Category: Articles

FROM OUR RANGER IN CHARGE December 2011

Dear Friends of Grampians-Gariwerd,
We find ourselves at the end of what can only be described as an amazing year. It is a good thing to reflect on the key challenges and milestones of the past 12months, and also re-program our thinking for the coming year ahead. It is easy to talk about 2011 as doom and gloom, however we have experienced many highs along the way. Flooding and landslips have initiated change across the park landscape and Parks Victoria has responded by reinstating, remodelling and redesigning roads, bridges, walking tracks and picnic areas. Although this response has been hectic, we are confident that the decisions we have made will hold the park in good stead for many years to come.
Our environmental program has also had a very busy and challenging time. We welcomed the arrival of Ryan Duffy to the team and undertook a rapid review of our … Read the rest

PRESIDENT’S PIECE DECEMBER 2011

After drought, fire, flood and locust plague, many of us have been wondering what 2012 will bring. The spring of 2011 has been spectacular in the Grampians with many roadsides a blaze of colour. The response of insects, birds and frogs was also wonderful with many starting to regain their numbers from pre-drought times.

The last few months however, have seen the bush really start to dry out and when I consulted our rainfall chart I realised that when I removed the 200mm rainfall we received in January, this was our second driest year for many years. So I was just starting to settle for a hot dry summer when in the last 24 hours we received over 70 mm rain and by reports on the news Halls Gap has received even more with minor flooding occurring, and renewed road closures in the Park. So I guess what I can … Read the rest

FROM THE EDITOR DECEMBER 2011 – Margo S

Welcome to the summer edition of the FOGG newsletter. I’m writing this on Thursday 22 December after another dramatic summer downpour at the weekend, which I’m sure you will have heard about. Much less damage than the January one. Mt Victory Rd is open again today, one lane only at the Halls Gap end, with traffic lights. There’s some damage round the Plantation area on Mt Zero Rd, but the walking tracks repairs have stood up well. The Parks office was flooded, but nuisance level only. All the water storages and lakes have responded quickly: Bellfield is 91% full, Fyans and Lonsdale both 83%, Wartook 88% and Wartook 76%. The total GWM system has twice the water as at this time last year.
With the roads open at last it is great to be able to get out and explore the Park again. The flowers this year have been so … Read the rest

CALENDAR DATES 2 Threatened Species Group

TSG ACTIVITIES
September:
Wednesday 7 Spiral Sun-orchid Annual count Grampians NP
Tuesday 13 Brilliant Sun-orchid (Black Range)
Tuesday 27 Williamson’s Bush-pea and Grampians Bitter-pea Northern end of GNP
Thursday 29 September to Sunday 2 October
Grampians Threatened Flora Display
Grampians Wildflower Show Halls Gap

October
Thursday 13 Pomonal Leek-orchid Southern end of GNP
Monday 17 Pomonal Leek Orchid and Fitzgerald’s Leek Orchid Deep Lead Nature Conservation Reserve
Thursday 27 Grampians Rice-flower
Mount William, Grampians National Park

November
Wednesday 2 Grampians Bitter-pea
Hut Creek / Honeysuckle Creek GNP
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 Grampians Pin-cushion Lily. Overnight hike along the Victoria Range, GNP
Saturday 26 Grampians Duck-orchid Northern end of GNP.

All TSG activities need an RSVP and may change at short notice. More info and RSVP for Threatened Species Group :
Pauline 0437 463 378.
or Jacinta Williamson 5361 4001 … Read the rest

CALENDAR DATES 1

FOGG MEETINGS

Saturday September 10, 10 a.m. Waterbugs activity with Joel Boyd of the Wimmera CMA. Meet at the Tennis Courts beside the school in Halls Gap. After the activity we’ll adjourn for lunch in the Brambuk cafe and have our AGM there. Contact Margo 5356 4524.

Wednesday November 16 Mural Room 5.30 pm. Meeting with Ryan Duffy to learn about the priority components of our natural and cultural values program in the coming year. It is hoped that FOGG may be able to assist in this work. We may also hear about the results of the post Mt Lubra fire small mammal monitoring within the Grampians, if the student involved has done the final report by then. Followed by a meal together. Contact Proo 5383 6222.… Read the rest

POETRY CORNER

I’ve chosen this poem from the CD produced after the 2006 fires by the Halls Gap Community Association as we rejoice in the rejuvenation of the Park with all this rain. Ed.

The green things growing

I love them so — the green things growing
And I think that they love me without false showing
For by many a tender touch, they comfort me so much
With the soft, mute comfort of green things growing.

I love it so – the small creek flowing
And I think that it loves me without false showing
And I like its watery sound, as it winds its way around
And I love to listen to water flowing

Verse 1 words by Myrtle Pickering aged 12 years “The Pinnacle” Oct 1926
Verse 2 added by Fay White from the children’s stories at the Hall’s Gap workshop July 2006. This verse from Chelsea Chatfield’s story… Read the rest

THE ACACIA DEBATE Margo Sietsma

The wattles this August have been the best we can remember, both in the Park and along the surrounding roads – particularly our national emblem Acacia pycnantha. So I thought this article could be of interest to members. It’s adapted from a report I received via the Association of Botanical Gardens. Ed,

A plant name dispute that has bubbled away for a decade has finally been resolved at the XVIII International Botanical Congress in Melbourne in July.
The species concerned are the acacias, which until now has included the Australian wattles and the thorn trees of the Serengeti—both highly recognisable and iconic groups of plants.
Acacia taxonomy has generated much controversy in the scientific and wider community over the past decade. Careful research has shown that Acacia should be split into several genera, and a difficult decision was required as to whether the name Acacia should be used either for … Read the rest

Friends of Grampians Gariwerd