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Testing skills and Getting acquainted with Munibung Hill

Testing skills and building confidence
The challenge was to make a place good enough to shelter in.

IT WAS A CHILLY WINTER’S NIGHT, and while most people would be tucked up at home in front of the heater, a group of young people were up and at it. They were venturing onto Munibung Hill as part of the regular Scout program organised for the First South Wallsend Scout Group. It was 7.00pm, Monday 3 June, the temperature was 8 deg. C. Gavin Ord reports:

“There were about 19 of us altogether, fifteen 11 to 14 year olds – boys and girls – plus four Scout leaders. We entered Munibung Hill from the end of Quarry Road, Speers Point.”

“The group was divided into four sub-groups”, said Gavin.  “Each one was tasked with making survival shelters using privet – an invasive species. Each shelter had to be big enough for either a single person or scaled up to double the size – a two person ‘tent’ so to speak.”

“When made, some of the shelters were more robust than others. The point of the challenge is to learn what makes for a good shelter. It’s all about learning by doing”, Gavin says. “PLAN – DO – REVIEW, is the motto. Each group gets to compare their efforts with the others and work out how they can improve – what they need to practice and work on so that next time they end up with a better, more robust, shelter.”

“Before the next visit, back at the scout hall we will do more PLANNING, and REVIEWING, so that the DOING part, next time we venture into the field, will result in better more sturdy shelters.”

“One of the aims of the exercise is to practice construction techniques using basic hand tools. It’s all about helping to build confidence and self-esteem, helping to equip these young people for life as they get older.”

“The local landcarers would usually cut out the privet, heap it up and create piles of forest mulch, as part of a weed control program. The shelter activity took this privet control measure to the next level, demonstrating that a plant that was a problem could be put to a useful purpose in the form of a survival shelter.  If necessary it could be used as part of an overnight camp if the group was staying out (which they weren’t).”

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Getting acquainted for the first time

THE WIND EASED, THE SUN SHONE, and a group of walkers met to acquaint themselves with Munibung Hill.  Two for the first time, two for the umpteenth time and two for the umpteenth time, to the value of 10.

It had been a wild and windy weekend up until that point, but on Sunday afternoon 21 July, it was much more conducive to walking.

Setting out from the end of Farm Street, Speers Point, the purpose was to introduce Blake Richmond and his friend Brenton Hays, an ecologist, to the sights and sounds of the Munibung Hill landscape. 

“I was particularly impressed by the revegetation and restoration work completed on the rainforest slopes,” says Brenton.

 “Munibung Hill shows off the strengths and commitment of
dedicated and passionate community members and volunteers.”

“With their critical assistance, the Hill is slowly transitioning from a previously neglected bushland remnant to a unique piece of biodiversity in an increasingly cleared and urban landscape”.

“It was great to see a range of different people enjoying the bushland while we were walking through.”

“Maintaining those types of simple connections with biodiversity is such an important part of life,” Brenton said.

“And talk about the view at the top! I’m looking forward to my next visit.” 

    …. From MMM Issue #45, Aug-Sept, 2024