Articles – Page 64 – Friends of Grampians Gariwerd

MORE ON TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF THE GRAMPIANS NATIONAL PARK AND OF FOGG

Last newsletter we reported on the dinner held at Wartook to celebrate our anniversary and publicised the proposed walk via the Pinnacle on the actual proclamation date. The walk didn’t eventuate due to weather and a swine flu alert in the Park office. So the new track opened without fanfare. The Grampians Wildflower Show in Halls Gap (October1 to 4) will have a 25 year display, both of the GNP and of FOGG. Please, if you have interesting anecdotes or historical documents and photos do contact me, Margo. I have a few more photos already to add to the slide show that’s up on the web, and on our digital frame.

A few emails came in about our 25 years from old friends:
1. ……. I hope you all have a great time, FOGG’s is one of those unique groups with really motivated people doing a fantastic job for the … Read the rest

CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT FIRE OPERATIONS PLAN JULY 2009

On Tuesday 21st July I deputised for president Stan and attended a meeting at the GNP office in Halls Gap. This was a follow-up to a meeting that was held in Dunkeld on the 9th June 09, which Stan and I attended regarding “Prescribed Burns”. Speakers were Graham Parkes, Jill Read from GNP and Mark Corr – acting District Fire Manager (while Geoff Evans is on leave).and Glenn Rudolph DSE A map prepared by Ballarat University titled “Biophysical Units Within the Greater Grampians Landscape Management Unit” was presented and was the cause of much discussion but with no conclusions. Another meeting is planned for October 09. In a final comment Graham Parkes pointed out that Halls Gap was saved by a prescribed burn in the Mt Lubra Fire of 2006.

Ewen Johnson… Read the rest

FUNGI FROLIC JULY 2009

Fungi Frolic at Zumsteins, Saturday 18th July

This was well attended for a cold and misty morning. Many fungi were found and approximately 26 were identified with a large number unable to be identified. As we had no fungi expert with us we worked from books. Some of us could identify a few. A classic example of the beautiful (introduced) Red-caped with white spots “Amanita muscaria” was found. This being approximately 140 mm across the cap and growing in one of it’s favourite spots under a pine tree among the needles. Some examples of the striking “Omphalotus nidiformus” were found but were past their best. This is the one that glows green in the dark and is quite a sight. Our group voted the outing a success and all seemed to gain some knowledge about fungi. The venue was excellent and should be considered for another visit in the future.… Read the rest

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

Mike has provided us with some welcome information on training for volunteers. This year the Community Participation Unit is allocating some funding towards volunteer training. Parks Victoria will offer training where possible to build the skills of volunteers and enable them to undertake a broader range of activities in line with their interests. Training helps volunteers to work safely, build independence and is a form of reward and recognition.
The types of training could be:
o   Four wheel drive
o   First Aid
o   Agricultural Chemicals Users Permit (ACUP)
o   How to write grants
o   Chainsaw
We need to discuss this and get back to Mike by mid September. If you want your name on the list, please don’t swamp Mike with emails, but let me know () so I can put in a composite list,… Read the rest

RED GUM WALK UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2009

Coordinates of the carpark for Google earth are:
latitude 37deg 11 min 69 sec
longitude 142deg 23 min 65.4 sec

Nine of us had a pleasant walk in June. We finalised the wording on the new signage and looked for the best locations for the signs. We also removed some tripping hazards, made a list of what spraying would be needed, discussed whether some of us could be authorised to do spraying and chainsawing -see below – and decided to seek more advice on the age of the fallen “walk-through” tree – again see below. We planned a working bee late in August to finalise the signs, but the wild and wet weather intervened, so it was moved to Monday Sep 7 when a small group marked out the exact sites for the signs and did a bit of weeding. We were pleased with the work PV staff had done … Read the rest

FROM THE PARKES DESK (Whoops – the Stevens Desk) Mike Stevens, Acting Ranger in Charge 2009

The Varnish Wattles are starting to bloom and early spring (Larneuk – season of nesting birds) is taking hold across the Grampians. The rivers and creeks that have been thirsty are starting to flow into our beautiful wetlands with the sound of frogs echoing across the valleys. Not to mention that the reservoirs are starting to fill as well.

Many Grampians National Park staff have been taking a well earned break catching up on annual leave at the completion of the busy fire season, prescribed burning season and completion of the fire recovery program.

Staff have been busy preparing our annual Fire Operations Plan (FOP) that details our fire protection, preparation work and prescribed burning program on a rolling three year cycle. Grampians staff and our emergency services partners have been meeting with a number of community groups to ensure that a balanced FOP is being developed to ensure that … Read the rest

PRESIDENT’S MUTTERINGS – Stan

The FOGG’s activities attendances have not fully recovered since the 2006 “Mt Lubra Fire” . I feel that this is due to FOGG’s being restricted in the activities that could be undertaken in the two years post the the fire. Another factor could be that “The Threatened Species Group” have not been conducting their searches on a weekend and only on a mid week day.
To improve the numbers of members being able to attend we should try and get back to setting our activities to the old practice of being conducted on the second Saturday of the month, and advertise that this will be the practice where possible. Also really encourage members to notify the event co-ordinator of their intentions of attend in advance.

BURNS or NOT TO BURN.
Since the “BLACK SATURDAY FIRES” on the 7th February this year and the Royal Commission into them there has been … Read the rest

FROM THE EDITOR – Margo

The season of Larneuk – nesting birds is just finishing. Its description starts with Bleak mists, freezing winds and rain. Well this year it hasn’t been particularly cold but it has been blissfully wet and uncomfortably windy. If it hasn’t been raining the clouds have sat solidly in the valleys. For instance, in August rain fell on 24 days, as against the long term average of 14.
As at 2 September, Bellfield Reservoir is at 28% full, compared with 17% this time last year, and overall in the GWM water storages we are now at 11.2% compared to 5.7 last year. It feels good but it was nearly this high in 2007, and then went down fast. The rainfall this year is above average, but not yet markedly. The good news I think is that this time the water has been soaking in so well. One not so good result … Read the rest

Further details on the calendar

September 12 Saturday 10 am: Spring picnic and our AGM. Meet at car park on Mirranatwa Gap. If it is wet (we remain hopeful!) we will organise a local indoor spot for lunch and meeting. Do please come along to enjoy the spring display of wildflowers after this damp winter. It should be very interesting. And do please consider joining the committee. New blood is both necessary and welcome. And it’s not a huge load. Or perhaps you’d like to represent us at the state-wide Friends Network Biennial Conference at Grantville from 11 to 13 September.

October 1 to 4 Thursday to Sunday. Grampians Wildflower Show Halls Gap.
Once again FOGGS will be supporting the Community Organisation of Halls Gap with this long running environmental showcase. In addition to the flowers (picked under license plus from nurseries and private property, all “unimproved” local varieties) there will be displays on the … Read the rest

CALENDAR SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2009

For activities organised by the Threatened Species Group, RSVP is needed to Sylvia van der Peet. 5361 4001. For FOGG activities, please contact the FOGG member listed.

September 7 (Monday): 10 am Red Gum Walk meeting re placement of signs. Margo 5356 4524.

September 12 Saturday 10 am: Spring picnic and our AGM. Meet at car park on Mirranatwa Gap. Also its the state-wide Friends Network Biennial Conference at Grantville. Contact
Kathy McDonald 5356 4679.

October 1 to 4 Thursday to Sunday. Grampians Wildflower Show Halls Gap. Contact Kathy 5356 4679. Including on
Thur 1st 7.00 – 9.00pm official opening and an evening presentation at the hall (courtesy of the Threatened Species Group). Brendan Nugent will speak on Daviesia laevis research.

October 12,13 Monday & Tuesday. TSG Pollinator Baiting in the Grampians / Pre burn survey Grampians National Park. Camp at Borough Huts Grampians National Park – Optional. Led by … Read the rest