Volume 30 number 4 December 1993

Cloudseeding in the Snowy Mountains Great South West Walk NPA BULLETIN volume30number4 December 1993

CONTENTS Wetland conservation and restoration 4 Working in the Budawangs 6 Parkwatch 8 Cloudseeding: anathema to conservationists 11 The Orroral homestead complex 12 Cover The Great South West Walk 14 Photo: Babette Scougall View through the window of Broken Dam President's report 1992-93 18 hut in Kosciusko National Park.

National Parks Association (ACT) Subscription rates (1 July to 30 June) Household members $20 Single members $15 Incorporated Corporate members $10 Bulletin only $10 Inaugurated 1960 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 pro­ 1 April and 30 June—annual subscription tection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural features in Membership inquiries welcome the Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the Please phone Charmian Crimmins at the NPA office. reservation of specific areas. • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation The NPA (ACT) office is located in Maclaurin Cres, areas. Chifley. Office hours are: • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment 10 am to 2 pm Mondays of, such natural phenomena by organised field outings, 9 am to 2 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays meetings or any other means. Telephone/Fax: (06) 282 5813 • Cooperation with organisations and persons having simi­ Address: PO Box 1940, Woden ACT 2606. lar interests and objectives. • Promotion of, and education for, nature conservation, and Contribute to your Bulletin the planning of land-use to achieve conservation. Contributions of articles (news, description or fiction), black-and-white photographs and line Office-bearers and committee drawings are keenly sought for the Bulletin. Pleasy^k President Beverlev Hammond 288 6577

Subcommittee conveners NPA Bulletin is produced by Green Words for the Environment vacant (volunteer needed) National Parks Association (.ACT) Incorporated. It is produced with the assistance of an ACT Heritage Outings Michael Kelly 241 2330(h) grant. Namadgi Steven Forst 274 8426(w); 251 6817(h) Printed on recycled paper bv Goanna Print, Other committee members Fyshwick, ACT. Clive Hurlstone 288 7592(h); 246 5516(w) ISSN 0727-8837 Doreen Wilson 288 5215(h) President's Foreword

By the time members read this on behalf of our Association. Bulletin the committee hopes all Anne Taylor has worked part- will have received personal invita­ time for NPA (ACT) as a research tions to the launching of the Field and administrative assistant for Guide to Birds of the Australian the past four years. She has Capital Territory. Long-term attended subcommittee meetings, member Alastair Morrison has has prepared letters and submis­ made a generous donation to the sions on our behalf and has repre­ National Parks Association for sented our Association at this publication. We plan to fea­ meetings with government agen­ ture the guide and the people cies and other conservation organ­ involved in its production in our isations. Anne has advised us that March Bulletin. In the meantime as both of her children will be at please help promote its sale. It will school next year, she plans to . ^>e available from those outlets return to university studies. I l^Miich sell our Tree Guide. If you wish to record the Association's The position will be advertised in have time to assist with its distri­ thanks to Anne for her valuable the New Year but if any members bution to our outlets, please regis­ assistance often called for at short are interested please contact me ter with Charmian during office notice. During her time with us for details. hours (282 5813) or telephone me she has developed a wide knowl­ Best wishes for Christmas and (288 6577) or Les Pyke (281 2982) edge of local environmental issues may 1994 bring you much pleas­ at home. The committee would and has formed a valuable net­ ure in the enjoyment of our won­ like to thank Les for the liaison work of helpful contacts. We wish derful environment. work he has done for this project her well in her studies. Beverley Hammond

The annual Black Mountain flower and tree identification outing continues to prove popular to old and new NPA members. This year was no exception for George Chippendale, who has led this outing for over 20 years, since taking over from Nancy Burbidge. Photo: Reg Alder Wetland conservation and restoration

Ducks Unlimited has been seen by neither of those things. Rather, ability to bring disparate commu­ some as an organisation concerned Ducks Unlimited is a private non­ nity groups together to focus on with the rights of duck hunters profit conservation organisation watcrbird habitats. Duck.s Unlim­ and shooters and at the same time engaged in securing the future of ited began in the USA in 1937 in as an organisation fostering the Australian water fowl and other an effort to restore populations of aims of duck rescuers. However, as aquatic life by restoration, crea­ waterfowl which had been deci­ its enthusiastic and eloquent ACT tion, conservation and manage­ mated in the 'dust bowl' 1930s. chapter chairman, Tony Sharley, ment of wetlands. And, indeed, The organisation quickly spread to told those present at our general one of the strengths of Ducks Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and meeting of lfi September, it is Unlimited must be its proven Europe. Ducks Unlimited was con­ stituted in Australia in 1991. Its plans are to select and implemen^| important wetland projects ti^J enhance and secure habitats for Australian waterfowl and other wetland species. Tony grew up in the Riverland area of South Australia and his boyhood interest in the Murray River has developed into a profes­ sional interest in wetlands in gen­ eral. Tony is one of those fortunate people whose work is also his hobby. He has an abiding interest in wetlands which he character­ ises as 'the kidneys of the river system'. Tony screened a most interesting set of slides which gave dramatic emphasis to the thesis that the Murray River wetlands are becom­ ing very degraded due to river reg­ ulation, over-irrigation, over-^. grazing, the depredations of fera^P animals, excess nutrient discharge and drainage dispersal from irri­ gation channels. However, Tony's attitude was not pessimistic and he spoke of the Ban rock Swamp Project where Ducks Unlimited, together with a number of partners (government, corporate and private), are well on the way to achieving an integrated wetland ha hi tat restoration program. Tony concluded his interesting address by answering members' questions. If you would like to know more about Ducks Unlimited Australia Ptv Ltd, the Head Office address is PO BOX 266, Barmera. 5345. Len Haskew A place for all seasons

Nadgee: photograph of Wally Newton's flat taken in 1955. Buildings have been removed and it is now a camping area and car park. In the photo members of the Caloola Club are preparing for a walk to Cape Howe. Photo: Fiona MacDonald Brand

Whatever the season, Nadgee along the border which divides memorable event. At dusk a wild always charms you. The summer Victoria from NSW. dog may silently run past the eat makes the beaches and rivers You may like to camp at the camp on the white sand ringing ost attractive, especially shady Bunyip Hole, a transient pond the lake where the swans quietly pools near the old Nadgee home­ behind the dunes and listen to the toll all night long. stead site—once the home of the thud of the waves on the beach However, Nadgee can also dis­ Palmer family who farmed until and rock platform. play less tranquil moods. Wild the mid-thirties and then grazed Spring is the time to roam over storms can batter the camper—as the area until the native reserve the heathland, marvelling at the happened one Easter to an NPA was declared in the late fifties. great variety of flowers. Apart group. Keep clear of the sandhills Autumn and winter are times to from the large shrubs like bank- when winds blow strongly and the walk to Mt Nadgee to gain an sia, hakea and boronia, there are tides are always a consideration overall picture of the reserve; to correas, red, pink and white epa­ when river mouth crossings have walk the whole coastline from the cris, iris, orchids and daisies. to be made. A flooding river or Merrica River to the sea caves at Birds abound—honeyeaters feed­ incoming tide may mean a change the northern end of Wally New- ing among the shrubs, black cock­ of plan and route for the walker. tons beach where Wally once lived atoos feeding on hakea fruits and From the domain of the eagles and farmed the flat behind the ground parrots feeding and nest­ and falcons along the 100 metre beach; to continue along above cliff ing on the heath. Between high cliff line to the eucalyptus walls and along beaches with huge Impressa and Endeavour Moors forest of the hills and mountain shell middens in the dunes, dis­ lies Nadgee Lake (the Palmers playing what a rich harvest was called it Salt Lake). To camp range behind the heath, there is gathered by the Bidawal people beside Nadgee Lake and watch a scenery, beauty and isolation to over 40 000 years; at last, to walk flock of swans feeding and gliding please the walker, naturalist and along the sandhills which form as the image of Howe Hill is camper at any season of the year. Cape Howe and advance inland reflected in the still waters, is a Fiona MacDonald Brand Working in the Budawangs

For some years the Association has been sending work parties into the Budawangs to do track resto­ ration work under the supervision of officers of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. The motive is simple. For many years the feet of our members have pounded the tracks on day walks and longer backpack walks in this magnificent scenic country. Our restoration work is compensating for our own use although, of course, there are many other users. Also there have been other organisations doing restoration work. The Association's work lias been undertaken at places over some 14 kilometres of the track from the Wog Wog entrance on the road b e t w ee r 1 Mo n ga Howe and the Bra id wood-No wra Road. The works cover the setting of 'muses' 'sliced logs as steps), the laying of baffles i logs at an angle across the track) to divert water run-off and combat erosion, plank tracks in particularly marshy areas, drain­ age gutters, and the closing of some tracks and substituting with new tracks. Above: Budawangs work party, from left: Val Oliver, Annette Smith, The furthest working point is in David Henry, Tim Walsh, Frank Clements, Richard Green (NSW NPWS), the valley past the Canowie Brook Len Haskew. Mike Smith, Sonja Lenz. John Tassie. Kneeling from left: vallev. That is where we were Kevin Mc.Cuen, Clvde Green. Photos: Les Pyke

working over the weekend of 4-5 September. The operation followed what has become a traditional practice. The NSW authorities dropped materials close to the work site by helicopter while we back-packed in carrying some tools and camped the showery Saturday night in a beautifully spacious and d r v rock shelter with its own water supply in the form of a clear pool created from heavy drips from the cliffs above. We worked the Saturday after­ noon and Sunday morning, put­ ting in 56 metres of plank track with 200 rek screws and installing 49 baffles. This involved much

Left: Installing baffles in tin' Budawanus. WORK

Above: Our cosy rock skelter.

Below: Making a plank track in the Budawangs.

^ Carrying from the helicopter dumps, sawing and drilling. Of Marketing strategy course by the time we arrived back i for national parks at the cars late Sunday afternoon we all knew what we had been The ACT Government plans to doing. Warm showers for fatigued develop a marketing strategy muscles were the order for that for Namadgi National Park and evening. nature reserves in the ACT. Our leader for that weekend was This will involve the updating Mike Smith, our treasurer, in liai­ of management plans. son with Richard Green of the The government has stated NSW National Parks and Wndlife its commitment to detailed con­ Service. Should you go on one of sultation with the community. these work parties? A resounding The NPA has written to Rose­ 'yes' if you meet any of the follow­ mary Follett to indicate its ing criteria: a desire to enhance a eagerness to be fully involved spectacular environment; if you in this process and has pointed wish to feel a sense of achieve­ out that, if we were invited at ment; if you are bored with a an early stage rather than at weekend in suburbia; or if you the last minute, the outcomes derive pleasure from pain. achieved would have wider community support. Les Pyke PARKWATCH

From the conservation media Biological control and road-makmg are proposed lncluded in nat~unalparks and then only an in-house assess- This national park contains 26 eco- Shire councils, state agriculture ment if required by the Minister departments, clmmunity groups system types. 11 of which have for Energy and Minerals. never before been protected in and landowners are working with Whilst protection of historic, bush- Channel Country. The new CSIRO to speed the biological con- land and some other reserves will trol uf pasture and environmental national park contains many vege- weeds in wuth-eastern Australia. be improved, areas such as flora tation types including low open reserves will still lack reliable pro- woodlands of coolabah, river red They have organised networks to tection. Only national and state gum, mineritchie and gidgee. large distribute and monitor insects alluvial plains and channels with bred by CSIRO to control weeds parks and wilderness areas will be seasonal sparse grasslands and such as Scotch thistle, St John's totally protected. Areas in state forest will be virtually open herblands, swamps with bluebush wort and bitou bush. slather. and lignum, Mitchell Grass tus- ECOS. Spring 1993, CSIRO VNPA Neudetter, October 1993 sock plains, shrublands on resid- ual hills and ranges, and spinifex and canegrass dunefields. Tre Native grasses Fragmented species including lancewoodg Native grasses arc becoming popu- mountain yapunyah. Normanton lar as a low-cost, attractive alter- landscapes box and myall gidgee are at the native to mown turf in public Remnants are often the only place limits of their ranges in the park. Iandscnpcs, but seed supplies are where some species of native ani- NPA Neu's. Journal of NAPQ, Irnv. and much remains to be mals dependent on native vegeta- September 1993 Icarnrd about their establishment tion can exist. Yet few remnants and management. can continue as functioning ecn- Trials conducted by the team at systems because fragmentation Queensland budget causes physical changes to the CSIRO's Di~+sionof Plant Indus- The Department of Environment try have shuwn native grasses to remnants. This makes survival impossible for many species. and Heritage has received a record be ideal for lowmaintenance and budget allocation of $142.6 mil- low-management applications. Recent work by CSIRO suggests lion-a 10% increase on 1992193. They grow slowly, become estab- that fragments may experience Importantly. $4.6 million has been lished without nutrient addition different solar radiation, wind and received for national park acquisi- and are comparatively drought- water regimes to continuously veg- tion, which will take the current hardy if mulched at sowing. For etated regions. These altered total of protected areas closer to thew reasons they may require physical conditions can degrade the government's target of -I?. Icss mowing. water and fertiliser. the remnants, changing their spe- NPA Ncw,s, Journal of NAPQ. than introduced turf grasses. cies composition and physical October 1993 EC'OS, Spring 1993. CSIRO structure, especially at the edges. a ECOS. Spring 1993, CSIRO Koala reserve Mining legislation Diamantina Gates NP A management team comprising A mining Bill introduced to state landholders, community groups parliament last month could be The 470 000 hectare former Dia- and researchers will be appointcd disastt-uus. It will remove all mantina Lakes pastoral holding to oversee Queensland's first coor- exploration from the planning pro- 300 kilometres west of Longreach dinated conservation area-the crs5 ~ncludingdigging large pits has been purchased by the govern- Koala Bushland Coordinated Cun- and wlde tl-vnches and bulldozing ment for national park purposes. servation Area in south-east of tracks-anything in the name of The national park, which strad- Queensland. This particular area exploration. It affects private land dles the Diamantina River, will protect one of south-east and 505 of public land (80% of ~ncludesthe diverse landscapes of Queensland's most important wild- Victoria,. There will be no effective the Channel Country, including life habitats, including one of the public input for all exploration and its old naturally eroded hills and nation's most concentrated koala possibly somr mining. ranges. its wide, braided river populations estimated to he more The pr~~p~~sedenvironmental satt- channel systems and the edge of than 1000 koalas. yards fi~r exploration are Mitchell Grass Downs. Until NPA Ne~cs.Journal of NAPQ. extremely limited and likely to he recently. very little of these exten- September 1993 ineffective. There will be no s~vearcas with distinctive semi- assessment unless bulk sampling arid plant and animal life were

NPA BLILLETIN Iron gates: Program, targeting Australia's Penan update greatest social and economic prob­ endangered species lem—unemployment. The Com­ In March this year the Penan people of Sarawak, Malaysia, The proposed Iron Gates develop­ monwealth Government has began yet another blockade to ment at Evans Head on the far provided strong support and protest the continued logging of north coast is becoming a test case funding. their rainforest home. Five months for third party proceedings involv­ Green jobs are defined as those later the blockade remains firm, ing the Endangered Fauna which benefit the environment, or despite several attempts by the (Interim Protection) Act. at least reduce the negative police to have it dismantled. The Iron Gates site has been iden­ impacts which would otherwise tified by wildlife experts as a sig­ have occurred. Whether in indus­ About 1000 Penan men, women nificant habitat for a number of try, or the public or community and children from 21 long houses set up the blockade in March at endangered species, particularly sectors, most jobs can be changed the Upper Selaan River. The pro­ the koala, but also mcluding the in major and minor ways to cause testers are determined to stop the Brush-tailed Phascogale, Grass less environmental damage. Sanding Timber Company from Owl, White-eared Monarch, The program reflects two impera­ operating on their land. This is the Queensland Blossom Bat, Ground tives for the conservation move­ Penan's third attempt to halt the Parrot, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Planigalement in the 1990s: the need to destruction of the rainforest and and a number of bat integrate environmental protec­ the dispossession of its inhabi­ species. tion into the mainstream of the tants. The area represents the last The current proceedings are the economy, and to develop new alli­ remaining primary forest upon fourth undertaken by environment ances with industry, unions and which the Penan depend. groups to save this area, which the community sector in order to also contains littoral rainforest, achieve common objectives. A week into the blockade 20 mili­ Aboriginal sites and wetlands on tary and paramilitary personnel pristine estuary frontage, from Habitat, magazine of the Austra­ arrived and forcefully dismantled inappropriate development. The lian Conservation Foundation, the wooden barricade. Its immedi­ situation is described as August 1993 ate re-erection prompted the arri­ 'desperate'. val of 50 fully armed soldiers and police a few days later, threaten­ Threatened species alert, Green jobs ing that 1000 army personnel Threatened species network, would be brought in. Five months Ribloc: This Adelaide-based pipe August 1993 later, the Penan insist that they manufacturer started using recy­ will stay until their demands are cled milk bottles as one of its raw met. Key organisers of the action materials in 1992. Employment Alpine resort are said to be currently in tading increased to 30 after the launch of from the police. expansion the recycled pipes. Habitat, magazine of the Austra­ Expansion plans for almost all Vic- Revolve: Revolve began in 1987 as lian Conservation Foundation, orian alpine resorts have been a local initiative to salvage useful August 1993 covered by recent VNPA materials from the rubbish research indicating that the dumped at the Canberra tip. Alpine Resorts Commission pro­ Revolve's workforce has grown poses expanding the unplanned from an initial two to the current Plantations mish-mash of developments that 28 people, salvaging and selling The Federal Minister for blot our alpine landscape into from two sites. Based on Revolve's Resources, Michael Lee, national parks and areas of high success, a Tasmanian cooperative, conservation significance. announced on 15 July 1993 fund­ Resource, is looking to set up a ing of $3.7 million under the gov­ Baw Baw National Park, Falls similar venture in Hobart. ernment's Farm Forestry Program Creek and Mt Hotham would be to boost forest plantation develop­ Clean power: When acid rain affected. ment in Australia. The program is began killing their forests in the a key Commonwealth plantation VNPA Newsletter, September 1993 early 1980s, the Germans began initiative within the National demanding tough anti-pollution Forest Policy Statement. The pro­ regulations on power generation gram is aimed at promoting com­ Green jobs program plants. Emissions were cut by 90% mercial wood production on by 1990, and Germany is now sell­ Environmentalists have joined cleared agricultural land so as to ing the technology and equipment forces with unionists in a new provide an additional, reliable, to the rest of the world. push to create green jobs for Aus­ high quality wood resource for tralians. The ACF and the ACTU Habitat, magazine of the Austra­ regional industries. *A vigorous have forged a new partnership in lian Conservation Foundation, plantation industry is essential to the Green Jobs in Industry August 1993 the development of a sustainable PARKWATCH future for our forest industries,' protection, as well as to foster hlr Lee said. 'Plantations have the community attitudes supporting a Environment potential to provide a wide range sustainable industry based on nf commercial and environmental farm forestry. Subcommitte benefits to the whole community.' Broudcasf. newsletter of Greening A series of farm forestry demon- Australia, AugusffSeptember 1993 The lengths to which members of stration sites is to be established the NPA's Environment Subcom- across Australia by a wide range mittee will go to spread the conser- of state agencies and community Trees up front vation ethic know no bounds- groups, including Greening Aus- literally! Our envoy to Central Greening Australia is proud to tralia. These will primarily be in announce an 'In kind' assistance Asia, Dianne Thompson, has areas with the greatest potential for revegetation projects. aimed at recently returned from a fact- fnr commercial wood production. smaller projects being developed finding mission to Kyrgyzstan. Extension, training and support by new revegetation groups of On a more modest level Neville for farmers cnntemplating farm enthusiastic individuals. Esau, Nicki Esau and Timothy forestry is also an important ele- Walsh attended the Australian ment of the program. Trees up front will link the National Parks Council Annual resources of volunteer and home- Conference in Melbourne in Octo- Bro~~dcnst.newsletter of Greening based seedling propagators, poten- ber; Les Pyke visited Cape York Australia, AugustJSeptember 1993 tial sponsors and project volun- and got bitten by a dog (sic): and4 teers, with the advisory and Nicki Esau took part in the Peak service provision capacity of Conservation Councils Workshop Chief ranger for Alps Greening Australia. to provide in Sydney in September. The VNPA has achieved a signifi- assistance to small scale demon- Some of the national and local cant victory with the agreement by stration revegetation projects in issues dealt with by the sub con^. the h'linister for Conservation and key areas. mittee recently include: Environment to have one chief There IS an emerging interest ' the Snowy Mountains Hydro- rangcr for the Alpine National from volunteers in growing trees electric Authority's proposal to Park. at home for use in projects in rural enhance precipitation in Kos- The Association has been the or urban arras. This is a great ciusko National Park. Peter major dr~v~ngforce behind this ini- way for people who don't own or Barrer and Jenny Atton pre- tiative. which we believe will help have access to rural lrnd to con- pared a detailed submission for tribute to the protection and ensure uniform management of the Environmental Impact repair of our environment. the park. Under the old arrange- Statement. ment, responsihilit! for the park Peter Barrer and Ke\.in Frawley \bas split between no fewer than attended the University of Can- five regions. which inevitably led berra's Grasslands Workshop in to incunsistent management. September Elephant and With the establishment of a Nicki Esau coordinated a - b National Parks Service and the rhinoceros mission to the Departmentbu o d government's commitment to on- conservation Tourism's National Eco-Tourism pound management accountabil- Stratpgy Poaching of rhinoceroses contin- ity, this was an idea whose time Anne Taylor prepared a submls- had come. It is an important step ues in Africa and Asia, in addition to habitat destruction, putting fur- sion to the responsible Common- towards hetter management of the wealth hlinisters on the report Alpine National Park. ther at risk populations already at low levels. Because of this. UNEP of the Joint Committee on the VNP.4 Newslclter. August 1993 has agreed to extend its African National Capital-'Our Bush Elephant Conservation Facility to Capital' include the African and Asian rhi- letters were written to state and South-east NSW farm noceros in addition to the Asian Common\vealth ministers sup- forestry project elephant. The conservation facility porting the purchase of the Yad- will coordinate conservation strat- horo property for inclusion in A grant of $244 000 will support a egies and action plans, as well as the Moreton National Park. project basrd in the Bega-Eden- assist with conservation problems Bomhala area of south-east NSW. Twu further items should be for elephants and rhinoceroses. noted: Thr joint project will investigate secure financial resources and the development of iin integrated ensure governmental commitment the World Wide Fund for and sustainable farm forestry to protecting these species. Nature ~CV~VFAJis coordinating ~ndustryin that repon. It seeks to a campais1 to support the Com- generate increased levels of farm Our Plc~rief,the magazine of the monwealth Government's com- United Nations Environment revegetatim and catchment mitment to establish ;i Programme. Vol5. No 4 1993 comprehensive national system of protected areas which is both representative and ecologically Cloudseeding: anathema viable by the year 2000. The NPA (ACT) in turn is consider­ to conservationists ing ways in which it can partici­ pate in this program to ensure Does 'SPEP' mean anything to ronment and its effects, and possi­ adequate reserves in the ACT you? It is the latest issue to cause ble long-term consequences. and our region. a flurry amongst conservationists, The subcommittee's assessment especially those in the south-east, of the draft EIS states in no uncer­ • the subcommittee is undertak­ and more particularly those on the tain terms the NPA's opposition to ing a review of its own activities NPA Environment Subcommittee. the proposed cloudseeding experi­ and methods to prepare a strat­ The Commonwealth Environ­ ment, and 'identifies critical inade­ egy to focus more clearly its ment Protection Agency has quacies in the identification of aims and expected outcomes. recently released a draft environ­ potentially negative impacts of the For instance, should we be con­ mental impact statement (EIS) experiment, as well as of monitor­ centrating on local or national describing the Snowy Precipitation ing and safeguards. The net con­ issues? Should direct action Enhancement Project (SPEP), to clusion reached is that the rather than endless letter- which the Environment Subcom­ unintended negative consequences » writing to politicians be mittee gave a detailed response. of the SPEP have not been f adopted? How closely does our The Snowy Precipitation assessed, that some negative con­ work tie in with the objectives Enhancement Project is an experi­ sequences are likely to be highly of the NPA? What sort of bal­ ment, undertaken by the Snowy significant and that there is a sig­ ance should we strike between Mountains Hydro-Electric Author­ nificant possibility that the conse­ being a catalyst for action or ity, to increase the amount of quences of the SPEP, once started, change, an environmental snow falling over the Snowy could not be stopped.' watchdog and a voluntary work Mountains, and hence over Kos­ The NPA's assessment points force? How can the NPA be a ciusko National Park. If- success­ out that even the draft EIS more effective conservation ful, the dams in the mountains acknowledges that the proposal force in the ACT and in the would hold more water as a result would impinge unfavourably on south-east region of Australia? of the increased precipitation, and wilderness values, and that it is the hydro-electric authority would We plan to draw up a strategy for inconsistent with the objectives in be able to generate more electric­ the subcommittee for submission, the Kosciusko National Park's ity. The authority argues that this comment and endorsement by the Plan of Management. As the is more environmentally sound NPA's Management Committee. national park is subjected to a than building another coal-fired Should NPA members want to great deal of human disturbance, power station to meet our increas­ contribute to this process, contact this is an even more compelling ing energy needs. the acting convenor. reason to avoid further distur­ This is how the precipitation bance such as that proposed by the Timothy Walsh would be increased. About ten to SPEP. . 285 1112(h) twenty machines, the size of a The subcommittee's response f 2741465(w) small truck, would be positioned also pointed out that the expected on the western slopes of the moun­ economic benefits, as outlined in tains in wintertime. When a storm the draft EIS, are 'at least several approaches, the machines would orders of magnitude too small to fire silver iodide into the clouds be taken seriously as a motive for New members where it would form into crystals. threatening the conservation func­ As the clouds move eastwards and tion' of Kosciusko National Park. Tony Gibb Hackett meet the higher mountains, the As well, the subcommittee voices crystals would precipitate as a more general concern of many Cecelia Skene Dickson snow. The machines would be conservation organisations: that of Robert Wright Canberra operated by remote control and the process by which an environ­ removed in the summertime. Felix Schmid Downer mental impact statement is car­ The Environment Subcommittee ried out. This concern rests on the Rae Else-Mitchell Deakin came up with the goods yet again fact that an EIS 'is prepared by or Pam Sharp Swinger when it produced a well- on behalf of a proponent, that its Hill considered response dealing with purpose is to present the best pos­ general issues such as nature con­ sible case for a proposal, that any Kathy Saw Farrer servation and the principle of argument advocating a proposed Kim Sergeant Kambah creating a precedent, and specific action must emphasise or exagger­ Janet Druce Fraser issues such as monitoring ecologi­ ate the possible or expected bene­ cal impacts, monitoring fallout at fits arising from the proposed Andrew Pike Conder the generator sites, the release of action and ignore or discount the silver and indium into the envi­ possible or expected losses.' HISTORY

The Orroral homestead complex

In the March 1992 issue of the The joining of the images of the buildings were, to take photo­ Bulletin, a 1931 photograph of the two outer photographs did not line graphs from a position where the Orroral homestead and all of its up with their essential companion original photographs might have outbuildings was published. This elements in the central photo­ been taken. The line of the veran­ photograph originally appeared in graph. For instance the roof of the dah post and window edge (inset a m a n u scri p t titled A Jou rney kitchen (C) was out of alignment G) provided a datum line from Around the ACT by Jefferis and at its junction with the chimney which the position of the camera Whelan. It consisted of three sep­ and the two images of the shed (D) might be determined. Extending a arate photographs joined to pro­ did not produce a straight line. builder's line from the window to duce a panoramic view of the Building (A) is the homestead and just touch the verandah post gave complex. This is again reproduced (C) the schoolhouse. the necessary information to pick in a shortened version in I decided, with the objective of the actual possible location of the photograph ' 1». ascertaining where the missing camera. This was done by walking

Above: Panoramic view of the Orroral homestead complex photographed in 1931.

Below: Reconstructed new of the homestead complex with adjustments made to the individual segments of the 1931 photograph to align biddings to their horizontal elements and position them under ridgedne knolls Photos and photocopies: Reg Alder ^^anuary Saturday walk 2^ft 5 February Saturday Walk 2/A/C/D Mt Ginini Ref: ACT 1:100000 The Pimple Ref: Tidbinbilla 1:25000 Outings program (I've seen 'em come and I've seen 'em go') Leader: Murray Dow Phone: 257 4371 h Leader: Matthew Higgins Phone: 247 7285 Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8am. A walk partially on January to March 1994 Skiers, foresters, air traffic controllers and brumby runners fire trail, tracks and through scrub taking in The Camel have all played a part in the history of Mt Ginini. Several Ridge, the Pimple and Tidbinbilla Mountain (examine sites (some demolished, some extant) reflect these themes in stand of Tingiringi Gum). Glorious views, 700m climb in­ the mountain's past and will be visited during this leisurely volved. 70 kms $14 per car. but steep bushwalk. Included will be a 1943 brumby yard ruin in Bimberi Nature Reserve discovered during the 1993 9 February Wednesday Midweek Walk 1/A Namadgi brumby project. This outing will be a joint KHA/ Yerrabi Ref: ACT 1:100000 NPA trip. Please contact Matthew Higgins on the above Leader: Herbert Robey Phone: 258 5073 h number for bookings. Meet at Kambah Village at 10am. Boboyan Trig offers 360o 160 kms $32 per car. views of the Brindabella Ranges. Interesting geological fea­ tures, 11/2 hour walk 100 kms $20 per car. 22 January Saturday walk 2/A Kambah to Cotter River Ref: ACT 1:100000 12/13 February Pack Walk 2/A/C/F Leader: Murray Dow Phone 257 4371 Gungartan/Kerries/Brassy Range Meet at the corner of Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road at Leader: Mick Kelly Phone: 2412330 h 9am. A walk of some 14 kms along a track following the Departure from Canberra on the Friday afternoon. Camp at Murrumbidgee Corridor. Bring water, long trousers'/gaiters Disappointment Spur Hut Friday night. Saturday traverse also recommended. Car shuttle required. 40 kms $8 per car. Gungartan area and visit Tin Hut. Come prepared for low impact camping, good gear etc. no fires. This itinerary is 27 January Thursday subject to change. Please contact the leader by the previous Outings Committee Meeting Monday. 450 kms $90 per car plus park entry. Outings Convenor; Mick Kelly Meet at 1 Fitzmaurice Street Kaleen at 7.30pm to prepare 20 February Sunday Stroll Outings guide outings program for April to June. If unable to attend but National Botanic Gardens Day walks carry lunch, drinks and protective clothing. willing to lead an outing please contact Mick Kelly at home Canberra Street Directory Pack walks two or more days, carry all food and camping on 241 2330. Leader: Doreen Wilson Phone: 288 5215 requirements. CONTACT LEADER BY Meet at the National Botanic Gardens visitors centre at WEDNESDAY. 29 January Saturday morning Bird Watching 9.30am. A walk around the gardens visiting areas not nor­ Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. Jerrabomberra Wetlands Ref: Canberra UBD mally open to the public. Morning tea in the scrub. Bring bi­ Vehicles taken to site can be used for Leader: Phyl Goddard Phone: 254 8279 h noculars to view the bird life. camping. BOOK EARLY WITH LEADER. Bring your new "Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT and Other activities include nature rambles, environmental and some binoculars if possible for a few hours of bird-watching. 20 February Sunday Walk 3/A field guide studies and ski tours. Meet at 8.30am in the car park near Kelly's Swamp on Upper Brindabella Range Ramble Ref: ACT 1:1000000 Dairy Flat Road, Fyshwick. Leader: Steven Forst Phone: 251 6817 w, 274 8426 h Walks gradings Meet at the corner of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Distance grading (per day) 30 January Sunday Canoe Trip Road at 8.30am. A walk mainly on fire trails in the tall for­ 1 - up to 10 km Murrumbidgee River Ref: Brindabella 1:100000 est above the Cotter just off the Brindabella road with some 2 - 10 km to 15 km Leaders: Chris Bellamy Phone: 249 7167 h good views in places. A short car shuffle will be arranged to 3 -15 km to 20 km Jill Roberts 249 1030 h avoid a climb back to the starting point. 80 kms drive $16 4 - above 20 km. Contact leader by Wednesday for details. Lazy day trip per car. Terrain grading starting from above "Cavan", Paddle to Taemus Bridge Beach. Lots of opportunities to swim and enjoy the sandy 19/20 February Canoe Trip A - Road, firetrail, track beaches. Good introductory trip for beginners. BYO canoe or B - Open forest Clyde River Batemans Bay 1:100000 hire in ACT. 180 kms $45 per car. C - Light scrub Leader: Chris Bellamy Phone: 249 7167 D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth Contact leader by previous Wednesday. Ride the morning E - Rock scrambling 30 January Sunday Walk 1/C/E incoming tide from Nelligen up to Shoalhaven Crossing and F - Exploratory. Billy Billy Rocks Ref: Corin 1:25000 camp there overnight. Dawn start on Sunday to ride the Leader: Mick Kelly Phone: 241 2330 outgoing tide back to Nelligen. Canoe based camping. BYO The walks program contains additional information. If Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8am. A sometimes scrub­ necessary, contact the leader. canoe or hire in the ACT. Suit fit beginners. 280 kms $70 by walk to outstanding rock features overlooking Tidbinbilla per car. Nature Reserve. Suitable for beginners. 60 kms $12 per car. 19/20 February Pack Walk 1/A ^^larch Sunday Walk 27 March Sunday Walk 2/B/E Goodradigbee River (Wee Jasper) Ref: ACT 1/100000 Bullen Range Lower Molonglo Gorge Ref: ACT 1:100000 Leader: Fiona Brand Phone: 247 9538 h Ref: Tidbinbilla & Tuggeranong 1:25000 Leader: Steven Forst Phone: 251 6817 h 274 8426 w Contact leader by the Wednesday for details. A relaxing Leader: Syd Comfort Phone: 286 2578 h Meet at the gates of the Lower Molonglo Water Quality and easy weekend on the Goodradigbee near Micalong Meet at the corner of Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road at Control Centre at 8.30am. A walk down into the Lower Creek. Great campsite with swimming available. 160 kms 8.30am. From the rear of the Tidbinbilla Tracking Station Molonglo Gorge to see why this area is now receiving $32 per car. cross southern section of Bullen Range to reach special attention. On the walk will be members of the Murrumbidgee River near Red Rocks Gorge. Partly Namadgi Sub-committee who visited the area recently with 26 February Saturday morning Bird Watching exploratory with some steep climbs. 70 kms $14 per car. Rangers and experts from Parks and Conservation and who Campbell Park Ref: Canberra UBD will hopefully fill you in on some of its wonders. Leader: Beverley Hammond Phone: 288 6577 h 11/12/13 March Canoe Trip Another opportunity to become familiar with the "Field Barmah Forest & Murray River 1/2/3/4 April Easter Pack Walk 2/A/C Guide to the Birds of the ACT". Meet at 8.30am in the far­ Ref: Mathoura & Tuppal 1:100000 Woila/Duea NP Ref: Snowball and Badja 1:25000 thest carpark behind the Campbell Park offices, on the east­ Leader: Kevin Frawley Phone: 282 2973 h 299 3995 Leader: Eric Pickering Phone: 286 2128 h ern slopes of Mount Ainslie. Turn up Northcott Drive from Launch at or below Tocumwa], heading for Picnic Point and Contact the leader by Wednesday 23 March as numbers Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell. Barmah.Enjoy camping from canoes on the best of the may need to be limited. Some firetrail walking, some rough Murray on lovely sandy beaches in red gum forests en scrub and scrambling also involved. We will establish a 27 February Sunday Walk 3/A/C/D route. Paddlers should enjoy fast moving water. Suit fit base camp and do side walks to Mother Woila, Tabletop and The Camel/Tidbinbilla/Mt Domain beginners. BYO own canoe or hire local canoes or Kayaks other exciting places. 320 km, $64 per car. Ref: Tidbinbilla 1:25000 from Echuca. Ring Kevin on the above number before previous weekend for further details. 1200 kms $300 per Leader: Marty French Phone: 258 3525 h 1/2/3/4 April (Easter) Canoe Trip car. Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.15am. A walk partially Mallacoota Inlet Ref: Mallacoota 1:100000 on fire trails, tracks and through light scrub, taking in the Leader: Chris Bellamy Phone: 249 7167 h Camel Ridge, Tidbinbilla Peak and Mountain, Mount Do­ 19/20/21/ March (Canberra Day) Pack Walk 2/A/B Contact leader by the previous weekend. Enjoy several main and descending to join the Fishing Gap fire trail for Budawangs Ramble Ref: CMW Budawangs scenic day trips paddling from Mallacoota Inlet caravan return to cars. Car shuffle required. 70 kms $14 per car. Leader: Steven Forst Phone: 251 6817 h 274 8426 w park to Sandy Point, up the Wallargarough River or even Contact leader by Wednesday. An easy 3 day walk in the Gypsy Point (pub) for afternoon drinks. Suit beginners. 5/6 March Weekend Car Camp Budawangs. The Itinerary is yet to be decided so ring early BYO canoe or hire. 800 kms $200 per car. Kiandra Area and we may be able to visit your favourite spot or the one you have always wanted to try. Ref: Yarrangobilly & Tantangara 1:100000 Leader: Len Haskew Phone: 281 4268 h 21 March Monday ACT Alive Camp at 3 Mile Dam. Visit historic sites in Kiandra area on Lawns in front of Old Parliament House the Saturday. On Sunday visit Yarrangobilly Caves for Contact: Doreen Wilson Phone: 288 5215 h walks caves inspection or relaxing swim in thermal pool. Contact leader by the previous Wednesday. 400 kms $80 Volunteers required to man the NPA tent for the closing per car. event of Canberra Week. Short stints, great way to meet possible new members, groups and happenings to visit as 9 March Wednesday Midweek Walk 2A well. Ring Doreen at least 2 weeks prior to event. Square Rock Ref: Corin 1:25000 27 March Sunday Walk 2/A/B Leader: Herbert Robey Phone: 258 5073 h Brandy Flat Meet at Kambah Village shops 9.30am. Views of the Brin­ Points to note Ref: ACT 1:100000 Rendezvous Creek 1:25000 dabella Ranges and back to Canberra. There is a short up­ New faces to lead, new places to go Please help keep our outings Leader: Marty French Phone: 258 3525 h hill climb at the beginning of the walk. Bring a pack lunch. program alive by volunteering to lead a walk occasionally. Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8am. A 15 km walk Approximately 4 hour round trip 60 kms $ 20 per car. AJI persons joining an outing of the National Parks Association commencing at Caloola Farm and ending at Glendale of the ACT do so as volunteers in all respects and as such accept crossing via Brandy Flat Hut. Mainly on fire trails. A car sole responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred and the 12 March Saturday Namadgi Work Party shuffle is required. 90 kms $18 per car. National Parks Association of the ACT, its office bearers and Namadgi Ref: ACT 1:100000 appointed leaders are absolved from any liability in respect of any Leader: Syd Comfort Phone: 286 2578 h injury or damage suffered whilst engaged in any such outing. Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.30am, but please check The committee suggests a donation of TWENTY cents per with leader beforehand Probably briar extraction near Yan­ kilometre DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF OCCUPANTS in the kee Hat (previous work deferred by rain) but could be track car, including the driver, (to the nearest dollar) be ofTered to the driver by each passenger accepting transport. Drive and walk work. 120 kms $24 per car. distances quoted in the program are approximate distances for return journeys HISTORY

Left: The position of the present collapsed outbuilding relative to the shearing shed from a position where the photographer would have stood in 1931. Right: An end view of the homestead and kitchen chimney • from the position where a photographer would have needed to have stood to position the present collapsed outbuilding in a location where outbuilding (E) was in 1931.

along the line until the shearing shed (F). Photograph (3) shows in perspective came to be as repro­ shed and the kitchen chimney enlargement the position in which duced in photograph (2). aligned themselves under the this collapsed building appeared. The outbuilding (E) in the photo­ knolls of the ridge behind. Cogni- To place the building (E) in the graphs is not very plain, but it . sance needed to be taken also from position of the original photograph appears to be in a state of collapse "the picture quality of the fact that required the camera to be moved and it appears that a new building the camera was most probably a well to the west to near a large was subsequently erected to the Box Brownie or a folding camera. tree. A view of the homestead and right of it. This has now collapsed Both types had viewfinders which kitchen chimney from this point is and, as it would now be approach­ required the camera to be held at reproduced in photograph (4). It ing 60 years old, this could be pos­ chest level, so the modern eye- then became obvious that the 1931 sible. There also appear to have level camera was lowered so that photographs could not have been been changes in the door openings the shearing shed (F) just taken from this point. of the shearing shed (F). appeared over the rising ground in A print was made of the ridge Are there any old photographs front of it. behind with the present buUdings available that might justify these assumptions, since the lens of the It was then noticed that the out­ and the old photograph segments original camera may have had building (E) did not appear as in cut and overlaid so that the ridge aberrations which could cause dis­ the 1931 photograph, that is, line elements of them matched the tortion of scale? between the buildings (E) and (F), recent photograph. In doing so the but well in front of the shearing shed (D) was shortened and the Reg Alder Alder

.Brumby running in Namadgi

The end of July saw the comple­ Part 2 is an inventory of trap- Members interested in this tion of 'Brumby running in yard sites. Several dozen yards aspect of high country history and Namadgi', a project which was are known to have existed in the cultural heritage may like to know looking at the history of brumby Namadgi area, yet only 14 could that copies of the report are held running in our ACT national park. be located today; the high loss rate at the National Trust office in Funded by the National Estate caused by fire, natural decay and DeaMn, the ACT Heritage Unit Grants Program and sponsored by deliberate destruction was a dis­ office in Tuggeranong, and in due the National Trust, the project appointing feature of what was course a copy will be in the library aimed to both reveal the story otherwise a fascinating exercise, of the Australian Heritage Com­ behind this distinctive mountain although the losses do give height­ mission in Barton. There is a pos­ activity and to locate the surviving ened significance to the remaining sibility of the report being brumby trapyard sites. intact yards. The report also published as a small monograph, Part 1 of the project report looks includes comments on the cultural or alternatively, material from the at the place of horses and brumby significance of the yards and report may appear in article form running in Australian history and makes some recommendations on in the March 1994 issue of the folklore, then it surveys in detail their future conservation. In addi­ Canberra Historical Journal. tion to site photos and sketch the people who ran the Namadgi Matthew Higgins brumbies, the areas involved, the plans, the report includes a valu­ methods used and the uses made able collection of historical photo­ of the caught horses. graphs dating back to the early 1930s. The Great South West Walk

Participants: Enid Brooker, Doug Gillies, David Hall. Pat and Eric Pickering, John Thwaite from 18 to 28 October 1993 This walk between Portland and Nelson in south-west Victoria had fascinated me since I read about it in the November 1983 issue of WILD. The Portland Parks author­ ity provided track notes and the Portland police arranged safe parking for the cars. We contacted Mrs Gwen Bennett, secretary of The Friends of the Great South West Walk, who offered and kindly arranged transport to the start of the walk. Thank you, Gwen and Friends. On 17 October Gordon Page, one of The Friends, met us at the Port­ land Police Station at 8.15 pm and transported us some 60 kilometres to Moleside camp. On the way David Hall above the Glenelg River near Nelson. Gordon gave me tide charts for the coastal section of our walk and The first three days of the walk There were many wild flowers in provided some helpful advice. We were along the river which rises in a variety of colours—purple (gly­ set up camp in the dark with the Grampians, winds its way cine), red (kennedia, epacris steady rain falling. west, briefly curving in and out of impressa), pink (boronia, black- eyed susies), yellow (wattle, dai­ Next morning we woke to find South Australia, and reaching the sies), cream (epacris), white (tea- ourselves in a rather beautiful sea at Nelson. It is fortunate that trees) and a host of other varieties. grassy place on a bend in the this section of the river and its The forest is mainly stringy-bark, majestic Glenelg River. The river surrounds are protected by with thickets of grass trees (Xan- was much wider and deeper than I national park status. It was rather thorrhoea) with their tall four- had expected. Pit toilets and water beautiful and peaceful walking metre woody stems covered with from a side creek were available. alongside the river. white flowers. Occasionally the track takes interesting diversions^ The freshwater spring by the. ocean. Photos: Eric Pickering. into the bush away from the river—the Eagle Hawk and Bul- Iocky's Tracks are examples of these. En route to Nelson we camped at the Post and Rail Camp and at Pattersons. Pit toilets and water from a water tank fed by the toilet roof were available. These facili­ ties were to be a feature of all but two of our camp-sites. There are several other camps and landings in this section, presumably used by canoeists and those in other watercraft. At Pritchard's landing we met Mr Kelly, a park's officer. He was the only person we saw on this sec­ tion of the walk. He told us some interesting things. The river is tidal for over 70 kilometres upstream—as far inland as Dartmoor where Major Thomas into the air and travelling in flat land behind the beaches cov­ Mitchell started his voyage in unison with the breaking waves. ered with brush and tall timber. 1836. There had been about 70 We noticed several fast flowing Settlement of the area did not huts along the river, largely for rips. These factors and the reason­ commence until the 1830s when recreational use. Following the ably cool conditions were enough pioneers such as former sealers, declaration of the Lower Glenelg to set aside any thoughts of seri­ Dutton and Henty, entered the National Park in 1969 and a 15 ous swimming or surfing. area. Crown Surveyor, J Tyers, year phase-out period nearly all Discovery Bay has 60 kilometres arrived in 1839 to establish the the huts were removed. The only of beach broken only by the South Australian border—an exer­ huts remaining are those at Pat­ rugged Cape Montesquieu head­ cise finally resolved in 1914 by the tersons which I understand have land. We walked 35 kilometres Privy Council! been retained for historical rea­ along the beach and did not see sons. Pattersons was a canoe camp another soul. There were enor­ Dunes established in the 1920s by the mous pieces of thick, leathery sea­ Pattersons of Warrock Station for weed, some interesting sea-birds— The dunes of today are possibly their family and staff. gulls, terns, dotterels and oyster- little different from those seen by Grant, Baudin, Tyers and the As we approached Nelson, the catchers^—and, in places, plenty of early pioneers. The south- white limestone cliffs of the Gle­ flotsam and jetsam. westerlies are still 'ferocious and nelg River Gorge became much The camp-sites on the beach sec­ unrelenting; the land is a little j^fcmore evident and the water tions of the walk are tucked away more vulnerable because of clear­ seemed deeper. We could imagine in the shelter of dunes. The White how Mitchell felt in 1836 as his Sands, Lake Mombeong and the ing, attempts to drain coastal party rowed towards the mouth of Swan Lake Camps are situated swamps, over-grazing and erosion. the river hoping to find a natural near fresh-water lakes in the Dis­ There have been problems with harbour. His hopes would have covery Bay hinterland. The beauti­ 'dune drift' which has sometimes been soaring at this point of the ful Trewalla Camp overlooks threatened to drown the lakes and journey. Unfortunately the estu­ Bridgewater Bay. hinterland farming land. Marram ary proved to be quite unsuitable Lieutenant James Grant of H.M. grass introduced by Baron von as a harbour. The track followed Brig Lady Nelson was the first Mueller in the 1880s has been the cliff-edge, providing splendid European to see this coastline on used effectively in some places to river views. There were wild flow­ December 3, 1800. The French­ stabilise the dunes. ers in abundance, notably a very man, Baudin, aboard Le Geo- I found the dunes fascinating. attractive variety of grevillea. graphe, was next in 1802. He is Some dunes, particularly the ones Here and there we caught sight of responsible for the French place a kilometre or so inland, are emus and an emu chick. Closer to names in the area and Grant for thickly vegetated with masses of Nelson were a few boat houses. some of the British names. Grant impenetrable scrub. Beautiful We arrived in Nelson mid- noted many fires along the bay green 'curtains' of a species of afternoon after three days and 50 suggesting the presence of Aborig­ rambling succulent hang from any kilometres of walking. Nelsqn is a ines. He also noted that there was convenient bush or tree branch. village with a store/post office, a j^fchotel and accommodation. We col- lected the food for the second part Pat Pickering in the dunes. of the walk which we had posted to the Nelson Post Office a week earlier. Next morning we set off down the road to the sand dunes and the Discovery Bay Coastal Park. The walk over the next seven days included a mixture of beach, dune and cliff walking and an excursion into the Mount Richmond National Park. Beaches The beaches are wide, backed by dunes and pounded by an unre­ lenting sea. The surf was enor­ mous. The huge waves reared up, curled over and disintegrated into a white foam. The wind would catch them at the crest sending sheets of fine spray several metres Wild flowers were abundant—the beautiful noonflower (carpobrotus) and the vividly purple daisy ibrachycome) were two very spec­ tacular varieties. Without the track maintained by the Friends of the GSWW, progress in these areas would have been slow and difficult. The inland track from White Sands to Lake Mombeong was an example of this. The last kilometre of this section is a mem­ orable walk along the shores of the picturesque and tranquil Lake Mombeong. Other dunes have little vegeta­ tion but contain evidence of Abo­ riginal presence: shell middens, chert mining and tools. It is likely that similar evidence has been engulfed by shifting sands possibly to be revealed at some future time. Descartes Bav At the base level of these dunes is a peat-like material, appearing also on the beach, which may burst of 'On Ilklemoor Baht'at' from Antwerp to Sydney via Ade­ belong to a former wetland. These from Enid and David. At Bridge- laide with 25 passengers including dunes also contain relics of a water Lakes, normally a very the Belgian Consul and nine per­ former forest. attractive area, we experienced a sonal staff. They all perished. (Bel­ Yet another variation on the violent storm, a fitting welcome gium had representation in dune theme occurred between the for our return to the coast and the Australia as early as 1837!) beach and Swan Lake Camp. The cliffs. Another interesting place was two kilometre stretch from the Cliffs: There were two main the so-called Petrified Forest— beach to the camp was stunning. areas of cliffs to be walked: Cape sandstone monuments to a former We could have been in the Sahara Duquesne and Capes Bridgewater forest. We noted evidence of this Desert! There were so many dunes and Nelson at either end of the forest over the full 60 kilometres with almost no vegetation. The beautiful Bridgewater Bay. Some of Discovery Bay but the best dunes were huge, rising to 40 or cliff areas were stony with no veg­ examples of the former trees are in 50 metres, and the area vast- etation except for a few tough old the area near the blowholes. The Some are used for the strictly con­ shrubs growing horizontally. generally accepted theory is that trolled sport of dune buggy Other cliff-tops were covered with drifting calcareous sand dunes cov-1 driving. low-growing shrubs in flower and ered forests of melaleuca lanceol- ata. Water percolated through the Mount Richmond pockets of mallee. sand and formed a hard crust We had a surprise at the Blow­ National Park around the trees, a process helped holes. It was 8.30 am on 26 Octo­ by chemicals leaching out from the As a break from the beach and ber 1993 and in the distance we rotting trees. Subsequent erosion dune walking and to avoid the soft could see a ranger scurrying has revealed sandstone casts rep­ sands of Descartes Bay we made a towards the cliff-top. When we got resenting over-sized replicas of the diversion inland to Mount Rich­ close to him we could see that he trees. On the cliffs of Cape mond. Part of this section of the was busy varnishing the wood sur­ Duquesne approaching the walk took us near farmland and rounds of a plaque mounted on a Springs Camp, we experienced the stand. It was a memorial to the pine plantations before entering full might of a southerly buster. Marie, a three-masted wooden the park. The park is renowned for We were subjected to buffetting by barque of 400 tons, and the Jane, its wild flowers; we were not disap­ the wind estimated at 120 kilome­ a three-masted schooner of 208 pointed, flowers were everywhere. tres per hour. Pat could scarcely tons. The ships were wrecked The mountain is the remains of a keep her feet. The Springs is argu­ nearby in 1851 and 1863 respec­ volcano covered by sand blown up ably the most exposed and wind­ tively. The plaque was to be from Discovery Bay. It is now a swept camp-site in Australia but draped with the Belgian flag and habitat for some 450 species of we managed to find a relatively unveiled at 10.00 am that very native plants. The route out of the calm camp a little farther inland. morning by the Belgian Ambassa­ park took us to Tarragal Camp dor. The Belgium Embassy tells then across some fields and stiles. We set off to inspect the Springs. me that the ship was en route It was enough to cause an out- There are several natural springs TRIPS

of walking. After a few kilometres it began to rain and the wind grew stronger. On the exposed cliffs it was bitterly cold. We walked faster and faster to keep warm. At about 11.30 am we staggered wet and cold into the Portland Information Centre. We were glad to change into warm, dry clothes. The walk started and finished in rain but we were happy and con­ tent having completed our eleven- day, 175-kilometre walk. We thor­ oughly enjoyed the experience of walking in this beautiful part of Australia. The terrain is varied and full of interest. There are beautiful views of river, lakes, beach, cliffs and dunes. Wild flow­ ers are abundant and there are many geological and archaeologi­ cal surprises. The walking is easy Sculpture in erosion. thanks to the development of the track by the Portland High School and community groups in 1983 and continuing track maintenance along this part of the coast. The possibly the most attractive camp­ by the Friends of the Great South reason for their existence is simple site on the walk. It is sheltered West Walk. enough. The cliffs are of limestone and surrounded by lush vegeta­ underlain in places with impervi­ tion and wild flowers. There are We averaged 16 kilometres a day ous basalt. Ground water seeps steps leading to a wooden deck with plenty of time for viewing, through the limestone to the where we would sit with our mugs photography and investigating basalt which happens to be tilting of tea and enjoy views of the and were in camp by 3.00-3.30 pm seawards. We clambered down the ocean. each day. This area is not remote cliff via a convenient ramp to in the same sense as Kakadu or inspect this particular spring. The final two days the Kimberiey but there is that Beautiful fresh water was gushing wonderful experience of wilder­ In the final two days we walked from a hole in the limestone a few ness. The sub-title used by the the beach of Bridgewater Bay and metres above sea level. Behind us Portland people is most appropri­ the cliffs of Cape Nelson where the sea was in a fury, pounding ate—A Walk on the Wild Side. there is a lighthouse. It was windy ^the rocks with all its might. We but fine for our final night at pelt as if some of the waves would Eric Pickering Pickering Mallee Camp. In the morning we surely come and take us. From the set out on the final 16 kilometres seaward side it was obvious that the ramp we had walked down was man-made. Early settlers built it for cattle when other sources of water failed. At Cape Bridgewater we admired dolphins and seals show­ ing off their swimming and diving skills in the water below us. Some swallows swooped close by and showed their considerable aero- batic talents in the strong wind. We made our way down to the beach-side village of Bridgewater tucked in the sheltered western end of the beautiful Bridgewater Bay. We found the kiosk shown on the map and had a welcome break from our dehydrated diet of the past week before moving on to Tre- Cape Bridgewater Cape Nelson walla Camp. Trewalla Camp was Mootwingee—treasure house

The warning was dire: even with In making these and other art­ barbecues, showers, loos and lim­ moderate rain the outback dirt or works (for want of a better term) ited water. gravel roads on which I wanted to the Aborigines used red and yellow Apart from strolls within the his­ drive become impassable and I ochre, gypsum, potch or pipeclay, toric site, separate trails can be could be stranded for days. and the colour black derived from walked in the park with the long­ That was enough for me. I had wood burned in their campfires. est occupying about two hours. but a short time to spend in Gerritsen says that perhaps only There are a couple of drives with Broken Hill and wanted to use at sixty to eighty members of the Wil- one following the route taken by least two days visiting the isolated yakli tribe of semi nomads would old-time wagons and coaches Mootwingee National Park and its have occupied Mootwingee at any between Broken Hill and White more accessible counterpart, Kin­ one time. Rockholes filledwit h Cliffs. Ruins of the Rockholes chega. So I gave up the self-drive water, and food obtained from Hotel and what are said to be spec­ idea and took tour buses. plants and animals, sustained tacular rock formations can bo If staying in Broken Hill, you these Aboriginal people for hun­ seen. These piles contain examples need to put aside at least a day to dreds of generations, perhaps 25 of Aboriginal art although to reach visit each park because both are 000 to 30 000 years. They are said one of them you have to walkf over 100 kilometres away, but in to have gathered at Mootwingee about three kilometres. opposite directions—Mootwingee for the last time around 1850. The other national park. Kin­ is 130 kilometres to the north-east A familiar wretched story of dep­ chega, is based on a former pasto­ and Kinchega 110 kilometres to rivation of land, denudation of ral property of the same name and the south-east. vegetation by cattle and sheep, the Menindee chain of freshwater Mootwingee has striking exam­ starvation and disease destroyed lakes. Spectral drowned trees ples of Aboriginal culture and is the Wilyaklis and their culture. (wedgetail eagle nests were obvi­ the more stimulating of the two But at Mootwingee they left ous on a number of them) make for parks. I found a day there was not behind a rich storehouse of arte­ a distressing scene. Water levels long enough, although in travel­ facts, middens, campsites, con­ arc controlled by the Water ling on the bus (fare $65) it was tainer trees, stone mounds, cave Resources Commission which, unfortunate that time was wasted paintings and rock engravings. when I was there, was looking at a on activities that didn't interest These engravings, some of which I proposal to drain a large part of me or some other passengers. saw on another short walk, can be one lake, Cawndilla. This lake, On the other hand, I had not found on slabs of smooth rock or like Menindee Lake itself, is a realised that to visit the Moot­ the walls of gorges. The blows of breeding ground for common and wingee Historical Site of Aborigi­ stone hammers delineated the rare waterbirds. nal etchings and paintings you actual images (kangaroos, emus, Scores of pelicans were clustered must be accompanied by an boomerangs among them) with the around the lake edges or feeding authorised person. Luckily our artists pecking out patterns in its waters when I saw Cawn­ guide, affable and helpful, did within these outlines. dilla, which was quite low. ^ have that authorisation, otherwise Mootwingee is dissected by the At its peak Kinchega Station the visit would have been an exer­ Bynguano range of sandstone clad used to run 143 000 sheep and its cise in frustration. in mulga and contains many shearing shed of river red gum For me and other visitors eager 'beautiful gorges' according to a and corrugated iron is now being to know more, the most tantalising National Parks and Wildlife Ser­ restored. It's worth a visit, espe­ of Mootwingee's cultural treasure vice information sheet. I support cially if you get a buzz out of the was the outlines of many hands this description from what I was equipment and machinery used by stencilled on the walls of over­ able to see, although it does not graziers. Groups (and presumably hangs or caves within easy walk­ tally with that of the explorer individuals) can book accommoda­ ing distance of a visitors' centre at Wills who in 1860 dismissed the tion (communal showers, kitchen) the historic site. area as one of'gloomy gullies'. Per­ near the shearing shed and as well All of the dozens of outlines I haps he was depressed or had a there are numerous camping sites saw were of the left hand, com­ premonition that he would not within the park. pounding the mystery. survive his expedition with Burke. Our tour guide (the outing cost One writer, John Gerritsen, has Visitors wanting to travel by $65) took a roundabout route to speculated that the hands were themselves to Mootwingee should Kinchega and again spent time on signatures' denoting ownership of, be aware that apart from the sight-seeing which did not excite or affinity with, tribal or toternic warning about the roads which the active. So Kinchega may well territory. It appears they were are okay when dry, there is no fuel have features I missed. For all made by the artists using their or food available at Mootwingee. that I would gladly visit Moot­ mouths to spray paint between fin­ The park does have a large camp­ wingee again, but not Kinchega. gers and palm. ing area with gas and wood-fired Graeme Barrow Barrow Ode to Dawa Nuru (our trek cook in Nepal)

The tents all sit there side by side, a snore comes from within. A hat is left on toilet tent—a very mortal sin! The washy water comes around, we wash our sleepy face, and rush up to the mess tent to grab our special place. 'Oh no! Not porridge more,' they cry. *Now where's our steak and eggs? We walked a lot just yesterday, need food to fill our legs to carry on tomorrow. Please see what you can do.' But Nuru answers gravely, This porridge is for you. Tomorrow I will kill a yak and make a lovely feast. You can have it for your breakfast if I can catch the beast.'

So early up they splashed their face and tumbled out of beds. They raced up to the mess tent and scratched their woolly heads when they saw the empty table looking very poor. They gazed at Nuru in disgust, *Now tell us what's the score?' And sadly Nuru shook his head, 'The beast he ran away. I'm sorry folks, your lovely stew will have to wait a day.'

With groans and grumbles they sat down and wondered what they'd eat. And while they're all in doom and gloom, Pauline leapt to her feet. 'Don't despair, w.e've got our biks, our lovely glucose malts/ But Nuru comes with steaming dish, the conversation halts. All necks crane forward to peer within, what delight have we to eat? He's really now excelled himself. It's curried duckies feet! Although we've never tried them, I see the plates licked clean, and everybody's smacking hps. They all seem really keen. I really think he did us proud, we had some lovely food. So here's three cheers for Nuru, we think he's pretty 'gude'. Ann Tedder

Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT This pocket guide, published by NPA (ACT), aims to enable the less experienced birdwatcher to identify any bird in the ACT and environs. Its publication has been made possible by a generous donation and much assistance from an NPA member, Alastair Morrison. Every bird species recorded at least three times in the past ten years has been included. Well-known Canberra birdwatcher and writer, McComas Taylor, wrote most of the brief descriptions in the field and noted key features of behaviour and common vocalisations. Renowned artist, Nicolas Day, painted male, female and young forms because many birds display marked differences in plumage. A system of icons indi­ cates habitats, time of year to expect sightings and status in the ACT. Several good birdwatching localities are described. Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT is available from the NPA office in Chifley and at NPA meetings at a members' price of $12.00. Retail outlets are selling the guide for $14.95. PRESIDENT

President's report 1992-93

Members of the National Parks Namadgi the On-oral Valley, the old track­ Association (ACT> had a busy year ing station sites and interpretive in seeking to fulfil Association Subcommittee signs for the park. The convenor, aims of promotion of national Syd Comfort, has worked tirelessly Namadgi National Park parks, protection of our environ­ for our Association in providing ment and education for nature Our local national park continues valuable input at meetings, in conservation. to receive special attention and a meeting with parks officers, in Changes were made to the NPA close relationship with the ACT writing and contributing to sub­ i ACT i constitution to meet- Parks and Conservation Service is missions and in providing back­ requirements of the Associations maintained. The location and con­ ground information from bis Incorporation Act 1991. Amend­ struction of the car park for access interest in ACT land-related ments were accepted at the March to Yankee Hat paintings became issues. an issue which was raised with meeting in a special resolution. Feral plants and animals Changes were procedural only and the ACT Minister for the did not affect aims and meanings Environment. The NPA (ACT) submission of clauses in our former Departmental representatives argued fur a coordinated approaeh^B constitution. responded by calling meetings to the problem, proposing protec­ After nine years of office accom­ with concerned environmental tion of non-affected areas, identifi­ modation in the Childers Street groups and finally forming a com­ cation of vulnerable sites, complex we moved to larger, mittee to plan relocation of the investigation of all aspects of con­ brighter premises in Chifley. We carpark and restoration of the pre­ trol measures, education programs now have space for our archive vious site. NPA (ACT) had three and cooperation with NSW material, our growing library and representatives on this committee; authorities. for small meetings. We welcomed their contribution to meetings, Rural leases a new secretary in July; Charmian inspections and reports was much Crimmins has settled in to our appreciated. We continue to make We emphasised the need for pro­ routines and is handling office representations for a toilet to meet tection and conservation through inquiries cheerfully and compe­ the needs of growing numbers of appropriate management strate­ tently Laraine Frawley was fare- visitors. gies of remnant woodland and native grasslands. welled after nine years of faithful Work on the Orroral Homestead Other submissions included work and was wished good fortune and environs proceeds slowly. The those made on the North Watson in her new employment. dicovery of arsenic in the vicinity development, the Lower Molonglo Membership numbers remain of the woolshed stopped a govern­ Water Quality Control Centre, the similar to last year. The outgoing ment project to conserve that ACTEW Environment Plan and committee has moved to reconvene building and complete work on the the Tuggeranong Homestead. the Marketing Subcommittee house. NPA work parties continue which will promote our Associa­ and we hope soon to expend the tion more widely, hoping to attract last of our 1982 Heritage Grant on new members to become involved resurfacing of the internal stone Environment in activities. walls. Subcommittee Members joined ACT Parks and The financial position remains Snowy Precipitation satisfactory with donations, grants Conservation personnel in deter­ Enhancement Project from the Community Development mining the route of the final stage Fund for office administration and of the Tri-state Alpine Walking Our submission on the draft envi­ the Bulletin and book sales supple­ Track from Booroomba Rocks to ronmental impact statement menting our membership fees. We the Namadgi Visitors Centre. An expressed great concern about this continue to employ an office secre­ NPA work party completed the proposal. We highlighted the tary 14 hours per week, a research last section of the track down Mt threat to fauna and flora conserva­ assistant on a needs basis and the Tennent. tion in Kosciusko National Park Bulletin editor Unfortunately, our NPA joined with the National and the disregard for the wilder­ new office accommodation is not Trust and the Kosciusko Huts ness values of the area, as well as rent-free and some funds were also Association in a joint submission questioning the economic benefits spent in upgrading security of the for funds to preserve the Tennent to be achieved. building. A fax machine has been pise homestead. A contract for a added to the assets. Membership conservation plan has been let. Jervis Bay rates remain unchanged. Thanks The Namadgi Subcommittee also In responding to a discussion are due to our treasurer, Mike dealt with a report on Aboriginal paper, points made related to the Smith, for his untiring contribu­ involvement in Gudgenby, a pro­ call for an aquatic reserve, habitat tion to NPA's operation. posed recreational development in corridors, tourism, urban run-off, PRESIDENT

the armaments depot and the Representation with replanting of degraded areas. other organisations Wilderness assessment Anne Taylor, our representative Letters were sent to several NSW on the ACT Environment and parliamentarians expressing sup­ Conservation Consultative Com­ port for the creation of ten pro­ mittee, keeps subcommittees posed wilderness areas, in informed of current issues and pro­ particular Deua, Nadgee and vides an avenue for NPA input Goodradigbee. into committee deliberations. We Attention was also paid to the are fortunate that three other Austel Telecommunication Code, members, Den Robin, Fiona Brand the Coastal Zone Strategy and and Kevin Frawley are also on Crown Land conversions in NSW. that committee. Tim Walsh and members of the Beverley Hammond and Anne Environment Subcommittee are to Taylor attend meetings of the Con­ be congratulated for their invalu­ servation Council of the South­ able input on behalf of our Associ- east Region and Canberra; Len tion members. Our vice- Haskew is our representative on «resident, Di Thompson, is the Environment Centre Commit­ actively involved with this group. tee; Doreen Wilson is on the Heri­ Ken Johnson puttying up one of the tage Week Committee; Babette replacement panes of glass at the Scougall represents NPA on the Outings NPA work party at Orroral newly formed Cultural Heritage A program of short and long homestead. Photo: Reg Alder Working Group; Clive Hurlstone walks, carcamps, ski and canoe maintains our interest in the trips, work parties and educa­ Childers Street complex; Neville tional outings continues under the Esau and Kevin Frawley continue to Adrienne Nicholson for supper as office bearers on the Australian leadership of Mick Kelly and those arrangements. who assist with their ideas at sub­ National Parks Council. Nicki committee meetings. Several new Esau has recently been appointed areas have been explored and add ANPC executive officer and works to our knowledge of the local Bulletin from our office in Chifley. region. Our quarterly publication contin­ Thank you to all members of ues to be well received. It informs committees, all Bulletin contribu­ members about current conserva­ tors, outings leaders, staff mem­ Archives tion issues, reports on Association bers, workparty participants and initiatives and activities and is a those who attend outings and The establishment of our new valuable record of all events relat­ meetings. .^pffice premises allows archival ing to the National Parks Associa­ We are encouraged by the 'silent' fl^naterial to be gathered in one tion (ACT). The Bulletin members who, whilst they don't place. Recording, sorting and Subcommittee meets before publi­ actively participate in Association sifting continues with the invalu­ cation and thanks are due to Phyl programs, add their membership able assistance of Sheila Kruze. Goddard for assistance with backing and financial support proofreading. which enable the Association to operate. With the continued sup­ General meetings port of all members, the National Parks Association (ACT) can main­ Monthly meetings at the Griffin Publications tain its valuable contribution to Centre enable members to learn The Field Guide to the Native the protection, preservation and more about environment-related Trees of the ACT continues to sell enhancement of our environment. issues. Guests spoke on ACTEW well. Discussions on a flora guide strategies, the Forestry Commis­ continue—a list of plants has been Beverley Hammond sion activities, exotic plant inva­ drawn up and a financial analysis President sions, feral foxes and biodiversity has been made by Les Pyke. in national parks. We heard about August 1993 Greening Australia programs, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, map-making and the Ant­ arctic. Len Haskew is currently organising our program as part of his duties as secretary. Thank you BOOKS

Aboriginal Involvement in Parks and Protected Areas

Edited by Jim Birekhead, Terry de regime and, elsewhere in the book, I consider this book to be chal­ Lacy and Laurajane Smith, pub­ a telling comment is made by lenging (and informative) reading lished by Aboriginal Studies Press, David Mowaljarlai from the for all who are interested in our 390pp. Gulingi Nangga Aboriginal Corpo­ national parks. The recent Mabo The conference, held in 1991, ration, who says 'if government decision has caused some degree of that gave rise to the set of papers comes in and takes these responsi­ concern for conservationists but a which constitute this book had a bilities away from us, we will be reading of a few of the papers pre­ very prophetic aim, that is, 'to hurt and shamed, and the land sented in this volume will perhaps hopefully...put to rest, at long last, will die'. convince readers that Aboriginal the lingering ghosts of terra nul- In the final paper Terry de Lacy, people must have real, rather than lius'. The aim is achieved by exam­ from Charles Sturt University, token, decision-making power in ining the clashes and tensions endeavours to define a 'truly Aus­ the management of our national between Euro-Australian notions tralian national park' and he con­ parks. of 'conservation' and Aboriginal cludes by saying that the greatest A copy of this book is in our notions of'country'. potential benefit to be gained from library at Chifley. The papers were presented by a redefining the national park ethic Len Haskew. wide cross-section of people con­ in Australia would be to provide a cerned with the management of potent symbol of how we need to national parks and these included respect and care for our country. not only academics but also bureaucrats, professional consul­ tants, park rangers, Aboriginal project officers, members of land councils and representatives of indigenous cultures in other countries. The book has seven major themes: Aboriginal Land Manage­ ment; Economic and Legal Issues; YOU'LL Cultural Site Protection; Models of Aboriginal Involvement; Training NEVER and Education; Indigenous Prac­ GUESS tices in Other Countries; and Abo­ riginal National Parks. WHAT I Perhaps the section on Aborigi­ nal Site Management may have BOUGHT particular relevance for members of our Association. Sharon Sulli­ YOU." van, from the Australian Heritage A living gift that's not Commission, points out in her

1 paper that in many instances man­ a dead give-away "Adopt a Tree" m agement systems have sometimes Barnngton Tops and help felt that Aboriginal site manage­ preserve a wilderness ment was in conflict with or ran area under threat Your counter to their other manage­ kit contains pholo. certifi­ ment responsibilities. Yet, as she cate, 10% discount a' The says, the integration of the Aborig­ Wilderness Shop and inal and natural values of a region more! Only $40 immensely enriches both its signif­ icance and our understanding and Call (02) 267 7929 appreciation of it. Sullivan is opti­ lor the free brochure mistic that cultural resource skills No obligation, ol course can be readily acquired by park managers who possess good land Que TtVlLDERNESS JOCIETY management skills, because she feels that the principles of cultural and natural resource management are not dissimilar. Sullivan advo­ cates integrating Aboriginal people into the management BOOKS

Revegetation Publications received by NPA The Outdoor Classroom: some outstanding school- Members are welcome any time at the NPA office to look through our col­ based revegetation projects lection of newsletters from other conservation organisations. A list of the publications received in the last few months follows. Edited by Malcolm Cox, Graeme Gibson, Janet Oliver for the Aus­ tralian Association for Environ­ Publisher Title mental Education, AGPS 1993 Griffin Centre Gazetteer This book presents seventeen dif­ ferent case studies of school reveg­ Canberra and SE Region Environment Centre Bogong etation projects which are much more than planting trees. The VNPA Newsletter studies cover all states and territo­ United Nations Environment Programme Our Planet ries and show how revegetation projects can become part of the Dept Environment, Sport & Territories Biolinks school curriculum, as well as ACF Conservation News ^Irawing in a wealth of experience, Jbommunity help and support. Habitat There are projects from primary school through to senior secondary Office of Multicultural Affairs Focus levels focusing on school grounds, Greening Australia, ACT & SE NSW Inc. Broadcast community areas and on overcom­ ing land degradation. Total Environment Centre Newsletter If you are considering a revegeta­ The Wilderness Society ACT Newsletter tion project, this book presents an excellent investment to help guide Field Naturalists Association of Canberra Newsletter you through the pitfalls and prob­ Dept Environment, Land & Planning Newsletter lems which can arise. The brief for this book required that the pro­ Environment Centre & Conservation Council Sustainable Times jects represented had to be techni­ National Trust of Australia, ACT Trust News cally sound, practical and likely to encourage behavioural changes Annual Report towards the long-term caring, con­ NPA (NSW) Berrima servation and sustainable manage­ Newsletter ment of our natural resources. The VNPA Parkwatch Outdoor Classroom is available at the Government Bookshop or at NPAQ NPA News ^^he Greening Australia office for National Threatened Species Network Alert ^:he modest cost of $10.00. The Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd The Colong Bulletin

(book review from Broadcast, the Field Naturalists Association of Canberra Inc Newsletter newsletter of Greening Australia, Office of the Status of Women Oswomen October/November 1993.) r Canberra & District Historical Society Newsletter ACT Council of Cultural Societies Inc Annual Report CSIRO ECOS Japanese government Pacific Friend

Reports received. Feral animals and invasive plants in the ACT, Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment, 1993 Exploring for a common ground, Aboriginal Reconciliation and Austra­ lian Mining Industry, 1993 Calendar JANUARY

Thursday 27 Environment subcommittee 7 45 pm, Fitchett St, Garran, Tim Walsh, 214 14(i5iw)

FEBRUARY 1 uesduy I Deadline tor March Bit (let in Thursday 'A Committee meeting 7.30 pm, 21 Hyndes Cr, Holder, Beverley Hammond, 288 6577 Thursday 10 Namadgi subcommittee 7 30 pm, 27 Aston Cres, Cook, Steven Forst, 274 8426 (w), 251 6817"h) Thursday 24 Environment subcommittee 7.45 pm, 43 Fitchett St. Garran. Tim Walsh. 274 1465(w) MARCH Thursday 3 Committee meeting 7.30 pm, 21 Hyndes Cr Holder, Beverley Hammond, 288 6577 Thursday 10 Namadgi subcommittee 7.30 pm, 27 Aston Cres, Cook, Steven Forst, 274 8426 iw). 251 6817(h) Thursday 24 Environment subcommittee, venue to he arranged

NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the ACT POSTAGE PO Box 1940. Woden ACT 2606 SURFACE PAID Registered Publication No. NBH0857 MAIL AUSTRALIA

General meetings

Held at S pm. Room 1, Griffin Centre , Bunda Street, Civic.

NPA Christmas Party Sunday 12 December 3pm, Orroral Valley Picnic Area. Drinks, cheese and cake provided. Bring your own tea.

Thursday 17 February 1994: Kangaroo Island

Adnenne Nicholson will share with us her adventures with echidnas on Kangaroo Island.

Thursday 17 March 1994: The Mallee Ian Fraser will tell us something of the history, natural history and conservation issues regarding this diverse and beautiful but, sadly, endangered area.