Volume 51 Number 1 March 2014 National Parks Association of the Australian Capital Territory Inc

Progress towards NPA’s new bird Feral horses new national parks book launched rampant NPA Bulletin Volume 51 number 1 March 2014

Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect association opinion or objectives.

CONTENTS From the President ...... 2 Sandalwood: ‘liquid gold’...... 15 Rod Griffiths Liz Teather Protection, not destruction ...... 3 Vale Alam Ray ...... 15 Judy Kelly Max Lawrence Letter to the editor, Canberra Times ...... 3 Bushwalks. Teddys Hut...... 16 Rod Griffiths Brian Slee A new national park for the ACT ...... 4 One Tree Hill...... 17 Rod Griffiths Brian Slee Field guide to the birds of the ACT...... 6 Molonglo Valley...... 18 Book launch Esther Gallant

Visiting the horses ...... 7 PARKWATCH ...... 19 Di Thompson Compiled by Hazel Rath The Murrumbidgee–Ginninderra Gorges National Park...... 8 NPA notices...... 22 Doug Finlayson Meetings and speaker information...... 23 Bushwalk. Ettrema–Tullyangela ...... 11 Eric Pickering NPA information and contacts ...... 23 The Bs of bushwalking — the Bibbulmun Track...... 12 Judith Webster From the President

Welcome to 2014, and what a year for environmental into the hillside it can be celebrations it is going to be. The Canberra Ornithologists difficult to get off safely Group is celebrating its 50th anniversary, the Australian and I fear that it is only a Landcare movement will be 25 years old and, importantly for matter of time before the NPA ACT, it’s the 30th anniversary of the gazettal of someone gets hurt. I was Namadgi National Park. On 3 October 1984, Namadgi came impressed with the into existence and how it has grown since then. Keep your eye courtesy of the majority of out for a number of events that the NPA ACT will hold to the cyclists we met on our celebrate Namadgi’s birthday. walk but it takes only one I was really pleased to welcome a goodly turnout to the user of the trail to do the wrong recent launch of the new edition of the NPA ACT’s Field thing to cause an incident. The Guide to Birds of the ACT. Launched by Mick Gentleman NPA ACT has already started to raise its MLA, this field guide is a tribute to the many people involved concerns about safety on the Centenary Trail with TAMS. in its development. Well done all. It was also great to see that The start of the year has been busy for the NPA ACT, with a both McComas Taylor and Nicolas Day, the author and submission made on the ACT Trails Strategy, work done on the illustrator of the first edition, were able to attend. If you proposed changes to the Nature Conservation Act and haven’t seen the new edition, it’s ripper with nine new bird involvement in the ACT Centenary Time Capsule Project. In the species described, complemented by Nicolas Day’s wonderful time capsule to the residents of Canberra in 2113, the NPA ACT illustrations. has placed a letter describing the wonderful campaign for the Recently, I went on one of the NPA ACT’s walks from Hall creation of Namadgi National Park. to One Tree Hill on the Centenary Trail. This is a popular Looking forward to a great year together. section for both walkers and cyclists, but some parts of the Rod Griffiths track are probably too narrow to allow easy passing of a walker and a cyclist without one of them having to either stop or get off the track. Given that some parts of the trail are cut

2014 is the 30th anniversary of the gazettal of Namadgi National Park

2 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 Protection, not destruction In The Canberra Times on Tuesday informed, and in informing ourselves. 4 February, Jenna Price wrote an article Letter to the Editor, There are always escape routes via a ‘Green shoots of Abbott ire’ about a The Canberra Times book, outdoor concert, bushwalk, resident of regional NSW who has had picnic, film, nature ramble or a visit to enough of the present federal regime S. Gerrard and Dr Nick Abel detail the an exhibition in one of our cool and is organising events in March. Coalition Government’s proposed incur- national institutions. Humour helps They are peaceful non-partisan grass sions into Tasmania’s World Heritage Area and the pick of the best political roots rallies, assemblies, and citizens’ and the Great Barrier Reef (Letters, Feb 5) cartoons showing at Old Parliament marches at Federal Parliament and but these are just part of many governmen- House is a tonic. Our politicians are around Australia ‘to protest against tal failures to protect the environment. reduced to the ridiculous under the government decisions that are against The Federal Government is trans- cartoonists’ pens. the common good of our nations’. ferring its powers under the Environment NPA ACT expressed its concerns in a Craig Batty, an educational Protection and Biodiversity Conservation letter published in the Canberra Times designer, is the spokesman; he has Act to the States and Territories, giving on 7 February 2014. never been an activist or party member them greater freedom to exploit our natu- but ‘he’s had enough’. On Monday ral resources. The Abbott government is Mail, email or call your 17 March, Batty will be marching in about to cut its funding to all Environmen- elected representatives Canberra from 10:00 am. People tal Defenders Offices (EDO). The EDO interested in the march can see further has given invaluable legal advice to volun- The main points mentioned in the details on the group’s website at https:// teer conservation groups, including the letter can be incorporated in a letter or www.facebook.com/ National Parks Association of the ACT email to federal politicians and MarchinMarchCanberra (NPA ACT), in their efforts to protect the Opposition representatives. Have a natural environment. look at the damage that feral horses in Haven’t we all had enough? Feral horses in Kosciuszko National Kosciuszko National Park are Park (KNP) are now estimated to number inflicting on the fragile alpine Haven’t we all had enough, especially between 11,000 –14,000, increasing at environment via the link on when it comes to repealing legislation 20% per year. They are trampling creeks, NPA ACT’s website showing photos meant to protect the natural eroding banks, polluting the water, and that members took on a recent walk environment? We’ve read about the braiding water courses, causing increased that Di Thompson led to the Snowies planned dumping of harbour dredgings evaporation. While feral horse numbers in November 2013: http:// in the Great Barrier Reef, and the escalate, horse riders are being granted www.npaact.org.au/news.php?id=232. removal of Tasmanian forest from the access to wilderness areas in KNP and will The federal Minister for the protection of its World Heritage Area. further contribute to the damage of fragile Environment is Greg Hunt: As we bake under a heatwave, areas. NPA ACT has a link to members’ [email protected], spirits, along with trees and plants, photos of feral horse damage on its web- (02) 6277 7920. droop. How many more exhortations The Shadow Minister for site at http://www.npaact.org.au/ do we have to see to sign a petition, Environment, Climate Change and news.php?id=232. write a letter, lobby a politician, donate Our national parks and reserve systems Water is Mark Butler: to some worthy environmental fund or are vital refuges for plants and animals but [email protected], cause? they are being neglected because of popu- (02) 6277 4089. list policies and lack of resources and staff. Make a few points, using NPA’s Part of the answer might be Our conservation reserves have suf- letter and ask each what he will do to stop the destruction of the natural persistence fered neglect from both major parties but now the situation is growing steadily environment. You can also write to Perhaps part of the answer is worse. Concerned readers should lobby both at Parliament House, PO Box persistence whether it be tree planting, their federal representatives to protect, not 6022, House of Representatives, keeping the garden alive as a mini destroy, our natural environment. Parliament House, Canberra ACT oasis, or going on a work party, 2600. weather permitting. Persistence is also Rod Griffiths, Judy Kelly needed in keeping our politicians President, NPA ACT

An addendum to Julie Henry’s obituary in the December 2013 Bulletin From the NPA News of NPA founders of the Brisbane Bushwalkers was involved in the establishment of the Queensland, February 2014 Club, and joined NPAQ in 1949. Julie NPA ACT, and as a committee member became a NPAQ life member in 1960, for a number of years, before she retired Julia Henry (1917–2013) — Julia (Julie) and attended many weekend and and returned to Sydney. There she put passed away in Sydney in October 2013 extended outings. her organisational skills to excellent after almost a lifetime of involvement in, Julie served as an NPAQ Councillor effect as the residents’ rep-resentative on and organisation of, conservation and from 1955 until she moved to Canberra in her retirement village board. bushwalking groups. 1960, but maintained her contacts with Having moved from Sydney to many NPAQ friends. [In Canberra] she Brisbane in 1948, she was one of the

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 3 A new national park for the ACT It is now more than four years since the This was due to the development of a If much of the area is going to NPA ACT raised with Jon Stanhope, then strategic environmental assessment (SEA) be in reserve anyway, why do the ACT’s Chief Minister, a proposal for by the Commonwealth that covered all of Gungahlin. As part of an agreed approach we need a national park? a new national park for the ACT. The between the NPA ACT and the new national park was to amalgamate The term ‘national park’ is recognised Conservation Council, a focus was placed and add to existing reserves across the throughout the world as a description of on ensuring that this SEA delivered the northern border of the ACT. Its purpose the epitome of a conservation reserve. best positive outcomes possible for was to create a single reserve that The creation of a new national park will Gungahlin. If this could be achieved then highlight for the ACT and Australian captured and celebrated key remnants of there would be a much better platform to the ACT’s lowland grassy woodlands. community the importance of the ACT mount a case for the creation of a national lowland grassy woodlands. Considerable Over the following couple of years park. While the SEA was being the issue progressed with articles in the work is being done throughout the ACT, developed, however, a campaign for a but particularly in the Gungahlin region, Canberra Times and the NPA ACT national park was deemed to be a possible Bulletin, a positive Commissioner for the to engage the citizens of the ACT with distraction. the natural wonders on their doorstep. Environment report on the potential for a The Gungahlin SEA has resulted in a new national park, and discussions with Projects like Bush on the Boundary, the number of important future additions to Centenary Trail and Landcare groups are bureaucrats and the ACT Natural the ACT’s reserve system, so now is the bringing the ACT community even Resource Management Committee. Then time to return to the campaign for a new things went quiet. national park. (continued next page)

Approximate area for a new national park and associated rural lease areas. Note potential to extend in the east Majura Valley. Arrows denote habitat connectivity for wildlife movement. (Map from the ACT Lowland Grassy Woodlands Strategy)

4 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 A new national park for the ACT (continued) closer to the natural environment. The creation of a national park would build on this community engagement and emphasise the importance of the ACT’s wonderful lowland grassy woodlands. The creation of a national park would help raise the profile of one the ACT’s most important research programs, the sanctuary project located at Mulligans Flat and would also facilitate greater attention for the work of the ACT’s Woodlands and Wetlands Trust. The consolidation of all the key northern ACT lowland grassy woodlands reserves into a single national park, supported by conservation agreements with neighbouring rural lessees, will focus the management of these important ecosystems. Currently, the relevant reserves are administered under the Canberra Nature Park management plan, which has to identify management strategies for a wide range of ecosystems. Having a single national park with its own plan of management View eastwards from One Tree Hill. Photo Max Lawrence means that tailored strategies can be adopted to the ACT’s lowland grassy So where to now? 2014 is the year Australia hosts the woodlands. This offers benefits to the World Parks Congress, a gathering of Despite the early achievements there is environment and can improve the many of world’s leading still a lot of work to be done. There is a administrative costs of managing these conservationists and land managers. A need to build community support for the areas. new national park in the ACT would be proposal, to engage the neighbouring National parks should protect a significant announcement to rural lessees and to convince decision- ecosystems of national importance. complement this event. Namadgi National Park is a fine example makers of the proposal’s importance. The of this. The ACT’s lowland grassy work with the rural lessees will be Rod Griffiths woodlands also easily meet this criterion particularly important as the ACT lacks and their national importance should be the conservation covenant tools in place properly recognised. in the states.

Canberra Centenary Trail

In this photograph, taken on Brian Slee’s NPA walk to One Tree Hill (see page 17) we see President Rod Griffiths checking out the ACT’s northern lowland grassy woodlands to the east and south of One Tree Hill. Also shown is the junction where the footpad to the summit lookout joins the main benched Canberra Centenary Trail. Photo Max Lawrence

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 5 Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT NPA launches the second edition

Muriel Edwards, NPA, with Nicolas Day, the artist who produced the Bird Book author McComas Taylor with Brett beautiful images in our book, and NPA President Rod Griffiths McNamara, ACT Parks Service

Shane Rattenbury MLA, Minister for Territory and Municipal Mick Gentleman MLA and NPA member, with Kevin McCue, NPA, and Clare Services, with Steve Hill, NPA member Henderson, Executive Director of the Conservation Council of the ACT

For those who couldn't come — we had a very successful launch of the second edition of the Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT, with approximately 60 members and guests attending. The speeches were short and to the point and the opportunity for social interaction between members, the author and the illustrator, the designer, politicians (Minister Shane Rattenbury and Mick Gentleman MLA) and other guests over a cuppa and a sandwich was gladly taken. Thank you to everyone who came, to the NPA speakers Rod and Phil, to the helpers Chris, Kevin, and Judy, the photographer Max and to everyone who bought a book or two, and to Jan who brought a home- made cake. Sonja Lenz Esther Gallant, NPA Committee member, with Mariana Rollgejser, designer of the NPA Bird Book

6 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 Visiting the horses Last November I led a nine-day nine- member NPA packwalk into the beautiful sub-alpine areas of southern Kosciuszko National Park and northern Alpine National Park — in other words around the headwaters of the Murray River along the New South Wales– Victorian border. Our team comprised myself and Gary, Mike and Annette Smith, Clive Hurlstone, Esther Gallant, Tim Walsh, Cathy Saw and Sue Hunter. We knew beforehand that the place was infested with horses, but we were shocked at the extent to which numbers had grown in recent years, and the extent of the environmental degradation so caused. During our walk we came across several other walking groups, all of whom shared our concern. We were all having trouble getting clean drinking water, with our water filters becoming clogged even before we got to the ‘bad parts’. There was evidence of damage and dung virtually within ten metres of anywhere we went, including off track Cowombat Flat, Upper Murray River. The difference between inside the exclosure (where the locations. feral horses cannot go) and outside (subject to the impact of steadily increasing So our team decided to take a few horse numbers) is obvious, Photo Di Thompsson photographs. In fact we took more than just a few and we decided to share them Australia. Mr House was walking the must, and the sooner the better. The with the rest of you so that the public Australian Alps Walking Track, and question has to be asked, if they generally can be aware of this blight on subsequently communicated with the removed the grazing rights and all one of our most fragile and precious Nature Conservation Council of NSW in domestic livestock were removed, landscapes. Then maybe the Powers the following terms: why are the horses allowed to stay That Be will do something about it. “The sooner the horses are taken and breed up? Surely they are To view the photo sets and summary out of the area the greater the damaging the environment as of the scientific data on Flickr go to: chance of total restoration of these much, if not more so, because they http://www.flickr.com/91914657 environmentally sensitive areas. are not controlled.” @N08/sets/ Whilst at the Cowombat flats we The Nature Conservation Council One of the other walkers en- had a look at the fenced exclusion has written to the Premier of NSW countered by our team was Simon zones and the difference is very advocating the eradication of the ‘pest House, a farmer from Kojonup, Western obvious, meaning that where the horses’. The above quotation from horses couldn’t graze or trample Mr House is included in the letter. Two time-separated views of the Murray River made for a healthy soil that Di Thompson headwaters at Cowombat Flat. retained water and supported the Below (then). In 1999, photo Max Lawrence. natural vegetation. The removal of Below right (now). Di Thompson’s 2013 photo. the horses from these areas is a

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 7 The Murrumbidgee–Ginninderra Gorges National Park: a long time in the making but action required now Ever since earliest colonial explorers The Ginninderra Gorge has … made forays into what we now call the been recognised as a place of Canberra region, the Ginninderra Creek catchment area has been an important natural beauty for at least 180 link between the 19th century settlements years around Yass and Lake George to the The Ginninderra Gorge has thus been north, and the Limestone Plains and recognised as a place of natural beauty Monaro regions to the south. The for at least 180 years. The Ginninderra catchment was first sighted by Charles Creek, and the Murrumbidgee River Throsby in 1820 on a reconnaissance into which it flows, have been a expedition from the Lake George area. In recreational drawcard for tourists and 1824, the ‘King’s Botanist’ Allan visitors ever since the early colonial Cunningham reported valuable sheep settlement of the region. pastures and a large river winding to the north-northeast, and in 1825 James Ainslie brought a flock of sheep into the Part of the Robert Dixon property map, catchment area on his way from Bathurst published 1837 (National via Yass to establish the Robert Library of Australia). Campbell pastoral property in the Pialligo area on the Molonglo River, The first European to take up a which eventually became Duntroon. selection in the Ginninderra Creek Between 1830 and 1836, the colonial catchment was George Thomas Palmer, surveyor Robert Hoddle made several who established ‘Palmerville’ in about visits to the district, to survey property 1826. By the time the map of surveyor boundaries. Hoddle is perhaps better Robert Dixon was published in 1837, known for his survey work in and around many blocks of land had been claimed Melbourne where the central city street along Ginninderra Creek and the local layout is often referred to as the ‘Hoddle Aboriginal families were effectively grid’. Hoddle was also an accomplished being denied access to the significant artist and the Ginninderra Falls in his parts of their traditional river corridors; 1835 sketch are instantly recognisable public access was slowly being today. strangled. In 1840, Thomas and Eliza Southwell and their two children settled on ‘Palmerville’. In 1854, Thomas Middle Ginninderra Falls. purchased more land and renamed the Photo Doug Finlayson, 2013 property ‘Parkwood’. The homestead is still occupied today. The early colonists were, of course, guided to the region from the Weereewa (Lake George) area by Settlers engaged in the ‘sport’ Aboriginal families that had been of hunting native wildlife, thus living in the area for millennia. The Gubur Dhaura traditional site in the killing off the native fauna Gungahlin suburb of Franklin, the Surveyor William Govett, writing in a ochre site on Gossan Hill near the London publication in 1836, described University of Canberra, the stone how, in the space of 12 years, the whole artefacts found at the archaeological of the county had gone from beautiful site on the terrace above the virgin country to one where ‘the tide of Murrumbidgee River just south of civilized population had already Ginninderra Creek, and axe-grinding swarmed into the county’. Settlers grooves in rocks in Ginninderra Creek engaged in the ‘sport’ of hunting native at Latham are lasting testimony to the wildlife, thus killing off the native fauna Aboriginal community’s recognition and replacing it with sheep and cattle. of the rich wildlife and other natural Aboriginal families had to move resources across the catchment. The elsewhere to engage in traditional 1828 census reported 400–500 hunting. Aboriginal people living in the region Fast forward over 180 years and the Robert Hoddle sketch of Ginninderra Falls, and only 15 European settlers living in beautiful countryside around the 1835 (National Library of Australia) the Ginninderra catchment. (continued next page)

8 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 The Murrumbidgee–Ginninderra Gorges National Park (continued)

Willow Tree Waterhole on the Murrumbidgee River looking south towards the confluence with Ginninderra Creek (flowing from the Upper Ginninderra Falls. Photo Doug Finlayson, 2013. left of the photo in the distance). Photo Doug Finlayson, 2013. Ginninderra Falls and adjacent Belconnen, Gungahlin and neighbouring ‘contains significant scenic as well as Murrumbidgee River in NSW is still not NSW, has been making representations to natural and heritage values’ and that the accessible by the general public. Well- the ACT and NSW governments, the Yass area ‘could see in excess of 50 000 intentioned attempts by landowners to Valley Council and interested supportive visitors per year’. create a wildlife park and walking trails associations aimed at restoring public The Riverview Group urban design around the Ginninderra Falls on the access to the Ginninderra Gorge and foresees a significant Murrumbidgee south side of the creek during the 1960s adjacent Murrumbidgee River corridor in River corridor in some places, but there to 1990s eventually failed because of the NSW. The Association has proposed a is some urban housing subdivision far escalating running costs associated with national park model that will ensure too close to natural heritage features in public liability insurance. Older public access in perpetuity. other places. The GFA believes that members of the community may Because of the private land ownership some renegotiation and reallocation of remember hot days swimming under the within the desirable boundaries of the urban housing should be possible with Ginninderra Creek waterfalls and national park, many cross-border issues no adverse financial outcome. The canoeing on the Murrumbidgee River. have to be dealt with, not the least being December 2013 publicity documents put possible rezoning of land currently under out by the Riverview Group for the West The Ginninderra Falls Association environmental management, and Belconnen area did envisage ‘reopening has proposed a national park pressures from urban and semi-rural Ginninderra Falls and allow public model that will ensure public development spilling over from the ACT, access to the Murrumbidgee River’ and and from current quarrying interests and creating ‘a national park centred on access in perpetuity rural industries. Ginninderra Gorge’. Over the past two years, the Ginninderra Two major recent developments that The GFA believes that a significant Falls Association (GFA), a community help progress the national park proposal buffer zone is required between organisation that grew out of groups in are, first, the publication in December suburban housing and the lower 2013, of the NSW Government Ginninderra Creek gorge area. This will nine-month-long evaluation of the enable the maintenance of significant national park proposal, and second, ecological values across the proposed the workshop held by the Riverview national park area and the restoration of Group during December, 2013, that areas degraded by grazing and gravel advanced the detailed design for mining. their West Belconnen urban plan in The International Union for the both the ACT and neighbouring Conservation of Nature guidelines NSW. (2000) for a national park indicate the area should be an area of land … the area ‘contains designated to significant scenic as well as (a) protect the ecological integrity of natural and heritage values’ one or more ecosystems for present and future generations, The NSW Government evaluation, (b) exclude exploitation or occupation although not currently allocating inimical to the purposes of any funding, did say that the area designation of the area, and (c) provide a foundation for spiritual, Land boundaries in the Yass Valley scientific, educational, recreational Shire on the border with the ACT and visitor opportunities, all of together with proposed boundaries which must be environmentally and for the Murrumbidgee–Ginninderra culturally compatible. Gorges National Park. (continued on page 10)

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 9 The Murrumbidgee–Ginninderra Gorges National Park (continued from page 9) small acreage land development north of the ACT border is inevitable, given that the regional population is likely to reach 500 000 in the foreseeable future. So now is the time to quarantine, for future access and use by the public, the land within the proposed boundaries of the national park. Doug Finlayson

Come and see on

23 March Riverview Group proposed suburban housing development subdivision for West Belconnen and neighbouring NSW, December 2013 (Riverview Group publicity document). Because the land in Yass Valley Shire just north of the ACT border with The GFA is endeavouring to ensure down around a table and thrash out NSW is all privately owned there are that these guidelines are built into land use issues for the long-term few opportunities for members of the developments for the Murrumidgee– future. Private landowners must public to view the natural heritage of Gininderra Gorges National Park. obviously be drawn into the process of the area. However, a get-together to creating a national park. The long- get a glimpse of the area’s beauty has … now is the time to get the term goal is to ensure public access in been organised by the Ginninderra political leaders … to sit down perpetuity. In this process several Falls Association for Sunday 23 March around a table and thrash out business models can be considered for 2014, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. the long-term viability of a national land use issues for the long-term park. Meet at the Brindabella Hills Winery, future The Murrumbidgee and 156 Woodgrove Close, Wallaroo. This is along the Wallaroo Road, which Because of the complex planning issues Ginninderra gorges are natural features of the landscape of such turns off the Barton Highway near associated with the long-term Hall. A pleasant afternoon of development and management of a beauty that the opportunity for creating a national park should not be sightseeing and discussion is national park, now is the time to get the anticipated. political leaders from state, territory, missed because of a lack of foresight federal and local governments to sit by our political leaders. Urban and

Heritage listed ‘Belconon’ homestead built by Charles Campbell in 1850. That house on ‘Belconnen Farm’ within the ACT Murrumbidgee River near Brindabella Hills Winery. still stands today. Photo Doug Finlayson. Photo Doug Finlayson.

10 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 Bushwalk Ettrema–Tullyangela Walk: Five day pack walk [23] 24–28 January 2014 Participants: Eric and Pat Pickering (leaders), Rupert Barnett, Dave Kelly, PJ Larson from the USA, Jan Moore, Barrie Ridgway and Mike Smith. Ettrema Wilderness in Morton National Park is situated west of Nowra and is part of the sandstone plateau that includes the Budawangs farther south. Access to the Ettrema Wilderness is provided by a north-tracking unsealed road linking Nerriga with the private properties Quiera, Tullyangela and Tolwong, all located within the national park.

… there are areas of dense rain Tullyangela Creek; after first compulsory swim. Rugged country, rugged people. forest with coachwood, sassafras, Photo Eric Pickering backhousia and thick vines through our camp closely inspecting Someone suggested the name Vegetation on the plateau varies from each tent, before giving us the thumbs [Dungeon Canyon] meant you up. open forest, head-high tea-tree, banksia, could get in but not out! mountain devils etc., to rock platforms … the magnificent scenery of with a variety of mosses and lichens and We camped beside Tullyangela Creek, some patches of sedge. In the gorges Ettrema, with occasional pools after a 180° turn at its northernmost there are areas of dense rain forest with and cliffs towering above us point. Next day Dave navigated us across coachwood, sassafras, backhousia and the plateau, through rock platforms, heath On the third day we entered the south- land, scrub and finally open forest to our thick vines. Ettrema Creek carves a flowing Tullyangela Creek and made gigantic gorge up to 400 metres deep waiting car near Tullyangela Clearing. our way steeply upwards through the Quiera Clearing, our starting point, where through this plateau, starting near giant boulders, and ancient and recent Sassafras on the Nowra Road and ending the second car was parked was just a 20- landslides, wading, rock scrambling, minute drive away! near Burrier–Nowra on the Shoalhaven climbing, pack passing, and three River. Nearby, Tullyangela Creek, part of This was a challenging walk. PJ, our compulsory swims with packs to American guest, used to track walking in which is known as Dungeon Canyon, awkward landing spots. tumbles into Ettrema Creek. The the States, was impressed that the walk Rupert, Dave and Mike were of was entirely off-track! I have found in formation of Tullyangela Creek must great help in finding routes through the have been a savage natural event as most such remote area walks that camaraderie boulders and steep-sided gorges. Just of its 400 metre fall into Ettrema is in the develops within the group through the when I had almost given up hope of last five kilometres, starting from sharing of a unique experience to which Dungeon Canyon. The creek bed is steep finding a campsite in the narrowing no one else in the world is privy. For the and choked with large boulders and gorge and was looking for a flat, five days of the walk, our party of nine block-ups which form permanent pools of riverbed rock site, Rupert spotted a walkers were the only people in the deep water surrounded by near vertical place a few metres up one side of the remote world of the Ettrema–Tullyangela cliffs. gorge where, in a small stand of dark wilderness where self-reliance and Our five-day walk started near Quiera rainforest, among forest litter, trees and reliance on each other are paramount. Clearing, which provides access to vines, were sufficient flat spots for our This party was one of the most Pardon Point, four kilometres away six tents. Next day was more of the harmonious and happy I have been through the bush and Transportation Spur same rock and boulder hopping with associated with. which took us 400 metres down to the added challenge of finding an exit Eric Pickering Ettrema Creek; but only after a bit of from the gorge. The going through Footnote scrambling and pack passing through the Dungeon Canyon was somewhat easier There are many Canberra walkers, upper cliff-line. Exciting stuff!! than the previous day. (Someone including yours truly, who are very As predicted, there was some rain in suggested the name meant you could thankful to the Pickerings for the afternoon and evening of the first day get in but not out!) Fortunately, we introducing them to the wonders but thereafter the weather was fine and found an exit route, which took us (and terrors) of Ettrema. And at perfect for walking. We rock-hopped steeply through the first cliff-line to a four score plus they’re still doing downstream admiring the magnificent second, which looked impassable until it!! Legends. Ed. scenery of Ettrema, with occasional pools Barrie spotted a narrow rocky staircase and cliffs towering above us. One embedded in the cliff-face, which took evening, the local goanna wandered us up to the plateau.

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 11 The Bs of bushwalking — the Bibbulmun Track An hour passed and still no sign. Judith Webster and Mark Hopkins have been walking We were beyond the range of mobile phone. the Bibbulmun Track in West Australia in sections over No contact and no telepathic insight could provide a clue the last few years. In October 2012 they did the section The track was clear — the Waugals* there. between Balingup and Northcliffe. Judith has sent us Two hours had gone this free verse account of their 216 km journey. Was he before me still or yet behind me now? Bemused I sat, and hadn’t waited long when, The Bs of Bushwalking – The Bibbulmun Track head down, a lonely bushwalker hove into view As any good Boy Scout would know “G’day and am I glad to see you” — though I was in the Girls Brigade — Expressed our mutual feeling of relief. The motto is to be prepared His sorry tale goes like this — So better have A check list Whilst strolling with his thoughts elsewhere But mine was very much a B list. (In a brown study you might say) Boots, of course, and beanie He missed a marker and walked a kilometre or more Those blessèd socks with toes. Before realising the error he had made. For blisters there are Bandaids, Betadine and balm Backtracking, whistle blowing and bellowing he, like me, Bushmans to keep at bay bities of every sort Knew not whether he was ahead or behind. Bandages (the crepey kind) Should red-bellied Black attack – though Heaven forBid! Sleeping bag and tea bags In fact all kinds of dilly bags For those biscuit basics — Vita-Weats, I mean And muesli too — Oh bother, I forgot the powdered milk. Then Backcountry tucker is a must but does become a bore. The billy and the stove Butane/propane in cylinder Bottles for the beverages. Guide Book — the Bible of the Bibbulmun Compass, batteries, whistle, maps All these must fit in my pack A sleeping mat and so forth; are we ready yet?

Then let us begin. Balingup to Blackwood 17.7 km — a warm-up for the trek Whilst Gregory Brook keeps up the theme of Bs. I blow and huff on all steep hills And back begins to ache. The heat is on so thanks and glory be! For a brief break at DRV (Donnelly River Village) In comfort of old loggers cottage. In the night it rains Friendly ’roos take shelter on our porch And by the light of morning The mighty Karri. A daddy emu leads his brood of stripy chicks Thus far, about the bush I’ve little said. Around the cottage gardens. The marri and the karri trees so elegant and bold It’s on to Tom Road shelter — Reaching to the blue of sun-bright sky Beside a boulder bordered brook While beneath their lofty canopy Which offers chance for bracing bathe. Grew soap bush — a froth of springtime green It must be said, here, Bull banksias and parrot bush Mark and I walk to a different beat And blooms of many flowers, Always he before me goes. Leschenaultia of cornflower hue Then waits at designated time — Shiny enamel orchid, pimelea, clematis, for this old tortoise to catch up but Flame pea and tassel bush One day the system failed. To name but just a few. No sight or sound of my companion Sitting doing crosswords by the track. Cockatoos flew overhead, the red and white-tailed black Where had he gone; why did he not wait? We glimpsed the brilliance of splendid wren. I soldiered on — keeping true to my Track name Birdsong abounded. Of Persevering Plodder. (continued next page)

12 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 Walk leader

Easter. A transalpine crossing. I was the walk leader. This freshette really wanted to come. But she had to go to a wedding in Sale on Good Friday. Would be a day late. Bloody nuisance. But I decided to be helpful. Was it the hazel eyes? So I carried my pack in with the group the first day. Left them setting up camp at some old gold diggings. Then I walked back out to the roadhead to meet her. We started to walk back in at dusk. Slept a few hours by a bubbling stream. I woke once and saw her sitting by the river in the moonlight. Why? Who was she? At dawn we walked on and caught up with the others. They were just leaving the camp site and wondering where their walk leader was. Wonnangatta valley, 1962. for better for worse … sometimes richer often poorer often rough … sometimes smooth never plain sailing Gerry Jacobson

The Bs of Bushwalking (continued) Bygone days were brought to mind With last wistful, backward glance to Schafer In naming of the shelters — We were off again at 3 pm … Boarding House, the site of one in early timber-getting times The track was flat, the going easy. Then Beavis — and Beedelup. “Why not keep on and on?” I blithely said At Beavis a froggy choir tried our sleep to steal. And so we did … Solos of “crik, crik, crik” and off-beat syncopated choruses The forest faded and the light too drained away. Persisted, unrelenting, through the night. To sandy open heath we came At first hint of dawn came a suspicious lull! Then broad and bounteous pastures The cue it seemed for the cackling, raucous mirth of And cow pat strewn lanes that led to sheds kookaburras That throbbed with milking machines. To splinter the air. My feet throbbed too and felt on fire, until at last — All these sights and sounds of Nature Just after dark we stood beneath a lamp post on the bitumen Were the pleasures of the way of road — Interspersed with long quiet stretches — to meditate alone and wondered if, with a blink of eye, we’d missed the little Or meet and chat to other hardy walkers; share a yarn or two. town of Northcliffe? I began to fantasize of scrambled eggs for brekky But found somewhere to lay our heads So when we reached a welcome rest at Pemberton And proudly boast 35 kilometres in one day. To the Millhouse Café we made tracks: So on a high we left the track — for this year, anyway. Fantasy became reality — But more of Bibbulmun beckons; beckons … And generous serve of bacon, eggs and mushrooms Yea … it beckons … filled me with bonhomie. Judith Webster Three parts more to our trek remained. * A Waugal is the official sign for the track. It is a 20 km to Warren and to Schafer 21 — stylised rainbow serpent. Leaving a mere 14 km Judith did another section in May 2013 and hopes for the final bash to Northcliffe. to finish the track in 2014. The site of Schafer campsite was a delight Beside a pretty dam; wrapped all about by forest. Oh! How I wished to linger there Take a cool dip and savour the ambience. But that 14 km for tomorrow (a cinch you think) Became a challenge much discussed. A challenge due to time constraints. Our booking on a bus — before 11am. Before we boarded that bus to Bunbury Mark declared a shower was a must To banish all the bush BO, Whilst I knew — all too well — the limitations of my pace… So how to beat the clock? “We must be up at 4 am” I was so bold as to suggest. “Oh B….. that” bemoaned my friend “Let’s do some more today. Get more clicks under our belts Old trestle bridge And bivvy on the track”. Photos Judith Webster

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 13 Sandalwood: ‘liquid gold’ What is the world’s most valuable tree? A strong case can be made for those species of sandalwood (genus Santalum) that yield oil. Today, Western Australia’s native Santalum spicatum provides 40 per cent of the world’s supply of sandalwood (Forest Products Commission, no date). My interest in sandalwood was sparked by a visit to a small tourist venture in Vanuatu based on locally grown sandalwood. Australia has long been deeply involved in the sandalwood trade, and NPA members might find the current situation regarding sandalwood as intriguing as I do. Demand for sandalwood Since Buddhism originated in the 6th century BCE, aromatic sandalwood has been constantly in demand for ritual purposes. A market opened in China Young sandalwood plantation at The Summit, Vanuatu. Uncleared forest at rear, with one after Buddhism was introduced there six remaining mature native tree dominating this view. Young sandalwoods centuries later, and was initially supplied with host trees in right foreground. Photo Liz Teather by S. album sandalwood from India. When Magellan reached Timor in 1522, distribution is incomplete, with the was established in 2011 (Anon. 2012). In he found a Chinese junk exchanging reasons for this obscure (Brennan and the Ord River Irrigation Area, a recent goods for sandalwood (Gunn 1999). Merlin 1993). Santalum increase in plantation S. album brings the Centuries later, Australian traders began austrocaledonicum grows wild in New total there to 3 500 ha, or 60 per cent of to participate in the sandalwood trade Caledonia and Vanuatu. Sandalwood the total (Anon. 2013). It will be crucial because it was a valuable cargo that they produced in Fiji is S. album, also known to the sandalwood industry to see could exchange in China for tea. By the as Indian sandalwood. It is likely to have whether prices will continue to rise at early 19th century, tea had become a been introduced. Santalum lanceolatum recent rates (12 per cent per annum) after preferred beverage throughout the is indigenous to Queensland and is the arrival on the market of plantation English-speaking world (Shineberg exploited today to a limited extent. timber from 2015. 1965). As early as 1844, Western Sandalwood reserves in the Pacific Only the heartwood and roots of a Australia began to export powdered islands were ruthlessly stripped by sandalwood tree contain the oil, so when sandalwood to China from its stands of American and European traders, a tree is harvested the plant is destroyed. S. spicatum. At that time, the value of beginning in Fiji (S. yasi), then the It takes at least 15 years for a tree to sandalwood exports was higher than that Marquesas and Hawaii (S. ellipticum). grow to the size at which it is worth of wheat (Forest Products Commission The New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), the harvesting. Isle of Pines, the Loyalty Islands and no date). Growing sandalwood in the World demand for logs and oil New Caledonia, were at first avoided remains very strong — so strong, indeed, because of their fearsome reputation as islands: the case of Vanuatu that illegal harvesting is a serious the homes of aggressive warriors and With cash in short supply to island problem. It is one of two reasons why cannibalism. Australian traders moved villagers, raising a few sandalwood trees India is unable to rely on a constant local into this area after 1841, systematically makes a lot of sense. In Vanuatu, the supply (the other being Spike disease). exploiting sandalwood resources. Today, price for heartwood has risen 10 per cent In Western Australia, wild trees are being efforts are being made to re-establish each year since 1990, considerably illegally logged, posing a difficult sandalwood in the islands and I will outstripping the inflation rate. In 2012, problem for police because of the explore Vanuatu’s example below. the Australian Centre for International remoteness of the areas involved (Bell In Western Australia, the small scale Agricultural Research (ACIAR) 2013). There is a strictly controlled, establishment of ‘tree farms’ of produced two publications on ongoing exploitation of WA’s wild stands S. spicatum in the wheat belt is being sandalwood, one of them a pocket-sized of S. spicatum, largely in Aboriginal encouraged, to diversify farm income handbook for potential small-scale hands, a limit of 2 000 tonnes being and help counter salinity brought about growers. Both documents are available exported annually, worth AU$1.5 million by shallow-rooted crops such as wheat on line ((ACIAR 2102a,b). For those (exports from private plantings are not and pasture grasses. But much larger interested in the growing process, the subject to this control). initiatives are afoot. The government of handbook is fascinating. One of the Western Australia is predicting 50 000 ha tricky problems is that sandalwood is Australian and Pacific sources of sandalwood plantings by 2020 semi-parasitic, and selecting an (Australian Sandalwood Network Inc. of sandalwood appropriate host tree is crucial. The 2008). Indeed, what is believed to be one managers of the small plantation I visited Santalum species are widespread of the world’s largest sandalwood in 2013 at The Summit, near Port Vila, throughout the Pacific but their plantations, 5 million trees on 2 200 ha, (continued on next page)

14 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 Sandalwood: ‘liquid gold’ (continued) had decided to change the host tree. After Albany, and supplies European producers ACIAR 2012b. Vanuatu sandalwood. trialling several species, Calliandra of cosmetics. The pharmaceutical Growers’ guide for sandalwood surinamensis, the ‘Tassel tree’, is now industry also uses sandalwood oil. After production in Vanuatu. ACIAR the selected host, and earlier hosts, cassis extraction of oil, exhausted sandalwood Monograph No. 151. Australian Centre (Leucaena leucocephala) and the local powder is used for incense. Synthetic for International Agricultural ‘Bluwota’ (Pterocarpus indicus) are sandalwood is not favoured by traditional Research: Canberra. being replaced. consumers and appears not to be a Anon. 2012. World’s largest sandalwood In this tropical climate, vine growth is serious challenge to the current trade. plantation established in Western a major problem. For smallscale What will happen to world prices when Australia. Daily Timber News, at growers, with a few trees in the garden plantation timber comes on line is yet to https://www.timberbiz.com.au/dtn/det they regularly visit for the day’s be seen. Logs can be safely stored to ails.asp?ID=725, accessed 4 Jan. 2014. vegetable supply, this can be controlled. await rising prices. Anon. 2013. ‘Sandalwood plantations a What I have not clarified is how the If you happen to be in Vanuatu, you disaster for the Ord River. Green Left ownership of trees is sorted out. can visit a small plantation and watch Weekly, at https://www.greenleft.org.au/ Customary ownership of land is powdered sandalwood chips being node/53962, accessed 4 Jan. 2014. widespread. With trees being so valuable, distilled at The Summit, a 15minute taxi who benefits from a tree’s sale is a ride from Port Vila. The oil is used in the Australian Sandalwood Network Inc. and crucial issue, as is the potential for smallscale manufacture of The Forest Products Commission of thieving. Summit’s own cosmetics and candles. Western Australia 2008. Western The sandalwood trade is strictly The Summit is an interesting example of Australian Sandalwood Industry controlled by the Vanuatu Government a smallscale, sustainable enterprise Development Plan 2008–2020, no and only a few licences are made exploiting a niche market, valueadding place of publication provided. available during the open season when to their own raw product, and employing Bell S. (updated Dec. 27 2013) Illegal sandalwood can be bought and exported. and training local people. The Summit loggers tap Australian prize. Wall There is a minimum price set for has magnificent landscaped gardens, and Street Journal, accessed online, 4 Jan. 2014. heartwood each year by the Vanuatu distils essence from several other plants Brennan P. and Merlin M.1993. Department of Forests. Buyers often that it grows. I have in my purse a rollon Biogeography and traditional use of offer more, and will collect the wood and fragrance made from ginger and lime. Santalum in the Pacific region. In pay for it on the farm (ACIAR 2012a). Lemongrass and tamanu oil ‘Sandalwood in the Pacific Region’. ‘Four sacks of sandalwood in the back of (Calophyllum inophyllum) are some of ed. by F.H. McKinnell. Proceedings of a ute are worth a packet’ said one of my the other ingredients. a Symposium held on 2 June 1991 at local informants. A single tree can pay Acknowledgment the XVII Pacific Science Congress, for a child’s overseas college education, Honolulu, Hawaii. ACIAR and I have heard of one local school that I thank the niVanuatu staff member from Proceedings No. 49. Australian Centre has established a small plantation that The Summit who drove me round the for International Agricultural will be a useful longterm source of plantation, and the Port Vila sandalwood Research: Canberra. income if properly managed. The tiny trader who discussed with me the percentage of world production (about Vanuatu trade. The Summit’s website is Forest Products Commission no date. At one per cent) from Vanuatu nevertheless at www.thesummitvanuatu.com. http://www.fao.org/docrep/v5350e/ v5350e08.htm, accessed 10 Jan. 2014 represents a disproportionally large Liz Teather contribution to Vanuatu’s village Gunn G.C. 1999. Timor Loro Sae. Livros economy. References do Oriente: Macau. Conclusion ACIAR 2012a. Opportunities for the Shineberg D. 1965. They came for smallholder sandalwood industry in sandalwood: a study of the The investments in sandalwood rely on Vanuatu. ACIAR Technical Report No. sandalwood trade in the SW Pacific, prices remaining high. There is a steady 79. Canberra. Australian Centre for 1830–65. Cambridge University Press: demand for oil, which has a wide variety International Agricultural Research: Cambridge, UK. of uses. The major producer of Canberra. sandalwood oil in Australia is based in

Vale Alan Ray It is with familiar and very welcome face at our missed by NPA, sadness that functions and General Meetings until not which was we report so long ago. represented at the passing Alan was something of a legend in his farewell. of Alan Ray, Aussie Rules circles, and in a very nice Alan’s wife long term tribute in the Canberra Times the Ainslie Pam was also member and Football Club declared him to be their involved with friend of ‘Godfather’. So it was fitting that his us, and I well NPA. Alan memorial function (which was huge) remember her leading an NPA history used to come on pack and day walks should have been held in the club. At the outing to the Yass cemetery, where with us in the 1990s (and probably function it was announced that Ainslie indeed many of my own kin are planted. before!), and was very well known as Oval will be officially renamed The Alan Max Lawrence one of nature’s gentlemen. He was also a Ray Oval in his honour. Alan will also be

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 15 Bushwalks Teddys Hut Walk: Sunday 12 January 2014 Participants: Brian Slee (Leader), Peter Anderson-Smith, Chris Paterson, Margaret Power Weather: Clear sky, occasional breeze, temperatures mid-20s. Leader’s comments: Climate change hits the High Country the headline might read. In summer we have relied on altitude to quell the heat and allow for comfortable walking but we may need to be more cautious in future. All went well until mid-afternoon. We had met at Calwell at 6:30 am and drove on an empty road to Dead Horse Gap, arriving shortly before 9:00 am. Forecast max for Thredbo was 20° so we took what we thought would be adequate water. The problem seemed to be flies but they were found to be not much of a nuisance. Teddys Hut among the speedwell and snowgums. The walk began on Cascade Trail and, having reached the bridge, we then diminished and, after a brief struggle getting into some pants, replacing the followed a clear footpad next to Thredbo with vegetation around Mt Leo, we nuisance from flies on our last excursion River. After a long dry period in topped the rise, turned left at noon and here, in 2006. Margaret’s thermometer Canberra, it was surprising to find found Teddy in his isolated was showing 26° and it slowly sank in puddles in green country. Piled horse magnificence. that this was a true reading. dung everywhere. At Boggy Plain we North of the hut were banks of From Brindle Bull it was meant to be stopped for a break on rocks free of mauve speedwell, brightening what had easy: pick up the track, round a few hills, biting ants. From there the track been a meagre display of wildflowers. get onto the ridge and descend neatly to The huge Snow Gums the car park. We kept on and on what I south of the hut have thought was the track without getting to been further lowered to the ridge, so after expending the ground by wind but considerable energy, it was decided to provided good shade descend south-west to Cascade Trail. for lunch. In the log This was onerous and we were saved book, heavy rain was from distress by gulping the beautiful recorded on 10 cool water flowing in the stream that we January, accounting for were following down. We eventually what we had observed. joined up with the Trail about 1 km from After setting out at the car park. Fortunately, only 1:00 pm and pushing 20 minutes had been added to the up the scrubby slope schedule. behind the hut to the But we were exhausted by the time top of the Thredbo, we we were at the car. The usual reviver at made good time in Sundance in Jindabyne worked wonders open country, passing and we were back at Calwell at 7:15 pm. the first of many mobs Paddy Rushs, last visited by NPA in of brumbies, before 2002, looks enticing for the future. getting to Brindle Bull Carrying more water! Hill (1 872 m). On its Brian Slee eastern prominence it offers lovely views from Victoria in the south round past Chimneys Ridge to Paddy Rushs Bogong in the north. Ants were

Margaret, Chris and Peter at Teddys Hut. Photos Brian Slee

16 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 One Tree Hill

Walk: Sunday 19 January 2014 Participants: Brian Slee (Leader), Cynthia Breheny, Mike Bremers, Rod Griffiths, Steve Hill, Max Lawrence, Colin McAlister, Michaela Popham Weather: Very warm, fine but smoky sky, cool wind at upper levels. Leader’s comments: Canberra Centenary Trail opened last November as an enduring memorial to the city’s naming in 1913. It forms a 145 km circular track linking established paths in Canberra with mostly pre-existing tracks through the surrounding hills. The Hall–One Tree Hill section is new however, as there has been no public access to the grazing land it crosses. Already it is regarded as one of the most scenic parts of the Trail.

We met at Hall Post Office at 8:30 am One Tree Hill Lookout. and repositioned the cars under shade trees outside the former school in and son, passed by. Within an hour we Hoskins Street. The Trail begins at the The final climb is through were back in town. Most stayed for end of the street, where it meets Hall magnificent mature eucalypts — the lunch at Gumnut Cafe where we finished Street. The first 200 metres are on an original ‘One Tree’ has companions. On 1:00 pm. Possible winter walk: leave car existing road connecting to the water the summit, the centenary is celebrated either end and follow Trail from Forde to tank. From there walkers step through a by a squared steel frame arch, which is Hall. gate and find themselves in a 30 metre fenced off from a trig marker and fire wide corridor bound on either side by tower in NSW. Views north and west are Brian Slee new wire fences, festooned with ‘Keep somewhat restricted but south and east Out’ signs. are panoramic. Atmospheric smoke The ‘corridor’ is east of, and below, muted the scenic drama. A fruit and nut the line of hills forming the ACT–NSW panforte was shared out while we sat and border. A track has been bobcatted talked and sat some more in the through the corridor and rises 200 metres refreshing breeze, doubly welcome steadily over 4 km before a short, steep following a four-day heatwave. footpad separates off and leads up to One We returned the way we came, this Tree Hill. Initially the track crosses open time facing the view. Oddly, the only paddocks, recently planted with trees, other walkers seen all morning, a father and then passes through frequent small forests of young trees. There is a crudeness about its construction: parts are undrained and lopped vegetation lies about like on a building site. Many briars and other exotics left behind have since been eliminated by voluntary effort. At two points the corridor disappears, allowing movement of cattle between upper and lower paddocks. No cattle were seen. But a raptor hovered above the dry grassland. Cyclists also use the Trail and those descending from the north can take walkers by surprise. Caution is necessary. Given its popularity with cyclists — we encountered about 20 — the track needs widening.

Climbing the footpad to the summit. Photos Max Lawrence.

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 17 Bushwalk Molonglo Valley Walk: Sunday 10 November 2013 construction. Farther Participants: Esther Gallant (leader), downstream we passed the Carol Anderson, Rupert Barnett, nest recently occupied by the Sonja Lenz, Kevin McCue eagles in a tree now without Leader’s comments Molonglo Valley its top and an even older proved yet again to be an derelict nest. interesting walking location in spite Near the old nests there of the dreary weather. At 9:00 am in was evidence of lots of the Kama carpark there was a bit of wombat home remodelling, drizzle, ominous black clouds to the with one burrow looking north, temperature 12°C and likely to soon become an falling. The weather forecast was indoor swimming pool. There for developing rain. Cautious leader were small hoof tracks in the made a decision to change from an fresh earth. The park rangers end-to-end walk to a loop walk to must have not yet been able facilitate retreat to cars if required. to get rid of all the feral goats The underpass from the carpark to the in the area. Later in the day Kama Nature Reserve track was being we encountered another decorated by a young man with multiple wombat burrow with spray cans so we hurried on past. The impressive deep claw marks walk through the reserve started well in the entrance to the burrow. with sightings of Superb Parrots and a An animal track along a Interesting limestone outcrop. hovering kestrel. We followed a track low ridge above the river led past the dam (unoccupied) and along the us to an echidna burrowing into the path. road back towards Coppins Crossing. west side of the reserve to the ACTEW A second echidna was sighted later in the Before heading back through Kama access road, then shortly climbed a knoll day as it scurried into the cover of a Nature Reserve we stopped to for early morning tea with a view over small bush. We examined the shiny black investigate a limestone reef that Kevin the misty valley. Rain held off, but the beetles devouring St John’s Wort pointed out. Due to weathering, some of cold wind prompted us to move on after flowers — there are not nearly enough of the rocks had delicate fluted ridges along only a brief stop. them to do the enormous job. the uppermost edge. We soon dropped off the road to head A descent down a stony slope took us Crossing the nature reserve on the for the river near a previous Wedge- to a sandy beach in a rocky alcove for east track we admired some very large tailed Eagle’s nesting sites. As we lunch along the Molonglo. A pair of old trees and one tree completely approached the river we saw an old nest Wedgies soared in the distance and embracing a second, dead tree. We across the river. There appeared to be a insects skittered across the water. The arrived back at the cars about 3:40 pm black object on the nest which we geologists in the group inspected some just in time to avoid the downpour. cautiously called a ‘stick eagle’ as it did interesting rocks for possible ripple Lucky timing! A splendid walk for many not appear to move. When we finally marks left by wind or lapping water in reasons. reached the river bank, the eagle turned the sand before it was buried and turned Esther Gallant its head. We were all delighted. This is into a sedimentary rock. Rain drops on the third nest the eagles have recently the river encouraged us to move on. used along this section of river having We continued parallel to the river wisely moved from one further upstream along a high ridge until we were above and adjacent to the new suburb the old sand quarry and the start of the

Emails following the walk Thanks Esther Even the rain couldn't dampen our spirits, an excellent outing. I have attached a couple of photos, highlights for me. Cheers Kevin ps Rupert, the limestone is of Silurian age, ~425 Million years old and the fossils we didn't see are crinoid, coral, bryozoan … The weathering pattern is rillenkarren. pps please feel free to pass on ppps I still think the eagle is a plastic cutout! Very fresh wombat renovations. Photos Kevin McCue

18 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 PARKWATCH Edited extracts from recent journals living on their land. It is hoped that this ‘Severe, Extreme and Catastrophic Fire and newsletters phase of the project will strengthen Danger Ratings mean a fire will be Who’s living on my land? conservation efforts and increase the unpredictable, uncontrollable and very uptake of pest control measures, helping fast moving. This means that you may Using motion-detecting infra-red to maintain the precious biodiversity of have little or no warning about the threat cameras is a non-invasive and cost- these regions. of a bushfire’. effective method to survey and monitor a Nature NSW, Vol. 57, What is a bushfire danger rating? It is a variety of animal species. By using the No. 4 (summer 2013 forecast of a potential fire’s behaviour, infra-red cameras, one can discover the the difficulty of suppressing a fire and identity of the many native species that the potential impact on the community are sharing and using the land, thus Bushwalkers should take should a bushfire occur on a particular providing a snapshot of the current extra care with fire day. The rating ranges from biodiversity level. In addition to this, it low–moderate for days where fires are can help to uncover the presence of pest A recent fire on Mt Namadgi likely to be slow moving and easy to species such as foxes, pigs or goats. The provided a timely reminder for bush- control, to catastrophic for those days initial phase of this project to use infra- walkers and campers about the where a fire will be unbelievably hot, red cameras as a monitoring tool was importance of properly extinguishing fast moving and uncontrollable (think started by Dr Grainne Cleary through a fire in the bush. Canberra 2003 and Victoria 2009). NPA [NSW] Citizen Science project A campfire (which is a restricted funded by a grant from the Great Eastern activity within Namadgi National What is a total fire ban day? It is a day Ranges Initiative. The initial trial phase Park) had been carefully covered with where open fires are banned by the RFS. of the project proved to be highly soil to prevent it re-igniting. The ban is put in place to limit the successful with much positive feedback However, the fire spread underground number of fires that escape and threaten received from landholders. The use of and flared up some time later a life, property and the environment. This infra-red cameras led many landholders significant distance away from the means that is illegal to use a portable to better understand their land and original campfire. camping stove on a bushwalk. Fire initiate coordinated pest control Although water is extremely danger rating and total fire bans are measures. precious when camping in remote usually announced at about 5pm the day Native species such as the bowerbird, areas, it is worth dousing a fire with before they come into effect. Park echidna, Swamp Wallaby, lyrebird and water, rather than burying fire, to managers may not get closure gliders were also captured by the make sure all possibility of re- information for several hours after the cameras, creating a lot of excitement ignition is extinguished. announcement, if at all. We need to be among the landholders. Apart from the Christine Goonrey, member of the proactive about our safety and chase the information we need to make a decision, amazing images of native species, ACT Bushfire Council and NPA not leaving it up to chance. As a another notable discovery was made. Committee member Lures in the PVC bait station were bushwalker, it is safest to first assume sometimes found missing. The camera you will cancel your walk on days of showed a number of native species and Bushwalking and bushfires total fire ban as well as on severe, foxes investigating the bait station with I can’t imagine anything more terrifying extreme or catastrophic fire danger curiosity. It was found that the foxes that than a bushfire bearing down on me on a rating. Many park managers will close were visiting the bait stations were not hot and windy day. On such a day the tracks and trails in parks covered by a indulging in any effort to get to the lures. firefront can throw hot embers many total fire ban (although picnic areas may remain open). Since a fire danger rating Instead, it was mostly the Bush Rat kilometres, starting new fires and covers large areas some parks will have Rattus fuscipes or Black Rats Rattus causing the main fire to spread rapidly. rattus (introduced species) that were lower risks, but it is nevertheless The radiant heat from this fire would be ‘important that we seek advice from the chewing through the PVC bait covers to so intense that even 100 m away it would remove the lures. Without this park managers who have a broader be unbearable and cause serious burns. knowledge, the tracks left by the visiting knowledge of the conditions, fuel loads There is no jumping in a creek or foxes, along with missing lures, might and other activities in the park’. have led to false assumptions that the wombat hole to avoid this fire. The only On longer multiday trips this foxes were indeed taking the lures laid way to be ensuring your survival is to be obviously becomes more challenging. out for them. This could affect the somewhere else. All this on a day that is Carry non-cook meals and water measurement of outcomes when only halfway up the fire danger rating purification systems that do not require a engaging in an operational pest-control scale; it can get very ugly. stove. Always register your walking plan program. As bushwalkers we love to get out with the local police or NPWS office. If The next phase is to extend this and explore. It is very hard to call off a there is a significant risk of fire during project in the Great Eastern Ranges walk because of a potential risk — your walk and it is possible to leave the regions of Illawarra to Shoalhaven and especially when there is no actual fire. walk early, then this is the safest option. Kananga–Boyd to Wyangala. Foxes are a We have been reminded again this year If leaving the bushfire-prone area is not major concern in the Illawarra region, that devastating fires can sneak up on possible then ensure you consider the while goats, deer and pigs are more communities, even in spring. We need to safest areas for retreat and possible prominent in the latter region. This phase be particularly mindful of bushfire risk shelter from radiant heat. Stay alert to of the project hopes to engage more in spring, summer and early autumn. The weather conditions and keep an eye out landholders in these regions to use the Rural Fire Service (RFS) is the lead for any sign of fire. Check the RFS infra-red cameras to investigate what is agency on bushfires in NSW. It says that (continued on page 20)

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 19 P ARKWATCH (continued from page 19) website if you are in a mobile phone Male adults form a harem consisting of will be further developed over the next range or monitor local ABC radio between 3–6 females during the breeding few months, and ambassadors and stations for emergency broadcasts. Phone seasons. Once the harem is formed, it is champions will be chosen to lead the for help or use your PLB if there is a defended by the dominant male. Adults Congress. To keep up to date on these threat of grave and imminent danger. If in NSW breed only once a year, developments, please register at: you are in doubt — play it safe, there are producing a single pup, while their www.worldparkscongress.org another 51 weekends in the year. counterparts occurring further north Nature NSW, Vol. 57, Equally, don’t let his scare you off — breed twice a year. No. 4 (summer 2013) pick the days and have alternative In NSW, the Southern Myotis is Murray River’s ‘threatened’ activities planned during fire season. listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the Wild places by their nature present Threatened Species Conservation Act listing may be repealed by the risks — let’s take them seriously but still 1995. The main threats to the long-term federal government enjoy these amazing places at the right survival of this species are habitat times. The listing of the Murray River as a clearing for urban development and poor threatened ecological community may be Nature NSW, Vol. 57, water quality caused by pesticide run-off overturned, with Environment Minister No. 4 (summer 2013) and pollution. The Office of Greg Hunt undertaking a review of the The Southern Myotis Environment and Heritage has identified listing process. In the last days of the 15 priority actions to aid the recovery of previous Labor government, then- Myotis macropus, the Southern Myotis, this species in NSW. Some of the priority environment minister Mark Butler weighs just 12 grams and is the size of a actions include retention of tree hollows, approved adding the ‘River Murray and 20 cent coin. It belongs to the family promoting roosting habitats in man-made associated wetlands, floodplains and Vespertilionidae (Evening Bats). This structures (e.g. concrete bridges) and groundwater systems, from the junction species was previously thought to be the regulation of pollution levels in of the Darling River to the sea’ and the Large-footed Myotis but. as a result of waterways. ‘wetlands and inner floodplains of the recent genetic studies, taxonomists have Macquarie Marshes’ to Australia’s list of Nature NSW, Vol. 57, now classified it as the Southern Myotis. threatened ecological communities. The No. 4 (summer 2013) This amazing creature forages like none former government’s independent other: the Southern Myotis is Australia’s Threatened Species Scientific Committee only fishing microbat! They use IUCN World Parks Congress considered the nomination, and opened it echolocation to detect ripples on the Sydney 2014 to interested parties for their views. surface of the water caused by small fish, The International Union for the The committee’s final recommend- tadpoles and insect larvae, which it preys Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has ation that they be included on the on. The bat’s unusually large feet act as a chosen Australia to host the 6th World threatened list as ‘critically endangered’ built-in fishing mechanism. The toes are Parks Congress in November 2014. The was adopted by Mr Butler in August. about 8 mm long, flattened and widely congress is the world’s largest gathering However, the listings angered the spaced, looking rather like a miniature of environmental and protected area National Irrigators Council. Its chief rake! It is this amazing design that helps experts. Held just once every 10 years, executive, Tom Chesson, says the its feet to slice smoothly through the this landmark event brings together organisation was never consulted about water to catch its prey. The ends of the around 3,000 participants from 160 the listings. NSW Primary Industries toes are curled and act as hooks. Another nations to set the agenda, direction and Minister Katrina Hodgkinson said she incredible feature is the bat’s large tail trends in contemporary protected area also was not consulted. According to membrane, which extends from the ankle management for the following decade. environment law in Australia, and up to the tip of the tail, functioning After a competitive bid process, Sydney Mr Butler’s decision to include the as a handy ‘basket’ to scoop and store the was selected to host the next congress, Murray River on the threatened list may prey when fishing. The prey is often which will take place at Sydney Olympic be overturned. Parliamentary Secretary carried back to the roost site and Park from 12–19 November 2014. to the Minister for Environment, Simon consumed later or eaten in mid-air out of The IUCN has applauded Australia Birmingham, said that the government is its ‘basket’. for its history of commitment to ‘looking very closely at this listing’. The Southern Myotis is known to protected areas. It was in the late 1800s Nature NSW, Vol. 57, occur from north-west Western Australia that Australia’s first national park, and No. 4 (summer 2013) around the north and east coasts to south- the world’s second, Royal National Park, east South Australia. All their roost sites was created in Sydney. Since then, NSW Native Game Birds are carefully selected near permanent alone has established more than 860 The Game Act allows the Minister for still water sources for their fishing needs. parks and reserves spanning a diversity Primary Industries to add native bird This species’ common roost sites include of landscapes and habitats. species to the list of ‘game’. This is one caves, abandoned mines, under bridges The congress will be more than just a of the most philosophically repugnant and tree hollows. At each site, 10–15 gathering for protected area aspects of the Act. It’s such a wrong adults will typically roost together. In professionals. It’s an opportunity for process and really suspends the entire NSW, populations of Southern Myotis government and non-government history of NSW nature protection and are found in rainforest and dry organisations, Indigenous people and assessment we had in place for native sclerophyll forest habitat in the Royal youth — the future leaders of tomorrow birds and animals. NPA [NSW] will National Park. Another small population and the wider community who care about continue to advocate for the removal of was found in 2007 roosting in the the health of our planet and society — to native birds from the Game and Feral Otford–Stanwell Park railway tunnel. work together on a sustainable plan for Animal Control acts and encourage the the next 10 years. The congress program (continued next page)

20 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 P ARKWATCH (continued) government to explore alternative non- care paramedic and doctor are now on droughts and floods; behaviour of lethal strategies to discourage native duty 24/7, 365 days per year at the mountain glaciers, arctic permafrost, birds from feeding on crops. service’s base on the Monaro Highway, polar sea-ice and icecaps, storage of heat Nature NSW, Vol. 57, Canberra. in the oceans; sea level; ocean acidity; No. 4 (summer 2013) Rotor Wrap Snowy Hydro SouthCare, geological evidence of temperatures and Vol. 13, Edition 3 chemical composition of the atmosphere Forest Watch Grazing in Queensland national over millions of years; chemical and The Humane Society International is a parks update physical properties of greenhouse gases; proud supporter of Wildlife SOS’s solar radiation, sunspots and much more. critical work in India, with two recent In October, NPAQ wrote to Minister As the book develops, the author examples of its vital Forest Watch Dickson expressing its concern that summarises the ‘work in progress’ that program demonstrating why. cattle grazing in national parks and we accept as scientific knowledge. The Two sloth bear cubs have been seized national reserve system lands, bought evidence is inescapable. Not only is the from poachers. Destined for Nepal’s with the sole purpose of being gazetted earth’s climate getting hotter, but the cruel dancing-bear trade, they were as national parks, may continue beyond distribution of rainfall is changing, polar rescued in a night-long raid by police, 31 December 2013. ice is melting, sea level is rising and the the Forest Department and Wildlife SOS. In parliament, and on public radio, oceans are becoming more acidic. With intelligence provided by Wildlife Minister Dickson has reiterated that Eggleton records that many factors can SOS, the 18-month old female and 24- cattle will be removed from all 13 sites initiate and contribute to climate change, month old male were saved. This success by the end of the calendar year. As this and have in the past ages done so. But was followed by a landmark judgment edition of NPA News reaches your the climate is now changing much faster from the Karnataka High Court when mailbox, livestock are spreading weeds, than at any time during the past 2 million eight tiger poachers were sentenced to trampling the habitat of rare native years (when Homo sapiens first 3 years’ jail. The poachers had been animals, and destroying waterways in appeared). This exceptionally rapid arrested with their jaw traps while in the our national parks and future parks. change is due to a single cause: the BRT Tiger Reserve in the Kollegal Furthermore, many graziers have emission of greenhouse gases resulting district of Karnataka. communicated to NPAQ that the from human activity. Humane Society International program is highly inequitable, benefiting Eggleton searched diligently for Campaign Report 2013 only 30 landholders in the immediate scientific evidence and theory that might vicinity of these sites, and penalising the support contrary views. As a Celebrating 15 years of service vast majority of graziers who continue to distinguished scientist, he knows what to Since 1998 Snowy Hydro SouthCare has proactively manage their stock. look for and where to look. He was been the local rescue helicopter for the Currently, access to national parks for shocked to find nothing of substance, ACT and south-eastern NSW. On grazing is primarily for fodder; i.e. the and demonstrates that the case espoused Tuesday 1 October, the Snowy Hydro government could have provided fodder by those who deny climate change is SouthCare Helicopter celebrated handouts to the same value as they have flimsy indeed. Eggleton concludes that 15 years of service. Over these years, spent on hardship grazing, and the cattle global warming risks triggering changes Snowy Hydro SouthCare has performed could have stayed at home. that are likely to exacerbate the problem over 5,300 missions, saving lives and NPA News (Qld) , Vol. 83, to catastrophic proportions. benefiting countless communities across Issue 10 (November 2013) Nature NSW, Vol. 57, the region. The quality of service and Understanding the science of No. 4 (summer 2013) care provided is a testament to the highly climate change Protecting the Pink-eared Duck trained and skilled flight and medical crew. Several of the members have been Eggleton, Tony (2013). A short In November 2012, the NSW with the service since 1998. Memorable introduction to climate change. Government passed a piece of legislation missions include Snowy Hydro Cambridge University Press: Melbourne. from the Shooters and Fishers Party that SouthCare’s role in the 1998 Sydney to After a working life as an academic allowed 11 species of native duck to be Hobart Yacht race, when patients were geologist specialising in the weathering hunted on private land, supposedly to winched to safety from high seas and, in of rocks, Professor Tony Eggleton of the prevent them from damaging rice crops. However, this legislation included the 2003, the retrieval of the pilot of a Australian National University Pink-eared Duck, which does not even approached climate change with an open helicopter that had crashed into Bendora eat rice, but is actually a farmer’s friend, Dam. There are also the missions every mind. As a retirement project, he has preying on insects that are major rice day that go unreported. Few people written a very readable book about the pests. NPA has provided the evidence for realise that the service performs an science, organising his enquiry around a private member’s Bill calling for Pink- average of two helicopter missions per key questions: What can change the eared Ducks to be removed from the list day. climate? How has the climate changed in of ‘native game birds’. However, despite Many past patients have thanked the the past? Is the climate changing now? clear evidence that the decision to hunt service and its crew for providing them a And, if the climate is changing now, is this species is fatally flawed, government ‘second chance at life’, and they say the rate of change normal? What’s would not support this Bill. Sadly, this ‘where would we be without this causing this change? What can be done perfectly illustrates the politically service?’ The helicopter service has about it? motivated decision-making that is come a long way since its beginning in Searching for answers, Eggleton currently threatening the NSW 1998 when it was based at the Canberra takes us on a guided tour through many environment. Airport with no helicopter hangar or topics: seasonal changes in animals and NPA NSW Annual Report 2013 dedicated crew facilities. The crew, plants; temperature records and their including a pilot, aircrew men, intensive accuracy; records of rainfall, storms, Compiled by Hazel Rath

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 21 NPA notices National Parks Association Calendar New members of the March April May June association Fri 18–Mon 21 Public holidays Mon 10 — Mon 9 The NPA ACT welcomes the Fri 25 following new members: General meetings Thur 20 —1 Thur 15 Thur19 Geoffrey Crossley Jennifer Manning and Committee meetings Tues 4 Tues 1 Tues 6 Tues 3 John Olle We look forward to seeing Gudgengy Bush Regeneration 2 Sat 8 Sat 12 Sat 10 Sat 14 everyone at NPA activities. Further details: 1. No April general meeting due to Easter holidays. Instead there will be special ‘Heritage Week’ event at the Namadgi Visitor Centre. See notice below. 2. GBRG. Meet at Namadgi Visitor Centre 9:15am, or Yankee Hat car This Bulletin was prepared by: park 10:00am. Editor, Max Lawrence; Sub-editor, Ed Highley; Presentation, Adrienne Nicholson

Namadgi National Park is officially 30 years old this year

Honorary Life Membership ‘Heritage Outings’ The TrailRider will feature at the Namadgi Visitor The committee is calling for nominations for Honorary Life Mem- Centre during Heritage Week celebrations. There will bership of the National Parks Association of the ACT Inc. If you be an outing suitable for mobility-impaired people, think that a member has done something very special for our taking in the bushland at the NVC in April. Check association and is worthy of this recognition, please send a Burning Issues for information. confidential nomination to the secretary Sonja Lenz by mid-April There are two other NPA outings in April of heritage- (signed by yourself and another member who seconds the associated interest, The Settlers Track (in Namadgi nomination). Further information on what to put into the nomination National Park) and the Glenburn Historical site can be found on the NPA website or by contacting Kevin McCue on (Kowen Forest area). See Outings Program for 6251 1291 or email [email protected]. details.

Association Office Lena Karmel Lodge Unit 14, 26 Barry Drive, Acton Cover photographs The NPA ACT office is at Lena Karmel Lodge in Acton. Co-located with the Conservation Council Front cover office, it is on the ground floor, between Marcus Clarke and Kingsley Streets, fronting Barry Drive. Main photo. Footpad leading to One Tree Hill summit lookout from the Canberra Centenary Trail. Photo Max Lawrence

Insets. Left. View from One Tree Hill (see pages 4 and 17). Photo Max Lawrence World Parks Congress Centre. Mick Gentleman, MLA launching the new edition of the NPA’s ‘Bird book’(see page 6). Photo Max Lawrence Sydney November 2014 Right. Watercourse damage by feral horses (see page 7). For details see PARKWATCH, page 20 Photo Di Thompson

To keep up to date with developments, Back cover register at www.worldparkscongress.org Main photo. View from One Tree Hill, south to Black Mountain and beyond. Photo Max Lawrence

22 NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 General Meetings Third Thursday of the month, (not December or January) 8:00pm, Uniting Church hall, 56 Scrivener Street, O’Connor Thursday 20 March Thursday 17 April Thursday 15 May Australia’s nature: there is more Caribou on the move! still to be discovered There will be no General Esther Gallant Jo Harding Meeting in April 2014 NPA ACT member Manager, Bush Blitz Program, (Easter). Instead, there will be Australian Biological Resources Study a special NPA event for those Migrations of great herds of herbivores (ABRS) with impaired mobility. See still occur in the North American Bush Blitz is an innovative, continent-wide, Notices on opposite page Arctic. Rafting down an arctic river is biodiversity discovery partnership between (Please check NPA ACT the perfect way to observe the the Australian Government (through the website or Burning Issues migrating caribou as well as other ABRS), BHP Billiton and Earthwatch close to the time) arctic mammals and birds. There are Australia. interesting places to hike and Since it commenced in late 2009, the Bush wildflowers as well. This 12-day trip Blitz program has successfully completed 18 involved travel by float plane and ‘snapshot’ species discovery surveys on over tundra plane as well as oar-powered 65 National Reserve System properties. raft in a remote uninhabited part of the These surveys have involved 140 scientists Canadian Arctic. from 20 of Australia’s leading scientific organisations.

National Parks Association of the ACT Incorporated Conveners Inaugurated 1960 Outings Sub-committee Mike Smith 6286 2984 (h) [email protected] Aims and objectives of the Association Environment Sub-committee Rod Griffiths 6288 6988 (h) • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the protection of [email protected] fauna and flora, scenery, natural features and cultural heritage in the Publications Sub-committee Kevin McCue 6251 1291 (h) Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the reservation of [email protected] specific areas. Bulletin Working Group Max Lawrence 6288 1370 (h) • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation areas. [email protected] • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment of, such Promotion and Engagement Graham Scully 6230 3352 (h) natural phenomena and cultural heritage by organised field outings, Sub-committee [email protected] meetings or any other means. • Cooperation with organisations and persons having similar interests The NPA ACT office is in Unit 14 / 28 Lena Karmel Lodge, Barry and objectives. Drive, Acton, together with the Conservation Council. It is staffed by volunteers on an irregular basis. Callers may leave phone or email • Promotion of, and education for, conservation, and the planning of messages at any time and they will be attended to. The post office landuse to achieve conservation. mail box is cleared daily. Office-bearers President Rod Griffiths 6288 6988 (h) Phone: (02) 6229 3201 (mob) 0410 875 731 (if urgent) [email protected] Website: www.npaact.org.au Vice-President Vacant Email: admin@n pa a c t . o r g . a u Secretary Sonja Lenz 6251 1291 (h) Address: GPO Box 544, Canberra ACT 2601 [email protected] Treasurer Chris Emery 6249 7604 (h) Subscription rates (1 July to 30 June) [email protected] Household membership $44 Single members $38.50 Committee members Corporate membership $33 Bulletin only $33 Full-time student/Pensioner $22 Steven Forst 6251 6817 (h) [email protected] All the above subscription categories reduce to $11 if a donation of $100 or more is made. Esther Gallant 6161 4514 (h) [email protected] Advertising Christine Goonrey (Immediate Past President) 6231 8395 (h) The Bulletin accepts advertisements and inserts. Contact the Editor [email protected] for information and rates. George Heinsohn 6278 6655 (h) [email protected] NPA Bulletin Judy Kelly 6253 1859 (h) Contributions of articles, letters, drawings and photographs are [email protected] always welcome. Items accepted for publication will be subject to - Max Lawrence 6288 1370 (h) editing and may also be published on the NPA website. Send all items [email protected] to The Bulletin Team, [email protected], or the postal address Bernard Morvell 0401 679 254 (mob) above. [email protected] Deadline for the June 2014 issue: 30 April 2014. Graham Scully 6230 3352 (h) [email protected] Printed by Instant Colour Press, Belconnen, ACT. Mike Smith 6286 2984 (h) ISSN 0727-8837 [email protected]

NPA BULLETIN − MARCH 2014 23 The ‘NPA bird book’: second edition now available

The great range of NPA field guides and a beautiful book about Namadgi National Park are available from the NPA office and selected bookshops.

For information on NPA ACT activities, please visit our website http://www.npaact.org.au