Orroral Homestead and Its History- Origins of Namadgi National Park NPA BULLETIN Vow 29 Number 1 March 1992

Orroral homestead and its history- Origins of Namadgi National Park NPA BULLETIN vow 29 number 1 March 1992

CONTENTS

Jervis Bay 4 Hedda Morrison obituary 5 Parkwatch 8 NPA Christmas party 9 Orroral—a history 10 Cover Ten years of Orroral involvement 11 Photo: Reg Alder Origins of Namadgi 14 The reconstructed Orroral Homestead, Paddling down the Lachlan 22 2 February 1992.

National Parks Association (ACT) Subscription rates (1 July - 30 June) ^ Incorporated Household members $20 Single members $15 Inaugurated 1960 Corporate members $10 Bulletin only $10 Concession; half above rates For new subscriptions joining between; Aims and objects of the Association 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the protection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural features 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription in the Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the Membership enquiries welcome reservation of specific areas. Please phone Laraine Frawley at the NPA office. • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation areas. The NPA (ACT) office is located in Kingsley Street, • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment Acton. Office hours are; of, such natural phenomena by organised field outings, 10am to 2pm Mondays meetings or any other means. 9am to 2pm Tuesdays and Thursdays • Co-operation with organisations and persons having (06) 257 1063 similar interests and objectives. Telephone: • Promotion of, and education for, nature conservation, and Address: GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601. the planning of land-use to achieve conservation. Contribute to your Bulletin Office-bearers and Committee Contributions of articles (news, description or fiction), black-and-white photographs and line drawings are President Beverley Hammond 288 6577(h) keenly sought for the Bulletin. Please label photo Vice-President Dianne Thompson 288 6084(h); graphs with the name of the subject, the name of thm 244 7549Cw); 244 7934(fax w). photographer and the date. Leave contributions at the Immediate office or phone the editor, Roger Green, on Past President Les Pyke 281 2982(h) (06) 247 0059. The editorial fax is (06) 249 7373. Secretary Len Haskew 281 4268(h) Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Treasurer Mike Smith 286 2984(h); 248 3624(w) Association opinion or objectives.

Subcommittee conveners Deadline for June issue: 1 May, 1992. Environment Tim Walsh 285 1112(h); 274 M65fwi NPA Bulletin is produced by Green Words for the Len Crossfield 241 2897(h); 263 3536(w) National Parks Association (ACT) Incorporated. It is Outings Dianne Thompson 288 6084(h); produced with the assistance of an ACT Heritage 244 7549(w); 244 7934ffax w). grant. Dugald Monro 231 8776(h) Namadgi Printed on recycled paper by Union Offset Co Ptv Ltd, Fyshwick, ACT. Other Committee members Neville Esau 286 4176(h); 249 9500(w) ISSN 0727-8837 Syd Comfort 286 2578(h) Clive Hurlstone 288 7592(h); 246 5516(w) IN COMMITTEE

President's foreword Association committee members At Orroral homestead, left to right, have been busy in recent months Brian Tyrell, manager of Namadgi; in preparing written responses to Eric Martin, chairman, ACT issues, in meeting with represen Heritage Committee; Reg Alder; tatives of government instrumen Beverley Hammond. talities and in physically working Photo by Len Haskew. on the Orroral homestead. project. Included in this Bulletin Information shared at a meeting are background information about at the Queanbeyan office of NSW our involvement there, an updated National Parks and Wildlife history of valley settlement and Service strengthened our submis photographs of the work parties. sion on the review of the NSW Following the partial demolition Act. Discussions with the officer of of the nearby Gregory home, this the Australian National Parks & Association wrote to the Director Wildlife Service who is preparing of the Environment and the Management Plan for Jervis Conservation Bureau concerning ay National Park reaffirmed the the implementation of some importance of our input into such aspects of the Namadgi National initiatives. We have also contrib Park Management Plan. His reply uted to a joint submission on the is elsewhere in this Bulletin. We need to preserve important areas Thank you to members who con will be making further representa tacted the committee regarding in Gungahlin and valued working tions to the Bureau and the ACT issues we might support and prac with other local conservation Heritage Committee in pursuing tical suggestions to improve meet groups on this issue. the need for decisions to be made ings. You are most welcome at sub Thank you to many members about the future of other buildings committee meetings. Please look at who worked at the Orroral in Namadgi. The Namadgi sub the Calendar on the back page. Homestead. We look forward to committee would value your the fruition of this ten year-old contribution. Beverley Hammond Antarctic progress The protocol on environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty, Penguins at adopted in October in Madrid, rep North Point, resents a significant shift within Signy Island, he Antarctic Treaty System away Antarctica. om the exploitation of the region Photo by for minerals, and toward the pres Nigel Bonner ervation of Antarctica as a World reproduced park. from A Strategy for The protocol established a mini Antarctic mum 50-year prohibition on all Conservation commercial mining activities in published by Antarctica, a committee on envi IUCN. ronmental protection, as well as legally binding measures govern ing waste disposal, marine pollu tion, the conservation of native fauna and flora, and environmen tal impact assessment procedures. This agreement provides a founda tion for the future protection of measures included in the protocol Special regulations .are provided Antarctica. regulate human activity in for in five annexes — environmen The protocol must now be rati Antarctica. All activities must be tal impact assessment, conserva fied and implemented by the planned to limit negative impact tion of flora and fauna, waste Antarctic Treaty consultative on the marine and terrestial envi disposal and management, preven parties. ronments, on the basis of prior tion of marine pollution, and pro The environmental protection assessment of potential impacts. tected areas. JERVIS BAY

Test case for modern planning The Editor connected to the sewage, the take a firm stand against this. NPA Bulletin debate about what to do with the Another key is held by the NSW increasingly larger volumes of Government. The State Pollution Congratulations on the articles on effluent has raged, prompting an Control Commission (SPCCJ, Jervis Bay in your December 1991 EIS. under the Minister for issue of the NPA Bulletin and on Shoalhaven City Council's pre Environment Tim Moore, has the efforts of the Jervis Bay ferred option has always been for issued an interim licence for nutri Working Group. an ocean outfall at Governors ent stripped effluent from The way I see it, Jervis Bay is a Head—with pipeline through the Huskisson and St Georges Basin test case for modern planning. We proposed Stage 1 of the Jervis Bay sewage Treatment Works to flow either continue the destructive National Park. into Jervis Bay via the existing practices of the past, or make a This EIS began over a year ago, pipeline at Plantation Point, commitment to put the principles and has taken a meandering Vincentia. We must insist that the of ecological sustainability into course to reach a very interesting SPCC keeps to its commitment to practice. stage now. have all effluent removed from the But can we get it right this time? Slowly and inevitably there has Bay. Unfortunately the SPCC docs I want to take this opportunity of been a turnaround in focus from not have any control over Federal! bringing you up to date with the initial headlong rush to an establishments like HMAS sewage planning in the Jervis Bay ocean outfall, to now taking a seri Creswell which continues to insist area. ous look at agro-forestry produc in putting secondary treated efflu Shoalhaven City Council, like tion using secondary treated ent into National Park waters. most other coastal councils in effluent, and the use of artificial Another key lies with the NSW, has used its rivers and adja wetlands combined with the resto regional planning exercise which cent ocean as dumping grounds for ration of degraded wetlands near has been started by the NSW effluent. (In the case of Nowra. Department of Planning. Shoalhaven, this effluent is secon Also, there is an increasing This could set policies which dary treated). Sludge is spread interest by local people in things limit population and industrial around the sewage works or used like using effluent to water golf growth and preserve Jervis Bay as landfill. courses and to recycle back to and its surrounds. One of these Since the 1970s, Jervis Bay has households for use in toilet flush policies could be for the safe and received effluent from the town ing and on gardens. productive re-use of 'wastes' such ships of Huskisson and Vincentia The Federal Government holds as sewage effluent and from HMAS Creswell. Effects one of the keys to the eventual All of these keys need to turn on the marine environment of outcome. Either it can give per Jervis Bay are unknown because together if Jervis Bay is to be mission for the pipeline to go spared. of the lack of studies and through the National Park and monitoring. discharge into waters adjacent to With other Jervis Bay and St the park (and near the penguin Georges Basin villages now being colony at Bowen Island) or it can Shark Bay Shark Bay has become the ninth Shark Bay Mouse. place in Australia to be included on the World Heritage List. A recent World Heritage committee meeting in Carthage, Tunisia, decided that Shark Bay in Western Australia fulfilled the four natural criteria. The spectacular scenery of cliffs, refuge of a range of endangered bays and beaches combined with animals such as the Shark Bay marine and land fauna make the Mouse. bay unique. Large marine ani The Commonwealth and mals, including dolphins, dugongs, Western Australian Governments manta rays, whales and sharks, are cooperating on the production use the bay. The islands that form of a comprehensive management the outer barriers are the last plan for the Shark Bay region. OBITUARY

Hedda Morrison, 1908-1991 The death of Hedda sions she was meticulous Morrison on Tuesday the in maintaining her stan third of December dards of perfection. occurred just too late to Hedda left thousands of be included in the last negatives, all painstak issue of the Bulletin. The ingly catalogued, and Canberra Times of the many mounted photo fifth of December carried graphs. It is a great pity a full story of her varied that, during her lifetime, and adventurous life as a our national and state gal photographer in China leries and libraries did not before and during the secure portfolios of her Japanese occupation and work. However, Alastair later with Alastair when has now been able to he was an administra arrange for her Australian tive officer in Sarawak. negatives and proof prints |The ITA magazine of accumulated since 1953, May 1991 carried a ten to be lodged with the pic page article of her life as a photographer. torial section of the National Library. A map Hedda and Alastair of Australia marked with joined the Association in coloured pins to indicate the 1960s when they overnight stops shows moved to Canberra. their degree of penetra They both have contrib tion into the remote areas uted, by their support, of Australia. The much to the environmen Australian National tal movement. In my ear Gallery has selected 56 lier years with the exhibition prints which Association, when I are mainly portraits, and spoke about some new the Powerhouse Museum, and wonderful place I Sydney, has the remain had discovered, it came ing 347 prints from the as a surprise to me to extensive portfolio of a learn that both Hedda lifetime dedicated to pho and Alastair had already tography. Negotiations been there. Although Hedda was using a stop watch or a developing are in progress for the China com | partially disabled through polio, tank. Hedda had many books pub ponent of her negatives to go to my greatest surprise "was when I lished and these included: learned that she had climbed Harvard University and the Currockbilly. remaining negatives of Asia and • Sarawak (MacGibbon and Kee, Borneo to Cornell University in In her latter years, (she was London, 1957) the USA. within ten days of being 83 when • Life in a Longhouse (Borneo Hedda was always willing to give she died), when she could not take Literature Bureau, 1962. the Association photographs for long or rough walks any more, it Reprinted, 1988, Summer the Bulletin and displays. Those in was her delight to have breakfast Times, Singapore) the display collection should be in one of the many bush retreats treasured and cared for, because I • Vanishing World (The Ibans of she had found in Namadgi within am sure that after her death her Borneo, Serasia, Hongkong, easy driving distance. Her last work will achieve greater 1971) activity with the Association last recognition. year was to accompany the • Photographer in Old Peking Recent members will probably Association's fact-finding party to (OUP, 1985) not know Hedda because of her investigate the proposed exten • Travels of a Photographer in inability to join Association out sions to Namadgi around Mt China 1933-46 (OUP, 1987) ings, but I am sure those of us who Coree. knew her, with her camera always Few could equal her skill with Until quite recently she had been cocked to expose another negative, her cameras. She used none of the receiving commissions from over will sincerely regret her passing. modern aids, even to the extent of seas for her photographs. In her not owning an exposure meter, work of fulfilling these commis Reg Alder Photo by Anne Morris. TRIPS

The first national parks Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. Photo by Barbara Comfort.

When Barbara and I were prepar hope to be able to pass on some The audience will be subjected to a ing for a campervan tour of west travelling information to would-be viewing of some of my slides which ern USA and Canada we were travellers and to comment on the should rest them before participat fortunate in receiving lots of ideas national parks as I saw them. ing in a discussion of these fasci and suggestions from friends, There will be a display of maps, nating parks. many members of the Association. travel guides and information At the June general meeting I used on the trip and, I hope, Syd Comfort plan to talk about this trip and Barbara's albums of colour prints. Budawangs track Last week the NPA received notifi cation under the NSW Heritage Two new books on the Assistance program that it had been granted $1000 under the National Estates Grants program. Snowy Mountains This is the first time the NPA has Skiing off the roof: The Kosciusko Alan Andrews has taken a larger applied for assistance under this Chalet at Charlottes Pass and its subject for his book. program and it is a significant Kosciusko: accomplishment. place in the history of the The mountain in history, Tabletop Australian snowfields bv Rick Press, $39.95, is a study of every The submission demonstrated Walkom, Arberg Press, $39.95. significant event that has occurred our long term commitment to the Rick Walkom spent nearly a near the mountain from 1830 to Budawangs and summarised our decade living, working and skiing 1900. The chronicle is a parade of track maintenance activities. It from the Kosciusko Chalet. In the explorers, scientists, geologists, also addressed issues relating to book he explores the story of the clerics, fishermen,painters , sur history, heritage and conservation. chalet's birth and growth and fol veyors and squatters. We have until February 1993 to lows the pioneers of Snowy The book is illustrated with use the grant. Plans were already Mountains skiing. drawings, old maps and litho afoot for an autumn workparty, graphs. Recent photographs have but this event has given us greater been placed alongside drawings to impetus. So, look at the Outings show how accurately artists have Program, and join the band of portrayed the mountain. workers at Canowie Brook for the weekend 30-31 May. Dianne Thompson TRIPS

Yankee Hat track T/ie new bridge over Bogong Creek with the walkway over a potential bog section. Yankee Hat is in the background, the painting rock shelter is at its base among the first line of trees. Photo by Reg Alder.

The Yankee Hat rock shelter across the grassy flats adjacent to route have been accustomed. A paintings are now easily accessi the creek and climbs a wooded descriptive pamphlet is available ble. There is a carpark a couple of ridge up to the shelter. Walkways from the Information Centre or at hundred metres before the locked are to be constructed oveT several the track head and theTe is an gate on the Old Boboyan Koad and potential bog sections of the track. information board just before the a mown track leads walkers down The shelter is entered from the shelter is entered. to a bridge and walkway over opposite side to that from which Reg Bogong Creek. The track continues walkers taking the more direct Alder

At the November 1991 meeting over 20 kilometres of caves and is of the NPA of the ACT, Andy of world heritage significance. Yet Spate, presently an investigation the cave has a limestone quarry in (officer (doing caves research) with the middle of it and the mining the NSW Parks and Conservation company wants to extend its activ Service, gave an illustrated talk on of climatic change. In a way not ities. Studies show that if bulldoz caves. quite understandable to me, cal ing and disturbance of the area is According to Andy there are two cium carbonate deposits in stalac increased, the caves will be dam main reasons why we should be tites act as a thermometers aged through the drainage system interested in caves: for their recre indicating temperatures of past of Exit Creek. ational value and for the scientific centuries. Further details of caves While Australia has relatively study they provide of the climatic research I feel I should leave few caves when viewed on a world changes of past countries. alone—my notes are too sketchy. scale, it still has a large number— Tourist and recreational use Perhaps one day Andy will write about 10 000. Andy Spate has vis often lead to problems of cave man an article on caves for the NPA ited and photographed a great agement, which can be quite chal Bulletin, hopefully featuring the many of these and generously lenging. How do you deal with pit anecdote on how to use size six shared his knowledge of them with toilets and the consequent seep frozen chooks to measure the evap us. The slides he showed included age? Where do you place signs in oration of limestone from caves. some of the spectacular scenery the cave that will not interrupt the Some cave areas have problems outside the caves as well as the view? How do you avoid the beyond the everyday concerns of exquisite formations in the caves, bizarre lighting effect seen in so overuse, vandalism and visitors such as showers, star bursts and many caves? touching formations, for example, feast effects. Much scientific research takes the Exit cave system in southern It was an enjoyable night. place in caves, for example, studies Tasmania. This system consists of Babette Scougal PARKWATCH

private bushland. These moves, Across the border together with steps to improve Threat to Killalea Conservationists face a difficult sewage treatment, will ensure Killalea State Recreation Area is a struggle protecting wilderness that the Blue Mountains satisfy small reserve to the north of the along state borders. Off road vehi the integrity criteria of the World Minnamurra River estuary. Until cle users, horseriders and shooters Heritage committee when they recently it was managed by the have unrestricted access to wilder meet to review the Blue NPWS of New South Wales, but in ness by crossing state borders Mountains World Heritage 1991 Nick Greiner announced that because of poor interstate coopera proposal. the management of inland State tion between park admin Recreation Areas would be trans istrations. Total Environment Centre ferred to the Department of Newsletter, November 1991 The Snowy-lndi wilderness, Conservation and Land identified by the Colong Management. Foundation, is approximately 324 The committee of the lllawarra 800 hectares made up of 168 900 Hard words branch was concerned about the hectares in Kosciusko National on Hat Head future of Killalea State Recreation Park and approximately 150 000 Recent maintenance work in Hat Area and approached the director hectares in Cobberas-Tingaringy Head National Park has turned a of the NPWS. In a letter in Unit of the Victorian Alpine scenic coastal walk into a three November the director, Mr W National Park. Most of the identi metre wide bulldozed track, Gillooly, inferred that Killalea had fied wilderness is protected in destroying native plants and little or no conservation value andl NSW, but adjoining wilderness in shrubs. Bitou bush is invading the stated that its management would Victoria is not. disturbed area. be transferred to the Department of Conservation and Land The identified area ties together The original walking track, Management. the Davies Plain, Cobberas, opened in 1986, was installed from Buchan Headwaters and The Gap Picnic Area just south of lllawarra Branch believe that Tingaringy wilderness areas in Korogoro along the coast to the this opinion is unfounded and Victoria with the Pilot and Byadbo Hungry Rest picnic and camping incorrect, and have requested that, areas in NSW. The Colong area. For the next few months instead of removing Killalea from Foundation's proposal would add four wheel drive vehicles broke the National Parks Estate, the 54 700 hectares of wilderness to barriers and drove across the new area be expanded so that the the Victorian Land Conservation track. A new road, suitable for neighbouring Dunmore Swamp is Council's Alpine wilderness propo conventional vehicles, was built also protected. sals, making an effective Alpine from Hungry Rest to the top of a lllawarra Branch NPA newsletter, wilderness area which can be pro January-February 1992 tected from the incursions of off hill to allow people to drive closer road vehicles and horseriders. to cliff side fishingplaces . Vehicles then remained out of the walking The Colong Bulletin, area. Art in the park November 1991 A few months ago Jim Tedder of Three of Queensland's most popu the NPA Three Valleys Branch lar national parks will host artists took some visitors along the track in residence under a state govern New green and became concerned that the ment program. The program track was not being maintained. designed to offer writers, painters, Blue Mountains Some work was needed to stabilise sculptors, composers and all other The newly-elected Blue Mountains erosion and clear wet area drains. visual and performing artists the City Council has already demon The NPA Three Valleys Branch opportunity to pursue their art strated its public support for the asked the District Headquarters of within the environment of a World Heritage listing of the Blue the Service for information on the Queensland National Park. The Mountains by writing to the state maintenance program for the three parks selected for the pro and federal governments urging track. The Service did not reply. gram are Girraween in south-east that they notify the World However, by late July some Queensland, the Mount Moffat Heritage Committee of the IUCN maintenance work had been done. section of Carnarvon National of their intent to proceed with the A small bulldozer had been taken Park and Heron Island on the nomination. to what was once a narrow bush southern Great Barrier Reef. The council has already recalled track and made it into a three Free accommodation in the the previous council's draft Local metre wide track. Banksias had parks will be provided for the Environmental Plan from the been pushed over, rocks dislodged selected artists. In return they Department of Planning. If the and debris pushed over the side. could donate an example of their green Independents and the ALP The newly disturbed soil was alive work which represented their stay councillors can agree on the form with bitou seedlings. and which could be used to further of the amendments, it is probable National Parks Journal. the promotion and understanding that the Blue Mountains will have December 1991 of the park. effective environmental protection zones to control development of news yueenstana, January 1992 NAMADGI

NPA Christmas party Cultural A sunny afternoon, heritage at leafy shade to shelter Namadgi from the summer sun Members who volunteered to work and members of NPA on the old Orroral homestead were concerned to see the 1950s Gregory chatting. homestead being demolished. The Namadgi National Park Management Plan of 1986 states as an objective:

to ensure that all developments and works undertaken within the park comply with the plan of management.

In response to our letter, the Director of the Environment and Conservation Bureau, Greg Fraser, wrote:

Thank you for your letter of 22 December 1991 concerning the 1950s homestead at the Orroral Valley in Namadgi National Park. I regret that the work you described at the Gregory home stead at the Orroral Valley was undertaken without full Heritage consultation. I have put an imme diate stop to the project and instructed that no further work at the site be undertaken until a proper Heritage assessment has been made and advice received on what action should now be taken. Relevant staff at Namadgi National Park have been instructed that in future any modi fication or removal of structures or historic sites will not take place without reference to the Heritage Unit and appropriate community consultation. Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

You can't be suspicious Canyons and Crags of a tree, or accuse a bird General Meeting or a squirrel of Thursday 18 June 1992 subversion, or challenge An illustrated talk on the ideology of a violet national parks in North America by Syd Comtort. — Hal Borland ORRORAL

Orroral—a history

Stock stations in the Canberra dis acres). Lofty mountains watered by wife Elizabeth and baby daughter trict were established towards the Little River, Box timber etc, 4 Ann, on the sailing ship 'St end of 1824 and several years later miles to nearest station (Naas). No George'. Charles McKeahnie was the more daring pioneers set up remarks. first employed by Joshua John stations in the mountain valleys Moore on his Canberry run before west of the Murrumbidgee, beyond Commissioner Bingham's working for John Gray, at the limit of the 19 counties. About spelling 'Orrooral' highlights some Boboyan. On Gray's bankruptcy, this time, William Herbert staked of the variations which have been McKeahnie acquired Boboyan, his claim over a run in the Orroral recorded over time, viz: before moving north to Gudgenby valley for which he gained legality as overseer/manager for Edward for its occupation and use by the • Urongal, an Aboriginal word Severne in 1845. Gudgenby was payment of £10 for a pasturage meaning 'tomorrow' used on purchased by Charles McKeahnie licence in 1837. In Sept-Oct 1839, Mitchell's 1834 map of the area in 1853 and in 1860 he completed Land Commissioner Bingham con • Ararel, NSW Government the acquisition of Booroomba and ducted an inspection of these Gazette, 1847 moved there, leaving his son licences and his comments suggest Alexander (who married Marv that Herbert had established • Orrorall, Fussell's Squatting Cochrane the same year) in charjM Orroral over a number of years: Directory, 1865 of Gudgenby. • Oralla, Bailliere's Post Office On 24 November 1864 Charles Directory, 1867. 4th Oct 1839 and Elizabeth's eldest son, Tidbinbilla to Orrooral 18 miles, Following William Herbert, Archibald, married Mary William Herbert owner and super Gilchrist and Watt had 'Orroral McMillan in a ceremony at intendent, 10 persons living in slab Run 166' until 1864 when it was Booroomba and the couple made huts, 9 acres of cultivation, 700 transferred to Charles the short 23 km journey to the cattle, 37 horses, no sheep. Produce McKeahnie. McKeahnie (1809- newly acquired Orroral. of dairy estimated as 20 cwt, esti 1903), a bounty emigrant, arrived Construction of the Orroral home mated area 20 sections (12800 at Port Jackson in 1838 with his probably continued over a number

Orroral homestead c!931 from A Journey Around the ACT by Jefferis and Whelan. Photo copy by Reg Alder. I April - Wednesday Walk (1/2/A) 17-20 April - Easter Car Camp Boboyan Trail Ref^Rendezvous Cr 1:25,000 Mallacoota Ref: Vicmap Outings program Leaden Frank Clements 231 7005h Leader: Barbara de Bruine 258 3531h 259 2642w Meet Kambah Village shops 8.30 am. Walk along the fire trail Contact leader before Tuesday. Nu mbers limited. Plan to camp on (which was the old Boboyan Road) through the pine forest; visit the spare block adjacent to Barbara's house. Toilet facilities will be April to June 1991 Frank's (own) hut and other places of interest. A gentle, flat walk available and water from taps, otherwise people are expected to be for as long as the party wants. 100 km drive ($20 per car). self-sufficient. Explore lake, beaches, rivers, forests, estuaries, and participate in crafts festival. 720km drive ($104 per car). 4-6 April - Weekend Pack Walk (3/D/E/F) Upper Woila Creek/Big Badja Hill Ref: Badja 1:25,000 17-20 April - Easter Pack Walk Leader: Mike Smith 286 2984h, 248 3624w Namadi National Park Ref: ACT 1:100,000 Contact leader by 'Wednesday. A walk from Pike's Saddle over Big Yaouk, Rendezvous Cr 126,000 Badja Hill and down to Woila Creek along unnamed water course Leaden Steven Forst 251 6817h , 274 842Gw which alternates between constricted gorges and grassy banks. A Contact leader by Tuesday. Start at Boboyan Forest. Walk over long hard climb of 1,000 metres next day back to cars after leaving Gudgenby divide to Sam's Creek. Climb Mt Kelly and follow ridge WoilaCreek. 200km drive ($40 per car). to Scabby Range, descend to old fire trail and Yaouk Gap and along Lone Pine Fire Trail to Oldfields Hut. Return via Cotter Valley - 4 April - Saturday Day Trip (1/A) short car shuffle. Route depends to some extent on party. Drive 150 Sketching Outing Ref: ACT 1:100,000 kms ($30 per car). Leaden Ken Johnson 248 5979h Meet Kingston Railway Station 9 am. Not come and see my 'etch 19 April - Easter Sunday (2/A) ings/ but come and do your own. Try your artistic representations Booroomba Rocks Ref: ACT 1:100,000 of the valleys and landscapes close to home. Participants must Leaden Olive Buckman 248 8774h bring their own equipment (eg paints, markers, pencils, water col Meet Kambah shops at 9 am. A pleasant 9 km walk on fire trail ours and paper). If at all in doubt phone Ken beforehand. 50 km and track to Canberra view point, then some rock scrambling and drive ($10 per car). scrub to highest point of the vast granite outcrop, with 360 degree views. Return through light bush to fire trail. 100km drive ($20 per 8 April - Wednesday meeting. car). Outings guide Outings sub-committee 7.30 pm 41 Maranboy Street, Fisher 26 April - Sunday Heritage Walk (2/A) Day walks carry lunch, drinks and protective clothing. This time I hope Tve got the date right. All members welcome - Rendezvous Creek Rock Paintings Ref: Rendezvous Pack walks two or more days, carry all food and camping supper wil] be served. Covers program July - September. Phone Di Creek 1:25,000 requirements. CONTACT LEADER BY Thompson (288 6084) if unable to attend but willing to offer a walk, Leaden Beverley Hammond 288 6577h WEDNESDAY. car camp, cycle or other trip. Meet Kambah Village shops 9am. A 12km walk across open pad Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. docks to hut and Rendezvous Creek valley to paintings; return Vehicles taken to site can be used for 8 April - Wednesday Walk (2/A/B/C) along same route. Drive 100km ($20 per car). Joint KHA/NPA camping. BOOK EARLY WITH LEADER. Rendezvous Creek Ref: Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000 outing. Other activities include nature rambles, environmental and Leaden Les Pyke 281 2982h Meet Kambah Village shops 9 am. Scenic 15 km walk up from Or 28 April - Tuesday walk (2/A) field guide studies and ski tours. roral Valley to, and down Rendezvous Creek to Boboyan Road. One Brandy Flat and beyond Ref: ACT 1:100,000 300m climb. Car shuffle. 100 km drive ($20 per car). Leaden Olive Buckman 248 8774h Walks gradings Meet Kambah Village shops at 9 am. A pleasant 10 km walk on fire II April - Saturday Walk (2/A) Distance grading (per day) trails from Glendale Crossing, with lunch at Brandy Flat hut, Blue Bell Swamp Ref: Tinderry 1:25,000 where water and fireplace are available for billy tea. Continue on 1 - up to 10 km Leaden Les Pyke 281 2982h tracks to Old Boboyan road. Total climb 430m. Short car shuffle. 90 2 -10 km to 15 km Meet Canberra Railway Station 9 am. A scenic historical walk km drive ($18 per car). 3 -15 km to 20 km along trail from near Tinderry Station to swamp. Total distance 10 4 - above 20 km. to 12 km. The trail climbs 150m. 115 drive ($23 per car). 2,3 & 4 May - 3 day weekend pack walk (1/D/E/F) Terrain grading Myrtle Creek, Jillacambra ReftBellowra 126,000 12 April - Sunday Walk (2/D) Leaders: Eric and Pat Pickering 286 2128b A - Road, firetrail, track Tidbinbilla Skyline Ref: ACT 1:100,000 Two walks in one. An easy 2 day version and a harder 3 day ver B - Open forest Leaden Frank Clements 231 7005h sion. Drive cars (4 WD including Subarus) along steep fire trail but C - Light scrub Meet at the gate into Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve at 8.45 am. A no clearance problems. Day 1:4 km walk along Tuross River with 5 D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth 15km walk from Fishing Gap along the Tidbinbilla Ridge to Tidbin river crossings to a delightful camp site with large pool (150 x E - Rock scrambling billa Mounain and The Pimple. Total climb of 800m in stages. 60m). One group may wish to spend 2 or 3 days here (swim, fish, F - Exploratory. Short car shuffle involved. Not for beginners. 70 km drive ($14 per read, short walks). Day 2: 800m climb to Jillacambra Mtn, 500m car). descent to Myrtle Creek to camp. Day 3: Along Myrtle Creek to the The walks program contains additional information. If Tuross River - 7 kms back to cars. Joint NPA/Canberra Bushwalk- necessary, contact the leader. ing Club trip. Contact leaders one week ahead. 300 km drive ($60 per car). 3 May - Sunday Heritage walk (2/A) 24 May - Saturday cycle 6, 7 & 8 June - Long weekend pack walk (3/A/C/D) Gudgenby Property Ref: Rendezvous Creek 1:25,000 Lakeside and 'mountain' ride Ref: ACT 1:100,000 Coolamine Homestead-Orroral Valley Leader: Reg Alder 254 2240b Leader: Gary Schneider 254 9801h Ref:Peppercorn Rules Point Rendezvous Creek 155,000 Meet at Kambah Village shops 8.30 am. A walk of 12 km to view Meet 10 am near Ferry Terminal. An easy cycle, viewing the late Leaden David Hall 292 5262h Yankee Hat paintings, axe grinding grooves on Middle Creek, and autumn colours - Lake Burley Griffin, Mt Pleasant, RMC A joint walk with the Family Bushwalkers. This walk was original relics of early and more recent European settlement. 140 km drive Duntroon. ly 'devised' by Ross Carlton of the NPA. Contact leader by 21 May ($28 per car). for details, costs, etc. The walk requires that transport be hired to 23-24 May - Weekend pack walk (4/A/D) take the party to Coolamine, so the leader needs to know numbers 9-10 May - Weekend pack walk (4/A/D) Bimberi Peak Ref: Rendezvous Creek Co early. Walk back to the ACT following tracks used by settlers in co Mt Kelly Ref-.Rendezvous Creek, Yaouk 1-55,000 rin Dam 155,000 lonial times. One or two peaks could be climbed depending on the Leaden Frank Clements 231 7005k Leader: Mick Kelly 241 2330h 275 6119w group's progress. 35 km walk to Mt Kelly via Middle Creek - Bogong Gap Creek and A challenging walk to Bimberi Peak. Several climbs - including returning by Sam's Creek and Naas River Tire trail and Gudgenby from Orroral Valley to Cotter Gap, plus the 900 m ascent to Bimbe 10 June - Wednesday walk (1/A) Saddle. 100 km drive ($20 per car). ri Peak (1911m - the highest in the ACT - without packs). Camp Yankee Hat Paintings Ref: Rendezvous Creek 155,000 Cotter Valley. Grand, 360 degree views including those into the Leaden Len Haskew 281 4268h 10 May - Sunday walk (1/A/B) Cotter and Goodradigbee River systems. Some tracks. A long walk, Meet Kambah Village shops 9.30. An old favourite, but this time Ginini Flats Ref: Corin 1:25,000 not suitable for beginners. 100 km drive ($20 per car). experience the new track and Bogong Creek crossing. 100 km drive Leader: Lyle Mark 286 2801h ($20 per car). Beginners/family walk. Meet cnr. Eucumbene Drive and Cotter 26 May - Tuesday walk (1/A) Road 8.30 am. 6 km walk from Mt Ginini through abandoned Arbo Square Rock Ref: ACT 1:100,000 13 June - Saturday walk (3/A/B) retum No. 26 to Ginini Flats. Lunch at Ginini Cascades. An option Leader. Olive Buckman 248 8774h Woden Rim ACT 1:100,000 al 100m return climb to Mt Ginini summit at leisurely pace. 120 Meet Kambah Village shops at 9 am. A pleasant walk on tracks Leader: Syd Comfort 286 2578h km drive ($24 per car). through a variety ofscenery to a fascinating rock formation with Meet 8.30 am at Easty Street carpark, off Launceston St, opposite wide views. An 'inside/outside' rock scramble through and back is Phillip College, Woden. Walk of 17 km following the ridges from 13 May - Wednesday walk (1/A) optional. Total climb 270 m. Ideal for beginners and families. 80 near Red Hill through Mugga, Isaacs, Wanniassa, Farrer, Mt Tay Lower Molongo Gorge Ref: ACT 1:100,000 km drive ($16 per car). lor to Torrens. Return to Woden by bus. Bring change. Plenty of Leaden Ken Johnson 243 5979h ups and downs but compensating views. Meet at the water treatment works gates 9 am. Walk up-stream 31 May - Sunday walk (1/A) along the top of the clifTs, going down to the river at selected SDOLS. Westboume Woods, Yarralumla Ref: Canberra Tourist 14 June - Sunday walk (1/A) Steep and narrow sheep tracks. Appro*. 6 km return. Grazing Map (16th ed) Local mountains ACT 1:100,000 land, some scrub, marvellous views, lunch by the river. Leaden Fiona Brand 247 9538h Leaden Gary Schneider 254 9801b. Meet at gates of Royal Canberra Golf Club - 10 am. An easy stroli Meet 10 am behind the War Memorial. Complete the weekend of 17 May - Sunday walk through the woods. George Chippendale will co-lead with Fiona Canberra's skyline by walking up Mt Ainslie. visiting the RMC Orroral wander Ref: Corin 1:25,000 and identify plants and trees for the party. A picnic lunch by the Duntroon, over Mt Pleasant and back to the War Memorial. Leaden Steven Forst 251 6817h 274 8426w lake will follow and an ademoon walk a}ong the Jake shores for Meet Kambah Village shops 8.30 am. A rambling walk along the those who want to make a day of it. 20 June - Saturday walk (2/A/C) banks of the Orroral River. Relatively little or no climbing. Kanga Black Springs Ref: Tidbinbilla 155,000 roos galore. Bring picnic lunch and jumper. 100 km drive ($20 per 30-31 May - Weekend workparty (2/A) Leader: Lyle Mark 286 280Ih car). Budawangs Ref: Corang 155,000 Meet corner Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road 8.30 am. 14 km Leader: Di Thompson 288 6084h 244 7519w walk up Fishing Gap fire trail and beyond to the Cotter River, par 16-17 May - Weekend pack walk (3/A) An opportunity to revisit the track maintenance work carried out tially on historic bridle trail. Long, steady 300 m climb back to Grey Mare region Ref: Khancoban 1:50,000 by NPA and to participate in both new and ongoing work. Lay Gap. 70 km drive ($14 per car). Leaden Phil Bubb 248 6769h planking, place logs and provide drainage near Canowie Brook and Start Round Mountain and camp in the vicinity of the fire trail. the new by-pass track that NPA cut last spring. Alan Norman Tracks all the way. Enjoy walking in the open. Approx. 19 km/day. (NPWS) will be working with us again. Hard work, but a good 350 km drive ($70 per car). campsite and good company to compensate. Please phone early to confirm participation. 300 km drive ($60 per car). Points to note New faces to lead, new places to go. Please help keep our outings 23 May - Saturday walk (3/D/E/F) program alive by volunteering to lead a walk occasionally. 1711 feature above Big Creamy Flats Ref: Rendezvous 5,6,7 & 8 June - Long weekend car camp Creek 155,000 Bournda Reserve Ref: Wolumla 1:25,000 AH persons joining an outing of the National Parks Association of the ACT do so as volunteers in all respects and as such accept Leaden Peter Tedder 282 1711h Leaden Gary Thompson 288 6084h Contact leader by Tuesday 2 June. Highly probably that leader will sole responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred and the Meet 7.30 am Kambah Village shops. Starting at Nursery Swamp National Parks Association of the ACT, its office bearers and car park, walk to Rendezvous Creek along an old fire trail, then drive down Friday pm. Yaurchorce of coastal or forest walks and birdwatching - beaches, lakes, swamps, tidal creeks, headlands, appointed leaders are absolved from any liability in respect of any climb 600 (+) m up a steep scrubby slope to the rocky knoll (1711 injur)' or damage suffered whilst engaged in any such outing. m) on the 3pur line to the south of Rendezvous Creek. Expect 360 moors and Bournda Island. 400 km drive ($80 per car). degree views of Brindabellas, Namadgi, Kelly and Burbidge. Not The committee suggests a donation of TWENTY cents per for beginners. 100 km drive ($20 per car). kilometre DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS in the car, including the driver, (to the nearest dollar.) be offered to the driver by each passenger accepting transport. Drive and walk distances quoted in the program are approximate distances for return journeys. NAMADGI ORRORAL

of years from this time. Alpine ash Archibald's brother, took up other from Orroral to Gudgenby since taken from near the junction of holdings in the Orroral Valley. In the Oldfields had a large family. The origins of Sawpit Creek and the Orroral 1911, 8 years after Charles' death, Andy Cunningham, the new River was used, and the building Orroral was sold to the Bootes owner of Orroral, became well plan was virtually identical to the family from Bangus and Mundarlo, known for his exploits in his small Gudgenby home built by Charles near Gundagai. Riverina people De Havilland Moth plane, the Namadgi National Park McKeahnie 20 years earlier. With brought stock up to the higher 'Orroral Dingo', and his landing an increasing family, a more sub-, country to escape the hot, dry sum field was between the homestead As part of a history degree at the stantial home was clearly a neces mers and the Bootes family would and the Orroral River. For many Australian National University, sity. Charles (14/10/1865), travel by car to Naas, where they years the wooden propeller of this CATHERINE TIGHE has written Elizabeth (6/11/1867),-Mary (May) would be met in a wagonette and plane lay discarded in the Orroral a history of Namadgi National (5/12/1873) and Jane (7/1171877) horses to continue the journey house, a reminder of Andy's Park. The author acknowledges were all born at Orroral. The obvi beyond Fitz's Hill. William Sydney untimely death .when his plane- that this is not the definitive ous skill of Archibald and Charles and Albert George William ('Boy") crashed at Cronulla on his way to account of the creation of the park; as builders resulted in an 1893 Bootes stocked Orroral with the big East-West Air Race of comments from those who took valuation of £100 for the house Hereford cattle and from' about 1932. It was Andy Cunningham part would be welcome. and £30 for the kitchen block, and 1914 Tom Oldfield was employed who built the woolshed at Orroral evidence of that skill remains as overseer/manager and was the and a big dance was held to cele The National Parks Association today. As one of the oldest build builder of the two-room school brate its opening in 1930. (NPA) of the ACT came into being ings of its kind in the ACT, conser house for the subsidised teacher Sid Cleary managed Orroral for in 1960 for the express purpose of vation is clearly warranted. and the children of the area. Andy Cunningham and about working towards the creation of.a It was not until 1878 that Another member of the family, 1940 portion of the property was National Park for the National Archibald McKeahnie first gained Harold Bootes, was also involved leased to Edward George (Ted) Capital. This was to be its motto official title to land in the Orroral with the running of the property Gregory of Tharwa, who finalised for the next 24 years. valley. This was Portion 1, Parish over a number of years. purchase on 5/12/1947 and held By 1960 there was nothing Orroral, County Cowley, south of The Bootes family purchased the land until it was acquired by unique about the concept of the homestead plot (Portion 28). other land: Bywong, Sutton in the Commonwealth on 1/3/1964 to national parks, Australia already However, in the early 1880s 1923 and Gudgenby in 1926, the establish the NASA Tracking had many. The National Parks Archibald McKeahnie and family same year they sold Orroral to- Station. The Gregorys were Association of the ACT also had moved to take over Well Station Andrew Twynam Cunningham. granted a tenancy of the property precedents with similar organisa and Orroral continued to be run as Tom Oldfield moved to Gudgenby from 1/5/1964 and Ted's son, tions having been formed in an extension of the family's suc as manager for the Bootes, and Gordon, continued to run stock Queensland in 1932, NSW in 1957 cessful Booroomba property. stayed until 1935 when he took up there for a number of years. and Victoria in 1952. These organ From 1883, for about 10 years land in the upper Naas Valley. The isations came about because of an Charles Henry McKeahnie, teacher from Orroral also moved Tony Corp upsurge of interest in bushwalking in Australia. The term 'bushwalk ing* originated in Australia in the 1920s when Maurie Berry, a Ten years of involvement with member of the Mountains Trail Club in NSW, which was only for males, moved a motion at a meet Ljthe old Orroral homestead ing in 1927 to form a mixed-sex The Gudgenby Nature Reserve while long-term project for NPA. the Conservation of Places of club and that the new club be was dedicated in 1979 after many Ross Carlton accepted the chal Cultural Significance, a conserva known as the Sydney years of planning and urging by lenge of coordinating the project. tion plan was required, a consul Bushwalkers. 'Bushwalking* as an our National Parks Association. In the NPA Bulletin of December tant . architect was to be expression was taken up from this. Members wanted to continue 1981 he appealed for members to nominated, and the approval of the Bushwalking as an activity had interest in the reserve, to encour declare their interest in working ACT Heritage Committee had to grown in popularity in Australia age its development and preserva on the grant submission, in provid be obtained before physical work because of the uniqueness of our tion, and to give practical ing specialist advice or in provid commenced. landscape, that is, there is so assistance as appropriate. ing physical help when the time Peter Corkery, principal lecturer much wilderness and much of it of At a committee meeting in June came. in Architecture at the Canberra spectacular beauty. This, com 1981, members discussed the fact Meanwhile, following represen College of Advanced Education, bined with the extra leisure time Middle Creek, Namadgi National Park. Photo by Babette Scougall. that Heritage Grants were availa tations from NPA, DCT repaired undertook the task of determining people found themselves .with in ble from the Department of the the fence around the building to the significance of the structure, of the 1950s and 1960s, and the rela Capital Territory (DCT). Follow keep stock out and installed posts recording and documenting its con tive ease with which they could interested in natural history and The 1960s were generally charac up investigations, discussions and to prevent the front verandah from struction features, and of propos now get to isolated places via conservation, including the terised by the questioning of old excursions revealed that a verti sagging. ing a policy for future motor vehicles meant that more Australian Conservation faiths and direct action to redress cal-slab building in the Orroral A grant of $2,800 was received management. NPA members used and more people could now appre Foundation'which was set up in problems was beginning to become valley had been identified in the on 22 July 1982. Under the terms, original sources, including inter ciate the bush and coastline. 1965. This decade began to see a more and more a part of the Gudgenby Management Plan as work carried out was to be consis views, in researching the history of By the 1960s there was a prolife new urgency in the move to pre Australian political scene. There being worthy of preservation. It tent with the principles of the ration of groups and organisations serve the Australian landscape. were certain moral inadequacies in was felt this might be a worth Australian ICOMOS Charter of continued on page 12

14 NPA BULLETIN NPA BULLETIN 11 ORRORAL ORRORAL

7 August 1983 - NPA would continue to provide organised to remove flooring, to ommendation of its Chairman, Excavation of a volunteer labour and, of course, assist with archaeological excava details of variations to the original row of stones at would make available Grant funds tions and to once again work on construction techniques and mate the back of the as required. drainage problems. The Service rials have been fully documented. house and The Orroral Valley Homestead did not continue with Stage 2. When finally completed the Old attempts to was nominated by the National At a symposium of Cultural Orroral Homestead will be open to improve surface Trust in August 1986 for registra Heritage of the Australian Alps in the public. It will house a display drainage. tion by the Australian Heritage October 1991 attention was drawn of interpretive materials and pho 4 March 1984 - Commission. This occurred on 18 to the lack of action at the Orroral tographs etc. Clearing of this April 1989. homestead (see members' articles The National Parks Association tles and of the In November 1986 NPA was in NPA Bulletin for September looks forward to that day. drainage trench. advised that the architects Peter and December 1991). In July of 1983 Freeman and Partners had been The ACT branch of the Beverley Hammond the committee employed to prepare a stabilisa- Kosciusko Huts Association had applied for a also expressed concern about the Reg Alder with his adze. Beverley keeping an eye on things. $10,000 grant. Photo by Fiona Brand building, noting that chimneys David Frost, left, and Len Haskew. On 16 Decem were collapsing. A stonemason had Photo by Fiona Brand. Photo by Dianne Thompson. ber we received a assisted them in restoration of Heritage Grant of other buildings in Namadgi. They Ten year si continued $5,620. believed the time was right to the site. This was published in Namadgi National Park was ^ Fiona Brand waist deep in the approach the Conservation and November 1983. Workparties declared on 3 October 1984. hole that had to be dug to remove Environment Bureau for work to began. During 1984, '85 and '86 Ross the base of the corner post that had be done on the homestead and 10 October 1982 - 30 people Carlton (now NPA President) rotted above and below ground. kitchen chimneys. cleaned and tidied to allow access wrote several letters to the Photo by Reg Alder. At meetings with members of the for measurement and assessment. Secretary of the Department of tion plan for the homestead. Heritage Unit in October, it was 26/27 March 1983 - To weather Territories and to the Heritage Our next written communication agreed that the remnants of our proof the building temporary chim Commission seeking information from the ACT Heritage Unit of the Heritage Grant would be used to ney caps were installed, guttering and expressing concern about Parks and Conservation Service pay the stonemason. A ranger had was adjusted, windows boarded delays before the building deterio was dated January 1990. It indi been given the responsibility for and roofing iron secured. rated "beyond the point where it cated that National Estate Grants coordinating homestead projects. 25/26 June 1983 - Following the could reasonably be saved". Program funds would be used for NPA volunteers assisted at work- receipt of a further Heritage Grant A letter to Ross on 8 July 1986 the project. Stabilisation would be parties from 14-19 December and for an archaeological survey of the states "Stabilisation of the exist supervised by Peter Freeman and again from 13 January 1992 to area between the house and separ ing structure is viewed by the Partners based on documentation work with Park employees under ate collapsed kitchen block, exca Department of Territories as being previously provided by that firm the guidance of Pip Giovanelli in vation began in temperatures of consistent with the Namadgi and consistent with the conserva conservation of the timber 6-C and was abandoned when it National Park Management Plan tion plan commissioned by NPA. structure. snowed! which indicates that the Depart We were asked if volunteers could The ACT Heritage Committee 23/24 July - Further archaeologi ment will coordinate stabilisation assist with Stage 1 of the schedule will give advice on completion of cal work. and other conservation work." fef works. A work party in May was the chimney surface. On the rec

Orroral Homestead c 1931 from A Journey Around the ACT by Jefferis and Whelan. Photo copy by Reg Alder. NAMADGI ORRORAL

14 NPA BULLETIN NPA BULLETIN 11 NAMADGI

society, for example inequality for mining whether the features of the females and Aboriginals, and this new park were up to the standards coincided with an environmental set. conservation movement which This conference signified that grew stronger. plenty was happening on the inter People had started to become national front and that it - was aware of their environment, both widely accepted that national the one in which they lived and paTks were necessary. their natural surroundings outside There aTe national parks across suburbia and with this went a the world, the earliest being desire to improve the former and Yellowstone in America which was preserve the latter. set up in 1872. They are important The speed of technology and the symbols of nationality and are mass industry and consumerism important as tourist attractions as that this resulted in had begun to well as being intrinsically valuable make an impact on the conscious for the people. ness of some Australians in that The Royal National Park in NSW the new found affluence was not was one of the earliest parks in without cost, and what had Australia. It was declared a park seemed before to have been limit in 1879 with the expressed pur • less resources and lasting natural pose of being 'for the use of the be passed to protect native plants beauty was beginning to diminish, public forever*. This was to become in the 1920s and 1930s in NSW, and be spoiled. What had been the usual purpose for national Qld, Victoria, the Commonwealth, taken for granted now appeared to parks. WAand SA. be threatened, and concerned citi Other States followed this exam All of these moves provided a zens began to organize themselves ple.- Capital cities also made provi basis for the future establishment into groups to lobby for their par sion for parks within cities and of national parks. National parks ticular cause. suburbs, demonstrating a recogni were established for various rea The city areas were not forgotten tion of the importance of space and sons. Some, like the Royal either. The saving of old buildings a connection with nature, for the National Park, were to be for rec of historic value and of inner city people. reational use, others were to be houses was also of importance. National Parks were not solely preserved in their pristine state, Donald Home states in his book for the recreational use by the com some were a combination of these Time of Hope that the faith in munity however. Even in the early and other factors, such as scientific development at any cost was being 1900s it was becoming obvious research. questioned for the first time. that there was a need to set aside Geoffrey Bolton takes the view This was happening at a time parks so that they could be pro that the attraction for the bush when Australians were growing tected from the greed of develop was due to a wish to maintain the aware of their country as a ers. Bushland was being eroded uniqueness of the Australian land whole—the search for an and unless protected, those in the scape as well as making a state Australian identity began to community who saw no further ment that the everyday • emerge, as did a growing pride in than their own immediate eco environment in which we live is what the country had to offer. nomic gain would destroy whole not particularly good. These asser There was a need to preserve the forests and unique and rare flora tions are probably true. There is and fauna. evidence of its short history, dis also, however, a spiritual element. cover more and to experience its Queensland was one of the first To some extent it would be fair to natural attributes. states to preserve precious wilder say that the people living in the The conservation movement was ness areas with rainforest being modern era were a bit bewildered also part of a world wide move reserved on Tamborine Mountain by the rapidity of technology and ment and this influenced between 1909 and 1913, and the how it had changed their lives. The Australians. Lamington National Park being resulting pollution and chemicals The First World Gonference on proclaimed in 1915. Legislation to added a frighteningly artificial National Parks was held in preserve particular areas also edge to life. Morals and the old America in 1962. It was sponsored began to be passed in the early social order were breaking down by the International Union for the 1900s with one of the most and there was a general falling Con servation of Nature and important being the establishment away from religion. Natural Resources (IUCN). This of the Cradle Mountain-Lake St To more and more people it was body set standards and a defini Clair National Park in Tasmania. becoming important to seek some In fact Tasmania was very progres tion for national parks and these sort of relaxation or spiritual com sive, for obvious reasons, passing were taken into account by the munion in the bush or the coast. It the Scenery Preservation Act' in NPA when putting up the proposal was psychologically beneficial to be 1915. for a national park and later on by close to nature because we had the Federal Government in deter Later on legislation would also continued on page 16 NAMADGI

continued from page 15 The impetus for a park also ing which site should be chosen, moved so far away from it, with came from the fact that other what they would aim for and who our artificial implements and pro states had established several they should approach for support, cessed food, in such a short time. national parks and were passing and to collate information for a There is a sacredness about the legislation to protect wildlife. The proposal to be put to government. bush simply because no one has parks in other countries also influ They were fortunate in that a few yet been able to spoil it. enced them because of the result of their members had skills of the This is the sort of thing that ing benefits to tourism. It was sort which were useful in putting seen to be a good thing and it was together a viable proposition; for people spoke about when praising considered that the ACT was example, at least two had exper or justifying the need for national remiss in not having a park. With tise in botany and compiled a com parks. Because it is a relatively a lead from the government, and prehensive list of flora for the new concept, and foreign to the no likelihood of this happening, proposal. exploitative nature of man, it is the group decided to take action. always necessary to try to explain The first demands put to the Therein ensued a discussion of National Capital Development why there is a need for a national what the purpose of a national park. Why should a large tract of Commission were not of any great park should be with opinions gen significance. The demands were (often) virgin land be set aside and erally covering: left undeveloped purely so that for: people can spend time there pur • recreation • wilderness area in the Upper suing various leisure or scientific • preservation of untouched wild Cotter with limited access activities? erness in its pristine state • faunal reserve on Mt Tidbinbilla Explaining why it was so neces with animals on display sary to have a national park in the • protection of flora and fauna. ACT was fairly prominent in the • holding of certain areas in the NPA's submission to the govern The NPA eventually chose the southern ACT so that the Parks ment on the subject. Included in following definition for their Association would have an the submission were several proposal: opportunity to express its opin extracts from some of the world's "The expression 'National Park' ion regarding future use ... leading scientists and conserva shall denote an area • reservations of small specific tionists, including Australians. (a) placed under public control, areas such as the Molonglo The common threads are that eco the boundaries of which shall not Gorge, certain geological sites nomic viability cannot transcend be altered nor any portion be capa and scenic points. the importance of parks in terms ble of alienation except by the com of their ideological and natural petent legislative authority The Upper Cotter was a catch value, that the power of mankind (b) set aside for the benefit and ment area with restricted public to transform the face of the world enjoyment of the general public, as access and therefore unlikely to be entirely makes it doubly important far as this is compatible with the chosen for an area for public recre to preserve our heritage for future propagation and protection of wild ation. A site at Tidbinbilla had generations, and modern civilisa animals and wild vegetation and already been set aside with a tion has quickened pace and the preservation of objects of aes report from the Royal Society of brought with it all kinds of thetic, geological, prehistoric, his Canberra before the government, stresses and there is now a need to toric and archaeological, or other for consideration, the third point escape from the cities. scientific interest was ambiguous and the fourth was The 'Proposal for a National (c) in which the hunting, killing of little consequence. Park for the ACT' was submitted or capturing of fauna and the However the project began to three years after a group of people, destruction or collection of flora develop as people began to know many of them professionals in sci are prohibited except under the what to look for as a result of ini entific fields, met on 1 March 1960 control of the park authorities, tial investigations and how to at the Institute of Anatomy to dis and then only for 6ona fide scien approach it. This was assisted by cuss the possibility of forming a tific purposes." the cooperation and interest from National Parks Association in the The movement for a national other organisations and the gov ACT. park in the ACT was rather ernment bodies approached bv the The group of people who formed humble in origins, and a bit hazy NPA. the Association took time to organ on detail. The initial demands for The NCDC was among the first ise themselves—they did not origi the actual size of the park were to be consulted and the response nally even have a particular area quite modest, but out of it all was positive. In fact one of the in mind for a national park. The emerged a well-organised, things that characterises the main driving force behind their dynamic group of people who were whole history of the setting up of decision was the need to set aside prepared to give up their time and the park was the cooperation of all an area of land for recreational energy to work towards something who were involved with the pro use because of the predicted for the henefit of all Australians. ject. There was never any opposi increase in the population of the Once formed the NPA began to tion to the idea in principle. There ACT. go through a process of determin were delays and a few problems NAMADGI

along the way, but the idea of a There was also a need foT a site The park was to be primarily for national park was accepted by the for scientific research, especially recreational use then but only so government and the NCDC as per as Canberra was becoming the far as this was compatible with fectly reasonable. Rather than centre for research. the protection of everything within throw up obstacles, a thing which The reasons for the Mt Kelly that area. In this sense then the government staff are often accused area in particular were that there park would fall into the category of of, reaction was positive, and the was a need to preserve our unique being protected wilderness. matter handled in a sensible and bush and the area chosen was The proposal was scattered logical manner to its conclusion. In bounded by the upper Cotter around to various bodies and indi fact the government took the pro Valley and Kosciusko National viduals for consideration. posal and expanded it far in excess Park, meaning that that area The Minister for the Interior at of the original plan and commis would be part of a larger wilder that time, Mr Doug Anthony, sioned studies of the aTea for man ness area and therefore better expressed his support foT the idea. agement of every aspect of the protected. Despite this, a long wait was to proposed park area. The Cotter Valley was more begin, mainly because there were The fact that it all ran relatively attractive, but in its capacity as a other priorities; for example, he smoothly probably had something water catchment area, it was not advised that the government was to do with the professional way in appropriate. committed to developing 10,000 which the NPA handled the Mt Kelly however had many fea acres at the Tidbinbilla Reserve * ^natter. Members lobbied all the tures worthy of being conserved. and it would be some years before *^prelevant departments and gained The area itself is extremely beauti funding would be available. support from other interest ful and includes mountainous Other delays in the form of land groups, and made themselves regions which are sub-alpine and use studies and the acquisition of available to discuss each stage. often covered with snow in winter. freehold and leasehold land came They were consulted at each stage Grazing has been minimal so later on as the park plans devel by the Department of the Interior that much of the countryside is oped. There was also a need to con and the NCDC, demonstrating unspoilt. sult many different areas and that they were respected as a The flora and fauna are plentiful government departments, and the group of people who, in the and diverse and there are some usual time lapse that goes with absence of anyone else taking on rare spe ci es. Al so th ere are the various processes of any pro the role, were the acknowledged Aboriginal rock paintings in two ject occurred as correspondence authorities on the subject. They known areas. had to be sent, meetings and out were not content to push the total ings arranged, redrafts of propo responsibility onto the govern For these reasons it was consid ered a suitable area for a national sals discussed and legislation ment, but were prepared to give prepared. Other factors which con park. up their time to gather informa tributed to the delay were the To back up their proposal and tion to help the process along. changeover of government and give it additional weight, an public servants and restructuring It was eventually decided that exhaustive list of the flora and of departments. (In 1972 a draft the southern part of the ACT was fauna of the area had been drawn ACT Conservation Ordinance had the best area to focus on as there up from information compiled on been prepared—there was a A ^ere really no other appropriate investigative journeys by the mem change of government and the Sareas within the ACT. bers. Suggestions for the adminis Ordinance lapsed and was After some investigation by tration of the park were also shelved). The area of land to be members of the NPA, the Mt Kelly provided. Assistance in the way of developed eventually became quite area and its surroundings were blazing tracks, collecting informa large, and therefore it was to be a chosen for the proposal. tion, preparing information in the massive undertaking and the The Proposal for a National Park form of brochures and helping to implications to be addressed in the ACT was eventually sent to build facilities was also offered. required time and resources. the Minister for the Interior on 17 The area proposed was only June 1963. The letter accompany small (36 square miles). One In the meantime the NPA was ing the proposal stated its inten reason for this was because the not idle, continuing to write and tion was to seek a national park in land was all leasehold and the place pressure on the appropriate the Mt Kelly region as a suitable NPA considered that there was a authorities, research and prepare area for conservation. better chance of success if the gov papers on the area and articles for The reasons for requiring a park ernment did not have to buy the the NPA Bulletin and to obtain covered the need for 'breathing land. assistance from other interested space1 for Canberra, as the exist The emphasis was on the park parties such as the Canberra ing picnic sites were already being being protected in its natural Alpine Club, the NPA of NSW, and overused, and as the population state—there should be no improve the Canberra Bushwalking Club. was predicted to increase quite ments other than visitor facilities, Nor was the Department of the substantially by the turn of the or nothing introduced that would Interior idle—it carried out a pre liminary survey of the topography century, an area for recreational be likely to harm the existing eco purposes was important. logical systems. continued on page 18 NAMADGI

continued from page 17 from the stress of modern city life • Interest in the provision of and its associated excesses and appropriate outdoor recreation of the area in 1968. problems. The novelty of getting areas. The Canberra Bushwalking Club away from it all and surviving in prepared an extensive submission • Stimulation of interest in, and primitive conditions with limited appreciation and enjoyment of, on its views about the southern provisions in an uncontrolled envi region of the ACT in 1968. Some such natural phenomena by ronment is the essence of bush organised fieldoutings , meetings important points were made in walking. The greater the area and or any other means. that the park should cater for two the less intervention by man, the types of visitors both of whom better. • Cooperation with organisations need different facilities because and persons having similar The extended area was inevita they would be using the park for interests and objectives. bly supported by the NPA and also different reasons. The two catego the government, which called a • Promotion of and education for ries identified were: meeting of all interested parties in natural conservation and the • the motor tourist, and 1968 to advise that a greater area planning of land use to achieve • the bushwalker, was being considered. conservation. the former requiring roadside The NPA had by this time The NPA tended to be active facilities, the latter requiring very become better organised and more rather than reactive and this has simple facilities, such as tracks, or specific about what it wanted and remained a characteristic of their^ none at all (that is, the primitive the value of the area focussed on. organisation. wilderness is what they seek). By 1973 the NPA had set up dif m A demonstration of the willing The Canberra Bushwalkers also ferent subcommittees to meet its ness of the NPA to take action recommended a larger area objectives, for example, there was when something needed to be done because it was considered that the an: is evident in the project under area proposed by the NPA was not • outings subcommittee taken on the Old Orroral large enough to cope with the • Bulletin subcommittee Homestead, The plight of the expected increase in population. • ACT land use subcommittee, homestead was reported in the It was recommended that the and December 1981 issue of the area should be completely contigu The Orroral Valley was ous with the Kosciusko National • Gudgenby National Park Bulletin. one of the first areas to be settled Park (in the NPA proposal only a subcommittee. south of Canberra (in 1836 portion of the boundary was Their activities were not William Herbert had a run and a common) to protect the isolated restricted to the Gudgenby area. homestead two and a half kms Cotter area. The Mt Booth-Mt For example, at one stage mem down from the present tracking Clear section in the far south bers met with the NCDC to dis station). Traces of this homestead should be included and the Orroral cuss issues relating to the are still visible but the important Valley in the north-east section Molonglo Parkway, Black remains are those of the Old (the latter because it is closer to Mountain Reserve, Ainslie-Majura Homestead which he built later Canberra and provides excellent Reserve, the relationship between on. A slab hut with four rooms, bushwalking). There should be no the use of national parks and met two fireplaces and a front veran^ more grazing when leases expired ropolitan open space systems and dah, the house was occupied untfi and roads should be kept to a locations of future trail bike 1950, but since then has sufferea minimum. tracks. considerable damage from sheep, Underlying these recommenda They arranged trips, slide cattle and use, variously, as tions would have been the prefer nights, reports on conservation a store. The leasehold land was due ment of the Canberra and environmental issues, articles to expire sometime in 1982 and it Bushwalkers to keep as wild and on historical, botanical and other would therefore become the inaccessible as possible most of interests pertaining to the envi responsibility of those looking that bushland. As the name ronment and the national parks. after the park. implies, bushwalking is what the Every so often an article on club is interested in, and the more Gudgenby would appear in the If nothing was done the building wild and isolated an area is, the bulletins on its history and would collapse and we would lose greater the challenge. The sense of progress. some more of our heritage. adventure and the element of Appearing on the bulletins were The prevention of this was seen danger is as much a part of the the aims and objectives of the as an ideal long-term project for pleasure as taking in the scenic Association which were: the NPA. The article on the sub beauty of an area. ject makes the following point: • Promotion of National Parks and From its inception NPA worked Bushwalking had become a sport of measures for the protection of for the establishment of Gudgenby in its own right by this time with fauna and flora, scenery and nat as a national park and its declara the associated jargon and culture. ural features in the Australian tion as a nature reserve was seen There are many reasons for pursu Capital Territory and elsewhere, as the virtual achievement of that ing the activity, but an important and the reservation of specific ambition. But that is surely not one is the satisfaction in escaping areas. NAMADGI

the end; it is in fact a new begin ground by publishing articles were being carried out between ning. We must now give thought to every so often to keep the idea the NSW Government and the the use to be made of the reserve. alive in the public consciousness. Federal Government for the top We must take stock of its assets One of the first articles was end of the ACT to be expanded in and encourage development or pro printed in 1972 which outlined the exchange for part of the bottom tection as appropriate. steps taken and the reasons for end of NSW. However the plan The building should be restored them. The article also explained met with opposition from the because of: that the reason for the delay was Environment and Conservation the need for a management plan • historical significance—built by Minister who felt that it was best and that information to validate the first settler in the area to have the park totally under the proposal was being gathered. Federal control to avoid any con • architectural significance— These articles would have placed flict of interest. because it is of slab construction additional pressure on the govern The area was now referred to as ment, and with the NPA continu • significance to NPA—because it the Gudgenby National Park and ing to lobby, the Minister is within the Gudgenby Nature work was continuing by private eventually publicly acknowledged Reserve. consultants on a land use study for on 24 October 1972 that the south ern third of the ACT would be pro the park. This plan was produced The NPA put an action plan into in 1976. It was called the motion and received a grant from gressively incorporated as a national park. Mr Hunt advised 'Proposed Gudgenby National the ACT Heritage Committee for that the area being considered con Park Land Use Study* and it rec Jthe preservation of the Old sisted of 178 square miles. ommended that work begin imme Orroral Homestead. With the aid Leasehold and freehold land would diately to set up the park over 10- of CCAE students of architecture he acquired progressively and the 15 years. and a number of other interested area could not be declared or The development of the plans parties including an archeologist, developed as a park until the land began to escalate because people a prehistorian and a person inter was acquired. were starting to get agitated about ested in reconstructing the history the delays and the NCDC predic of the homestead, work com This led to another report by the tion of a population increase from menced on the building on 10 NPA who now had something posi 200,000 to 800,000 by the year October 1982. An article on the tive to work on. Among the recom 2000 gave rise to fresh concerns history of the homestead eventu mendations this time was one to that the need for a park was ally appeared in the June 1983 cal] the proposed park by the becoming urgent. Bulletin, name Namadgi. The NPA wrote to the new This episode also demonstrated Other recommendations Minister for the Capital Territory, the well-balanced approach the included where boundaries should Eric Robinson, on 13 February NPA had to conservation as a lie, administrative details, and a 1976 seeking action, and to the whole. The NPA did not and do not request that an assessment of land Opposition spokesman for environ see historical artifacts as being use should be made. The area ment matters, Senator Mulvihill, incompatible with preserving the should be zoned into: who asked various questions in bush in its natural state. They saw • car based recreation Parliament regarding the delays. ^ild buildings and properties as The problems mainly stemmed • bush recreation P>eing of historical significance and from having to acquire freehold therefore there was a need to pre • ecosystem preservation lands. serve them. They weren't the only • uncommitted conservation In November 1976 it was group interested in such things areas, and announced that the Standing however. Old historical buildings • a buffer zone between the active Committee on Lands, Planning were also being looked after by the and passive areas. and Environment would inquire Heritage Commission and also the into and report on the desirable Kosciusko Huts Association. The plans were now becoming size, boundaries and long-term The NPA were interested in more rationalised and scientific. administration of the park. other areas—Kosciusko, Jervis Around this time, as well as one This came about because Bay, the south coast etc and work lonely voice of dissent from a although a wealth of suggestions ing parties were formed when a farmer who was concerned about had been gathered, much work need was perceived, for example who would prevent bushfires by had been undertaken and the gov the Nursery Swamp Fire Trail controlled burning and culling of ernment and everyone involved Regeneration. This tradition per rabbits, there was controversy wanted the park, no one had as sists with working parties on a vol over a proposed plan to use the yet made any decisions. The pro untary basis going into Namadgi park as 'a bargaining chip' for ject was so large and unwieldy and and the Budawangs to clear, more land for the ACT. The plan there were so many parties to con repair and build tracks etc. was reported in the Financial sult and an overlap of responsibil The news media also played a Review and the general thrust of ity between the Department of role in getting the Namadgi the deal was that negotiations Territory and the NCDC and no National Park project off the continued on page 20 NAMADGI

continued from page 19 wombats, nine species of possums tion, scientific and study needs of one had taken responsibility for and gliders, corroboree frogs, the people of the ACT. determining exactly what the park broad-toothed rats, koalas, platy The NCDC Policy Plan of June would entail, for example whether pus and the freshwater blackfish. 1986 sets out planning policies for it would be a wildlife sanctuary, a A number of the plant and animal the mountain and bushland areas wilderness area, how many roads species are considered to be rare of the ACT encompassing were needed and how many staff and endangered. Namadgi National Park and adja etc. Mr Uren went on to say that "the cent areas in the Gudgenby and It was getting to the point where area would provide a magnificent Cotter Catchments. Nineteen sub the government was prepared to heritage for the people of the ACT missions were received on draft gazette it and then worry about and something in which they could plans for the Gudgenby Area and the funding and administration take pride in protecting before fourteen on draft plans for the when the Standing Committee passing it on to their children. It Cotter Catchment. The following stepped in. Their report would not would be increasingly valued by groups provided submissions: be available until 1986. the people of the ACT and visitors ACT Bushfire Council; ACT On 26 April 1979 the Gudgenby to the Territory as it was a large Equestrian Association; ACT Fly Nature Reserve was proclaimed. A and important area within easy Fishers; ACT Orienteering draft management plan had been reach of urban areas. Declaration Association; ANU Mountaineering prepared and was made available of the Park would ensure that the Club; Australian Heritage for public comment. outstanding ecological values and Commission; Australian Institute The NCDC was also preparing a interesting plant and animal wild of Landscape Architects; Canborr^P policy plan which was expected to life of the area were adequately Ornithologists Group; Colong be published in 1982. protected under the Territory's Committee; CS1RO Division of The Reserve expanded as proper modern environment protection Forest Research; NPA of the ACT; ties were acquired by the legislation, the Nature National Trust of Australia (ACT); Commonwealth and this was to Conservation Ordinance, whilst at Kosciusko Huts Association; NSW continue, culminating in the the same time allowing for other Department of Environment and announcement of a National Park necessary activity such as water Planning; NSW National Parks to be known as Namadgi which catchment and recreation to be and Wildlife Service; and the would occupy 94,000 hectares of continued in a controlled Yarrowlumla Shire Council. land. The Minister for Territories environment." Some of the issues raised were and Local Government, Mr Tom The park would be managed.as a taken on board, for example, that Uren, announced this on 5 June series of zones, given that the area the wilderness area of the Cotter 1984 (World Environment Day) covered is diverse and ranges from Catchment be expanded to include and that the park was to be a pristine water catchment area in the Bimberi area to link up also declared under the ACT Nature the Cotter providing high quality with the Kosciusko wilderness Conservation Ordinance. domestic water to Canberra, to area. Mr Llren advised that: areas where camping, bushwalk Another issue raised was that Namadgi will extend from the ing, fishing and picnicking would too much emphasis was given to Brindabella and Bimberi Ranges be allowed. There would be spe the natural and wilderness values, in the west to the Clear Range in cific objectives for each area. and it was suggested that the l^fe, the east, to Tidbinbilla Nature The Parks and Conservation years of pastoral activity on tl^B' Reserve in the north and to the Service of the department would lower valley slopes should not be ACT/NSW border in the south. It manage the area. forgotten, but be protected. will complement the adjoining The Park would be fully inte The Aboriginal sites should also NSW alpine parks (Scabby Range grated into the ACT system—the be identified and protected. Nature Reserve) and contiguous National Capital Open Space Other suggestions were for facili highland areas in Victoria to form System which was being developed ties for orienteering, equestrian, a major protected area. jointly by the Department of fishing, cross-country skiing, bush The Namadgi park will include Territories and Local Government walking and nature study. much of the outstanding high and the NCDC—this was a coordi There is a policy statement for mountain country to the south nated approach to a 'unique uni each area and for the different res west of Canberra and incorporate fied system of open space land ervoirs and pine plantations. the catchments of the Corin and management which starts at These state which areas need to be Bendora Reservoirs. The area is Parliament House and extends restored (for example, Gudgenby renowned for its magnificent scen outwards throughout urban and Station—rural use to be phased ery, diverse and distinctive plant rural parks and reserves, forests, out and native vegetation to be communities in alpine and sub- rivers and lakes, grazing lands, reestablished), what sort of recrea alpine environments, snow gum pine plantations and water tional use each area should have woodlands, swamps and sphag catchments'. (for example, open land along the num bogs. In sum mar>', the Park was Orroral and Gudgenby Rivers to There is also a wide range of declared to be important for the be used for car-based recreation interesting animals including recreation, conservation, educa including picknicking, camping NAMADGI

and associated activities), and the cally increased and the suburbs multiple purposes inconsistent fate of the tracking stations within 'have pushed far down south. (By with the spirit of a national park the park (Honeysuckle Creek and 1987 the population had doubled would never be contemplated as it Orroral). since 1972). Tidbinbilla and is now obvious that the Park is The Namadgi National Park Namadgi are extremely popular necessary and of considerable Management Plan was to be used and well-utilised. The farsighted importance for conservation, heri in conjunction with the Policy ness of the individuals who lobbied tage and scenic value, and of great Plan. This was developed by the for the park in the days when it significance to the community, the ACT Parks and Conservation seemed like a bit of an indulgence region and the nation. Service of the Department of because Canberra was very spa Territories and is more cious and there was plenty of comprehensive. bushland, should be commended. Facts about Namadgi Details on the catchments, It was indeed fortuitous that the Namadgi National PaTk covers roads, bushfire protection, wildlife area had not been substantially 94,000 hectares comprising one protection, feral animals, soil ero altered by graziers because far third of the ACT. It is approxi sion, fireplaces, bushwalking from being just an ordinary piece mately 40 kms from Canberra. access, trail bikes, etc were all to of bush, the area turned out to be It is situated in the south be covered in the management rich in all sorts of respects and it western part of the ACT. It is plan. is an extraordinarily beautiful bounded by the ACT/NSW border t Management of all the different region and one of the few wilder along the Brindabella, Bimberi, * Rategories were detailed under the ness areas left in NSW. The people Scabby and Clear Ranges. The following headings: of the ACT are extremely lucky to northern boundary is from Mt Aggie to Bendora Dam, then to the • water catchment have this area at a relatively short distance from the capital. Tidbinbilla Range near Cotter • natural resources The whole process demonstrated Hill. The north-western border • Aboriginal and historic resources that ordinary citizens can and do boundary includes the Blue Gum Creek catchment joining the • scenic lobby for major undertakings and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to the can achieve them if they believe • educational Clear Range at Top Naas. It is strongly enough in the need for • recreational adjacent to parts of Kosciusko them. It is, however, often neces National Park (NSW), the Bimberi • wilderness. sary to pressure governments to In summary, the Policy Plan and Nature Reserve (NSW), the keep things moving. Scabby Range Nature Reserve Management Plan were compre Another point to mention is the (NSW) and the Tidbinbilla Nature hensive and provided for every exemplary manner in which the Reserve (ACT). aspect. They are both very good whole project was conducted—it is documents, particularly the a credit to all involved. The harmo The name Namadgi is an Management Plan, based on solid nious and logical way in which it Aboriginal name and applied to research and extensive consulta was conducted went a long way the whole region of ranges south tion with interest groups. The towards the end result which was west of Canberra now named indi plans were to be introduced for quite uncalled for originally—from vidually as the Brindabella, , rfve years and then a review of the a mere 36 square miles around Mt Bimberi, Tidbinbilla, Scabby and ' Effectiveness of them is to take Kelly to a third of the ACT. Booth Ranges. The name was place. It remains to be seen The main controversy occurred recorded in 1834 by the explorer whether the practice is as good as after the Park had been declared— John Lhotsky who had met Aboriginals in the area. the planning. and this was about the shakiness The Report of the House of of the legislative basis. As it cur There are many Aboriginal sites Representatives Standing rently stands, under the ACT in Namadgi (of occupation, paint Committee on Environment and Nature Conservation Ordinance ing, stone arrangement and Conservation was also produced in 1980, the Park is in fact a Reserve, extraction (quarry)). The 1986. It was concerned with the as the Ordinance makes no provi Ngunawul tribe of the Gudgenby- inadequate legislative arrange sion for Parks. It lacks protection Shoalhaven lived there. In ments, the poor relationship under the Ordinance as all or part summer they would go up into the between the Department and the of the Park can be revoked or used high peaks to collect Bogong Australian National Parks and for other purposes at any time. moths which formed an important Wildlife Service, the division of There is a need to strengthen the part of their diet. responsibilities between the legislation but his has not been The highest peak is Mt Bimberi Department and the NCDC and resolved as yet. at 1911m which is only 318m the apparent lack of consideration One alternative would be to lower than Mt Kosciusko. of Aboriginal interests. declare the park under the provi The National Parks Association sions of the National Parks and of the ACT proposals have been Wildlife Conservation Act 1974, vindicated in that the population but this has not been done to date. of Canberra has indeed dramati It is hoped that annexation for TRIPS

Paddling down the Lachlan

On the Friday night of the little awkward to portage over Australia Day weekend in trees in the middle of the river. January 1992 13 NPA members Most of the group had either converged on Cowra, NSW, for a hired boats, or borrowed them canoe trip down the Lachlan. The from friends. I think all the pad Lachlan actually starts near dlers enjoyed themselves. For Goulburn and flows through The next day dawned with a wel many of them it was a new experi Cowra, Forbes and Condoblin come from hordes of sulphur ence, even if some found it a bit before joining the Murrumbidgee crested cockatoos that seem to tiring. I think the best way to west of Hay. It is also mentioned especially like the Lachlan. We enjoy paddling is to camp out of in Banjo Patterson's poem 'Clancy also had the joy of being flown the boat as one goes down river. of the Overflow'. You may recall it over by the local cropduster plane Then you can take advantage of starts off with this opening verse: tending to the asparagus farms the occasional grassy bank rolling around Cowra. Farleigh Reserve down onto a shady beach that just proved a much easier place to begs to be camped on, but which is / had written him a letter which I launch than Cowra. As with the inaccessible by road. g had, for want of better first day we paddled about 30 km Canoeing is quite a different wajl which, while a lot for bushwalk to enjoy the Australian environ Knowledge, sent to him where 1 ers, is a very modest distance for ment. In some ways it is like bush met him down the Lachlan, years canoe touring, especially bearing walking in an armchair, the boat ago; in mind the generous assistance carrying the load (you have still He was shearing when I knew him, from the current. We enjoyed rest got to paddle though!). Much of the so I sent the letter to him, and swimming breaks as well as time bushwalking is spent looking lunch under a shady tree overlook at where to put your feet, whereas Just on spec, addressed as follows: ing one of the Lachlan's many 'Clancy of the Overflow'. the paddler can look up and about sandy beaches. We finished the and forget about feet. The birdlife day at Merriganowry Bridge. along most rivers is usually very Well we didn't find Clancy, yes After two days many of the inex and we don't know where he are. prolific. Dawn and dusk are the perienced paddlers had enjoyed best time to be watching as almost What we did find was an overflow enough and decided to head back ing river with lots of water as a all birds come to the river for a to Canberra. That left four of us to drink. I feel that paddling inland result of a bigger than normal enjoy another night at Farleigh release from the dam above Cowra rivers also puts one in touch with Reserve. The next day saw a the Australia the pioneers knew. and a generous addition from quieter dawn and we eventually recent heavy local rain. This 1 felt inspired to write my own made our way by car back to the version of'Clancy of the Overflow': caused us a little consternation as bridge where we had pulled out I was reluctant to launch our flo the previous evening. Then it was tilla into water too turbulent for the usual car shuffle between this For the paddlers life has pleasure beginners. The gods smiled on us and the next bridge and we were that townsfolk never know. next day. A keen Cowra canoeist set to go. On the Monday we pad And the bush hath friends to meet dropped by to bid his regards and dled 23 km before a late lunch. him, and their kindly voices greet was able to recommend the Darby Trees had fallen right across the h im Falls to Cowra section as ideal in river with little or no easy diver the circumstances. I had previ In the murmur of the breezes and sion around them. However, we the river on its bars, ously ruled it out as it is normally got round or over them, even if very shallow and requires lots of some of us did have to take a swim And he sees the vision splendid of portages. An hour later we were to do it. the sunlit plains extended, paddling down the Lachlan wind Of course, some people take any and at night the wondrous glory of ing our way around willows and excuse for a swim during mid the everlasting stars. over submerged sandbars without summer. We made it to the bridge any problems. Eager to better at Gooloogong, and had lunch in Chris Bellamy enjoy rural Australia, we chose to the shade of the bridge. Robert, camp at Farleigh Reserve about 8 the owner of a "Greenlander" sea km downstream of Cowra. It is a kayak probably made history by pretty campsite with paddling such a boat during the picnic tables and previous two days on the Lachlan. toilets, superior to He probably did the right thing by the Cowra Shire going home. I am sure that 17 feet Caravan Park in of sea kayak would have proved a town. Help save Durras Lake

Contact Gutta Schoefl on 249 2527.

Bunya ^Mountains and more Environment centre and conserva tion council's environment tours Eleven days in the company of Canberra authors and naturalists, Ian Fraser and Margaret McJannett. Visit many little-known nature reserves and national parks in northern NSW and southern Queensland. See Bunya Pines growing in their natural habitat. 5pm Friday to 7pm Tuesday 14 April. Post: $840—includes all food, accommodation, transport and informed commentary. Deposit: $50—required on booking. Please note: all accommodation is on a twin-share basis; all cabins are self- contained and contain all bedding. Other environment tours include: Harvesting the land: 20 000 years of land use in the ACT—14 March Far south coast—21 March True tree tales—29 March For further information on the above tours ring (06) 249 1560. Calendar MARCH Thursday 5 Committee meeting, 7.30pm, 21 Hyndes Crescent, Holder. Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h) Thursday 12 Namadgi subcommittee, 7.30pm, contact Dugald Munro for venue, 231 8776(h), 289 5287(w) Thursday 26 Environment subcommittee, 7.45pm, 43 Fitchett Street, Garran. Tim Walsh 258 1112(h), 274 1465(w)

APRIL Thursday 2 Committee meeting, 7.30pm, 21 Hyndes Crescent, Holder. Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h) Wednesday 8 Outings subcommittee, 7.30pm, 41 Maranboy Street, Fisher. Dianne Thompson, 288 6084(h), 244 7549(w), 244 7934 (fax) Thursday 9 Namadgi subcommittee, 7.30pm, contact Dugald Munro for venue, 231 8776(h), 289 5287(w) Thursday 23 Environment subcommittee, 7.45pm, 5 Lelta Place, Giralang, Len Crossfield, 263 3536fw)

MAY Friday 1 Deadline for June NPA Bulletin Thursday 7 Committee meeting, 7.30pm, 21 Hyndes Crescent, Holder. Beverley Hammond, 288 6577(h) Thurday 14 Namadgi subcommittee, 7.30pm, contact Dugald Munro for venue, 231 8776(h), 289 5287(w) Thursday 28 Environment subcommittee, 7.45pm, 43 Fitchett Street, Garran. Tim Walsh 258 1112(h), 274 1465(w)

NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the ACT POSTAGE GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601 SURFACE PAID Registered Publication No. NBH0857 MAIL AUSTRALIA

General meetings Held at 8pm, room 1, Griffin Centre. Bunda Street. Civic. 19 March Namadgi: huts, homesteads and cultural heritage. President of the Kosciusko Huts Association, Graham Scully, and Huta maintenance officer (Namadgi), Maurice Sexton, will present an outline of the KHA's current and future plans m Namadgi.

16 April Night of Nostalgia. Not going away for Easter? Come to the NPA meeting of 28 May 1963. Two short film?, Em-ape tIn- city U956, narrator James Dibble) and White clay ami nchrc 11962} Hear extracts from minutes of early committee meet ings. If you wore a member in the 1960s please bring old photographs.

21 May Gungahlin before the developers. Helen Cook, President of the Canberra Archaeological Society, will ^vc an illus trated taJk on the archaeology and history of the Gungahlin district.

18 June Canyons anr! Crags, an illustrated talk on national parks in North America by Syd Comfort. Syd and wife Barbara spent some months m 1991 on a 'park crawl' in North America. Syd will make some observations on US and Canadian parks, illustrating his talk by colour slides and a display of relevant pri ntcd material.

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