Presidents Report
This term of president doesn’t quite make the full twelve months with the earlier timeslot for our AGM but we have had a full book of achievements and enjoyable activities nonetheless. We also have an interesting schedule of activities identified for the rest of 2023, a good start for the next term.
Our Christmas 2022 gathering was partially scuppered by road closures, which were not communicated, but those who met up farewelled 2022 appropriately. We therefore chose to welcome 2023 with a lovely gathering at Zumsteins in February. Together, over lunch, we set out a potential schedule of activities for 2023 followed by a very pleasant walk to Fish Falls. Along the way those of us who installed the half way seating a few years ago were able to show it off to other members. A tribute to the tenacity of Bill Gardner to see this project completed.
Due to issues outside our control, Clean Up Aus Day had two false starts. One due to a Total Fire Ban and another due to gale wind predictions which did impact Reid’s Lookout. However, we couldn’t have ordered a better morning in May to conduct our clean up. Rubbish was more prevalent just down from the lookout carpark than on the walks and carpark. A lesson that visitors know it is wrong to discard rubbish; so, drive just out of view before doing so. More education required to take it home or to a bin!
Highlighting the expertise within our members, two monthly activities were led by ben Gunn and Neil Macumber. Ben, via power point, demonstrated changes in the styles of aboriginal art across Australia. Ben certainly reproduced some magnificent photographs and we were all jealous of the locations he has visited across Aus. Neil on the other hand led us in the field on a bird walk west of the park. Bird calls seemed to be just as important as sightings to identify species and several members demonstrated expertise to add to the morning. More sunshine would have meant we observed even more but it failed to shine. Thanks to Judith Thompson for offering a venue for lunch and leading a walk to see an array of orchids on her property.
In July we were grateful to have Kailee Savoia, Grampians Ark Coordinator (PV), give us a presentation on the project which is controlling foxes and cats and monitoring the implications for fauna in the control areas. We also had William (Bill) Playne PV, Ranger – Visitor and Community, join us to listen to Kailee’s presentation and also assisted with some of the questions raised. Great to make those connections with the PV staff and we thank them for supporting FOGG.
Currently your executive is working towards retaining our web site although the form it will take depends on our ability to identify a willing administrator. Frank Van Der Peet has given great service undertaking this role for many years and I thank him very much for doing so. Frank is ensuring the website continuation but is no longer able to be its ongoing administrator. Watch this space, and is there a volunteer with the skills to undertake this role?
While FOGG continue to deliver successful activities, I believe it is time to face the challenge to attract new members, particularly some perhaps less mature members. I believe we need to create a little more public profile and other ideas could be considered. Something to consider for the future.
As with any volunteer group we don’t exist without the willing contributions of members, committee and your executive. It is a great pleasure to express my thanks, and represent the thanks of all members, to those who have taken any role to present FOGG’s activities during the past ten months. Thanks to you all!
Geoff (Strum) Stratford