What a busy quarter it was! We had the launch of our book
“Beyond the Smoke”:http://www.foggs-online.org/articles/activity-report-1 and the associated events; there were a number of TSG(Threatened Species Group) activities, plus our own activities, and we had quite a lot of correspondence on fire related issues. The FOGG committee has seen a need to make a number of “submissions”:http://www.foggs-online.org/articles/?c=Submission-Letters relating to fire in the Grampians National Park.
As stated in Stan’s “Red-gum Walk Inspection”:http://www.foggs-online.org/articles/Red-gum+Walk+Inspection we decided to apply for a PV Community Grant to restore the Red Gum (McInnes) Walks.
We also combined with the Halls Gap Historical Society to apply to the Federal Department of the Environment and Heritage for money for archival storage and administrative assistance. We have just heard that we received some money, but we do not yet have the details.
We have received a flyer for a Box Ironbark Ecology Course at Nagambie in October. Cost $1200.
We are still planning activities quarter by quarter, as the impact of the fires still needs to be taken into account, particularly in monitoring and recovery activities.
_Please note that all Threatened Species Group (TSG) activities require RSVP to Sylvia on 5361 4001. Other activities do not require an RSVP but it is helpful for planning. Unless otherwise indicated, activities are cancelled on days of total fire ban._
_Planning to come to an event from Melbourne?_ Ring the contact person re potential for a car pool.
*ADVISORY GROUP REPORT*
The AG met on May 25. We were given updates on the fire recovery works and re – affirmed our desire for an emphasis on environmental monitoring. We expressed our admiration for the new Pinnacle track, the stone work and particularly the new loop track, and heard of preliminary investigations into a long North to South walk. This is only a suggestion at this stage, there are no funds committed to it. We also discussed whether there are better ways for the AG to increase the flow of information both ways between park management and the public. The next meeting will be on the Fire Operations Plan in early August, but I will be an apology.
*NEW WEB PAGE*
www.foggs-online.org
After too long in limbo, we finally have a web presence, or will have within days. Frank van der Peet has very kindly offered to set it up for us. On his advice we have started afresh completely, with pages that will be much more easy to update. The old one could only be updated by someone who had the special software installed. This time only knowledge of the password is needed, so any of the committee will be able to edit material. Which means that it can become a way of communicating information between newsletters, or even in place of snail mail newsletters.
*NEW BROCHURE*
Another overdue project comes to fruition. FOGGS members David Fletcher and Miriam Gunn have put their talents to work to produce a “new brochure”:http://www.foggs-online.org/articles/foggs-brochure and membership application form. One copy is included, and more are available from our secretary. Please help us extend our membership.
There are many people who love our Park and want to see it protected, who have not joined us yet.
The Spring newsletter will still go out in the mail to everyone, but thereafter you should be able to choose how you receive it.
Please check if your membership expires this month. Some of you may have paid already until June 08, some of you are behind, but most of you are due to renew your membership.