Category: Articles

From the Park Desk April 2013

Grampians National Park – An Update – David Roberts

Dear Friends of Grampians-Gariwerd,

The Grampians-Gariwerd National Park continues to through up new challenges for our communities, visitors and staff. After a period of recovery post the 2011 floods, the park will now embark on structuring up a recovery program to restore, rehabilitate and monitor the short, medium and long term impacts of another significant bushfire – The Victoria Valley/Victoria Range complex.

This fire grew out of 22+ lightning strikes that hit the park during a 24 hour period on commencing the 14th February 2013. The fire put significant pressure on the Victoria Valley community at Mirranatwa when 4 fires merged and impacted on the park and private property interface. The team work of all the emergency services including CFA Volunteers, DSE, Parks Victoria, Victoria Police and Local Government resulted in only minimal property and asset loss on private property … Read the rest

REPORT ON THE CURRENT FIRES

Monday February 25: The Victoria Valley Complex fire covers an area of approximately 35,600 hectares and has been going for 11 days. There are now containment lines around the full perimeter of the fire. Significant smoke from the Victoria Gap area is being generated from continuing work by fire crews in the area.

Crews have been working on various areas of the fire and continue to patrol,
consolidate and strengthen containment lines around the perimeter of the fire. DSE
and CFA crews will continue to patrol the fire with support from aircraft.

Fire activity in the Cassidy’s Gap area measures 30ha and has not increased in size over the last few days. Crews are being air-lifted into the area to construct and consolidate containment lines around this fire.
Fire fighting resources deployed to the fire will vary according to weather conditions.
Availability of aircraft depends on demand from other parts … Read the rest

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BRIEF REPORT FROM DECEMBER MEETING

Proo had contacted Will Flamstead and indicated our concern that no environmental representation was on the long walk committee, as we have heard no more she will contact him again.
Electronic letters were sent to Ryan Smith, Joe Helper, Hugh Delahunty and Ted Baillieu, voicing our concern at the proposed granting of 99 year leases to developers to allow private development inside National Parks. It was suggested a copy of our letter be sent to VNPA.
Wendy has drafted a letter to the papers which will be circulated to the committee and sent to papers in the new year.
Mabel presented the current financial state of the group.
Wendy sent out by email, and post notification of some additional activities not included in our newsletter. This worked well and the email reminders of FOGGs activities seems to be working well.
Proposed Planting at McKenzie Falls
After the floods we were … Read the rest

AGM REPORT 2012

FOGG AGM 15th September 2012 held at McCanns Dam near Stawell.
13 members met at lunch time after our wildflower walk nearby.
Business

  1. Minutes from last AGM were circulated and passed,
  2. Proo gave her president’s report saying that things have settled down from the natural disasters experienced over the past couple of years. The big issues over the last year have been the attack on the environment by the current government and their policies. The cutting of biodiversity staff, the relaxing of rules on firewood collection, cleaning up rivers, increased burning regimes as a result of the Black Saturday Royal Commission and recently the proposed relaxing of rules to allow commercial developments within National Parks. Membership numbers have stayed about the same and we have had some good activities with good attendance during the year.
  3. In Mabel’s absence Janbert presented the treasurers report which was kindly audited by Ron Goudie
… Read the rest

EDITORIAL DECEMBER 2012

Welcome to the summer edition of our newsletter. I hope most of you will receive it before Christmas, so herewith best wishes for Christmas and the new year. It’s quite a long newsletter and I hope it provides you with interesting reading over the lazy days of January.
It has been a very busy year for our Park staff as flood recovery work stepped up, with concerns over staff cutbacks and staff pay levels. We thank them for their dedication and perseverance. We don’t have a piece from Dave Roberts, as he is on annual leave, but we have lots of park news from other rangers. We are also missing a note from our president, who is busy assisting with a brand new grandchild. Congratulations Proo!… Read the rest

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FOGG Activities for 2013

FEBRUARY 12 Feb 2013 at 4:30 pm. Committee plus any interested members meet with Dave Roberts and Ryan Duffy for Park update and to plan activities. Followed by dinner together somewhere in Halls Gap. Contact Proo on 53836222 in early February to confirm.

MARCH 3. Clean Up Australia: Rubbish and weeds. Probably at the Ian McCann Reserve, just outside Stawell on the Pomonal Rd. This small reserve was named for Ian, who was a founding (probably THE founding member) of FOGGS, and our first life member. (Unless Katherine finds an area that is more urgent.) Please contact Ben and Leigh closer to the date. 5356 4282.

APRIL 13: Visit to an Aboriginal rock art site with Ben Gunn. For details, please contact Ben closer to the date. 5356 4282.

MAY 4: Working Bee at Red Gum Walk.
We hope to combine with volunteers from the Walking Track Support Group to… Read the rest

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December 2012 News

DECEMBER 2012
BALLAMBAR – season of butterflies.
Early Summer (Mid November to late January) to be followed by
KOOYONG – SEASON OF EELS.

This season incorporates the following:
The weather stabilises.
Heat starts to dry the country.
Butterflies chase in the warm sun.
Beetles and moths collect around lights at night.
Small birds are moulting.
Echidnas dig for ants.
There is cumbungi and water ribbon growth in streams and wetlands.
Wildflower displays on the higher peaks.
Banksias are in full flower.
Honeyeaters are busy.
Murnong is flowering in heathlands.

Lifestyle descriptors included:
Bands moved back to the plains taking minimal possessions, e.g. weapons, digging sticks, baskets and cloaks.
Stone tools were left behind.
Sweet drinks made from Banksias and Manna Gums
Water Ribbon cooked and eaten
(Information courtesy of Brambuk)

CONTENTS
Calendar, Editorial, AGM Minutes, December minutes, Activity Reports, TSG activities, Bioscan Report, BTRW News, Conservation Volunteers, Advisory Group News,… Read the rest

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Friends of Grampians Gariwerd