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Namadgi is educational Conservation Council environment policy NPA BULLETIN Volume 28 number 1 March 1991

CONTENTS Environmental policy 4 Cover Photo: Reg Alder Murray-Darling history 6 The internal walls of Brayshaw's hut in Namadgi Salutary tales 10 National Park were wallpapered with pages from newspapers and magazines. Besides being decorative Namadgi education 13 and providing reading they served to keep the chill Parkwatch 14 winds from blowing through the joints in the slab Chasing whales 15 timber walls. Most of this history has now disappeared and this photograph shows one of the two Cool change 16 remaining small complete sections. How long will Down the Murrumbidgee 17 these survive the efforts of vandalising souvenir hunters? No dates are on the sheets but judging from Books 18 the advertisement for the all-electric Telefunken radio the walls would have been freshly papered in the 1930s. Another photo on page 9.

National Parks Association (ACT) Subscription rates (1 July - 30 June) f Incorporated Household members $20 Single members $15 Corporate members $10 Bulletin only $10 Inaugurated 1960 Concession: half above rates For new subscriptions joining between: Aims and objects of the Association 1 January and 31 March - half specified rate • Promotion of national parks and of measures for the protection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural features 1 April and 30 June - annual subscription in the Australian Capital Territory and elsewhere, and the Membership enquiries welcome reservation of specific areas. Please phone Laraine Frawley at the NPA office. • Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor recreation areas. The NPA (ACT) office is located in Kingsley Street, • Stimulation of interest in, and appreciation and enjoyment Acton. Office hours are: of, such natural phenomena by organised field outings, 10am to 2pm Mondays meetings or any other means. 9am to 2pm Tuesdays and Thursdays • Co-operation with organisations and persons having similar interests and objectives. Telephone: (06) 257 1063 • Promotion of, and education for, nature conservation, and Address: GPO Box 457 Canberra 2601. the planning of land-use to achieve conservation. Contribute to your Bulletin Office-bearers and Committee Contributions of articles (news, description or fiction), President Les Pyke 281 2982(h) black-and-white photographs and line drawings are Vice-President keenly sought for the Bulletin. Please label photo­ Beverley Hammond 288 6577(h); 258 1877(w) graphs with the name of the subject, the name of th^ Immediate Past President Syd Comfort 286 2578(h) photographer and the date. Leave contributions at the Secretary Judith Webster 241 4646(h); 276 6141(w) office or phone the editor, Roger Green, on Treasurer Mike Smith 286 2984(h); 248 3624(w) (06) 247 0059. The editorial fax is (06) 249 7373.

Sub-committe conveners Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Co-Convener Environment Association opinion or objectives. Tim Walsh 285 1112(h); 274 1465(w) Co-Convener Environment Deadline for June issue: 1 May, 1990. Len Crossfleld 241 2897(h); 263 2267(w) Convener Outings NPA Bulletin is produced by Green Words for the Phil Bubb 281 4929(h); 246 6128(w) National Parks Association (ACT) Incorporated. It is Convener Namadgi Syd Comfort 286 2578(h) produced with the assistance of an ACT Heritage Convener Marketing, Publicity & Education grant. Len Haskew 281 4268(h) Printed on recycled paper by Union Offset Co Pty Ltd, Other Committee members Fyshwick, ACT. Jill Roberts 249 1390(h); 272 4192(w) Dugald Monro 231 8776(h) ISSN 0727-8837 Doreen Wilson 288 5215(h); 248 5211(w) IN COMMITTEE

President's foreword What is your whether humans are part of operator whose perspective is look­ nature and how we should accept ing down the barrel of debt perspective? or modify human impact on the redemption, for trucks and It is easy to pose questions. physical environment. If one's per­ machinery, over only a few years. Answers can be harder to state. spective went, say, 50 or more What else does such short-term Often a protagonist will assert years ahead, we might envisage perspective tell us? that one should ask the right sort that because of efforts of organisa­ How does a forestry operation, of question, and thus lead one to tions such as ours, on the merits of faced with a sudden adjustment on their side of the debate. wilderness areas, some hundreds conservation grounds, compare Nonetheless life is full of ques­ or perhaps thousands of people in with another industry which has tions; not least in the realm of the future larger Canberra metrop­ to adjust to tariff reductions but conservation. olis might want to go backpacking gently phased down over some When you look at an area of in Namadgi each weekend. But years. Might not there be some cleared land that has passed from you might prefer to say 'Let us case for a scheme of compensatory commercial use into a national simply enjoy it as it is today so or redundancy payments in the ark, what is your perspective— long as we can escape beyond the forestry industry? Subject, of hould it become like it was in esky range of four-wheeled urban- course, to the consideration that in 1788, or in pre-Aboriginal times, ites'. Who can say you would be these fast changing times no one or perhaps in the Cretaceous if you wrong? has the inalienable right to have could wangle the climate, or In the domain of industries precisely the same occupation all simply let nature take its course? based on the exploitation of limited their working life But do not feel But the latter could also mean nonrenewable natural resources, confident of an initiative from gov­ feral trees and shrubs, weeds, perspectives have sharp relevance. ernments, given their perspectives cats, pigs, foxes and rabbits; and With forests, for example, the loss of only a handful of years between hence the need for human inter­ of biological diversity can, apart elections. In the case of our federal vention, but to what ultimate from the ethical question of the governments, on average there is objective? For example I read extinction of species, mean the less than three years between elec­ recently that the Orroral Valley closing off of future options in the tions, which is farcical by any rele­ was originally a marsh which was production of new medicines and vant international comparison. drained to make the present river. drugs which in the long-term may Thus the proneness of our govern­ Therefore should we now dam or be of greater economic value than ments to political expediency, but block the river to re-create the today's short-term forestry opera­ that is what we all work on and marsh? tion. But do not expect support for that is not a bad perspective. All this raises the question of that proposition from the forestry Les Pyke

LfV busy holiday New members Over the 'holiday* period the of Jervis Bay and its environs. The Sandra Berry and Ian Smith, Association has been very busy. Association was represented at a Curtin There is a lot happening which meeting at Nowra on 13 December Neil Campbell, O'Connor requires our voice to be heard if we and lodged a thorough and Dr Hamish Cresswell, Cook are to have any real meaning to detailed submission, the product of Mark Darmody, Watson our aims and objectives. Also, some energetic members. Mary Louise Done, Ainslie authorities love to set deadlines Other work throughout the holi­ Roger Emmerson, Duntroon for submissions near holiday peri­ day period included preparing a Digby and Kerry Habel, ods when people are starting to paper on mining in national parks, Weetangera relax from serious matters. running a NPA display at Fun in David and Robyn Horton, Kambah On 21 December was the dead­ the Park on 13 January, studying Ellen Koi Headford, Deakin line for views on Ski 2000, a propo­ draft ACT land legislation (sub­ Adrian and Louise Marchant, sal from NSW for increased mission by 28 February) and being Wanniassa development of resorts and facili­ represented at seminars on it on Alison McLean, Hawker ties within the Kosciusko Park 16 December and 20 January, and Muller family, Hawker area. Your Association made the meetings of subcommittees Nigel Pearson, Gowrie deadline with a submission of throughout December and January Kieran and Lynne Vassallo, soundly based criticism. 31 on various important topics. Mawson January was the deadline with Elsewhere in this bulletin are Maureen Waller, Macgregor NSW authorities for views on the some further details. Peter and Lola Wilkins, Curtin future planning and development Les Pyke IN PRINT

New policy statement

The Conservation Council of the leagues. Conservation bodies policy suggestions mostly aimed South-East Region and Canberra should, she said, take the lead in at the ACT government. These has produced a substantial policy actively pursuing environmental include a call for the Canberra statement on environmental issues within the community and Nature Park to be gazetted under issues for the region. It is the only the political arena to shape public the Nature Conservation Act and conservation body in Australia to opinion and to put pressure on Molonglo Gorge in particular have produced such a comprehen­ governments and ministers to passed over to the Parks and sive policy statement. pursue environmental goals. She Conservation Service, surveyed The statement was launched by looked to environmental groups to and gazetted. It also calls for the Federal Environment Minister, provide impetus and direction to replacement of pine plantations Ros Kelly, at Red Hill lookout. her portfolio. In speaking of Jervis with native plantations or mixed Opening her remarks, Mrs Kelly Bay Mrs Kelly drew attention to native and exotic plantations and said that it was appropriate that the complexities of the issues and some such as Boboyan Pine the publication be launched by a of the need to consider the area as Plantation to be rehabilitated to Commonwealth minister because an entity. However, she gave an native plant communities. The the ACT should provide a lead in unequivocal and heartening com­ need to discourage weeds environmental matters for the mitment to work towards the emphasised including takin whole country. She explained that preservation of Jervis Bay. She steps to keep nurseries informed she saw her role in Cabinet was to congratulated the conservation so they will not stock or sell unde­ promote environmental matters council on producing the policy sirable plants. but to do so at a level that kept statement and commended it to all those present. Important parts of the report on the issues within reach of her col- areas outside the ACT include a The policy statement is a revi­ section on the much pressured sion of a similar statement coastal region particularly point­ released in June 1990. The 70 ing out that the onus of proof of page document is well produced benefit must rest with developers Changes to with an index and footnotes giving and the importance of discourag­ cross references. ing ribbon development. The need guest speakers It is divided into two major sec­ for the declaration of a Jervis Bay tions covering the ACT and then Marine Park is reiterated here. The Australian National Parks the rest of the region. It covers a The alpine region is the subject and Wildlife Service must be a broad range of topics while admit­ of another chapter which empha­ busy place. Because of work prior­ ting that even this breadth is not sises the region must be managed ities our two speakers from that definitive. The Council has 37 as a whole and calls to World Service have had to cancel their member groups, among them the Heritage Listing for the national scheduled talks to the Association. NPA. parks system that exists there. Mr Rob Jenkins is now scheduled There are sections dealing with The forests of course are the suj^'kl to speak (on snakes of the areas as diverse as nature conser­ ject of a substantial chapter wit^r^l Canberra region) on 21 March vation, animal welfare, energy, 34 policy recommendations relat­ instead of 21 February', and the Aboriginal rights and heritage ing to the southeast forests, log- Director of the Service, Dr Peter and fire management. ging,the development of native Bridgewater, is now scheduled for The document has a decidedly hardwood logging and upgrading 18 April instead of 21 March practical bent and extensively Greening Australia. (same topic: National Parks or lists actions it suggests govern­ The policy statement provides national Parks). ments and community groups an excellent overview of these and A member, Mr Rod Dalgleish, undertake. The preface says this many other essential issues in the kindly filled the spot for 21 policy statement 'is intended to southeast region; recommended February when he spoke on his set out a broad direction for policy reading for anyone interested in walking trip to the Darjeeling- but it contains many practical pro­ local conservation issues. Copies Sikkim area which took in the posals as well. Though are available for $10 from the vicinity of Mt Kanchenjunga, with Governments, whether State, Conservation Council office in colour slides. Territorial or Local, have a lim­ Kingsley St, Acton or GPO Box ited budget, and many of our 1875, Canberra. points have dollar costs, they would all produce benefits, and many of them financial savings, over the longer term.' In the section on nature conser­ vation in the ACT there are 26 Kelly meets Peak Council The environment minister, Ros discussed and the minister agreed and media by the four major con­ Kelly met with peak conservation to ask the eight chairs of the com­ servation groups. A 1988 discus­ organisations last November. The mittee to address the next Peak sion paper at a meeting of the minister's agenda item was the Council meeting. Conservation Councils and greenhouse effect and what is The minister was interested in Environment Centres on this topic being done in Australia to help the discussion on ways to improve stated that the 'conservation control it. She outlined Australia's federal legislation covering devel­ movement in Australia is a power call for a 20 per cent overall reduc­ opment proposals. Minister Kelly base up for grabs at the moment... tion in greenhouse emissions, how indicated this should be done in Government and the media can this will be tackled locally and the conjunction with the development pick and choose who they meet need to help the developing world of a federal environmental protec­ with or talk to for a conservation achieve similar goals. tion authority. viewpoint... However a single rep­ A national issue brought up by The Australian National Parks resentative body of the movement the Peak Council was its strong Council's agenda item was the pro­ that can speak for all and be a sole opposition to the so-called resource tection of Jervis Bay. The minister negotiator is not desirable either. security legislation the logging agreed on the need for a marine Such a body is likely to create divi­ Industry is seeking to guarantee park run along similar lines to the sions in the movement and could «access to native forests. This pro­ Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, be easily undennined or manipu­ posed legislation, aimed to over­ but was more cautious about the lated...' At this meeting it was ride national estate and need for a land component to such argued that there is more compel­ environmental impact laws is a a park. ling need than ever for a national conference of all conservation very disturbing trend for conserva­ A major feature of the meeting organisations and a coalition to tion groups as it is an attempt to was a discussion of trends within help coordination. It was ageed rewrite the very ground rules upon the conservation movement itself that a concrete proposal be circu­ which conservation and develop­ particularly regarding effective­ lated and discussed at the next ment issues are decided. ness, communication, cooperation Peak Council meeting in February between different groups and the The ecologically sustainable or March. development committees were also trend to domination of government Sunday in the park

Our Association participated in ing submissions, or conservation play. Special thanks must go to 'Sunday in the park' activities by and restoration, or for interesting Mike Smith who obtained our tent mounting an information and pro- monthly meetings and so on. and display boards and who trans­ otional display in the Sculpture In all we gave out over 100 mem­ ported them to and from the site. rden of the Australian National bership application forms and a Gallery on Sunday 13 January similar number of previous copies Len Haskew 1991. of the bulletin and outings pro­ Thanks to our large and interest­ grams. We also managed to sell Len Haskew is convenor of the ing collection of mounted photo­ several books. While we do not marketing, publicity and education graphs (both in colour and black anticipate that all who took appli­ subcommittee. and white) our display proved to cation forms will become members, be eye-catching and we attracted a we feel that the display was worth­ considerable number of viewers. while because it let people know While some came only to look (and that there was a local organisation pick up any freebies') the majority committed to the preservation of of visitors were interested to dis­ our natural environment. cuss the Association's aims and The display was coordinated by various activities with us. We took members of the Marketing, care to let people know that our Education and Publicity subcom­ Association catered not only for mittee but it was staffed through those interested in bush walking the day by various office bearers and camping, but also for people and committee members. with concerns for the environment On behalf of the subcommittee I generally, for those with an inter­ would like to thank all those who est in committee work and prepar­ contributed to the successful dis­ MEETINGS

E Team beats deadlines Woe betide the bureaucrat or poli­ Crossfield and Dennis Murray pre­ Australian National Parks tician who tries to run the gaunt­ pared an incisive submission to Council, continues to perform the let of the environment the Industry Commission's draft essential role of scribe and holder subcommittee. Impossible dead­ Report on Mining and Minerals of the corporate memory. Graham lines set for submissions; reports Processing in Australia. (This is a Gutteridge watches over the devel­ for comment released just before dangerous report that suggests opment of Canberra's urban park Christmas or with little or no pub­ mineral exploration and mining system. licity; discussion papers full of should be allowed in national Other matters dealt with include jargon; all count for nought. The parks). Anne Taylor prepared a Namadgi tracking stations, the scrutiny of the environment sub­ professional response to the endangered species program, and committee is never ending. During Interim Territory Planning the draft territory plan. Members the period under review the sub­ Authority's Gungahlin External should not be put off participating committee, or as they are now Travel Study. Jervis Bay and the in subcommittee activities by this more commonly known, the E NSW Government's Regional remarkable record. If a particular Team, has notched up an impres­ Planning Project received the issue interests you don't hope sive number of achievements. tenacious attention of Den Robin someone else will take it up and do^^ Mere rhetoric you say? Well just and another new recruit to the something about it. Rather, fint^^ note this! Kevin Frawley, under subcommittee, Rod Dalgliesh. This out the details, think about a^^ contract to the Association, is well culminated in a magnificent sub­ course of action the Association on the way to completing his land­ mission containing the hopes of might take, and bring it to the mark remnant woodlands and many members for Jervis Bay. attention of Len Crossfield or Tim grasslands study. Team newboy, Jane O'Donohue remains the con­ Walsh. Better still, bring it along Dennis Murray, drafted an science of the team, ever ready to to a subcommittee meeting. impressive submission to the NSW bring passion to an argument but Details of these are given else­ National Parks and Wildlife equally ready to find common where in the bulletin. Services' Ski 2000 discussion ground and resolution to a dis­ paper on the future of Kosciusko puted issue. Neville Esau, recently National Park. Di Thompson, Len promoted to the presidency of the Timothy Walsh Environmental history of the Murray-Darling

The Murray-Darling Basin drains awareness of the environmental thousands of years—places such, one-seventh of Australia. It issues facing this region. Such as Echuca and Murray Bridge.' stretches from northeast issues cannot be considered inde­ Another example of the interac­ Queensland, includes most of New pendently of social factors. tion between Aborigines and early South Wales, all of the ACT, a According to Dr Baker the exhibi­ Europeans is the use made of large part of central and northern tion will explore the connections Aboriginal guides by the early Victoria and a chunk of South between environmental and social explorers. Aboriginal tracks and Australia. It contains a range of factors. water sources were an important natural resources, the economic The exhibition will describe the feature of European exploration. value of which accounts for about pre- and post-European history of Naturally the Murray itself one third of the national output the area and peoples' interaction dominates the exhibition. Its use from rural industries. with the natural environment. It for transport, irrigation and more At the November 1990 meeting will tour towns in the basin in recently recreation, will be a the Association was fortunate to 1992 and 1993. major theme. At the time of have Dr Richard Baker, curator In his talk, Dr Baker explained Federation, Dr Baker pointed out. for the environment at the how the area had to be seen as an South Australia wanted the Museum of Australia, to describe a historical entity. Every event in its Murray for transport while fascinating travelling exhibition history is connected: Aboriginal Victoria and New South Wales being developed by the museum on with European, farming with land saw its principle purpose as being the human and environmental his­ degradation. For instance, for irrigation. The exhibition will tory of the Mun-ay-Darling Basin. European bridges link states but show the use to which the river Dr Baker explained that in recent they also indicate where has been put and will question years there has been a growing Aborigines had crossed rivers for the real cost of water in Australia. Environmental history of the Jervis Bay future Murray-Darling The Jervis Bay Regional Planning for the region. Project has been set up and public One of a series of meetings was Other issues to be covered in the meetings have begun. The project held on 13 December at exhibition are the current prob­ has been set up by the New South Shoalhaven Council to inform vari­ lems of salinity in the soil, the Wales Government in conjunction ous parties and groups of the growing ethic of tree planting and, with the Shoalhaven City Council. intent and extent of initiatives combined with this, total catch­ It is envisaged that an issues taken by the local and state gov­ ment management, landcare and paper and draft guidelines will be ernments. The meeting was salt action groups. The irony of issued for public discussion by May mainly composed of conservation, this theme was highlighted when this year. The project has a plan­ ecological and park interests. Dr Baker explained that vegeta­ ning committee of twelve mem­ Earlier meetings had related to tion was still being cleared in the bers: a chair from the NSW fisheries, rural interests, local resi­ Pilliga scrub! The exhibition will Department of Planning, 3 alder­ dent groups and business and also explore the reasons for the men from Shoalhaven Council, rep­ development. decline in employment in rural resentatives from the state The project team has been set up Australia and the effect of this on departments of fisheries, lands to do this study with its own office local communities. and State Pollution Control separate from government bureau­ A vital part of the planning for Commission, the Australian cracies. Interested groups have the exhibition will be to involve Conservation Foundation and the been encouraged to inspect their each local community in develop­ Jervis Bay Protection Committee. work as well as make submissions. ing a component of the exhibition. The Commonwealth has been The project has thus started in a The museum is committed to as asked to supply two members to very open fashion and it is to be full as possible consultation with the committee but has not done so hoped this continues. yet. each local community on ideas for Lack of Commonwealth partici­ issues that the exhibition should The first public meeting on 10 pation so far is worrying as their cover. December in Nowra has already input is essential for any conclu­ Dr Baker illustrated the theme revealed strong opposition to a sions that come out of the project of his talk with a fascinating col­ marine park for the region. Some to have any real weight. lection of slides. These showed, people who bought land they have The Environment Subcommittee amongst many other things, been unable to obtain building per­ met on 15 January to prepare a CSIRO experimental equipment mits for have been persuaded by submission from the NPA. Forms for rabbit control, and signs lobbyists that their cause would be for public responses are available naming towns and signifying their served by opposing a marine park as well. uniqueness. Dr Baker believes that the exhi­ bition will help Australians to read their landscape and under­ Parks program stand why it is as it is. • The NPA audience could not help but be impressed by Dr for children Baker's enthusiasm for his work. The ACT Parks and Conservation new Namadgi Visitor Centre, fol­ Although not mentioned by Dr Service is congratulated for its lowed by a short distance field Baker, the shortsightedness of program for young children during exercise. A skilled question and government in its lack of support the summer school holidays. Apart answer approach was used which for the museum hung over the from the service's laudatory educa­ had the youngsters trying to meeting like a grey cloud. The con­ tional outings for the general reason why animals and birds trast between Dr Baker's vision public, some of which are well behaved the way they did and and politicians' parsimony spoke suited for young children, the drew out the important influences for itself. Service provided a separate pro­ of their predators. gram for children. This ran from Other events on the holiday pro­ Timothy Walsh mid-December and throughout gram were in the Tidbinbilla January. Nature Reserve and along The program included a number Googong foreshores. There is noth­ of sessions on Namadgi National ing like learning in the field. It is Park. The one the writer took his recommended that parents and granddaughter to involved rangers grandparents check out what is Trish Macdonald and Steve Welch offered by the Parks and explaining features of the exhibi­ Conservation Service for children tion and the audiovisual at the during holidays and other times. ALPS

Australia's alpine pariL S The Australian Alps National ment expertise. For the first time Other achievements have been Parks Liaison Committee has pro­ this year the four governments developing codes on horse riding duced a document consisting of a have committed agreed funds to and trails and preparation of proposed three year cooperative give a budget of $360 000. There draft management plans for parts work program for 1990 to 1993 are strings attached to these of the park. The overall view pro­ and an annual report for 1989/90. funds ensuring the state contribu­ vided by the liaison committee The committee was established tions will be largely spent within has enabled cooperative work on in 1986 by a memorandum of the states, but the effect of the fire management, cross border understanding between the liaison committee is to coordinate training for park staff, compatible Commonwealth, New South work in the different parks and computers for geographical infor­ Wales, Victorian and Australian prevent unnecessary duplication. mation systems and weed and Capital Territory governments. It The second part of the report feral animal control. coordinates work programs for the reviews the operation of the mem­ The opening page of the docu­ seven parks and reserves that orandum of understanding which ment contains a quote praising cover 1.53 million hectares of the liaison committee works from. the memorandum. Jim Thorsell Australia's high country. The declaration of the Victorian and Jeremy Harrison, authors of- The proposed work program Alpine National Park was a high­ a 1990 IUCN report on transbor-f describes four strategies. These light of 1989/90. So was the der parks describes the alpine are to develop community aware­ accompanying Great Alpine Trek parks system as 'the most ness of the alpine parks, provision which publicised the memoran­ advanced operating border park of visitor facilities, resource con­ dum of understanding and the now in existence.' servation and developing manage- declaration of the Victorian park.

Namadgi ad ditions Loose

Members will recall that on boundary determination of these change? Environment Day 1990, the Chief park additions because of their sig­ Do you have any loose change Minister announced the govern­ nificance for the future of the park. wearing a hole in your pocket or ment's intention to add three This is one of a number of impor­ weighing down your purse? We can areas to Namadgi National Park. tant matters on the agenda of the lighten that load for you by selling These were the Lower Cotter subcommittee which meets you a book or two at monthly catchment, Mount TennenfBlue monthly as shown in the calendar meetings. Gum creek and parts of the on the back cover of this bulletin. For example: M Gibraltar creek valley and New faces would be very welcome 50 cents will buy Australian^ Alpine Areas Gibraltar range. Gazettal of these at these meetings. additions has not yet been made $1 will buy Eden Woodchipping but surveys of the boundary areas $2 will buy Jervis Bay Marine are under way. Park For both the Lower Cotter catch­ $5 to $10 will buy various walk­ ment and the Tennent/Blue Gum ing guides to the local area, the areas the basis of the extensions is Budawangs, the Snowy area or to be found in the Namadgi policy NSW rainforests, or you might plan prepared by the National prefer the 1990 revision of a Field Capital Development Commission Guide to the Native Trees of the in 1986 and now incorporated in ACT or the Alps in Flower. the national capital plan. The For larger amounts of loose policy plan zoned these areas for change you can have nature conservation on the basis of The Mallee in Flower $12 their ecological importance and in Pigeon House & Beyond $20 the case of the Lower Cotter, of the Fitzroy Falls & Beyond $23 need for compatibility with catch­ Kiandra to Kosciusko $25 ment protection for water Range Upon Range $33 harvesting. The Namadgi subcommittee is following through the matter of Brayshaw's hut in Namadgi is programmed for stabilisation and the first stage, now completed, has been to remove the badly vandalised asbestos cement sheet covered annexe. This annexe was not part of the original 1903 structure and besides being an eyesore, because of the material used was not capable of being restored. Photos: Reg Alder.

The Burrungubugge shelter hut, built from recycled materials by Kosciusko Huts Association members with the cooperation of the Parks Service, was opened for public use on 17 November 1990. The shelter has been built on a site adjacent to the burnt-out Constances Hut. The slab walls came from a church in Dural and the floor and ceiling timbers from a house in Tumut. Inside the hut has been fitted with bench seat Isleeping platforms, a pot belly stove and a preparation bench. The ceiling is insulated. The hut has been built to provide another route to the snowfields and to relieve pressure on the Whites River corridor. LESSONS

Salutary tales New Zealand limits was full of scree and landslides. It The next morning in the heat we There is hope for the elders yet! was difficult to avoid putting a foot went up Mt Tarn and found the Last summer I visited New down on curved surfaces, even tarn very shallow. With care we Zealand with four mates. After where ground cover had grown. could fill our already depleted sailing a hired yacht in the Bay of We pitched tents between 9 and 10 water bottles with warm water Islands for a week we flew south pm in a beech forest. without disturbing the sediments to Queenstown for backpacking in The moral of this story is that or catching tadpoles. We left our Fiordland. I must now refer to our unyouthful and out of practice heavy packs on the top of Mt Tarn ages. Four of us were in the late backpackers can survive long and slid down the awkward pass 50s or early 60s. One of those had climbs if they take it very slowly to the bottom of the cliff and scarcely any backpacking experi­ and put in the time. Because of moved along the base of the cliff to ence, two had backpacked a little our overall timetable we had to the camping cave from which one but not for over a year (obviously put in about 12 hours per day, descends into Hollands Gorge. having given priority to being con­ helped by the long twilight. I know Water sources were dried out except in one instance where there noisseurs of the refreshment arts; of a number of younger backpack­ was a drip sufficient to fill a cup in- inquiries to one from curious ers whom I suspect would go a minute or two. I Kiwis as to why he carried two faster, burn themselves out and flasks on his belt elicited the pitch tents earlier. The warning was clear; if there response 'one has pale tea but you were to be no water in the gorge it don't mix milk with it'). My fourth would be disastrous to go there. We mate was only 25 but his knee was Thirst in the would quickly consume our supply bandaged from a lingering football Budawangs in the heat and the long haul out of injury. In my case I had regular Near the end of November two the gorge. We abandoned the origi­ backpacking practice but one boot experienced backpackers (ages 63 nal plan, returned to the top of Mt did not fit well and sore spots and 69) and I set out on an ambi­ Tarn, and moved over to the large developed. So we were all on a tious four night walk in the arched camping cave at Mt level playing field. Budawangs. The idea was to cover Haughton, with the intention of Wog Wog to Bibbenluke (camp), up going down Boonbah Brook to the Our route started at The Divide, Corang River and then that river's on the road to Milford Sound from and over Mt Tarn and down into Hollands Gorge (camp), up large lagoon. Alas, all the water Queenstown. We had a winding points were dry. sharp climb on the Routeburn through Darri Pass to near Mt Track before turning into the Mooryan (camp), and then through We cooled off in the shade and Greenstone Track. Then after pass­ Monolith Valley, Bibbenluke, returned to Bibbenluke for a ing Lake Howden we turned into Canowie Brook, Corang River second night, grateful to see the the Caples Track. This route dete­ Lagoon (camp) and Wog Wog. water there still flowing. On the riorated into a scramble over rocks We had our first misgivings as way home we managed to top up and tree roots up to the McKellar we crossed Wog Wog Creek at the at Canowie again, and make our^^ Saddle, making a total climb of 500 start. We had not seen it so low. way along the Corang River pasl^P to 600 metres. About 9pm we When we reached Canowie Brook the rock ribs to the large lagoon lurched into the Upper Caples Hut near Corang Arch the temperature where we camped. This was an to the fearful cries of the inmates of must have been in the 30s, the oasis as the water level there had 'Don't let the sandflies in'. valley was very humid, and we not yet dropped. On the way back to Wog Wog we crossed water The next morning there was to had begun hitting our water bot­ tles hard. The water in the brook courses and Goodsell Creek which be none of this proceeding along were in the process of drying out. the tourist trail. No—we aimed to was barely flowing, another week go along the obscure Steele Creek it would be stagnant. We topped There have been many times in track which would take us across up our bottles and crashed into the the Budawangs when 1 have country back to the Greenstone undergrowth for shade. cursed the heavy rain and winds; Track. As we left the hut at 8 am Eventually and after many but there is certainly the other we looked up but there was mist shade stops in the scrub we extreme. The Budawangs cannot above us. Just as well. If we could reached the main campsite at be taken for granted. Do not judge have seen where we were to climb Bibbenluke. There was barely a the weather there by Canberra's we would have promptly changed flow of water at this site and no weather, they are different cli­ plans. We innocently set out. water at all at favoured sites in mates, and in hot. dry weather 1000 metres altitude and 7 hours the vicinity. It was now obvious measure your distance by availa­ later we reached the saddle in the that we should not move to the bility of shade and water bottles, Ailsa Mountains. We then worked next objective (Hollands Gorge) not kilometres. down Steele Creek valley. This unless we could carry enough was hardly a respite as the valley water to return. Intrepid QlprU-Sunday Walk (2/B) Mt Ginini ski slopes, a walk to Pryor's hut and a talk by Lindsay Murrumbidgee Ramble Ref: Namadgi 1:100 000 Pryor about the attempt to establish an alpine annexe of the Botan­ Outings program Leader: Phil Bubb Ph 248 6769h or 246 6128w ical Gardens in the early fifties. 120km drive ($24 per car). Meet at Kambah Village shops at 9am. Walk on the west side of the Murrumbidgee near the red rocks gorge, between Kambah Pool 20/21 April-Weekend Pack Walk (2/A/C/D) April to July 1991 and Pine Island, if access can be obtained. 30km drive ($6 per car). Booths Creek from Brandy Flat Ref: Michelago 1:25 000 Leader: Jack Smart Ph 248 8171 6/7 April Pack Walk (2/A) Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8.30am. The walk commences Dunns Flat via Harrys Spur Ref: ACT 1:100 000 from the Brandy Flat carpark on the Boboyan Road to camp on Leader: Robert Story Ph 2812174 grassy flats at Booth's Creek. Return, possibly over Booth's Hill. Meet at the comer of Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Road at 8.30am. Park at Mt Ginini and walk 3,000 feet down Harrys Spur to 27 April-Saturday walk (2/A) the Goodradigbee River. Camp at Dunns Flat. Return the same Mt Aggie and Mt Franklin Ref: Tidbinbilla 1:25 000 route. 120km drive ($24 per car). Leader: Len Haskew Ph 251 4268 Meet at cnr. Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Rd at 8.30am. A walk 10 April-Wednesday Meeting along tracks to two peaks with fine views, passing through beauti­ Outings sub-committee ful alpine countryside. 120km drive ($24 per car). 8pm 27 Geerilong Gardens Reid All members are welcome. Covers program for July to October. 28 April-Sunday Walk (1/A/B) Phone Phil Bubb 248 6769h if unable to attend. Remnant Woodland interpretation walk Leader: Kevin Frawley 13 April Saturday Walk (2/A/B/) phone NPA office 10am-2pm, Mon, Tue, Thu. ph 257 1063 Lower Cotter Extension Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Learn the results of a study by the Association of the remnant Leader: Ian Fraser Fh 249 1660 or 286 2578 woodlands of the ACT, and the implications for their future, Field Limit of 20 people - contact leader in advance. Meet at the corner of inspections may limit numbers. Eucumbene Drive and the Cotter Road at 8.30am. A10 - 15km guided interpretive walk through a part of this recently included 1 May-Wednesday Walk (2/A/CZF) section of Namadgi National Park. Ian, the author of a study on The Source of James Creek Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 Outings guide the natural resources of this area, will explain its special natural Leader: Bob Story Ph2812174 values and characteristics. 80km drive ($16 per car). Please contact leader by Monday for details. Meet at Kambah Vil­ Day walks carry lunch, drinks and protective clothing. lage shops at 8.30am. A 12km walk starting from Orroral Valley. Pack walks two or more days, carry all food and camping 14 April Sunday canoe trip Climb of400 metres. 120km drive ($24). requirements. CONTACT LEADER BY Clyde River Ref Bateman's Bay, Ulladulla 1:100 000 WEDNESDAY. Leader: Chris Bellamy Ph 249 7167h 5 May-Sunday Walk (3/A/B) Car camps facilities often limited or non-existent. Contact leader by Wednesday. Day trip paddling from the Clyde Googong Dam Ref: Hoskinstown 1:25 000 Vehicles taken to site can be used for River Road Bridge to Shallow Crossing, 22km, subject to water lev- Leader: Len Haskew Ph281 4268 camping. BOOK EARLY WITH LEADER. els.Suit beginners. Byo canoe or hire. 200km ($40 per car) Meet at Coles carpark, Queanbeyan at 8am. A testing walk through forested and hilly country on the Eastern foreshores of Other activities include nature rambles, environmental and 13/14 April\tab Pack Walk (2/A/C) Googong Dam, from the Northern carpark to the Woolshed near field guide studies and ski tours. Orroral Valley rock outcrops Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 the Southern gates. A short car shuffle needed. Not suitable for be­ Leader: Chris Leslie Ph 251 6123h ginners. 40km drive ($8 per car). Walks gradings Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8am (combined walk with CBC). Varied shapes and passageways between huge boulder arrange­ 4/5 May-Car Camp/Day Walk (3/4/A) Distance grading (per day) ments. Sleep headwaters of Orroral River. 80km ($16 per car). Wog Wog, Corang Peak and Arch Ref: Corang 1:25 000 1 - up to 10 km Leader: Olive Buckman Ph 248 8774 2 -10 km to 15 km 17 April Wednesday Walk (1/A/B/C) Contact leader by Wednesday. Leave Canberra on Saturday after­ 3 - 15 km to 20 km Honeysuckle Ridge Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 noon and car camp at Wog Wog between Braidwood and Nerriga. 4 - above 20 km. Les Pyke Ph 281 2982h Next day walk on track to Corang Peak for lunch (view of Pigeon Meet at Kambah Village shops at 9am. A four km walk from Hon­ House, the Castle) and on to Corang Arch, and return, about 20km. Terrain grading eysuckle Tracking Station to spectacular views from ridge, with a Bring drinking water. 300km drive ($60 per car). A - Road, firetrail, track six km return trip through light scrub, open forest and scenic B - Open forest grassland. 265m uphill on firetrail. 60km drive ($12 per car). 8 May-Wednesday Walk (1/A) C - Light scrub Isaacs Ridge Ref: ACT 1:100 000 D - Patches of thick scrub, regrowth 21 April Sunday Walk (2/A/C) Leader: Margaret Aston Ph 288 7563 E - Rock scrambling Joint KHA, NPA Heritage Week Walk Meet at the top end of Cabarita Street, O'Malley. A 6km easy F - Exploratory. Mt Franklin Chalet/Pryor's Hut morning walk up Isaacs Ridge. Bring morning tea. Leader: Graham Scully The walks program contains additional information. If Limit of 30 people: write to Mr G Scully, PO Box 3626, Manuka necessary, contact the leader. 2603, enclosing stamped self-addressed envelope for booking and trip details. The walk includes a guided tour of Mt Franklin; the 12 May-Sunday Walk (3/A/D/E) 26^»fay-Sunday Walk (1/A) 29 June-Saturday Walk (1/C/E) Mt Gudgenby Ref: Yaouk 1:25 000 Farrer Ridge Ref ACT 1:100 000 Billy Billy Rocks Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 Leader: Phil Bubb Ph 248 6769h Leader: Margaret Aston Ph 288 7563 Leader: Lyle Mark Ph 286 2801 Meet at Kambah Village shops ot 8am sharp. A solid walk for mod­ Meet at cnr. Hawkesbury Crescent and Wagga Street. Farrer at Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 8.30am. A ten km round walk erately fit walkers, 10km return on tracks plus 5km return up 1.30pm. A 6km easy afternoon walk along Farrer Ridge and across via the Bogong Caves and Billy Biily Rocks. Magnificent views. 700metres through scrub and regrowth for superb views and splen­ to Wanniassa. Bring o nibble. Some kangaroos are expected to be Suitable for fit beginners, following a route which avoids fallen tim­ did rock mazes. Some rock scrambling. 140km drive ($28 per cor). seen. ber. Drive 96km ($20 per car).

11/12 May-Weekend Pack Walk (2/A/E) 29 May-Wednesday Walk (1/A) 30 June-Sunday Walk (3/A) Tantangara Mountain Ref: Tanangara,Denison 1:25 000 Mt Arawang Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Hume & Hovell Track/Wee Jasper Ref: Brindabella 1:100 000 Leader: Di Thompson Ph 288 6084h 284 5043w Leader: Margaret Aston Ph 288 7563 Leader: Mike Smith Ph 286 2984h Contact leader by Wednesday. Tantangara Mt via Black Waters Meet at top end of Kathner Street, Chapman at 9.30am. An easy Meet at cnr. Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road Sam. Walk the Creek, Boggy Plain and Alpine Ridge, the route depends on snow. 5km morning walk around Mt Arawong. Bring binoculars and a Hume and Hovell Track from Fitzpatrick trackhead at Wee Jasper Some tracks, mostly bush. 750metre climb. morning nibble. to the Logbridge Creek campsite via Mt Wee Jasper, with a climb of 600m. Car shulTle needed. 130km drive ($26 per car). 15 May-Wednesday Walk (1/A) 8/9/10 June-Weekend Pack Walk (2/A/B/C) Brandy Flat Hut Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Sentry Box Rock and Mountain Ref: Yaouk 1:25 000 Sunday 7 July (2/A) Leader: Olive Buckman Ph 248 8774 Leader: Reg Alder Ph 254 2240 Camel Back Ridge Ref: Tidbinbilla 1:25 000 Meet at Kambah Village shops ot 9am. A pleasant 9km return walk Contact leader by Wednesday. Walk up Naas Valley to camp at foot Leader: Len Haskew Ph 281 4268 from Glendale Crossing, billy tea on an open fire (watertank at of ridge leading to Sentry Box. Day walk to top (400m climb). 13, 11 Meet at corner ofEucubene Drive and Cotter Road at 8.30am. A hut). 80km drive ($16 per car). & 13 kms. 170km drive ($34 per car). 13km return walk along a fire trail with an optional rock scramble to the Camel's Hump. 70km drive ($14per car). 18 May-Sunday Walk (4/A/B) 8/9/10 June-Car Camp Cotter Rocks Ref ACT 1:100 000 Bournda State Recreation Area 10 July-Wednesday WaUi (2/A) Leader: Steven Forst Ph 251 6817h 256 2426w Leader: Syd Comfort Ph 286 2578 Casuarina Sands/Bulga Creek Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8am. A 23km walk from Orroral Contact leader by 1 June. Camping near Lake Wallagoot in Bourn­ Leader: Olive Buckman Ph 248 8774 Valley up the old bridle track to Cotter Gap and Cotter Rocks. This da S.R.A. Activity spectrum from coast and forest walking, bird- Meet at corner Eucumbene Dri ve and Cotter Road at 10am. spectacular pile of giant boulders give great views of Namadgi; one watching to studied idleness. Drive 400km ($80 per car). A 16km walk on tracks through undulating country above Mur­ has a dog leg fracture to walk through. 100km drive ($20 per car) rumbidgee. Ideal for families/beginners. 40km drive ($8 per car). 15 June-Saturday Walk (1/A) 18/19 May-Weekend Pack Walk (4/A/C/D) Lake George Ref: ACT 1:100 000 14 July-Sunday Walk (3/A/C/D) Scabby Range Nature Reserve Ref: Yaouk 1:25 000 Leader: Margaret Aston Ph 288 7563 Nursery Creek Ref: Rendezvous Creek. 1:25 000 Leader: Chris Leslie Ph 251 6123 Meet at the Coast Road junction at Bungcndore at 9.30 am. A gen­ Leader: Jack Smart Ph 248 8171 Meet at Kambah Village shops at 7am (combined walk with tle walk along the Lake George foothills with some birdwatching. Meet at Kambah Village shops at 8am. Orroral Valley to Orroral C.B.C.). Mt Scabby is a high alpine basin, the source of the Cotter. Bring lunch and binoculars. 80km drive ($16 per car). Mountain, descending N"W to headwaters of Nursery Creek, and This hidden valley has fragile and pristine plant and shrub commu­ down Nursery Creek. 100km drive ($20 per car). nities so no fires are allowed by leader, and stoves or pre-cooked 16 June-Sunday Walk (2/A) food needed.Stunning views .Approach by long but attractive Naas Long Point/Shoalhaven Gorge Ref: Caoura 1:25 000 Creek valley. 160km drive ($32 per car). Leader: Steve Forst Ph 274 8426w 251 6817h Meet just past the Dickson traffic lights in Northbourne Ave at 22 May-Wednesday Walk (3/A/B) 8.30am. A 12km walk into the spectacular gorge near Tallong. Points to note Inner Hills Circuit Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Mostly climbing (680m) or descending. Lunch on the river. 250 km New faces to lead, new places to go. Please help keep our Leader: Syd Comfort Ph 286 2578 drive ($50 per car). outings program alive by volunteering to lead a walk Meet at Hughes shopping centre at 8.30om. A walk of 17km follow­ occasionally. ing the ridges from near Red Hill across Mugga, Isoocs, Wanniossa, 20 June-Thursday Walk (1/A) All persons joining an outing of the National Parks Farrer to Mt Taylor. Some ups and downs. A short car shuffle. Molongolo Gorge Ref: ACT 1:100 000 10km drive ($2 per car). Leader: Olive Buckman Ph 248 8774 Association of the ACT do so as volunteers in all respects Meet at first picnic area right on Morshcnd Drive, after main gate and as such accept sole responsibility for any injury 25 May-Saturday Walk (2/A/B/C) lo Duntroon College at 8.30am. A 6-7 kilometre return walk on howsoever incurred and the National Parks Association of Rendezvous Creek/Nursery Swamp tracks above river to picnic area for lunch, sonic rocky spots and the ACT, iU office bearers and appointed leaders are Ref:Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 climbing. Suitable for families and beginners. absolved from any liability in respect of any injury or Leader: Les Pyke Ph 281 2982h damage suffered whilst engaged in any such outing. Meet at Kambah Village shops .it fi.30am. Circular 15km walk up 23 June-Sunday Walk (3/A/B/C) The committee suggests a donation of TWENTY cents from Orroral Valley to, nnd down, Rendezvous Creek. Climb Saddle Bullen Range/Murrumbidgee River Ref: Cotter 1:25 000 per kilometre DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF to southern end of Nursery Swamp, following Nursery Creek up In Leader: Syd Comfort Ph 286 2578 OCCUPANTS in the car, including the driver, (to the complete the wnlk 11 wo 300m climbs) 80km drive ($16 per car>. Meet at corner Eucumbene Drive and Colter Road at H.30am. A walk of 15km with n climb of 12lmi lo the ndge. walking nlonj: the nearest dollar* be offered to the driver by each passenger ridge Lo n trig point, with ^,'uod views of the rivers A descent of accepting transport. Drive and walk distances quoted in 220in to the river, and back over the range. Short car shuffle Drive the propyl in are approximate distances for return 20km ' $-1 per car < jounifv-;. INTERNATIONAL

IUCN meets in Perth

With my suitcase half full of delegates from non-government communication for environmen ta5 papers circulated prior to the con­ organisations, national and inter­ conservation, were proposed for ference, I flew to Perth to attend national, states, government organ­ the next triennium. Although the the International Union for the isations and affiliates from all parts list is long it gives an idea of the Conservation of Nature and of the world, was held at the scope of issues addressed by Natural Resources (IUCN) meet­ Burswood Convention Centre. The IUCN. ing from 28 November to 5 formal sittings of the assembly, In the evening Australia hosted December 1990, as the sole repre­ which took place over a six day the delegates. A presentation was sentative of the Australian period, began after the opening cer­ made on Australian conservation National Parks Council (ANPC). emony during which the Prime policy and practice which went for Costs to the council were nil Minister suggested that Australia over two hours. It was extremely because I used the ticket provided would work towards the establish­ disappointing because there were by the Commonwealth Depart­ ment of a number of marine parks far too many speakers, repetition ment of the Arts, Sport, the in cooperation with the states. of material and the videotapes Environment, Tourism and ANPC has already started working used were of poor quality. ^^Territories and because Dave on a draft policy on such parks and Afterwards there was a dinner f^Arntzen , the recently elected hono­ will be discussing it at its next held by the swimming pool of the rary treasurer of ANPC, and his annual meeting. nearby hotel with a magnificent wife kindly provided me with During the first part of the meet­ range of foods. Music was provided accommodation. ing it became clear that this was by a bush band and Aboriginals ANPC joined IUCN several years going to be significant for conser­ playing traditional instruments. ago and both Kevin Frawley and I vation interests. ACF, the On Friday and Saturday I have attended meetings of the Wilderness Society, and attended a two day workshop at Australian chapter of IUCN. Many Greenpeace opposed the admission the University of Western motions have been submitted on of the Forestry Commission of Australia on protected areas. issues such as cane toads, Mimosa Tasmania and the Fur Institute of Some papers were interesting, par­ pigra, World Heritage listing for Canada on the grounds that both ticularly those which addressed the alps, marine reserves in represented economic interests. local issues. There were presenta­ Tasmania and NSW, grazing in The issue was referred to a com­ tions on the following: the Victorian mallee, and the mittee and I understand that their • Phillip Toyne discussed present Kennedy Range National Park in admission was refused. Dr and possible Australian World WA. Some have been successful, Holdgate the director-general of Heritage areas. The alps and the but, as others lacked sufficient IUCN initially supported the idea Victorian mallee were not supporting information or the of sustainable development but, as mentioned. motion had been overtaken by cir­ the conference progressed, the • A case for the Lake Eyre Basin cumstances, they were unsuccess­ mood of delegates rejected a water­ to become a World Heritage ful or had become redundant. ing down of conservation ideals. area. The term has been excluded from Several field trips had been • Public participation in the Great the Union's revised mission arranged and I selected one to Barrier Reef Marine Park. statement. visit—Mt Lesueur, a proposed Overseas visitors were bemused national park, which lies on a coal­ Much of the work of IUCN is by our State—Commonwealth field to the north of Perth. CRA done through commissions which disputes over World Heritage has been considering open cut address the issues of species survi­ listing. They were not impressed mining and using the coal for elec­ val, national parks and conserva­ that it was being used to obtain tricity generation. Although it was tion areas, environmental law, protection for an area which not the height of the wildflower ecology, environmental strategy would otherwise be denied by season there were sufficient to and planning, and education and the particular state. make the trip a pleasing and infor­ communication. A number of spe­ Before I left to return home there mative one as we were accompa­ cific programs on women and nat­ were some 73 motions on notice. nied by Dr Stephen Hopper, an ural resources management, These were referred to a resolu­ expert botanist from the tropical forests, population and tions committee for the wording to Department of Conservation and natural resources, global change, be tidied up before being pre­ Land Management. Overseas dele­ biodiversity, conservation of spe­ sented. As would be expected, a gates were horrified that mining cies and genetic resources, wet­ great many of the site specific was proposed in the area because lands, coastal and marine motions related to Australia. They of the richness of its flora and the programs, conservation areas pro­ covered topics such as oil drilling number of rare and endangered gram, such as Eastern Europe, on the Great Barrier Reef, the use species present. environmental impact assessment, of oil tankers inshore of the reef, The conference, attended by 1400 environmental law, education and western Tasmania wilderness continued on page 12 IUCN meets in Perth Kosciusko alert— continued from page 11 World Heritage Area, Tasmanian rainforests, the Kimberiey region, keen eyes needed! mining in Kakadu, conservation of The NPA subcommittee on the flora or fauna sightings. If they wetlands, especially in the Lake environment has asked me to could then telephone me on Eyre basin, and the addition of keep an eye on developments in 297 2147 (ah) I will gladly make a Macquarie Island to the sub- the Kosciusko National Park. I note of it. Such information will Antarctic islands World Heritage am very willing to do so but like help make for more informed and Area listing proposal. In addition, all of us I am limited in the relevant submissions by NPA to emergency motions were added amount of time that I spend in plans of management and develop­ condemning the West Australian this lovely area. But I know that ment proposals for the park. Government's proposal to allow NPA has many keen walkers who Actions of the NPWS that please prospecting and mining in three regularly tramp the high country you should also be reported as it is national parks, calling for a ban on and it occurred to me that if I very important that we encourage mining in Antarctica and the could make use of their many eyes efforts by the authorities that we abandonment of the Australian then I would be much better consider further sound manage­ government's resource security informed about conditions in the ment of the park. Please make thet legislation. ANPC had condemned park. effort as I believe it is a simple the proposal to mine in its first What I propose is that walkers way for many members to assist press release. keep an eye open for problems or NPA in protecting the wonderful I think that too often we are con­ potential problems in the areas of Kosciusko National Park that we cerned with our own narrow state Kosciusko that they walk, for all enjoy so much. issues on national parks, and example, weed infestation, feral being allowed to attend and partic­ pig damage, erosion and unusual Dennis Murray ipate in such a conference cer­ tainly broadened my horizons. However, ANPC strictly speak­ ing has limited interests in many of the broader conservation issues raised by documents which were Information on being discussed, such as a new draft of the World Conservation Strategy. Our workshop did landcare express concern that this docu­ ment did not contain a separate The Commonwealth has released The Save the Bush program con­ section on protected areas. a booklet outlining environmental centrates on remnant native vege­ At our last annual meeting it programs it runs. Titled Landcare tation and is mainly concerned was decided the ANPC has a information: land, water and vege­ with maintaining biodiversity in| future and that it should play a tation programs 1990-91 it has areas outside parks and reserves. greater role in national issues information on six programs run It can provide funds for education, relating to national parks. Playing by the Australian National Parks inventories and plantings, conser­ a part in IUCN and ACIUN is and Wildlife Service, Landcare vation strategies, weed control, important, but since our resources Australia, the Murray-Darling fencing and employing project are limited we need to work out Basin Commission, Greening officers. our priorities. ANPC is proceeding Australia and the National Soil The One Billion Trees program is with the appointment, for a few Conservation Program. run by the community group hours per week, of an executive The booklet lists the kinds of Greening Australia. The program officer to work on specified tasks, landcare activities which are sup­ is oriented toward providing funds based in Canberra. This should ported by the programs and shows for local self help groups with spe­ help a little. which of the programs is responsi­ cific projects in replanting. A bil­ ble for these. There is a chapter lion is a lot of trees and so there is Janet Coveney covering each of the six major pro­ potential for a lot of useful commu­ grams giving information on the nity work in the coming decade. Janet Coveney is the honorary work they support and how com­ The booklet is 38 pages of useful munity groups can get funds for secretary of the Australian information, even includes colour such work. A contact name, National Parks Council. photos and is printed on recycled address and number for each pro­ paper. It is available from AGPS. gram is also given. IN CLASS

Namadgi is educational

NPA member Reg Alder was last could get. At least they all agreed Before we continued on we year asked to plan and lead a it was a brown snake afterwards. looked at an interesting Aboriginal bushwalk for a group of year 9 stu­ While exploring round the shed shelter located down under a large dents in Namadgi national park Tarn sin found an Amphibolurus rock... Next stop, a formation of which would provide wilderness barbatus otherwise known as a rocks which marked the border and cultural experiences—keeping bearded dragon. between ACT and NSW. in mind some of the party had The campsite was a good choice. I awoke this morning to the song never bush walked before. Everyone spread themselves out of one bird, a grey shrike-thrush He selected a route up the Naas between the two creeks that that was repeating its call over valley past the Boboyan home­ flowed down from either side of and over again. stead to a camp at the confluence Sentry Box to a V at the base of The walking back was relatively of two creeks below a ridge which our camp. We were camped within easy, we travelled back over the led directly to Sentry Box Rock. 'ten metres of the right side of the same fire trail with fewer but The party consisted of 29 students V. The creek was only about half a longer rests. By about ten we and three teachers. As part of metre wide with its water flowing reached the old crutching shed heir course, pupils had to prepare at a steady pace which could be over an hour ahead of schedule. assignment. easily heard from our tent. This is A few minutes walking and the Reg was able to read all the the life, almost pure bliss except rain had ceased... The remainder assignments and what came for the blasted mosquitoes which of the walk was rather uneventful, through, even from those who attack in the hundreds,... I must we sang songs, recited ads, told found it hard going was the enjoy­ say some people are creative with jokes and generally disturbed the ment of their experiences, how their menus on camp. The best peacefulness of the wilderness. much better they got to know their being Tamsin and Elise's first Tamsin and I walked back the last classmates and an appreciation of dinner which consisted of cold part with Reg Alder and had an what Namadgi has to offer. Kentucky Fried chicken and chips interesting chat with him. Following are extracts of one of which had become rather soggy From the walk I gained a wider the better submissions, put in by and out of shape and which they knowledge of the Namadgi area Jennie Gill of Alfred Deakin High attempted to reheat. and its inhabitants, and individu­ School. I really believe that people als in the class group itself... This is it, the year 9 wilderness should learn new jokes before they Overall it was a great trip, a experience. come on camp... chance to expand on previous I settled on a pack weight of 17 Up at the crack of dawn, well experiences and to get out of the kilograms basically as test of my almost... We all set off in single regular class pattern to appreciate ability. Although we were only file, chatting and laughing with the Australian bush. permitted to carry a maximum of the usual rush for the front. It was 15 kilograms I decided that this an enjoyable walk up, not 'really* alk would be a good opportunity dense scrub so it was rather easy see how I would cope with a going without the added weight of heavier pack than I usually carry. our packs although some used Half an hour later we arrived at their emptied out packs as day- the old Boboyan Homestead (only packs. The route up was enhanced a fire place and a few bricks left with interesting boulders and a although it's obvious the occupants large variety of plants, changing would have had a good view) for as we increased in altitude. Reg our first stop. The majority of the Alder explained to the group that class were dead to the most of the rocks were a form of world...after only half an hour's granite and that the acid in the walk. rain and soil was causing them to corrode and change shape. ...others were way up ahead and decided to wait for the group on a Next we proceeded to Sentry Box rock that was just to the side of Rock where we spent over an hour the track. They all trooped over to doing just as we pleased. It was it and were about to sit down one of the best rest spots of the when they spotted a snake poking whole trip. I didn't rest, I just con­ its head up just behind it. All tinually climbed, jumped and thinking it was about to attack explored the configuration of boul­ them they instantaneously thrust ders. I was slightly annoyed to find themselves at lightning speed as that Sentry Box Rock was unclimb- far away from that snake as they able without climbing equipment. PARKWATCH

Nattai Park. The site is a promi­ the midlands of Tasmania. It is a Huge Tibetan nent one and development will habitat that supports rare species reserve involve removal of Mount Blatch, in eluding the tiger orch i d, Chinese officials have agreed to scarring another mountain top Helipterum australe, thought set up what will be the third larg­ and create quarry pit scars over a extinct since last century until its est nature reserve area in the kilometre long. CSR is being discovery on the block. world in northwest Tibet. It will opposed in court by the Colong The Tasmanian Conservationist, cover 260 000 square kilometres of Foundation for Wilderness. December 1990-January 1991 a remote wilderness inhabited by The Colong Bulletin, November gazelles, antelopes, brown bears, 1990 Bitou bush snow leopards, lynxes and wolves Jervis Bay Nature Reserve has a as well as wild sheep, yaks and Protection zones in diverse range of flora, fauna and asses found only in Tibet. When landscape which has made it an the reserve is established it will South Australia increasingly popular recreation increase by 5 per cent the total Access to parts of Cape du Couedic area—700 000 people visit each protected land area of the world. on Kangaroo Island have been year. IUCN bulletin, September 1990 restricted to protect a resident This makes its infestation with colony of New Zealand fur seals bitou bush all the more unfortu­ World Parks which has made a significant nate. Ironically the bush appeared recovery from a dangerous low in the reserve because it was delibflh Endowment point a decade ago. Increased erately planted there in 1969 a™" The World Parks Endowment, numbers of visitors has made the part of a dune stabilisation established a year ago to ensure change in management strategy program. the survival of the 250 environ­ necessary. The Pages Conser­ vation Park between Kangaroo An integrated attempt is now mentally richest areas of the world underway to eradicate or control has announced its first two pro­ Island and the mainland has also been declared a prohibited area to bitou bush. Although expensive, jects. It will donate US$200 000 to ground spraying has been effective help park management costs of a protect resident colonies of Australian sea lions and seabirds. and there are evaluations of aerial reserve in Belize and has spraying being carried out at announced the purchase of 4500 Xanthopus, December 1990 Bherwerre Dune, supported by hectares of tropical rainforest in ACT Parks and Conservation the Sierra de las Minas mountains Natural history Service. The service is also cooper­ of Guatemala. around Goulburn ating with CSIRO in their biologi­ IUCN bulletin, September 1990 cal control program involving The Goulburn Field Naturalist several insect pests which attack If at first you don't Society is to produce a new edition different parts of the plant and dif­ of An introduction to the natural ferent stages of its growth. The succeed... history of the Goulburn district. bitou leaf eating beetle has Bega Valley Shire Council has Their last edition was in 1980 and recently been released into the twice attempted to develop coastal quite of lot of new information has park. hinterland between Tathra and been collected since that time. It is Jervis Bay Beacon, January 1991 Bermagui since 1988. Each time hoped that a conservation project the council tried to have the land grant will be made by the rezoned so it could be subdivided Department of the Arts, Sport, the Lantana project and even commercial use made of Environment, Tourism and Local NPA members and other the land. Local opposition defeated Territories to cover the cost of helpers have made substantial these attempts on both occasions printing the new book. progress over 1990 in clearing lan­ but it is reported that the council Goulburn Field Naturalist Society, tana and other exotic plants from may have plans to try yet again. June 1990 Boombana National Park. Work The Total Environment Centre is will continue this year along with advocating the government Sherwood saved a rainforest plant replanting pro­ resume this beautiful land and The long awaited announcement gram carried out by park rangers make it an extension of the by state and federal governments and supported by a grant from Mimosa Rocks National Park. of the purchase for reservation of Greening Australia. Total Environment Centre the Sherwood bush block in NPA News, Queensland, Newsletter, November 1990 Epping Forest in Tasmania was January 1991 made on 25 November. This is the Eyesore near last major remnant of the forest and the most important area of Nattai Park private land for conservation in It is reported that CSR plans to Tasmania. The purchase is the cul­ develop a quarry site it has bought mination of a long campaign to which overlooks the proposed preserve a treasured landmark of Chasing whales for the tourist dollar The two Yamaha motors directly which will also take you out to see forward on another frantic dash to behind me snarled into life and whales. join its sister boat, the Tohora, the boat lurched forward, its prow Shortly after the Paikea blasted which had indeed sighted them. lifting high before it settled back off, Marcus throttled back and as We had to be content with seeing as the craft gathered speed in a the boat idled Lorraine, speaking more dolphins closer to shore, fur matter of seconds. We were off on in Maori and English, paid homage seals lounging on a huge rock jut­ the great whale chase. to her ancestors and the ting from the sea, and innumera­ During the next three hours the environment. ble sea birds, among them an boat often became momentarily Kaikoura is said to have been immature albatross and giant airborne before it thumped back named by the legendary explorer petrels. into the sea and churned ahead, and mighty warrior' Tamatea- Kaikoura Tours Ltd charges leaving in its wake swirling white Pokae-Whenua who, while search­ $NZ70 for its exciting and memor­ water stretching fifty metres. ing for three runaway wive's, able whale chase and will pick up ^•Luckily this part of the South beached his canoe in a sheltered passengers and return them to ^Pacific Ocean was calm and the bay and enjoyed dining on the local their accommodation. Morning tea wind merely a zephyr. crayfish to such an extent that he is provided. Off-peak accommoda­ Given my inability to swim, I named the place Kai Koura, or tion in Kaikoura is ridiculously had some misgivings when I 'feast of crayfish'. cheap—a spotless cottage with all climbed on board the speedboat We were to make several high amenities was rented out for Paikea at Kaikoura on the east speed dashes on the Paikea, merci­ $NZ55 a night. coast of New Zealand's south fully idle between times, while Graeme Barrow island. Our guide on the trip to see Marcus hunted for whales through migrating whales had warned the a sonar listening device lowered nine passengers that the craft into the sea. I could hear nothing 9 would travel at high speeds. But it except an occasional lonely burp Walkers was the same type of boat as used from what sounded like a hollow by search-and-rescue services and chamber. reactions was perfectly safe. Suddenly Lorraine was pointing Walking out after a few hot, dry Drawing comfort from this confi­ excitedly ahead and the Paikea days in the Budawangs we met dence and from the fact that I had powered forward to confront an some groups walking in and had breakfasted lightly, I heard the amazing sight—scores of pilot brief exchanges with each of them. guide, Lorraine, say we would be whales ploughing determinedly Some of these went like this: searching for sperm whales— through the ocean, their blunt- The creeks are low and the water migrating bulls she called them— nosed bodies glistening in the sun runs near most of the caves are dry.' i^knd a residential pod of juveniles. as they arched above the surface or That's all right, we have a *We would also see fur seals, sea jubilantly threw their tails high couple of litres of water.' birds and perhaps, dolphins. into the air. They were moving fast 'Firewood is scarce for some dis­ This was about 6 am. The sun, a and ignored us although our boat tance around the campsite.' growing copper sphere on the hori­ came within metres of many of That's all right, we are set up to zon, was turning the snow on the them. Most were travelling in pafrs camp cold.' astonishing Kaikoura Mountains or groups and loners were few. 'Do you know where the track you from white to pink. From out at Marcus later estimated that the plan to follow takes off from the sea these mighty ranges, which school was between half a kilo­ main track?' rise abruptly in spectacular fash­ metre and a kilometre long. The 'No, but thafs all right, we have ion, appear to ascend directly from sight was comparable to that of a a map.' the ocean. fortnight before when the Paikea Is there a moral in all this? Is it Both Lorraine and the driver of had encountered a giant school of just that walkers are insensitive the boat, Marcus, are Maoris and what he called a thousand south­ talkers who can only proffer sug­ the enterprise, Kaikoura Tours ern white dolphins. Only a few gestions in a way that evokes a Ltd, may be run by their commu­ days earlier watchers at Kaikoura defensive response? Or is it that nity although I was unable to had seen a pack of killer whales walkers are a churlish lot who check this point. In the Canberra chasing porpoises to within metres resent advice? Times, soon after my return to of the shore. But perhaps it is that if people Australia, there was mention of Back on the Paikea we had were not reasonably confident and another Kaikoura tour organisa­ twenty minutes to goggle at the self-reliant they would not be tion, Nature Match Charters, pilot whales before the craft shot bushwalking anyway. A cool change

It was just no good! We were drop­ lone catamaran stood on its ear in rain. I fretted for the promised ping like limp hydrangeas. a sudden gust. cool change and drifted into a Desperate to find relief from the These two cyclists pedalled home­ fitful sleep. A rattling window heat we set off, cycling to Lake ward in and out of light showers woke me. A rattling window? Ginninderra for a swim. Beside the that, touching the earth, released Only a Southerly creates that path the mown grass lay, crackly the strong, vaguely mouldy odour vibration, so in relief and delight dry, while in the inaccessible of damp hay but did little to reduce I rolled off the bed to fix the rattle places it still stood tall, its pale the heat. Alas! Soon the showers with a little wedge of paper. The feathery heads rustling in the hot and wind passed away. curtains billowed and a breeze breeze. Later, languishing in our lounge cold and fresh blew about my Rounding a bend, a smoking room, the smell of damp hay was bare shoulders. blackened hill and the flashing borne indoors on a stirring breeze. It was just so good! light of a fire engine came into The rain's coming' I declared and view. We approached with caution indeed very soon we heard the first Judith Webster but could see the situation was heavy drops, which soon became a well under control with a few steady fall that gurgled merrily in weary fire fighters dampening the down pipes. A slight drop in down the last acrid, smouldering temperature was unfortunately patch, watched by a lone TV came­ counteracted by the increased raman and two small boys. One of humidity. these spectators remarked 'Big That night I lay hot and clammy bush fire isn't it?' Was he genu­ on the bed, restless despite the inely impressed at its size I won­ soothing rhythm of the continuing dered, or did I detect a note of disappointment that the fire had burnt only a small hillside of grass and singed a few trees? We left this charred scene THE MACDONNELL RANGES and continued on to a small Rising almost vertically out of the plain that surrounds them, the Macdonnell Ranges rocky promontory. *We could dominate the central Australian landscape, incredibly rugged and forbidding at first swim here,' said John. We glance, they hide numerous deep gorges where permanent water provides green looked into the murky depths oases, the sole remaining habitat for ancient plant species which covered central where furred ribbons of weed lurked, and at the bankside Australia in days when the land was far wetter. litter left by the uncaring. No! we'd give this spot a miss. Those who view the Macdonnells from below see only a small part of the landscape Heat, fires, pollution—was made famous throughout the world by Albert Namatjira and other Aranda painters., there no relief? They miss the spectacular vistas you get from the high points The mountains seem Wilting by the minute but to extend for ever as they snake out of sight to the east and west doggedly determined, we ped­ alled on. A lift to our spirits This is a landscape where colour dominates as nowhere else. Sometimes it is a came on the sighting of a striking contrast such as a white ghost gum outlined against blue sky or red rock. family of young quails crossing At times, a subtle merging as when the soft greens and yellows of the plains yield the path ahead of us. We waited and watched while they to the blues of distant hills. Whether striking or subtle, it is always beautiful. ran and bobbed and disap­ peared into the golden grass. Our treks take you away from the crowds into the heart of the ranges to enjoy the Eventually we found a spot to sights and experiences that others can only dream about, write or phone for a free swim and splashed around brochure describing our bushwalking tours in the Macdonnells, the rest of the NT among the windsurfers which and the Kimberley. flopped about in the indifferent breeze. Willis's Walkabouts Soon thunder clouds rolled in 12 Carrington Street building up a heavy cloud cover—perhaps tonight a cool Millner NT 0810 change? A freshening wind Phone: (089) 85 2134 sent the windsurfers skipping across small waves while a Fax: (089) 85 2355 Down the Murrumbidgee

Under the old timber road bridge utes to walk across the bridge. The magnificent, mighty red gums at Gundagai, eight NPA members riverside caravan park attracts a whilst Mike and Annette Smith launched their kayaks and canoes wide range of campers. In our case squeezed in a quick visit to Uncle on Australia Day weekend 1991 we met an Indian family, an Bob's place on the other side of the heading for Wagga, 110 km down­ American cyclist determined to river. We lunched at Orange Tree stream. We had all met up the ride to Perth in summer heat and Point, just upstream of Wagga. night before at base camp, the a German couple. Beware camping Paddling into Wagga we encoun­ Gundagai Caravan Park next to at the road bridge end—the local tered our first bridges since the old Princes Bridge. Some of us kids like to rendezvous under it for Mundarlo. The sound of trains were even lucky enough to score a midnight soiree. Best camp at hooting as they crossed the rail­ some Murray cod before the cook the other end next to the memorial way bridge around the bend took it off the menu on Friday to Sturt's passing through sounded strange to us paddling night at the Niagara cafe in the Gundagai on 30 November 1829 on past a world of red gums and wil­ main street. That was as close as his pioneering trip down the lows, perhaps reminiscent of we got to a Murray cod for the rest Murrumbidgee. paddle steamers of old as they A of the trip. The second day saw us back at the pushed on up to Gundagai, their ™ " The weather was fine and cool as Mundarlo bridge and soon we were eastern terminus on the we picked up speed, soon passing winding our way round the bends Murrumbidgee. under the new Sheehans Bridge, on a wide slower river but with Our entrance into Wagga was second longest in NSW, and said more islands to pass left or right. not what I expected, as normally good bye to the Hume Highway For morning tea, we caught up with big towns mean much visible pol­ motor traffic, heading for Doreen again at Sandy Beach near lution. I was surprised to come Mundarlo bridge 40 km down­ Wantabadgery, Sturt's base camp. upon one church spire and then stream. Soon Shirley Chettick was Enjoying our morning tea, Shirley another, poking up above the red listing off the birds as they called pointed out a family of rainbow bee gums and willows, as we paddled to us from the bank or darted over eaters and a beautiful adolescent into the city. I managed a nice our heads, flitting from red gum to kingfisher sitting above us. photograph of wood ducks on a red gum. Not far above Gundagai, We lunched at a reserve near grassy point with a tree shrouded water from Burrinjuck combined Chinamen s Bend and had a picnic church spire behind them across with big releases from Blowering table to sit around. Fred was able to the river. Then the Wagga beach into the Tumut, made for a wide catch up on the latest in the tennis hove into view on the left bank, strongly flowing river where we and cricket scores with the aid of with grassy banks, a sandy beach, had put in, and in the confines of the previous day's paper which beach cricket in progress, girls in the valleys we paddled through on campers had left behind. A strong bikinis and so on. Soon the boats the first day, most paddlers were southerly wind alternated between were on the cars ready to turn for concentrating hard on the turns. being a head wind and a tail wind home. Shirley, Leigh and I had to Lunch on the first day was as we paddled onto Oura Beach, escort the three kayaks, stacked # enjoyed next to some islands on a where we again met Doreen after across the roof of Adrienne sharp bend in the river. Whilst paddling 45 km, our longest day. Nicholson's Mazda, to Urana enjoying our hot tea and sand­ Oura has a lovely public reserve. Street where we had hired them. wiches we felt the ground move With the cool weather we enjoyed a Then back to Canberra so quickly, from a nearby explosion. The pleasant camp fire that night cruising at 100 kph on the bitu­ source was soon revealed when we having watched the setting sun and men past khaki paddocks in con­ paddled past some of the local lads witnessed hundreds of cockatoos trast to our 7 kph paddling speed on a nearby island engaged in enjoying a drink from the river on the Murrumbidgee with its some illegal fishing as well as around the island across from us. green banks and shady trees. As with the previous morning we target practice on the local For anyone interested in pad­ were woken at 6 am by great flocks parrots. dling the Murrumbidgee anywhere of galahs and cockatoos flying in for Such was our speed that we had between its confluence with the an early morning drink. afternoon tea at Mundarlo bridge Murray and Lake Burrinjuck, the where we met up with our cars Monday found us paddling on a NSW Department of Lands office again and Doreen Wilson, our wider, slower river with even more in Wagga sells a superb set of chauffeuse for the trip. We stayed islands to paddle around, heading colour maps 1:50 000 scale show­ the second night also at Gundagai for Wagga 25 km downstream. ing a strip map outline of the where we were able to explore the Fred and Rollo led the party river, featuring islands, riverside delights of Gundagai after dining through the odd tricky turn as we public reserves and so on for $4 a well at the Criterion. A visit to the wended our way through the set. display at Princes Bridge is well islands. Near Gumly Gumly most worth while but you need 20 min­ of us had morning tea under some Chris Bellamy Bike path guide Urban wildlife Local author Graeme Barrow has put together Riding Canberra's bike paths: a commuter tourist Most of us at sometime have box do not have, such as cages cycling guide. It is a 64 page booklet encountered injured wildlife. Often with light bulbs or specialists teats divided into two sections—the first a bird blown from a nest. What to for feeding. The book does tell you dealing with 21 commuter rides do for it and especially what to where you can get some of this and the second with what he calls feed it are problems we often do equipment though. Care for a top rides which are seven scenic not have answers for. range of animals is described from rides he recommends for the tourist Taronga Zoo's guide to the care of birds to marsupials and bats. or sightseer on what the introduc­ urban wildlife tells you this and Caring for sick animals though tion tells us are the 130 kilometres many other things besides—like is the subject of only two of seven of cycle path in Canberra. how to pick up an echidna without chapters. The book begins with The contents list and an index damaging either of you. advice on creating habitat helpful map at the front of the booklet Author Erna Walraven is a wild­ to wildlife, thus providing them make it easy to find ridesfo r any life rehabilitation officer at food and shelter and giving you a particular area of Canberra. The Taronga Zoo. She compiled the more interesting backyard. commuter rides described are book with help from colleagues and Conflicts with wildlife are also divided into four sections according was certain there is a need for it dealt with including insect pestsJ to whether they go from city north, because the zoo receives thousands Did you know you can catch cock­ city south, Belconnen town centre of requests every year for informa­ roaches on a piece of vaseline or Woden town centre. Each ride tion on caring for animals. smeared cardboard with crushed has an illustrating map and text The book has 157 pages, seven dog biscuit on it? Dangers from describing the route and some chapters and a good index. It is pets are mentioned and possums points of interest. It also give hints well rounded off with appendices in the roof it says are best dealt on dangers to watch and black on further reading, conservation with by trapping them and provid­ spots are marked on the maps. The groups, sources of care materials ing them a shelter in a tree in your distance of each ride is given and and advice and legal requirements. yard. connections the route has to others There are line drawings through­ and nearby suburbs is also given. For anyone interested in any out the text and several colour aspect of the wildlife found around The top rides section has the plates. It is also printed on their patch of suburbia there is same information and maps for recycled paper. lots of valuable information here. each ride but also has a handy The preface by Dr Dedee The NPA library has a copy. summary at the beginning of ride Woodside, curator of research and description. In these descriptions conservation at TaTonga Zoo, says A yellow-bellied glider from Guide more effort has been made to pro­ the book 'is designed to assist the to the care of urban wildlife. vide information on points of inter­ average est along these rides though as person who cycle path guide it obviously does wishes to plan not have as much information as their local other sources might provide. environment The extensive use of street to sustain names to describe positions might healthy wild­ not always be useful since street life and to names are often not obvious from help the occa­ the cycle paths though the maps sional injured alleviate this somewhat. One or orphaned detail of the descriptions that is animal. It also particularly good is that poten­ raises ques­ tially confusing intersections are tions that all mentioned. There is little more of us should frustrating to a first time out ponder about explorer than to encounter a fork conservation in the path not even mentioned in in general.' the guidebook. The care it The research was done in 1989 describes calls and some changes in the path net­ for equipment work have already dated this book that many of but it still provides a lot of useful us who are information. The NPA library has doing well just a copy so you can inspect it for to find an yourself. empty shoe- Going On Leave/Holidays??

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Black-and-white camera-ready The Canberra and South-East Region Environment Centre artwork: presents the 1991 Environment Fair, to be held on Black $140 full page Mountain Peninsula on Sunday 14th April, 11am to 4pm. $75 half page $50 one-third page Come along to enjoy the displays, market stalls, delicious food, $2 per column centimetre and entertainment in the leafy surroundings. Let us know if you Add 50 per cent for typesetting would like to have a stall, and pass the message on to others and design. that would like to promote an environmental cause, sell organic Subtract 10 per cent for annual and home-made produce, second-hand goods, arts and crafts, bookings. Inserts supplied: $120 for 10 or provide entertainment. grams or less. Enquiries: Canberra and South-East Region Environment For further information tele­ phone Laraine Frawley on (06) Centre. Phone 247 3064. 2571063 before 2pm on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, or Roger Green on 2470059. Calendar MARCH Monday 4 Marketing, Education and Publicity (MEP) subcommittee meeting 8.00 pm 24 McCormack Street, Curtin; Len Haskew 281 4268(h) Thursday 7 Committee meeting, 7.30 pm 35 Millen Street, Hughes, Les Pyke 281 2982(h) Thursday 14 Namadgi subcommittee meeting 7.30 pm 5 Masters PI, Kambah, Dugald Monro 231 8776(h) Thursday 28 Environment subcommittee; contact: Tim Walsh 285 1112(h) 274 1465(w) APRIL Monday 1 Marketing, Education and Publicity (MEP) subcommittee meeting 8.00 pm 24 McCormack Street, Curtin; Len Haskew 281 4268(h) Thursday 4 Committee meeting, 7.30 pm 35 Millen Street, Hughes; Les Pyke 281 2982(h) Wednesday 10 Outings subcommittee 7.30 pm 27 Geerilong Gdns, Reid; Phil Bubb 248 6769(h) Thursday 11 Namadgi subcommittee 7.30 pm 87 Shackleton Circuit, Mawson; Syd Comfort 286 2578(h) Thursday 25 Environment subcommittee; contact Tim Walsh 285 1112(h) 274 1465(w) MAY Wednesday 1 Bulletin deadline; Roger Green 247 0059(w) Thursday 2 Committee meeting 7.30 pm 35 Millen Street, Hughes; Les Pyke 281 2982(h) Monday 6 Marketing, Education and Publicity (MEP) subcommittee meeting 8.00 pm 24 McCormack Street, Curtin; Len Haskew 281 4268(h) Thursday 9 Namadgi subcommittee 7.30 pm 87 Shackleton Circuit, Mawson; Syd Comfort 286 2578(h) Thursday 23 Environment subcommittee; contact: Tim Walsh 285 1112(h) 274 1465(w)

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

General meetings Held at 8pm, room 1, Griffin Centre, Bunda Street, Civic. 21 March Rob Jenkins of the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service will speak on snakes of the Canberra region. 18 April Dr Peter Bridgewater, director of the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, will speak on 'National Parks or national Parks'. 16 May Dr Robert Boden, a former Director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens for many years, follow­ ing experience with the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, will speak on 'Canberra's tree heritage—a look at the original vegetation and the way it has changed'. 20 June Mr Peter Buckmaster, a primary producer and member of the ACT Parks and Conservation Consul­ tative Committee, is involved with Greening Australia, has family links to the rural pioneering of the region and has many years of leadership in the local rural industry, will speak on 'Nature conservation in the ACT—a primary producer's historical perspective'.