Break the Ice Gala Event - Honeysuckle Creek - 26 July 2026

The annual event was attended by 18 hardy souls, who set out for the trek into the cooler parts of
the ACT to perform our pagan ritual of The Breaking Of The Ice. This year the destination was the
site of the former Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station in Namadgi National Park, located in the
southern part of the ACT.

In true intrepid adventurer form, many participants were fortified pre-departure by a piping hot
coffee, often supported by a Little Something extra, from our jump off point at Heartbeat Café in
suburban Whitlam. Much muttering about Good Coffee was heard between sips of the preferred
beverages. A suitably brisk temperature was experienced for the start of the event.

Our group traversed Coppins Crossing on the Molonglo River, past the concrete jungle of
Molonglo Valley suburbia before entering pastoral country en route to Uriarra Crossing on the
Murrumbidgee River, past the pinus radiata plantations and grazing country to Tharwa, then
further grazing country to Namadgi National Park. Fortunately, the traffic encountered was light,
being too early for the usual overly excitable two wheeled motorists to cause any major problems
for our convoy. Turning into Apollo Road, we ascended through gum tree lined roads into the
ranges, enjoying a few very twisty bits of tarmac before arrival at our destination.

Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station played a pivotal role in the transmission of the first live images
from the 1969 moon landing to the control centre in the USA. Shortly thereafter the transmission
was continued via the Parkes radio telescope. This milestone event was dramatised in the 2000
movie The Dish, starring Sam Neill (RIP).

We enjoyed a crisp, if not icy, sunny morning brunch of the usual Club BBQ fare. Again, more
muttering about consumption of Good Coffee, being further supported with Not So Little

Somethings. All in all, a great drive, no dramas and much chit chat was had by all. Proceedings
were formalised by the conduct of our pagan ritual, with a backup product sample being supplied
from a container brought along by our President. Unlike last year, when a tree decided to
spontaneously self-destruct near one of our party (John Mc), no trees were harmed during the
proceedings.

Many thanks to Master Chef John, who also brought the BBQ trailer, being ably supported by
Sous Chef Daryl, in delivering the rapidly consumed victuals to the waiting hungry horde.
Another great day out in our classics.

By Allan Caldwell.​