May Report: Winton Wetlands
 
In a high stakes competition to find the answers, nine walkers paired off at Winton Wetlands to complete Bev’s challenge. The list of twenty questions saw us searching around the Hub and Woodland Walk for answers, while enjoying a good hour and a half walk in pleasant sunshine. With an enjoyable lunch at the Hub cafe, and winners announced, everyone agreed it was a fun variation to our usual walk-thank you, Bev!

Wednesday 5th June: Goulburn River and Shepparton Botanic Gardens
 
Starting at Victoria Lake in Shepparton, we will head along the Goulburn, crossing the suspension bridge and enjoying a picnic lunch in the Shepparton Botanic Gardens. Auspiced by the Australian Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne,and managed by an enthusiastic volunteer group, the gardens offer many short walks of interest and views across the valley from Honeysuckle Rise.

Meet at Seniors’ carpark Fawckner Dve, to leave at 9.30am, with confirmation to Julie by text, email or phone message on 0407823031 or [email protected]. Remember to bring drinks and a picnic lunch. Car sharing is available for a small contribution.
 
Wednesday 3rd July: Violet Town history walk
 
Following the success of our Wetlands challenge, Bev will be testing us with thirty questions on a walk around Violet Town.This is a great way both to test our orienteering skills and also to really notice the landscape and history of our walk.Answers will be shared at morning tea at the Produce Store, followed by a short walk along Honeysuckle Creek and a picnic lunch.

We leave Seniors’ carpark at 9.30am as usual, confirmation to Julie as above.


Julie McNeill


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Wednesday 6th September: Kinnairds’ Wetlands, Numurkah
 
With over 145 bird species recorded, this walk on the outskirts of Numurkah will take in several short trails through the mostly red gum forest which is fed by flows from the Muckatah catchment.   Stopping initially in Numurkah, we will then drive on to the Wetlands, returning to Numurkah Park for a BYO picnic or takeaway lunch.

Meet at the Seniors’ carpark at 9.30am, with confirmation to Julie by text, email or phone message on 0407823031 or [email protected]. Remember drinks and a picnic lunch. Car sharing is usually available for a small contribution.
 
Wednesday 4th October: Warby Ovens National Park: Friends Track and Wildflowers
 
This much anticipated walk has been delayed both by bad weather and covid over the past three years, so we will cross fingers for some sunshine.  One for the wildflower enthusiasts, we will leave Benalla at 9.30 for Wenhams’ Camp, taking the Friends’ Track with a diversion to Kwat Kwat lookout with views over the Ovens Valley to the alps.The track passes a stand of iconic grass trees, through forested granite hills and spring wildflowers. Lunch will be a BYO picnic at Wenhams’ Camp, meeting details as above at the Seniors’ carpark.

Julie McNeill

Wednesday 2nd August:Winton Wetlands
 
Previously delayed by rain, this walk will take us out along the dam wall to see the Mokoan Ponds,and then a walk at Green’s Hill accompanied by a BYO picnic lunch. After a total of about 8km, we will reward ourselves with afternoon tea at the Hub cafe.

Meet at the Seniors’ carpark at 9.30am with confirmation to Julie by text, email or phone message on 0407823031 or [email protected].Remember drinks and a picnic lunch.Car sharing is usually available for a small contribution.
 
Wednesday 6th September : Kinnairds’ Wetlands, Numurkah
 
With over 145 bird species recorded, this walk located on the outskirts of Numurkah will take in several short trails through the mostly red gum forest fed by flows from the Muckatah catchment. Stopping initially in Numurkah, we will then drive on to the Wetlands, returning to Numurkah Park for a BYO picnic or takeaway lunch. Meet at the Seniors’ carpark at 9.30am, with confirmation to Julie as above.
 
While the weather forecast always adds some uncertainty, our final two walks for the year will see us out looking for wildflowers, firstly on the Friends’ Track in October, and the Killawarra Forest Walk in November. We will hope for fine weather!


Julie McNeill

June report: Winton Wetlands
 
Sadly, an ominous rain radar and warnings of floods and severe weather saw a late cancellation of this walk. Thank you to everyone for checking their phones--we will reschedule in August.
 
Wednesday July 5th: Eldorado Loop
 
This walk of approx 8 kms will take us around the historic village of Eldorado, known for its gold mining past, including the huge Eldorado dredge. We will follow walking trails surrounding the town, which is well signposted with information about its interesting past. Lunch will be a picnic in the intriguingly named Gunhouse Park, either BYO or something hot from the general store opposite. Adjacent to the store is Victoria’s smallest pub, the McEvoy Tavern, which may also attract our interest.
 
Meet at the Seniors’ carpark at 9.30am with confirmation to Julie by text, email or phone message on 0407823031 or juliemcneill55@gmail.com.
 
Remember drinks and a picnic lunch if needed. Car sharing is usually available for a small contribution.
 
Wednesday August 2nd:  Winton Wetlands
 
This will be a rescheduling of the June walk, hopefully in sunnier weather, taking in a 6km return walk out along the dam wall to see the Mokoan ponds, and a shorter walk of 2km at Green’s Hill accompanied by a BYO picnic lunch. We will follow up with afternoon tea at the Hub cafe.

Meet at the Seniors’ carpark at 9.30am, with confirmation to Julie as above. Our walks can be impacted by weather, so keep an eye on the newsletter/webpage and emails/texts for any changes.
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Julie McNeill

​As a result of the tightening of the COVID-19 restrictions from 6 August, this will be the last Easy Walk until possibly mid-September.  Please keep up to date on the website for notification of the next walk when restrictions ease.

Wendy Sturgess