 Notice Board
Bill is recognised by Glenelg Hopkins CMA.
Travel + Leisure magazine GSWW feature article.
Long time Friend and member receives O.A. Medal
Graeme Hume honoured as Victoria's 'Best Friend'
International Student Volunteers
The ABC does us proud
GSWW Patron for 2006/07.- Matthew Albert.
GSWW Annual Long Walk.
T Shirt Offer to Members.
'Bangas' and Brass in the Bush
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bill is recognised by Glenelg Hopkins CMA.
Co- founder and stalwart of the Great South West Walk, Bill Golding has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the environment.
Bill received his award from the Glenelg Hopkins Management Authority in a special awards and recognition night that was held in Hamilton on Thursday the 21st of June.
For more than 26 years Bill has been the driving force behind all the happenings and developments associated with the GSWW.
It is not possible to think of a more worthy recipient, so to you Bill and Val your 'rock', congratulations and well done from all of your friends at the GSWW.
Back to top
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Travel + Leisure magazine highlights the GSWW
An article written by Susan Gough Henly
in the March 2008 edition,
titled '65 Australian places to visit before you turn sixty-five' has featured
the Great South West Walk in the Victorian section.
Read the article
Back to top
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Long time Friend and member of the GSWW receives O.A. Medal
Member and Friend of the GSWW, Lynn Murrell was deservedly recognised in this year's Queens Birthday honours, as a recipient of the Order of Australia medal.
Lynn was honoured for his contribution to the environment and local government. He has been a very active and supportive member of
The Friends group.
He has been involved in many organisations and steering committees as well as having served as the mayor of the Glenelg Shire.
On behalf of the Friends we would like to express our heartfelt congratulations and the pride that we feel in the knowledge that he is part of our community group.
He has had a very interesting past.
If you would like to know more about Lynn, follow the link to his website.
Walk the Talk- Lynn Murrell.
Back to top
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Graeme Hume is acknowledged as recipient of 2007 'Best Friend' Award
Graeme is the third member of the Friends of the GSWW to be awarded the prestigious Best Friend award for the State of Victoria. He follows two previous stalwarts in Bill Golding OAM and Sam Bruton, who like Graeme were also very worthy recipients.
Graeme has been involved with the walk since its inception. He has been a tireless volunteer, taking on many roles and performing them all in an exemplary manner.
The citation that accompanied his award, further illustrates Graeme's
attributes as a valued Friend of the Great South West Walk.
CITATION
GRAEME HUME.
GRAEME HUME
FRIENDS OF THE GREAT SOUTH WEST WALK
Graeme Hume has been a member of this group for 26 years - 15 years as president.
He has always been a stabalising influence in meetings; a quiet man of few words who presides over the sometimes fractious committee with dignity. He has a remarkable talent for producing high quality work at speed.
Graeme encouraged the adoption of the proposed Great South West Walk as a student Project in 1980. He spent many, many hours working to establish and maintain recreation with preservation around the volunteer built 250 Km walk.
His favourite saying on the views on this magnificent walk is "If I could ever write poetry, I'd do it now."
Back to top
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
International Student Volunteers (ISV)
For a second year, the Great South West Walk has been chosen to participate in the ISV program by hosting two groups of students.
The first group of eight members arrived in Portland on the 1st of June followed by the second group of nine arriving on the 28th of July.
They were introduced to some of our native animals when they visited Tower Hill, during their trip from Melbourne.
The two group photos below, were taken ( on separate occasions) on the summit of Mt Richmond, after a lunchtime barbeque
and short orientation session.
The friends wish them all a very enjoyable stay and are extremely grateful
that they have chosen to work alongside our own volunteers, helping to improve the environment.
Click for larger image
SWIFFT- A Link to ISV students working in SW Victoria.
Back to top
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The ABC does us proud.
President Rob Bartlett is featured in an article on the ABC website, where he expresses his feelings on just what
the Walk means to him, particularly his favourite section, Lake Monibeong.
Click on the link below to read Rob's story.
ABC South East S.A.
Back to top
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Matthew Albert.
Victoria - Young Australian of the Year-2005 Recipient.
GSWW Patron for 2006/07. -
At 24, Matthew is an outstanding young Australian. Matthew has spent 2005 working for the United Nations as a Legal Protection Officer in Nairobi, Yenya at the Kakuma Refugee Camp Sub-Office of the UN's Refugee Agency.
Along with his work in Kenya Matthew is the joint-founder of Australia's largest Sudanese-specific organisation and an international advocate for the burgeoning Sudanese Diaspora.
His crowning achievement is the Sudanese Integrated Learning Program (SAIL). Since its establishment in 1999, SAIL has grown from a group of five students and two tutors to over 350 students, 250 volunteers and two campuses.
Matthew's leadership has led to a volunteer-run, non-profit, secular organisation which provides a variety of free services to Melbourne's Sudanese community. He is a mentor, advocate, researcher, humanitarian and truly inspiring young Australian.
The friends of the Great South West Walk are absolutely delighted and very honoured to have Matthew act as our Patron for 2006.
Matthew travelled to Portland on the March long weekend to meet members of the friends group, as well as bringing with him two tutors and seven attendees of the SAIL program to experience the walk.
He also kindly addressed a large group of Friends and guests at our AGM in September.
On the 4th of November he once again travelled to Portland with a second group of SAIL attendees, allowing them also to experience the wonders of the Great South West Walk.
A report and photos are on the internal link below.
Latest trip report here.
SAIL Program.-This is a link to an external site.
Back to top
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GSWW Annual Long Walk 2006.
The legendary Annual long walk (250km) set off this year on the 26th March. The group of 15 participants was again led by Gordon Page
and ably supported by Monty Fiske, Sam Bruton, and Linton Smith, while Gwen Bennett assisted with the administration matters.
Of the 15 walkers,
7 originated from Victoria, 7 from NSW and 1 from the ACT. Sadly 3 walkers succumed to bad blisters of the feet and were unable to finish.
The weather was mostly fine for the fourteen days, however quite strong winds and some rain was encountered towards the final stages. This had a profound effect on the scenery, with the Blowholes raging and
the seas off Bridgewater Bay pounding the rocks and the shore.
The Friends group fully supports the walk and would like to thank Gordon for his leadership and dedication for making this event possible over the years.
March 31st has been set down as the date for next year.
The paticipants are pictured here at the start of the walk.
Back to top
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Special Offer to Members Only!
The order for 100 printed T Shirts in a range of sizes and 4 colours has been received and they are now ready for ordering.
The colours are white, red, bottle green and navy blue.
At only $24, this quality Australian made T shirt is priced at a significant saving and is great value for all members.
Download an order form... (Word document)
Back to top
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
'Bangas' and Brass in the Bush
A small ensemble of the highly acclaimed Hawthorn Brass Band entertained a
crowd of about 90 music lovers at the Surry Ridge picnic area on Sunday the 24th
of February.
The event was a collaborative effort between three Portland community
groups namely Music Glenelg, Portland Rotary Club and the Friends of the GSWW.
The weather was fine and surprisingly mild for February which made conditions
perfect for such an occasion.
The melodious sounds from the band were punctuated by bird calls,
before they softened and faded into the valley. Three bemused koalas also
seemed to be enjoying the music as they watched on from their lofty position in
the trees above.
The day was enjoyed by all and a huge success and credit to everyone involved.
Back to top
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Page last updated on 24th of February 2008
|
