colong

No. 279| May 2020 bulletin Conservationist and publisher – Vale, Conservationist and Patrick James Marius Thompson • 1 publisher – Vale, Patrick Message from the Chair • 2 James Marius Thompson A wilderness life • 3 by keith muir was able to land on his feet no matter on Saturday and would join us later. Chairperson’s what life threw at him. So at about 9.00pm that night, with OLONG Foundation stalwart, I first met Pat in late 1984 on a trip an after dinner billy on, who should Farewell • 4 Pat Thompson, died on March down the Kowmung River with Milo miraculously appear striding down the 11th aged 72, following a six- Dunphy and the then Environment and spur but Pat, unperturbed but ready to A special thanks to Keith month struggle with cancer. I Planning Minister, Bob Carr, now our share the tale of his adventure down Muir • 5 Cwill remember him as a charming man Patron. Early on in the trip Milo said that Gingra Range and Brumby Mountain who always had a cheerful word, and his friend Pat had work commitments in the dark to our camp at Orange Bluff. Not a big deal for old hands, but The Virus • 6 Colong stalwart Pat Thompson, beside the Six-Foot Track on the centenary of Dunphy's at the time it seemed so to me. Pat knew Kowmung Adventure (2014). Photo: Ian Brown how to make an entry and it was on Wombats, Wattle, that trip that he broached the subject of Wilderness, World a NSW Wilderness Act with Bob Carr, who needed little convincing, as the Heritage & Wellbeing • 6 Kowmung had already cast its spell. Pat engaged conservation causes as Returning to our a teacher, publisher, environmental roots: Corporate advocate and writer, with a primary focus on the protection and good campaigning • 7 management of natural areas. He joined the Colong Committee in 1971, to help protect the Colong Caves in the southern Blue Mountains from mining, by helping to construct a diorama depicting the impact a limestone mine would have on this now famous wilderness. In 1973, Pat gave up his teaching career to establish Trekaway, which conducted group tours in national parks, mainly in Australia and New Zealand. This was a pioneering business of its kind, which he ran for about twelve years. Around the same time, the Colong Committee became the Colong Foundation for Wilderness and from 1982, Patrick was consistently re- elected to the Colong board, for his on- going sound leadership and support. He served as honorary chairperson from 1994 to 2007 and as Vice-Chairperson for a further decade. Whilst a director,

continued on p. 2 2 colong bulletin May 2020 #279 Message from the Chair

by bob debus am conservation movement figure Rob destroy an existing carbon-dense Pallin is our Treasurer. So, it can be natural system now — a wetland in WHAT AN HONOUR to be the guaranteed that we won’t be forgetting Kosciuszko National Park or a mature incoming Chair of the Colong the illustrious history of Colong! forest on the North Coast of NSW — it Foundation for Wilderness. Yet our Board is preoccupied with is not physically possible for its carbon I have worked with Colong in one the formidable challenge of the future. fixing capacity to be restored before role or another for over forty years. There now exist two interwoven that critical year 2050. One of the most powerful memories crises of the Australian and the global So, the most important single is of the ceremony at Govett’s Leap, environment. Climate change on environmental action we can take Blackheath in the year 2000 when I, the one hand, and runaway species now, and for the critical thirty years as then Minister for Environment in loss and extinction caused by habitat ahead, is to preserve existing forest and NSW, was able to pay tribute to the destruction and disease on the woodland and the carbon they will decades long campaign by Colong to other, working together to accelerate absorb in ever greater amounts as they secure the inscription of the Greater ecosystem collapse. continue to grow and mature. Blue Mountains on the World Heritage It is generally understood by There has never been a time in List. scientists that if we are to limit human history when the conservation The largest single component of the cascading, climate change-induced of our forests and wilderness has been Greater Blue Mountains is Wollemi catastrophes, even greater than those more important to our very survival. National Park and it is fitting to with which we are now becoming remember that veteran conservationist, familiar, we must reach a target of zero and our incoming vice-chair, Haydn net carbon emissions by 2050. Bob Debus Washington, was a key activist in the At least one third of the necessary Chair successful campaign for its reservation emissions abatement can be achieved in 1979. through the protection and restoration Right: Incoming Chair of the Colong And, into the bargain, the iconic of natural systems. However, if you Foundation, The Hon. Bob Debus AM

Vale, Pat Thompson publication and distribution region with a strong continued from p. 1 of the Foundation’s lavishly interest in environmental illustrated book celebrating and social issues. The New Patrick also worked as the the inscription of the Blue Bush Telegraph, now online, editor of the Colong Bulletin. Mountains as a World Heritage wasn’t Pat’s only venture In 1990 Pat proposed the property. into newspaper publishing. Red Index of threatened Patrick’s publishing In 1997 he launched a new wilderness areas. The NSW company, Envirobook is national weekly newspaper, Red Index became a published an independent Australian The Republican, which ran for record of the efforts of publishing house specialising about a year, but was unable to environment groups to protect in natural science, travel, gain an adequate market share wilderness areas that now Aboriginal themes and to secure economic viability. cover over 2 million hectares. Australiana, which has Pat Thompson’s passion In 1986, Pat compiled the produced over a hundred for nature was in his blood. text and illustrations for Myles titles on a broad range of Apart from Trekaway and Dunphy – selected writings, environmental subjects. It also his publishing interests his detailing the first Patron distributes other publishers’ conservation efforts were of the Colong Foundation’s Australian natural history entirely voluntary. His decades-long efforts laying books to non-book trade devotion to wilderness and the groundwork for the accounts, such as national the natural world has ensured NSW national parks estate. park visitor centres, outdoor an enduring legacy. Patrick In 1988 he suggested the shops, and art galleries. is survived by siblings Fred, Colong Foundation publish From 1987 until he became Annette, Peter and Phillipa, its World Heritage proposal ill this year, he produced and daughters Sarah and Charlotte, Pat chairing a session of the Fifth National Wilderness Conference in 2006 for the Blue Mountains, and edited the New Bush Telegraph, granddaughter Sienna and at which he launched a lavishly illustrated coffee table book of the conference in 2004 assisted with the a newsletter of the Shoalhaven partner Jenny.  proceedings Photo: Keith Muir

THE COLONG FOUNDATION FOR WILDERNESS LTD 2/332 Pitt Street Sy dney NSW 2000 (ABN 84 001 112 143) TELEPHONE: (02) 9261 2400 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.colongwilderness.org.au PATRON: The Hon. Bob Carr, BA (Hons), Hon. LittD. • DIRECTORS: Chair: The Hon. Bob Debus AM; Vice-Chair: Dr. Haydn Washington B.A., M.Sc., PhD; Hon. Secretary: Alix Goodwin; Hon. Treaurer: Robert Barri Pallin; Directors: Janine Kitson BA, Dip Ed, M Ed, Dip TEFL, MA, M Ed (Hons); Emma Spencer; Dr. Kylie Cairns PhD; Sierra Classen BA (Hons); Joel Daniel Robinson. HON. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Alan Dixon WILD RIVERS CAMPAIGNER: Harry Burkitt • NATURAL AREAS CAMPAIGNER: Wilson Harris, B.A., M.A. HON. PHOTOGRAPHER: Henry Gold, O.A.M. • HON. FIRE OFFICER: Ian Brown, O.A.M., BSc. • HON. BULLETIN DESIGN & TYPESETTING: Jenni Gormley The Colong Bulletin • Editor: Bruce Diekman ISSN 1325-3336 (print), 2207-6697 (online) • Printed by SpotPress, Marrickville 3 colong bulletin May 2020 #279 A wilderness life by keith muir oam and place the state’s AAA credit rating was under threat. IN MY COLONG career I’ve Under pressure, the company been lucky to have stood on retracted their claim, and the the shoulders of conservation Nattai legislation passed in giants who permitted me to December 1991. seize the advantage whenever Exploiting this balance of opportunities presented. The power, the Labor opposition successes we’ve had were introduced Endangered achieved through persistence, Species (Interim Protection) working as a team with other legislation, after legal action by conservation groups, and the North East Forest Alliance applying an agreed plan of required all logging ensure action. I have enjoyed this the protection of threatened work because of its challenges, species. To guarantee old and for the diversity of growth logging continued, wilderness we were striving in early 1992 the Greiner to protect. Government tabled a Timber Industry (Interim Protection) Early days Bill. In his last act before exiting It began for me in 1985, Parliament, Dr Metherell when as a refugee from the inserted provisions into this Northern Territory public Bill for wilderness assessments service, I returned to the and logging moratoria over Total Environment Centre. selected forest areas. This I say returned because as a required the exhibition of eight uni student I had volunteered threatened forest wilderness there trying without success to areas through the process develop a traffic management promised in the Heathcote by- plan to replace cars with a election. tourist bus service to Kanangra Walls. To encourage me, Out-going director, Keith Muir, on a recent 'bludge' bushwalk to MacArthurs Flat on the Nattai River after the Nattai Becoming Director of the the Centre’s director, Milo Wilderness was expanded by 50% in 2014. Photo: Wendy Au Colong Foundation Dunphy, invited me on lovely In view of these successes, wilderness bushwalks to the was gaining strength and sewer, the leaky Helensburgh for a Nattai National Park from Hon. Secretary, Alex Kowmung River. had developed a strong tip was patched up and the National Party member for Colley, moved in 1992 that My first major project was environment platform, while nightsoil dumping stopped. Goulburn, Robert Webster, I be appointed the Colong to stop urban sprawl in the the Unsworth Government Local Federal member, Robert and future Premier, John Foundation’s director. In the headwaters of the Hacking was desperate for an election Tickner, added funding for Fahey. Things would have following year, as exhibited River, the principal stream that win. In no time there was Armco fencing to stop cars gone smoothly but for Coal wilderness proposals piled up flows through Royal National bipartisan support for a new being dumped off Bald Hill, and Seam Gas! for determination, the Premier, Park. I firstly organised a Garawarra reserve, with the a grant for bush regeneration. The Nattai wilderness John Fahey, announced on coalition of environment Liberals being more in favour It was not a bad first shopping actually became the first December 23, a 350,000 groups under the banner, of some urban expansion. list. new area declared under hectare Wilderness Christmas the Friends of the Hacking A dramatic brochure by Bob the Wilderness Act, due to present – celebrations were River, and wrote Royal Na- Carr then forced the Greiner Appointment to the Colong Dr Terry Metherell, then quickly dampened though tional Park, southern extension Opposition to guarantee that Foundation Education Minister, who was by a rural backbench revolt. and environment protection in if elected it would not log My hard work caught frustrated with the lack of A hastily commissioned 1986. It was inspired by Myles or mine national parks. Mr the attention of the Colong progress on conservation and reassessment process under Dunphy’s 1933 Garawarra Powell intended not to issue Foundation who in 1986 decided to take matters into the NSW Surveyor General proposal, and addressed the preferences but at the last offered me a part-time position his own hands. He became then led, after another round diversity of urban threats to moment lodged three different to write a Nattai National an independent in the Lower of public consultation, to just the unprotected public forests how to vote tickets with the Park proposal, which again House and held the balance of 113,000 hectares of wilderness south of the park. Political electoral commissioner, and had a connection with Myles power with a majority of one. At being protected. opportunity came when local the politics got messy, but the Dunphy through maps and Milo Dunphy’s suggestion, he This embarrassing outcome member Rex Jackson got into brinkmanship paid off. Not reserve proposals. prepared a Nattai National Park enabled Opposition Leader, trouble with the law, and I only was Garawarra State In the lead up to the bill that was quickly adopted Bob Carr, to censure the Fahey volunteered for Jim Powell, Conservation Area reserved, March 1988 state election, by the Greiner Government Government for failing to a community conservation but the Hacking Valley was environmental issues were to minimise further political deliver its wilderness promises. candidate in the January 1987 placed in an Environmental again running hot, and in embarrassment. Yet despite being dogged by Heathcote by-election. Protection zone. Rainforest response to a campaign Enter AMOCO who controversy, the NSW Coalition In our ‘Don’t Spoil the and the Illawarra Escarpment spearheaded by The Wilderness possessed a CSG exploration declared 650,000 ha of Royal’ awareness campaign, benefited from an escarpment Society, the Greiner opposition licence over the future wilderness between 1988 and eighty per cent of people taskforce and a $3 million promised regular reviews national park. It threatened 1995 – a good result, although in the electorate expressed acquisition fund, urban sprawl of wilderness areas outside to advise Moody’s that no threatened forests were concern for the environment. was stopped, Helensburgh and national parks. In this context political instability in NSW The Greiner Opposition Otford were connected to the it was easy to secure support was impacting its operations, continued on p. 5 4 colong bulletin May 2020 #279 Chairperson’s Farewell

by john robens there is a lot of competition in National Park. The push back this regard. was immediate and fierce, IT WAS 2013, I’m not sure Renewal planning was it’s renewable, how dare you how the Colong Foundation accelerated in 2014. At my get in the way, being the for Wilderness found me or first session, Keith’s retirement response. This month the figured out that I would be a was on the agenda then – two Commonwealth is reviewing valuable member of the board. Prime Ministerial eras ago! the Environment Protection Keith introduced himself Colong was perceived and Biodiversity Conservation and suggested that I should by many to appeal to a Act (EPBC) and once more the nominate. It wouldn’t be a shrinking cohort of ‘nostalgic’ Colong Foundation submission big commitment he said, but bushwalkers and its most shows insight. the areas we could work to frequent campaigning tool, protect would be substantial. involvement in policy Volunteers I enjoyed walking in the development via the The Foundation has quiet, Blue Mountains and Wollemi submissions process, was View north over the Gardens of Stone at Hecate’s Canyon with John Robens, self-effacing people on the regions, wandering through becoming less effective. The son Jasper in a carry pack, partner Chuin Nee, David Graham, Vanessa board, who are very effective. canyons and stumbling upon NSW Coalition government Hunter, Yuri Bolotin and Daisy Barham of the Nature Conservation Council. It’s not easy to realise how mind blowing natural places. came into power with Photo: David Noble effective their impact is. I was also a bit of a chump. I initial efforts by ministers Reference Janine Kitson, understood that a lot of these to communicate with rejected is the most direct ‘win’ the Capertee divide. Expertly running courses and organising places didn’t stay protected environment groups such as during my time at Colong. guided by Keith, they produced events to support the Gardens by themselves and that there the Colong Foundation. Over We knew that the area had a nice expositional article that of Stone. Henry Gold was a were a lot of people who time the Foundation felt that significant natural valuesbrought out the beauty of the member of the committee had fought long and hard for promoting nature via the and should be preserved in area. There isn’t a journalist and its Hon. Photographer for them. I figured it was time to political policy system was perpetuity. As conservationists around who will completely 50 years, always quiet, gentle give something back. increasingly difficult. Funding you either eliminate a handful ignore the counterpoint of and unassuming, but on- I practise technical pro- to support conservation in of jobs, or the development’s stepping over a ‘bottomless’ point every time there was an gramming and web develop- National Parks has been cut; economically unfeasible and crack while touring the important stand required. ment, and my education is the rate of nomination of problematic in other ways. magnificent formations of the The Foundation has in economics and computer protected areas has dropped Proposals rarely die. The Gardens of Stone. depended on these very science. I thought I made a dramatically; and the tension Invincible mine seems to have The Colong Bulletin is generous members. Keith strange choice for Colong, as between exploitation and had biannual proposals to published five times a year. I has in the past given his time I had with no real experience conservation of natural reopen it, such as Manildra’s figured that bulletin posting at a very insubstantial rate, in natural sciences or areas has shifted towards plan to ship ‘nut coal’ to meetings were often where real and deserves every accolade campaigning, although at exploitation. In earlier times Bomaderry. Protecting the Colong Foundation decision- received. The Foundation has times I had been employed in the Colong Foundation seemed iconic Gardens of Stone never making occurred. Highly thrived on the generosity of a marketing or campaigning to have more impact on policy, ends. civilised, with tea, cake and those who may not be the role. I don’t consider myself regardless of the political party wilderness chat. Preparing wealthiest in the community, political or a ‘greenie’. in power. Now more than ever Meetings bulletins involved labelling the and for whom supporting The Foundation’s technol- we need creative thinking The irony of sitting inside front and precisely putting two the Foundation involves real ogy base needed updating. to progress the conservation discussing wilderness rather pieces of tape on the sides and sacrifice. Understanding this, Albert Renshaw was treasurer cause. than experiencing it is never one on the top. I couldn’t do and using a bushwalker’s and had a very thorough lost. Involvement with the this with precision. natural thrift, the Foundation bookkeeping system with Supporting natural areas Colong Foundation has mostly has been effective without a payments still processed isn’t easy involved meetings, but not Research major focus on fundraising – a manually. Based on previous Aside from preferring to be entirely, and it is the chances For meticulous research bushwalker can make a block of work I quickly provided a new apolitical, I consider myself to to experience wilderness and independent thought chocolate last 20 days! website for taking donations be adverse to confrontation. that stand out. The Dunphy Colong has been a powerhouse. online. When having conflictingKowmung walk was an epic re- Thoroughness and exactitude Past Board Members goals with people, I’ve always enactment of Myles Dunphy’s have ensured that the Colong Pat Thompson was a long- Renewal preferred to empathise and try original 1914 trip. It was Foundation is not easily term member of the board until The renewal phase of to identify a collaborative rather organised by Alex Allchin who dismissed when making late last year but and will be 2013/2014 was a deliberate than adversarial approach. I even dressed in period costume submissions. Pat Thompson’s sadly missed. effort to bring down the don’t know how Keith has dealt and carried the traditional recent successful Australia Eugene Fernandez is a average age of the board. My with his trips into the lion’s den swag. I joined a couple of Day Honours application change facilitator. Eugene addition reduced it to maybe at Lithgow advocating for the sections, bringing the ‘epicness’ demonstrated this eye for generously helped with 60. The addition of Alex Gardens of Stone. Presenting down a few notches by carrying detail, each milestone in a the 2014 strategy meeting, Allchin and Sierra Classen about new mining proposals a toddler in a backpack. The lengthy environmental record and again in 2017 when at the same time introduced in front of a hostile audience trip down the Wollangambe carefully documented. the Foundation engaged in deeper generational change. takes courage. Social media to investigate the mess caused The Colong Foundation generational transition. He I took this goal seriously and provides a cover for continuous by coal fines escaping from has a knack for independent generously joined the board for brought 2-year old Jasper knockers, and outright threats, an emplacement was another ‘takes’ that put wilderness the last year, a time where the along to board meetings, making it difficult to maintain outdoor adventure. On another front and centre. Snowy-2 Foundation needed to get a grip doubling up with child a positive outlook. Keith has trip we entertained Graham is a controversial example on changes within. We needed minding time. Jasper has since really demonstrated that he ‘wind turbine syndrome’ Lloyd where Keith was one of the this calm, methodical support. made environment a personal cares about wilderness. from The Australian, and his first to point out that it would subject, although at school Getting the Invincible mine wife and photographer on severely damage Kosciuszko continued on p. 5 5 colong bulletin May 2020 #279

A Wilderness Life Chairperson's continued from p. 3 A special thanks to Keith Muir founding father of the Royal farewell Society (as well as its current continued from p. 4 saved, bar 740 ha at Diamond Keith Muir, departing Executive Director of the Colong Foundation, gave President-elect) supporting our Creek in the Deua region. an extraordinary presentation on his 35 years of advocating for the pro- proposal, so perhaps it would Ian Tanner is also stepping To improve its conservation tection of wilderness, following the AGM on 29 April. It was fascinating be wise not to argue with the back. He is another person standing for the March 1995 and informative. If you missed it, you can access the recording on the dead! who has been active within election, then Environment Colong’s website. World Heritage listing, the Colong Foundation for together with the over- Minister, Chris Hartcher in AGM attendees had some special words for Keith to thank him for his a long period – 14 years as November 1994, reserved whelming support of the Blue treasurer and director. Ian has work with Colong and all he has done to protect our wild places. a clutch of new national Mountains Conservation been a stalwart, always in the parks over 70,000 hectares, Steven Ridd: I will always remember and honour Keith Muir, Director Society and local community, background advocating for the including a large tract of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness. I send my conservation respect and also helped fight off John protection of natural places and south east forests and 12,000 love to Colong’s Keith Muir. Wilderness forever! Walmsley’s plans for a fenced- the built environment of the off wildlife sanctuary in the hectares in Gardens of Stone. Wilson Harris: Keith, it’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have lower North Shore, particularly Grose wilderness, and the To achieve the latter outcome, worked with you and enjoyed your mentorship for the past 2 years. I Chatswood. I advised Minister Hartcher Stealth war movie entourage. As membership secretary, have been lucky. I look forward to exploring wilderness with you for many that he could reserve that Alan Dixon has made sure years to come. part of this spectacular region The final battle that this process runs smoothly. : It’s hard to find the words to say how much you have without upsetting the National Sierra Classen Mugii Murum-ban State He is stepping down from the inspired me over the years with your hearty dedication to wilderness. Party or the mining lobby Conservation Area over the board, but will remain on a by omitting areas with coal Pip Walsh : Keith - this is a wonderful testament to the value of Airly Mine was lucky to committee and continue this resources. Despite this, NSW tenacity - fuelled by love for the places you are protecting. be reserved just before the work. Thanks to Tim Vollmer, Labor pulled a political stunt Caroline Druce: Thank you for keeping the flame going for so long Keneally Government was the greatest wit in conservation. and opposed the reservation Keith and all of your singular and team achievements. swept from office in March Stephen Allen, I’m sure that to make a symbolic stand on Kylie Cairns : Keith, what a fabulous lifetime of dedication and 2011. This part of the Gardens the Gardens of Stone region mining jobs to support its local determination fighting for our wilderness. Thank you! of Stone is like a heritage that you love will be protected ‘Luna Park’, with many values member, Mick Clough. Shortly Madi Maclean: What a wonderful career and legacy Keith soon. Thank you Ian, Alex, after election, Labor gazetted crammed into a small area. Tim, Stephen, Eugene and the Rocky Creek section of the The Colong Foundation for Wilderness thanks you for a magnificent ca- It demonstrates conservation Alan. Thanks to the continuing proposal by discretely adding it reer protecting some of the most magical natural landscapes imaginable. management can be achieved board members. I’ve enjoyed to Wollemi National Park. in high value areas despite an enormously working with you. has never camped out in his Colong until he was 98, and operating coal mine. Keith is retiring, and fittingly Wilderness rescued life, but ably managed round- donating generously to the Too much of my time has I’m leaving the board too. We For the 1995 election NSW table negotiations, including cause. From 1984 onward, he been spent on ‘trench warfare’ are in a period of disorder, Labor developed strong forest for nature conservation. The pushed for the inscription of over the Gardens of Stone. It is with the recent bushfires and and wilderness policies to area was built from five small the Blue Mountains onto the the ‘Somme’ of all campaigns. continued habitat destruction implement the National Forest reserves through the voluntary World Heritage list, and in 1988 Now with a coal transition in making the preservation of Policy, where the Federal acquisition of private land commissioned Dr Geoff Mosley the wings, and Environment natural places even more Government would exit from using the Dunphy Fund to write the proposal, with me Minister Matt Kean as the critical. There is plenty for forest industry regulation, created by Bob Carr in memory acting as research assistant. area’s champion, perhaps it’s the Foundation to do. For provided that conservation of Milo Dunphy. The Fund had After many independent, not a question of if, but when it me the Wollangambe River outcomes were delivered. Little acquired 70,000 hectares of expert reviews, it was proven will be reserved. Lithgow can is still unfinished business. did I realise that a suggested land improving the boundary that Geoff had, in his report, become the new Katoomba, It’s still polluted and still has wilderness list of sixteen new configurations of many areas, correctly identified the values with all the benefits that go an enormous emplacement areas and additions would particularly the Guy Fawkes most likely to be listed. with it, but for this to succeed, perched above it. It’s also a lead to many rounds of public and Macleay Gorges areas. The The World Heritage cachet the NSW Government must shame that mining is still being exhibition of assessment last large addition increased has already helped save fund visitor management and ramped up in the stunningly reports. Tens of thousands the Nattai wilderness by half wilderness, reserve Nattai restoration as outlined ‘Desti- beautiful Gardens of Stone. individual submissions were and was achieved by Robyn and the Gardens of Stone and nation Pagoda’, another Colong That even more waterfalls made over the next decade or Parker in April 2014. It was secure removal to Winmalee production. and swamps are likely to be so, as each area was strongly done quietly over water of sewage from the upper Of course, this story is deprived of water. I also would supported by the community. catchment land where public Blue Mountains towns. There incomplete. I’ve only played have liked to have taken a crack By the late 1990s, the access is restricted. was bipartisan support for the a small part in wilderness at a Federal Wilderness Act. NSW Forest Policy process The NSW Wilderness Estate listing, and in 2000 the Howard protection, as I said, by We truly have generational was coming to an end, so the comprising 51 declared areas Government saw it listed, standing on the shoulders of change. Harry and Wilson are Colong Foundation developed extending over 2.1 million despite some international giants – like Alex Colley, Jeff full of drive and passion, ready a Wilderness 2000 campaign hectares is a truly great, opposition. Images by our Hon. Angel and Milo Dunphy. Any to be unleashed in the name of that was backed by many bipartisan achievement which Photographer, Henry Gold, success I achieved was through protecting native ecosystems. NSW environment groups and NSW can be proud of, despite helped convince doubters, as conservation alliances, I’d like to say thank you to based on the evidence in its its imperfections and urgent did a James Woodford article with the support of inspired all the very genuine people 1999 Red Index of threatened need for better management. in the Herald about Charles politicians of all persuasions, that are part of the Colong areas. This built a strong case Darwin’s visit to the Blue hard work by public servants, Foundation. I’ve connected for additional areas which was The World Heritage Mountains, published on the and of course the endurance with a lot of you during my more successful in northern campaign day of listing in Cairns. Given of my friends who put up with time at the Colong Foundation NSW than in the south, Milo Dunphy, who helped the array of experts supporting me. I now plan to conduct for Wilderness. Once the bush reflecting the political make- build the NSW environment our proposal, a French wilderness investigations, and has recovered from the recent up of these regions. movement into an effective UNESCO critic claimed that promote wilderness through devastation, I plan to do some Currabundi is the most campaign force, once described experts will support anything, my adventures and stories. The quality bushwalking. May recent new area, protected in the late Alex Colley as a ‘god’. so my reply to him was that wilderness is calling, and it’s I meet you out in the wild 2011 by Frank Sartor, who Alex was tireless, working for Australia had the famous calling me…  places.  6 colong bulletin February 2020 #278 The Virus

by wilson harris decades. Similarly, the virus further eroded. In a time of has thrown a spanner in the large-scale unemployment, LIKE THE HORRIFIC works for a number of major, jobs will be seen to take bushfire season of 2019/2020, environmentally-destructive precedence, a matter that will the evolving Coronavirus projects underway or in the be happily accepted by both pandemic has captured the pipeline. Projects like Adani’s major political parties. attention of the entire world. Carmichael Mine will face Those with vision, howev- It has increasingly dominated huge challenges to get off the er, recognise that the breath- politics, the media, ground, given its survival ing space the virus has giv- conversation, our parlance, so far has been dependant en us could be a turning point and people’s lives. It seems on generous government for the world. There are more unlikely that ‘normality’ will subsidies. Fracking in the jobs in genuine earth care and be returned anytime soon. Northern Territory has been sustainable environmental One of the key non-health postponed for a year. Various management than continued impacts of the pandemic we are government departments planetary rape and pillage. The already seeing, is the start of a and agencies have closed huge shift in the way we are be- massive economic downturn. up shop and are working ing forced to live our lives, and We have already seen share (unproductively) from home. the relative ease with which markets slide significantly,Perhaps the most recognisable virus in human history, COVID-19. Large construction sites some countries have slipped global trade falter, and the Photo: Shutterstock face shut down. Face-to- into it, provides a glimmer of breakdown of supply chains face meetings and approvals hope for the future. Are we which support our previously organisations) has dried up. pension, or have low incomes, have become increasingly seeing the early days of the integrated systems. A global Grants from major corporates and who do it tough even in complicated. In the case of the transition we desperately need? recession seems all but certain will be pulled back to recoup ‘good’ economic times. But the proposal to raise Warragamba During the coming months, to wreak havoc on Australia, costs in what will undoubtedly future will be harder across Dam wall, the virus will see Colong needs your support with unemployment expected be a tough 2020. Charities like the entire socio-economic additional delays to the release more than ever. We are well set to get close to 10% in the the Colong Foundation which spectrum – it’s only when the of the Environmental Impact up to weather the storm, but it coming monthss. rely on donations to function, economy is thriving that many Statement, which was due is crucial your patronage con- On a micro level people will face an indefinite period consider giving to charities. twenty months ago! tinues in these difficult days. are staying at home, and not of austerity, given the expected The pandemic may hold When the pandemic is over, Hopefully this will be a time spending money on service- reduction in financial support a silver lining for nature nature could face renewed for us to get the upper hand in based industries like hospitality during this time. We appreciate though. While it is still unclear and even greater threats. many of the campaigns we are and retail. Income for non- and acknowledge that we have how long it will last, it looks Increasingly labelled as a job working on, as we keep striv- government organisations (and many members and regular likely that emissions for 2020 killer, it is likely that ‘green ing for good outcomes for na- even government bodies and donors who are either on the for will be the lowest for tape’ will continue to be ture and wilderness. 

NEW COLONG EDUCATION INITIATIVE: Wombats, Wattle, Wilderness, World Heritage & Wellbeing DISTANCE EDUCATION COURSE

COLONG BOARD DIRECTOR, and how they wish to meet to discuss natural environments. Janine Kitson, has just completed the questions at the end of each unit. WWWWW highlights the brutality writing a discussion group course for There are no assessments. Instead the of land clearing that has devastated the Colong Foundation. This distance Tutor, in a collaborative learning style, vast numbers of wombats, and other education course is available through gives feedback on the group discussions. wildlife. Agriculture and pastoralism the Workers’ Educational Association WWWWW costs $68 per person to have literally eaten wombats out of (WEA) Sydney. enrol and is available at: https://www. ‘house and home’, destroying the The course titled ‘Wombats, weasydney.com.au/course/D243 For landscape and habitat they need to Wattle, Wilderness, World Heritage & more information contact WEA, Sydney survive on. Wellbeing’ (WWWWW) highlights the – Ph: (02) 9264 2781 E: info@weasydney. The wattle or Acacia, is one of importance of wilderness and World nsw.edu.au www.weasydney.com.au Australia’s most popular flowering Heritage. plants, with its yellow-golden colours WWWWW is one of the many Course highlights wonders of worn by Australian Olympians. The WEA’s Discussion Group courses that Wombats are commonly found in the Gardens Wilderness wattle was chosen as Australia’s range from ‘Anglo-Saxon England’ of Stone Stage Two Reserve proposal, along ‘Wombats, Wattles, Wilderness, national flower because it grew to ‘400 years of women artists’. WEA with 67 other native mammals. Photo: Yuri World Heritage and Wellbeing’ is now everywhere – from the coast to arid Discussion group courses can be studied Bolotin available through WEA, Sydney. outback. Wattles have superbly adapted by anyone, anywhere in NSW. Not only does the course highlight to Australia’s droughts and floods – WEA courses are an ideal solution to via teleconferencing, zoom, or skype. the importance of wilderness and world they regenerate and restore the soil combat social isolation – a way to learn All that is required is a minimum heritage, it also connects with wildlife, health, which is particularly important while ensuring you stay safe during the of six people to study the course. On native plants, and human health. Its after bushfire, enabling other plants to challenge of our current health crisis. enrolment, the course booklet is posted core message is that we cannot survive Group discussions can easily take place to the group, who then decide when without healthy and resilient, protected continued on p. 7 7 colong bulletin May 2020 #279 Returning to our roots: Corporate campaigning

by wilson harris & necessary”. Foundation around Parliament, harry burkitt The 1972 AGM in Sydney lobbying various politicians we finally broke the company’s talk to, attack us in the media FOR THE FIRST time since will to pursue the unpopular and downplay the views of the late 1960s, the Colong and increasingly well-known highly-esteemed experts who Foundation will be targeting proposal. The late Pat Thompson say the project doesn’t stack up. company boardrooms to save played a key role in making this The ICA is made up of three nature and wilderness. In meeting the most farcical of all. main members, the Insurance March, Colong’s GIVE A APCM’s board had devised a Australia Group (NRMA), DAM campaign successfully plan to distribute voting cards Suncorp Insurance and QBE filed a shareholder resolution to ‘real’ shareholders only, with Insurance. Put simply, their with the QBE Insurance the aim to exclude proxies, as agenda is immoral, and is out Group, asking the company many conservationists present of step with many of their own to develop a policy to protect at the AGM were attending by environmental and Indigenous World Heritage sites. To do proxy. It has been said that a policies. this, we recruited over a man, who looked strikingly Unless these companies hundred QBE shareholders similar to Pat Thompson, change their tune, the coming to lodge the resolution on the rushed to the usher handing months will see the Colong company’s upcoming Annual out these cards and grabbed Foundation and its growing General Meeting (AGM) a large stack of them. They number of supporters putting agenda. Milo Dunphy explaining the Colong Caves issue on-site to a gathering of were then distributed to all forward more resolutions to The Colong Foundation’s bureaucrats and politicians in 1970. Photo: Colong archives conservationists at the event by insurance company AGMs, successful, formative campaign abruptly throwing them in the picketing their offices and which saw Australian Portland 1969 meeting, with activists suffered the same fate. air. This led to the first (albeit highlighting the cultural and Cement Manufacturers protesting outside the event The 1970 AGM in Sydney short-lived) conservation environmental destruction (APCM), a subsidiary of calling on the company to ditch saw an even greater turn out victory at the AGM – the first these companies want London-based Blue Circle its plans to mine the Colong of conservationists, ratcheting vote was annulled and a new to impose on our wild Cement, being prevented Caves. It was also at these up the pressure on APCM. vote requested by the meeting’s Blue Mountains and their from mining limestone in and meetings that Colong pioneered In 1971, the company moved Chairman. Traditional Owners. around the Colong Caves in the use of banner-drops off the AGM to Melbourne in the The proceedings of this the NSW Blue Mountains, was large structures – a common hope that this would mean meeting were dominated and A time of change and the first example of corporate tactic used today. disruptive activists would not dictated by supporters of the continuity campaigning in Australian Colong Committee members make an appearance. Instead, Colong Committee. To top Colong is undergoing a activist history, occurring put forward a motion at the a rag-tag bunch of bushwalkers off what had already been a significant period of change. decades before corporate 1969 AGM requesting the and conservationists arrived in raucous affair, Pat Thompson The cumulative impact of Keith activism was widely adopted by company to: Melbourne on the “Southern led the crowd in a chorus of Muir’s retirement as Executive environmental activists. “reconsider its decision to mine Aurora” overnight train from “Happy birthday” followed by Director, and the stepping Colong’s targeting of Colong Caves because – Sydney. “For he’s a jolly good fellow,” down of a significant number of Portland Cement AGMs began (a) The company’s previous The board’s plan to hold after the announcement of the long-serving board members is in 1969 and would occur over investigations of limestone near a quiet, environmentalist- recent birthday of a Director. resulting in generational change four consecutive years. Jim its Maldon works is not now free AGM had spectacularly It was becoming clear APCM within the organisation. This Sommerville’s knowledge ‘comprehensive’ and backfired, with a huge media were fighting a losing battle, being so, Colong is as strong as and skills, and the financial (b) This company may suffer turn out providing the against opponents who refused ever with an experienced and backing of Sam McMahon a loss of trade due to the growing Colong Committee with free, to give up. active board of directors (young (brother of Prime Minister unpopularity of its mining sympathetic publicity from Following the 1972 AGM, and old), and a dynamic group Billy McMahon), gave activists intentions.” journalists. Following this the Chairperson of Blue Circle of young leaders emerging from the ability to buy shares and Unfortunately, like most AGM and the awareness it Cement was made aware of the organisation. distribute them to pugnacious shareholder resolutions, the raised nationally, APCM began happenings in Australia. The There is a poetic timing supporters, bypassing the costs motion was comprehensively to waver, with the Chairman public embarrassment and to the coincidental revisiting and barriers of individual defeated by 18,808,142 votes to stating that he was “very disruption for the company was of Colong’s history. During shareholding. Over 100 Colong 88. Motions that were moved hopeful his company’s use of not worth the pain involved a period of great change and supporters attended at the at the following AGMs also the Colong Caves would not be in pursuing mining at Colong some uncertainty, it is a timely Caves. The Colong Caves were reminder that Colong’s legacy saved, and the majestic beauty is ever present in the minds Wombats that the coal mine will destroy of land clearing, it continues of the southern Blue Mountains of staff, board members and continued from p. 6 these rare desert springs. And to this day as Federal and wilderness lives on. volunteers. Its history, and what about the impact of State governments continue to So why is Colong now going great activists who dedicated grow and survive. vibrations on the wombats’ pursue destructive dreams of after QBE Insurance? What their lives to wilderness The northern hairy-nosed subterranean burrows? mining the landscape. have they done to undermine conservation, such as Myles wombat is one of Australia’s Wombats highlight It is Henry Gold, the Colong the beauty of our wilderness? and Milo Dunphy, Alex Colley rarest animals, with the Australia’s shameful history Foundation’s Honorary The insurance industry, and Jim Sommerville, have left last remaining ones living of land clearing that has led to Photographer, who continues to represented by its peak body a mark on the organisation that in the pocket-sized Epping the worst mammal extinction remind us with his stunningly the Insurance Council of will ensure the values and goals Forest National Park, close to record in the world, something beautiful photographs that Australia (ICA), have been of Colong will be etched into the Doongmabulla Springs where that is too easily ignored, we have more to gain from the most vocal advocates for very fabric of the Foundation the Carmichael Adani mine forgiven and forgotten. Despite protecting the environment raising the Warragamba Dam for generations to come.  in proposed. Scientists worry knowing the dire consequences than destroying it.  wall. They chase the Colong THE COLONG FOUNDATION

SUPPORT THE COLONG FOUNDATION! To: The Treasurer, Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd., Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 The enclosed remittance or advice covers the item(s) indicated by a tick. (One cheque payable to the Colong Foundation is sufficient to cover subscription and donation.)  Membership application for individuals or households ($30) to 31 December 2020 (NB Membership application covers Bulletin subscription)  Colong Bulletin Subscription ($15) to 31 December 2020 (non members only)  Membership renewal to 31 December 2020 ($30)  Life Membership ($550)

 Tax deductible donation of $____ to the Colong Wilderness Fund  PLUS $____ being for publications as indicated on the reverse side of this form. NAME (Mr, Ms, Mrs, Miss) ...... SENDER: THE COLONG FOUNDATION FOR ADDRESS ...... WILDERNESS ...... P/CODE ...... DATE...... Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 PHONE ...... EMAIL:...... SIGNED ...... AMOUNT ...... Payment by credit card.Mastercard  Visa Expiry date ______Card # ______Payment by EFT.Account: The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. Bank: Westpac Mortdale, BSB: 032 268 Account number: 26 0221 Please include your full name to help identify your payment. So we can mail you an official tax deductible receipt, and for our accounting purposes, please also inform us when you have made a colong payment by emailing your name, address and donation details to [email protected] MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONWhy not join or invite a friend to join?  Yes, I wish to become a member of the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. I subscribe to the Foundation’s aim of preserving Australia’s wilderness remnants. I accept the liability provided in the Colong Foundation’s Articles of Association to guarantee $20 should it be needed in the event of the winding up of the Foundation. Signed ...... bulletin  A BEQUEST ABOUT THE COLONG FOUNDATION The Colong Foundation, the successor to Myles Dunphy’s National Parks and Primitive Please remember us Areas Council, is Australia’s longest-serving community advocate for wilderness. Its in your Will. proposal for a Wilderness Actwas accepted in 1987. To supplement this legislation, our Red Index, audits NSW wilderness areas, identifies threats and formulates site specific protection The Law Society of NSW remedies. There are now 2,100,000 ha of protected wilderness in NSW. However, many recommends the following beautiful and environmentally highly significant wilderness areas are not protected, such as PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE FROM THE COLONG FOUNDATION Bulletin back page, 02/20 page, back Bulletin wording… “I bequeath the the Pilliga and Goonoo on the north west slopes, the Deua Valley on the South Coast and the Tabletop and Main Range in the Snowy Mountains. CELEBRATING WILDERNESS 60.00 THE GARDENS OF STONE VISITORS 10.00 MAP  sum of $… to the Colong The Colong Foundation for Wilderness has had a long and successful history. From its Edited by Ian Brown, this spectacularly illustrated book A full colour double sided touring map and guide to the attractions of Foundation for Wilderness Ltd.foundation in 1968 until 1975 it was the fighting force that prevented limestone mining and with 46 full-page colour wilderness photographs by Rob the Gardens of Stone reserve proposal the destruction of native forest for pine plantations in the southern Blue Mountains. The Jung, David Neilson, Rob Blakers and Ian Brown is for its general purposes and essential reading for wilderness supporters (120pp) THE BATTLE FOR THE BUSH 27.50 Foundation not only played a leading role in realising Myles Dunphy’s plan for a Greater declare that the receipt of the Geoff Mosley’s account of the genesis of the nature Blue Mountains National Park, it pushed for its World Heritage listing, as well as the WILD PLACES 27.50 conservation movement and saving of the Blue treasurer for the time being reservation of a Border Ranges National Park and Kakadu National Park. It has initiated The meticulously researched, beautifully written book Mountains environment (174pp) successful campaigns for the protection of over a million hectares of wilderness in NSW. on wilderness by Peter Prineas with photographs by of the Colong Foundation The realisation of Myles Dunply’s vision of a comprehensive system of national parks with Henry Gold (285pp) MYLES DUNPHY (SELECTED WRITINGS) 39.95 for Wilderness Ltd. shall be protected wilderness areas remains the primary objective of the Colong Foundation. BLUE MOUNTAINS WORLD HERITAGE 50.00 CLASSIC BUSHWALKING MAPS by Myles Dunphy Now, more than ever, the Foundation needs your support. Well financed and powerful rural complete discharge to my Alex Colley and Henry Gold’s description of the 67 year campaign(Gangerang and Kowmung Maps) 10.00ea interests, miners, loggers, resort developers, as well as four wheel drive enthusiasts, horse executors in respect of culminating in World Heritage listing. (136pp) riders and others, have greatly increased the threats facing Australia’s wild places. LIVING WITH THE DINGO 19.00 SUSTAINABILITY  any sum paid to the Only with your help, through continued membership and donations, can the 20.00 by Adam O’Neill (107pp) Colong Foundation for Foundation continue its campaigns for the preservation of the natural environment Alex Colley provides his vision on a sustainable future. (90pp) and effective nature-based national park management, and by concentrating on WAYFARING IN WOLLEMI 40.00 REPAYING MY DEBT 30.00 Wilderness Ltd.” wilderness, these rare areas can be kept safe from development and misuse. by Andy Macqueen (352pp) A Conservationist's Tale. Geoff Mosley's memoir