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Home , Haddon Corner, Tim Flannery

RGSQ Bulletin ISSN 1832-8830 Vol 45 no 2 March 2010

Published by The Royal Geographical Society of Inc, a nonprofit organisation established in 1885 that promotes the study of geography and encourages a greater understanding and enjoyment of the world around us.

I’d like to see 100 million because The second seminar (styled a In this issue I believe we’ll have many things to Growth Summit) is a more lavish • Evening Meeting - Exploring the do here besides digging holes affair to be staged by the State Limits, H.E. Ms P Wensley and selling coal. I mean, our Government over two days, 30 and • Geography Comp Volunteers agriculture has to be huge, our 31 March. The panel of seven • Trekkers Reunion desalination will be fantastic, our identified appears to be more • Haddon Corner Trek rivers will flow the right way. I balanced, with speakers including • Turkey Travel and Tukka mean, it will all have to be Tim Flannery, Bernard Salt (well • Maroochy Botanic Gardens etc developed. known demographer), Heather • SE Qld Geography Trail Ridout (Australian Industry Group), At the other extreme were remarks Ian Lowe (Australian Conservation made by entrepreneur and nationalist Foundation), Brendan Gleeson From the President Dick Smith reported on the ABC (Urban Policy at Griffith University), It would seem that the population News on 25 January. He was architect Michael Rayner and Debra ‘elephant in the room’ that I referred reported as saying: Currie (Planning Institute of to in an earlier Bulletin is beginning to ). No venue has yet been draw a lot of attention to itself. The Our politicians are completely announced. debate about how large a population letting us down. Nine out of ten Australia should have, or can Aussies don’t want 40 million In addition to these seminars, the sustain, has certainly become people here, but there’s no Local Government Association of energised in recent months. discussion. There has to be. Queensland has announced that it Because what’s the use of will be running a public inquiry into It started with the release of Treasury bringing kids into the world, when population growth during the first half modelling that forecast a population even in a modern Western of 2010. The terms of reference have of 35 million by 2049. This modelling country they could starve to yet to be made public. was prepared as input to the death. And that’s what could Commonwealth Government’s 2010 happen. I would encourage members of the Intergenerational Report that was Society to take a keen interest in this released in February. This projection Fortunately it seems as though there topic and participate in this debate – was welcomed by political and will be an open public debate on the the outcome will have huge business leaders who are attracted population issue. I am already aware ramifications for all of us and for to the notion of a ‘Big Australia’. On of two public seminars that are the other side of the fence (or is it a scheduled for Brisbane in March that barrier?), the forecast was greeted will address this issue. The first is Patron: H.E. Ms P Wensley AO, with alarm and horror by many being staged by Conservation Governor of Queensland academics, environmentalists and Queensland and will be held at the President: Mr Ken Granger others who argue that such a number Queensland Museum Theatre (Grey would have a huge impact on our Street, South Brisbane) on 13 March. The Royal Geographical Society culture, society and . This half-day seminar will be of Queensland Inc addressed by a panel of four 237 Milton Road Perhaps the more extreme speakers – all of them, such as Milton Qld 4064 arguments of the ‘Big Australia’ Labor MP Kelvin Thomson and proponents were articulated by Harry demographer Mark O’Connor, are Tel: (07) 3368 2066 Triguboff, General Manager of the well known for arguing against a ‘Big Fax: (07) 3367 1011 Meriton Apartments group of Australia’. Email: [email protected] developers, on the ABC 7.30 Report Web: www.rgsq.org.au on Australia Day when he stated: generations into the future. This is Within the Department of Foreign not just about the economy, it is Affairs and Trade in Australia, Ms about the future of our society, our Wensley also held a range of senior cultural identity, our health and policy positions, notably as head of happiness and our environment. the East Asia Branch, as head of the International Organisations and A big thanks to the many Society Ken Granger Legal Division, as head of the North volunteers who helped send out the Asia Division and as head of the Competition information, and the PS. In the latest issue of People and Europe Division. follow-up letters, to schools: Place (vol 17 no 4, available in the RGSQ Library), there is an article by Ms Wensley has achieved Dal and Wendy Anderson, Joyce Kelvin Thomson, “Population Reform international recognition for her Barrett, Mary Comer, Paul Feeney, – Meeting the Challenges”. Kath B contribution to the United Nations. Maureen Franek, Audrey Johnston, She played a key role in the Maureen Meier, Peter Nunan, Anne negotiation of a number of major O’Connor, Graham Rees, Andrea international Treaties, including the Smith, Helen and Digby Warren. Evening Meeting – Address United Nations Framework by the Governor of Qld Convention on and The Society is honoured that its the United Nations Convention to Patron, H.E. Ms Penelope Wensley combat and Desertification. More Help Please AO, Governor of Queensland, has She also chaired or co-chaired a We need to call on our generous agreed to give the March address. number of major United Nations members for more help with the The title is: Exploring the Limits: conferences and processes, Competition – to mail out the Extreme Geography? including the First United Nations questions booklets. For those with Special Session on HIV/Aids; the experience, this is the mailout where Prior to her appointment in July 2008 United Nations Conference on the you use the counting scales to weigh as the 25th Governor of Queensland, Sustainable Development of Small questions and answers. Ms Penelope Wensley enjoyed a Island Developing States; the United distinguished career in diplomacy, Nations Budget and Finance We’ll be doing this from Tuesday 9 playing a significant role in the Committee and the International March to Thursday 11 March, with promotion of Australia's international Coral Reef Initiative. perhaps just a couple of people relations and the development of needed on Friday 12 March. Australian foreign policy across a Ms Wensley was appointed an diverse range of issues affecting Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) Please ring Kath in the office (3368 peace and security, economic and in 2001 for her distinguished service 2066) if you can help – or see her at social development, human rights to the development of Australia's the March meeting. and humanitarian concerns, the international relations. environment and sustainable development. Her life-time involvement with the promotion and protection of Trekkers Reunion Ms Wensley graduated from the Australia's interests internationally, When: 7.30 pm Wed 26 May University of Queensland with a and her long and active engagement Where: RGSQ Bachelor of Arts with First Class with the development of national and Honours. She joined international responses to various A big part of the life of our Society Foreign Service in 1968 and served global challenges, has created a over the past twenty five years has as an officer of the Department of deep commitment to the been the treks undertaken by our advancement of international members. As part of the events for Foreign Affairs and Trade until 2008, th representing Australia in a wide understanding and cooperation, the Society’s 125 anniversary year range of positions overseas, in through enhanced communication, there will be a Trekkers Reunion. Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas contact and exchanges between and the Pacific and at the United countries and cultures. Many lasting friendships have been Nations. Achieving the rank of Head made on Society treks, whether they of Mission in 1986, Ms Wensley were on board bus or in smaller served successively as groups. This reunion will not be Consul-General in Hong Kong, New Members restricted to current Society Ambassador for the Environment, W e have much pleasure in members, but to all present and past Ambassador and Permanent welcoming (and welcoming back) the members who participated in treks. Representative to the United Nations following new members: Dale, Jessie In fact, this reunion was suggested in Geneva, Ambassador and and Zoe Farnell; William Klein; Lex by a former member, Grant Epple. It Permanent Representative to the and Margaret Morley; Grace Warren; will be a night of reminiscing and United Nations in New York, High Michael Wilke. renewing friendships over photos Commissioner to India and and memorabilia. So, past trekkers: Ambassador to Bhutan, Ambassador We hope your association with your • put the above date in your diary to France, Algeria, Morocco, Monaco new Society is long and mutually • contact and tell former members and Mauritania. enjoyable. of the reunion

RGSQ Bulletin Vol 45 no 2 March 2010 Page 2 Celebrating 125 Years Haddon Corner Trek Big plans are taking shape for this September

What? As part of Royal Geographical Society of Qld 125th Birthday celebrations, and in co-operation with our South Australian sister society, a Trek with the theme “Exploring Cooper Country”, focussed on and the . Local experts and scientists will link up with us.

Where? Meet RGSSA members in Windorah, visit Haddon Corner, , Innamincka, Dig Tree & all points between.

When? 15 days from 13 - 27 September 2010, departing Brisbane.

How? A fully-catered coach safari (camping) tour operated by experienced tour company, Polleys Coaches; plus independent 4WD trekkers.

Cost? On the coach: $2700 for members ($2740 for others) – all inclusive. 4WDers: $160 for members ($200 for others) – includes registration, dinners at Windorah and Birdsville, Cooper Country Forum.

Who? You we hope.

Why? Renew your spirit of adventure. Discover the Far as you’ve never seen it before.

Details: See over for itinerary. For a booking form, contact the Society – 07 3368 2066; [email protected]. Haddon Corner Trek Itinerary, 13 - 27 September 2010

Mon 13 Depart Brisbane, overnight Mitchell Tues 14 Mitchell to Quilpie, overnight Quilpie Charleville Historic House and Vortex Gun, Pioneers Park, Quilpie Catholic Church altar, Info Centre and Art W all Wed 15 Quilpie to Windorah, overnight Windorah Meet RGSSA group at Windorah Thurs 16 Overnight Windorah Solar power installation inspection, Cooper Channels Walk, Cooper Country Forum, evening group BBQ Fri 17 Windorah to Haddon Corner, overnight Haddon Anniversary meeting with RGSSA, camp fire Corner evening, campsite Kulpie waterhole Sat 18 Haddon Corner to Birdsville, overnight Birdsville Deon’s Lookout Sun 19 Birdsville, overnight Birdsville Big Red Sand Dune, geothermal power inspection, Channel Country beef production, farewell RGSSA evening BBQ Mon 20 Birdsville to Innamincka, overnight Innamincka area Cadelga ruins, Woolshed Tues 21 Innamincka, overnight Innamincka area Local Burke and Wills historic sites Wed 22 Innamincka, overnight Innamincka area Coongie Lakes (day trip) Thurs 23 Innamincka to Thargomindah, overnight Oil and gas fields, Noccundra pub Thargomindah Fri 24 Thargomindah to , overnight Early hydroelectricity, Thargo, Lake Bindegolly Cunnamulla NP, mud springs, date farm at Eulo Sat 25 Cunnamulla to St George, overnight St George Cunnamulla Fella Tourist Centre Sun 26 St George, overnight St George Riversands Winery, Beardmore Dam Mon 27 St George to Brisbane

Turkey Travel and Tukka AD, is another museum. The Sultan Saturday morning: Maroochy W hat: Dinner of Turkish-style Ahmet, or Blue Mosque is the only Botanic Gardens. Meet near the cooking and illustrated talk about one in Turkey with six minarets. And information sign no later than 10.30 country of course the markets. am. (Look for my big red and white W hen: 6.00 for 6.30 pm Fri 16 Apr umbrella.) We’ll take the Lagoon Where: RGSQ So many ruins to explore + temples, Walk strolling through eucalypt and Cost: $35.00 palaces, market places, a necropolis, riparian forests, crossing rocky Book: with the office and pay by 6 rock tombs, theatres, a camel fair creeks with ferns, mosses, and April. Numbers are limited, so and much, much more. We spent lichens, palms, perhaps lizards and book and pay now. No late Christmas Day at Olympos, the birds. W e’ll enjoy lunch at the picnic bookings with be accepted Home of the Gods. After swimming tables in the Contemplation Gardens, because of catering. in the Mediterranean in January, it set among cultivated gardens of local Food: Aussie nibbles and drinks; took hours to thaw out. A major vegetation. Carry your own lunch. soup; main course and side highlight was a visit to Ephesus. There are no BBQs or bins. dishes; sweets; tea and coffee Bring your friends and introduce Saturday afternoon: Explore the I toured Turkey in 1987/88 and I them to your Society. Fern Glade, the Mossy Log Walk, the suspect that many things will not Ephemeral Wetlands and the very have changed. Turkey is unusual in Audrey Johnston spectacular Sculpture Garden. There that it is situated in two continents – are 13 remarkable, very large 97% in Asia and 3% in Europe – sandstone or granite sculptures set connected by the Bosporus Bridge among another native garden. I which was opened in 1973. In A Walking Weekend promise you a busy camera!! Istanbul (Constantinople, Stambul) When: 8 - 9 May we will visit the Topkapi Palace, the Where: Maroochy Botanic Gardens + Sunday morning: Mary Cairncross setting for Mozart’s 1782 Opera Il Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Scenic Reserve. Meet beside the Seraglio and today a museum. The Cost: your accommodation information office at 10.00 am. Imperial Treasury guards a diamond W ear: sunsmart gear, walking shoes Again, we’re walking so come of 86 carats and an emerald Bring: camera and water bottle prepared. Well-maintained tracks weighing 3.26 kg. Book: with the office by 4 May (there are a few steps here and Accommodation: book your own there) wander through subtropical The Church of the Holy Wisdom, (suggestions at end) rainforest where, more than 100 Sancta Sophia, completed in 548 Leader: Audrey Johnston species of trees have been identified,

RGSQ Bulletin Vol 45 no 2 March 2010 Page 4 including rose gums, red cedar and SE Qld Geography Trail Memorial Area, Wuruma Dam and black bean. The fertile under-storey The Treks and Activities Committee Eidsvold Siltstone Works. Camp has a diversity of shrubs, herbs, has planned a series of short trips in overnight in Showgrounds. orchids, palms, ferns, mosses, 2010 to explore the geography and Wednesday 2 June. Return to lichens and fungi. More than 100 activities of selected southeast Brisbane via Gayndah, Biggenden, species of birds have been identified Queensland towns and their Mt Morris NP, and Maryborough and there are and reptiles. surrounds. If you have studied the (470 km+/-). BYO lunch or buy it at the kiosk. And 2010 Programme which came with don’t miss the Education Centre. the February Bulletin, you would Costs have noted that the towns listed for • Camping fee Goomeri (non- Locations this trail are Goomeri, Eidsvold, powered sites) $20 per site for 2 Maroochy Botanic Gardens: From Oakey, Gatton, Rosewood, Allora, nights the Bruce Highway take the Pomona, Hervey Bay and Yarraman. • Camping fee Eidsvold (powered Tanawha Forest Glen Tourist Drive sites) $20 per site for 2 nights and follow the signs from there. UBD Members who complete the Trail will • Entry fees Eidsvold attractions Map 77 N17. receive a Certificate to be presented $12 per person at the Christmas party. • Dinner Dance Goomeri $30 per Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve: person Follow Mountain View Road from The first of these trips will be to Cairncross Corner just east of Goomeri and Eidsvold. The trip is Non-camping participants are Maleny. available to campers and those using required to book and pay for their motel-type accommodation. 4W D is own accommodation in Goomeri (or Suggested Accommodation not necessary. The programme is: locations close by) and Eidsvold (2 Cabins are available at each of motels). these: Saturday 29 May. Travel to Goomeri • Lilyponds Caravan Park, (250 km+/- via Gympie). Camp The Pumpkin Festival attracts Mapleton, phone 5445 7238 or overnight in the Sports Oval. Attend thousands of visitors, so it is freecall 1800 003 764 the Pumpkin Festival Dinner Dance essential that you get bookings and • Mapleton Cabins and Caravan (optional). payments in early to the office. Park, Obi Obi Road, Mapleton, Sunday 30 May. Join in the phone 5445 7134 festivities of the annual Pumpkin Any queries re details may be • Ocean View Caravan Park (about Festival. Overnight camp Goomeri directed to Brian McGrath, email halfway between Maleny and Sports Oval. [email protected] or Landsborough), phone 5494 1171 Monday 31 May. Travel to Eidsvold phone 3378 5960. or freecall 1300 769443 (180 km+/-) through the citrus areas • Tanawha Caravan Park, of Gayndah and Mundubbera. Visit Tanawha/Forest Glen, phone historic Archer Homestead and 5476 6646 Tolderodden Environmental Heritage • or there are ‘millions’ of cottages Park at Eidsvold. Camp overnight in available along the Blackall Showgrounds. Range. Tuesday 1 June. Visit the Eidsvold Historical Complex, Ceratodus

------cut here ------2010 Membership Renewal Membership fees for 2010 were due on 1 January. According to our records, your membership has been Ordinary $40.00 paid up to the year shown in the top right corner of your " Pensioner rate $25.00 mailing label. (For life members this space is blank.) Household $55.00 Please contact the office if you think there may be a " Pensioner rate $35.00 mistake in our records. If you have not yet paid, please Student/Junior $25.00 circle the appropriate fee and send this in with your Schools/Non-profit organizations $55.00 payment. The mailing label on the back of this sheet Corporate $150.00 gives your name and address. Please correct it if there Life $400.00 are any errors. You may like to consider making a Donation $...... tax-deductible donation for the Society's environmental TOTAL $...... and educational work at the same time. Thank you.

G I enclose a cheque/money order payable to RGSQ; or, please debit my G Visa G Mastercard Card no.: ______Exp date: ______Cardholder name: ______Cardholder signature: ______G Yes, I'd like my Bulletin delivered by email. My email address is: ______Anniversary Lunch Steam Train Trip Rail, Reef and Rainforest As advised in the last Bulletin, an Bookings have closed for this trip, Please note that this trip to the anniversary lunch will be held in the but for the convenience of members Townsville area, scheduled for 6 - 16 Map Room of the Conrad Hotel on who have already booked some May, has been cancelled due to Saturday 10 July 2010 from 12:30 information is repeated here. insufficient interest. pm to 2:30 pm. The gathering will be addressed by Bill Kitson. Lunch will When: Saturday 6 March be buffet style and there will be a Meet: 7.30 am (for 8.00 am variety of dishes on the menu (veal departure), Warwick Station, Place Plea and mushroom ragout, reef fish, eastern end of Fitzroy Street If any members have digital images crumbed chicken, Asian noodles, (return at 6.00 pm) of Carnarvon National Park, please etc). The cost of the dinner will be Leader: Audrey Johnston (ring on contact Audrey Johnston (3283 $47.00 per person with drinks at 0438 159 218 on Sat morning if 4494) or email them to Hayley members’ own cost. Whilst payment any problem) Freemantle at projectofficer@ is not required until June, members Stay: Rose City Caravan Park, New rgsq.org.au. This is to help illustrate are invited to advise their intention of England Highway (cnr Glengallan the square around 25/S 148/E, for attending for catering purposes. Rd). Phone 4661 1662. Queensland by Degrees. Bookings are now open.

RGSQ March 2010 Volunteer Days, Tues 9 - Thurs 11 Mar For: National Geographic Channel Bulletin Australian Geography Competition Aust Geography Comp, 22 - 31 Mar What: School round Evening Meeting, Tues 2 Mar 7.30pm Speaker: H.E. Ms Penelope Wensley,Wensley AOAO Evening Meeting, Tues 6 Apr, 7.30pm Subject: Exploring the Limits: Extreme Speaker: Prof Roger Stone Geography? Subject: Predicting the Future of Queensland’s Climate Weekend Trek, 5 - 7 Mar What: Steam train trip, Warwick to Social, Fri 16 Apr 6.00pm Wallangarra What: Turkey Travel and Tukka

The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc 237 Milton Road, Milton Q 4064 POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA