Break up & and Walk Report December 7.

19 members set off for a walk to explore the Ballarat New Cemetery on Norman St. and the
surrounding neighbourhood, on a cool Summer morning.
The cemetery covers 55ha.of which 30ha. has been developed and includes a large flood
mitigation dam on the Eastern side. Grave sites vary from the grey, formal rows of the older,
traditional tombs and monuments, to lawn and garden burials in a beautiful botanic garden
setting. There are also several private, tranquil, shady areas suitable for quiet reflection and
views across the city to Mnt.Warrenheip. It is also the site of a significant Chinese cemetery.
It was a very pleasant, educational, and, sometimes, sobering experience. The nearby streets
also yielded some intriguing gardens. Many thanks to Shirley and Mark for organizing the walk.
Back at the B.N.C.C., more members joined us for a very productive 2024 planning meeting and
presentations. Laraine Gunning was recognized, and thanked, for all her hard work, innovation
and service to the group over 14 years of administration and participation.
We then enjoyed a delicious selection of food for lunch, a cuppa and a chat.
A very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy New Year to you all.

Helen McD

 

 This is a reminder of our plans for Thursday, December 7, 2023

9.30am: Shirley and Mark have kindly offered to lead a walk. Depart from BNCC for a short and easy walk north to briefly explore the Cemetery and nearby streets of Ballarat North. A few hills and some splendid views on a clear day. Aiming to return by 10.45.

Please note that the kitchen will be open so that food for the lunch can be put into the refrigerator.

11am: Planning meeting for 2024 in the Blue room

12 Midday: End of the year lunch. Please bring a plate to share. We can use the Blue room and the kitchen.

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday.

 

Walk Report Golden Point 30/11

Nine walkers enjoyed the trail in cool conditions. There were lots of musical bird calls, blossoming gardens- especially that Pincushion Protea- and the bushland of Peady St Reserve.

Distinctive places included the Poverty Point marker, the lookout by Sovereign Hill, the Observatory and the Sunnyside precinct.

We had lunch by the Seniors Exercise Station at Mt Pleasant Reserve. There we met Robert’s ex-student Lee from the Ballarat Council’s Ageing Well program who was keen to promote the  activities that they will offer our cohort next year.

A pleasant coffee break at the Clothesline Cafe concluded the trail.

Thanks to Anne and Helen for your organisation.

 

Golden Point Mt Pleasant Circuit 30 November 2023

The walk commences at Llanberris car park, following the Canadian trail for a short distance. There is a steady rise, up through Golden Point, to the lookout behind Sovereign Hill. Wind through some of the green spots in Mt Pleasant down to the reserve in Morton St for morning tea. Toilets available here. Cross the Yarrowee River and follow the walking trail back to town, returning via Canadian Creek to the car park. Walking poles useful for the off-road tracks. Some busy road crossings on this walk. Bring morning tea.

Grade B walk, 7.3km, 87m elevation gain. Leaders Anne Ottrey & Helen Bosher.

Meet 8.20am at Llanberris.

 

St Kilda Photos

Walk Report Nov 23

 After a speedy tram trip on route 12, we alighted at stop 141 and headed to the foreshore. There,  locals have developed a "pre-colonial" garden heralding the start of the Indigenous-themed Yalukit Trail.

Barricaded off by council works, we detoured to consider the peaceful water views with coffee at the nearby cafe.  The trail then took us through residential streets, past Junction Oval and through to another area of native bushland, with a 500 yr.old Corroboree Tree, somehow saved from the nearby busy freeways. 

Lunch at the Catani Gardens and a brief walk on to the (also partly barricaded) St Kilda pier, led into an afternoon strolling the splendid residential areas. These are  packed with imposing mansions, ornate terraces and a huge variety of flats and rooming houses. Truly a varied and interesting social and cultural mix.