After the final flurry of intense activity, we submitted Grant applications to Lotterywest, DEC and Royalties for Regions: we are also hoping to make presentations to Bank West and Bauxite Resources for foundation sponsorships. We will naturally be seeking funding from any appropriate source and would welcome your feedback and advice on any such approaches.
In the meantime, whilst attending my fathers 90th birthday celebrations in Vienna, Maggie and I took the opportunity of a gentle cycle ride from Prague back to Vienna: but it didn't quite turn out as we expected!! Mountain biking in remote Moravia has its charms, but for a couple of grandparents, it also had some incredible challenges! But we survived and in retrospect we are so happy we took up the challenge: it also highlighted the fact that if you have a Trail, then you need to set it up well, provide precise information about it and provide signage/maps/GPS that are current and accurate. It has shown me that although our progress towards a permanent trail can sometimes appear to be glacial, we are in fact trying to achieve Best Practice and create the best possible Trail for all users, and this takes time.
A Heritage Walk linking Perth to country WA
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Deadlines
We are fast approaching the deadline for submitting Grant applications: the first is 10th March!! These applications demand a great deal of focus and attention if they are to be successful, as many other organizations are also applying for these limited funds. Hopefully we will succeed and can then progress with establishing the trail as a permanent feature on the Australian Trail scene: ALL VERY EXCITING!
No trail can be considered a success unless people walk it, and that means they need to hear about it first: that's where YOU come in. Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement, so we encourage you to not only consider getting out there in the cooler months and walking sections of the trail, but also to talk about it to your family and friends.
I got a lovely email during the week from the State Equestrian Centre, thanking us for bringing the trail past their front door and inviting all Pilgrim Trail users to drop in and have a look at their facilities: apparently they often have international riders there using the arena, so it's well worth a look. (see link on this page)
Please keep sending your support emails and any suggestions that you may have that will help make the Pilgrim Trail the best of its kind in Australia!!
No trail can be considered a success unless people walk it, and that means they need to hear about it first: that's where YOU come in. Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement, so we encourage you to not only consider getting out there in the cooler months and walking sections of the trail, but also to talk about it to your family and friends.
I got a lovely email during the week from the State Equestrian Centre, thanking us for bringing the trail past their front door and inviting all Pilgrim Trail users to drop in and have a look at their facilities: apparently they often have international riders there using the arena, so it's well worth a look. (see link on this page)
Please keep sending your support emails and any suggestions that you may have that will help make the Pilgrim Trail the best of its kind in Australia!!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Applications for funding
March is almost here and that means, not only that Easter is just around the corner, but also that it's deadline time for getting funding applications in. We need significant funding so that we can actually get some markers on the ground and be able to tell the story of the Pilgrim Trail. Our "Rolls Royce" scenario with all the signage, shelters, website, publications and support necessary to establish a world class trail, means that we are looking to raise over $400,000. For that reason we are approaching our dear benefactors Lotterywest to once again support our endeavor: we are also applying for grants from DEC and Royalties for Regions, both of whom have indicated that our enterprise does fall within their guidelines -so fingers crossed!
After a recent Board meeting we have also decided to approach the private sector to seek funding there too; and I have been encouraged by the positive response received so far. At this stage we have a submission in with one local mining company and we are looking to present another submission to a large financial institution too. It is one of the great benefits of working on such a project, that I have been amazed and delighted by the number of people of good will who are so enthusiastic in their support. If there is one person who personifies this level of enthusiasm and encouragement, it is Mike Foley the CEO of the City of Swan. He oversees and massive organization and yet finds time to discuss with us our proposals and seek to accommodate our wishes as best he can: thanks Mike!!
The downside - and there is always a downside in life - is that we have to fill out "Forms"!!! And boy, do some of these forms bewilder me! Coming from a medical background and having to answer environmental questions in "government speak" is beyond my current expertise: so if anyone wants to volunteer to help......
After a recent Board meeting we have also decided to approach the private sector to seek funding there too; and I have been encouraged by the positive response received so far. At this stage we have a submission in with one local mining company and we are looking to present another submission to a large financial institution too. It is one of the great benefits of working on such a project, that I have been amazed and delighted by the number of people of good will who are so enthusiastic in their support. If there is one person who personifies this level of enthusiasm and encouragement, it is Mike Foley the CEO of the City of Swan. He oversees and massive organization and yet finds time to discuss with us our proposals and seek to accommodate our wishes as best he can: thanks Mike!!
The downside - and there is always a downside in life - is that we have to fill out "Forms"!!! And boy, do some of these forms bewilder me! Coming from a medical background and having to answer environmental questions in "government speak" is beyond my current expertise: so if anyone wants to volunteer to help......
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Australia Day 2011
I've just listened to Michael Parkinson giving an Australia Day talk on the ABC, and what he said re-enforced in me what a truly astonishing country we live in! On one level we seem to be waiting for things to "get better", and yet this small country has made astonishing strides since settlement began in the eighteenth century: just imaging what the next 200 years will bring! Here in WA we have wide blue skies, the freshest of air, the awesome ocean; the stark, harsh beauty of the bush and endless resources fueling a booming economy. We have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to: we should be jumping up and down for joy to be here in this great State.
In 200 years time, there will be towns and villages leading up to New Norcia along the Pilgrims Trail. There will be cafes and restaurants, pubs and comfy B&Bs for the weary travelers: and there will be thousands of Pilgrims using the Pilgrims Trail. Why? Because one thing that seems innate in our humanity is the desire to seek a connection with the sacred and the spiritual, and the Pilgrims Trail gives walkers that opportunity to take time out and review, renew and reconnect with their inner self.
So this Australia Day: dare to be excited about, and for, our wonderful country. Write down your dreams: make that your first step towards making them a reality. I hope that helping bring the Pilgrims Trail to completion will be on your list: its definitely on mine!
HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY
In 200 years time, there will be towns and villages leading up to New Norcia along the Pilgrims Trail. There will be cafes and restaurants, pubs and comfy B&Bs for the weary travelers: and there will be thousands of Pilgrims using the Pilgrims Trail. Why? Because one thing that seems innate in our humanity is the desire to seek a connection with the sacred and the spiritual, and the Pilgrims Trail gives walkers that opportunity to take time out and review, renew and reconnect with their inner self.
So this Australia Day: dare to be excited about, and for, our wonderful country. Write down your dreams: make that your first step towards making them a reality. I hope that helping bring the Pilgrims Trail to completion will be on your list: its definitely on mine!
HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Decade of the Pilgrims Trail
New Year: New hope: New challenges. Welcome to 2011.
Next week we have the first Board meeting for the Foundation for the year and we will look at the draft Management Plan that Colin Ingram has produced. We will also be looking to increase the size of the Board to broaden the skills base we need so that we can create a world class Trail.
Then its "hitting the road". Colin and I will be meeting again with all the relevant Cities, Shires, Government Departments and land holders to gain their support for the next stage, which should bring us close to finalization.
Its going to be a busy time and we will appreciate all the support that you can give us. Any suggestions or inspirations that you may have will also be gratefully received.
To all our supporters, their families and friends, may you have a wonderful, exciting and adventurous New Year.
Next week we have the first Board meeting for the Foundation for the year and we will look at the draft Management Plan that Colin Ingram has produced. We will also be looking to increase the size of the Board to broaden the skills base we need so that we can create a world class Trail.
Then its "hitting the road". Colin and I will be meeting again with all the relevant Cities, Shires, Government Departments and land holders to gain their support for the next stage, which should bring us close to finalization.
Its going to be a busy time and we will appreciate all the support that you can give us. Any suggestions or inspirations that you may have will also be gratefully received.
To all our supporters, their families and friends, may you have a wonderful, exciting and adventurous New Year.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Northern Alignment
Although I haven't posted anything for November, it has in fact,been a very busy time with trail walks and meetings. Maggie, Colin and I have walked almost all of the new northern alignment, and even though the weather has been fairly hot, the walking has been excellent. From the picture you can see that as well as beautiful scenery, we also discovered busy bees hard at work on the edge of the forest area! There were also reminders of how tough life is in the bush with ample remains of our marsupial friends and the active presence of snakes and lizards! For those with an "avian bent", the bird life is fairly awesome as well!
We had a meeting amongst ourselves in order to see where we need to involve others with specific skills to help further the aims of the Pilgrim Trail: and we had a fascinating meeting with representatives of the defense force, as part of the new alignment follows their boundary fence. The people we met with were most helpful in bringing us "up to speed" with their needs, and general discussion produced ideas on the mid to long term future of the land and our Trail.
Colin is now working on the "Master Plan" that he hopes to have ready in the next couple of weeks: and then its meetings, meetings, meetings!
With the season of Advent just around the corner, its a good time to remember that the first Christmas began with Joseph and Mary taking a long trail walk to Bethlehem: they eventually found a good site for the night and since then the whole world hasn't stopped celebrating it all! May this Christmas be your best ever, but spare a thought for all those less fortunate than ourselves, who are still doing it tough on their particular Trails!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Almost there......
Last weekend, having met so many friendly flies the previous weekend, Maggie and I decided to re-acquaint ourselves with some of their myriad cousins a bit further north!
We began our trek from Calingri Rd and headed south along the buffer zone next to the Military Training area. There's a clear trail next to the fence that borders the farm land on the west side of the buffer zone, and walking is pretty easy. If you're into paleontology, there are plenty of skeletal remains to examine - too our untrained amateur eyes, they seemed to be of the marsupial variety!
We made it down almost to half way before we had to return to our car: but the signs are promising.
At the southern end of this track there is a boundary fence on the Dewars Pool Rd stating that entry is only at the permission of the owners: at the northern end, it's open access: another mystery to solve!
IF we can make use of this trail, then we have good track all the way from Chittering Rd to 5ks short of New Norcia and that's so much better than 45kms along the highway!
To see the trail go to:
http://maps.google.co/maps/ms?ie=UTFmsa=0msid=101825537550456146464.0004933225d1540f08dc3
We began our trek from Calingri Rd and headed south along the buffer zone next to the Military Training area. There's a clear trail next to the fence that borders the farm land on the west side of the buffer zone, and walking is pretty easy. If you're into paleontology, there are plenty of skeletal remains to examine - too our untrained amateur eyes, they seemed to be of the marsupial variety!
We made it down almost to half way before we had to return to our car: but the signs are promising.
At the southern end of this track there is a boundary fence on the Dewars Pool Rd stating that entry is only at the permission of the owners: at the northern end, it's open access: another mystery to solve!
IF we can make use of this trail, then we have good track all the way from Chittering Rd to 5ks short of New Norcia and that's so much better than 45kms along the highway!
To see the trail go to:
http://maps.google.co/maps/ms?ie=UTFmsa=0msid=101825537550456146464.0004933225d1540f08dc3
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Another link in the chain
After a productive board meeting recently, Maggie and I set out to have a look at part of an alternative to the Great Northern highway north of Bindoon. The result was very exciting!
Instead of heading up to where Chittering Road meets the Highway, we turned right into Julimar Rd and then into Julimar Forest along the western boundary road: this goes due north, though you would never pick it as it meanders through the edge of the forest and is great to walk.
It crosses Flat Rock Rd and then touches the end of Stephens Rd before turning into Northern Boundary Rd and thence Dewars Pools Road! If we can now walk through the buffer zone alongside the Military area, then we reach the lower end of Old Plain Rd and - hey presto - we're into New Norcia without touching the highway - and the trail that we walked was outstanding: a fantastic complement to the first 4 days.
It does add some kilometers, but they're well worth it!
This just gets better and better: please keep your fingers crossed that the next link in the chain falls into place too!
To see the route go to:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTFmsa=0msid=101825537550456146464.000493321100a9389143d
Instead of heading up to where Chittering Road meets the Highway, we turned right into Julimar Rd and then into Julimar Forest along the western boundary road: this goes due north, though you would never pick it as it meanders through the edge of the forest and is great to walk.
It crosses Flat Rock Rd and then touches the end of Stephens Rd before turning into Northern Boundary Rd and thence Dewars Pools Road! If we can now walk through the buffer zone alongside the Military area, then we reach the lower end of Old Plain Rd and - hey presto - we're into New Norcia without touching the highway - and the trail that we walked was outstanding: a fantastic complement to the first 4 days.
It does add some kilometers, but they're well worth it!
This just gets better and better: please keep your fingers crossed that the next link in the chain falls into place too!
To see the route go to:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTFmsa=0msid=101825537550456146464.000493321100a9389143d
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Lots happening
Since the last Camino walk from St Josephs, there has been a flurry of reporting on the event, and on the trail. Chris Olney wrote an article for the Catholic record which was very professional and very good! That same "organ" of the west Australian catholic press is also serializing a journal that I kept whilst we walked the first Camino this year: next week is week 3! But most exciting of all in the media was Dawn Greens article in the national magazine, Great Walks, for which she wrote an article entitled "Pilgrimage of Passion". It's about her trip along the Pilgrim trail that she organized herself and completed with her husband: it's a wonderful article and well worth a read. But please remember, Dawn was in frequent correspondence with me about the trail, because as of this moment, there is no signage and there is still a vast amount of work to be done to bring it all into fruition. (read on....)
Which leads me onto the realignment of the northern section of the trail. Essentially, we need to get the trail off the Highway between Bindoon and New Norcia: this creates issues of access and also availability to accommodation as the trail will have to move eastward. The good news is that should we succeed then the trail will be even better than before, but you wouldn't believe how many people one has to talk to in order to get things up and walking! The greatest news however is that everyone we talk to is still very positive about the whole concept and very supportive: it's just that crossing those "T's" and dotting those "I's" seems to take forever!! One thing the trail has taught me is patience - everything happens in its own time!
Which leads me onto the realignment of the northern section of the trail. Essentially, we need to get the trail off the Highway between Bindoon and New Norcia: this creates issues of access and also availability to accommodation as the trail will have to move eastward. The good news is that should we succeed then the trail will be even better than before, but you wouldn't believe how many people one has to talk to in order to get things up and walking! The greatest news however is that everyone we talk to is still very positive about the whole concept and very supportive: it's just that crossing those "T's" and dotting those "I's" seems to take forever!! One thing the trail has taught me is patience - everything happens in its own time!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Camino Salvado 2010 Part II
Maggie and I met up with the second group of walkers of the 2010 Camino Salvado at the State Equestrian Center at Brigadoon. It was a hot days walking and they were most grateful to be able to drop their "bundles" and and take off their boots in the shade of the trees surrounding the paddock next to the center. The "cannon" reticulation device came as a refreshing surprise as it showered us all when we least expected it! The staff were most friendly and left us to our own devices whilst food and drinks were happily eaten. Then Hamish, the CEO, invited us inside and what an amazing surprise that was. This is a world class facility here in our own backyard, and most people don't even know it exists! Like most organizations, it relies on the goodwill of its supporters, and these need all our help, if we are to maintain this awesome facility.
I urge as many of you as possible to take a trip out to Bells Rapids for a picnic, but do stop at the Center in Cathedral Ave, and you wont be sorry! Even better, join as a member and enjoy the spectacle of indoor riding!
Whilst the walkers are walking, Colin and I are still working on the northern alignment of the trail and are in talks with stakeholders that will hopefully lead to a better, safe, more enjoyable experience. We also need sponsors and members to help fund what is ahead for us: to be able to sign and tell the story of the Pilgrim trail! So please, send me an email to indicate your interest and I will get back to you.
I urge as many of you as possible to take a trip out to Bells Rapids for a picnic, but do stop at the Center in Cathedral Ave, and you wont be sorry! Even better, join as a member and enjoy the spectacle of indoor riding!
Whilst the walkers are walking, Colin and I are still working on the northern alignment of the trail and are in talks with stakeholders that will hopefully lead to a better, safe, more enjoyable experience. We also need sponsors and members to help fund what is ahead for us: to be able to sign and tell the story of the Pilgrim trail! So please, send me an email to indicate your interest and I will get back to you.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Since we completed the Camino a couple of weeks ago, life has been hectic in the flow on effect.
Colin, Maggie, Ean and myself have reviewed the trail and found possible camping sites along the way which is very exciting: so it’s back to relevant Shires to continue the conversation with them.
Also, the sheer enthusiasm from the walkers after walking the 22kms along Old Plain Road and not on the Highway has renewed our vigor to find the elusive alternative that will take us from Bindoon to New Norcia a long way away from albeit friendly, yet scary truckies!! We have identified a number of possible routes and are in negotiations with the relevant authorities: it all just takes time, but we’re not in a hurry – we just want to do it well!
Thank you to those who have dropped me emails, keep them coming as I really appreciate them.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
What an experience!! Maggie and I, along with 25 other walkers have just completed the walk from Subiaco to New Norcia. To say the scenery was spectacular is an understatement! Once we'd got over our tired feet, we went back with Colin Ingram our talented trails consultant, to review the trail so far: he's very impressed.
A big breakthrough was to bus walkers for the last day from the Highway, inland 10ks to Old Plains road and walk to New Norcia that way: instead of trucks and road trains, we met one car in 4 hours and the views were stunning with the Canola crops a blazing yellow all around!
Colin and I both agree that the race is on the re-align the last couple of days with the view of finishing via Old Plains road. If any of you have any insights or suggestions, we would be very happy to hear from you.
Another groups from St Josephs Church is due to leave in a couple of weeks and the scene will have changed as the Canola will be cropped and the cereal crops more advanced, so nothing stands still in nature.
Walking the whole trail reminded me that we have so many stories to tell along the route: the adventures of Dom Salvado as he set out to establish the New Norcia Mission: his work with the indigenous peoples: the stories of the Nungyar people in Walyungar: the story of the Swan river and the Swan River Colony!! This trail will be such a treasure for the whole of Australia.
There are other ventures that we are investigating to complement the trail, so watch this space!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Lotterys Funding
Firstly: apologies for the long gap between posts - I don't know what I've been doing, but I promise you that I've been extremely busy doing it!!
We were delighted to receive news that we have been successful in our grant application to Lottery's West. After some deliberation we have awarded the contract for Trails Consultant that Lotterys stipulate we use the funds for, to Colin Ingram.
Having Colin on board is a real coup for us as he has a mammoth amount of experience in Trails and Tourism here in WA: and it's been a real pleasure going through the details of the Pilgrims Trail with him and seeing his excitement for the project. We have really stepped up to the next level.
Now we have to go through everything all over again, but this time in the finest detail with a view to further grant applications and also to present our case to private individuals and organization who may wish to sponsor this spectacular venture.
Maggie and I are preparing to walk the whole route with the up coming Camino Salvado in 10 days, and I have to say that the joy and delight of been out on the Trail again is just as good as the first time: this will be a jewel in the Crown for WA for decades/centuries to come. The photo above shows the two of us with current Board member Ean James on the right: next to him is Paul Udinga -an amazing guy and the Ranger at Walyunga: and next to him is Colin Ingram our very own Trails Consultant doing "due diligence".
Keep the emails coming: I really appreciate them. And remember that the Trail isn't "open" as such, as there is still much to do with regard to signage and educational material etc. But there are many sections that you can walk and savor. Enjoy!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Another link in the chain
Thanks to some fantastic cooperation from Mike Foley and his team at the City of Swan, we now have confirmation of a track that follows Stock Road - marked on maps but not actually in existence - that links the north west tip of Walyunga National Park with Shady Hill View Rd in lower Chittering. This means that there is potential public access all the way from Subiaco to New Norcia!! We still have to 'scope the area and talk to the Rangers in the Park, but we hope to do that in the next couple of weeks.
Whilst painting shells for the Camino Salvado, it came to me that we can use the Scallop Shell as our sign indicator for the permanent trail when we get funding for it: also I'm working on a Logo for the trail and would appreciate any ideas and feedback on that.
We also have to formalize a Board, so if anyone would like to put themselves forward, then I would appreciate that too: we do have some amazing people already who are willing to lend their support, but enthusiasm is the life-blood of any long-lasting endeavor!
Whilst painting shells for the Camino Salvado, it came to me that we can use the Scallop Shell as our sign indicator for the permanent trail when we get funding for it: also I'm working on a Logo for the trail and would appreciate any ideas and feedback on that.
We also have to formalize a Board, so if anyone would like to put themselves forward, then I would appreciate that too: we do have some amazing people already who are willing to lend their support, but enthusiasm is the life-blood of any long-lasting endeavor!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Pilgrims Progess: back from holidays
They say that travel broadens the mind: but they omitted to say that jet lag dulls it once you get home!
We've just returned from 3 weeks visiting family in the UK and Ireland, and also noting that there are some fantastic walks in both countries. We took the easy option and drove through the Cheddar Gorge which was very impressive and well used by local hikers. Talking with old friends who walk the Moors in northern UK, one was reminded of how lucky we are with the weather in this country: they spoke of the rain-proof gear they have to use because of the machine-gun like effect of the rain in the howling winds they often have to endure! But still, on a sunny day in summer, they really are the "Blessed Isles".
Before we went away, I had very useful meetings with the City of Perth, the Swan River Trust and the Shire of Chittering talking about the Pilgrim Trail and how to develop appropriate signage and how to improve the Trail.
For all potential walkers, please remember, until we get funding THERE IS NO SIGNAGE ON THE CURRENT ROUTE. The Pilgrim Trail is still in development, and it will be some time before we can declare it "officially open". However, there is goodwill all around, and though progress is slow: there IS progress and we WILL succeed. We await the results of our application for funding from the Lotteries Commission so that we can appoint a Trails Consultant to advance the process.
If anyone would like to become involved with the Pilgrim trail, we would love to hear from you
We've just returned from 3 weeks visiting family in the UK and Ireland, and also noting that there are some fantastic walks in both countries. We took the easy option and drove through the Cheddar Gorge which was very impressive and well used by local hikers. Talking with old friends who walk the Moors in northern UK, one was reminded of how lucky we are with the weather in this country: they spoke of the rain-proof gear they have to use because of the machine-gun like effect of the rain in the howling winds they often have to endure! But still, on a sunny day in summer, they really are the "Blessed Isles".
Before we went away, I had very useful meetings with the City of Perth, the Swan River Trust and the Shire of Chittering talking about the Pilgrim Trail and how to develop appropriate signage and how to improve the Trail.
For all potential walkers, please remember, until we get funding THERE IS NO SIGNAGE ON THE CURRENT ROUTE. The Pilgrim Trail is still in development, and it will be some time before we can declare it "officially open". However, there is goodwill all around, and though progress is slow: there IS progress and we WILL succeed. We await the results of our application for funding from the Lotteries Commission so that we can appoint a Trails Consultant to advance the process.
If anyone would like to become involved with the Pilgrim trail, we would love to hear from you
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