About BBC

The Club Aims And Purposes

The purposes for which the Bayside Bushwalking Club Inc. was formed are:

• to promote recreational walking and allied activities.
• to encourage a wider appreciation and better understanding of the wildlife and natural assets and to assist in their preservation.
• to encourage participation in the recreational activities in safety and with due consideration for others and the environment.

The first allows us to be involved in a wide range of activities allied to recreational walking. The Club takes full account of this in planning activities for its members. However the statement stipulates that we promote recreational activities, not necessarily within the limited boundaries of our Club, but within the wider community.

The second challenges us to develop an understanding of our natural assets through our activities. To fully appreciate these resources, we need to study them, their interactions, and their frailties. In exercising our right to utilise these resources, we accept the responsibility for their preservation.

The third, ties together the other two adding the requirement that all activities must be carried out safely. We are not the only users of these resources and whilst we expect consideration from other recreational users, we must also consider their rights. Both our rights and those of others to use these resources must be balanced against the long term preservation of the environment.

The Statement of Purposes carries a significant responsibility for both the members and committee. Consider them carefully and test your motives and actions to see if they meet the Statements criteria.

How The Club Operates

The Club is run by a Committee of 10, which is elected at the Annual General Meeting each July. The Committee meets monthly and has the following sub-committees: day walks, overnight walks, the newsletter, finance, search and rescue, special activities as appropriate.

At the monthly Club meetings the "walks programme" is discussed and normally a guest speaker is organised to speak on an issue of interest.

BBC is a member of the Federation of Victorian Walking Clubs, generally known as 'VicWalk'. VicWalk represents bushwalker interests in discussions with government bodies, organises Club insurance, is active in outdoor education, and the organisation of bush search and rescue.

Members leading walks and other activities do so on a voluntary basis and may use their discretion to decline any person's request to attend.

The Committee invites all Club members to participate in the voluntary organisation of Club activities.

Club Communications

The Club produces a monthly newsletter called "BBC News" which is mailed/emailed to all members. This lists the forthcoming activities, has trip reports by members and articles on issues of general interest to bushwalkers. You are encouraged to contribute. We are always looking for fresh ideas and lively, informative articles. Contributions for the next Newsletter should be given to the Editor on the Club night prior to publication or sent via the P0 Box in time for the relevant Newsletter. Contact details are on the Club Information page.

The program of activities is discussed at each monthly meeting together with general business and news items.

There is also an opportunity for members to raise any matters of interest or relevance to the Club at Club meetings.

Club Activities

The main Club activities are day walks, overnight walks and base camps. These are supplemented by other activities which includes cycling, canoeing and some social activities. A group of members is also active in VicWalk's Bushwalkers Search and Rescue.

The Club encourages its members to attain and improve skills associated with bushwalking and leadership. Areas of development include first aid, navigation courses.

The Club has a "mentor system" whereby potential leaders are teamed with an experienced leader who will guide them through the procedures of organising their first walks.

Activity Gradings

To ensure members can participate in activities appropriate to their capabilities, the activities are graded. The grading is based on the leader's assessment of the activity, location and possible environmental conditions expected at the time of the year. These gradings are subjective only.

BBC Emergency Contact System

The Club Emergency Contact (CEC) System has two objectives:

• To provide a contact point for friends/relatives on the day(s) of the walk or activity, for inquiries about a walk group that is overdue.
• To follow a predetermined system should the leader not phone in or the party not return as arranged.

The CEC System may not apply to urban walks.

The system is not intended to be a means of contact from family to individual members of a walk party for social reasons or even family emergency situations. Usually there is little chance of contact being made during an activity. The most a CEC can be expected to do is pass on a message when the leader phones in. At this stage the walk will be officially completed, and the party may have dispersed.

Walkers must instruct their emergency contact that if they do not return by the time advised to ring the Club Contact for information.

The Club Contact is responsible for advising the police that a search may be needed and acts on behalf of the Committee in any briefing required.

Current Emergency Contacts are listed in the BBC Newsletter and this website.

Insurance and personal risk:

Members are covered by the VicWalk Public Liability and Personal Accident Insurance scheme. However, no BBC activity is covered by Ambulance insurance. If you wish Ambulance insurance or more extensive Personal Accident Insurance you should take out your own policies. Bushwalking and other Club activities carry their own particular risks, be they from 'slipperies' (wet rocks, logs, ice) and falls, or whatever.

Walkers attend Club activities at their own risk.
Members are responsible for their own safety.
No responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage of participants' belongings.