Bushwalking
Beautiful early autumn sunshine greeted 23 Old Scotch Bushwalking Club members arriving in the charming Gippsland town of Sale on 15 March for a weekend of bushwalks and sightseeing . Ahead was an activities-filled weekend in this go-ahead town of 14,700 people , known for its rich history , rural charm and modern amenities .
All but two participants had arrived by Friday evening and on Saturday there were plenty of choices . A longer walk , beginning at the Port of Sale , and initially along the Sale Canal , was of about 10km and took walkers through the Sale Common Wetlands . It included a visit to the historic Swing Bridge , where walkers enjoyed lunch . The wetlands comprise fresh water marshes and red gum woodlands , and contain an enormous variety of birdlife . A shorter walk followed the River Heritage Walk and part of the Wetlands Trail . Several walkers chose a Port of Sale Heritage Cuise , during which they embarked on a leisurely journey along the Thomson River , under the Swing Bridge and return , while being entertained and informed by a colourful on-board commentary .
In the afternoon , several members drove to the Swing Bridge for a scheduled
opening of the historic bridge . Spanning the Thomson River , the bridge is one of the last remaining operational swing bridges in Australia . But alas : a workman up on the bridge apologised that the opening mechanism was temporarily out of order .
The club conducted its annual general meeting on Saturday evening at the Sale Greyhound Club , a popular meeting place for Sale residents and visitors alike . Neil Hart-Smith was duly returned for another year as President , and a new committee was elected . This was followed by a delicious dinner at the club , after which Pam McLeod ran a fun trivia quiz .
On Sunday morning club members enjoyed a real highlight of the weekend : a guided tour of the superb Sale Botanic Gardens , led by Fred and Rob , two members of the friends of the gardens . The jovial Fred and Rob pointed out significant trees and gave lucid historical and botanical information about the park , and the adjoining Seed Lakeside Community Garden . A delightful morning tea followed in the nearby Nakunbalook Environmental Centre .
After a memorable great weekend of activities in shining weather , members headed back to the big smoke or journeyed onwards to more adventures elsewhere .
DAVID ASHTON (' 65 )
SETTING SAIL FOR SALE
OLD SCOTCH BUSHWALKERS ENJOYED A WEALTH OF ACTIVITIES IN THIS THRIVING VICTORIAN TOWN
ABOVE : OLD SCOTCH BUSHWALKERS ON THE BOARDWALK IN THE SALE COMMON WETLANDS .
BELOW : MANY OF THE BUSHWALKERS TOOK A HERITAGE CRUISE ON THE THOMSON RIVER . THE BOAT IS SHOWN HERE ABOUT TO GO UNDER THE HISTORIC SALE SWING BRIDGE .
Great Scot 93