Category: Miscellaneous Snippet

Update from Grampians National Park Walking Track Support Group

Who we are

The Grampians Walking Track Support Group was formed by our convenor, David Witham, in 2003 to attract and coordinate volunteer interest in maintaining and improving walking tracks within the Grampians National Park.

We operate under the broad umbrella of the Community Association of Halls Gap which also undertakes other activities such as the Wildflower Show and Halls Gap Botanic Garden and provides support for Run the Gap, Halls Gap Landcare Group and the Jazz Festival.

What do we do?

In partnership with Parks Victoria, we carry out vital maintenance on popular walking tracks, such as trimming vegetation, cleaning water runoffs and clearing fallen timber.

Most of our works are carried out through the efforts of walking clubs:

  • Grampians Bushwalking Club – Heatherlie and Beehive Falls Walking Tracks
  • Warrnambool Bushwalking Club – Mount Abrupt and Chimney Pots Walking Tracks
  • Melbourne Bushwalkers – various tracks
  • Victorian Mountain Tramping Club
… Read the rest

Update On The WAMA Project

Wildlife Art Museum Australia

Recent good news about the WAMA project is very welcome with a second independent study confirming its potential to bring jobs and tourism to the region. WAMA is a project to establish a wildlife and art precinct in the Halls Gap area, with a gallery, artists’ workshops, educational facilities, botanical gardens and wetlands all celebrating the relationship between art science and nature.

Planning is well underway on the 16 hectare WAMA site. Local botanical expert (and FOGG member), Neil Marriott, is WAMA’s Site Development Team Leader and has been charged with the exciting challenge of establishing the gardens as an international showpiece.

When asked why flora is such an important part of the WAMA proposal, Mr Marriott explained, “the Grampians is the richest area for flora in Victoria, having over a third of species that occur in the state. Our flora is … Read the rest

Kookaburra Awards

FOGGs were represented at the bi-ennial awards presented by Parks Victoria for the western half  of the state.

It was good to see recognition for outstanding work by several more or less local folk.

  • The late Bernie Fox received a lifetime achievement award for a huge amount of work, including Mallee Fowl protection activities in the Little Desert area;
  • Dr  David Stratton for the Trailrider and Sherpa programme to help disabled people get out into the parks; and,
  • Advisory Group member Tracey Skinner for her years of work at Arapiles.

… Read the rest

Harrow Residents Looking for Callistemon wimmerensis

A MESSAGE received on our Facebook Page:
Hi’ The small town of Harrow has a small population of Callistemon wimmerensis growing in the streamside reserves of the Glenelg river, a group of Harrow residents would like to visit the site where much larger populations of this rare species exist, from our research this location was Wonwondah East, with plants established on the west banks of the McKenzie creek. This group of mostly older persons are keen to obtain about access to site and receive some directions to site, we look forward to your reply.

I’m pleased to report that a bit of local co-operation was able to give them directions to a good location.

By the way there are several specimens in the Grampians Flora Botanic Garden in Halls Gap.… Read the rest

Thelma Argall

Dave Munro

The Grampians region has lost another long time, strong supporter of the natural environment.

Thelma Argall was farewelled at a graveside service at Redbank Cemetery on Monday 29 December. She died a few months after being diagnosed with cancer. Typically she refused to have any treatment and stoically faced her fate.

Thelma gave truth to the adage that behind every successful man is a woman. While Ian McCann, her partner of many years, was highly regarded as a nature photographer, author and field naturalist, it was Thelma who performed the role of manager and field assistant. She was proficient at finding that elusive orchid or fungus and there is no doubt that her powers of observation matched Ian’s. They were a true partnership. They were both selfless in their willingness to share their knowledge and passion for the bush.

Her life-long love of nature started as a young … Read the rest

WEB PAGE 2011

Our web page continues to attract attention from time to time. We had a thank you note from Kathleen Kean who was doing research on the human dimensions of dingo and wild dog management. She wanted to let us know that the project is now complete and thanked us for advertising the project on our website, it was much appreciated. We had enquiries about identifying orchids, about who could provide information about insects, how to get Beyond the Smoke books, how to get in touch with our artist Cynthia, and more. We will be restructuring it and moving to a more Australian address soon, but you’ll be able to get there easily from the current address.… Read the rest

EMAIL ADDRESSES

There are times when activities come up at short notice, or have to be altered, especially at the moment with the state of the Park. Also some people seem to be changing their provider, and thus their address, and failing to tell us.
If you have recently changed your address or would like to get news of extra activities please inform our secretary Wendy on
We promise we won’t put you on any other mailing list, or bombard you with unnecessary emails. … Read the rest

POETRY CORNER

Another poem from FOGG member Jean Sietzema-Dickson. Five years after the fires, in some areas we still have gaunt reminders of that time.
Aftermath

Stripped of the black coats
with which fire clothed them
saplings stand bared
to wind rain and sun
shining white knights
or deadly silver swords
to fight the elements

© Jean Sietzema-Dickson
Contributions from other members (their own or in their possession) always welcome.… Read the rest

BEYOND THE SMOKE BOOKS

It is now five years after the fires, and four years after the publication of the book produced by a committee led by FOGGS. The book was financed by grants from Parks Vic, Norman Wettenhall Foundation, and SHARE (Uniting Church Relief Fund). Profits have been used for relief work via SHARE and Grampians Community Health and FOGGS. We have also sent free books to other fire affected communities across Australia. The committee feels that the book has accomplished its purposes and that we should no longer handle sales of it. Requests have dwindled to only a dribble. In view of the way the recent flood has affected local businesses we felt that we could donate copies to them, for them to use as they thought best. Many are becoming coffee table books in local motels, others are being sold and profits going to SES, others will continue to be sold … Read the rest

Volunteer room news

Our room has been on loan to Mike Stevens, until the planned office refurbishment took place. Building work will finally start shortly, and we’ll get it back. This will give us a home for our archives, the herbarium collections we’ve been given, and some office space we can use, and offer to visiting students and other volunteers. We have had an offer from a volunteer to organise our archives once we can move in.… Read the rest

Friends of Grampians Gariwerd