2025 – Friends of Grampians Gariwerd

The Flumes

The Flumes near Barri Yalug

In the late 1800s, water was needed for the community in Stawell and Halls Gap and for the expanding gold mines at Pleasant Creek.

In 1869, the Stawell Shire Council engaged Government Surveyor C. Bagge to provide a report on the best way to get water. The scheme chosen was the Glenfyan scheme proposed by Borough Engineer John d’Alton in 1872. The plan was to blast a tunnel through Mt William range and supply this with water from a dam on Fyans Creek using Flumes (open aqueducts). The water would then pass through the tunnel to a pipeline (24km long) and onwards to a reservoir on Big Hill in Stawell.
Work commenced in February 1875. The Flumes ran for 10km` to the tunnel. The scheme took more than 6 years to complete finishing in July 1881.

Remnants of the Flumes can still be seen today, … Read the rest

Orchid Adventure Day 11th October

October 11th Saturday: Orchid Adventure with Hamilton Field Naturalists
For those wanting to carpool:
9am : John King will be at the Delleys Bridge carparking area in a White SUV to coordinate Carpooling.

Please note the tracks are not suitable for 2WD.

Meet at 9:00 AM in Halls Gap near Delleys Bridge (car parking area) for those who would like to carpool. We’ll leave by 9:15 AM. Carpooling is recommended due to dirt roads and limited roadside space.

For those travelling direct to meeting place.

10am : Meeting up with Hamilton Field Naturalists: We’ll meet at 10am, near Mirranatwa Gap, at the southern end of Henham track, (orchid reports are good at present), have morning tea and then progress to further spots, to be decided on the day depending on orchids and track closures.

https://goo.gl/maps/YPJt2S3ELnUkoftz8

Bring lunch, a chair and a flask if you would like. Recommended long trousers and … Read the rest

The Tail of the Squirrel Glider Invitation

Project Platypus invites Friends of the Grampians – Gariwerd to join the quest for Squirrel Gliders in an exciting, collaborative effort that brings together nature enthusiasts and dedicated ecologists.

Since October 2024, the dedicated Project Platypus field crew have undergone extensive training in identifying and monitoring Squirrel Gliders. Guided by ecologist Chris Pocknee from the Biolinks Alliance, their mission has taken them to the roadsides around Dadswell Bridge, surveying a 17km stretch armed with thermal imaging night scopes, binoculars, and cameras to spot and identify various possum and glider species.

Their vigilant efforts have already led to the discovery of a new location inhabited by Squirrel Gliders, providing crucial data to understand their population and inform protection strategies. These findings underscore the rarity of Squirrel Gliders in the area, highlighting the urgent need for concerted conservation efforts to ensure the survival of this special marsupial.

Now, the project is opening … Read the rest

Special General Meeting – 2nd March 2025 @ 1pm, Meeting Room, Centenary Hall, Halls Gap

Welcome: Vice President Geoff Stratford took the chair and expressed thanks to Catherine Carlyle, Wendy Bedggood and Alison Bainbridge for their work leading up to calling this meeting.

Alison Bainbridge was minute secretary for this meeting.

Attendance: Geoff Stratford, Rod Thompson, Judith Thompson, John Minchin-King, Alan Bedggood, Wendy Bedggood, Neil Macumber and Alison Bainbridge

Apologies: Catherine Carlyle, Clive Carlyle, Elia Pirtle, James Maino, Andrew Cunningham, Sue Cunningham, Darren McClelland, John King, Jocelyn King, David Steane, Leigh Douglas, ben Gunn, Cindy Thompson

Motion: Apologies be accepted

Moved: Alan Bedggood Seconded: Judith Thompson Carried

All apologies registered their proxy in favour of all motions as foreshadowed in the Notice of this Special General Meeting.

Reason why a special meeting was called: Chair invited Wendy Bedggood to provide a brief outline of the why and how we have reached the position where Friends of Grampians Gariwerd (FOGG) could take the action to … Read the rest

Invite to February 7th 2025 Meet Sarah Cole, Parks Ranger for an update on current Fire Recovery Actions

Meet Sarah Cole, Parks Ranger for an update on current Fire Recovery Actions

Details: Join FOGG and Parks Ranger Sarah Cole to find out about the Grampians Fire Recovery Actions as they are being rolled out during the current bushfire emergency within the Grampians Gariwerd National Park.

Sarah will talk about this in the place of Joe Terry, the Grampians Ark Coordinator. Joe is currently running a new aerial feeding program for a newly discovered colony of Brush Tailed Rock Wallabies within the Asses Ears area. Joe is also involved with sling loading supplies to the current colony at Moora Moora to start ground feeding operations.

Followed by Dinner at Spirit of Punjab, 161 Grampians Ark Coordinator, Halls Gap from 6.30pm.

RSVP for dinner Text 0428399441 or email … Read the rest