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Presidents
Report 2000
Steven Ahern
What an eventful year it has been for the NUMC. I’ve barely been
able to keep up. There has never been any shortage of things to
do and places to experience, thanks to the dedication of all you
who read this to having fun in the outdoors.
That’s hopefully how the NUMC will continue next year, and no doubt
there will be another full year of looking forward to every weekend
and holiday break.
Taking off from the gear shed and travelling through the night so
as not to burn any daylight hours. Arriving at a beautiful wilderness
destination, where the following day will involve climbing, canyoning,
caving, walking, rogaining, Mtn Biking, XC Skiing, walking, kayaking,
or even gourmet lunches, all of which revolve around a morning warm
up of hacky and an evening Trangia meal.
That’s not to mention the company and leadership we all experience
from each other on these trips. I personally have gained so much
from the club through the personal challenges I have confronted
along the way, but have gained more from the people I have interacted
with. It has brought me into contact with some exceptional people,
all motivated to get the most out of each and every day and enjoy
life to the fullest.
To those who have organised group trips, I thank you. That is what
makes the club tick. That and the people who come along to enjoy
one another’s company, whilst doing what we love to do.
Hopefully, your participation will continue right through the next
year at least. Hopefully we will have more of those NUMC antics
and adventures to look forward to. Hopefully many more records will
be made. Hopefully there will be many more quad-ruple hacks, and
hopefully someone will contend with Mike Ramplin this year in the
Bungles when he does something like pull out frozen ice-cream on
night 2. Hopefully no one at the Bungles will nearly be benighted
this year, coming down from any multi pitch climbs at midnight in
the pouring rain. I also hope that no one will actually be benighted
on any Allen River canyoning trips. Such people deserve to sleep
the night (or try to) in their cold, wet wetsuits, with the leaches,
in the mud while it rains and they only have one space blanket per
3 people.
Finishing the day’s activities in the dark seems to be a characteristic
of NUMC trips however and the head torch seems to be an all important
piece of equipment. I think it stems from the fact that you will
never meet a group of people who aspire to seize the day like NUMC
members do. I think it may be that attitude in our members that
makes the club shine. Who says that poor uni students can’t go skiing,
climbing, kayaking etc. in beautiful wilderness destinations every
weekend. They obviously haven’t heard of the NUMC.
Hopefully this year’s Southern Satisfaction tour will be a success,
and then in the summer there will be many canyoning trips in the
Blueys, taking us into some of the most breathtaking wilderness
that nature has to offer. There will no doubt be the hardcore Kanangra
weekends, and also the tranquil walks through Glow Worm Tunnel.
I’m sure however that there will be no jumping off 8-10m ledges
into plunge pools on the way.
Speaking of Bungonia, the NUMC realised its potential as a New Year’s
Eve destination this year. What better way to see in the New Year
than to fine tune our bodies for the next few days of caving and
canyoning with a little table traversing and indoor caving under
the furniture that the Bungonia shelter had to offer. Maybe it was
something they put in the water down there.
I can’t wait for another year of Eskimo rolling with Dan and night
kayaking on Myall Lakes, getting lost on a rogaine or wandering
in the Watagans with Rob, and parties at the official NUMC residencies
of Wolfe Street, Tyrrell Street and Angophora Drive. Hopefully the
club will also add some new places if interest to its database of
experience such as was the case in Easter this year when we went
to Girraween for some granite domes to conquer. We couldn’t have
done it without some practice on those Tarana slabs just prior to
the trip thanks to Mike. Can’t wait for some more XCSkiing also
but I’m not to keen on more sun-glass-shattering-face-plants or
granite-gravel-rash to tell the stories. I also hope that many more
international students still come along as they always do, providing
additional strength to the club and interesting moments on the trips.
My special thanks also go out to all the members of the Committee
who have involved themselves in the operation of the club. Rob Smalley’s
efforts stand out as the gear officer and rogaine coordinator but
most of all for all the extra things that he did to coordinate the
smooth running of the club. His input will be missed as he steps
down from much of his duties, but surprisingly we have someone to
fill his shoes in Dave. I even think his navigation skills are up
there with Rob’s. Thanks to the activities convenors for all the
hours of fun in the activities you convened.
Hopefully as many people will progress through the club’s knowledge
and skills base as they have over the last year. I like many of
you have gained so much through the inputs of other members in the
club who have passed on some of the knowledge and skills they have
acquired from the club over the years. Special thanks in this case
go to people like Adam and Glen, who have updated the rocksports
levels system so that more people in the club can progress to the
stage where they are competent in participating in these events
and bringing these joys to others on the future trips they will
organise. Big thanks in this area also go to Steve Fityus and Tiffany
Mitchell for organising training sessions for us undergraduate NUMC
rocksports participants and to all those skilled members of the
club who have helped run these exercises such as Lisa, Mel, Brendan
and Mike Ramplin. The passing on of this knowledge will see the
club continue enjoying these adventure sports weekends that we do
so well and love so much.
Of course, the club would not be able to do the things it does without
the Sports Union. With any luck, the sports union will continue
to run the way they have over the last year, and I know I stand
for the club in giving them our total support. They have provided
support to the club in a number of ways, such as in their provision
of the equipment we use, the facilities such as the Forum climbing
wall and the gear shed, the education that they endeavor to provide
in first aid courses etc, and support of any club related problems
we have. An example of their total dedication to the welfare of
us as Sports Union members was in their helping us through the tragedy
of the loss of Mark and Steve.
I would like to conclude by saying a few words to remember Steve
and Mark. The tragedy that took these two friends of ours was probably
the greatest tragedy that has struck the lives of many of those
who felt it. Steve and Mark represented everything that the club
stands for. They loved life and they lived it to the fullest. They
took what they had been given and did great things with it, often
to the enjoyment of those around them. I know that they would love
nothing more than to see the NUMC have another year enriched with
the pleasures that the outdoors, our own company, and our adventures
and sports provide for us.
Steven Ahern
Vice President |
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Photo: Adam Bramwell
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Photo: Adam Bramwell
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