Many years ago (1970’s – 80’s) I was an active member of the Kameruka Bushwalking Club, and I was pleased to be able to attend a reunion held at Blackheath. I have outlined some of the highlights of this club’s activities in an earlier post when I attended the 2014 reunion.
The current reunion was delayed due to Covid lockdowns, and it was great to see it finally go ahead. Much of the credit to organising it goes to Barry and Jenny Dunnett who did a lot of the groundwork from their home in New Zealand.
Many of the get togethers where held in the large communal space at the Blackheath Caravan Park, where many attendees had cabins. These actives included time for chatting, looking at old photos, a dinner at the local pub and of course campfire singing of old bushwalking songs selected from the Walker’s Song Book (This book was published by the KBC in the 1960’s as a tribute to a leading member of the club, Rolfe Walker, who tragically died on an accident on a club trip).
On the second day, a bushwalk was organised out along the Lockleys Pylon Track above the Grose Valley. These photos are from the walk.
On the walk, we enjoyed great weather – which was nice since the day before and after were quite wet.
And we saw a lot of wild flowers including a number of orchids in flower.
Wax-lip Orchid – Glossodia sp.
Leek Orchid – Prasophyllum sp.
Waratah – Telopea speciosissima
Spotted Sun Orchid – Thelymitra ixioides
Here is a zoomed in view of Horseshoe Falls at Blackheath –
Fortress Creek
Caper White Butterfly
Leek Orchid – Prasophyllum sp.
Looking towards the Grose Valley and Mt Banks –
Philotheca sp.
Hybanthus monopetalus
Philotheca sp.
Waratah – Telopea speciosissima
Comesperma sp.
Waratah – Telopea speciosissima
Red Beard Orchid – Calochilus paludosus
Leek Orchid – Prasophyllum sp.
Chive Lily – Sowerbaea juncea
Isopogon anemonifolius
Isopogon sp.
Wax-lip Orchid – Glossodia sp.
The walk was one of the highlights of the reunion – it was nice to be out in the bush with great company, and with plenty of time for chatting and reminiscing. Another highlight was Dave Rhodes’ rendition of the KBC classic – “The Tiger Hunt” at the sing song, the previous night.
We all also knew that some of the old bushwalkers were unable to make it along due to medical and other issues, and it was sombre to reflect on those who had passed away since the previous reunion.
Thanks to all those on the reunion for helping to celebrate some great times.
And thanks to Brain Everingham and Roger Lembit for help with the id’s in this post.
Dave,I did not get to Blackheath as I was in hospital at the time so a big thanks for the photos.I actually did not recognise some of the attendees so labels would have helped.Was expecting to see Bruce Vote but maybe he didn’t make it ?
As someone who spends a lot of time photographing terrestrial orchids, I really enjoyed those shots particularly the bearded one.You don’t happen to geo-tag do you ? Sometime when I am more mobile I might get out along that track and would like to find it,if not this year,maybe next.
I heard about the pink flannel flowers there this year but missed those as couldn’t travel but did manage to have some nursery bought ones flower at home;poor compensation!
Regards and thanks again
Hello Stan. Bruce Vote was going to attend – but just before the reunion, he was knocked off his bike and suffered some broken ribs. Recently I have seen a lot of Bearded Orchids – eg in Oatley Park. I would expect plenty in Royal NP and Ku Ring Gai.
your comments and photos much appreciated, thank you. Beth and I would never have made the walk we just have to live on our memories and not on reliving our wonderful we spent in the 1960s to 1970s Thank you again
Great photos, especially of the wildflowers. Thanks for posting them!