PREZ SEZ Aug 2022
Chilly Greetings to all, in this ‘Deep Mid-Winter’ edition. But already it’s (still Deep) Late-Winter, and spring is on the horizon: Acacias starting to flower, orchid leaves pushing up through the cold ground, cuckoos calling, birds exhibiting nesting behaviour, i.e., chasing each other energetically! … and we’ve been told it’s going to be warmer ‘soon’. Unfortunately, creeks aren’t flowing en masse yet, even though it’s nice and wet. But wait: Mt William Creek started to flow two days ago.
Thank you to Darcy Truman, our Community Engagement Officer while Hannah was away. You’ve been great to work with Darcy, and very helpful &
patient with all the issues that arose. All the best for your next step, and we do hope to see you around! AND, welcome back Hannah! Your 6 months in a different area sounded most enjoyable and worthwhile, glad it worked out so well.
We have had some great excursions so far this Autumn/Winter; activity reports follow. Highlights included seeing all those Nankeen Night Herons in
an old Pinus Radiata; thanks Neil Mac.; also a big thank you to Cameron Hope
from Stawell Gold Mines, for a really interesting and positive presentation of the work being done to help the environment.
State of the Environment 2021 report The State of the Environment 2021
report, recently released, shows Australia has suffered catastrophic losses of wildlife and habitat: for example:
17 mammal species, 17 birds, and 19 frog species have been added or upgraded to the endangered/critically endangered list in the past FIVE YEARS! Massive increases in environmental spending are needed in order to make a difference, and we all have a role in keeping pressure on Government
and legislation both local and federal (see cartoon below).
Meeting with Parks 2022-03-08
Present: Judith, Rodney, ben, Leigh, Tammy, Darcy.
The purpose of the meeting was for Parks to review our proposed calendar for
2022. Tammy was happy with them all, and wanted clarification of which activities we were happy to advertise to the wider community;
A discussion on Red Gum walk, following on from David Witham’s (Tracks Volunteers) offer of help and complete funding for maintenance and the
clearing of the track past the ‘Big Tree’, where trees felled by the bushfire lie
across it. Despite this being one of the easier flat walks and the first – and one of only a few – wheelchair accessible walks and easy flat walks in the Grampians National Park, there are bureaucratic problems: a major one being that Parks isn’t very interested. They have a lot of tracks more highly promoted and popular on their list of desired upgrades. Tammy is going to find out if the Red Gum Track was officially closed by Parks, several years ago. If it was, the problems seem insurmountable.
We also discussed the failure of the Peaks Trail Committee to invite FOGGs
to the opening of this trail – an affront we found difficult to understand. FOGG
members, apart from being so actively involved in the Park since its inception,
have actively shown the planners areas of potential inclusion into the walk; one of these being one of the more popular parts of the trail – that running from Troopers Creek campground up past the 3 Cascades Falls.
Re calls for ‘Running Tracks’ (timed and competitive runs up & down
existing walking tracks), discussion around safety for walkers noted the problems of safety for walkers. Also, just because people are ‘doing it’ (timed and competitive runs up & down walking tracks) is no reason for Parks to support it, that would only give them ‘rights’ and increase the numbers: – and who would give way to who on a narrow track?
MEMBERSHIP
Membership fee of $25 Family, $20 Single was due on July 1st 2022.
If you are behind, or not yet a member, please make a payment now;
see BSB details below.
Make sure you have your name there clearly, so we know who it is from, and
why (membership). If you are giving cash or a cheque, make sure it’s in an envelope with your name on it, plus reason for payment. If your name is not attached, your money will be treated as a donation.
Direct deposit (preferred method):
BSB: 063 528
Account no: 10081737
Account Name: Friends of Grampians- Gariwerd Inc
Thank you to those who have paid!
Autumn Bird Surveys – summary (from Kailee)
Despite planned burns, Covid-19 and other unexpected challenges we
managed to survey 30 out of 36 sites. This equates to 124 surveys (plus
one extra personal survey that was submitted on the GGBS Birdata
account…whoops! But they saw a Bassian Thrush so that’s worth it!!)
We had 27 dedicated volunteers who contributed approximately 648 hours of
effort to conduct these surveys! Together we spotted 65 different species of birds and 746 individual birds; —not bad for us! So, to all of you, keep warm (or get warm), and see you in the fast-approaching Spring. Leigh.
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Management Plan update (17 Aug)
Parks Vic’s priorities for the first year of implementations are:
· Refresh Brambuk, the N.P. and Cultural Centre.
· Revitalise McKenzie Falls.
· Provide “Trailheads” in key towns for the GPT.
· Continue partnership with the Traditional Owners.
· Restore and protect Culturally significant places like rock shelter and rock art.
· Assessing priority rock climbing areas.
· Create a rock-climbing permit system.
See https://engage.vic.gov.au/gariwerdmanagement-plan
MacKenzie Falls Revitalisation
The Victorian Government is investing $7.76 million to revitalise the MacKenzie Falls area and surrounds, including the Zumsteins (Bunnah)
trail and day visitor area. The project is open for feedback at
https://engage.vic.gov.au/mackenzie-fallsrevitalisation