Len Willen,
http://www.smythe.id.au/kinny/spottydotty/bushwalking.html
I was an active member of the Kameruka Bushwalking Club in the late 50s and maintain a very active walking lifestyle. Mostly my wife and I do our walking in UK and the Camino Frances, for which we are preparing the walk from Pamplona to Santiago de Compostella so that our 700km walk finishes on my 80th birthday later this year.
When I was in the club we used to meet in government offices just across from the State library in Macquarie St. I was there at the same time as Bruce Vote, Doug Dunnet, Dave Henson and quite a few others. My last involvement was snow and ice climbing in August 1962 when three of us camped on the snow and also in the remains of a ski lodge near Mt Northcote in the Snowy Mountains. I would be happy to hear from others who were there at about that time.
Dave Lambert was with Peter and Barry in 1962 camped on Club Lake.
Great memories and a great catchup.
Maybe you could add my name to the first descent of Claustral Canyon.