Wendy Bedggood
I recently purchased a copy of ‘The Victorian Bush its ‘original and natural’ condition’ by Ron Hateley. It is an extremely interesting book and I urge all who are interested in conservation and history to read it.
Ron was brought up in Kiata where his father Keith was a prominent field naturalist. Ron went to Creswick and trained in Forestry then later was a lecturer there. His book was published some time in the past 12 to 18 months, and sadly he died earlier this year.
He questions and discusses widely held views of ‘the original and natural’ condition of our bush. He looks at issues such as
6. The extent of pre 1788 tree cover.
7. The extent and frequency of fire stick farming and was it as broadly used by aboriginals as some experts imply?
8. The effect of native fauna in the dynamics of the natural ecosystem
9. Wombats in Victoria
10. Tornadoes in Victoria
11. Our limited knowledge of pre1788 ‘Ecological Vegetation Communities’
The book is presented as observations and experiences of early explorers and settlers. Ron found that there was a wealth of information in obscure colonial books and journals, newspaper accounts, early artwork and personal diaries, of early settlers and explorers.
He has used Major Mitchell’s diaries to describe some of the landscapes he travelled through in the 1830’s before widespread white settlement, with the Grampians and Wimmera well featured.
As a scientist he has referenced his quotes and he has an extensive bibliography which could be a source of much further reading.
I strongly urge people to buy or borrow this book for some insight into our natural environment, past and present.
The book is published by Polybractea Press in Melbourne and can be ordered from their website www.polybracteapress.com.au/