For one of the displays at the Grampians Wildflower Show tin September, I researched the history of the GNP with a lot of help from the office staff, particularly Prue, Christine and Rod.
There’s far too much to include in this issue, so I’ll start with the years up to 2006, with some dates, and some memories from folk involved at the time:
It’s still only a selection.
* 1984 Grampians National Park declared. John Miller appointed as first Ranger in Charge. An Advisory Group appointed with Ian McCann as first chair. Friends of Grampians formed. . Many locals are still ambivalent about “locking up our Park”.
* 1984,85 A draft management plan for the GNP published. 306 submissions received. Many important decisions made . Discussions start on the buildings needed, including an Aboriginal Cultural Centre but finance is difficult to find.
* 1988 Grampians National Park Visitor Centre opened. Halls Gap community paint a mural. Local opposition subsiding.
* 1988 Two rock-wallabies captured in the Victoria Range of the Grampians, the first specimens obtained from Victoria for scientific study.
* 1989 FOGS are asked to submit designs to NP Visitor Centre for cloth badges to sell. Sue McInnes’s design accepted (and still used in 2009).
* 1989 Conservation Minister Steve Crabb moots changing all names to local indigenous names, amidst much controversy. FOG add Gariwerd to their name, becoming FOGG. FOGG for the organisation, FOGGs for the people
* 1990 Brambuk Living Culture Centre opened and receives architectural awards.
* 1990 The Park Visitor Centre opens a book shop. Funding is a challenge.
* 1990, 91 A Draft Grampians Surround Strategy is launched to guide development of land abutting the GNP.
* 1993 Small mammal surveys start, and FOGG produce educational materials on them.
* 1994 Timber harvesting finally ceases.
A slide show on the GNP is launched in the auditorium of the Park Visitor Centre
* 1996 Parks Victoria take over the management of all National Parks in Victoria, including Grampians National Park. Park rangers cease face to face interpretation with public. No more campfire talks, sunrise picnics.
State Government announces it will re-open Heatherlie Quarry for stone for renovations to Parliament House. After much public outcry, the idea was abandoned.
* 1996 The bookshop in the Visitor Centre is handed over to management by Friends of Grampians Gariwerd
* 1997 PV and FOGG publish the first of a set of walking guides using bookshop profits. These guides (Wonderland Walks, Walks in the Northern Grampians, Walks in the Southern Grampians) have been regularly updated since then.
* 1997, 8 Huge discussions with Friends of Grampians over various privatisation proposals
Volunteer camp hosts introduced.
* 1999 After years of searching it is concluded that there is only one surviving Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby in the park. She is removed to Tidbinbilla with the hope of breeding from her, but she’s found to be too old.
* 1999 Bushfire in the Northern Grampians. Mt Stapylton Campground, Pohlners Rd, Roses Gap , Briggs Bluff all affected.
* 2000 FOGG hand the bookshop back to Parks, and commit the proceeds towards a new audio visual with FOGG input.
* 2000 Access for all Abilities, with assistance from FOGG produce the first guide for disabled visitors to the Park.
* 2002 Management of information services devolved to Brambuk
* 2002,3 The dam wall of Lake Bellfield is raised to better protect it against a 1 in 100 year flood. Meanwhile the ongoing drought results in a decrease in the volume of water stored.
* 2002,3 An eco shuttle bus is trialled over the Easter period, with support from FOGG and the local Shire Tourist Centre staff.
* 2003 Grampians Walking Track Support Group founded.
* 2005 Decision made for a trial re-introduction of Brush-tailed Rock wallabies into the GNP. Fox baiting and small mammal surveys are intensified while potential sites are identified.