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What We Do

FWAB represents the interests of Western Australian bushwalkers through memberships to and positions on the following boards and organisations:

» Bushwalking Australia Inc (National Peak Body)
» Trails Assessment Committee
» Adventure Activity Standards Technical Working Committees
» National & State Tracks & Trails Committees/Conferences
» State Trails Strategy Steering Committee
» OutdoorsWA
» WA Conservation Council

FWAB, through our peak body Bushwalking Australia Inc, provides members with competitive Insurance Cover.

FWAB has been engaged in continuous dialogue with Western Australian State Government agencies to allow bushwalking in Water Catchments. See Access

Their hard work bore fruition in March 2008 when the Department of Water reinstated an historic ruling allowing Federation member clubs to walk in catchment areas. FWAB continues the fight for increased access to government land on our members' behalf.

FWAB has coordinated training weekends in leadership & navigation for member clubs (Bush Skills Weekends) and has been instrumental in acquiring funding for Bibbulmun Track hut construction.

Weano Gorge Weano Gorge - Karajini
Monadnocks National Park
Monadnocks National Park
South Coast
South Coast

History

The idea of bringing together a number of proud and independently minded bushwalking clubs in WA under one centrally state-based organisation was an idea proposed and driven by Jerome DaCosta (Perth Bushwalkers Club) in the 1990's.

Support for the idea was expressed by a number of Club Members, including Alf Moredount (Western Walking Club) whose assistance was invaluable in the drafting of the Constitution and Steve Napier (Bushwalkers of WA) who provided much valued enthusiasm and practical input.

The Federation of Western Australian Bushwalkers was officially launched in October 1992 and was a body principally designed to deal with the bigger issues of bushwalking, such as negotiating with Government agencies, educating the general public, encouraging the development of existing clubs, and, with the potential to commence new groups, deal with complex administration matters, insurance arrangements, training of leaders, etc.

Some earlier achievements of the Federation were:

  • Production of a widely read subscription newsletter called The COMPASS of which Steve Napier (BOWA) was the first Editor.
  • A series of yearly training weekends held at Icy Creek Dwellingup where all Clubs came together to share their training skills and to socialise.
  • An in-principal agreement between the Federation and the Water Corporation in regards to walking/camping access in water catchments.
  • A most successful bid to raise its own operating funds by conducting a Quiz night in 1998.
  • Commencing addressing issues affecting long-term safety, such as the installation of fresh water tanks located at the Stirlings and the Fitzgerald River National Park.
  • Being a ready made organisation able to meet all requirements when Public Liability Insurance became available.

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Insurance


FWAB, through our peak body Bushwalking Australia Inc, provides members with comprehensive Insurance Cover for public liability, personal accident and critical incident debriefing.

At a cost of just $9.25 per member per annum, this is one of the most competitive insurance premiums available to members of a sporting organisation.

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Our Current Committee

President: Ian McDonald

Ian has been an active bushwalker for 30+ years and was the most recently President of the Perth Bushwalkers Club. He has been on the Federation of WA Bushwalkers since 1995 and is significantly involved in negotiations for better access for all walkers to the water catchments around Perth which make up the largest part of our walking environment.

Ian is curently President of Bushwalking Australia Inc (the National Peak body for bushwalking interests) and also sits on committees for:

» Trails Assessment
»
State Trails Strategy Steering Committee
»
Adventure Activity Standards Technical Working Committee

Fortunately Ian is retired from fulltime work!

Secretary: Steve Napier

Steve was one of the founding committee of the Federation of WA Bushwalkers in 1992 and established the Federation Newsletter in 1993. Steve has recently rejoined the Federation to add his voice and expertise to the current access battles. Steve is a member of both Bushwalkers of Western Australia (BOWA) and the Action Outdoors Association (AOA).

Treasurer & Insurance Convenor: Jackie Furby

Jackie brings a wealth of experience from the Western Walking Club who celebrate 70 years of continuous existence as a walking club in Western Australia. Jackie has also held the position of Treasurer for WWC.

Other Committee Members:

Mel Lintern BA(Zoo & EnvSc); PhD candidate
Access Sub-Committee member
Family Bushwalking Club
Hecate Jay BA(Phil); Dip Int MM
Secretary of Bushwalking Australia
Member of AAS Technical Working Committee
Perth Bushwalkers Club
Edith Thomas Western Walking Club
John Lang Access Sub-Committee member
Family Bushwalking Club
Graham Barnes Bushwalkers of WA
Dorothy Chin The Hiking Club
Cathy Reindler The Hiking Club
Colin Berry Albany Bushwalkers Club
Vince Piper Action Outdoors Association

Non-Voting Members:

Don Allanach - Federation Conservation Officer; President of Perth Bushwalkers Club
Jerome Da Costa - The Hiking Club

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Why Join?

At a cost of just $1 per member per year, your Club's membership with the Federation of Western Australian Bushwalkers Inc helps provide a valuable advocacy and negotiating base for fighting issues that affect the quality of bushwalking in Western Australia.

Through our National Peak Body - Bushwalking Australia Inc - we provide comprehensive Liability & Personal Accident insurance at a cost of only $9.25 per member per annum (2008 figures).

If you would like to find out more about joining one of our member clubs, click here.

Did you know... Through Bushwalkers Australia Inc, our National Insurance Scheme covers over 21,000 walkers from 197 clubs against the risk of Club Liabilty and Personal Injury?


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