Photos of the
Kimberly Region and Caves
By Dave
Dicker Click on the photos to
enlarge them
Present
ISS Editor’s comments.
The
following two pages are from an unpublished newsletter regarding the Kimberly
trips. It is not likely to ever be published but the newsletter covers the
information from the ISS Kimberly trips undertaken in the late 80's and early
1990's. The editors of the unpublished edition wanted the introductory
information published in the recent edition of the Newsletter to let the
current members know that such a publication exists. It is part of ISS history
and the article has historical references to ISS.
INTRODUCTION
The
participants from the first trip are shown in the photograph below.
Herein are
the trip reports of the Kimberley trips undertaken in the years 1989, 1990,
1999, 1992 and 1993. Also included is 
the previously unpublished report of the 1984
Kimberley Trip. In all cases, the reports were compiled from the field notes of
Dicker and Robinson. Earlier Kimberley trip reports have been published in
Volume 2 of the ISS Newsletters:- 1977-no1, 1979 -no3, 1980-no3,
1982-no4,1984-no5 (summary only), and 1985-no5.
DISCLAIMER: Neither the editors nor Authors
accept responsibility for the accuracy, opinions or related safety aspects of
the articles and maps in this publication.
EDITORIAL (from the Unofficial ISS newsletter
Volume 2 Number 5A)
Since the last publication (vol2, no5) of the
Illawarra Speleological Society (ISS), the society has been placed ‘ON HOLD’ at
a meeting held in mid 1987 due to concerns members had over possible liability
claims against the society that could have the potential to bankrupt members of
unincorporated organisations. The society did not need much prompting to take
this action as a number of local cases against unincorporated, non-profit clubs
were heading for the courts. Prior to this drastic move, efforts were made to
become incorporated without success, In NSW, becoming incorporated is not a
problem: Where ISS came to a halt was the inability to obtain the necessary
insurance cover. Caving is considered by the insurers to be in the high risk
area.
Six years have now passed since ISS was
relegated to the idle mode. During this period and continuing into the future,
ISS exists in name only, Dicker and Robinson privately fund the ISS post office
box and also pay the fees for a reduced level of the Australian speleological
Federation membership to an associate, so as to keep the club’s name alive in
the hope that the scene could change in the future.
It would be
fair to say, ISS was not firing on all cylinders during the years 1985, 1986
and 1987: few trips run, meeting were poorly attended, key members were
recovering from injuries and the local economy was in a slump causing
employment concerns. A perusal of the 1985 Kimberley trip report (vol 2, no5)
highlights the malaise. There has been no request to revisit the society’s
incorporation since 1987. Recently John Poulton contacted Robinson for society
details; John intends working through the maze in an effort to gain ISS
incorporation.
After a
spell of four years, the Kimberly team ( a club within a club) regrouped to
make 5 private trips to the Kimberly region in successive years. Although
reports and cave maps of these trips exist, none have been published due to
concerns of station managers who have directed that none be published. The
managers are discouraging visitors from a once popular place as visitors tend
to impede their efforts to establish a cattle station; in their view our
publication could serve to attract visitors.
Robinson and Dicker decided in view of the
important cave discoveries made during these trips, it warranted assembling the
trip reports and cave maps under one cover for historical purposes. Our West
Australian confidantes within and outside the caving fraternity, strongly felt
that failing to record the Kimberly cave discoveries could result in those not
receiving due credit for those finds once the caves involved are rediscovered.
Consequently, this six copy private print run and at this stage confidential
edition, is the result.
It should
be recorded that ISS together with the Blue Mountains Speleological Club
(BMSC), commenced the initial planning of Kimberly caving trips as early as
1975, Phillip Coburn of (BMSC) was the Kimberly driving force for this club and
as stated in their publication “was a breath of fresh air to the club”.
Tragically, prior to any Kimberly trips, Phillip met his death as a victim of
the Granville rail disaster in January 1977. With the loss of Phillip BMSC lost
their way as far as Kimberly Trips were concerned.
David M.
Dicker and Lloyd N. Robinson
In Kimberly
Rover and Titan’s caves, our access to continued exploration has been obstructed
by delicate formation. To proceed would cause formation damage. It was the
unanimous decision of each party not to proceed. Another way may be found to
bypass the formation obstacle. At worst, we could employ the photographic robot
to determine the extent of the cave passage beyond the obstacles. Others may
well come on the scene who may regard the formation in a different context, and
won’t be deterred by any damage they cause in the interests of exploration.
Unfortunately,
the Kimberly and Rover cave is situated near a fossil field. This field is
well-known to fossil and rock collectors. The present landholders do not like
these people on their holding, but the area is difficult to police. This cave
has many fine attached formation which would be a prize for some collectors. To
avoid tell-tale tracks, we have avoided taking vehicles anywhere near this
cave.
It is a sad
state of affairs when cavers cannot disseminate information within their ranks,
or to interested outside bodies. Changing land use, the advent of “Adventure
Tours” , the dictates of land holders and easier access to the Kimberly have
dictated our attitude to the revelation of cave entrance locations.
A few caves
in the Kimberly could quite happily be used as tourist caves; most have
sensitive areas which would be irreparably damaged even if visited on an
infrequent basis (ie Uranus, and parts of Kimberly Rover and Titan’s cave). Our
wish is that the sensitive Kimberly caves can
be preserved for future study and enjoyment for generations to come. With care
and control, these features need not be damaged.
The group
shown at left is from another expedition.