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Introduction

The Bush Club has a track record for celebrating major milestones in ways that only dedicated bushwalkers can. When the club turned 50,
members completed 50 walks in NSW from the Queensland border to the Victorian border, covering every degree of latitude therein. The 60th
birthday was commemorated by climbing 60 mountains and the 70th by walking 70 rivers. For the 75th we walked in 75 National Parks – in
Australia and overseas.

For the 80th year it was decided to involve as many members as possible. This concept evolved into a project- 80 walks by 80 different leaders.
The ‘walks’ could be day walks or multi-day pack walks, cycling, abseiling, kayaking or canyoning. Each had to be different from the others,
could be of any grade, at least 10 kms in length, and anywhere – in Australia or overseas, with a minimum of 4 participants (Members or
Prospective Members). The walks were progressively advertised on the Walks Program. Ownership of the project was great with many first-
time leaders electing to participate.

The core and heart of The Bush Club is its great team of leaders. The motivating drive of these men and women make The Bush Club the most
successful of the walking clubs in NSW. Each year the elected committee, reaffirms its pledge to train more members to become walks leaders.
This philosophy was reflected in a dynamic program which other clubs try to copy. In marking the first 80 years of continuous walking The
Bush Club celebrated its leaders past, present and future. In practical terms the celebration process was by way of 80 leaders each staging and
documenting a special walk. This approach has yielded a huge dividend; a great diversity of walks, high member participation, great memories
and wonderful stories.

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