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
Category: Articles
FAREWELL (sort of) to Graham Parkes.
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
5:30pm – Picnic at Moora Moora
Late afternoon picnic at Moora Moora.
Note that this is the weekend after Labour day long weekend.
Contact Margo 5356 4524… Read the rest
Mixed photos of 2009 activities
World Wetland Day
Activities likely to be arranged by the CMAs. … Read the rest
10am – Annual Ptilotus erubescens (Hairy-tails) Count
Meet at the car park in front of the “Cooinda Burrong” Camp. The gate will look closed but will be unlocked. Please close it behind you.
If the day is classified as extreme, the count will be moved to another day.
Please contact Stan on (03) 5383 6349 to advise your intention to attend, so that you can be advised of any change of date.
Don’t forget he would appreciate some help a couple of days beforehand.… Read the rest
Clean up Australia Day
Should we do something?… Read the rest
CALENDAR JANUARY to APRIL 2010
Did you know that 2010 has been nominated as the International Year of Biodiversity – established by the United Nations to increase worldwide awareness of biodiversity and its importance, and to engage more people in its conservation?
h2. Saturday 9 th January 2010.
10 am Annual Ptilotus erubescens (Hairy-tails) Count.
Meet at the car park in front of the “Cooinda Burrong” Camp. The gate will look closed but will be unlocked. Please close it behind you.
If the day is classified as extreme, The count will be moved to another day. Please contact Stan on (03) 5383 6349 to advise your intention to attend, so that you can be advised of any change of date. Don’t forget he would appreciate some help a couple of days beforehand.
h2. Tuesday 2nd February
World Wetland Day
Activities likely to be arranged by the CMAs.
h2. Sunday 6th March
Clean up Australia day. … Read the rest
HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL PARK – Poetry
Kathy has made the excellent suggestion that we publish some of the poems the Historical Association of Halls Gap holds. This issue we have two: first a poem taken from a book entitled Caravan of Dreams by Lindsay Russell, 1923, printed at the ‘Express Office’ Terang. Then the words of a recent song, as heard on the CD produced after the 2006 fires.
h2. Bellfield Peak
bq. Over Bellfield Peak the sunset glows,
An ocean of color that ebbs and flows
Daffodil, lilac, turquoise and rose,
In a glory too sweet to last; ==
==
And out from the changing sea of the sky
The sailing-ships of the clouds go by;
O, never in land-locked harbour will lie
This fleet, nor an anchor cast! ==
==
Stately and slowly they drift from sight,
In the flaring torch of the last red light,
Ere dusk comes swiftly, and gray twilight,
And … Read the rest
HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL PARK – Early Advisory Group Minutes
The AG met on 5 June 1985 for its first business meeting. The convenor was Ian McCann. Other members were:Martin Hynes and Isabelle Humphries (both representing local councils), Don Carter (CFA), Gary Knight (recreational fishing), Wayne Kayler-Thompson (tourism), Sue McInnes (Field naturalists and bushwalking), Gil Hopkins (Science and education), Arthur (Pip) Mangle (local business). John Miller was the Ranger in Charge and various folk from Melbourne were also present.
The minutes of that first meeting are most interesting. Many issues are with us today. On a few, opinions have changed – most noticeably on the presence of deer. At that meeting it was unanimously decided that no effort should be made to reduce the number of deer. Today the damage that deer cause is widely recognised, but it still is not easy to reverse that decision. It was also decided there should be no recreational hunting allowed.
There were discussions … Read the rest