A Little History

The Bush Club came into existence on 19th September 1939, mainly as a result of the initiative of Marie Byles and Paddy Pallin. Marie Byles was concerned that the rather rigorous tests to obtain entry to bush walking clubs existing at the time excluded genuine lovers of the bush who were unwilling or unable to pack walk and camp out overnight.

She believed that the essential qualifications for members should be a genuine love of the bush, a desire to protect it and a willingness to extend the hand of friendship to other bushwalkers.

Paddy Pallin had similar motivation in joining with Marie to form the club. He hoped the club would comprise walkers of moderate ability who would not be forced to indulge in camping if they had no wish to do so. Paddy was also strongly of the view that if people became bushwalkers they would also become lovers of the bush and would join the ranks of the conservationists seeking its protection.

These thoughts remain the main aim of the Bush Club.

A more detailed history of the club was included in the publication “Looking Back – Walking On” (1989) which celebrated the club’s Jubilee Year.