Working Bee Thank You and Report Sunday 27th July

Post date: Jul 27, 2014 10:15:11 AM

Feelings of disappointment about missing the Grafton GNatPACK event were eased at the end of the working bee when yet again we had to say “I can’t believe how much we got done”. Zig and his Dingo seem hell bent on putting us handtool workers out of business and once again worked some magic. Making curves with a machine that works best on rectangles is no mean feat. Shane and Sarina Emery were brave enough to tackle a very difficult, rocky, uphill bend and triumphed in the end. Ever reliable Terry Paris continues to make berms and drainage with great ease. David Symons brought the Booroolong Rural Fire Service small tanker and watered parts of the trail as part of compacting the surface layer. David Brunckhorst was run off his feet answering questions (“Have I got the angle right here?”, “What should I do with this section?” etc) but still managed to work up a sweat with a RakHo/McLeod tool.

Thanks to Bede Davies of UNE for help with unlocking gates. Good access sure makes it easy for us. Thanks also to the Booroolong RFS for their support.

Some “big picture”, perspective on this project was provided by a young rider when Zig and I were working out on the main Black Track fixing some drainage problems. A group of five (or six?) very young riders came past (with mum) and as one of them went down a steep dropoff they let out a squeal of delight. It confirmed that NEMTB and Sport UNE are doing something great for our community and the hard work by all participants at the working bees to build the new trailhead and entry track will be much used and appreciated.

Finally, I need to clarify that the “Trail Closed” sign applies to the section of new trail upslope from the big contour bank. We are waiting for the trail surface there to harden. Thank you to riders for staying off this section. The Green Trail, marked with green arrows, along the top of the big contour bank (that starts near the outdoor basketball courts) and the existing Black Track are open for use. Thanks again to our workers today and yes “I can’t believe how much we got done”.

Bill Platts.