Despite being a non-smoker, Carolyn Riordan, daughter of one of the Track’s founders, Peter Hewett, has lung cancer. In a tribute to their Dad's legacy, Carolyn and her sister, Penni Ellis, are walking the Bibbulmun Track to raise awareness that 10 to 15% of people who contract the disease have never smoked.
On Mother’s Day weekend last year Carolyn was given the devastating news. She had lung cancer - Australia’s biggest cancer killer - and it had spread to her bones and brain. She joined a campaign to remind medics, as well as the public, that one in three women and one in ten men diagnosed with the illness have never smoked and that more funding is needed for research.
Penni and Carolyn chose to walk the Bibbulmun Track as a fitting tribute to their father, the late Peter Hewett who worked in the Forests Department back in 1972. He was part of the enthusiastic planning team who designed on paper a Lancelin-to-Albany walk, via the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge, but in ensuing months it was realised this was unrealistic, and this proposition was abandoned in favour of a shorter Kalamunda to Northcliffe proposal. It was at this time that the name Bibbulmun Track was adopted and the first alignment of the Track was marked on the ground in March 1974.
Peter Hewett and Geoff Schafer at the 10th Anniversary celebrations in 2008
"Remembering our Dad, Peter Hewett, today and his wonderful contribution to the creation of the Bibbulmun Track. He was a man of many hats but his favourite was probably his hard hat."
Carolyn is walking the Track in three parts. The first stage kicked off in Albany on the 13th April. The second stage started in June and the third stage will be in October 2019.
Day 14: Mt Clare (Shedley Drive) to Mandalay Beach
Three of her four daughters, Courtney, 26, Brittany, 24, Gabrielle, 22, and Elyse, 16, will join her on the walk. “I do have a partially collapsed lung where the main tumour is. Hills present a big challenge for me,” she said.
"Our Dad, Peter Hewett, is with us every step of the way. We have our scout/guide toggles on our backpacks in honour of Dad and his old Forest Department compass helping guide our journey — in Northcliffe, Western Australia."
Carolyn and her sister Penni arrived at Harvey-Quindanning Rd having left Yourdamung Campsite for their 20th day on the Track.
The Bibbulmun Team Challenge was conceived by the Bibbulmun Track Foundation in 2002, and is Western Australia’s most unique physical and mental team building challenge.
The Challenge involves teams of four people competing against each other in a series of team-building activities across a 50km route of the Bibbulmun Track. The activities have an emphasis on outdoor skills, safety, environmental awareness, physical and mental challenges. Run over four days, participants are provided with comprehensive information as well as hire equipment.
The Bibbulmun Team Challenge offers a whole new playing field for corporate organizations to battle it out and prove which team has the best blend of brains, brawn and team camaraderie to survive and thrive in the bush.
The Bibbulmun Team Challenge is the most unique physical and mental team building challenges currently available in WA and offers the rare opportunity for teams to not only completely disconnect with technology and reconnect with others, but to enjoy the beauty of being completely immersed in Western Australia’s breathtaking bushland. It is ideal for anyone wanting to put leadership and problem solving skills to the ultimate test, build team camaraderie, and for individuals looking for an intense and fulfilling adventure experience in this spectacular landscape. It is also of course the ultimate test to prove which organisation has it all.
The Challenge is a major fundraiser for The Bibbulmun Track Foundation with a 100% of all entry fees going towards maintaining the Bibbulmun Track for future generations, making the entire experience extremely rewarding.
Registrations for the 2019 Bibbulmun Team Challenge are open. The Challenge involves teams of four (a total of four teams) and due to the limited spaces available, it is recommended that teams get in early and register to secure their spot.
Work at Ball Creek campsite on the weekend saw over 180 young native plants added to bare ground in front of the shelter and along the path to the toilet.
We were enthusiastically assisted on Sunday by a leader and members from the 1st Ballajura Girl Guides unit. Every year, a group from this unit undertakes a multi-day walk, and they were keen to give back to the Track. Using plants provided by DBCA Mundaring District Operations Officer, Rebecca Hamilton, and holes pre-drilled by members of the BTF Support Volunteers, we quickly completed the planting in still, clear weather.
Judging by the laughter and mud-daubed faces, the girls enjoyed the activity. They concluded their outing with a sausage sizzle over a Trangia before walking back out to the cars at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre. In addition to the planting, the excursion was an opportunity to introduce the girls to trail marking, a boot cleaning station (for limiting spread of Phytophthera), local plant identification and the “totally gross” but very indicative emu scat containing zamia seeds.
Walkers travelling through Ball Creek campsite in coming weeks are requested to take care moving around the vicinity of the shelter, to avoid trampling the new plants. In most cases, fallen branches have been placed to mark and protect areas containing new plants.
Thanks to Rebecca Hamilton for the coordination and the plants, the SVs who produced the holes, and former sectional volunteer Joy McGilvray who happily joined the group and provided her botanical knowledge.
Helena shelter rebuilt in 2019 after being destroyed by fire.
18 months after its destruction in a bushfire, the Helena Campsite was officially re-opened on 28 June 2019.
Parks & Wildlife Services collaborated with the Foundation regarding the design and took on board all the feedback provided by members and volunteers in our vision survey and workshop. We are very happy with the result which is based on the Deep South design and retains the renowned views from the shelter.
The shelter was given its first test and christening by a group of BTF volunteers who stayed there overnight while finishing off the new tent sites, internal trails and signage.
The campsite features:
Sleeping platforms to cater for up to 24 walkers
11 tent sites
Two water tanks
Plenty of hooks to hang your gear
Attachment points on the openings to hang a tarp if it is windy
Five picnic tables (four under cover)
Large toilet with plenty of room to get changed inside and an awning for shelter if you’re queuing in the rain!
Some of the best views to wake up to over the Helena valley
If you’re planning to head out to Helena Campsite please be mindful and keep off areas under rehabilitation. These areas have been covered with cuttings and small fallen logs. Please don't burn them for the fire!
It is also advisable to check for any groups. Groups of 8 or more are asked to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) and these are listed on the Track conditions pages on our website.
Read the media release by the Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Environment.
Matt Whittaker (36) pleaded guilty in February to two charges of doing an act likely to endanger the safety or lives of others.
Finnish couple, Queralt Tobarra and Tuomas Tani, were walking along the track in Paulls Valley close to the start of the Track. The Bibbulmun Track crosses a few roads in this suburban area and unfortunately came out of the bush just as Whittaker was in the vicinity. He ran them down with his ute at a speed of between 60-70kmph, then got out of his vehicle, took a shovel from his ute and attacked them.
The couple eventually managed to overpower Whittaker after Ms Tobarra hit him over the head with the shovel. A passer-by stopped to help and the three of them held Whittaker down until police arrived.
Whittaker is also facing charges of possessing methylamphetamine, an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
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