Articles – Page 80 – Friends of Grampians Gariwerd

Management of Fire

MANAGEMENT OF FIRE

A thorny topic that won’t go away. How do we balance protection of lives and livelihoods with optimum regimes for the environment? What is best for this environment? What can we learn from last year’s fires? What difference is climate change calling for? We have had a couple of actions this quarter.

First, Proo and I gave evidence in July to an all party enquiry. We tried to stress the importance of spending money on research and of listening to the results of research.
Then, as a result of various discussions, the committee endorsed a letter to Mark Corr of DSE on the Fire Operations Plan, which is summarised below. In response to this letter, we have been invited to tour recently burnt areas and proposed burns with DSE and Parks staff on Nov 13th. If any member would like the full text, please contact the editor.… Read the rest

ADVISORY GROUP October report

The AG has met twice since the last newsletter. In July the major topic was the Fire Operations plan, and a visit to the Brush -tail Rock Wallaby enclosure at Dunkeld. I was absent, spending most of the day on a train across Belgium and Luxemburg I did make the second meeting in October where, among others, we discussed the future role of the group, expressed our deep concern over funding delays for fire recovery works in the Park, which also compromises things like employing a volunteer co-ordinator, and endorsed the Park’s submission to GWM Water on the proposed operating scenarios for reservoirs, following completion of the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline. If any member would like to read this I can forward it to you.
The November meeting will be the last for the current members as our term is up. I expect there will be a blend of experience and … Read the rest

Graham’s October Article

h3. Parks Canada Exchange

Over the last two summers the Grampians participated in a staff exchange program with Parks Canada and Jeff Weir joined our team. Jeff carried out excellent work on the presence of grazing species along the boundaries of the Park. Jeff’s experience in fire fighting was also greatly valued during two bad fire seasons.

The exchange program is continuing, as is the work on grazing species, and this summer Sean Frey will join our team. Sean will be joined by wife, Ruth, and son, Aiden.

h3. Congratulations Stan

Congratulations to Stan on his appointment as President of the FOGG’s. I would like to also say thankyou to Proo for the fantastic leadership that she has provided during her term as president. Best wishes to the FOGG’s for another productive year ahead.

h3. Staff News

We welcome Peter Foster to the Park as Team Leader Visitor Services. Peter … Read the rest

AGM & General Meeting September 22

TREASURER’S REPORT SUMMARY
Opening Balance: $4,576.13
Closing Balance; $3,328.38
Income from memberships and donations: $1522
Interest $ 20.03
Expenditure: Postage $154.28, printing of newsletter colour edition Autumn 2006 post fires $100.00, transport for school group doing weeding at Zumsteins $358, Beyond the Smoke $500, donation to Wimmera Uniting Care for production of a booklet on disabled access in the Park $1,000, printing of new brochure $550, miscellaneous costs. Total $2,788.88. Note, Parks Victoria assists in kind with the printing of our newsletter.

ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS:
President Stan Parfett
Vice Pres. Prue Pyke
Secretary Kathy McDonald
Treasurer Dot Hoffmann
Editor Margo Sietsma
Publicity Officer Kathy McDonald
COMMITTEE : Leigh Gunn, Ben Gunn, JanBert Brouwer, Mabel Brouwer, Errol Hoffmann, Ewen Johnson, David Fletcher.

It was suggested that executive positions rotate every two years. The positions of Treasurer & Secretary will be open at the AGM 2008.

BUSINESS:
* It was moved … Read the rest

Out-going Presidents Report.

Proo Pyke September 2007

Members have been involved in a wide variety of activities this year. Starting with the annual Ptilotus count, I think all of us were surprised to find any, given the extraordinarily dry conditions.

This was followed by the enormously successful Beyond Smoke Festival thanks to the very hard work of two of our members, Margo and David.

There have been several very enjoyable threatened species activities despite some inclement weather and rather varied success in finding the sought – for species. So, thanks to Sylvia for organising these.

The “Thin Green Line” film night was successful and raised around $150 to support rangers injured in their line of work across the world.

We have had several information sessions; weed spotting, the fire operations plan 07/08 and research into the fire response of grass trees in the Mount Zero area. We were also invited to make a … Read the rest

October 20 TSG Glycine latrobeana (Clover Glycine)

in the Black Range State Park. There were only 3 attendees in total. There are a good number of plants at the location, but disappointing that the majority are not flowering yet. Just as we were finishing up, we located a couple of plants with flowers.(Sylvia did take a Photograph of the flower) If we are to get seeds for the Seed Bank it will need a few more visits to monitor the site.
Stan Parfett.… Read the rest

October 5-9 Halls Gap Wildflower and Arts Show.

Strictly speaking, not a FOGG activity, but one which could not work without the invaluable efforts of FOGG members, including non Halls Gap folk. Once again a successful show. Attendances were down on last year, which we expected as last year there was tremendous interest for the first Spring after the fires, but still satisfactory. However the future of the show is under discussion. How relevant is it? Are we asking too much of a small bunch of volunteers? Can we make it less work while still making it worth visiting? Your feedback is welcome .
Our theme this year was the six seasons of Gariwerd, with once again a delightful mural by Ken Woodcock explaining the six seasons in word and picture. We had over 150 named specimens on display , despite the restricted collection area since the fire, art and craft works, books, children’s activities, excursions, educational displays … Read the rest

September 22: AGM. and Red Gum walk inspection.

Twelve people attended this day. We had hoped we could have started on planning restoration but we have not been successful in getting a community grant, so instead we discussed how to proceed.
Proo is following up our unsuccessful grant application. If Parks are not willing to help how will FOGG maintain walk? Risk assessment is a big task; approx 50-80 trees need to be removed. Suggestion made to just upkeep picnic area & table for the time being. Use could be made of pre & post fire photos together with aboriginal interpretation to keep area viable. Plans on hold, awaiting further clarification. A report on our AGM and general meeting follows.… Read the rest

September 20. TSG Briggs Bluff.

Search for the small-leaf wax flower (_Philotheca difformis subsp difformis_).

A beautiful Spring day (or should I say Petyan) for a group to explore below Briggs Bluff looking for this plant. Unfortunately we had no success. However we did find quite a few specimens of the also rare endemic Downy Star Bush, which we logged; plus enjoying the beauty of the many “common” Grampians flowers.

Some photos from the day:
… Read the rest

Community Weed-spotter training

WEED SPOTTING – the latest sport ?
Kathy McDonald. August 15 activity follow up

DPI & DSE have recently created a Weed Alert Programme to focus on new and emerging weeds in the environment.

“ … if we can prevent serious new weed introductions or identify and eradicate new infestations early then it is significantly cheaper and less time consuming than waiting until the weeds cover a large area”.

Weed Spotters can be anyone with an interest in plants including gardeners, farmers, teachers, students, members of community groups … Training activities & publications will be made available to anyone interested in identifying & collecting plants that may pose potential threats to our environment whether it be on public or private land eg. roadsides, parks, cemeteries, rubbish dumps, bushland, farmland and even nurseries. Larger towns & cities are not exempt from unwanted weed invasion. A Weed Alert Contact Officer or WACO … Read the rest