Wambaliman Autumn 2019 Edition

The newsletter of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Fraser Coast Branch

THIS ISSUE:

Presidential Ponderings Branch activity reports Vale Graham Berry Vale John Sinclair Nature Watch Bees in Trouble Cats and Dogs Bush Stone-curlew Meet the Turtles Trees: The Oases of Life Book Review

AUTUMN 2019

Wambaliman since 1967 In the language of the Butchulla people, who are custodians of land that includes the Fraser Coast, ‘wambaliman’ means ‘to carry’, and refers to the messages that the Newsletter is communicating.

 Editor's Note I expect we all are disturbed by the recent vegetation clearing around Hervey Bay. While we WILDLIFE PRESERVATION may acknowledge the need for residential land SOCIETY OF QUEENSLAND we have to be gobsmacked that in this day and known informally as age developers are asking for, and council is approving wholesale destruction of areas to be WILDLIFE QUEENSLAND carved up into tiny blocks. FRASER COAST BRANCH

Who is benefitting? The people who end up in PO Box 7396 Urangan, 4655 these sterile environments? The people who President: have been attracted to Hervey Bay because of its beautiful natural environment? The wild- Vanessa Elwell-Gavins life? Future genetic diversity of our flora and 0428 624 366 fauna? Our children and grandchildren? Or is Vice President: it just simple bullying and greed by developers? John Williams 0428 980 019

Please, if you feel aggrieved by what is Secretary: happening write to our Council’s CEO, our Bruce Dick 41248142 mayor, our councillors and write letters to the local papers. Treasurer: Jenni Watts 0481 289 521 Jackie in her article on trees mentions National Facebook Tree Day. Last year organisers were happy Peter Duck 0432 250 213 with the turnout of 100 or so people planting at a Council site. This is 100 or so from a popula- Webpage tion of… 70,000! The day is celebrated in Head Office many countries (called Maple Leaf Day in Canada, Van Mahotsava in India and so on) Newsletter WAMBALIMAN but originating as Arbor (from the Latin which Publisher: WPSQ Fraser Coast means “tree”) Day in Nebraska, US in 1872 Editor: Jenni Watts and where it is a public holiday! Wow! Production: Jenni Watts Imagine an Australia where we thought that Proofreading: planting trees was important enough to give it Andrea Van Kampen this status. And what about this talk of giving Mailing: Jackie Henrion nature legal rights! Bring it on…..

Jenni

Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 2 NOTICE BOARD Branch meetings Contents AUTUMN 2019 Usually held 3rd Sunday of the month Presidential Ponderings 4 Halcro Street Community Centre, Pialba

Quarterly Branch Activity Report 6 Wildlife Talks in the Library EAG Report 8 Third Friday of month—Hervey Bay library. Threatened Species Action Plan 9 12 April - Wild Places of Mt Walsh 17 May - Snakes Nature Walk report 10 21 June - Possums and gliders Development / Land use group 12 Fourth Friday of the month—Maryborough. Students for climate change 13 26 April - Mary River Turtle 31 May - Marine animals Vale John Sinclair 14 28 June - Possums and gliders Nature Watch 17 book online or ring library

Articles Nature Walks Bees in Trouble 18 Sunday 5 May Melaleuca Circuit - Woodgate Section of Cats and Dogs 19 Burrum Coast National Park 20 Bush Stone-curlew Contact Vanessa 0428624366 Meet the Turtles 21 Saturday 1June St Mary State Forest 22 Trees: the Oases of Life Contact Vanessa 0428624366 Book Review 23 Saturday 6 July Mt Walsh National Park Peter 0432250213 or Jenni 0481289521 Contributions for Wambaliman We welcome contributions from WPSQ Wildlife Matters members and supporters. Articles can (Maryborough Herald & The Independent) take the form of reports, observations of Submit an article to our editorial team nature, anecdotes, quotes, humour etc. for information contact Vanessa Send contributions to: [email protected] [email protected] or post to National Tree Day 28 July 2019 The Editor, Wambaliman PO Box 7396 URANGAN 4655 Don’t forget to LIKE us on Submissions for the next issue are due by Friday 5 July 2019 Facebook @WPSQFraserCoast

Opinions expressed in Wambaliman are not neces- and sarily those endorsed by the Wildlife Preservation Check out our webpage Society Queensland, Fraser Coast Branch unless specifically attributed to them. http://frasercoast.wildlife.org.au 3 Presidential Ponderings It is all too easy to get very despondent when we look around and see the vast tracts of Hervey Bay land being cleared for development. The argument from Council no doubt will be that Hervey Bay must continue to grow, to provide for Australia's ever increasing population. We know Council wants to increase the rate-payer base, and former mayors were on the record wanting to have the local population lifted to upward of 150,000 within only a relatively few years. The cynical among us may conclude that the current spate of clearing will simply reduce the future pressure on Council from the likes of our organisation and you, our members, when we write collectively or individu- ally to protest against the ever-increasing rate of development. Current land clearing in Point Vernon and the area between Dundowran Beach and Eli Waters seems to be vastly in excess of the actual amount of new houses that will be required any time soon. Too often the 'developers' end up going broke and we are left with yet another desecrated landscape. Every time land is 'cleared', trees that provide habitat, food, shade and shelter for birds, possums, gliders, wallabies, flying foxes et al are removed. We the citizens end up with a barren wasteland of blowing dust, and a feeling of helplessness at the needless loss of everything that makes a landscape appealing. In the case of the Dundowran Beach clearing, the development application apparently required wildlife spotters. It all happened so quickly it is hard to see that any wildlife spotter who may have been called to the site could possibly have been able to do an effective job. Where were any rescued creatures supposed to be taken? The use of millable timber and mulching of remaining vegetation on site were apparently also required. It remains to be seen whether this happens any time soon, but it is hard to escape the conclusion that this whole devastation was a set-up and completely avoidable. We are left with a single row of struggling trees along the fence-line, a sad reminder of a greener time. This area may not have been 'high value' vegetation but it provided habitat and connectivity between patches of bushland. What is left is... nothing. The strategic framework in Council's own planning scheme appears to make much better provision for protecting our environment than the reality of what is actually happening on the ground. How can this be? Let's all try and give Council a clear message that landscapes clear-felled for development are not appropriate in the modern age, and are totally unacceptable. No amount of offset plantings, if they ever were to happen, can make up for the loss of mature stands of vegetation and the wildlife for which the vegetation once was 'home'. Vanessa Elwell-Gavins Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 4 Congratulations

The recipient of the 2019 Wildlife Queensland Fraser Coast Prize is Ms Leanne Berghuis. Leanne is a 2nd year Bachelor of Animal Ecology student at the University of the Sunshine Coast Hervey Bay campus. Leanne will be presented with a certificate at the awards presentation at USC Fraser Coast in May. Our branch has committed to an annual $500 prize at the university for three years. This is the second recipient.

Vale Graham Berry

We are sorry to report that branch member Graham Berry passed away on 28 February aged 86. Graham was our hardworking and totally scrupulous treasurer for 2006 -2007. John Eggleston was the president at that time. John and Graham obtained a grant of over $32,000 for rehabilitation of the newly purchased Arkarra Lagoons. Graham and John worked tirelessly monitoring water quality, organising planting, weeding and sign design. Graham was a strong defender of rivers and wetlands – also helping at Maria Creek and Fay Smith wetlands. Graham was a representative on the Environmental Advisory Committee and tried valiantly to get Wide Bay Water to install the promised fish ladder after Lenthall's Dam was raised. Our condolences to Graham's family.

Branch logo and shirt options

The original colour and design chosen was a “Bizcool”– all acrylic – Wasabi coloured polo $24 and an extra $6 if you want a pocket . (from Morgans)

Cotton (65%) blend shirt in apple green. The branch has 3 to sell with logo 2 x Large (Mens) and 1x size 14 (Ladies) $28.50

A “Claremont” 95% cotton shirt in apple green is available from BullAnt Designs in Pialba - $30 with the logo.

You can get the logo on any shirt for $9.50 at Morgans Sew- ing and Embroidery Centre, Pialba. 5 Quarterly Branch Activity Report 19 January - 6 April 2019

Branch report by Terry Csonka (Branch executive member) Walks, talks, workshops and age the public to take entry forms. This other events display, as all the other displays, proved very popular again! Our nature walks program keeps being Thanks again to Diane! very popular. Most walks are fully booked. Find a Frog in February: The first walk for the year scheduled for Due to very dry weather only few frogs Sunday, 24 February was to be a walk at were spotted. low tide from Point Vernon to Dundowran Nevertheless Sharon White, a member, Beach over the sandflats and mouth of Eli organised a “pop up frog activity” inviting Creek. Unfortunately this popular walk Eva Ford from MRCCC. Attendees was cancelled because of the predicted showed interest in establishing a frog weather from Cyclone Oma. As it tran- monitoring group in the future. spired the weather was not too bad but Some members attended an information the creek was swollen and would have session and frog finding activity at Teebar made crossing difficult. This walk may be on 16 February organised by Eva and organised for July. partly sponsored by the FCRC.

Saturday 6 April: Poona coastal walk Communications along the foreshore with diverse native vegetation and shorebirds. 35 people Wambaliman Summer 2018 issue was attended this walk in perfect weather— released in January. see page 10 for Peter’s report. Peter Duck and Jenni Watts have main- tained and updated our Facebook page Wildlife Talks in the Library and website respectively. at the Hervey Bay / Maryborough Library in this quarter: The monthly series of Wildlife Matters February 22: David Flack talked about articles continued in The Independent and fantastic frogs (M’Boro) Heritage Herald. March 19: Glen Miller’s talk about Peter Duck discussed the controversy of Butchulla Men’s business (M’Boro) was feeding native birds. unfortunately cancelled. Carol Bussey told us the story behind the February 15: Alan Peebles held a talk mournful call of the bush stone-curlew based on a Wildlife DVD with photo- and alerted us to its decline in our region. graphs taken around the Fraser Coast. (reprinted in this Wambaliman, page 20) (Hervey Bay). This talk attracted over 100 people! Vanessa Elwell-Gavins completed “The March 15: Marine biologist Yvonne Miles Wide Bay Burnett Regional Biosecurity talk on humpback dolphins and other ma- Strategy” – an Annual Review Survey. rine mammals (Hervey Bay) Meetings Library Displays General meetings were held on Sunday February 2018: Frog Display at the Her- 17 February and Sunday 17 March at vey Bay Library - to complement the “Find Halcro St Community Centre Pialba. a Frog in February” activity and encour-

Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 6 Quarterly Branch Activity Report continued

Working Groups, Advisory for the Branch at a meat raffle at the Groups and other groups Beach House Hotel. The “Bunnings Sausage Sizzle” group is Our Urban Development and Change of getting ready for action. Peter Duck has Land Use working group had its first attended the training session at Bunnings. meeting in February and has identified The first Sausage Sizzle will be on Thurs- issues and actions. day 23 May. Any volunteers please let On 28 March Peter Duck attended Coun- Peter know. Contact: 0432250213 cil's Threatened Species Action Plan Jenni Watts has prepared an application Workshop on the Branch’s behalf for a $2,000 grant Peter, as our representative on the through Fraser Coast’s Community Envi- Council’s Environment Advisory Group ronment Grant program for track marker (EAG) attended a meeting on 6 February. posts and signage in Parraweena Park. The next meeting of the EAG has been called for Thursday 11 April to further Submissions consider the Threatened Species Action On behalf of our Branch, Vanessa Elwell- Plan – Peter will participate. Gavins made a submission for the review

Fund-raising of the Marine Parks (Great Sandy) Zoning Plan which was due by 25 February. In January John Williams took ad- Some individual Branch members also vantage of an opportunity to raise funds did their own submissions. 

Welcome to new members Display in the Hervey Bay Library

Kate Amos as part of Find a Frog in February. Bill Keane Alan Peebles (re-joined) Gary and Vicki Bressan

Frank gets up close for a pic at the Teebar frog workshop 7 FCRC Environmental Advisory Group

This is a précised report of the relevant Signage advising of protocols to protect discussions and decisions of the Fraser threatened marine turtles that was initi- Coast Regional Council’s Environment ated by our Branch has been erected Advisory Committee’s last two meetings. around the foreshore. Likewise more prominent Koala signage has gone up At the November meeting discussion along Booral and River Heads Roads. centred on communication to council There was considerable discussion about the importance of appointing an concerning the impact of recent rapid Environmental Planner to the Council’s residential developments and the impli- Planning Department and the need to cations for the critical biodiversity of the reinstate the Environmental Levy. Also coastal fringe. discussed was a mechanism to convey to ratepayers advice when their proper- In March Gerry informed members of ty had a covenant restricting vegetation the EAG that he was resigning from his removal. The Council’s Environmental position as Environmental Technical Technical Officer Gerry Van Der Lee Officer on Council. This will be a signifi- provided confidential information con- cant loss to our ability to advance na- cerning possible land acquisitions to be ture conservation in the Fraser Coast funded from the funds remaining from Region. Gerry worked tirelessly to the previous environmental levies. achieve the aims for the biodiversity of region clearly outlined by the Council’s At the February meeting we were in- own Strategic Plan. On the positive side formed the BMRG representative on the Council has reinstated the position the EAG Emma Kate Currie no longer Land for Wildlife Officer with the ap- had a position at BMRG so her vacancy pointment of Skott Statt. This position is would be filled by Mick Maclean. We funded from the previous Environmen- were informed in the current climate it tal Levy funds. was unlikely Council would consider the reintroduction of the Environment Levy The next scheduled meeting of the but there was a possibility some of the EAG is May 8 2019 in Maryborough, infrastructure levy could be earmarked although a special meeting has been for environmental projects. Gerry in- organised for April 11 to finalise the formed that some high quality notophyll species that will be incorporated into vineforest was being scrutinised as a the Threatened Species Action Plan of possible land acquisition by Council. Council. Peter Duck

Our Urban Development and Change of Land Use working group is seeking discussions with the FCRC Planning Department to raise concerns over inappropriate and unnecessarily rapid residential development, and the limited resources within Council to comprehensively assess proposed developments. The effec- tiveness of our presentation would be enhanced by an evident groundswell of community disquiet, better still outrage, over what we see happening. Writing to Council, ringing / emailing councillors, writing to the papers, talking to family & friends; all of this will provide a supportive backdrop to more formal advocacy. Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 8 Threatened Species Action Plan

A workshop took place in Maryborough on 28 March. A number of groups including various government agencies, environmental groups, indigenous representatives, USC and individual flora and/or fauna experts met to examine what plants and animals should be considered for inclusion in Council’s proposed Threat- ened Species Action Plan. A group of consultants has been contracted to develop a draft Action Plan. The task on the day was mainly to address the species of local environmental significance as those species of national and state environmental significance are well documented and generally will be included. As it is a difficult task to determine local significance, the partici- pants were introduced to a fairly regimented methodology where species are numerically rated according to criteria such as how restricted their population is, whether they are in decline, are their populations disjoint, are they at the limit of their range, are they culturally or ecologically significant and is there the capacity for local government to manage the population. This enabled a fairly systematic way of assessing a species threatened status locally. The Plan is to be refined and a special meeting of the EAG will examine the lists further. Peter Duck

Turtle Signage After negotiations between Council, our Branch, and Lower Mary River Land- care and Catchment Care Group, the turtle signs on the foreshore are in place.

9 Nature Walks

April Nature Walk - Perfect Poona “One lamented the lot of these poor foreshore plants, ferocious overt damage from the sea direction, and sinister covert damage from the land direction.”

Our April walk explored the natural beauty there. One lamented the lot of these poor of the tiny Great Sandy Straits settlement foreshore plants, ferocious overt damage of Poona. A delightful place, it could easi- from the sea direction, and sinister covert ly bring that hackneyed tourism slogan of damage from the land direction. “the best kept secret” to life. John provided details of how his associa- A keen mob of 35 started at the boat tion is well underway at developing a ramp following a marked foreshore walk- whole town approach to foreshore and ing track out to Poona Point. We were bushland protection built firmly on educa- privileged to have John Colclough, Presi- tion and promoting the unique natural dent of the Poona Progress Association features of the area. He explained how and his wife Julie, and Poona’s Communi- Poona’s rich biodiversity seemed a con- ty Environment Program (CEP) leader sequence of a juxtaposition between it Craig Whittaker accompany us. They being the northern limit of a rich subtropi- shared interesting information about some cal bioregion and the southern extent of of the challenges from exposure to Queensland tropical plants and animals. coastal elements and from some selfish At the Point we took in the views of Fraser residents who view protecting foreshore Island and the nearby Stewart Island. We vegetation a hindrance to their all- talked about the importance of the Great important, possibly sacrosanct, views. A Sandy Straits as one of the wetland areas storm on Christmas Eve had uprooted where migratory waders are protected by giant trees on the foreshore. Curiously the international Ramsar Convention. We some still had healthy leaf growth from identified three mangroves and Jenni and lingering spared roots. John also detailed Scott showed us five different mistletoes the extent of the inundations from wave in a small area; two had the clever adap- action whipped up by fierce south-east tation of disguising themselves with winds that were generated by Cyclone leaves that closely resemble the host Oma in February and added it was the plant, and another mistletoe actually para- worst he’d seen in his 25 years living sites another species of mistletoe. Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 10 Nature Walks cont...

The last part of the 5.4 km walk was a CEP group the track had only recently formal circuit track that traversed a good been defined with substantial marker representation of coastal woodland, with posts meaning it will be much easier to Cabbage Tree Palms, Coast Cypress and manage. They plan to incorporate inter- various Eucalypts and Corymbias domi- pretative signs in the future. nating. There was interesting understorey Look out for the May walk. It’s a 12km of Monotoca, Dodonaea, Alphitonia, walk, the Melaleuca Circuit - Woodgate Myoporum, Coast Banksia, Acacias, Section of the Burrum Coast National many vines and ground and epiphytic Park.  orchids. Through the efforts of the local Peter Duck

Right: The beautiful Estuarine Mistletoe which grows on the Swamp Oak, Casuarina glauca

Below right: Bush Stone-curlew

Photos by Craig Whittaker

The botanists and birdos... The Poona walk, like all our walks, is an opportunity to gather important natural history data. While Jenni, Alice, Scott and Tina were compiling plant lists for two sites at Poona, Frank was compiling an impressive bird list, which ended up being 39 species when Craig, Ruby and Peter added a few sundry sightings. The list included four rarely observed species for the area. The Bush Stone-curlew, while resident at Poona, is not often seen around the Fraser Coast, nor is the White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike and the Topknot Pigeon. Frank almost missed the spot of the day. While fixated on a Masked Lapwing (a bit of an everyday sighting) he was diverted by Marlene’s casual query, “What’s that big bird over there?” Turned out it was a Jabiru; or more correctly a Black-necked Stork. Frank’s day was complete! Well almost….. Frank appeared missing at one stage but had dropped in for a latte and Anzac biscuits at the only café in town. On his return he ignored some worried people to talk about his unscheduled activity and his $5.00 coffee/ bikkies bargain!  11 Urban Development and Change of Land Use working group

Unfettered Development – just a few hackle raising moments. The Baylinks Estate is a massive development that spans land from Martin Street to Tooth Street Pialba adjacent to the sewage plant buffer zone. Over 300 tiny blocks of land with narrow streets, barely sufficient road verges, and no open space are planned. To accommodate Stage 1 and Stage 2 developments an avenue of 64 Kauri Pines along the 750 metre stretch of Martin Street between Murphy and North Streets are being removed (photo below) There was no mention of these trees in either the developer’s application or the Council’s notice of approval. Under the Council’s own planning scheme Kauri Pines are listed as a significant local species.

Photo by Nellie Walton

At the end of Martin Street is the proposed Girraween Estate, another significant development with around 100 lots proposed that go west from North Street right to the marine buffer of Eli Creek. A large proportion of this land has been hastily cleared in the recent months. The photo shows piles of stacked felled Queensland Blue Gums of a substantial age - judging by their girth. This species is also listed in the Council’s Planning Scheme as a significant species because of its significant contribution to local natural amenity! The vegetation assessment presented in the developer’s application for vegetation removal describes the vegetation at this site as “regrowth.” This means under the planning scheme it has no protection, even as a wildlife corridor. Council conditions these clearing applications so that it is a requirement of the developer that all work is carried out under the supervision of a registered fauna spotter/ catcher. Hmmm. It is also a condition where vegetation is cleared, vegetation waste is appropriately disposed of (other than burning) by milling for commercial timber prod- ucts, landscaping or firewood, on-site chipping or mulching and as a last resort trans- portation off-site and disposal in an approved green waste disposal facility. One won- ders then what is the purpose of these neatly arranged wind rows of felled timber? 

Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 12 Students March for Climate Change

We arrived at Buss Park in Bundaberg about 11:25 am on Friday 15 March to support the students' march against government inaction on climate change. There were about three young people and a handful of older supporters – largely retired folk. Nobody seemed to be in charge. “Oh, no” I thought not a dribble of climate activists in another embarrassing show of community apathy! However, two competent well spoken young women soon took charge as the number of demonstrators crept up to over 40. One of them was Mel Christie from Australian Youth Climate Coalition who rallied the activists. David Dowsett from ABC Local Radio, reporters and photogra- phers from local press, and Channel 7 and 9 did interviews and were ready to Tony Bussey, Maureen Schmidtt record the action. and Carol Bussey To tumultuous applause a busload of high school kids from Shalom College arrived plus small groups from other Bundaberg schools bringing the total number of march- ers to 80. A male student from Shalom spoke eloquently of the need for political action – supported by the college principal. The students and their older supporters then circled the block chanting and displaying some clever banners. I personally felt it was inappropriate for the Greens Party to get involved in the march. I also felt the response from the Federal Member, Keith Pitt, showed an alarming lack of comprehension of the science regarding this issue. Carol Bussey

John was a guest speaker when our branch hosted the Central Branches Get-together in 2015. Photo: Sara Gerdsen, Branch President at the time, John, and Pam Soper, WPSQ life member and holder of an OAM for her services to the environment.

Vale John Sinclair

Dr John Sinclair AO, internationally recognised environmentalist who died on the 3 February this year age 79, had his roots in the Fraser Coast. In the mid 60s while living in Maryborough and just “John Sinclair”, a family man, x-mechanic, working at the Adult Education Centre, he and a handful of like minded people started the Maryborough Wambaliman 1967 and 1970 Branch of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. As its secretary, John became the editor of their newsletter, Wambaliman. (John remained editor until late 70s.) Like many people in Maryborough John’s family holidayed on and owned houses on Fraser Island. When sand mining (on top of logging) threatened the island’s environmental values there was no stopping John. For this and other environmental work John was awarded an AO in 2014 and an honorary doctor- ate in 2017. John was known personally to many of our members.  Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 14 extract from an article by Peter Gardiner, Noosa News 9 February 2019

John Sinclair was a fearless fighter for World Heritage

FRASER Island's fiercest defender Dr John Sinclair, AO, has died secure in the knowledge that his World Heritage crusade has made this natural gem safe from sandmining, logging and political adventurers.

However after decades as the leading light of the Fraser Island Defenders Organisa- tion, the 79-year-old never rested on his laurels and fought to ensure K'Gari was not loved to death.

In later years Dr Sinclair helped ensure that the island, which recently attracted the interest of visiting royals Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, was a centre for scientific research.

His last visit to K'gari was as an honoured guest of his friends, the Butchulla people, and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex marked the inclusion of the island as part of the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy.

Dr Sinclair's official acceptance from the present State Government is a far cry from his battles with former Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen back in the 1970s. He was bankrupted after taking on Mr Bjelke-Petersen in court to preserve the island's natural values, but FIDO's legal battles helped establish important principles relating to protection of the environment and the right to represent the public interest.

Dr Sinclair's son Keith, one of four sons, said "his legacy will definitely be the secur- ing of World Heritage listing for K'Gari”.

Extract from This Wambaliman Life (published 2017) by Jenni Watts,

John Sinclair AO

John very proudly said that WAMBALIMAN 50 years also marks his 50 years in conservation. Born in Maryborough in 1939 he began his activism with WPSQ in 1967. John is considered one of Australia’s leading nature conservationists.

In 1971 he founded Fraser Island Defenders Organisation which lead the fight to save Fraser Island from sand mining and logging. Incidentally he has been authoring their newsletter MOONBI for 46 years.

John, as chronicled in early WAMBALIMANs, was doing eco tourism as far back as 1968. He ran safaris out bush including to Fraser Island to educate people and get support for FIDO’s campaigns. After losing his job and being basically exiled from Maryborough, following the Fraser Island battle, he established GO BUSH Safaris which went to all corners of Australia. He soon expanded overseas.

John has authored a number of publications about Fraser Island and Cooloola Na- tional Park as well as recording many of his travels. He has served on the executive of many conservation bodies at local, state and federal level.

John has a string of awards which include: The Australian Newspaper's Australian of the Year (1976), United Nations Environment Program "Global 500" Laurette (1990) and Winner of 1993 Goldman Environmental Prize for Island Nations. In 2014, John Sinclair was awarded an Order of Australia for his distinguished service to conservation and the environment. 

15 Past and Present

THEN….. In 1998 Marilyn Connell (then with Greening Australia, since known for her internationally recognised work with the Mary River Turtle) and I (as a member of Maryborough Environment Group) organised a tree planting on the bank of the Mary River at Aquatic Park, Maryborough. We got each year 8 Maryborough High Student to plant one tree - 250 in all. We thought that number was manageable and as Peter and I lived only a few hundred metres from the site we looked after them well. We watered and freed the trees from invasive Siratro and Mile-a-minute. Marilyn taught me one of my biggest lessons in bush regen - once we have an area set aside free from mowing and herbicides - watch for natural regen - this will outstrip any planting. And did those dormant and new seeds germinate! Within a few years the bank was well vegetated, where once a few lone mature Queensland Blue Gums stood.

A FEW YEARS LATER….. Follow up work involved many volunteers and the river bank looked wonderful. Then Council workers arrived and did some more planting. Despite their efforts not much survived. They used a technique of mass mulching and planting - whereas we had not mulched and identified and nurtured natural regrowth, increasing our individual plant numbers manyfold. Then a sign appeared adjacent to our original planting declaring this area as an important mangrove protection area. Great…… except that we were told that the vegetation enhancement in this area was now an offset for the mangroves cleared when the Mary River Parklands on the other side of town, which included a large viewing platform over the river, was built and the mangroves were either removed or cut back to create vistas.

NOW….. I would like to think that the offset story was not true and we have actually created a beautiful wildlife corridor where there had been none for over a hundred years. This spot was where the ferry would connect one side of the river to the other before the Lamington Bridge was built and was cleared extensively. Jenni Watts below: the now vegetated Mary River bank (with sign) and right: this tree by the lagoon was identified as a newly germinated Queensland Blue Gum after the 1999 flood. It was staked and watched for many years- it grew like this in 20 years all by itself!

March 2019 March 2019 Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 16 Nature Watch

As much as I complain about the many Golden Cane Palms we inherited with our house they are great for human shade and wildlife habitat. A “thud” heard last evening was a green frog descending rapidly from the top of a very tall palm where it is living. And the palms have attracted lots of insects including this very attractive Orange Palm Dart skipper butterfly. When it settles it often holds the forewings vertically while the hind wings are opened wide horizontally.

Who cares about living on a busy street corner when you have your favourite tucker? Totally exposed on the street corner and often buffeted by SW winds this caterpillar feeds vo- raciously on a Forest Grape vine, Clematicissus opaca. The beautifully patterned caterpillar is the larva of the Joseph’s Coat Moth. The eggs are laid on the vine so the emerging caterpillars have tucker as soon as they hatch.

I don’t believe you could replicate this with an ornament - as much as garden places try to. This very large Common Treefrog was checking out my cuttings at the back door. Jenni

And finally, Carol sent this photo of her resident Huntsman line dancing!

17 In the News

Bees in Trouble

Leafcutter bee Blue-banded bee stingless bee (introduced) honeybee

Alex McKinnon, a journalist for The cine’s Authority has left the commercial Saturday Paper in a recent article reuse of Neonics in Australia unregulat- ported on the very real threats to Aus- ed. Their official line is that “Australian tralian bees after the scientific journal honey bee populations are not in de- ‘Biological Conservation’ collated and cline ……..’ A Four Corner’s program reviewed 73 studies of insect popula- highlighted the fact that they are pri- tions conducted in Europe and the Unit- marily funded by the chemical compa- ed States, raising alarm bells worldwide. nies and questioned their independ- ence .The senate rural and regional While birds, bees and a myriad of other affairs committee held an inquiry and insects are all in decline due to factors supported the view that the authority is such as climate change and land clear- independent. ing the problem is compounded in Aus- tralia by the most recent addition of Despite the statement by the APVMA neonicotinoids pesticides (Neonics) to beekeepers around Australia have the arsenal of pesticides used in agri- borne the brunt of the sharp decline in culture. bee numbers. In Australia the effect on honeybees Following a public outcry Woolworths, is obvious to beekeepers because Coles, Mitre 10 and Bunnings pulled honeybees are managed, although Neonics from their shelves last year. little is known about how wild bee populations are faring. Dr Tanya Latty, a research and teach- ing fellow in entomology at the Univer- Neonics are a relatively new kind of sity of Sydney has said that banning insecticide that targets the central nerv- one kind of chemical would force farm- ous system. They were developed for ers to use older, more dangerous commercial use in the 1990s and are chemicals and believes that the solu- now used on a wide range of crops tion lies in governments, scientists and rendering the plants sprayed toxic to all producers working together to use in- insects including bees. Neonics have secticides sparingly and intelligently in been banned in the European Union, a way that would protect and maximise Britain and several U.S. states and Ca- crop yields. I am sure we all agree.  nadian provinces due to the threat they represent to pollination, yet Australia’s Submitted by Ruby Rosenfield as a chief agricultural regulator, the Australi- summary of Alex McKinnon’s article on the threat of mass insect extinction in an Pesticides and Veterinary Medi- The Saturday Paper 23 February 2019 . Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 18 In the News

Cats and Dogs by Carol Bussey Some years increase in the ago, Queens- populations of land Museum their prey had a display (rabbits, long illustrating what haired rats, happens during hopping mice a rat plague. and other small animals). In a good year, abundant food But this allows rats to increase in cat breed up very population did very quickly. not occur if Owls and snakes and other rat preda- dingoes were present. In fact towards tors have an increased supply of prey the end of the six year study, spotlight- and also breed up and eventually start ing detected no cats outside the dingo controlling the rat population. If food fence. supply for the rats falls, rat populations Currently we are seeing a crisis in the crash and the predators also crash. In populations of small mammals in north- other words, a positive correlation be- ern Australia which is being blamed on tween prey abundance and predator feral cats. How much has dingo bait- abundance. ing and trapping contributed to the Feral cats are a predator that can burgeoning feral cat population? quickly breed up in response to an It is known that apex predators such as increase in the abundance of their wolves and sharks control mesopreda- prey such as small mammals. tors such as coyotes and groper fish, An article by Prof. Mike Letnic in the and, therefore, have a very beneficial online newspaper, The Conversation, effect on the forest and coral reef eco- on 5 April 2019 summarises research systems. Likewise, dingoes help to by two scientists from Uppsala, Sweden control mesopredators such as the cat and himself on the impact of dingoes on and the fox. feral cat populations which was pub- Also of benefit to the environment and lished in Ecosystems. the agricultural sector is the fact that To study the interactions, they moni- dingoes dine on rabbits, goats, kanga- tored small mammal numbers and cat roos and pigs. activity inside the dingo fence (very few We need to balance ecosystem health dingoes) and outside the dingo fence in our natural areas – which need an (many more dingoes). apex predator – and the damage din- Where there were no dingoes, cat num- goes cause to the sheep industry in our bers sharply increased if there was an grazing country.  19 Member’s Article

Bush Stone-curlew by Carol Bussey

Few of us are fortunate enough to be wakened in the middle of the night by the eerie scream of the Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius). The cry is so mournful that some aboriginal cultures associate the bird with death and sorrow. One Melville Island story states that an unfaithful wife, caused the death of her baby son. She then became the Wayayi (Bush Stone-curlew) con- demned to wander the forests forever, wailing out her grief and remorse.*

Bush Stone-curlews are still plentiful in parts of northern Australia. However, Birdwatchers of Hervey Bay coordinator, John Knight, reports that the birdwatchers seldom spot the Bush Stone-curlews. John blames fox predation for the decline in numbers. Currently, Fraser Coast residents are more likely to see a fox than to spot our own native predator, the dingo! The impressively tall (60cm) slender bird is a nocturnal hunter with large yellow eyes. It moves gracefully seeking small vertebrates such as frogs and all manner of bugs, spiders and worms. They are very long lived and mate for life. In spring, the pair do a courtship dance with wings outstretched and tails up. The two eggs, which are laid on the ground, take 28 days to hatch. Chicks have a long vulnerable 8 weeks before becoming capable of flying. The eggs and young are beautifully camou- adult bird and flaged . The young play doggo if a predator is (camouflaged) chick detected. Both parents do their best to frighten off predators such as goannas but the cunning fox with its excellent sense of smell is a more formidable threat. If you haven't heard the call of this bird and have access to a computer, google Bush Stone-curlew and give yourself a treat. And if you are lucky on your next trip to northern Australia, you might hear and see this interesting – but sadly now threatened – bird Photos by Belinda Rafton in the wild.  This article was originally written for * From Minupi Arts and Crafts Association at WILDLIFE MATTERS Pirlangimpi, Melville Island. Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 20 Member’s Article

Meet the Turtles by Rick Haywood The annual hatching of turtles was one The purpose of this event was to high- of the most popular activities at the re- light the importance of the Mon Repos cent World Science Festival Brisbane turtle rookery as a conservation and 2019, Queensland Museum. The public ecotourism success story. This project were able to view Loggerhead Turtles also aimed to raise awareness of the hatching from eggs collected at Mon threatening processes impacting the Repos beach near Bundaberg and nur- survival of this species (coastal devel- tured in incubators, and watch the opments, climate change, feral preda- young turtles swimming in specially tors, pollution), highlighting ways that designed seawater tanks. At the end of individuals can assist in preserving tur- the exhibition, the turtles were released tle habitats in South East Queensland 20km from the Sunshine Coast and into (reduce our consumption, reuse, recy- the Eastern Australian Current to begin cle), and highlighting the Loggerhead their journey across the Pacific Ocean. Turtle rookery on the Bundaberg Coast While newly hatched turtles imprint the as a highly recommended tourist desti- earth's magnetic field, the contemporary nation. This event was undertaken with belief is the precision is not to a scale appropriate permits from the Department that would provide accurate imprinting of Environment and Science and ap- to a specific beach, but more so to a proved by an Animal Ethics Community. region. Whether bringing nature to the people in a city will reverse the trend of declin- ing biodiversity populations, or turtles hatched in an incubator will find a beach to lay the next generation of their offspring, time will tell. 

21 Member’s Article

Trees: The Oases of Life by Jackie Henrion

"I never thought that I would see A sight more lovely than a tree".

Indeed from primary level poetry inspiration to elderly retirement musings, these words still win the day for me. There is not a more joyful sight in natural life.

Trees are the origin and ongoing evolution base of all higher forms of natural life, providing us with air to breathe and essential shade on this heating planet. In addition, along with Earth's oceans, they absorb and store a large percentage of carbon dioxide, thereby reducing the levels of this toxic gas in Earth's atmosphere. By continuing to put carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and by removing trees, the human species is on a self destruct course, taking many of Earth's other creatures with it.

A very interesting book by James Aldred titled "The Man Who Climbs Trees" is a beautiful insight into the realm of species diversity so far discovered in forest canopies. Canopies are essen- tially nurseries and cradles for diverse ecosystems, many of which remain to be discovered and researched. The author, be- ginning his tree climbing ambitions as a boy, progressed to climbing the Earth's largest, tallest and rarest trees, participating with a documentary / film producing team among other adventures.

Many life forms on Earth depend on trees for their food supply (tree leaves, flowers, seeds, bark and sap).

In the Wide Bay region, the Australian native koala seeks specific trees for feed and habitat such as Eucalyptus exserta (Queensland Peppermint), E. major (Grey Gum), E. moluccana (Gum- topped Box), E. populnea (Poplar Box) and E. tereticornis (Queensland Blue Gum). Planting and growing conditions for these trees can be found at www.save the koala.com/about- koalas/trees-koalas.

In the insect world, many species of Ficus provide rare and essential ecosystems for their survival and continuing existence.

Earth's beautiful birds, along with the insects and other creatures are custodians of the forests in a mutually supportive dance of evolution. We should never forget this fact in our daily existence as all too often, nature is forgotten about or shoved to the bottom of the priorities list in our frantic pace of life and lifestyle.

National Tree Day in Australia in 2019 is 28 July and Schools Tree Day is 26 July. In some countries it is a public holiday, a sure way to bring more of the population on board to help save the forests and to plant essential trees for wildlife and ecosystem health.  Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 22 Book Review

CALL OF THE REED WARBLER A New Agriculture A New Earth

Author: Charles Massy, 569 pp. Publisher: University of Queensland Press, 2017. Reprinted 9 times. Cost: $39.95

Holistic grazing is based on observing African large herbivores whose behaviour is regulated by large predators. The herd sticks together. Therefore, to have healthy pastures, cell grazing is recom- I first heard Charles Massy talking about mended rather than herds dispersed over his book on “Counterpoint” by Amanda large paddocks. Vanstone. Massy also talks about regenerative The continued damage to the Australian agriculture.* He visits many land manag- landscape by drought, flood, pesticides, ers who have inspired him to write this herbicides, and overclearing has been book including Tim Wright, the nephew of exacerbated by climate change. This has Judith Wright, one of Australia's great led some farmers to question long defenders of nature. accepted agricultural practices. The Mechanical Mind is a defining The book is rambling, chatty, and easy to attribute of western agriculture which read. Massy states needs to be replaced by the My interpretation of his message is that Emergent Mind which has a respect for basically we British colonists have tried to nature, for soils, for ancient knowledge, conquer and exploit nature with little and is not captive to the modern economic regard to the culture of the indigenous rationalist ethos which has led to the re- people and the characteristics of the lentless plundering of the earth. ancient depleted soils. The Call of the Reed Warbler is not We have doused the land with herbicides, really a book about nature as such but pesticides, artificial fertilizers and thus since agriculture controls a vast proportion have upset the natural microorganisms of Australia it also affects our natural are- and fungi which maintain soil health. as – especially where water is involved! Massy states that we have to reinvigorate A very readable book with lots of ideas five basic landscape functions: solar- that instantly strike home but some read- energy function, the water cycle, the soil ers may wonder about the spiritual dimen- mineral cycle, dynamic ecosystems and sions of some biodynamic practices. the role of the human-social function.  Carol Bussey The author is a strong proponent of * Local farmers practicing regenerative holistic grazing and feels that grazing agriculture have been showcased in “The animals are an important part of regenera- Rural Weekly” which comes inside Fri- tion (vegans may not support this view!). day's Fraser Coast Chronicle. 23

The objectives of Wildlife Queensland are to:

(1) preserve the fauna and flora of Australia by all lawful means; (2) educate by all means possible all sections of the community, particularly the young, in understanding the principles of conservation and preservation of the natural environment; (3) discourage by all legal means possible the destruction, exploitation or unneces- sary development of any part of the natural environment; (4) encourage rational land use and proper planning of development and use of the natural environment and management thereof.

Want to join Wildlife Queensland? http://wildlife.org.au/shop/membership/membership/ or download the membership form at http://www.wildlife.org.au/support/image/ membershipform.pdf

Membership for 1 year $30 Individual $45 Family / non-profit group $20 Concession $12.50 Youth Once you have joined Wildlife Queensland you may elect to be assigned a Branch such as Fraser Coast.

Wildlife Queensland and its branches are not wildlife rescue or care organizations. However, we thank you for caring for our wildlife and if you wish to report sick, injured or orphaned wildlife contact: RSPCA Qld on 1300 ANIMAL or preferably contact our local rescue service. Our local service has the expertise and will eliminate delays in taking action.

WILDLIFE RESCUE FRASER COAST for all species of native wildlife Phone 4121 3146 anytime (backup number 0419988240)

WRFC rescue and care for all species of native fauna - such as injured or unwell koalas, kangaroos and wallabies, micro bats, flying foxes, birds and reptiles.

Wambaliman AUTUMN 2019 24