On the Track

This is the first of a series of occasional articles about our field activity leaders. We hope it will help you put names to faces, and encourage some of you to join this section of the NPA. The first ones to volunteer for this are Judith and Nick Hill of Blaxland. Anyone looking through the activity programs of the last 15 years would have noticed these names recurring each month. You may have wondered who they are – now you are going to find out!

Judith and Nick first joined the NPA by accident. 25 years ago they were staying at Springwood Youth Hostel with their two small, but very active, boys. Looking through the usual pile of books and magazines that gather in such places, they found the walks program of an old National Parks Journal. In it were a couple of leaders (but they don’t remember who) that welcomed children to attend. They thought this was nice so, after copying down the address, they joined NPA.

Although they went on several "camping at cars" trips to the Watagans, Mill Creek etc, they never did meet up with the original leaders who inspired them to join. They also went on a few of Alex Tucker’s "meet at the water tower" day walks. Judith completed Brian Saunders’ bushwalking course. Then the Scout movement caught up with them and they were involved with this for eight years, which included four Gang Shows.

When their boys could look after themselves, they again became interested in the walking side of NPA. But this time they thought they should put something back, so Judith asked Richard Thompson if she could lead a walk. The first one that was chosen is their local one – the Florabella Pass. This links Warrimoo to Blaxland. But the walk was found to be too short, so the end was delayed by boiling the billy and having afternoon tea. Thus began a start of a tradition that they have carried through on many of their trips.

They try to specialise in easy but unusual outings, such as Rookwood Cemetery and the Three Sisters in the dark. Many of their walks have a railway theme; they even have one that goes through a Macdonald’s. The most they have ever had book is 65 (Mt Wilson), but there have been times when no-one has turned up – Bundanoon was one. Even if no-one comes their trips are never cancelled. One of the best walks they have done was round North Lawson Park in the pouring rain. They saw, and felt, waterfalls that don’t normally exist.

Judith is also involved as a tutor with the Chifley Chapter of the Third Age, while Nick works as a volunteer at the Railway Museum at Valley Heights.

For those who like to take their time, Judith and Nick are the leaders to go with!