Blog Archives

Social Distancing - One Mile Creek Track, Wangaratta!

17/6/2020

On Wednesday 17 June 2020 the first Easy Walk since the COVID lockdown was held.

Although sunny in Benalla, it was overcast and cool in Wangaratta when 16 participants walked part of the trail along One Mile Creek. Two groups were formed and they walked separately about 3.5 kms from the Scout Park at Vincent Road to just north of Rowan Street in Wangaratta West then returned to the Scout Park. It was an interesting walk with lots of birds such as Ibis and Cockatoos in particular in the wetland areas.

The driveway into the Scout Park was lined with large boulders so the group was able to use them to maintain proper social distancing while having their lunch at the conclusion of the walk.

These modified walks will be held fortnightly until other U3A classes resume.

The next walk will be in Violet Town on Wednesday 1 July exploring the Honeysuckle Creek Walking Track.

The walk on 15th July will explore the Dookie Rail Trail. Depending on Covid restrictions, it may be possible to organise a lunch to follow at the Dookie Pub so numbers attending will need to be known in advance for booking purposes. Further advice will be provided in the lead up to this walk.

On 29th July it is proposed to walk a section of the trail out to the Mokoan Hub.

Wendy Sturgess

Welcome back to Easy Walks!

1/6/2020

Welcome back to U3A Easy Walks! Following the lifting of some of the COVID 19 restrictions, Easy Walks will recommence on Wednesday, 17 June 2020 whilst adhering to the appropriate protocols. During the winter months, walks will be held on the first and third Wednesday’s of the month, close to Benalla and of shorter duration ... late morning walk followed by BYO lunch.

Wednesday 17th June 2020 - Wangaratta
Our first modified Easy Walk will be held on Wednesday 17th June at Wangaratta. The walk will start at the Scout Park in Vincent Road and the group will walk along the One Mile creek trail northwards and return for a total of approximately 5-6 kms.
We will meet at the car park behind the Senior Citizen’s Building at 9.45am for a 10am departure. Please bring your own lunch to have at the conclusion of the walk.
Those wishing to participate are asked to contact Wendy Sturgess no later than Friday 12th June on 0403226649 (leave message if necessary). Maximum numbers will be dictated by the regulations operating on the day and there will be limited car-pooling.

Wednesday, 1 July 2020 - Violet Town
Helen Malone is preparing an interesting walk along the Honeysuckle Creek Walking Track and the Heritage Trail around the oldest surveyed inland town in Victoria followed by BYO lunch. Please confirm your attendance by Monday, 29 June ‘20 with Margaret Walshe 57623906/0427005202 or [email protected]. Meet at the carpark behind the Seniors Complex, Fawkner Drive, Benalla at 9.45am for 10am departure.

Proposed Walks
Wednesday, 15 July 2020 - Dookie Rail Trail
August 2020 - Winton Wetlands Walking Track
Springtime 2020 - Warby-Ovens National Park

Wendy and I look forward to seeing you in our great outdoors enjoying each another’s company.

Do you have a walk you would like to share with our group? Speak with Wendy or Margaret.

Wendy Sturgess and Margaret Walsh

Easy Walks' first COVID-19 modified walk - Wangaratta, 17 June

1/6/2020

Our first modified Easy Walk will be held on 17th June at Wangaratta. The walk will start at the Scout Park in Vincent Road and the group will walk along the One Mile creek trail northwards and return for a total of approximately 5-6 kms.

We will meet at the car park behind the Senior Citizen’s Building at 9.45am for a 10am departure. Please bring your own lunch to have at the conclusion of the walk.

Those wishing to participate are asked to contact Wendy Sturgess no later than Friday 12th June on 0403226649 ( leave message if necessary). Maximum numbers will be dictated by the regulations operating on the day and there will be limited car pooling.

Wendy Sturgess
Margaret Walshe

About - 'Bushwalking - Easywalks'

This is a group for those who have enjoyed 'Serious Bushwalking' in the past but who now need to moderate their walks.

It is a very social group for anyone interested in exploring the amazing tracks, trails and lookouts within an easy to medium drive from Benalla.

Even though the occasional weather glitch has challenged us over the past few years, Easy Walks has enjoyed many memorable times exploring our local area.

Meeting on the first Wednesday of each month, the walks are generally limited to 8kms on well-defined tracks, occasionally with a short easy climb.

Our days outing can include sites of historical or botanical interest and occasionally even a Winery!

Even though the walks are labelled Easy Walks, it is important that participants be able to walk at a reasonable pace and be able to keep up with the group. Sturdy shoes are essential! You will also need to carry a small daypack with lunch, drinks, hat, wet weather gear, etc as needed.

Meeting times

1st Wednesday of the month from March.

*Meeting times in 2025 will be 8.45 am to depart at 9.00 am, depending on distances covered, with the convenor notified of attendees three days prior to the day.

We leave from the carpark behind the Seniors Complex (U3A), Fawckner Drive, Benalla. Car sharing is usually available with a small cost.

Please note - Meeting times depend on the season and weather conditions or as determined by the walk leader. Check the U3A Newsletter and confirm any details with the walk leader.

Convenor 2025

Bev Thornell
0447 193 244

Retiring Convenor

Julie McNeill
0407 823 031

Thank you, Julie, for co-convening Easy Walks with Glen Chesselss in 2021-2; then convening the group in 2023-4.