FAVOURITE DAY WALK - Henry Angel Trackhead to Tumbarumba Creek - On the Hume & Hovell Track. A well defined walking trail, well signposted, with lots of historical interest and a view of the Australian Alps.

WORST WALK - The Riverglade Wetlands walk in Tumut during the Laurel Hill week. The conditions just were not perfect to enjoy the full benefits of this area. The drought conditions of previous years had dried the wetlands considerably and there were very few birds or plants worth viewing and the trail was dry and dusty

WORST WEATHER - The freezing cold conditions we encountered on the Boongan Mountain walk near Wandandian in July. The subsequent rain on the return to the starting point only enhanced what had become a miserable day.

HOTTEST WALK - The February day walk along the Kangarutha Walking Track. Despite the hot conditions the lead group set a blistering pace on a track that ascended and descended quite regularly.

BEST SHORT WALK - The Mundowie Loop at Tumut - another well defined walking trail that sadly was too short at just 3.3km long.

BEST VIEW - (An old favourite) From Mount Bushwalker looking down the Clyde River Gorge with the mountains of the Budawangs on either side - even with overcast conditions the view is well worth the walk. (see photograph on home page)

BEST CAMPSITE - On a small plain by the bank of the Tumut river in a valley surrounded by high hills in the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park, not far from Round Mountain Hut

BEST CAMPING CAVE -  Camp Rock in the Budawangs which we utilised as a kitchen and gathering area after the snow storm.

MOST INTERESTING ASCENT/DESCENT - descending the pass through the cliffs and down the scree slope from Bunga Trig in Mimosa Rocks National Park. Honourable mention to Jinkbilly Hill and Calymea Hill

NASTIEST BEASTIES - Leeches win again (The nasty blighters got through the defences during the walks around Bournda Lagoon (in early February) Beehive Point (April), Conjola Recce (June) Little Forest Surprises (October)

NASTIEST PLANTS - Stinging nettles on the Bomaderry/North Nowra walk, The Grotto walk, The Royal Coast Walk and the Christmas Bush Trail.

BEST WILDLIFE SIGHTING - Wild Brumbies during the 4 days at Laurel Hill Forest Lodge.

BEST MORNING TEA SPOT - The plateau off the Old Burrier Fire Trail which has great views across the valley to the Three Peaks.

BEST LUNCH SPOT - Jerrawangala Lookout next to the trig which gave us excellent coastal views from the escarpment all the way to the coast with St Georges Basin and Jervis Bay standing out.

BEST SWIMMING SPOT - Just off the southern side of Green Island at Cunjurong Point. The water was clear, cool and absolutely refreshing

TIGHT SQUEEZE AWARD - The hole in the rock overhang that Lauri made us all climb through to reach our morning tea spot at Currarong. The hole was much wider than first impressions. Even the Borstal got that stomach through.

FASHION POLICE AWARD - This must go to Lani Imhoff for her bizarre collection of bushwalking clothes, usually procurred from one of the local opportunity or charity shops in the area. One set closely resembled pyjamas.

PHALLIC WATER BOTTLE AWARD - This has to go to Tony 'ARSe' Simmonds for his badly positioned external water bottle on many of his walks. This very rude looking water bottle caused much giggling and pointing from the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers 'Blue Rinse Set' and gasps of erotic delights from the younger female members of the club. (see photo)

DIALECT AWARD FOR JOVIAL JABBER - This award gets won annually by the Shoalhaven Bushwalkers for shattering the peace and quiet of the countryside with endless chatter. Imagine a group of 20 or more walkers all talking at once? Noisy! Mind you, if you lose sight of them in thick scrub you only need use your ears to find them again. Trouble is, I'm starting to get into that habit too - Obviously catching and most disturbing.

MAGGIE SIMPSON AWARD - Colin McCormack taking several tired tumbles with his huge pack during the gradual ascent through the forest near Quiltys Mountain in the Budawangs. After each fall we thought he'd never get up, but he not only got back onto his feet, but managed to walk several hundred metres before taking his next tumble.

CHEEKY BASTARD AWARD - Only the Borstal could offer to look after the group's rucksacks while they walked 2km in the heat to collect the cars after the first Kangarutha walk, then strike up a friendship with some locals to such an extent that by the time the others arrived back, he was enjoying several cold stubbies of beer.

SCHOLAR OF THE YEAR (David Bellamy Award) - Janet 'Jackie' McDonald. A walking encyclopedia on the horticultural. Can easily identify most wildflower species on the spot and if not, has no trouble finding them in a large collection of publications on the subject.

CALL OF THE WILD - The Borstal couldn't resist the quip "What an astute bunch of David Attenborough's we are" during the Booderee Whale Watching walk in July after almot every turn revealed some form of animal, bird or marine life.

WHO DARES WINS - Colin McCormack heading off bushwalking in the Budawangs with an enourmously overloaded rucksack (a semi-trailer load of gear) and a little short of walking fitness

MOMENT OF PURE INSPIRATION - Sitting on top of a very steep rock pinnacle on the Little Forest Surprises off-track walk in October and wondering how the hell I was gonna get down again (It was easy)

IMPERSONATION AWARD - Sue Josephson at Boongan Mountain on that cold wet day in July. The red bandanna she wore on her head gave her that 'Mrs Rambo' look.

MOUNTAIN GOAT - Paul Garrard climbing to the top-most tower on the dyke after lunch in Mimosa Rocks National Park

BAD HEAD DAY AWARD - Tony Simmonds and that bloody red cap. Makes him look like a senescent Bart Simpson (see photo)

BEST OUTDOORS WEBSITE - Nomad (http://www.gang-gang.net/nomad/index.html)

EXTREME TIMING AWARD - Visiting the Cemetery of the SS Ly-ee Moon disaster on the Light To Light walk on 30th May 2008, exactly 122 years to the day of the orginal shipwreck.

NEW DESCRIPTION AWARD - "Noses in the Chaff Bag" - that tendency to put the pace on at the end of the day when you know the end of the track or campsite is near. It's very similar to the horse bolting for the stable on returning from a day on the trail. An apt description by Paul Garrard and first used on the South Coast (Kangarutha Track and Light To Light Walk) this year. Just beats "Head down, Bum up, Blinkers on"

DEBILITATOR AWARD - Tony Simmonds is a shoe-in for this one this year. On any walks the surrounding bush resounds with his voice giving someone cheek, putting them down, criticising walking style, clothing, equipment, food choices etc etc etc and we never thought anyone could out-debilitate Brett