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Frequently Asked Questions ~ FAQ |
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Table of Contents |
1.Macarthur Bushwalkers |
In 1796, John Macarthur bought his first merino sheep from a flock of
Spanish Merino sheep reared in South Africa. At the time, sheep were used
for both their meat and their wool and the quality of the fleece from the
breeds already imported to Australia was very poor. Other farmers in the
region also bought merino sheep in 1796, but they cross-bred their Merinos
with other breeds, which resulted in coarse wool of a low quality.
Hard work and growing successMacarthur deliberately did not cross-breed his merinos and he and Elizabeth worked hard to establish their flock. This hard work soon began to pay off for the Macarthur's and by 1803, their flock numbered over 4000 almost-pure merinos. In subsequent years they bought merinos from flocks in various locations which meant that the bloodline of the flock – and therefore the health of their sheep and the quality of their wool – was strengthened and improved over time. In 1807, the Macarthur's sent their first bale of wool to England.John Macarthur returned to England several times, leaving his wife and growing family in Sydney. In 1801 he was sent to London to be court-martial led (as he was still an officer with the Corps) for involving himself in a duel. He was not only able to get the charges against him dropped, but also secured approval from Lord Camden to establish a large sheep-run south of Sydney, which he named Camden Park on his return in 1805. In 1808 Macarthur was in trouble again for his role in the Rum Rebellion, where Governor Bligh's efforts to stop the trade of rum in the colony were overthrown by an angry mob. This time, he resigned from the army in order to avoid another court-martial. He was, however, exiled from New South Wales and remained in England until 1817. During this time Elizabeth ran the farm. Although she had many labourers and servants, she was deeply involved in its running and managed all aspects of its day-to-day operation. Her remarkable agricultural ability is still recognised today at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute. It is fitting that both John Macarthur and Elizabeth Macarthur should be remembered as joint founders of the wool industry in Australia. In the early years of the 1800s world demand for wool increased as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. This meant that the Macarthur's' high quality wool was bought at a premium price upon its arrival in England and the family quickly became the wealthiest in New South Wales. After his return to Australia in 1817, John Macarthur and his wife continued to work hard on their farm. In addition to growing their own fortune and further developing their flock, John Macarthur was involved in the first commercial production of wine in Australia, was a founder of both the Australian Agricultural Company and the Bank of Australia and was one of the earliest members of the New South Wales Legislative Council. John Macarthur died at Camden Park in 1834 and his wife, Elizabeth, died in 1850 in Sydney. John Macarthur's image and that of the merino sheep was commemorated on the old two dollar note in recognition of the impact the wool industry has had on Australia. The Macarthur's descendents continued to farm merinos and continued to live at Camden Park. The merino sheep still thrives in Australia; since 1796 their numbers have continued to swell and average well over 100 million. from: Australian Government - Culture & Recreation Portal Back to Top |
2. Group Information |
| The Macarthur Bushwalkers and Macarthur Bicycle Users Group members are
individuals linked by their love of cycling, the bush, bushwalking and
the challenges presented by these environments.
The Macarthur Bushwalkers is not a 'Walking for Pleasure' group but a genuine bushwalking group. MacBUG is a leisure cycling group whose activities include family rides, touring and riding off road in local areas and National Parks. If you would like to engage in any of these activities then you are in the right place. We are not a formal club, there are no committees, club officials, regular club meetings, club rules etc. The exception to this are the periodic meetings to develop the bushwalking - hiking - cycling activities programme. Much of this discussion takes place on rides and walks. The 'Golden Rules' for this group are safety and consideration for fellow members plus respect of the environment. There are NO club fees or expenses.Personal responsibilityAll members of the group / club accept responsibility for themselves. MacBUG strongly urges riders to take out insurance, shop around. Bicycle NSW provides $20 million public liability insurance, personal accident insurance, Australian Cyclist Magazine, discounts on organised rides and a members handbook with the membership for cyclists only. In addition one can insure the bike and equipment through Bicycle NSW. Insurance is required in the event of personal injury and / or damage to other peoples property. Every person participating in a bushwalking / hiking / cycling activity does so voluntarily and as such, accepts full responsibility for personal injury to himself / herself however incurred. Each person accepts that outdoor activities inherently possess some risk and bushwalking / cycling are very physically challenging activities. A Waiver document must be signed and returned to the walk leader at the start of the initial walk. At the start of every other walk a Waiver must be signed. This Web Site is the primary source of communication to group members thus eliminating printing, postage, stationary costs etc. There are no printed newsletters. Any other Communication is via E-mails or the telephone. The cost of going on any trip is minimal (i.e. food, shared fuel, personal / rented gear, park entrance / camping fees, etc). The Macarthur Bushwalkers / MacBUG group DOES NOT organize all trips, members who are volunteers offer their services. If you are interested in participating in an activity which isn't on the programme, try organising it or at least set it in motion by a suggestion. Members announce a trip they are interested in or an activity they would like someone to organise via the Web Site, group E-mail or even a meeting or activity. The group is only as good as it's membership. Don't be shy. If you want to learn how to do something, want to go somewhere, need info on gear - whatever - post to the group using Email or discuss it on a ride / walk. Someone else out there might have the same query. Children on bushwalksFrom the age of 15 years children participate with the group at the discretion of the Event Leader and with the full understanding that the parents are totally responsible for them. Parents must sign the Waiver for the child if accepted on a walk / ride. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Safety standards have been developed and established in the form of guidelines for the benefit of all participants, simply read and adopt them. The guidelines have been developed using information from other clubs, experience, Bicycle NSW, RTA Road Rules, Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs NSW Inc etc. The safety standards of the group are only as good as the practices of both leaders and participants. A number of documents embracing all aspects of bushwalking / hiking / cycling have been designed to assist you and their links can be found at the bottom of this page, please read them. The same links can also be found on the Group / club Info page - personal info, risk assessment, bush fire survival, responsible bushwalking, equipment page or the links found at the bottom of this page. Back to Top |
3. Booking in for a bushwalk or bicycle ride |
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4. Car sharing and costs |
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There is no such thing as a free ride! The recommended method of sharing transport is the cost of the fuel
used plus 50% divided between all persons in the car, including the driver. Back to Top |
5. Bushwalk preparation and equipment |
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Bushwalking Australia - takes walkers into
some very beautiful yet hostile environments, many of our easier local
NSW bushwalks are in the same type of environment. Bushwalkers participating
in activities should be physically prepared and equipped to meet the challenges
they might encounter on their chosen bushwalk. The following documents
from the Group
Information are there to assist you:
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6.Cycling - Macarthur Bicycle Users Group - MacBUG |
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| Macbug Group Guidelines: Guidelines obtained from Bicycle NSW for the operation of a Bicycle Users Group. | Macbug Pre Ride Checklist: A list of items under the headings of Route, Meeting point and What to Bring, all essential stuff. |
| Macbug Ride Leaders Info: Bicycle NSW advice for the running of an enjoyable, safe and successful ride. | Bicycle NSW - Push On Ride Calendar: The Bicycle NSW online calendar lists of regular rides around NSW. |
MacBUG
Calendar: MacBUG rides programme.Back to Top |
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