Flannel Flower (Antinotus Helianthi) in the Morton National Park NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY INC. Inaugurated 1960

Aims and Objects of the Association Office Bearers and Committee

Promotion of national parks and of measures for the President protection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural Kevin Frawley, 4 Shiels PI., Curtin. 2605 features in the Australian Capital Territory and else­ 82 3080 (H). 68 8309 (W) where, and the reservation of specific areas. Vice-President Vacant Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor re­ Secrefary creation areas. Julia Trainor, 2 Hill Corner. Yarralumla, 2600 Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoy­ 81 1 195 (H), 62 1514 (W) ment of, such natural phenomena by organised field Treasurer outings, meetings or any other means. Jan Gatenby, 16 Goodparla St., Hawker. 2614 54 3094 (H) Co-operation with organisations and persons having Publicity Otlicer similar interests and objectives. Glyn Lewis 95 2720 (H) Promotion of. and education for, nature conservation, Bulletin Editor and the planning of land-use to achieve conservation. Judith Simondson, 106 Jackie Howe Cres., Macarthur. 2904 91 6201 (H) Outings Convenor

CONTENTS Other Committee Members Neville Esau 86 41 76 (H). 49 4554 (W) President's Foreword 3 Philip Gatenby 54 3094(H) Committee News 3 Kevin Totterdell 81 4410 (H), 63 3270 (W)

New Members 3 Peter Roe 91 9535 |H)

The Northern Cotter Catchment 4 immediate Past President Gudgenby Grazing Controversy 6 Ross Carlton 86 3892 (H) Eden Forests: New Parks 9 Public Olhcer Report to Minister of Lands 10 Charles Hill 95 8924 (HI

Trees. Birds and History 1 1 Annual Subscription Rates (1 July - 30 June) Just Briefly 1 2 Household Members $20 Don't Fence Me In 14 Single Membe- • 11 5 Namaagi Matters 14 Corporate f\i 1 •>>-•;L-, SiO Recent Arrivals in NPA Library 14 Bulletin On-, ..) 1 : F;lm Projectionist Wanted 14 Concessi >. all Above Rates For new subscriptions ;oining between: Letters to the Editor 1 5 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate The Alps in Flower 16 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription The Wildlife Parks ot Africa 18 (up to 15 months membership benefit) Books for Sale 18 Flies and Lizards 1 9 ACF Environment Conference 19 Membership Enquiries welcome. Please phone Laraine Frawley at the NPA office on 57 1063. Cover Photo: Courtesy of Russ Kefford

The NPA of the ACT office is located in Kmgsley Street. Acton.

Office Hours: 1 0.00am to 2 00pm Mondays 9.00am to 2.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays Telephone: 57 1063 Postal Address: Box 457 GPO. Canberra 2601

DEADLINE DATES for NPA BULLETIN contributions: 1 5 October, 1 5 January. 15 April. 15 July Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Association opinion or objectives

Attention All Members ! Printed by Derek Kelly 54 1 226 Typesetting & Layout by Top Typesetters 51 6550 Contributions of between 200 and 300 words, with or without photographs (black and white preferably) are sought eagerly for the Bulletin. Of course we need longer items as well, but short ones are popular... with everyone 1 Share with us your camps, trips and pack walks, your trials and tribulations and adventures of all kinds. President's Foreword

Ian Fraser's report outlining the case for the conservation and reservation of the northern Cotter area of the ACT is now with the Association, lan's thoroughly researched document clearly details the naturaf and cultural values of the study area It shows that the potential timber values of the wet sclerophyll forest zones have been the major obstacle to the area's reservation, even though the realizable timber value appears quite small. The wet sclerophyll forests are of high habitat value and the Eucalyptus delegatensis (Alpine Ash) and E. fastigata (Brown Barrel) forest is itself of special ecological significance. Reservation of the area is a logical complement to Namadgi National Park and would contribute to the completness of the tri-state 'Alpine Parks' complex. Copies of the report are available from the NPA Office. Any comments or observations on the report would be welcomed by the committee.

Committee News

ACT Parks & Conservat­ Outings Environment ion Service Consultative The Committee accepted with The report on the lower Cotter Committee Meeting regret the resignation of Ian Haynes, has been published under the title and thanks him for his excellent The Northern Cotter catchment, The ACT Parks and Conservation contribution to the Association as ACT: a case for its conservation and Service has informed the meeting Outings Convenor. reservation, by Ian Fraser. Copies that they are conducting rabbit have been distributed to members control in Grassy Creek, and have While we continue oursearch for of the ACT Parks and Conservation let contracts for the spraying of a new Outings Convenor, Stephen Consultative Committee, and it will blackberries to commence in May. Forst has kindly agreed to prepare be used as a lobbying document. The Square Rock track near the next outings programme. Copies are available at cost, i.e. Smokers Gap is now completed. $6.00 each. Copies of the ACT Tourism Strategy Heritage Week In an effortto publicise the values are available from the Office. of the proposed Brindabella Nat­ Heritage Week 1988 saw a ional Park, the Committee plans to renewed effort by Glyn Lewis and publish acolour brochure describing his Publicity and Education Sub­ New Members the area. committee. An exhibition was held The following new members are Further afield, but in an area at the Albert Hall, and there was an welcomed to the Association: much visited by our members, the essay competition and a full outings National Parks and Wildlife Service Andrea Allen, Lyons; Mrs Jan Bruce, programme. of New South Wales is planning to Fraser; Richard Callan & Vicky restore tracks and camping areas Mackay, Kambah; Anne Cochrane, General Meetings in the Budawangs, especially in the Weetangera; Nada Dobrijevic, Monolith Valley area The Comm­ Deakin; Trevor Francis, Pearce; The Association's general meet­ ittee has resolved to support this Kay Griffiths, Dickson; Graham ings are always addressed by inter­ proposal with appropriate lobbying Hatherley, Fyshwick; R. Holt, Camp­ esting speakers, and the Committee effort. bell; Andrew Lyne, Waramanga; is seeking ways to publicise our Barry McHugh, Queanbeyan; David meetings more widely, for example Pryce & Barbara Rae, Wanniassa; on local television and radio stations AN PC Meeting Alexandra & Maria Pukalskyj, which might offer free announce­ The Annual General Meeting of Queanbeyan; Tim & Lynn Pulford, ments. If you have any suggestions the Australian National Parks Curtin; Prof. Peter Self, O'Connor. for publicity, please contact the Council for 1988 will be held in Pat Treacy, Downer; Nina Wood, Office or a member of the Comm­ Canberra in October. Canberra; Mark Zanker, Lyneham. ittee. We currently advertise our general meeting in the Notes & Quotes column of The Canberra Times. The Northern Cotter Catchment, ACT A Case For Its Conservation and Reservation Some extracts from the recently completed report prepared for the Association by Ian Fraser

The study area represents the northernmost extent of the main chain ot tne Australian Alps. Except for a very small portion in the north of the area (roughly north of the Blue Range Road) the whole area is in the catchment of the Cotter River. Two Sticks Rd STUDY AREA It is generally referred to as the Blue Range Northern, or Lower Cotter Catch­ Rd \ ment. (See map.) In accordance with the brief pro­ vided by NPA the report examines the area's: CANBERRA - physical characteristics (eg climate, geology, vegetation); - current management and legislation;

- cultural values. Van it - natural values. The work was based on the premise that the area is worthy of conservation and reservation and is a presentation of the case in support of such action. lan's conclusion is that 'the area has high conservation value and is eminently worthy of legislative pro­ tection. There is also a high level of community and professional supp­ ort lor the proposed reservation. Indeed, in the course of my invest­ igations I was surprised by the number and diversity of people who willingly contributed to the prepar­ ation of this report, and to the intensity of some of the views expressed in support of protection for the area' Burkes Ck The case for conservation and reservation is set out in the following terms (text edited and modified Bushrangers Ck slightly for the Bulletin): 'The only way to ensure protec­ Namadgi tion of the area with statutory force would be to declare it a reserve National Park according to Section 51 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance 1980. In order to present a sound case Parrot Rd for proceeding with this, it is first necessary to understand why the area is not currently 'conserved', ie why it was not included in Namadgi National Park in 1984. There seems to be no disagreement that the reason for its exclusion lies in the marketable hardwood potential of the area. It should be noted that there is no short-term plan for is clear that 1) many, if not most, of While this is not necessarily an such a hardwood operation; it is them are associated with the wet exhaustive list, I believe that it is generally accepted that such a sclerophyll pockets underthreat of sufficiently comprehensive and proposition would be politically logging, and 2) these values are powerful to support an argument unacceptable at present. incompatible with logging. for the required preservation of the The commercial interest is not a 'The argument for retaining the area to be achieved by its formal general one; "the only forest types current values of the area are suff­ gazettal and prescribed manage­ within the catchment having an iciently strong I believe, and the ment. adequate bolewood volume with arguments for economic exploit­ I recommend therefore, that economically acceptable levels of ation of the timber resource suff­ NPA pursues with confidence the defect" are the E. delegatensis and iciently weak, to allow the case for case for conservation and manage­ £ fastigata The irony - and the preserving the area to be pursued ment of the North Cotter catchment basis of the whole conflict of inter­ with confidence. However, while a as an extension of Namadgi NP, via ests - is that it is precisely these necessary precondition, this is the following short-term mechan­ scattered wet sclerophyll pockets insufficient in itself to argue for isms: formal conservation and manage­ that have been continually identified a) That a north Cotter Nature Res­ ment. as the key habitat component of erve {merely a descriptive title on There are, however, several the area. my part) be proclaimed forthwith, as powerful arguments for this course. Over a sixty year rotation the a separate reserve under the ACT Some of these I have identified as timber resource has been estimated Nature Conservation Ordinance follows, in no order of priority. as yielding 2000 cubic metres per 1980, with its own management year. {To place this in perspective, 1. Management coherence and plan as prescribed by the Ordinance; I the ACT produces 180,000 cubic sympathy with surrounding natural b) that the revision of this plan be metres of Pinus radiata per annum.) areas. To the south and east of the timed to coincide with that of Nam­ This would be insufficient to support study area lies Namadgi National adgi, and that the amalgamation of even a small mill, but would be used Park, which has a comprehensive the two take place at that time.' to supplement an existing mill, management plan. There is little probably either at Yass or Captains doubt that the value of both areas Note: References have been del­ Flat. Precise royalty figures are not would be enhanced by the manage­ eted in the above. The complete available but on the basis of varying ment of the northern area in sym­ report is available for purchase from estimates, give a maximum revenue pathy with Namadgi. If the lands to the NPA office for $6 and postage. of $50,000 to $80,000 per annum. the west are dedicated as part of In normal circumstances, it the NSW parks system the same seems hardly likely that this supp­ argument applies. lement to consolidated revenue would be considered worthwhile. 2. Management of Research. The However, there is a most unusual area is an important and heavily- factor operating here, which is used research laboratory and class­ crucial to the whole issue. In 1955, room. These activities need to be The most important thing about a Forestry Trust Account was set up both protected and managed. Spaceship Earth - an instruction book didn't come with it. to give "financial flexibility" to ACT 3. Fire Management. This is curr­ -R. Buckminster Fuller forestry operations. This means ently quite ad hoc, a situation which »that the approximately half a million a management plan would certainly You can tell all you need to about a 'dollars spent on roads in the area require to be remedied. The issues society from how it treats animals came not from consolidated rev­ are complex and require more than and beaches. enue, but from Forestry Branch's ad hoc decision-making to resolve -Frank Deford 'own' money. Conversely, logging the imbalances created over the royalties would not return to con­ past 150 years of disruption to fire No one can really puli you up very solidated revenue, but would be regimes. high - you lose your grip on the retained by the Branch as a return 4. Recreation Management. There rope. But on your own two feet you on 'investment'. This, I believe, are many recreation pressures on can climb mountains. fundamentally alters the situation the area, which can only increase with regard to the practicalities of -Louis Brandeis as Canberra's population does. pursuing a case for effectively Individual commitment to a group removing the area from the Forestry 5. Feral animal and weed control. effort - that is what makes a team Branch's control. This is not to Currently random and scant; a data- work, a company work, a society suggest that such a course is not based plan is required. work, a civilisation work. feasible or desirable, but it is 6. Pine management. A problem of -V.L necessary to understand this the area is the very long involuted important dimension to the oppos­ north-east boundary of Pinus rad­ The key to success is not inform­ ition to the proposal. iata, an aggressively colonising ation, it's people. Certainly, other disinterested weed species in a natural forest. I -Lee lacocca studies have expressed opposition would strongly recommend a longer- to logging in the area e.g. an ANU term goal of eliminating-orat least Dept of Forestry study in 1973. not replacing after harvest - the A chapter in the report details peninsula of pines north of Blundells known natural values of the area It Hill, surrounding Blundells Flat The Gudgenby Grazing Controversy Kevin Frawley's article in the March Bulletin, 'The Gudgenby Property and Grazing in National Parks' has created some controversy. The following four letters have been received as a result ol Kevin's article. Remember that the Bulletin is a I or urn lor all members to express their views. Perhaps other members would like to put forward their thoughts after checking out the property for themselves. -Editor

tralian pride appear as a distasteful particularly in public ownership. Gudgenby: A Cultural and chauvinistic attempt to belittle Not to do so is to divide support for Heritage Asset the integrity of professional opinion conservation (whether in or out of other than those held by himself. national parks) bya blinkered dislike This statement is a response to The description by Kevin Frawley ot of grazing. Gudgenby is an example Kevin Frawley's article (National comparisons with the USA. Britain of responsible grazing manage­ Parks Association of the ACT Bull­ and Europe as inappropriate' and ment, continuing the traditions of a etin 25.3) on the Gudgenby grazing 'made in ignorance' is scarcely a cultural landscape where the actions issue by the ACT Heritage Comm­ positive contribution to informed of European settlement, commen­ ittee, a Committee charged with the discussion. The ACT Heritage cing 150 years ago and written duty of having regard to all aspects Committee is wary of analogies across the face of the landscape, of heritage. The implication of the with Britain. There are however, were documented over 100 years title of Kevm Frawley's article is valid parallels with the USA where ago. that continuation of grazing at the National Park Service manage Gudgenby expresses cogently Gudgenby on cultural heritage both natural and cultural resources. three of the values set out in the | grounds can be taken as support Australian natural resource man­ Burra Charter. These are Historic for grazing in national parks gen­ agers, concentrating on natural Values. Social Values and Aesthetic erally. This is not so. The ACT Heri­ heritage issues in national parks, Values. The basis for cultural herit­ tage Committee would, for example, quote USA literature, practice age value and continued grazing at strenuously support opposition to research and invite personnel to Gudgenby is related to its historic reintroduction of grazing or mining Australia. We also reserve the right beginnings in the 1830s/1840s in a fragile wilderness ecosystem: it to make valid comparisons. The This history is well documented is clear, from archival evidence National Park Service in the USA, and available for interpretative available, that it was not untouched through their Cultural Resource purposes. Archival evidence and wilderness when Europeans arrived, Management Division, manage current grazing use show that but was a manipulated system of cultural heritage sites including Gudgenby is an outstanding exam­ open grassy woodland or open historic sites. National Historic ple of a mountain valley used histor­ grass floored foresl Parks and rural historic districts ically lor transhumance grazing, Dr Frawley's equation with Braid- within national parks where wildf-i and later settled grazing; it bears wood is spurious. One pasloral ness values coexist. disiinclive component parts identi­ landscape with historic associative Kevin Frawley's supercH'i _1 fiable with its past. These have values is not the same as another, dismissal of the human nana m been lost in other valleys. The just as the particular site values terms of landscape values, mean­ component parts of the Gudgenby which set one national park aside ings to people and heritage con­ cultural landscape display integrity will be different from other parks. servation interrelationships ignores of fabric, setting and appearance The eguation by Dr Frawley demon­ the deeply ingrained appreciation resulting in heritage significance^ strates a lack of appreciation ol the of rural cultural landscapes in the as defined in the Burra Charter. The range of cultural heritage places, Australian psyche. This is well existing grazing landscape pattern their historical significance and documented in literature sources, demonstrates historical inter­ meaning and an unawareness of including many of our current histor­ relationships, continuity over time the interrelationship between ians (Smith, Bolton, Russell, Blainey, and strong historical associative natural and cultural material. It also White). It is part of human biological values because ot our knowledge demonstrates a lack of understand­ and cultural cognitive responses to of historical events and people. The ing of the methodology which is these landscapes, strengthened in area presents a fascinating picture applied to the determination of Australia by our tradition of literature of settlement by ordinary Austra­ cultural heritage significance, a and landscape painting which has lians with whom people can identify. methodology equally as rigorous enshrined these cultural land­ It is an evocative living link with our as that employed in natural heritage scapes as a national symbol. past whose social history values resource work. The methodology This Committee recognises that are preserved in a living, working for determination ot cultural heritage grazing has impacted Australian landscape. Elements connected significance is incidentally, an Aus­ ecosystems and that there is with Gudgenby's pastoral history tralian development encapsulated unequivocal justification for pre­ are vividly related to their cultural in the internationally recognised senting wilderness areas and nat­ and intellectual background; Australia ICOMOS Guidelines for ional parks on natural heritage value Gudgenby. therefore, stands as a the Conservation of Places of Cul­ grounds. However, this justification genuine and functioning historical tural Significance (The Burra does not sustain a dogma against record of our past of \oca\, regional Charter) pastoralism. There is a responsibility and national significance. Locally Accusations by Kevin Frawley of to have regard to the intrinsic values and regionally it is significant cultural cringe and the call to Aus­ that relate to given pieces of land, because it is a record of settlement

G The Gudgenby Grazing Controversy ... continued . of the area with integrity of setting, and grazing stopped where regen­ major part of the Boboyan pine appearance, fabric and association. eration occurs. forest was burnt. The dead trees It is nationally significant because Comment on the Service draft are now being blown over into tan­ it was part of the remarkable early management plan was more exten­ gled heaps and exotics proliferate push into the valleys of the south­ sive and recognised the importance unchecked. The Administration is west part of the Monaro within 40 of Gudgenby as a wilderness buffer unable to cope with the problem. years of the first fleet landing. zone in restricting public access Will the adjoining Gudgenby, like­ Gudgenby is a cultural heritage and its value in fire and weed control. wise, become a wilderness of asset requiring expert professional The Association commended the weeds? treatment to ensure continuity and Service on its initiative to carry out appropriate landscape manage­ investigative studies but expressed Reg Alder ment to protect its significance. To concern that before the leasing March, 1988 suggest that continued grazing is a was terminated, all plans should be threat to 'our wild and natural land­ in readiness and adequate funds scapes' is a misrepresentation. and resources be available to imple­ ment the plan. Until plans and funds Gudgenby D.J. Mulvaney CMG were at hand, no objection was The recent announcement by the Chairman raised for appropriate leasing to Parks and Conservation Service extend, with incentives for the ACT Heritage Committee that the grazing lease in the Gud­ lessee to act in the interests of April, 1988 genby Valley would be terminated ultimate park policy. in June 1989 {reported by Kevin The Association outlined a num­ Frawley in the last Bulletin) will be The Future of Gudgenby ber of items it would like to be welcomed by members. As one who included in the investigative studies was intimately involved in the cam­ The two articles in the March Bulletin and these included: parking areas, paign to remove grazing from the on the future of Gudgenby Station public access across the property, Orroral Valley, I am particularly and national park definitions fire control measures, restoration pleased that the aims of the Assoc­ demonstrate the difficulty of arriving of pasture areas, reafforestation, iation to conserve the natural values at a definition to cover complex assistance to the lessee to progress of the Park are slowly being realised. situations and of securing consen­ the post lease stage and a survey of As some comments have been sus from a number of disparate educational institutions to see if made concerning the retention of opinions. there is a requirement for the home­ European cultural heritage and The Association, in the immediate stead to be used for educational or current patterns of land use in the past in its comment on the policy field study purposes. Park, it may be timely to re-emphas­ and management plans for Nam­ Considerations on the future ise the role of national parks in con­ adgi, put forward submissions which use of Gudgenby are still active serving natural ecosystems, and the recognised that the lease of Gud­ and, on past experience, until these vital part played by NPAs around genby should be retained until plans are consolidated, it is premature to Australia in striving to protect and for its future use were finalised and terminate the lease in June 1989 extend Australia's National Park the Service had the ability to imple­ and possibly leave the whole of the system. A national parks system is ment them. property without the resources to needed to conserve the diverse The NCDC Policy Plan of June manage it. The value of the property and fascinating ecosystems and 1986 divided Gudgenby into two as a fire buffer zone was demon­ wildlife of Australia, and to protect sections to allow grazing to be strated during the devastating 1983 areas of outstanding scenic value. phased out. The western section fire and withdrawal should be in at Parks are important for recreation, would be naturally revegetated as a least two phases in accordance research, education, retention of buffer to the Wilderness Area. The with the promulgated NCDC policy. diversity, and protection of fragile eastern section would be used for In the proven Bradley method of environments. None of these needs car based recreation and the home­ bush regeneration, one of the stated can be ignored if we wish to con­ stead retained for park purposes. principles is to allow regeneration serve our distinctive natural heritage The Service in its Management Plan to dictate the clearing rate of exotics. for future generations. of June 1986, issued simultaneously The withdrawal rate of cattle should For all these reasons, grazing is with the NCDC Policy Plan, is in be an experiment designed to not an activity we would want to contradiction in that it opposes a maximise the resources available. support in national parks. As has phased withdrawal of grazing and This procedure is both economically been documented in many studies, the use of the buildings for park and environmentally sound. There grazing modifies natural ecosys­ purposes. With the proposed lease are many examples in the declar­ tems, either deliberately or incident­ termination the policy makers and ation of new national park areas, ally, in ways which prevent natural managers are at odds since I know where the abrupt termination of processes from continuing, and of no public variation of the NCDC grazing has resulted in exotics pro­ most importantly, which reduce the policy document. liferating and becoming completely natural species diversity in an area. Association comment on the out of hand through the inability of In a wider context, grazing also NCDC policy plan was that the a Service to eradicate them. impacts land management issues present land use be maintained It is now over five years since a such as catchment management, The Gudgenby Grazing Controversy . . . continued . where erosion, as well as siltation been canvassed in the Bulletin. Riding access is another likely and pollution of streams are impor­ Personally I am in favour of a demand. It is not a desirable activity tant issues. These are particularly continuation of grazing in Gud­ in a national park because horses - important issues for our alpine parks genby. I find itaestheticallypleasing and especially numbers of horses system. and Gudgenby provides a useful organised by commercial interests The challenge then, in Gudgenby, buffer zone on the fringes of the as is happening elsewhere - are is to manage the change to a natural Namadgi wilderness area. Except bound to introduce weeds through regime without producing undesir­ in purely ideological terms I do not theirfodderand droppings. Butthe able side-effects for the Park. This believe that grazing in Gudgenby large open areas of Gudgenby. challenge has been met in Kos­ adversely affects Namadgi. I would giving access to Rendezvous Creek ciusko. Kinchega. and other parks much prefer to see the lessee on one side and the Naas Valley where grazing was once a maior granted a long and secure exten­ and Grassy Creek on the other, are activity. The ACT Parks Service is sion. inviting for riders. no less able to manage this process, This is not to say that I am in And of course the Gudgenby with strong support from conserv­ favour ol grazing in every national area could provide splendid facil­ ation organisations. park but I believe that a reasonable ities for 4WD and trailbike enthus­ The preservation of European degree of flexibility is desirable. iasts to demonstrate their talents pastoral heritage and rural land­ Summer grazing in high alpine areas for environmental improvement scape values in the ACT and surr­ should certainly be banned because charging through swamps and ounding region, also an important of the destruction it causes to alpine creek beds and up steep slopes. issue, can be managed without plant communities. But in the case Self government is almost upon compromising national parks values of a productive, long-cleared valley us. It is going to bring profound in Namadgi. There are a number of floor such as Gudgenby I can see changes to the control structure of excellent examples ot working no objections to well managed the ACT. The authority of bureau­ grazing properties, such as Lanyon. grazing, provided public access crats will be modified and reduced which have been, and can continue through the property is preserved. by the political process. Coupled to be managed to preserve these An area such as the Gudgenby with the weakness of the statutory values without the same conflicts lease will not readily or quickly protection enjoyed by our national which arise in Namadgi. Film and regenerate as natural forest when park this can easily mean that very other forms of documentation can grazing ceases. It will rather, at real and new environmental press­ also be used to preserve any form least tor the next 30-40 years, be­ ures are likely to arise to the detri­ of heritage before changes occur in come a waste of poor scrub with a ment of Namadgi. Ideological purity patterns of land use. large population of introduced will not. I am afraid, be effective in In national parks, the prime goal plants, especially brambles an-r1 withstanding such pressures and is the conservation ot natural briars. The ACT Administration ' our Association may well come to systems. With the imminent cess­ not have the resources to mair-o i regret the void that will shortly be ation of grazing at Gudgenby. we or replant the area. The already created in Gudgenby. have the opportunity to extend this large kangaroo population may concept to another important part keep down pasture growth but in Alastair Morrison of Namadgi We should grasp this seasons of lush growth severe grass 20 March. 1933 opportunity and provide strong fires may occur. Furthermore I can support for the ACT Parks Service see no logic in leaving the very slow m this endeavour. growing Gudgenby pine plantations until they are ready to be harvested Neville Esau in 20 years time or so while banning 29 April. 1938 grazing in the adjoining areas. In any case I seriously question whether Gudgenby is likely to be Typewriter Grazing in Gudgenby left alone after June 1989. The probability is. given Gudgenby's For Sale Our President was entitled to state scenic values and easy accessibility, in the March Bulletin his belief that that demand will grow rapidly tor its The Association has an old type­ the termination of grazing in Gud­ development as a recreation and writer which has been twice super­ genby would have general support tourism centre. There is already seded - first by ou r electric typewriter in the Association. Nevertheless I increasing demand for more camp­ and now by our computer. If anyone am sceptical as to whether this ing/caravan facilities within the would like to purchase the old belief is valid. Some members are ACT. The Gudgenby homestead typewriter, it is a bargain at $10 or bound to disagree and I would area would be well suited for such a nearest offer. If you are interested, question whether most members purpose. From camping and cara­ please contact the Secretary or the have thought much about the vanning it is only a short step to a Office. matter let alone reached any con­ tourism centre, complete with kiosk, clusion. So perhaps I may express a chalets, children's playground, dissenting view and point out some swimming pool and large all- of the implications which have not weather car park. Eden Forests: New National Parks- almost? perhaps?

Information from article by Grahame Wells in National Parks Journal (NSW) 32(1) 1988:9-11. With permission of author. Prior to the NSW State election, several rare animals and arboreal equately conserved plant commun­ Liberal leader Nick Greiner and mammals in the region. ities will receive better conservation. National Party leader Wal Murray Wadbilliga National Park The habitat of five endangered stated that should the opposition mammals will also be protected. win the forthcoming election, they additions The additions will protect two would not proceed with the revo­ A major addition of 14,000 hec­ undisturbed river catchments and cation of the State Forests necess­ tares to the southern end of the help protect an important wildlife ary to bring about the dedication of Park incorporating Bega Swamps corridor between the coast and the proposed new national parks in the and Bemboka State Forest. tablelands. south-east. The results of that elec­ The addition will contain the tion are now history, and unless largest stand of Cool Temperate Murrah Nature Reserve rainforest in the region, and will there is a change in coalition direct­ This new Nature Reserve encompass two plant communities ion in New South Wales, the future encompasses land which is already not adequately protected else­ of the parks proposal looks bleak. given some measure of protection where. The extent of these park pro­ under the National Parks and Wild­ posals is outlined below (see map). Egan Peaks Nature Reserve life Act as the Biamanga Aboriginal The Greater Coolangubra A large extension of 10,800 Place. National Park hectares will protect 10 rare plants, The area is listed on the Register including four which are new to of the National Estate. This park will include the existing science. In addition four inad­ Nungatta and Nalbaugh National Parks as well as an additional 35,100 hectares bringing its area to 47,260 hectares. The park takes in the nominated THE EDEN PARKS Coolangubra Wilderness and pro­ tects all land in the vicinity on the Interim List of the Register of the NIMMITABEL National Estate. O Coolangubra National Park will include the "spectacular gorges" of Myanba and Stockyard Creeks, as well as waterfalls and other scenic areas. It contains several land sys­ tems not represented in existing Parks and will provide a link with Tantawangalo NP |the Coopracambra National Park in Victoria. The Park will contain 11 plant communities which prior to the Eden decision were poorly conser­ BOMBALA O ved. Additionally, it would protect four rare and threatened plant species and seven endangered mammal species. Coolangubra NP Tantawangalo National EDEN Park / i The new Tantawangalo Park will protect the catchment which reliably supplies high quality freshwater to rural townships in the Bega Shire. A Tantawangalo Creek qualifies as a N "wild and scenic river". 0 20 km 1_ _J CO­ The Park will include the only area of upland forest on basalt which remains uncleared in the Woodchip EXISTING NPs.NRs Agreement Area. Two rare eucalypt species will be protected and the NEW & EXTENDED NPs & NRs area includes important habitat for Nick Fisher. Summary of Report to Minister of Lands

The following is a summary of a abletoenjoyacooland private site We were concerned about report offered as constructive crit­ away from the crowds. access to public roads. Having been icism to (he Minister of Lands. The first afternoon we walked to emphatically denied access on one the junction of Burra and Tum- road, and understanding the unwill­ Our party (8 adults and 3 children) barumba creeks and were greatly ingness of farmers to have hood­ left Canberra on Boxing Day morn­ interested in the documentation lums roaring around their properties, ing, making camp at the Henry and photos along the track. There is we should like to be advised of our Angel Flat 10km south of Tum- scope for this to be extended. The rights. barumba at lunch time, for a stay of general public does not appear to Staff from the Department have two nights and three days. go far beyond the waterfall, and been particularly willing and help­ We were all pleasantly surprised from there on the track was at times ful and correspondence has been at the historical content of the area faint, overgrown and inadequately prompt and informative. II the Lands with respect to Hume and Hovell marked. Department is to be successful in and human activity, first gold mining The next day we walked to the the development and maintenance and now agriculture. We enthus­ Junction Campsite and returned. of various categories of tracks it iastically read every pamphlet and The track was in poor condition and should not only adopt some man-- plaque available and are eager for overgrown, and needs to be cleared agement practices from other auth­ more historical information on liie in a much wider swathe. We suspect orities but also create its own. around the route of this expedition. it may have been vandalised or In his reply of 29 Feb 1988, the From our wide combined exper­ sabotaged in places. Very few track Minister said that the problems of ience we felt that the facilities and markers remain, and the timber vandalism mentioned in (he report space at the track-head were excell­ barriers on this northern part of the were being investigated. He con­ ent. We are eager to return in track have all had the nuts removed firmed our remarks on overgrown another season perhaps in spring from the bolts, so that the cross­ parts and vandalism, and said that to see the flowers and visit further beams can be easily removed, and the Australian Trust of Conservation afield. the barriers are weakened. A large Volunteers would be carrying out a We 1 eel that the public has been tree has fallen across a signpost monthly maintenance piogramme. bombarded with activities relating and some of the documentation He did not give (he information we to the Bicentennial year, and it Bridges and steps are well madf were seeking on legal access. appeared to us that the Lands and were in good condition The full report is on file in the Department may have done this NPA records. worK without giving enough thought to tutuie u^tf anu maintenance, eg the camping area is vulnerable to misuse and vandalism. While we were there, there was far too much beer-drink i ng. las I driving, dust, and "blue' music into the early morning from the transient loutish element, to the annoyance of those wanting quietness. One cannot imagine the local police would be keen to patrol 1 0km out of the town regularly The generous provision of faciltnes has been abused - a board torn from the BBQ shelter, women's toilets flooded, and hot washing-up water used for showers in the site for disabled people's toilets (and we understand 9 rolls of toilet paper used as bath-towels). We suggest that the hot water facility should be removed or that showers should be provided. We realise that at peak times showers will need more servicing. Fortunately most campers settled close to the facilities. We were most grateful for the access to both sides of the creek, because we were thus 20 August - Saturday Ski Trip (A/B) 11 September - Sunday Ski Trip (C) Perisher Area Ref: Kosciusko 1 :S0 000 Guthega area Ref: Kosciusko 1:50 000 Leader: Phil Bubb 46 6134 (w) 81 4929 (h) Leader: Phil Bubb 46 6134 (w) 81 4929 (h) OUTINGS PROGRAM Phone leader early for details of this day trip for relatively A challenging trip to Whites River Hut and Schlink Pass inexperienced skiers. Exact location depends on snow. with a significant climb. Down Disappointment Spur Numbers limited 450 km drive. with some walking and carrying skis for about 1 hour. 21 August-Sunday Walk (B/C) Snow conditions may cause changes. Contact leader 5 Peaks Ref: Yaouk 1:25 000 early for details. Experienced skiers. 450 km drive. Leader: Frank Clements 31 7005 10/11 September - Weekend Pack Walk (1/2) June-September 1988 Meet: Kambah Village Shops 0830. A walk of 20 km Grassy Creek area Ref: ACT 1:100 000 climbing five individual peaks south east of Mt Gudgenby. Leader: Les Pyke 81 2982 Steep climbs, one of 350m at start. 100 km drive. Contact leader by Wednesday. Easy pack walk. Several 20/21 August-Weekend Pack Walk (1/2) km walk up Grassy Creek from Mt Clear, then from base Peak adjacent to Mt McKeahnie camp do exploratory walks involving 400m climb. 140 km Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 drive. Leader: Les Pyke 81 2982 15 September-Thursday Weekday Walk (A) Ginninderra Contact leader by Wednesday. Easy pack walk 6km up Falls Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Orroral Valley then from base camp a 400-500m explor­ Leader: Gladys Joyce 95 6959 atory climb up un-named peak 120 km drive. Meet: Carpark at entrance to Ginninderra Reserve 1000. 27 August - Saturday Ski Trip (A/B) Walks on tracks to see falls and down to Murrumbidgee. Three Mile Dam/Reeds Hill 4/5 km, 100m climb. Entrance ch&rge. Pensioners free. Ref: Cabramurra 1:2S 000 18 September - Sunday Walk (A) Leader: Neville Esau 86 4176 Brandy Flat Hut Ref: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 An easy day ski tour of approx 10-12 km. The venue may Leader: Jean Marshall 31 3443 vary with weather and snow conditions. The outing Meet: Kambah Village Shops 0930 for 8 km walk on fire should be suitable for less experienced skiers but is not trail from Glendale Crossing to Brandy Flat Hut. 80 km meant for beginners. Contact leader as numbers are drive. limited. 350 km return drive. 24/25 September - Car Camp 28 August - Sunday Walk (A/B) Berrima - Box Vale Track Historic Walk Ref Yaouk 1:25 000, Ref: Burragorang 1:100 000 Shannons Flat 1:25 000 Leader: Peter Roe 91 9535 Leader: Peter Roe 91 9535 Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this pleasant Meet: Kambah Village Shops 0745 or Brayshaws Hut at car camp. Arrive by lunch time Saturday and walk around OUTINGS GUIDE 0900. A 19 km walk at bottom end of Namadgi which outskirts of Berrima in afternoon. Sunday an historic walk Day Walks - Carry lunch, drinks & protective clothing takes in Brayshaws, Westermans and Grassy Creek on Boxvale Track, possibly continuing along the Natai Pack Walks - Two or more days, carry all food and camping Huts, Lone Pine and Boboyan ruins. Easy walk except for River to Mittagong. requirements. CONTACT LEADER BY WEDNESDAY. distance. 160 km drive. Car Camps - Oftenlimitedornofacllities.Vehiclestakentositecan 31 August-Wednesday Weekday Walk be used for camping. BOOK WITH LEADER EARLY. Boboyan Hut on Hospital Creek Other activities include Nature Rambles, Field Guide Studies, Ski Tours, Snow Crafts, Tree Maintenance and other projects. Ref: Yaouk 1:25 000 POINTS TO NOTE Leader: Robert Story 81 2174 DAY WALKS-GRADING Meet: 0930 at Glendale Park Headquarters. 13 km walk New faces to lead, new places to go! A Up to 15 km, mainly on tracks orforest roads, relatively flat terrain with 100 km drive. Please help to keep our Outings Program alive by volunteering or shorter distances through trackless open bushland. 4 September - Sunday Walk (B/C) to lead a walk occasionally. B Up to 20km, mainly on tracks or shorter walks through trackless Middle/Rendezvous Creeks Contact Walks Convenor Ian Haynes on 51 4762 (h). open bush. Ref: Rendezvous Ck 1:25 000 C As for 'B' may include rougher terrain, i.e. heavy scrub, rock Leader: Graham Guttridge 31 4330 hopping or scrambling or steep terrain. All persons joining an outing of the National Parks Association D Up to 30 km, relatively easy terrain or less over trackless or steep Meet: Kambah Village Shops 0830. A 14 km walk with a of the ACT. do so as volunteers in all respects and as such terrain. 400m clib up the (Mavis) ridge between Middle and accept sole responsibility for any injury howsoever incurred Rendezvous Creeks. Excellent views over the Gudgenby and the National Parks Association of the A.C.T., Its office PACK WALKS - GRADING Valley and southern end of Namadgi National Park 100 bearers and appointed leaders are absolved from any liability in 1 Up to 14 km a day over relatively easy terrain. km drive. respect of any injury or damage suffered whilst engaged in any 2 Up to 20 km a day, may involve long ascents. 3/4 September - Pack Walk (1) such outing. 3 As for '2' may include rougher terrain, ie, heavy scrub, rock ****** hopping or scrambling. Starlights Trail and Nattai River 4 Strenuous long distance or much steep climbing or very difficult Ref: Burragorang 1:100000 The Committee suggests a donation of FIVE cents per kilometre terrain. Leader: Kevin Totterdell 81 4410 (calculation to nearest dollar) be offered to the driver by each 5 Exploratory in an area unfamiliar to the leader. An easy weekend pack walk with base camp at the Nattai passenger accepting transport. Drive and walkdistances quoted Additional information will be contained in the actual walks program. If River. Easy/medium walking throughout the weekend. in the Program are for approximate return journeys. *m necessary contact leader. 15km round trip. Contact leader for details. 380 km drive. 1 June - Wednesday Walk (A) 29 June - Wednesday Weekday Walk (A) 30 July - Saturday Walk (A) Mount Mugga Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Mt McDonald Ref: ACT 1:000000 Yankee Hat Paintings Ref: Yaouk 1:25 000 Leader: Robert Story 81 2174 Leader: Charles Hill 95 8924 Leader: Beverley Hammond 88 6577 A pleasant walk of 10 km. Telephone leader for time and Meet. Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road 0930 Ramble Meet: Kambah Village Shops 0900. Round trip of 10 km place of meeting. and walk for 6 km with 150m steep rise Tracks and through Boboyan Pine Forest to Yankee hat Aboriginal 5 June - Sunday Walk (A) forestry roads, very good views. 20 km drive Paintings and back across open paddocks. 100 km drive. 2/3 July - Pack Walk (3/5) Majors Creek Falls Ref: Monga 1:25 000 31 July-Sunday Walk (A) Leader: Stephen Forst 51 6817 Square Top Mountain and Castle Hill Mt. Budawang Ref: Braidwood 1:25 000 Meet: King's Highway & Thurralilly Street. Oueanbeyan Ref: Endrick 1:25 000 Leader: Les Pyke 81 2982 0900. A 5 km walk to a lookout above Majors Creek Falls Leader: Philip Gatenby 54 3094 Meet: Canberra Railway Station car park 0830. Travel to Contact leader by Wednesday. A partly exploratory walk Mt. Budawang via Braidwood and Mongarlowe then walk near Araluen. 200 km drive. in a seldom visited area of the western Budawangs. Most up trails to fire tower for panoramic view of coast and 11/12/13 June - Car Camp of the walk will be off tracks and rock scrambling may be inland. 500m climb on trails. Walk 6 km. Drive 220 km. Oallen Ford Ref: Ulladulla 1:100 000 involved. 300 km drive 6 August - Saturday Ramble (A) Leader: Russ Kefford 26 2631 10 July - Sunday Walk (B) Duffy Pines Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Telephone leader before Wednesday. Base camp with Mt Coree Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Leader: Margaret Aston 88 7563 walks in the Budawangs - Corang Peak and Admiration Meet: Cotter Road/Eucumbene Drive at 0830. Climb Meet: Cotter Road/Eucumbene Drive 1300 for a 5 km Point. 200 km drive. 11/12/13 June - Pack Walk (3/5) 600m up fire trail from Blundell's Flat for good views from ramble through pine forest and open country west of Genoa River Ref: Craigie 1 MOO000 Mt Coree and return down Pabral's Road fire trail. 12 km Duffy. Bring afternoon tea. Nungatta 1:25 000, Yambulla 1:25 000 walk, 80 km drive. 6/7 August- Weekend Snow Camp (1/2) Leaders: Pat & Eric Pickering 86 2128 16 July - Beginner's Ski Day (A) Tabletop Mtn/Mt Selwyn Contact leaders by Wednesday. This will bean exploratory Perisher Track Ref: Perisher Ski Touring Map Ref: Cabramurra 1:25 000 walk in the upper reaches of the Genoa River, on the Leaders: Stephen Forst 51 6817 Leader: Stephen Forst 51 6817 NSW/Victorian border, in an area bounded by the Genoa Nick Gascoigne 46 2167 Contact leader early for details of this weekend ski tour. River, Mt Coopracambra Mt Ningatta and Mt Merragunegin Contact leader by Wednesday for details on this begin­ Camping wilt be in or at Broken Dam Hut (above the Not for beginners as steep climbs, rock scramb­ ners' ski touring day. An introduction to cross-country snowline). Numbers limited. 400 km drive. ling and scrub may be involved. Gorges and mountain skiing for beginners and those wishing to refresh old 7 August - Sunday Walk (A) views. 500 km drive. skills. Numbers limited. 450 km drive. Big Hole and Marble Arch Ref: Kain 1:25 000 18 June - Saturday Walk (A) 20 July - Wednesday Walk Leader: Shirley Lewis 95 2720 Canberra Skyline Ref: ACT 1:000 000 Murrumbidgee Walking Track Meet: Canberra Railway Station 0730. A pleasant walk Leader: Peter Roe 91 9535 Ref: ACT 1:000 000 through open forest, along tracks and firetrails. Bring old Meet: Kambah Village Shops 0900. A 12 km walk up and Leader: Shirley Lewis 95 2720 runners and towel for the paddle across the Shoalhaven over Mt Taylor (200m) and across to Farraer Ridge. Up to Meet: Kambah Pool bitumen parking area 0930. Walk River. Spectacular gorge at Marble Arch but can be Mt Wanniassa Trig then return to cars by a round trip. along a track following the Murrumbidgee River from slippery in wet weather. 10 km walk 1 80 km drive. 19 June - Sunday History Drive/Walk (A) Kambah Pool to Pine Island and return. The country is 13 August - Sunday Walk (A) History Tour - Various Sites Ref: ACT 1:000 000 undulating with good river views; lunch at a sandy beach Hills & Ridges of the National Capital Open Space Leader: Doreen Wilson 88 5215 and total distance approx 16 km. System Meet: Chisholm Shopping Centre at 0900 for a tour of 23/24 July - Ski/Camp Weekend (B/C) Ref: UBD Canberra & NCDC NCOSS brochure axe grinding grooves, canoe tree, rock shelter and Farrer's Island Bend Ref: Kosciusko 1:50'000 Leader: Kevin Frawley 82 3080 grave. Bring lunch. 40 km drive. Leader: Garth Abercrombie 81 4907 Meet: corner Archibald & Dryandra Sts, Lyneham (car 26 June - Sunday Walk (C) Day tours from Guthega with an overnight car camp shuffle). Walk from Oakey Hill (Woden) to Scrivener Dam Booth Range and Dry Creek below the snowline at Island Bend. Exact details of trips to Green Hills Pine Forest, Black Mtn and Bruce Ridge. Ref: Michelago 1:25 000, Colinton 1:25 000 will depend on weather and snow conditions. Contact 13/14 August-Weekend Ski/Camp (2) Leader: Jack Smart 488171 leader by Wednesday. Numbers limited. 450 km drive. Venue depends on snow. Meet: Kambah Village Shops 0800. Walk from Brandy 24 July - Sunday Walk (A/B) Leader: Nick Gascoigne 46 2167 (w) 51 5550(h) Flat Fire Trail to Booth hill follow southerly ridge to frost Honesuckle Ridge Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 Contact leader early for details of this ski touring/snow valley and to Dry Creek. A 16 km walk on a circular route, Leader: Shirley Lewis 95 2720 camping weekend. Numbers limited. Venue will depend some thick scrub and scree slopes. Climb of 700m. 120 An 8 km walk from Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station on snow conditions and levels of experience. Ski with km drive. up a firetrail and along a track in open forest along the pack. 450 km drive. 26 June - Sunday Walk (A) ridge. Spectacular granite rock formations and views 13/14 August - Pack Walk (1) Mts Ainslie/Majura Ref: ACT 1:000 000 over Orroral Valley. 265m climb. Meet at Kambah Village Rendezvous Creek/Nursery Swamp Leader: Judith Webster 47 6769 Shops at 0900. 100 km drive. Ref: Rendezvous Ck 1:25 000 Meet. Horse paddock in Antill Street just past end of 30 July- Saturday Ski Trip (B) Leader: Dianne Thompson 88 6084 houses towards Health Hostel at 1000. Climb Mt Majura Kiandra/Mt Selwyn Ref: Cabramurra 1:25 000 Walk from OrroralValley to camp on Rendezvous Creek. on footpath, then along ridge to Ml Ainslie and back Leader: Dugald Munro 31 8776 300m climb over saddle to southern part ol Nursery along fire trail 7 km walk. Phone leader for details of this ski day. Exact location will swamp. Meet at Register book in Orroral Valley 0930 depend on snow conditions. An easy (approx 1 2 km) trip (please contact leader) 80 km drive. but some experience necessary. Numbers limited. 4Q0 km drive. ATTACHMENT TO BULLETIN 25 (4)

The following was inadvertently omitted from the Bulletin

Response to article by Professor Mulvaney

The article in the previous Bulletin [25 (3)] was a general statement on I do not 'superciliously dismiss the human hand' In terms of landscape the question of grazing In the Gudgenby valley related to current values. However, I do believe that English landscape tastes colour some Australian National Park philosophy, it was not aimed specifically at the perceptions of Australian landscapes and while the exact nature of those ACT Heritage Committee nor was It an attempt to 'belittle the Integrity of tastes can be debated, they appear to be based on a tamed.tldy, humanized professional opinion' as represented on that committee. The points made landscape in which cattle grazing in park-like surroundings Is a were In reponse to representations which have been made to this traditional delight. I canonlyao£££.on the Importance of the rural Association in support of the continuation of grazing, as well as some cultural landscape to the Australian Identity (the pastoral component of discussion within the Association. which Is now being threatened by tree' decline In former woodland areas) But I do not believe we need to keep grazlnq in Gudgenby on this basis in While Professor Mulvaney may be 'wary of analogies with Britain' others general, I believe that.the question of preservation and management of are less cautious or less well Informed. I have never suggested that 'valid cultural and historical .landscapes and.sltes in Australia now needs comparisons' should not be made, but I do object to false ones which are. attention. made In ignorance of origins and current structures, or selectively draw from overseas systems to press a case in Australia, This is not something 1 concluded my-article in the Bulletin with the general point that the ! have accused the ACT Heritage Committee of doing. ubiquitous grazing landscapes of Australia are not under threat (except from a breakdown of the natural system Itself), whereas maintenance^ : I do not 'equate' Gudgenby with Braldwood. I simply use It as an example our wild and natural landscapes Is a constant struggle. It should be noted of an outstanding local pastoral landscape. Its setting Is different but In that Namadgi National Park is part of a tri-State alpine park complex In some ways It Is a more living landscape. Despite Professor Mulvaney's which there has been exclusion of grazing (NSW), a long campaign to point to the contrary, Gudgenby Is no longer a completely functioning exclude grazing (Vic), and exclusion except for Gudgenby (ACT). It would pastoral property operating to current economic conditions e.g. the lessee be of great concern to the conservation movement and the Park Services to Is not able to use fertilizer or agricultural chemicals without the have an enclosure of grazing within Namadgi National Park which could approval of the Commonwealth, and In time other constraints would no (and woUldl) be used by proponents of grazing In National Parks as an doubt apply, in line with surrounding National Park management. Gudgenby example In support of their case. ts already partly a museum. I do not believe It would lose its historical and cultural value once grazing ceased. Subsequent changes - a I respect and understand the'vlews of the Heritage Committee on this combination of natural responses and the management applied - would be matter, but do not believe that given Its setting, that grazing of Gudgenby part of a continuum of use that reflected preferences derived from our should continue. The ACT Administration has trie support of this culture. In time, restored 'natural values' would probably dominate the Association In terminating the grazing lease In 1989. scene, but It may be the case that trees will never grow completely back Into the valley bottom even though they may have been there before. Kevin Frawley President Trees, Birds and History Ross Carlton

It must have been one of the small­ well marked, partly following fire small hydro-electric scheme at est NPA car camps ever: just the trails and partly cut through the Tumbarumba. The area also con­ five of us. But what a great spot. bush with a minimum of impact. The tains relics of sawmills powered by Paddys River Dam in the forest forest is beautiful and made me water wheels, one of which was in west of the Tumut. We travelled via Kiandrawish I knew more about trees. The use until 1971. There was much and Sue City and miles and vegetation changes constantly as speculation about the sequence of miles of forestry roads which the track traverses low-lying events around thedam itself, where seemed to be taking us well away swamps, gully slopes and dry ridges. the river appears to have been from civilisation. It came as a bit of a The effort of traversing this country diverted and later dammed back to surprise therefore to arrive and find with drays would be monumental its original course. (That is one part of the camping area full of even now that the forest has been theory anyway.) tents and caravans. While we were modified by man, and would have Monday was a perfect lazy day. considering camping in an inviting been considerably greater for the Quiet and still with the light playing area close by, a chain saw opened explorers in the 1820s. Added on the autumn colours of the candle- up on the firewood and an outboard- interest is provided by the some­ barks and a couple of willows. The powered canoe came by. (Why times intriguing relics of early activ­ only movement, the ripples from anyone would use an outboard on a ities in the area. We had lunch at a water birds diving for weed. The canoe on a dam about 500 metres place where gold miners had blasted kind of day that made it a pleasure by 100 metres is beyond me.) We a channel through the rock fortheir to simply be in the bush with no quickly opted for a spot at the other sluicing operation. Running through need to do anything. We let it soak end of the dam separated from the our campsite and following the track through our skins before rushing main camping area by a slight rise. for many kilometres below the dam back to Canberra, filling a bucket This was a delightful place and is an aqueduct possibly built by the with blackberries on the way. much quieter. Later in the day a gold miners but later utilised for a party of 60 arrived and settled in the area we had originally been considering. However, not to give the wrong impression, the area was well able to handle the crowd and most people were quiet and well- behaved. After the first burst we never heard the chain saw again and our slight separation was quite adequate to allow us a peaceful and enjoyable camp. On the Sunday night and Monday it was even better it was Canberra Day and we had the place entirely to ourselves. From our camp we looked across the upper part of the dam to a small reed bed and the magnificent tall timber of the forest. Coots, grebes and an occasional heron provided constant interest, while the forest was filled with the calls of wattle birds, cockatoos and many others. Gang gangs performed acrobatic feats on an overhanging branch to get at the water weed in the dam. The campsite has been dev­ eloped by the Lands Department as a staging post on the Hume and Hovell Track, a walking track which follows approximately the route of the explorers. We walked about 16km of this track starting from Buddong Falls, a spectacular series of falls and cascades bringing water down from the plateau to theTumut near Talbingo. The track is easy and Just Briefly-

Appeals for news, mostly ignored. Three days later, Beverley Hamm­ "Something has to be done" thought Probably because you're bored. ond's Heritage Week wiik 10 one member who. for various No more of my dreadful doggerel, Rendevous Creek attracted 82 reasons, had been unable to get on folks. people. Fortunately Beverley had walks for six months. A short, sharp And no more purple prose. asked three other NPA members, walk up Ainslie in February (when Old Melliodora'sall burnt out Dianne Thompson. Doreen Wilson temperatures dropped for one day) (As everybody knows). and Reg Alder to assist in leading resulted in aching hips, but no other She's got termites in her timbers an anticipated large turn-up. Sev­ ill effects. So! Down on the floorand And beetles in her bark. eral participants had come as a peddling an imaginary bicycle Now she leans, and dreams direct result of attending lhe(Pn^e- seemed to be the answer.'Too time Of straight young trees winning) NPA Heritage Week Exhib­ consuming" she thought - "let's try In some national park. ition at Albert Hall. Bearing out the it while relaxing and reading in the point made by Shirley, interest in bath" (water being an excellent But wait! What's this? A phone call the main features ot this walk was medium for exercise). All went well here, a phone call there, a chance maximised in that John Feint of the except that the leisurely reading meeting somewhere else. Eureka! Archeological Society was present could not bedonealso.Withindays. Some members' news and views at to interpret the Aboriginal Rock Art it became a fine art. By pedalling last. But first, some quite exciting at the Rendevous Creek site. with only one leg at a time, the book news. ceased to weobble! A few more The NPA display at the Heritage • • * longer walks up and around Ainslie, Week exhibition won First Prize in then the real test - Mt Orroral on Happy co-incidence; Being a some­ the Canberra Building Society the NPA programme. As it was time insomniac, Melliodora sat at Albert Hall Display Award. Our con­ described as a 10 km walk with a 1am. idly leafing through back gratulations to Glyn Lewis and his 700m climb, she was quite prepared copies of the Bulletin, hoping for Sub-committee members. Anne to find the whole thing too exhaust­ inspiration for this column. The Robertson. Adrienne Nicholson, ing. In the event, it was done in fine short article she chose to read and Frank Clements, who created fettle, and she could hardly believe happened to be in the March 1984 and set up the display. Many thanks that something like that had not issue, "The Kosciusko Snowcraft also to those who staffed it. been done for seven months! Ski Tour" by Pieter Arriens. Just a So! - if it's quick and easy exercise • • * few hours later. Graham Scully of you are needing, the above is well the Kosciusko Huts Association lecommended by ONE member at A definite theme, and the added rang, offering Jus! Briefly the foil least! advantage of having on an outing, owing item re snowcraft, 'v'-* someone with specialized know­ accompanying photograph * • * ledge of a given area. This is what like the one with the Bulletii • e Shirley Lewis emphasized when four years ago, was taken by • -*it-ter describing the Heritage Week walk Arriens. which she led. Having participated in the Murrumbidgee River walk in March, (described elsewhere) led by John Perry, a member of the Geological Society. Shirley had the initiative to invite John along to the walk she was to lead to Gibraltar Rocks on 20 April Most of the sixteen people on the walk agreed that John's presence contributed immensely to their interest and enioymenl. He gave an insight into how the Tidbinbilla area was used before white settlement, and sugg­ ested that the wet sclerophyll forest constituted a reliable food resource. That much-prized delicacy, the bogong moth was feasted upon by the indigenous people among the rocks now known as Gibraltar Rocks. On the way to this rocky outcrop Johnpointedoutthesitecfa former cave dwelling. Up above, on Tidbin­ billa Peak, initiation ceremonies were held.

The three snow houses m this photo have a common entry tunnel and 'V" junction Note * * -* the thiee snow saws and troian car shovel used on the iob " Item from Graham Scully, KHA: - straightforward 19 km covered From Fiona Brand comes this With the coming of winter, the mainly fire trails and open bush in interesting and useful contribution: thoughts of many of us turn to perfect weather, with good views of Association members have recently skiing. The Kosciusko Huts Assoc­ Sentry Box and Mt Kelly from some discovered two newly constructed iation, as well as maintaining shelter points. Bi-centennial walking tracks which huts in the snowfields, is also keen From time to time, the group are both rich in history. The Corn that ski tourers be as self-sufficient scattered in all directions, once Track follows the track walked in as possible. while crossing a swampy area the 1830's to 1850's by European A social evening on snowcraft (climbing along a fence being the settlers of Bateman's Bay who and snow shelters has been arran­ answer) but mainly by those gather­ wished to trade their produce with ged, and the guest speaker will be ing mushrooms, which grew in the people of Braidwood. The track Pieter Arriens, one of Australia's abundance everywhere. (N PA takes was most used by women selling most experienced trainers in snow NO responsibilityforany ill effects!). corn and by drovers and gold pros­ shelter construction. The talk will pectors. Easiest access to the track There were many points of inter­ be slide illustrated and the differ­ is at the top of Clyde Mountain at est including: Boboyan Homestead ences between Australian and the "Welcome to Tallaganda Shire" area (c 1840), Luton's crutching Northern Hemispheresnow condit­ sign. shed - where small groups sat in ions will be addressed. sun or shade for lunch, Lone Pine The second track which members It will be held on Tuesday 28 homestead and its interesting rock found is a section of the Hume and ^June at 8.00pm in the Rehearsal and stone dog kennels, Waterhole Hovell route from Gunning to Vic­ Room of the Griffin Centre. Admiss­ hut with its original dirt floor (and a toria. The section easiest for Can­ ion $2 per person, $4 per family, fascinating area for collectors of berra people to visit goes from Wee supper included. glass bottles!), Westerman's hut Jasper to Mt. Wee Jasper for an overnight camp. A cheerful, helpful • • • {d 883), and finally back to the cars parked near Brayshaw's hut (about ranger at Wee Jasper, Mr Anderson 1903). This is the only slab hut - will help you with information. We thank Graham Scully also for remaining in the area, its walls lined submitting the following resume: • • • with fascinating snippets of history As part of Heritage Week, on 24 in old newspapers and magazines. April, the NPA and the KHA organ­ Shirley Lewis has forwarded the One couple had driven from Sydney ised two Heritage walks in the following notice for any interested for the weekend, to escape weeks Grassy Creek/Naas Creek areas of NPA members: The Society for and weeks of rain. They saw a Namadgi National Park. Sixty-six Growing Australian Plants (SGAP) Heritage programme, and being enthusiastic people attended, with is organising a trip to Girraween keen bushwalkers, phoned Glyn, ages ranging from one month to 74 National Park in Queensland near who put them onto Peter. It is quite years. They enjoyed the fine sunny Stanthorpe from 25 September likely they will join the NPA after day, the easy walking, and the 1988 to 3 October 1988 - by bus. A chatting with one member who opportunity to learn something of full itinerary will be available at a extolled the joys of backpacking in the early European settlement of later date, but travel to Queensland the Budawangs! the area and to visit some of the will be via the New England Highway f remains of their dwellings. Only one criticism could be and return via the Pacific Highway. made - to do the walk in reverse - Eight people, four from NPA and A rnotel has been booked and and this will be done when the four from KHa led the walks and camping for non-bussing members same area is covered in the NPA have since met to review them. It is available in Stanthorpe. programme in August. Those who was generally agreed that they A $50 deposit by 30 June is missed a good long Meg stretch' were successful and that it would required, with a bus fare of $125 with beauty, history and interest be good for NPA and KHA to con­ per seat, provided the bus is full. are recommended to keep an eye tinue to co-operatively sponsor Only 41 seats are available. Please open for a repeat of this memorable heritage walks such as these in contact Ian Anderson, telephone day. future Heritage Week programs. 81 0609(H) for payment and further details. National Park Association • • • • • • members very welcome.

The following descriptive piece on The first walk in the Heritage Week • • ik- the above walk comes from Olive series was on the Yerrabi Track and Thank you to those members who Buckman: was organised by Charles Hill and contributed to this column, and Forty one folk - members of NPA Reg Alder. Run on the "open-day" may all potential contributors be KHA and other Canberrans finally idea, visitors were arriving from inspired - remember, send in your {after an error in some publicity re aoout 11am until 2.30 or so. The comments on walks, etc. or ring the starting time) carried out a thirty-one people who attended as 88 1889. delightful 'historical' walk underthe a result of Heritage Week publicity, leadership of Peter Roe (NPA) and seemed to consist mainly of NPA Andrew Lyne(KHA) during Heritage members and their friends or famil­ week. The long - but fairly even and ies. Don't Fence Namadgi Me In ! Matters

John Perry Philip Gatenby

In late March eighteen members We took lunch on a tree-lined David Rainey's interesting article studied the topic of fences on behalf bank flanked by a sandy beach on bushwalking experiences (March of NPA in the course of an amble adjacent to a moderately deep pool, 1988 NPA Bulletin) mentioned that beside the Murrumbidgee River. and for a few minutes a platypus fires are prohibited in the Cotter (The first three fences didn't count entertained us. swimming and diving catchment. Reg Alder advises me in the study because gates allowed near the opposite bank. Later those that this is not the case in all parts dignified passage!) with bathing togs joined the carp of the catchment. Underthe permit It was a lovely aulumn day, and platypus in the pool while some system for camping m the catch­ enjoyed by the walkers, but probably of those without swam discreetly ment to Corin Dam which is on the not by the property owners, for at further down stream! Cotter, the following conditions the time the area sorely needed apply: After lunch we came across rain; after our cars entered the sedimentary rocks - Palaeozoic property mobs of sheep in success­ . camping is not permitted within current-bedded sandstone - well ive paddocks trotted towards the one kilometre of Conn Dam exposed owing to the low water convoy no doubt expecting to be . camping is not permitted within level. At this stage the fence count fed. Underfoot the dry grass crack­ 100 metres of the Cotter River was into double figures, causing led, and the river level was low and . camping is not permitted within the unofficial scorer to give up and the water clear so that in many 500 metres of Cotter House declare as meritorious and chall­ pools we could see carp stirring up . observe ACT fire regulations enging any day walk with a com­ the mud on the bottom. . eliminate evidence of fireplace parable number! One young follower of Izaak . all rubbish must be taken out Our last activity for the day was a Walton caught several large spec­ . fishing prohibited. hunt for fossils in Palaeozoic lime­ imens during the day, disposing of Work recently completed in stone on the river bank, and helped them in appropriate fashion by Namadgi National park by the by the sharp eyes of some young burial1 Despite this activity he kept Parks and Conservation Service members, we saw many corals, alga! up well with the group, which gives indues a new carpark to service the mats and fragments of sea lilies, an indication of the delaying effect walking track to Square Rock. visible on the weathered surface of of fences on the more mature Restoration and soil conservation the grey rock. members' of the old carpark is now being Finally, retrieving our vehicles In addition to the topic of fences, carried out. Also concerning res­ after the necessary shuffle, we we paid some attention to the nature toration, the Kosciusko Huts Assoc­ returned to Canberra, well conte.i- of the rocks encountered, those iation has begun work on the old to have surmounted the challe'i^.j seen in the first part of the walk forestry hut in the Gudgenby pines. of the fences! Thanks are due to being Palaeozoic (Silurian) volcanic David Dowling for giving NPA rocks. Also en route to the walk members access to the area. location, we had stopped along the Mountain Creek road to observe some spectacular folding in lime­ Film • stone. Projectionist Wanted

Recent Arrivals NPA Library Do you know how to operate a film projector.'' From time to time we wish to show a lbmm tilm at our Canberra HistoncalJournal, No2l. Kangaroos in Australia. Conserv­ general meetings, and we need the March 1988 Canberra & District ation Status and Management. services of a projectionist. In the Historical Society. Occasional Paper No 14. ANPWS age of videos, projectionists are Feb 1988. becoming a rare and endangered species. We would like to compile a Australia's Native Forests. An Infor­ Australian National Parksand Wild­ list of people whom we might mation Kit prepared by the Austra­ life Service Annual Report 1986- approach for assistance. If you lian Heritage Commission. Dec 87. would like to offer your services, 1987. please ring Julia Trainor on These publications and any others 81 1195 (home) or 62 1514(work). held in the N PA Library are available Wild Pigs: Environmental Pest or for loan to members during office Economic Resource? C A Tisdell, hours. Also for loan are the various Pergamon Press. 1982. (Book kindly newsletters from other conservation donated by Reg Alder) groups. Letters to the

Dear Editor, Dear Editor, I think that birds that live in the bush belong there! Not in a tiny cage. What have they done to Can anyone please help? As my father and I went down to a deserve captivity. They should be Some years ago I made the best Pet Supplier to buy a fish we were free in the bush. It is very cruel to investment that any camper can very distressed to see some beaut­ keep birds in captivity instead of make-1 bought a Therma Rest self- iful Australian birds in captivity and the wide bushland and I thinkthere inflating mattress. For those who not looking as bright and colourful should be a policy about it. What are not familiar with this wonderful as they would in the bush. There protection is there for lovely birds invention, it is constructed of open- were about seven sulphur crested like these who are part of our nat­ cell foam encased in an airtight, cockatoos in the cage, sitting on a ional treasure? waterproof cover, weighs about stick, a large pinkcockatooclimbing Yours sincerely, one kilogram, and deflated and up the cage and several red collared rolled up tightly fits snugly in a rainbow lorakeets who had lost half Alice Thompson backpack; when needed, all that is their feathers and weren't looking Age 11 necessary is to open the valve and as colourful as they should. 17 April 1988 (within 15 to 20 minutes the mattress inflates itself. I have had some of the most comfortable sleeps of my life on this mattress. But, last year on an extended camping holiday in North Queens­ land the mattress began to leak. Not only did it let me down, literally, during the night, but rolled up in a soft pack with valve tightly closed it slowly inflated until it filled the avail­ able space, lending a strange appearance to my luggage as it passed through airport baggage control! Twice I have patched what appeared to be a small nick with recommended adhesive, but the leak persists. Staff at Paddy Pallin and Wild Country have not been able to offer any advice other than dunking the mattress in the bath. I have done this several times with­ out detecting any air bubbles which could help to locate a hole, even from the patched area Maybe there is a NPA member who has had experience with repair­ ing one of these mattresses who would be willing to look at it, or y^AKO IT'S NATURAL - WE'VE GOT A RIGHT - OR THE GUN LAWS THAT MAXES could tell me what else I could try. I MATURAL URGE , AND WE'RE JUST 5/\TIS - IT POSSIBLE f~ " _ — ~ _ can be contacted by phone on FV/NG IT " 'YEAH -THAT'S THE TROUBLE^ , YEP - IF COP PJPN'T WANT US , '— Wo-)1 49 7577 (work) or 81 2082 (home). TO ffMST THE HELL OUT OF DUCKS, HE WOULDN'T HAVE. ClVEti US GUM Bernice Anderson

Cartoon courtesy of "Australian Society" April 1988. The Alps Sn Flower

Author: Ian R. McCann Book Review by Laune Adams Publisher: The Victorian National Parks Association 1987

Over the years, the total number of Fungi and Lichens A beginner micro-habitat, or by general flower- works devoted exclusively to the unfamiliar with this classification is colour, or both. The inclusion of flora of Australia's high country, to offered no further help in identifying only one example each of a moss, say the least, has been somewhat a plant and must fall back on random fungus and lichen smacks of an sparse. The definitive standard was comparison of pictures, with a high afterthought: better they had been set with the appearance ot the probability of making a wrong left out entirely, particularly as they magnificent "Kosciusko Alpine decision. A more "user-friendly" are not "flowers" in the accepted Flora" (CSIRO/Collins. 1979). and it strategy, short of providing simple sense - unlike the grasses, sedges has been a hard act to follow ever keys, would surely have been to and rushes that form such a major since. Another book is nevertheless attempt to group plants by their component of the flora but which, always welcome, particularly if mere is a somewnat amerent slant on the subject, as with the one tevtewed here. The book is small (approximately A5). intended to fit the pocket or rucksack, and printed on good quality paper and it costs (for these days) a reasonable Sy.yb HHP. I he contents consist ot a one-page introduction, plus itib neat, mostly close-up colour photographs more or less m the style of Jean Galbraith's "Wild Flowers of SE Australia" (1977) or the 'coffee table' flower books published by A.H. S A.W. Reed. Each is accompanied by a brief caption giving common and botanical names, a shod descriptive phrase, flowering time, coded dis­ tribution (key to which is in the introduction), and family name, finally there is a short bibliography and an index to names. The introduction states: "The author's aim has been to provide a pictorial introduction to the plants of the high country of south-eastern mainland Australia. The area chosen embraces .. a It it ud i na I ranges from approximately one thousand metres to the summits". But the publisher's blurb goes somewhat further with the claim that this is a "guide to the flora of the alps to help the many bushwalkers and other visitors identify the flowers of the region " The latter claim implies that the book is an introductory field manual, but assessed in this light sadly it falls far short of the ideal. The book's estimated representation of this sizeable area is of the order of only 10-1 5°-o of the vascular plants, and the problem is compounded by the decision to gather the illustrations into their main plant groups: Ferns & allies: Gymnosperms: Monocoty­ ledons; Dicotyledons; and Mosses, without explanation or apology, are Finally, I would have liked to see the illustrations make this little totally ignored here. at least a couple of pages devoted book good value for the casually The redeeming feature is Ian to illustration and description of interested tourist and bushwalken McCann's excellent photography micro-habitats, their complexity, but the keen field-botanist, hoping and the high standard of its repro­ fragility and aspects of their con­ for a handy pocket manual to our duction (the only apparent 'failures' servation - a singular omission in rich high-country flora, will find the being a few flash shots that are too view of the publishing body! huge gaps in representation very dark). In view of the limited space Despite its other shortcomings, frustrating. and coverage it is a great pity a high proportion of the pages have only three illustrations, leaving areas of blank paper (as much as 20%, excluding margins) that without unduly adding to the price could have been used for additional ALPINE PARKS photographs, or for extra comment, say, on the usual habitat of each plant. A sprinkling of spelling mistakes has crept in, mostly of a minor nature; the only serious one found was "Dichoscidianum" (p.12 and • index) instead of Dichosciadium. Omissions from common names appearto be the result of desultory editing: e.g. the word "Cranesbill" has been left out of "Cinquefoil Cranesbill" for Geranium potentill- oides (p.36); and "Snow" is omitted from the common names of Celmisia (p.18). There are a few taxonomic and nomenclatura! errors; they seem to stem from too much dependence on works cited, such as those by Galbraith (1977) or Beauglehole (1981), many parts of which are now seriously out-of- date. Two examples will suffice here:

The correct botanical name for "Burgan" (p.46) is now known to be Kunzea ericoides (see e.g. Stanley & Ross, "Flora of S.E Queensland" • vol.2, 1986); and the "Tiny Violet" pictured (p.59) is probably an undescribed high-country form that, inter alia, has been masquerading under Viola sieberiana for many years; the latter name should be reserved for a taxon restricted to areas close to the east coast (see "Flora of Australia" vol.8, 1982).

It is an unfortunate fact of life that botanical names have an irrit­ ating need to be updated from time to time (the reasons are too diverse to discuss here). The process has speeded up recently due to accel­ erated research for the new "Flora of Australia" (AGPS), begun in 1981; compilers of 'popular1 works such as "The Alps in Flower" are in a position to accurately pass on this new knowledge to the general public, and need to be continually alert to the current literature. The Wildlife Parks of Africa Author: Nicholas Louard in association with the World Wildlife Fund Publisher: Michael Joseph Ltd., London 1985 Book Review by Syd Comfort

Paui Kruger who became President national parks in Africa. In this story, ing natural endowments. In Ihe of the Transvaal Republic in 1883 is hunters turned conservationists second part of the book the author remembered for his struggles in often figure prominently and the lists all the present African national the political arena and in armed record of the newly emerged parks and major reserves south of conflict which culminated in his independent countries allays fears the Sahara on a country-by-country being forced to leave South Africa that the demise of the colonial basis together with a description of during the Anglo-Boer War. sub­ powers would see Africa's parks each in which the location, history, sequently to die m exile. Less well swept away. There are, today, many visiting season, characteristics and known are the battles he fought more national parks and reserves natural values are summarised. from the time he became President in Africa than there were in the days This section isbynomeansaguide for the creation of wildlife sanc­ of colonial rule. book to individual parks but does tuaries at a time when such sanc­ The book is divided into two parts paint an overall canvas enabling tuaries were almost unknown and "Conserving the Wilderness' and the reader to appreciate the panor­ the pragmatic farmers over whom 'The National Parks'. In addition to ama and select parts of the scene he presided viewed such proposals tracing the development of conser­ for further study and, if fortunate as offensive and heretical. Never­ vation and national parks, in the enough, for a visit. theless. Kruger won some victories first part the author devotes chap­ The book reflects the author'^ in the battle for sanctuaries, his last ters to the history of the continent, strong feelings for the country and and perhaps greatest being the life in the African landscape, man­ personal knowledge of a wide creation of the Sabie Reserve in aging the wilderness and problems spectrum of its natural attributes. It 1898 which after enlargement was and possibilities of the future. The is well illustrated with both colour to become, in 1926. the Kruger treatment is aimed at the laymen and black and white photographs. National Park. The author of The but remains balanced, objective Wildlife Parks ot Africa throws light and authoritative in providing a on many other fascinating aspects background to the understanding of the development of reserves and of this vast country and its enthrall­

Books for Sale

Petci 1 >oe

Daintree Where the Rainforest 7r?e Alps in Flower IR McCannj^^ Hello Members, Meetsthe Reef Rupert Russell $25 1987 $8.50 Published by Victorian*^ Time to let you know about the Prepared by Dr Geoff Mosley ot National Parks Association, it has books we have for sale. You will see ACF. colour photographs of many alpine that the prices are good value and plants. Kiandra lo Kosciusko Klaus hard to beat anywhere. Have you Victorian Alps An Australian Endan­ Hueneke $27 thought of buying your Christmas gered Heritage. Harry Nankin $14 presents early tor overseas posting Exploring Queensland's Central An ACF publication. and so avoiding the last minute Highlands Charles Warner $11 Australia's Alpine Areas Manage­ panic9 With winter coming on you Exploring Namadgi and Tidbinbilla ment tor Conservation an NPA may like to curl upwitha good book Graeme Barrow $7 Day walks in Publication for only $2. These are yourself. Come down to the NPA Canberra's high country by one of papers from a conference organised office during office hours or come our members. by NPA(ACT) in its Silver Jubilee to a General Meeting and see the Year. range on display. If you ring the Discovering New South Wales Rain­ office, a publication can be sent to forests - A Touring, Walking and Range Upon Range The Australian you for the added cost of the post­ Cycling Guide. Published by the Alps Harry Nankin $36 A book of age. Total Environment Centre $10. A fine alpine photography. must before your next holiday to Budawang Map. 1986 updated Eden Woodchipping - A Review rainforest in NSW. edition produced by the Budawang Debbie Ouarmby $5 A report collat­ Committee $4 ing existing knowledge on the Fighting lor Wilderness $8 Papers economic, social and environmen­ from the Australian Conservation Field Guide to the Native Trees ot tal impacts of the Eden Woodchip Foundation's Third National Con­ Ihe ACT an NPA(ACT) publication Industry produced by NPA(ACT). ference. $4 Flies and Lizards

Robert Story

You will know the importance of the lizard deal with them. He started tongue in catching insects if you and maintained a violent trembling follow The Swamp (blat!) or B.C. throughout his body, at the same (zot!); but there are other ways. We time throwing himself into loops, saw one while we were lazing in the lashing his tail, and flinging his head sunshine near Kidmans Hut in the from side to side. In sharp contrast, Kosciusko National Park, our packs thefly sat perfectly still, and goggled. on the rocks in front of us with the Fascinating! So much so that the usual sprinkling of flies on them. stealthy advance that accompanied Then a lizard crept on to our packs these gymnastications went un­ and took a look around. The nearest noticed until it was too late. It explo­ fly would have been a foot away - ded into a blur and a gulp and I never mind, a very slow and steady never saw a miss. advance halved the distance, then It may interest you to know that there was an unbelievably quick the Bushmen of the Kalahari, who ^dash and all the flies took off, are the most adept stalkers you ^excepting one. They are slow could meet, can still be baffled by learners, however. Half a minute, lack of cover when the game are and the mingled pong of cheese grazing on short-grass plains. As a and bacon and what-not had them last resort they will then rise to their straggling back again. The drama feet and advance at a weaving trot was repeated until we had to go. to get within bow-shot, but game Now, all flies are not equal. These have a good bit more between their ACF were bush-flies, which are sluggish ears than flies do, and temper their and, one is forced to admit, perhaps curiosity with prudence. I have seen Planning Major even a little stupid. The house-flies these tactics used but never with are far more nimble in wits and success, though the Bushmen Conference on movement, and this is how I saw a assured me that it sometimes did happen. Environment

The Australian Conservation Foun­ dation will be holding a major national conference, entitled The Australian Environment: Taking Stock and Looking Forward, in Sydney from Friday 7 October to Sunday 9 October 1988. It will be held at the University of Technology (formerly the NSW Institute of Technology). There will be sections, task force groups or discussion groups on: . Australia: a land worth caring for . The state of the environment . Appraisal of economic, social and institutional constraints to high­ light the root causes of environ­ mental destruction . Development of critical paths for future action. In addition there will be evening activities to reinforce the day sess­ At the same scale as the lizard ions and a ten day post conference the fly would be too small for me to tour of NSW rainforest areas. draw or for you to recognise, and if I For further information, contact enlarged the lizard it would be too Anne Reeves, organising committee big for the Bulletin. This way the fly will provide a really square meal at convenor, or Sue Salmon, NSW the cost of a little kind co-operation campaign officer, at the ACF NSW in your mind's eye. Office, Phone(02) 271 497orLevel 3, 18 Argyle Street, Sydney 2000.

19 Field Guide to the Native Trees of the A.C.T. This pocketbook describes 60 species of trees of four metres or more that are known to grow naturally within the boundaries of the ACT. It is written for the non-specialist and has instructions on how to use a botanical key. For easy reference it is divided into three parts - Eucalypts; Acacias and Y/V\ other species, with trees that are similar placed side by side.

Each species is treated separately and is fully illustrated, with a thumbnail J map to show where authenticated specimens have been collected. A key to all species, index and glossary are provided. The Field Guide is useful in the neighbouring Southern Tablelands (Goulburn. Cooma. Kosciusko National Park).

Price $4.00 (plus $1.00 to cover postage and packaging)

Produced by the National Parks Association of the Australian Capital Territory Inc. assisted by a Heritage Grant irom the Department of Arts. Sport. Environment. Tourism and Territories

NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the A.C.T.

P.O. Box 457. Canberra City 2601. POSTAGE REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST PAID PUBLICATION No NBH0857 ISSN 0727-8837 AUSTRALIA

GENERAL MEETINGS

Held at 3 pm. Room 1. Griffin Centre. Bunda Street. CIVIC I JUNE - Thursday 16 Dennis Carlyle (Monarch Tours, ACT) will talk about the activities ot commercial tour opeiatois in National Parks in Australia. Monarch conduct tours locally and to north and central Australia, and Dennis hasiust returned from promoting tours in North America. An opportunity to discuss some of the issues raised regarding this use of National Parks.

JULY - Thursday 21 Ray Mooney (Lands Inspector and Hume and Hovell Track Supervisor. Goulburn Office. NSW Depl of Lands) will address the meeting on the construction of the Hume and Hovell track. This track, from Gunning to Albury, broadly retraces the route followed by the explorers in 1824. and is intended for completion late in 1988.

AUGUST - Thursday 18 Annual General Meeting. Bring along your slides and thoughts on conservation issues.