Changes to the walk and transport details didn’t deter the seventeen walkers who found their way to Platform 1 at Town Hall. Walkers arrived from all different directions and in time for the 8.22am train to Sefton. We were met at Sefton by co-leader Sue B and Lilian.
Photographer Pete R spotted a unique sign near Sefton station and walkers regrouping ready to head off....
Following some street walking we were very happy to see some green space as we entered Norford Park followed by Everley Park and morning tea.
Fortified by our morning tea we started on the Duck River Walk through the Wategora Reserve. The Duck River Walk meanders along Duck River from Boundary Road Chester Hill to Sixth Street Granville. Wategora Reserve is a botanically valuable patch of remnant native bushland remaining since the area was first managed by the local Aboriginal community. The two main vegetation communities in Wategora Reserve consist of Castlereagh Ironbark Forest and Cumberland Riverflat Forest. These vegetation types are now rare due to land clearing and need special care to stop them from becoming extinct. The traditional Aboriginal clans of the Auburn region are the Wangal and Wategora. There are a number of Aboriginal sites in Auburn City around the area of Duck River including spiritual, cultural and significant women’s sites which were used as social and religions areas for women only.
Sue B with some notes on the history of the Duck River 
Making our way through Wategora Reserve Thankfully no snakes sighted today!
As we approached the Auburn Botanical Gardens we were delighted to see a splash of colour from some of the early flowering cherry blossoms. The official Cherry Blossom Festival commences on 17 August until 26 August. The gardeners were hard at work preparing the gardens in readiness for the official opening. Our photographers have captured the very pretty Auburn Botanical Gardens and some fine feathered friends.
After lunch in the picnic area, we visited the Peacock Gallery where there was an interesting exhibition installation In Flight by Lisa Woolfe. In Flight is a study of aerial movement. Lisa Woolfe has chosen the Australian raven as her subject matter and, through two different mediums, she attempts to capture the action of flying. By taking time to observe this movement, she then translates it into lively charcoal drawings and small scale sculptures of wire the mesh.
Following a short walk from the gallery we arrived at the Auburn Tennis and Recreation Club where walkers happily relaxed as they enjoyed a range of refreshments before the return journey. Four walkers decided to walk to Auburn Station which was a closer option and the remainder were happy to walk back to Sefton Station.
Deidre and Sue B led seventeen walkers:- Ruth, Don B, David C, Elaine E, Sue and Michael, Aileen, Lilian, Cherry and Peter, Chris McA, John M, Elizabeth P, Wendy P, Bella and Pete and Don Wa.
Thank you to Tail End Charlies: Don B and John M and First Aid Officers: Chris McA and Michael
Words by Deidre
Photos by Pete R (1, 4, 5, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19), Lilian (2, 8, 15), Deidre (3, 10, 18, 20), Chris McA (6, 7, 9, 11), Wendy (14)