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OUTINGS AND WALKS
The Border at the Old Coach Road (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Sunday 19 February 4.30-7.30pm
Why is the ACT shaped the way it is? Join Dr Peter Dowling and enter the predator proof fence in the Mulligans
Flat Nature Reserve and learn about the layers of history on offer: the Aboriginal occupants, pastoral developments and just what villages the Old Coach Road connected. Then refl ect back 101 years to when Surveyor Percy Sheaffe and his team mapped out this part of the border. The walk is relatively fl at and is 6km return. Refreshments will be served after the walk.
Meet: Mulligans Flat car park on the corner of Amy Ackman and Clegget Sts, Forde.
Cost: $25 members, $30 non-members
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under Events and Meeting tab.
The Zig Zag Border at Little Mulligans (National Trust Outings -see footnote)
Sunday 4 March 4.30–7.30pm
What are lock splits and why is the border here so zig zag? The Commonwealth authorities wanted a clean and healthy water supply from a catchment they could control for the new national capital. This border walk will elaborate just how the watershed is captured. Join Dr Peter Dowling on this 3km return walk which does have a steep but short incline to the hill crests. Refreshments will be served after the walk.
Meet: Take the Mulligans Flat Rd from Horse Park Dr in Bonner. At the junction of Mulligans Flat Rd with Old Gundaroo Rd there is a small car park lay by to your left and the entrance to the nature park.
Cost: $25 members, $30 non-members
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under Events and Meeting tab.
Bulls Head Border Walk Sunday (National Trust Outings -see footnote)
18 March – 10am-3.30pm
Join historian Matthew Higgins as we continue our series on the border walks. Morning tea will be provided at Bulls Head before we continue down the road to view one of Harry Mouatt's border mile trees—many were burnt in 2003. A walk up to the summit of Mt Franklin after looking at the shelter built on the site of another casualty of the 2003 fires. We will conclude with Bendora Arboretum – a survivor. Bring a packed lunch, water, sturdy shoes and a warm jacket.
Meet: Bulls Head, Mt Franklin Road. Allow 45 mins from CBD. Approx 15km dirt.
Cost: $25 members, $35 non-members.
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under Events and Meetings tab.
'COSI FAN TUTTE'
Saturday 24 March
Opera enthusiasts won't want to miss this sumptuous performance by Opera Australia of Mozart's most romantic opera. Sung in English and running for just over three hours with one interval; Ralph Myers is set designer and Gabriela Tylesova has created the fabulous frocks and elaborate disguises.
As usual, U3A members and friends will enjoy a significant group discount on their A-Reserve seats (both stalls and circle), be delivered by coach virtually to the Opera House steps, and be returned to Canberra by around nightfall. The ticket price also includes refreshments on both forward and return journeys, but lunch is your own concern.
Departures from Deakin, Civic and Turner (at 7.35, 7.45 and 7.55 am respectively) will allow sufficient time to buy lunch at one of the many restaurants around Circular Quay. Alternatively, you may prefer to bring a picnic lunch.
Bookings close on, and full payment is required by, Wednesday 8 February. Anyone interested should first contact the tour leader, Garth Setchell (6290 1100). A tour leaflet will then be emailed or posted. The tour price is $260pp and payment may be made by cheque or money order as explained in the leaflet.
Yarralumla Guided Walk (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Saturday 14 April 1pm- 4pm
Established in 1928 Yarralumla is one of Canberra’s oldest suburbs. The name comes from the Ngunnawal word for the area. Many streets are named after botanists and colonial governors. Yarralumla is home to some of Canberra’s early buildings and the diplomatic community. Come and join heritage architect David Hobbes on this tour, enjoying afternoon tea at the end.
Meet: TBC
Cost: $25 members; $35 non members
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under Events and Meeting tab.
Dirk Bolt: South Woden Neighbourhood Centres (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Sat 14 April 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Dirk Bolt is a lesser known but an important Canberra Architect who contributed to Canberra's planning and some important buildings. This tour explores his work at suburban shopping centres of Pearce, Torrens, Farrer and Swinger Hill and the multi-unit housing directly associated with the shopping centres. The tour is lead by Graeme Trickett and Ken Charlton who are writing a monograph on Dirk Bolt on behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects. There is an option of afternoon tea at the end of the tour (at participant's cost). Self drive tour with arrangements for rides on request.
Meet: at Farrer Shopping Centre.
Cost: $15 NT & Institute Members / $20 non members
Bookings Essential: 02 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au
London Bridge & Googong Guided Walk (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Sunday 15 April 11am-3.30pm
London Bridge is a naturally eroded limestone arch on Burra Creek, NSW. Come along and enjoy a sausage sizzle in the London Bridge car park before taking the tour.
Meet: at the turn off to Googong Dam from the Old Comma Road.
Cost: $25 members; $35 non members
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under Events and Meeting tab.
Torchlight Tour of St. John's Graveyard – **The Heraldry and Geneology Society of Canberra** (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
16,17 & 18 April 7pm
Discover Amazing Stories of Innovation and Invention achieved by notable Australians and Canberra's pioneers during a tour of Canberra's original graveyard. Learn about the families who settled on windswept Limestone Plains and of those who built our Nation's capital. For a gold coin donation, have a warm cuppa and cake in the School House Museum following the tour. This unique experience and opportunity to visit one of Canberra's historical sites and visit Canberra's first school and schoolmaster's residence. Low level of fitness required. Torch, warm jacket and sensible shoes necessary.
Meet: St John's Church, 43 Constitution Ave
Cost: $10 per person / $20 per family
Bookings Essential: 0429 411 942
Dunlop Straight Line Border Walk (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Wednesday 18 April 11am-2.30pm
Starting from the entrance of Jarramlee, the log entrance leads northeast into a fenced corridor, picking up a tiny part of the Australian Bicentennial Trail. The timber post fence is most likely the original fence constructed along the border in the 1920s. There will be refreshments at Belconnen West Ponds and a talk from Ginninderra Landcare, before we return with Dr Peter Dowling leading the way.
Meet: From Hugh McKay Cres, Dunlop, take the offshoot road towards Jarramlee Homestead.
Cost: $25 members; $35 non members
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under Events and Meeting tab.
Dirk Bolt: South Woden Neighbourhood Centres (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Sat 21 April 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Dirk Bolt is a lesser known but an important Canberra Architect who contributed to Canberra's planning and some important buildings. This tour explores his work at suburban shopping centres of Pearce, Torrens, Farrer and Swinger Hill and the multi-unit housing directly associated with the shopping centres. The tour is lead by Graeme Trickett and Ken Charlton who are writing a monograph on Dirk Bolt on behalf of the Australian Institute of Architects. There is an option of afternoon tea at the end of the tour (at participant's cost). Self drive tour with arrangements for rides on request.
Meet: at Farrer Shopping Centre.
Cost: $15 NT & Institute Members / $20 non members
Bookings Essential: 02 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au
Honeysuckle to Booroomba Rocks Walk (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Saturday 21 April 10am-4pm
Join National Trust member, Robert Abell, for a magical day walk from the old Honeysuckle Creek tracking station (camp ground) to Booroomba Rocks and return. The walk which is on track (footpath and unsealed road) is about 10kms and takes in the national beauty of Namadgi National Park (tall eucalypt forest, imposing granite tors and cliffs and a fantastic view of Canberra). At the end, the short heritage walk from the Honeysuckle Creek campground (the Apollo Walk) is recommended. Walk category is easy to moderate. A limit of 25 participants is preferred.
Meet: at the Namadgi Visitors Centre at 9.30am. The centre is situated 2kms past Tharwa on the Naas Road. Access to Honeysuckle campground is via the sealed Apollo Road (18kms further on). Tharwa bridge is open. The walk should finish by 3.30pm.
Cost: $25 NT/U3A members; $35 non members
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online atwww.nationaltrustact.org.au
Walking Tour of Magna Carta Place (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Saturday 21 April 2-3pm
A guided tour of Magna Carta Place, Langton Circuit, Parkes, led by members of the Committee, who will explain the history of the Monument and the meaning of the images on the wings or walls of the Monument, as well as the rubbing plaques on the Monument pillars. Following the tour, participants may wish to visit the Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House, or walk to New Parliament House and see Australia’s 1297 edition of Magna Carta on display in the Senate exhibition area.
Meet: Magna Carta Place, Langston Circuit, Parkes. Magna Carta Place is adjacent to the Senate Gardens of Old Parliament House. There is usually plenty of nearby parking.
Cost: FREE
Bookings Essential: 02 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au
Public Enquiries: 02 6295 1436 or 0418 604 221
What’s it Worth 2012 ($5 adult/$5 per item) (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Sunday 22 April 10am-4pm
What’s it Worth 2012 will again provide a wonderful opportunity for Canberra and regional collectors to have personal/family treasures, from art to artefacts, silver to stamps and much more, valued by experts and to hear the stories behind them.
Venue: Albert Hall, Yarralumla, Commonwealth Ave
Cost: $5 adult/ $5 per item (max 3)
Robertson’s House, a Torchlight Tour (National Trust Outings-see footnote)
Sunday 22 April time TBC
This is an opportunity to learn about the history of Robertson’s house and its residents and the connection between the Robertson family and the building of Canberra. Named a” torchlight tour" in recognition of the fact that the windows of the house are now covered on the inside with plywood and that there is no electric lighting. Torches will be available or you’re welcome to bring you own.
Meet: 9 Hazel Street, Oaks Estate
Cost: Free
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au
Discovering Your Family Stories (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Sun 22 April 8.45am - 4.30pm
Ever wonder whether your family had an Amazing Story to tell but, perhaps, never told it. Were they innovators or inventors? How did they share in the built, cultural, and natural heritage of Australia? This one day course will introduce you to the techniques and resources essential if you want to find their stories. Learn from experienced family history researchers and meet others who share your interest. See www.hagsoc.org.au for more information. Morning and Afternoon tea provided, Bring your own lunch.
Venue: HAGSOC, 41 Templeton Street, Cook
Cost: $20 for HAGSOC members / $40 for non members Bookings Essential: 0411 616 213
A Walk up Oak Hill (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Mon 23 April 12pm – 3pm
Start with a sausage sizzle before embarking on the hour’s walk up to Oak Hill to enjoy a wonderful panorama and view the century old border marker on the NSW/ACT border. Elm Grove, one of the last working properties in Gungahlin, is heritage-listed. Owner Paul Carmody will lead the tour and talk about its history. A great school holiday activity.
Meet: Start at the woolshed at Elm Grove, Bonner
Cost: $25 NT Members / $35 non members
Bookings Essential: 02 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au
Ainslie Corroboree Park Open Houses & Gardens (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Saturday 28 April 1pm-4pm
Join Ken Charlton on a walking tour of specially designed Artisan dwellings (1926) around Corroboree Park, seeing them and their once-productive, now mature gardens close up and hearing fascinating stories of the residents who created a community while building the nation’s capital. Afternoon tea is included.
Meet: at Baker Gardens Pre-school
Cost: $25 NT members; $35 non members
Bookings essential: 6230 0533 or online at www.nationaltrustact.org.au – click on Bookings under Events and Meeting tab.
Duntroon Dairy Open Day (National Trust Outings - see footnote)
Sunday 29 April 10am-3pm
Come and milk a cow or churn butter at the heritage listed Duntroon Dairy, one of the oldest buildings in the ACT. Enjoy an in depth tour of this site, how it has been interpreted, what the archaeology revels and the structure of the dairy. Dancers, singers, car displays, wood-turning, food and more will entertain the whole family.
Cost: gold coin donation
'SOUTH PACIFIC'
Wednesday 5 September
This is the date of another planned one-day return coach tour, to the Sydney Opera House, to attend a matinee performance of Opera Australia's South Pacific, at a probable cost of $125pp. Further details will appear in the March/April Newsletter, but, if you are interested, please contact Garth Setchell (6290 1100) now to reserve your place.
'SPANISH GUITARS'
Thursday 15 November 2012
In a departure from strictly classical fare, this one-day return coach tour to the Sydney Opera House will offer you a SSO concert full of Spanish colour. The soloists will be the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. More details in March.
Two Day Walk in March or April
If you are interested in a two day walk including the Kiama Coastal Walk, a walk recently described as 'civilised walking at its best' please let Jim Nichterlein know at
. The walk as planned comes in two easy day walks, the first from Minamurra to Kiama, 11 km, and then from Kiama to Gerringong 8 km or 16km return. We would use Kiama hotel as the base. Depending on the numbers, the cost would be around $150 – 200, using our own cars or $250 using a minibus. Expressions of interest to Jim by email please.
© U3A ACT 2008 |

