Pages 24-32 - Nimbin Good Times

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Pholis Gap drama and Iluka easeby Len Martin and Michael SmithAs many will remember,early this year the left overbits of a cyclone caused massivedamage to local National Parkswith closure of most tracks,including the Pholis Gap walkon Mount Nardi. In preparingour July program, I contactedNational Parks and was told thetrack was open. So I includedthe walk in the program emailedto club members and publishedin the Nimbin Good Times. OnTuesday July 9th, as a responsiblewalk leader, I went to check thestate of the track only to find alarge “Track closed” barrier at theentrance and the exit blocked byfallen trees. Rang National Parksre barrier but was told track wasactually open but next morninga phone message ‘sorry, track isclosed’. Panic – immediate emailcancelling walk. Then, phonemessage next day, ‘sorry, track isopen’. Further panic, further emailcancelling cancellation.And so, on the beautiful finesunny morning of July 13th(!)seven brave souls started onthe down track, past occasionalmassive fallen trees cut andcleared by park workers.Fortunately most of the canopyon the way down remainsessentially intact. Then anotherdrama hit, this time personal. Wewere descending a steep slopevia steps, yet I had described thewalk as ‘A shaded walk on formedtracks... no steep grades: suitablefor all ages’! Oh Lord, how couldthis happen? In the mind’s eye ofthis septuagenarian the walk isan easy one because we always godown the steep bits and returnup via the gentle grades of theold forestry road – but would thelatter be negotiable?Nearing Pholis Gap we werepleased to find most of themassive gum trees on the edgehad survived relatively unscathed.At the Gap, several rainforesttrees were down – simplyuprooted. The exit road seemedto be unblocked and well troddenso off we went. Years back, whenwe first walked it, the old roadwas completely open, in partsPholis Gap strugglesA Sticky SituationThe Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers are asking people to beon the lookout for potential hazards for reptiles.They were recently called to rescue a juvenile brown treesnake that was entangled in packing tape used to block somegaps in the outside wall of a home.The snake was completely tangled up, and because of therisk of injuring it while removing the tape, it was transferredto the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital for specialist care.The wildlife vet and nurses used cotton tips and skin creamto carefully remove all the tape. Once it was freed, the snakeneeded a bath to wash off the lotion.By this time it was not impressed, as the photographshows. The snake remained under observation at the wildlifehospital for a few days, then went into care until it had shedits skin and was ready for release.The tree snake’s lucky escape shows how seeminglyharmless objects can become a potentially lethal hazard forwildlife.Discarded netting and even old carpets have become deadlytraps for lizards and snakes.The Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers (NRWC) advisehouseholders to store these items in tight bundles off theground and out of harm’s way.If you are interested in helping wildlife, an introductionchoked with lantana. Now thereis complete rainforest canopyover most of it and the mistweedand lantana largely gone,though native raspberry is amajor nuisance in many parts. Allwent well until the last sectionwhere the old road runs closebeside the Mt Nardi tarmac road.Here there was near continuousblockage by fallen trees whichproved very hard going for someof the party, but eventually we allmade it through, though somereckoned it would have beenbetter to have returned by thesteep ‘down’ track. And whosefault was it that a check that theexit track was clear was not made– mine!Under increasingly difficultcircumstances, National Parks doa wonderful job in maintainingand protecting of our Parks.In respect of the latest cyclonicdamage, Pholis gap was relativelyunscathed. Damage on theBorder Ranges and MountWarning was vastly greater, andthe continuing task of clearingtracks is absolutely massive– just wanted to put the minorcommunication hiccups intoperspective, folks. Len MartinOn the northern side of themouth of the Clarence Riveris the very liveable town of Iluka.It was here that the NimbinBushwalkers Club went for thePholis Gap walkersand rescue training course will be held in Lismore on Sunday25th August.There are many ways to become involved if you don’t havetime to look after for animals. Transporting animals toCurrumbin Wildlife Hospital for specialist care is just oneway to help.To become a member you must be over 18 years of age. Formore information call the NRWC on 6628-1866 or email:training@wildlifecarers.comIluka walkerssecond walk in July. The firsttwo kilometres was through theIluka Nature Reserve, promotedas ‘containing the most significantremaining occurrence of littoralsub-tropical rainforest in NSW’.Early settlers had removed all thevaluable trees. What was left isnow protected by World Heritagelisting. Cabbage tree palms,lilly-pilly, figs and stinging treesprovided shade for the local emus,who pass through, groomingthe forest floor. A regent bowerbird flitted past, looking for bluebooty. Thence up the 98 steps toIluka Bluff Lookout, where weall gazed down on rock, sand andsea. No whales this time.Then we headed toward themidday sun, over shell and sand,past wild sculptures of bleacheddriftwood. I sat and lunched withmy nine ladies, under the palmtrees behind Frazers Reef. Wehad this section of BundjalungNational Park largely to ourselves.Just one hopeful piscator anda few sun-bathers in the bigsand pit. I was in good hands.My fellow walkers let me dropback, lead from the rear, drag myheels, take my time, be last to thesandstone formations at WoodyHead. It was seven kilometresof pig face, crabs, diving birds,storm-scoured beaches, roaringsurf, flotsam, palms, rock-poolsand friendly conversation.Michael SmithNimbin Bushwalkers Club Inc.August Walk sP rog r amSaturday 10th AugustMurray ScrubLeader Judy Hales 6689-1477Grade 3, an easy walk on a formedtrack, 2 hours, 5.5km. Eucalypt and subtropicalforest, white booyongs, red cedars,bellbirds, black cockatoos; also giantstinging trees (& teeny ones, so watchout).Meet 8.45am Goolmangar Store, 9.30amKyogle Information Centre, or 10.50amstart of walk Murray Scrub Road,Toonumbar. Bring lunch, water, hat.Sunday 25th AugustThe Southern Reserves – TuckiTucki Bora Ring, Tucki TuckiReserve, Dalwood Falls andVictoria ParkLeader Michael Smith (6689-9291)Iluka Rainforest: Grade 1, About 1kmof walking in a variety of vegetation types,Tucki for the koalas and Victoria Park forthe rainforest. Short easy walks on formedtracks, grade 1, except for Dalwood grade3.Meet Goolmangar Store 9.30am, or10.15am at start of walk Tucki TuckiBora Ring Wyrallah Road, 5.5km southof Wyrallah Village. Bring food for picnic& water.Unless otherwise specified, visitors (nonmembers)welcome, but will be requiredto pay a fee of $5 per walk, deductedfrom membership fee when they joinClub. Membership $15pp to SecretaryLen Martin, PO Box 20061, Nimbin,2480 (phone 6689-0254; email:pteropus42@smartchat.net.au)Website: www.nimbinbushwalkers.comNosin’ around with PACEach month I’ll bring you aphoto that I’ve taken, nosin’around the Nimbin area.Here’s a shot of me nosin’around Nine Elms shed(London) in summer 1963.I’m not sure what the spider is,let us know if you know.Repair, clean and upgradeyour digital life!Networking, Tuition, Upgrades, Virus andSpyware Removal, General RepairsServicing the Northern RiversOnsite Repairs...Pick-up and Delivery...0417298642 / 0266890092fabpc@bigpond.comFAB PC ONSITESOLUTIONSSPECIALISING IN UNWANTED CARSABN: 23139974905fabpc.com.auNO FIX, NO FEEwww.nimbingoodtimes.com August 2013 The Nimbin GoodTimes Page 29
Ironically YoursTravel diary of the irreverentby Dionne MayAccording to the ancientIndian Time Circle of Lifeknown as Kall Chakar, weare now in the final periodknown as Kali Yug. The Endof the World phase. Theeternal cycle of life and death.Creation. Destruction. Thebalance of the Universe. Sothe good passes and the badpasses. Sadly too, it seems isthe passing of the reign of theHoly Babas of India. Losingcredibility and respect in theface of the booming age oftechnology, corruption andterrorism.The Government here isslowly ‘restoring’ temples,removing Babas andrecreating their own ‘clean’holy. With India’s paranoiaabout neighbouring Pakistanand China invading,they have also decided tocatalogue the Holy menand create a ‘Baba’ identitycard that must be carriedat all times. Without thiscard they are at the mercy ofevery corrupt policeman inIndia. On the streets, Babasare watched and searched.Harassed, jailed or bribedof their few possessionsor limited money. Hash isalways highly prized.Predictably, the publicfollow this tide of harassmentas hapless sheep often do.With God as big businessnow in India and ‘terrorismfever’ rife, the new wealthyflock to the temples to purifythemselves of bad karma.Unable to meet the eyes ofthe Babas camped around thetemples, they carefully steparound them. The humanfaces of God too hard toglimpse into when a stonedeity offers no reflections ofthe soul. Happy for the policeto purify this nuisance –these unpredictable spiritualmen, many smoking hashish.Wanting instead conformityand rigid rules from theirHoly leaders. Babas don’tChangingIndiaconform. In fact it is thediversity of characters thatblows you away. Young,old, cheeky or intimidating,their teachings and how theytransform this into a lifestyleis complex and spellbinding.In a world verging onshort-term ecologicaldoom where consumption,labour, economic growthand competition prevail,the Babas are messengersof a kind of freedom andmoderation that ourcommercial civilisation hasforgotten. Except by theHippies, of course!So just who are theseBabas dressed in rags,not cloaked in riches andadorned with jewels? Theyare Holy men accessible toeveryone on the streets, livinghumbly and making theirown choices on the path toGod. They have been calledwanderers, mystics, roamingphilosophers, healers, blackmagic devils, beggars, monks,warriors, hashish smokersand now even possiblyterrorists! And there aremillions of them. For everypub in Australia there is anAshram and resident Baba.Many more however, pursue alife of liberation and wanderbetween ashrams on constantholy pilgrimages. Theironly clothing is a piece ofpredominately orange cloth, alungi, and underneath a stripof white cloth folded intowhat is known as a nagfani(snake tail) and is worn as akind of holy g-string! Theironly meagre possessions arecarried in their individuallyhand made Baba bags.So with the rolling wavesof change pounding uponthe shores of this proud andancient land, I am pleasedat least to have experiencedsome of the mystery andmagic that is the true Babaworld. With my Naga Babafriend and guide AmritI have been privileged toexperience a glimpse into itsglory, spending time in thirtynine traditional ashrams. Ihave witnessed such love anddevotion in it’s true spiritof giving that I am deeplysaddened by a world thathas no time or place for thisany more. One Baba evendeclared, “I want the British toreturn! They have good politics.The Indian Government is toocorrupt. They want to finishBabas.”After the time of KaliYug will come Sati Yug,the beginning. The time ofTruth. Truth speakers willsurvive. The Great Life Cycleturns and the Holy Babasof India will rise once again.Meanwhile, my two Babafriends will be released fromjail any day now and as Ileave the company of thesespiritual warriors, I realisethat a little piece of my heartremains with them.Nimbin GardenClub Notesby Gillian JonesClub visit in July, Eternity Springs artfarm is one of those eclectic Nimbin valleyicons which is worthy of friends and familystaying for a night or two. Located on theback road from Nimbin to The Channon,the accommodation provides a welcomeretreat from the hectic life style of manypeople, both local and visitors.20 members and friends of the NimbinGarden Club arrived in the rain, howeverhalf way through the visit the sun came outand we enjoyed the various spaces that havebeen created in this 20-acre valley.Amanda’s dwellings are surrounded bymature gardens with dams and pondsdesigned to make use of the natural waterflow. Beautiful palms, figs and otherrainforest trees provide canopies for smallerrobust perennials to flourish in this diversegarden. Mosaics and sculptures, steps andarches create spaces of variety and harmony.Art workshops and spaces including ahexagonal music studio as well as old bales,are surrounded by food producing gardens.Amanda has developed the space virtuallyon her own, with help comprising friendsand wwoofers.A waterfall and a cool rocky creek flowsdown one boundary of the property, witha 4-5 acre native bush regeneration projectHave you ever seen aninteresting house and wishedyou could have a peek inside?Are you about to buildand looking for ideas andinspiration? Do you lovegardening, or just wanderingaround them? Are youinterested in sustainable living?If so, there’s a treat in store.On the weekend of 28thand 29th September, someof Nimbin’s most interestinghouses and gardens will beopen to the public.Each house showcasesdifferent aspects of all thatis best about creating ahome, including interestingarchitecture, energy-efficientdesign, renewable energytechnologies and creative andfunky interiors.The gardens are diverse insize and style and range frompark-like and ornamental tointensive food-productiongardens. The weekend alsooffers an opportunity tolearn about sustainableforestry, wild foods,beekeeping and cheesemaking.If you are interested incommunity living, onehouse and garden is on asmall multiple occupancycommunity, and twohouses and gardens atJarlanbah Community willbe included in a tour thatbegins at Djanbung GardensPermaculture EducationCentre.Refreshments and picnicswill be offered at some of thegardens.The weekend is a fundraiserfor the 7 Sibley StreetSustainable Living Hub,a social enterprise projectwhich, among other things,will promote affordable andsustainable housing, enhanceproviding a healthy canopy for smallershrubs growing along the creek. Clearpaddocks, which are kept under control by ahorse as well as mowing, provide a sense ofspaciousness within the valley.Chickens and ducks abound in thispermaculture space.The dwelling “heaven” provided hugeviews of the sky to the north south andwest, with its asymmetrical roof line andparty space. It looked over the fishpond,which is full of perch that are around oneyear old.The property has been developed over 20years, and many people have passed throughAmanda’s welcoming doors. The creativespaces both inside and out provided a greatspace for socialising for the garden club.The next visit is to Nana and Hendriksgarden which is at 694 Stony Chute Roadon Saturday 17th August at 2pm. Everyonewelcome, look for the Nimbin Garden Clubsigns.Nimbin House, Farm & Garden– Have a sticky beak!Robyn and Tien’s gardenlocal food security and createjobs.For more information goto: www.nnic.org.au It’s aninspiring project to support,so mark this event on yourcalendars, and check out nextmonth’s Good Times fordetails.Volunteers are needed forsmall tasks. Anyone interestedis asked to contact CatAnderson on 0429-194-248.Tutti Fruitti FarmMandie and Steve’s solar passive houseNimbin MillGas Supplies50 Gungas Road, NimbinSupplying the local community with all their LPG needs45kg, 18kg and 13.5kg exchange bottles – pickedup or delivered – and we also refill smaller bottlesPhone 6689-1207 to orderOpen Mon – Fri 8am–4pm; Sat 8am–12pmPage 30 The Nimbin GoodTimesAugust 2013Open 7 days8am - 5pm weekdays11am - 4pm weekendsPh: 6689-1010 fax: 6689-1210 email: nimcand@bigpond.net.aunimbin.goodtimes@gmail.com
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Page 8 and 9: Senior July GamesMatch reports by P

Pages 24-32 - Nimbin Good Times

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