b'TT Kitty Canes 22 stone (The s Sept 2022 Trackwatch.qxp_Trackwatch Layout 18/09/20229:37 pmPage 21Ruins next to the river below Smoko Point Crossing the Aberfeldy River on the Store Point Charles Brown Lone Grave Walk It opened in 1872 but closed in The bridge at the start of the track toC1903 after flooding destroyed parts of the Water Wheel the mine. It reopened in 1931 with extensive remedial work done, how- ever, after the ore was deemed notrich enough the ceased operation in 1940. The information at the site gavea great insight into the history of the Lmine, the size of the operation and Williams Spur, Army North Tracks and the size of the township that Donnelly Creek Road to Store Pointdeveloped around the mine. Township where in the 1860s 1,200On the way back to camp the group people lived. The signs at the site cleaned the signage at a more recent gave a great description of what life historical spot, Wiskas Grave. was like in the 1860s. There were The weather was looking a bitWiskas the dog was a much loved beautiful views across the valley from ominous as we continued alongand constant companion of Don the Williams Spur Track and coming Donnelly Creek Road and turned int oScharlemann, who was a miner in the down the Army North Track was rockyFlats Track, which is far from flat. Aarea during the 1950s. The memorial and steep. A good four wheel drivegreat four wheel drive track with steepwas constructed by Don in 1961.learning experience. sections and some very large humpsOnce back at camp a number of Continuing along Donnelly Creek daring members took the Charles Road we turned into Middle Star made more interesting by the heavyBrown Lone Grave Walk wading Track and stopped at a picturesque rain that started to fall. We turned intoWilliamsons Spur Track and headedacross the Aberfeldy River to clear the area next to the creek where we wentback to camp slowly in wettrack and clean the grave site. on a 1.5km walk to view a large Waterconditions. Apparently the water was pretty cold Wheel in the creek bed. It was The following morning the groupby all accouts. amazing to see such a large piece ofheaded home but had one more siteWith the voluntary work completed equipment in the middle of the bush. in the area the next day was spent Last stop for the day was a visit to at Beardmore, Beardmore Hotel, totravelling the tracks and getting more the cricket ground at Donnelly Creek clean. It offered quality food andinsight into the history of the area as Recreation ground which was in use accommodation from 1870 untilwell as having fun driving some of the from 1880s to 1900s. Of course the 1930s with Mr Beardmore there untiltracks, well known to Geoff and area is now completely returned to the he died in 1911.Maree. After leaving camp and a bush, however the signage told the Many thanks to Geoff and Maree forshort stop at Junction Hut, which story of the Donnelly Creek cricket leading this interesting trip into theoverlooks the Aberfeldy River, Geoff and football teams success during historic past of Aberfeldy and theand Maree took us along Meringtons, this period. opportunity to support the aims of theWest Gippsland Relic, Mining andHeritage Protection Inc. by cleaningthe sites allocated to Idlers 4WD Club.Rod Cheetham Seasonal Track Closures Seasonal Road Closures came intoeffect on the 16th of June 2022until the 27th of October 2022.Please follow these track closuresand plan ahead to make sure youare not caught out. A full list of closures from bothParks Victoria and DELWP can befound on Four Wheel DriveVictorias website, www.fwdvicto-ria.org.au, under Resources -Track Closures. TRACKWATCHSEPTEMBER 2022 19C'