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Burnley: How you can help ensure it remains viable 10-Jul-2006 At 10:12:26 AM climbingjac

Message

Dear climbers,

Burnley has been open a little over 2 months now, so it's definitely time for a little bit of a review, and a debrief on where we are at.

We have received nothing but positive feedback regarding the presence of the bouldering walls, and the people using them. I thought you should all be aware of this feedback. Well done to everyone that has been using the wall for representing our climbing community in such a positive light, and for being so welcoming of newcomers. You should also know that the local residents are thrilled to bits about the walls, and have not felt any annoyance in terms of too many cars parked at the front of their homes.

In other news, a combination of local support, a constant stream of climber traffic, and perhaps a little bit of respect regarding the efforts you have put in to build your walls, has meant that the bouldering walls have, thus far (touch wood!) enjoyed a vandalism and theft-free existence. Yay!

Our dream of expanding the climbing community by means of using Burnley as an open invitation to "come and try" is definitely now coming true. Loads of beginners are having a crack at climbing at Burnley in their runners – and we have noted many of them coming back multiple times. We have kept a close eye on how these people are going on the routes we have provided, and have plans in place to add a new climb to the 30 degree wall that assists them with the transition into the world of overhanging terrain.

Bogong Equipment - one of Burnley's sponsors - has noted a distinct increase in the number of beginners coming into the store to purchase climbing shoes (such beginners have indicated to Bogong that they started climbing at Burnley). This is also fantastic news – we are really pleased that Bogong's support of the project is now paying off, and that the newcomers Burnley generates are finding their way to such a great store, where they can get fantastic advice on their intended purchase.

Well done to everyone once again. Let's keep this great networking up. Let's keep referring newcomers who are keen to acquire climbing shoes and chalkbags on to Bogong Equipment, and let's keep making the newcomers aware of the existence of climbing gyms in Melbourne (specifically our sponsors - Hardrock in Nunawading, and the Victorian Climbing Centre in Seaford) so they can try some nice tall climbs, as a contrast to their bouldering experience at Burnley.

A huge thankyou to everyone once again for helping make Burnley so successful.

Best wishes,

Jacqui Middleton
BURNLEY PROJECT
The Victorian Climbing Club working with Parks Victoria