It was a very small group (2) that turned up to join the TSG staff, and we didn’t find any Borya, but it was a perfect day for exploring a beautiful corner of the Park (Asses Ears). We did find a flourishing population of Downy Star Bush, some beautiful Correa reflexa and common heath and various other plants in flower. See photos on the website soon.… Read the rest
Category: Articles
Advisory Group Report
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
Committee News
* We haven’t had a meeting since the last newsletter, but clearly will need to have one soon. Our AGM is in September and we would urge you to consider becoming part of the committee. It isn’t that onerous at all. And note that our secretary now resides in Apollo Bay. So Melbourne should be easy!
* FOGG office space – There hasn’t been much progress here. We haven’t done anything yet about applying to Heritage Care Victoria to seek out a volunteer to collate order and store FOGG’s material in our new office.
* Courses offered by Parks Vic – Margo has completed the training in Agricultural Chemical handling in Melbourne, others will be doing it through Landcare. It means we will be able to apply Roundup ourselves at working bees. We are making progress in getting a chainsaw accreditation course locally.
* JanBert Brouwer represented us at the … Read the rest
From the Acting Ranger In Charge Desk 2010
Prue Daley – Acting Ranger In Charge
h4. Staff News
I am pleased to announce the appointment of David Roberts to the position of Ranger in Charge for the Grampians RIC Area. David comes to us from the Parks Victoria Central Region where he is Ranger in Charge at the You Yangs RIC Area and currently Acting Chief Ranger for the Geelong District. He has extensive experience in park management gained in the Dandenong Ranges, Box-Ironbark country in Central Victoria and the You Yangs. David is currently making arrangements to move to Halls Gap and hopefully will start in the position in the very near future.
h4. Research and monitoring
The third year of the Grampians fire and fauna Research Partners Project with Deakin University is well underway. Two students are continuing the work that was established in 2008 investigating the recovery of fauna after the 2006 Grampians wildfire. This … Read the rest
Vale Stan Parfett
_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._
… Read the restStan 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
From the Editor
19-06-2010
FROM THE EDITOR
First of all, some very sad news. Our president Stan Parfett has passed away. We knew he was unwell, but he kept the seriousness of it to himself. He was able to watch Parks staff install our new table at the Red Gum Walk just days before his death at his home in Wartook on May 23. Our deep sympathy to his family and friends. His deep knowledge of the fauna, flora and history of the Grampians will be sorely missed.
Those involved in the table project (FOGGS and Park staff) are planning a get together to celebrate its completion and to remember Stan. All welcome. Unfortunately I can’t yet give a date. It will be a week day. If you wish to attend, please ring Ewen at 5383 6294 and he will let you know what is being arranged.
I’m afraid this is a rather … Read the rest
Untitled
Autumn Calendar 2010
Saturday April 17
Grampians Pincushion-lily Survey (Borya mirabilis)
Saturday May 8
History Walk: Heatherlie and the old railway track.
Wednesday May 12
Visit to the orchid propagation lab at DSE Horsham, Grains Innovation Building,
Saturday June 19 (to be confirmed)
Geology excursion with geologist Ross Cayley.
Saturday July 10 Fungi Frolic. More details next newsletter.
Saturday August 14. Talk on the Threatened Species Daviesia laevis
Saturday September 11 AGM and orchids.
Wednesday Sept 29 to Sunday October 3.
Assist with Wildflower show, Halls Gap.
October Thistle Attack Red Gum Walk
Saturday November 13. Insects of the Grampians Field Excursion with Denis Crawford.… Read the rest
PROVISIONAL CALENDAR April 2010
Please bear in mind that changes may need to be made, and that the TSG calendar for June to December is yet to be scheduled. Changes will be put up on the website.
Saturday April 17
Grampians Pincushion-lily Survey (Borya mirabilis)
Meeting Time: 10:00am
Meeting Place: Brambuk Visitor Centre
Area of survey: Wallaby Rocks
Noushka will have one 4WD and can transport up to 4 people. If others had a 4WD that would be fantastic.
Please Bring: Lunch, hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes. Please RSVP by Thursday 15th April to Noushka Reiter at
Saturday May 8
History Walk: Heatherlie and the old railway track.
Meet at Heatherlie car park 10 am. RSVP to Kathy McDonald. 5356 4679
Wednesday May 12
Visit to the orchid propagation lab at DSE Horsham, Grains Innovation Building, Natimuk Rd 10.30 am at reception. RSVP Wendy Bedggood 5382 5830
Saturday June 19 (to be confirmed)
Geology … Read the rest
POETRY CORNER April 2010
Another poem from the Halls Gap Historical Association collection.
Chatauqua Peak
Like to some stately galleon, whose prow
Has lifted to the surge of olden seas,
And weathered all the gales of centuries,
Chatauqua lifts her proud and rugged brow;
Only the clouds break now o’er her great bow,
And, in her wake, foams surf of grassy leas;
Immune from time and tide she takes her ease,
Dozing and all-forgetting, Then and Now;
But, sometimes, when storm-clouds like frigates sail
Over the mountains, lash the hidden bight
Of Hall’s Gap, with sharp hail like to sea rime,
I seem to hear old cordage creak and wail,
And see a mist-blurred galleon, ‘gainst the height,
Ploughing again through infinite seas of Time.
taken from The Caravan of Dreams, by
Lindsay Russell, 1923
Can any members contribute more poems (their own or in their possession)?… Read the rest