WALKER INFORMATION

 The Walks Program is subject to changes and additions as advised at monthly meetings, via e-Bulletins to Members, amendments to the walks program on the club webpage and in the update notices that may be issued from time to time.

In line with changes in government regulations, proof of COVID vaccination is no longer a mandatory condition of signing on for walks. Carpooling is at the discretion of individual drivers and may require declaration of vaccine status from passengers. It is a responsibility of all participants to abide by Covid safe behaviour at all times.

Walk Grades

Walk/Activity Types

Day walks (D) and other day activities are listed first in the program.
Pack Carries (PC; minimum grading Medium) and Base Camps (BC) then follow.

The following activities may also appear in the program:

• Conservation (Con)
• Cycling (Cyc)
• Canoeing (Can)
• Social (Soc)
• Training (Trn)

Club meetings:  For the location of the Club’s monthly meetings, please see the “About Us” page.

 Meeting Places

Meeting place for walks is as listed or advised. If the place is ‘Kew’ (or not otherwise listed or advised), then the following arrangements apply:

• Sunday and Saturday walks depart from the carpark at the rear of Kew Library, Cotham Road Kew (Melway 45 D6). Meet at 7.45 am for an 8.00 am departure.

• Weekday walks depart from Victoria Park, near Kew Cemetery, High Street Kew. Enter opposite Belford Road (Melway 45 G5).  Meet at 8.45 am for a 9.00 am departure.

The leader may arrange carpooling. Walkers may choose not to take part in carpooling - if so, please advise the leader prior to the walk.

 To Join a Walk

• MEMBERS: To sign-on for a walk using a desk-top or lap-top computer, just click 'Sign-on' on the Walks Program in either The Vagabond or in the Full Program under the menu item “Walks’. If using a Phone or Tablet (e.g., iPad), the Sign-on link will take you to the Walk Sheet (so you can see who else is walking) but you won't be able to enter your name, unless you have the Google Docs App on your device. Instead, telephone or email the leader – details and email link can be found on the Walks Program.
• VISITORS: Please follow the procedures listed under the menu item “Visitors”, then under “Walk as a Visitor”.
• If you later wish to cancel, please advise the Leader promptly.
• Be familiar with our Club’s Incident Management System - refer to Members Handbook for full details.
• Be adequately fit and suitably clothed and equipped for your walks. If you are not, the Walk Leader has the right to refuse participation in the activity.
• Any medical condition that could affect you during the activity must be advised to the Leader (in confidence) before leaving Melbourne.
• Keep to the spirit of our Club’s Code of Ethics (refer to Section 15 of the Members Handbook).
• Visitors must sign an indemnity and pay the Walk Leader $5 per day of walking, to a limit of $15 for 3 or more days.

The walker's role in our Club's Incident Management System

Our Club has a well-developed procedure for managing any incident or accident on a walk. This requires that each Walker have two Emergency Contacts (ECs), who can be phoned/messaged should any such an event occur. To deal with more difficult communications, our System includes three Incident Management Coordinators (IMCs).

Each walker must be sure to:

• put their ECs phone numbers on the walk sheet (or give it to the Walk Leader if booking by phone or email).
  This is especially so for remote walks requiring satellite communications.

Before leaving for a walk, each walker must ensure their EC is aware of:

• the expected time of return and the time the walk will be considered overdue; and
• the name of the Walk Leader.

If the walk is overdue, then the Walker:

• should phone their EC (when phone reception is available).

If a Walker is injured, the Walk Leader will [after phoning Emergency Services] (attempt to) contact the EC. If unsuccessful, then they will contact an IMC (who will in turn contact the EC).

For remote walks that require satellite communications, one of the IMCs will normally be prearranged as first contact. Before leaving on such a walk, each Walker should ensure that:

• their EC is aware also of the name of this IMC.

For any walk, if the first IMC is not available, the other IMCs, then the Walks Coordinators and then the President can be phoned in turn. All relevant contact details are available to Members.

If a walk is overdue, and the Walker hasn't contacted their EC, and their EC is worried and wishes to contact someone, it is important that they contact only the IMCs.
      Emergency Contacts SHOULD NOT CONTACT THE POLICE!
This would only lead to confusion, as the Police will have no idea where to look.