WILDTIMES May 2016 Edition 55

Quarter of a million plants! In this issue FRIENDS OF NARAWANTAPU Story by Helen Plaister New Wildcare group Cradle Mountain

A few friends, who I often walk with, To some who have seen the sea spurge A special day Bruny Island had been volunteering each January in along this beautiful area it will seem southwest Tasmania for the SPRATS a huge task. Already, volunteers from Bush getting better Wellington Park team. The task was to see if the Birds Australia have noted that some of AGM Report Summary Co-Chairs conservation area from Macquarie the sea birds are not returning due to Harbour to Cockle Creek could be this weed covering their nesting sites. Leadership looking strong Get Outside freed from the scourge of the dreaded The Friends of Narawantapu group is weed, sea spurge. Ten years later, we thinking, if we can just make a small Lighthouse restoration Maatsuyker have done it! Ten years later we are inroad to eliminating this weed – even jobless – well, volunteer-less! Time to if it is just an experiment – it will be turn our hard-earned weeding skills to a project worth doing. Maybe it is a our local area. small thank you to a National Park that has given us a lot of pleasure over After having a chat with PWS the years. Narawantapu Ranger Clinton Downing, and with the support and knowledge of Field Officer Daniel Bowden, we entered into a trial partnership. It was an experiment to see if we could clear, by hand weeding, one of the access routes to the beach, Griffiths Point. Not being used to having volunteers in Right: Volunteer Frank Wilson hard at it pulling the park, the boys were a bit sceptical. sea spurge – it’s a big job. It was up to us to show what a keen and enthusiastic group of volunteers Below: The team at Narawntapu – pleased with the work so far. can do. With the support of PWS and the personnel at Wildcare, Friends of Narawantapu was formed. As the photographs attest, the task was daunting. After seven sessions, with an average of seven people working a total of 42 hours, we managed to pull 214,733 plants. Yes, nearly a quarter of a million plants reefed from the ground. Still in its infancy, this project will see the volunteers working through the winter months. On the last Friday of each month, we will survey the park with the PWS, set a few priority areas, and note areas to be sprayed, ready for hand weeding. Malcom MacDonald CEO Another new Wildcare group WILDCARE FRIENDS OF CRADLE MOUNTAIN

Tasmania’s iconic Cradle Mountain FoCM was formed in 2016 to recognise CEO report forms the northern end of the Cradle the invaluable contributions made Since the last edition of Wildtimes, Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, by volunteers, locals and visitors to two big events have been the 2016 and is the centrepiece of the Tasmanian Cradle Mountain in past years. We will Annual General Meeting and release Wilderness World Heritage Area. With undertake a range of works that cater of the 2015 Annual Report. over 200,000 visitors per year, this area to our group’s skills and interests, as of outstanding natural value needs well as the needs of Park management. 2016 AGM ongoing work to make sure that it is not Our work will cover both remote and This year’s AGM featured two guest “loved to death.” Its varied landscapes day-use areas. The first working bee speakers. Greig Clarke, President of of rugged mountains, rainforests, glacial will be in April or May 2016. This will be the recently formed Friends of the lakes, buttongrass plains and alpine a great opportunity to get involved, Penguin Cradle Trail Branch, spoke on moors offer some of the finest scenery meet fellow members and have a program of major works his Branch and best bushwalking anywhere in input into the future direction of the is doing on the trail. Australia. group. Check out our page on the Wildcare website. Professor Greg Woods, Principal Friends of Cradle Mountain (FoCM) Research Fellow at the Menzies are a new Wildcare group that aims to Institute for Medical Research at UTAS, work with Parks and Wildlife staff to delivered a presentation titled DFTD: help protect and conserve this iconic A Double Dose of a Devil of a Disease. Park in Tasmania’s northwest. Some of Both presentations were well-received. our working bees will suit those who want to get out into the mountains and 2015 Annual Report stretch their legs, while, at other times, Each year, we aim not only to we will focus closer to home. Tasks are produce an Annual Report that varied and suit a broad range of skills satisfies compliance requirements, and interests, including walking track but to showcase as many programs, work, weed control, conservation works projects and activities of Wildcare on historic buildings, fauna monitoring Branches around the State as possible. and revegetation. In that sense, the publication is more in the style of a yearbook. In the 2015 Report, 14 Branches are featured, up from 10 the previous year and three in 2013. Several Branches contributed for the first time, which is very pleasing to see. The backdrop for a new Wildcare Group – Friends of Cradle Mountain. The make-up and activities of the Wildcare Gift Fund Committee are also featured, as well as a special feature on the Orange-bellied Parrot. Thank you to those Branches who made a contribution. It is not too early to plan for the 2016 Annual Report! Keep alert for activities and events that would make an interesting read. And remember, we are not seeking to duplicate what is published in Wildtimes. We need a story, supported by some high resolution photos, with captions. Assistance is available to help you put it together. I look forward to receiving a contribution from your Branch! A special day WILDCARE FRIENDS OF BRUNY ISLAND QUARANTINE STATION

Saturday 20 February 2016 was a special day for the descendants of Anthony Cox & Jane Daly, two convicts who resided at the Bruny Island Quarantine Station site from 1856 – 1902. The descendants of their eleven children came from near and far and gathered at the Quarantine Station A family reunion on Bruny Island. after scattering John & Mavis Crane’s ashes at the Killora Jetty site. John’s father, Edward Crane, was caretaker of the station for forty years from 1918 – 1958. John’s mother, Violet Crane (nee Summers), died from the influenza pandemic on Boxing Day in 1919. John The bush is getting better was only eight months old. John’s father WELLINGTON PARK BUSHCARE went on to marry Catherine Delaney (the granddaughter of Anthony & Jane) and have three more children. Getting a lift up to Goat Hills is a great is quite prolific, so there was a lot of According to one of the family, Mavis boon, but when we have to get back weaving about to avoid the spikes (nee Reid) was sent down to the on foot the old route is a much more when searching for Erica. pleasant way, both visually and for Quarantine Station in the late 1930’s The upshot for the day was that the ease of walking. To enable us to go this to recuperate from peritonitis and, entire planned work area of 2.5 hectares way, a car shuffle was arranged and it as John was living onsite, they met and is now cleared of Erica. It has taken us worked out well. fell in love. When Mavis visited, John four sessions, but we have been in that would take the cart around to Killora Some plants in the work area were position a few times in the 15 years Jetty to pick her up. They married in looking in a poor state and that working the site. But it is getting easier 1942 at St Paul’s Church, Glenorchy, included quite a quantity of our and quicker, which is encouraging. Our and had three children. The youngest ‘number-one enemy’ up there, Erica. plan is now to push the front further family member, John & Mavis’s great Initially, those on the flatter spots west into a new zone, which is in granddaughter, Gracie May, was born in were cleared, and despite it being very difficult terrain due to the vegetation January 2016. She will no doubt carry on dry the plants were mostly able to denseness, impeding access to locating the family memories of the site, passed be pulled out with the aid of pliers. the weeds. down to her through the generations. The soil was gritty enough not to We enjoyed the bush at Goat Hills, resist. This was not always the case on Bruny put on its best sunny weather, but we certainly didn’t appreciate the the rockier locations higher up, where and volunteers, caretakers Kelly and illegal trail-bike rider zooming along the much more cutting was needed. Here, Elise, and Kathy, from Friends of Bruny fire trail, nor the noise they generated! Island Quarantine Station, were on also, the understory of Acacia riceana site to mingle and answer questions. A great time was had by all, exchanging Enjoying some time out (photo by Peter Franklin). memories such as the times John was locked in the sulphur (fumigation) room when he was naughty, and productive fishing excursions in the bay. People had driven from Georgetown and Launceston to pay tribute and their respects. A lovely photo of the couple took pride of place on the picnic table. The Combined Co-Chairs’ Report 2015 Written by Andrew Smith Appointed Co-Chair and Sally Salier Co-Chair (Elected)

Summary from the Annual Branches continue to apply for and view and passions are as varied as the General Meeting receive grants for projects, from various members themselves. Sally is able to 2015 has been a year of great successes external funding sources. Almost tread with surety in the right direction again. The volunteer effort and the $1 million has been received since while recognising, acknowledging and financial contribution of Wildcare Inc 2010. These grants are all managed incorporating those varied points of continues to astound and make a real by the Branches who apply for them. view and passions. difference to our reserves, wildlife and The Presidents or Treasurers of the Wildcare Inc is now in its 19th year cultural heritage. There have also been Branches work closely with Carol and Wildcare has grown beyond continuing frustrations, this is a large Pacey, our “bookkeeper”, to ensure expectation, it has adapted and and complex organisation. It requires bills are paid and project money is changed in a variety of ways. It has some serious management at Board spent appropriately. Many hundreds of responded to the needs of our partners of Directors’ level. The Directors have payments are made on behalf of the and our membership. The overriding continued to work hard to make Branches each year. Thank goodness purpose of Wildcare Inc remains to sure members; Branches and the for online business banking. Lindie support reserve management, nature environment get the best returns Lupo, our Finance Officer, keeps an conservation and cultural heritage possible. A lot of this effort is invisible eye on financial processes, auditing through volunteering and fundraising. to members and people outside requirements, financial reporting to I think the organisation is very the organisation, but it is extremely the Board, BAS reporting and so on. successful at that. That success is a important and we thank them. Carol and Lindie are a great team and result of the extraordinary efforts and we thank them. Membership continues to grow. goodwill of you, our members. New Branches continue to form and As I do each year, I thank our Wildcare a massive amount of volunteer time Office volunteers for continuing is provided to projects. The Wildcare to provide a service that is often Gift Fund also has been very active this invisible to people outside the year. One of the highlights resulted organisation, but is absolutely essential from a very productive coffee break to the existence of the organisation. last year with the Manager of Saffire Members’ records and enquiries, Freycinet. By the end of that meeting, payment receipting and processing we had agreed to jointly create the and responding to correspondence Wildcare Saffire Devil Fund within the are completed impeccably. Phil Wyatt, Wildcare Gift Fund, to which Saffire in the voluntary role of webmaster, would donate $25,000 each year. has continued his fine work, sorting out Wildcare’s Board of Management By the end of 2015, the first donation issues with our provider and the Parks Each year Wildcare members elect had been made, added to by guests of and Wildlife Service. The result is we individuals to perform as office Saffire, and Wildcare Inc was able to have a fairly good website and member bearers for the year, this is in addition grant $29,000 to the Menzies Centre to database now. Jodie has been providing to appointed expert positions. support its research into a vaccination training to Presidents to help them take This year Sally Salier was reelected for the Tasmanian Devil Facial advantage of the Branch management as the Co-Chair and the following Tumour Disease. capabilities of the site. people were elected onto the Board of management, Bob Tyson, John Other donations continue to be Finally, I give heartfelt thanks to Duggan, Ian Ross, David Harris and received, ranging from a few dollars, Sally Salier, the Elected Co-Chair for Erika Shankley. We welcome the right up to the annual $100,000 from Wildcare Inc. Sally is a very active contribution of these people who Dick Smith. Around $200,000 has been volunteer in the field and also volunteer their time to ensure that allocated to projects, ranging from gives enormous amounts of time Wildcare Inc. is managed well. wildlife care support and Devil research and energy to the conduct of the to walking track maintenance in organisation. I have once again enjoyed wilderness areas and the conservation working alongside such an intelligent, of the Orange-Bellied Parrot. I thank committed person who has a clear everyone who has made a donation picture of what Wildcare Inc is and to the Wildcare Gift Fund or one of its where Wildcare Inc can go. Wildcare Inc sub-funds. is not a simple organisation, points of Leadership is looking strong Volunteer of for Getting Outside the year WILDCARE – GET OUTSIDE

The 2016 three-day leadership event were made and at one stage there Congratulations to for the Get Outside Program was a was a 100-person conga line dance! Marina Campbell, huge success. This course was wrapped The participants left at 3.00 pm and the Friends of Maatsuyker Island around the Harmony Day Celebration leaders headed back up to Mount Field at Mount Field National Park, where Government Huts to debrief. Winner of inaugural 130 people spent the day going on bush Tasmanian Volunteer of the Year After the leaders debriefed on the day, walks, having picnics, playing soccer and Aon Environment and the night was spent with everybody dancing. The new and the experienced Conservation Award cooking, laughing and joining in on leaders were fantastic, taking turns to a Quiz Night. On Sunday morning, work at the discovery table, lead soccer, On Monday 9th May 2016, the the new leaders took turns in leading dancing, as well as taking/leading walks. winners of the inaugural Tasmanian a walk to Tarn Shelf, including Volunteering Awards were announced The event was a great training undertaking sensory experiences and at a function at Government House, opportunity. Stepping up to take a safety checks. Hobart. Wildcare Inc. congratulates leadership role in the Get Outside Thanks to the leaders who took the Marina Campbell, Friends of Program is a big job. Friday was spent walks to Russell Falls, Tall Trees and to Maatsuyker Island (FOMI) for winning training new leaders at Mt Field and Tarn Shelf on the Sunday. Thanks, also, the Tasmanian Volunteer of the Year organising for the next day. Saturday to the volunteers who shared the day Aon Environment and Conservation at 11.00 am, 130 participants turned up with us. Award. The award recognises for a perfectly delightful day. The sun Marina’s significant contribution to started to shine and everyone looked the conservation and protection of excited to be in a National Park. When Tasmania’s biodiversity and cultural the buses carrying the participants heritage through her volunteering arrived, they were welcomed and with both FOMI and Southern offered a choice of a long or short Beaches Landcare/Coastcare Inc. walk, led by Get Outside leaders. After all the walkers returned to the central location, a picnic ground was set up with music, dancing and a space for soccer. Food was shared and friendships

Participants and leaders on one of the walks on Harmony Day.

Marina Campbell accepting her award at Government House. Volunteer of Maatsuyker lighthouse restoration and the year museum exhibition WILDCARE FRIENDS OF MAATSUYKER ISLAND Story by Fiona Taylor

The Friends of Maatsuyker Island Hobart) between January until the (FOMI) Wildcare Inc. celebrated, end of May 2016. Museum entry fees at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania apply (show your proof of Wildcare on 15 April 2016, the achievements membership to receive a discount). of recent restoration works on FOMI merchandise and the Maatsuyker the Maatsuyker Island lighthouse booklet are also available for purchase undertaken by FOMI and the Tasmania at the Museum shop. All funds raised Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS). go towards conservation of the island’s historic and natural values. Maatsuyker Island is Australia’s most southerly light station and, in For more information on FOMI, our other 1996, was the last to be de-manned Maatsuyker projects (on and off-island) in Australia when a stand-alone and how to get involved please contact automated beacon was installed. [email protected], Maatsuyker Island has the most intact visit our website (wildcaretas.org.au/ example of a pre-1900 lighthouse in branches/friends-of-maatsuyker- Australia, essentially unchanged since it island/) or find us on Facebook. opened in 1891. It is the only First Order FOMI thanks the Foundation for lighthouse that has retained its original National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW) for roller pedestal, upon which the light supporting the heritage conservation mechanism rotates. The lighthouse works on the lighthouse, and mechanism is also one of the few FNPW and the Maritime Museum original mechanisms in working order of Tasmania for supporting the Maatsuyker Island Lighthouse, March 2016 and in situ. temporary exhibition. (photo by Marina Campbell). In 2014, FOMI and PWS commenced planning and preparation for much needed lighthouse conservation and restoration work. A huge in- kind contribution, the securing of a Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW) grant, donations, other fundraising as well as a government funding and PWS staff to these people for their donations: Robert Brooke, support resulted in the ability to Thank you Lauren Faulkner, Ragnhild Hannah, Saffire Freycinet Guests, Bethany Hunt, undertake a major four week project in Chiari Airoldi, Katherine Meares, Craig Parsey, Nicole Lowrey, Ian Vaughan, March 2016. During a period of (mainly!) Jennifer Cooper, Jackie Cullen, Matthew Cloudsdale, Eleanor Stark, unseasonably fine weather, essential Hannah Kench, Alecia Brown, Julie McKenzie, Susanne Freund, Tracey Simpson, works including waterproofing of the Andrew Smith, Philip Wyatt, Craig Parsey, Rhitu Rao, Rudi Smith, Hayley Sucic, lighthouse dome and lantern, corrosion Michelle Mossfield. management and painting the exterior of the lighthouse was completed by three amazing lighthouse restorer/ Share your story painters, Mark Sheriff, Mick McNamara Send your submissions to [email protected] Deadline for the next issue is 1/6/2016. and Brian Burford. A FOMI exhibition highlighting the Wildcare Inc importance of the Maatsuyker Tasmania’s largest incorporated volunteer organisation, lighthouse and ongoing restoration caring for wild places, wildlife and cultural heritage. works is open daily at the Maritime Post: c/o GPO Box 1751 Hobart TAS 7001 Museum of Tasmania (16 Argyle St, Phone: 03 6165 4230 Fax: 03 6223 8603 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.wildcaretas.org.au Graphic design donated by: Dixie Designs by: design donated Graphic Walch Printing: Mercury