Growing up in Baldivis, Trevor Walley knew a low shrub whose yellow-green fruits, which he called “snottygobbles”, were sought out as bush tucker. The scientific name is persoonia saccata which is the shrub-like form and not as commonly seen as the persoonia longifolia pictured. The first popular book on Western Australian wildflowers, Emily Pelloes marvelous Wildflowers of Western Australia published in 1921, gives it the common name of ‘swottie bobs’. The next popular publication, West Australian Wild Flowers, first published by the West Australian in 1935 and running too many reprints and new editions, did not mention persoonias at all. By the publication of Rica Erickson et al’s Wildflowers of Western Australia in 1973, the whole genus persoonia was referred to as “snottygobbles’. Where did this odd name come from?
A name’s origins
Common names are part of the living, cultural heritage, reflecting ordinary people’s knowledge of the land around them. As part of getting to know Australia, settlers would have transferred familiar name to unfamiliar, but vaguely similar plants. A good example is the name ‘buttercup‘ given in Western Australia to species in the genus hibbertia, not at all related to the buttercup of Europe. But they do have golden-yellow cup-shape flowers that spangle the bush in springtime.
In the United Kingdom, yew trees have squishy fruits with a hard centre. Growing up in Wiltshire, Penny Hussey called these fruits ‘snotty gogs’ (or snotty globs’) and remembers that naughty small boys liked to put them where a girl could inadvertently squidge them—like down the neck of her blouse. The girls, of course, responded with obligatory squeals of disgust! Arriving in WA, the children would soon have discovered any squishy fruits, especially if shown them by Aboriginal friends. It is likely they simply transferred the name to their new land as an oral tradition.
Chinese whispers
Such things were not written down until much later and can change during this time, especially if they were part of the lore and language of school children. But once a name becomes formalised in a widely distributed publication, a common name ‘becomes‘ set.
So this is how we think the name snottygobble got here –via settlers’ kids. Although the plant was well known to be good bush tucker, alas no Nyoongar name—also transmitted in oral tradition—seems to have survived. Perhaps all the kids just like the name ‘snottygobble’—it is a super word—so that’s the one that remained in use.
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$14 of your $70 purchase will go towards maintaining the Track, shelters and bridges.
If you are planning a walk over Easter and the School Holidays, in addition to the usual planning you should do for your walk, you will need to take into consideration the following:
Check which sections have any closures or diversions.
Check that there are no campfire bans at the campsite you wish to visit. Take and use your fuel stove.
Do this by checking the Track conditions on the section you are walking by visiting the relevant Section by Section Guide and clicking the Realignments/Diversion tab on our website.
Large groups will be using some campsites out on the Track. Check these by going to the Section By Section Guide and clicking on the section you would like to walk and then the Groups On Track tab. Avoid these campsites if possible. There will be a large group walking Northcliffe to Walpole.
Take a tent as space in the shelters cannot be guaranteed.
Only access the Track at permitted vehicle access points marked with a red or green car on the official maps. Click for more info and scroll down to Dieback and Bibbulmun Track access.
Take enough water. If you are only doing day-walks, carry enough for the day and leave the water in the tanks for the long distance walkers.
The Adventure Raffle is the Bibbulmun Track Foundation’s major fundraiser for the year and we need your support!
Fantastic prizes include exciting holidays and your choice of outdoor and travel gear.
100% of funds from the raffle will be used to stabilise the Track on the south coast. This will include the installation of steps or matting in badly eroded dune areas and a simple boardwalk at Conspicuous Cliffs. Due to the remote locations, just getting the materials on site by helicopter will cost $20K. All work will be carried out by our volunteers.
I purchased my first umbrella in 2016 and it proved its usefulness immediately when I was walking through Hungary in 38 degree heat on a bitumen road. The temperature dropped 7 degrees under the umbrella! It is wonderful in the rain because you don’t have to wear wet gear to stay dry, which makes you super-hot. This brilliant piece of gear saved my butt when walking into Northcliffe in a horrid thunderstorm being belted by hail; I escaped without bruises and stayed dry! The brand I use is called Swing Hands Free and it’s available online.
Snakes can be a problem and I always wear my Sea to Summit heavy duty gaiters in snake country, but I use debris gaiters to keep out sand, grit and gravel otherwise. There’s a plethora of official hiking brands of debris gaiters on the market, but I’ve discovered the Ultra Gam brand keeps 100% of all debris out. Designer style, come in super funky colours and they fix to the shoes with Velcro. You never have to pick stuff out of your socks or empty your shoes at the end of the day!
The Grab Bag by Osprey attaches to the shoulder strap adjustment on your pack and sits across the front of you. It’s an easy place to get at the things you need regularly; lip balm, knife, camera, phone, etc. when the side pockets of the pack seem way too far around the corner.
For carrying water I use the Source hydration system. You have the option of either a regular single hose or dual hose system. The dual system allows you to have both water and hydration salts ready loaded. The mouth piece has a cover so it stays clean outside the pack and the bladder can be refilled without taking it out of the pack, allowing you to top up water on the go without unpacking. A Sawyer filter can be attached directly to the system.
When you want to take a break in the bush there is often nowhere comfortable to sit down; fallen logs are often dirty, damp and moss covered. To alleviate this problem, Thermarest make two types of seat rests, also known as sit-pads or ass mats. (Ed: The latter term is used by Americans, who can't spell). Both function equally well and it’s a personal preference whether you prefer the fold-up type which is lightweight but bulky, or the blow-up type which is much smaller but heavier. Sources of this type of product include Wildearth and Military 1st.
A tent or not a tent? That is the question pondered by many walkers who are trying to reduce the weight of their packs. If you elect not to carry a tent, but still appreciate that you may not get access to a Track shelter for the night, the Z Pak tarp is the super lightweight answer.
Health is always a big concern for walkers, and looking after your body, both externally and internally when embarking on a strenuous trek is of paramount importance. These are a few suggestions that might help.
1. Rock Tape
Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to your joints and muscles without affecting circulation and range of motion. It is also used for Preventive Maintenance, Oedema, and to treat pain. There is an app for Android and Apple called Taping Guide that is a free download and works offline. You can buy Bibbulmun Track branded Rocktape here. Also check out www.rocktape.com/project/tapes-aint-tapes/
2. Cramp Stop
For cramps without chemical fix, Cramp Stop is a homeopathic remedy and is available online or in some health stores.
3. Traumeel
Traumeel is an anti-inflammatory which is homeopathic and not chemical based. Available from health stores in tablet and cream form.
4. Vital Greens
Vital Greens is a supplement for green veggies. A tablespoon a day in water gives you something different to drink and also supplies vital nutrients that you can’t get on the Track.
