Christmas in July at Lake Nillahcootie
Sunday 6 July - Saturday 12 July 2008
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Led by Kay
Reports by John F, Mary, Karen C, and Donna
Photos by Karen M, Mike, Karen C, and Donna
The Camp
Lake Nillahcootie School Camp is located about halfway between Benalla and Mansfield in central northern Victoria. Lake Nillahcootie is actually a dam and is well below its capacity. Fortunately when the Batemans Bay Droughtbreakers arrived, the rain started to fall and the lake began to fill again. We take full credit.
Day 1 - Benalla
Because of the rain, our lay day was brought forward and we headed into Benalla to walk 4km around Benalla lake and take in the town's cultural highlights on the way. There's the Memorial Statue to Sir Edward “Weary” Dunlop, a true Australian hero, and a powerful piece of work. Then the Benalla Ceramic Mural, an unique and intriguing community art project. The Analemmatic Sundial wasn’t at all accurate in the overcast conditions. The Benalla Costume & Pioneer Museum contained a lot of memorabilia and information on the time and life of Ned Kelly and his gang, plus several other local history exhibits. We finished up at the Benalla Art Gallery and after lunch there, headed off to the main street for some retail therapy.
Day 2 - The Warby Ranges
The Warbys are 26km from Glenrowan and our goal was a 9km walk through this 400 million year old granite range. The rocky terrain kept our eyes on the track as we climbed in misting rain (much needed). Every now and again we stopped to take in the beautiful vista. This area was named The Futters Ranges by Major Mitchell in 1836, but was renamed after Ben Warby took up the land in 1844.
The flora was very interesting to everyone - Wing Spurred Acacias, Cats Claw Grevilleas, unbelievably long leafed Victorian Blue Gums, and wonderfully naturally composed just for artists and photographers, the magnificent Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea australis). Everyone walked this track in different sections suitable to their separate abilities.
This is also the area where Ned Kelly and his bushranging mates used to hang out. The clowns in our party filled out his character on arrival at the Ned Kelly Tearooms in Glenrowan. Thoughts are he must have been an entrepreneur as well as a bushranger when all his printed T-Towels, placemats, and Ned Kelly rock from Blackpool, were spotted for sale.
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| A cold damp start in the Warby Ranges Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
View from the Warby Ranges
Photo by Karen M |
Verdant view from Ian and Pam's farm Photo by Karen C Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Crossing the Creek
Photo by Karen M |
Day 3 - Ian & Pam's Farm and Rocky Ned
It’s not raining! Kay has planned two walks for today and both start at Ian & Pam's property about 20kms from the camp. On arrival we spent a few minutes admiring the magnificent view from their home, before both groups set off for the creek. For the first time in some months water was running in the creek and trickling over the mossy rocks, which we negotiated with some care before our group of stronger walkers bush bashed our way up to the ridge for morning tea. From here we walked through open forest, sidestepping wombat holes, until we reached a fire trail which took us to the base of Rocky Ned. A good steady climb and we were on top of Rocky Ned, where the wind chill factor saw us rush for the warm gear before we settled down to lunch. The wind was obviously coming straight off snow capped Mt Buller which was visible through breaks in the distant low clouds.
The homeward journey was, as Ian put it, “mostly” downhill along old fire trails. A point of interest on the home stretch was the site of an old air crash, where two young airforce pilots lost their lives in a training flight during the 2nd World War.
After a great walk we re-joined the “easy” walkers who had enjoyed a leisurely tour of the farm led by Pam.
Day 4 - Cancelled due to Rain
The Droughtbreakers were scheduled for a morning of abseiling, canoeing, archery and rockwall climbing at Camp Nillahcootie, but steady rain put a stop to that (phew!!). Instead we stoked up the fires and enjoyed a morning of board games, cards and ping pong. Some of us headed into Mansfield, and then on to the Mt Samaria Vineyards for a private wine tasting (our supplies having rapidly dwindled). The afternoon was spent readying ourselves for the Christmas in July Extravaganza that evening.
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| View from Rocky Ned
Photo by Donna |
Lumber tramway winch station near Mt Samaria Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Bob, Mary, Karen and Anna on the top of Mt Samaria
Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Not possum sick, but jelly fungus (Tremella fuciformis) Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Day 5 - Mt Samaria State Park
Friday morning and again the weather was typically Victorian. All 24 walkers drove out along the narrow twisting road that led from our camp to the Kilns Car Park in Mt Samaria State Park. It was very cold and rainy with just a touch of sleet as Ian, our guide led us to the Information Board relating the history of the Mt Samaria Milling Company. Here were the old timber drying kilns long standing idle. Our walk took us along the old Tram Line track through magnificent stands of gums, many covered in lichen, there was brilliant bright green moss, long ribbons of bark and the misty rain just enhanced the atmosphere.
Morning tea was at the site of the old winch which was used to lower timber down into the valley below, with just a few old cast iron relics remaining. Our group then divided into two with some returning along the Butchers Track while the remainder did the knoll to knoll walk. The highlight here was an elusive dark brown wombat spotted scuttling through the bush by an eagle eyed walker. This group then headed downhill, over the creek and back to the car park were we all met for lunch.
Some then headed back to camp, a group of three decided to explore the Wild Dog Creek Falls and nine hardy souls tackled the 870m to the Trig on Mt Samaria. The steep slippery climb was made worthwhile by the panorama that greeted us as we reached the top. In one direction were distant layers of forested hills and a patchwork of farmland and somewhere in the distance Benalla, and to the left Lake Nillahcootie Camp bathed in sunlight. On the downhill tramp eagle eyes again spotted several outcrops of a distinctive fungus which looked like white jelly.
The Entertainment
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Trivia Quiz Mistress Lyn led the fun, as 4 teams competed for the
coveted Camp Nillahcootie Trivia Champions Mug. As well as answering 60's themed
trivia questions, we earned extra points by performing a 60's song, and telling jokes.
The Bay Babes and Boy Wonder (BBBW) Team won the night, but it was a close call as
all teams were highly competitive. Quiz Mistress Lyn received a standing ovation
and 3 curtain calls for keeping everyone under control.
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| Performing "Morning Town" at the Trivia Night Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
The Bay Babes serenade Stan Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Joone glams it up to "Where do you go to my Lovely" Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Trivia Winner Stan with Quiz Mistress Lyn Photo by Donna Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Christmas in July Menu
Cheese and Biscuits and Nibbles.
Roast Leg of Pork with Potatoes, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Carrots and Parsnips, Onions, Creamed
Spinach, Sugar and Snow Peas, Gravy, Cranberry and Apple Sauces.
Plum Puddings with Custard
Christmas Cake
Mulled Wine
The following night there were enough leftovers for another 5 course meal.
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| Sumptuous Christmas in July Dinner Photo by Mike Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Christmas elves tackle the washing up Photo by Karen M Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo |
Anna leads the dancing
Photo by Donna |
Lyn lets her hair down
Photo by Donna |
Many thanks to Kay for leading us into deepest Victoria and organising all the fun, and to Ian and Pam for their wonderful hospitality in showing us their beautiful part of the world.
END