Category: Miscellaneous Snippet

The AG has been quite busy.

On 2 March we had an update on the Brushtail Rock Wallaby project and small mammal monitoring. As well as the extensive fox baiting project Mike reported on in our last issue, 32 foxes were killed last year by a contractor. Remote cameras have been installed at 66 sites. Bandicoots have been found at 13 sites and Potoroos at 6 sites.

*Fire Management Plan* – There is a new code of practise and the Horsham District Fire Operations Plan will be reviewed. As the GNP is currently split into two districts, there will one integrated fire plan for the Greater Grampians which will be completed by the end of the year. The current FOP plan will be implemented for the rest of the fire season.

*Bush camping strategy update* – Mike reported that a project officer (Tom Parkes) has been employed for 12 weeks. … Read the rest

_So many of us have stories to tell about Stan. Here is just one tribute to him, from Sylvia van der Peet who was our contact ranger until her move to Apollo Bay._

Stan was amazing. His interest and enthusiasm for all things Grampians never waned. He was always more than willing to share his vast knowledge of the area and many a Ranger enjoyed dropping by and having a bit of yarn with Stan. It was not unusual to bump into Stan in some part of the park and he would often bring little gifts into the Parks office. A copy of a magazine or journal article about the Borya Mirabilis or the skeletal remains of something he had found in an Antechinus nest. You never knew what would be next, but it would always be a small treasure that Stan wanted to share.

Stan had his own projects

(Sylvia was our contact ranger, not yet replaced and greatly missed)

On the beach

As Frank and I sit here looking out at the surf crashing on the beach below it is certainly a very different outlook from what we are used to seeing. The view from our lounge room window in Halls Gap usually contained Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Red-neck Wallabies and Emus against a backdrop of the Mt Difficult Range. Here we have King Parrots, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, and of course Sulphur-crested Cockatoos along with numerous seabirds against a backdrop of the sea.
Of course that’s not the only difference as with the new role in Apollo Bay I spend a lot more time on the computer and not nearly so much time out in the bush, but then nothing is perfect. I do miss the flora surveys with the Threatened Species Group, and Pauline from DSE … Read the rest

On a sadder note, we were distressed to hear of the death of John Harris, who preceded Graham here, and then went on to be Ranger in Charge of the Wimmera region, with responsibility for about 600 reserves of all shapes and sizes. John had a passion for restoring the biodiversity of these reserves, through re-vegetation, fencing, weed and pest management. He was innovative in his approach, always willing to trial new ideas. FOGG members offer sincere sympathy to his widow Kaye and his family, friends and colleagues.… Read the rest

Congratulations to Graham Parkes! He has been Ranger in Charge of this park for over 15 years, but has now been promoted to Chief Ranger of the whole Grampians Region. So while we lose him in one way, in another he will retain a presence and an influence. His position has been advertised, and we await with interest to see who will be appointed. They’re pretty big shoes to fill.
There’s more detail on what the new role is in his “From the Parkes Desk” article elsewhere.… Read the rest

We continue to get regular inquiries , some easy some tricky. Students wanting help with assignments, requests for Beyond the Smoke books, complaints about weeds, requests for help with contacts for cultural activities, requests for ideas for walks, updates on walking track status …. It’s clear that we must be saving the Park quite some time, and we hope filling a need and raising our profile.… Read the rest

[Posted by Frank – FOGG Secretary]

On the 16th of May at the Skyhigh Restaurant in the Dandenongs, FOGG members accompanied Margo Sietsma to the 2009 Kookaburra Awards ceremony. Margo was nominated for a Kookaburra Lifetime Achievement Award for her integral part in the in FOGG’s involvement in the protection, conservation and development of the Grampians National Park – something she has been doing since 1985!

The judges indicated that there were a lot of excellent nominations and that it was extremely difficult to even produce a short-list, let alone an individual winner. While Margo did not receive the reward it is significant that she was recognised by Parks Victoria as one of the nominees for the Kookaburra Lifetime Achievement Award.

I am sure you will all join me in congratulating Margo and look forward to her continued involvement in FOGGs.

 
For those who aren’t aware, Margo has produced … Read the rest