2020 Summer Newsletter (February) – Friends of Grampians Gariwerd

March 24, 2020March 24, 2020

AGM and some gardening work in the Halls Gap Botanic Garden

9 November, 2019

At our AGM we chose the committee for 2020:

President: Catherine Pye
Vice President: Leigh Douglas
Secretary: Bill and Judy Gardner
Treasurer: Judith Thompson
Committee : Geoff Stratford, Andrew Cunningham, Rodney Thompson, Neil Macumber A vote of thanks was made to retiring members (Mabel Brouwer and David Steane).
Newsletter Editor…Margo helped by Ben

We then did some some gardening work in the Halls Gap Botanic Garden, followed by a talk at the Mural Room on Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria by Pam Whiteley.

Pam is the coordinator of Wildlife Health Victoria and is highly qualified and experienced Vet in the Faculty of Vet and Agricultural Sciences at University of Melbourne. She had previously worked at Healesville Sanctuary, spent 3 years working in the National Wildlife Health Center (American spelling !) USA, CSIRO animal health laboratory in Geelong and Vic State Vet Laboratory.

Her fascinating talk gave examples of diseases that our wildlife can have and how this can occasionally be passed to humans ( Zoonoses). Clearly she has a fascinating profession with many times needing to investigate why native animals are sick or dead. It makes her a real detective but apparently the investigations can be very complex and expensive with need to detect poisons and many forms of infections. Pam did mention that it cost $1000 for full toxicology testing!

She emphasised the importance of sending to her the bodies of animals as soon as possible after death as possible to give the best chance to find a cause. She told us to avoid direct contact with the dead animals by ideally using gloves and certainly 2 plastic bags at least and putting this onto ice before posting.

She does get some important specimens from local vets but sadly it seems not all vets know about her work. Without the specimens , her investigation cannot proceed.

As an example of a mystery human illness known as Mycobacterium Ulcerans in which we humans can get a nasty skin ulcer. It seems this maybe contracted from mosquito bites which have contact with certain possums. It is currently being found in people in the Mornington Peninsula and no longer in Bairnsdale where it was first recognised decades ago. Clearly it still is needing more scientific research to get all the answers!

Another example of an infection spread from one creature to another, Pam cited bacterial infections contracted by Eastern Grey Kangaroos from cattle and sheep.

She also discussed the disease that young kangaroos can get by eating the pasture filaris at certain times. This is well known to sheep farmers also.

She also mentioned the importance of surveillance of the wildlife because of potential dangers to humans or our stock.

Pam also discussed the contracting of serious mites by koalas and wombats contracted possibly from foxes.

Another curious observation was the death of 100 ringtail possums found dead on beaches after a long hot dry summer, thought to be due to dehydration as infections and poisons were excluded. This could be a future risk for possums and koalas with climate change.

Yet another curiosity her team managed to elucidate were of cockatoos with feather loss and weak beaks found to be due to a viral illness.

Pam also discussed multiple deaths of king parrots that were found to be due to their getting an intestinal protozoa from contaminated bird feeders due to faecal contamination.

She also discussed the deaths of many frogs thought to be due to aluminium poisoning from disturbed soil after heavy rain.

Yet another mystery epidemic of deaths, this time of raptors was thought to be due to their consuming rodents who had been poisoned with Rodenticides and this moved onto discussion regarding the problem farmers have of controlling rodents but not harming wildlife. This clearly is a fine line to tread on occasions.

Another fascinating example of mysterious illnesses and deaths were of Dolphins dying of Toxoplasmosis, believed to be due the infection being washed into the ocean from cats! She mentioned a particularly severe death toll in the waters off California.

Currently she is investigating the large number of deaths of shearwaters in Port Fairy and how this maybe linked to deaths of many migratory birds in the Northern Hemisphere this year.

Pam mentioned how few reptiles are sent into her so her knowledge of their diseases is lacking.

She again mentioned the importance that people like us in the public be aware of her department’s existence and their keenness to receive animals for investigation as soon as possible and encouraged us to “spread the word”.

March 24, 2020March 28, 2020

Visit to Cooinda Burrong

January 11, 2020

For our first activity for 2020 a dozen members gathered at the scout camp to revisit the ptilotus erubescens study that we assisted with during Stan Parfitt’s time.

The exclusion plots are long gone. Due to fire damage the remaining fencing material was removed for the safety of those using the scout camp. Quinn (the current camp manager) has tried to keep the signs in place since the fencing was removed. This did enable us to find the study areas. Unfortunately most were bare of ptilotus, or any grasses for that matter. The impact of fires, and the tough conditions and grazing since have had their effects.

One area was still showing both the Ptilotus erubescens (Hairy Tails) and the larger and more common ptilotus macrocephalus, commonly known as Featherheads. Many seed heads had been grazed off. I believe our final count was 40 plants and 60 flower heads. But there was some dispute about this figure amongst those present.

It was heartening to see that even with fire, and the destruction of the exclusion fences, that nature had found a way and the erubescens were still alive and appeared to be spreading wider, even if their numbers were not increasing yet.

At Quinn’s suggestion we went for a walk to examine another exclusion plot that was set up for a different purpose. There was not much to see, it appeared to have fallen into disrepair. Quinn was also keen to learn more about what was a weed and what was native. Especially concerning the SA weed orchid, and the sallow wattles. Now that he has some knowledge he will set the Scouts to work helping to control and remove the weeds. He will also ensure the ptilotus plants are unmolested as much as possible.

We sat down as a group to eat a picnic lunch, and were joined by 2 of our Rangers for a chat and to talk about upcoming activities. It was nice to see both Hannah and Kailee at a Foggs activity. I think they enjoyed the opportunity to talk to the group and get to know us a bit better, as did we.

We then went for a walk along the Bunnah trail, and up one of the ridges to look at the granite outcrops. While walking we did use a GPS unit to log any weed species we observed, that may become a project at a later date.

I don’t know that the study is worth continuing, unless it becomes a priority for Parks. The erubescens is no longer classified as threatened, so I doubt the project will be at the top of the list now.

Cheers, Rod Thompson

Catherine adds “Bird species seen include red wattle bird, white throated tree creeper, magpie, sulphur crested cockatoo, yellow faced honeyeater, superb blue wren, Australian raven, kookaburra, brown thornbill, weebill, crimson rosella, yellow tufted honeyeater, yellow tailed black cockatoo and some type of Quail.”

March 24, 2020

Advisory Group Report

There have been two meetings since our last newsletter. I missed the November one but have the minutes.

A tour of the new Troopers Creek Campground was undertaken . It is the last of the major infrastructure project from the fire recovery program. The team discussed the finalisation of the fire recovery program, Grampians Peaks Trail operations and the biodiversity response program with the Advisory group members.

The February meeting was held last week. The first item was an update on what had happened since our last meeting, particularly the two fires in the park (Mt Lang and Mt William }. Due to the conditions here and the emergencies elsewhere in the state, an enormous effort went into getting them out as soon as possible. Lots of people, lots of equipment. Even on Christmas day 65 people were at the fire. An interesting point was made that as firefighting equipment gets heavier, access tracks such as Harrop’s track have to be upgraded.

The new walking track at Golton Gorge is now open to the public and is a great example of volunteer work.

The next topic was an update on the management plan. So far the stakeholder meetings have been mainly Parks informing people, but now there will be a greater emphasis on listening to comments and questions. Those of us on the AG are requested to consider what are our key concerns. Several were given at the meeting, more will come. The next meeting will be in March. (FOGG are part of the stakeholder group).

Grampians Peaks Trails update: Alisa Redsell, GPT Coordinator, presented a detailed update, including outcomes from community engagement sessions prior to Christmas, transiting GPT into park operations and signature experience opportunities (indigenous). Parks are hoping that all the camp sites will have indigenous names. Quite a bit of the trail is almost complete but we are asked not to use it until signs and safety stuff are completed. The camp site at Mt Abrupt may need to be moved. Progress has been slower than hoped and money is a bit tight, so they are looking at simplifying tracks and campsites without compromising standards. The team have been reminding the board of Parks Vic that the maintenance costs for the trail will be huge. An example of this is that when the existing toilet at Wannon Creek on the Major Mitchell Plateau had to be emptied by helicopter, the weather cancelled the first two attempts, so the bill was for three helicopter flights!

The maintenance cost of the trail is a subject the AG has had concerns with from the very start, so it is good to see the team sharing it.

Parks were disappointed how few people came to the four sessions across the local towns (Halls Gap only had 3!) but hope for more at the sessions coming shortly.

I can send more information to anyone interested. Current date for completion of construction is Dec 2020. It will be a big year. The Peaks Trail team send out a community report every few months. The last one was in November so I won’t put it here but can forward it to you if you ask. Or you can learn more by registering on to get it mailed to you.

March 24, 2020

Other Park News

Parks staff produce a community newsletter,and here are some pieces from the recent Kooyang one.

Summer Education and Interpretation Program

During January a successful program of education and interpretation activities was delivered to almost 150 kids and adults by the parks Seasonal Rangers. Two guided walks for adults and families were also undertaken. Education and interpretation programs are run in Grampians National Park and surrounding reserves every Summer, Autumn and Spring School Holidays.

Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies

Recent scat analysis from areas around the main Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby population has revealed that four of the colonies offspring have ‘grown-up’ and moved into their own territories. Additionally, two new males have been introduced into the colony to diversify the breeding gene pool. This exciting news provides clarification that young are surviving and predator control is being effective.

Increase in Graffiti

Unfortunately, there has been a steep rise in paint and scratch graffiti within the park. In response, rangers have been removing graffiti and compiling information for follow up compliance. Please report any people undertaking graffiti to Brambuk on (03) 8427 2258.

Report an Issue: Noticed an issue such as fallen tree, damaged road or sign? Report it to Parks Victoria via the Snap Send Solve phone app.

Visit https://www.snapsendsolve.com/ to find out more and download it to your phone.

Deer control

From the 29th February – 5th March, Parks Victoria is working with professional contractors to control populations of deer in some sections of the Grampians National Park. Deer are impacting the park by rubbing, trampling and eating saplings, ringbarking trees, and wallowing in wetland areas, impacting ecosystems and competing for food against native animals. Deer can also degrade water and soil quality, and carry diseases.

Signage will be in place in the areas of control to notify the public and operations will occur overnight. Given the locations of these operations, there is not expected to be any impact on park access, although park visitors may hear gunshots. Major visitor sites in the Grampians will also not be impacted.