Permanent sheltered living places or large half-domed bark huts were constructed from peppermint gum (kinship tree) and swamp teatrees.  Sheets of bark were cut using heavy stone axes and wedges pulled off in long strips and then interwoven. The structures were made by placing boughs in the ground to form a half-domed shape.  One of the largest huts with a number of hearths placed around the front, was in the lower reaches of the Great Forester...

The excitement of the beach remains at the centre of a Bridport holiday and every Australia Day crowds still flock to the foreshore beaches to join in fun and games of the Bridport Splash.     While the beach fashions and some of the events may be different from yesteryear (see Bridport Splash of 1915) such as the thong throw, mud wrestling and kids lolly scramble much remains the same. Today beach races, sail boat rides and swimming...

A walk on the “wild” side of Bridport with local bush walking identity Mike Douglas in late 2004 planted the seed of an idea in the minds of three local women.  Why not reclaim this last remaining patch of ancient forest and fragile riverside environment from the ravages of trail bikes, indiscriminate timber cutting as well as dumping of rubbish.  They quickly recognised that this could best be done via the construction of a walking track on...

Bridport Innovations, together with Conservation Volunteers Australia, (CVA), are responsible for maintaining the new River- Forest Walking Track for the next five years until 2016.  After that Dorset Council will take responsibility for the track. To ensure that we fulfil our obligations, especially in the areas undergoing regeneration around Torrington House and Ada Street, we have agreed with CVA that they will provide between four and six...

With the opening of the River Forest section in July completing the circuit around the town, a Bridport 10 is now on the event calendar. The inaugural Bridport 10 – Cafe Rahra Fun Run & Walk is to be held on Sunday October 23rd, 2011. Training has started for this event. For more information and entry forms go to the Bridport Walking Track website and click on News Media & Events/Bridport 10

The highly anticipated official opening of the 4.7 km Bridport Walking Track River-Forest section, took place on Friday July 29th.  The 30 trainees and team leaders who built this track completed their formal training in Certificate II Conservation and Land Management, and were graduated on the day. On July 14th at 1.15pm precisely, the track was completed; the last wheelbarrow load of top gravel had been screed and wacker packed, and the...

The Bridport Walking Track (BWT) is a 40 week construction project. Figures at a glance 4,457m (4.45 kms) of track to be constructed in 40 weeks Team Work 30 trainees working in 2 teams of 15 each working on-track 4 x days per week from 8am – 4pm.  Classroom training 1 x day per week per team. Segments of Track Work The track team (trainees) work on separate sections and segments of track at varying times across the period based on materials,...

Thirty trainees have successfully completed their three month probation period on the BWT (Bridport Walking Track) project.  With a third of the track finished (approximately 1.5 kms), and six months of construction ahead, work is progressing well and according to schedule.  Training and assessment of the following modules: Install Aggregate Paths, Treat Weeds, and Communications in the Workplace, along with value added components: Level 2...

There is exciting news to convey as we embark on week 3 of the Bridport Walking Track building experience. Team leaders Nick and Tim report that 78 metres of base/top gravel has now been laid, and is ready for final compacting. Another 41 metres of base gravel is also ready for a top layer dressing. The gravel, transported to the site by local contractors, has been obtained from special ‘track grade quarries’ in the area....

9 apprentices and their team leader embarked on  ground breaking, track building work this week at the  Maxwell Street end of the Bridport Walking Track. They are pleased to report that the first 50 metres of track has been prepared for aggregate path installation. “The enthusiasm of the crew is obvious,” reports team leader Nick Shuter and “it will be a challenge to contain their gung-ho attitude and passion for this outdoor...

In the pre-construction phase of the extension to the Bridport Walking Track, the Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) team was on site last week to conduct a risk assessment. The track will, in part, follow the Brid river, weir and water race that delivered water to the town of Bridport in the 1930’s. Preserving the heritage of this site; the native flora such as Dicksonia antarctica and the fauna, with minimal impact in terms of...

Conservation Volunteers Australia -CVA is the training organisation contracted to build the track that will encircle the town of Bridport.  Program Manager, Judy Barnett, and  Team Leaders Tim Jensen, and Nicholas Shuter, have been employed to facilitate the project. The Walking Track Extension project is an exciting value-added training opportunity for 30 participants to learn skills and experience in track work construction. They will receive...

Environment Minister Praises Bridport Community The Advertiser October 21, 2009 Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage, Michelle O’Byrne opened Bridport’s foreshore walking track on Saturday. The track has been given a new lease on life with heritage signs and solar lighting. Ms O’Byrne, said the initiative demonstrated the heart behind the Bridport community. “Bridport has much to be proud of, and this latest project is another feather...

THE new Bridport foreshore walk, complete with solar powered lighting, was officially opened on Saturday and a huge crowd took part and witnessed the many events that were part of the celebrations. The opening was the culmination of many months of voluntary effort for the Bridport community, organised under the banner of Bridport Innovations.   A federal government grant of $150,000 was used to purchase overhead solar powered track lighting and...