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FWAB represents the interests of
Western Australian bushwalkers through memberships of and positions
on the following boards and organisations:
» Bushwalking
Australia Inc (National Peak Body)
» Trails
Reference Group
» State
Trails Strategy Steering Committee
» National
& State Tracks & Trails Committees/Conferences
» OutdoorsWA
» WA
Conservation Council
» WA
Sports Federation
» Perth
Hills Trails Reference Group
» The
Urban Bushland 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. The hard work bore fruition
in March 2008 when the Department of Water reinstated an historic
ruling allowing bushwalking to continue in catchment areas outside
reservoir protection zones and on designated trails and campsites
anywhere in catchments, subject to the review of the Department
of Water Policy 13.
In April 2010 FWAB were invited
to present a submission and formally address the WA Legislative
Council Standing Committee on Public Administration enquiry into
recreation in drinking water catchments prior to the review of
Department of Water Policy 13.
The Report was handed down at the
end of September 2010. Importantly for bushwalkers the Report
recommended that in the review of Policy 13 the Department of
Water was to collaborate with other State Government Departments
that had statutory authority of land that is used as drinking
water catchment. These Departments are Department of Sport and
Recreation, Department of Environment and Conservation, Department
of Health, Tourism WA and Department of Water.
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.
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Weano Gorge - Karajini
Monadnocks National Park
South Coast |
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 $10.55 per member
per annum (2011/2012 figures).
Add your club's weight to the battle to
protect, preserve and enhance bushwalking opportunities and the bushwalking
environment in WA. Have your say.
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?
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 and Melvyn Lintern (Perth Bushwalkers Club) in the 1990's.
Support for the idea was expressed by members of a number
of bushwalking clubs, 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 agreement between the Federation and the Water Corporation
in regards to access to water catchments for traditional bushwalking
activities.
- 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.
The Federation has been engaged in continuous
dialogue with Western Australian State Government agencies to allow
bushwalking in Water Catchments.
The hard work bore fruition in March 2008
when the Department of Water reinstated most of an historic agreement
allowing bushwalking to continue anywhere in water catchment areas outside
Reservoir Protection Zones (RPZs), and on designated trails and camp
sites in Reservoir Protection Zones, subject to the review of the Department
of Water Policy 13. This Policy is being renegotiated by a cross-departmental
committee from the State Government departments which have statutory
authority in water catchments.
Insurance
The Federation, through our peak body Bushwalking Australia Inc, provides
members access to comprehensive Insurance Cover for public liability,
personal accident and critical incident debriefing.
At a cost of just $10.55 per member per annum (2011/2012
figures), this is one of the most competitive insurance premiums available
to members of a sporting organisation.
Federation Council of Delegates 2011/2012
The Federation of Western Australian Bushwalkers Incorporated
is the Peak Body representing bushwalking interests in Western Australia.
It is made up of a Council of two delegates from each member club with
a number of office bearers co-opted to their position. These co-opted
members do not have voting rights.
Club Delegates
| Perth Bushwalkers
Club |
Ian McDonald |
| Hecate
Jay (Secretary) |
| Action Outdoors
Association |
Joe Coletti (President) |
| John Williams (Treasurer) |
| Western Walkers
Club |
Jackie Furby |
| Terry Mahoney |
| Bushwalkers
of WA |
Charlie Matheson |
| Dave Foster |
| Albany Bushwalkers Club
|
Colin Berry |
| Bunbury Adventure Pursuits
Club |
Dean Robins |
| Family Bushwalking
Club |
Mel Lintern |
| Catherine
Lang |
| Great Walk
Network |
Gerard Laumen |
| Thora Ramsay |
| The Hiking Club |
Jerome da Costa |
Co-Opted Committee
Members:
| Ralph Ditton |
Secretary |
| Peter Hegarty |
Insurance Convenor |
| John Considine |
Environmental Officer |
