88 Addison Ave Athelstone 5076 Number 150 Apr-May-Jun 2016 In this Edition: New plant in Morialta Willows, Ash, Grants and Crag Care Friends Forum President’s Update New Members Leadership in Conservation, and Volunteers of the Parks Audited financial statements Awards Diary Dates

Willows, Ash, Grants and Crag Care

Things have been moving at a great pace in Morialta recently. As you all know 2015 was the year of the Centenary, but as the year drew to a close and priorities for 2016 were set in the small lulls between major events we had the opportunity to apply for some grants to support the great work volunteers have been putting in on the ground. With the successful application for two Green Army projects, mentioned in the last newsletter, and the awarding of two new grants it is beginning to look like 2016 will be a great year of conservation action in our parks!

The first grant was for $5000 to support the Crag Care project awarded to us by the Natural Resources Management Board as one of the Community NRM Action Willows treated in 2015 now quite dead Grants 2015-16. The grant will provide funds for the following items:

1. Additional training. We anticipate this year’s training will include bushcare techniques, capacity building of volunteers and leadership training for project co-ordinators which may include more advanced monitoring methods training. 2. GPS receiving device. With the mapping of willows in Morialta last year it was soon realised the personal GPS devices we were utilising were not very accurate in the gorge. Volunteers have been using the mobile phone application ZamiaDroid to record the GPS location and other data with great effect, but the phone's GPS capabilities have been rather poor, so a GPS receiving device with both GPS and GLONASS capability has been ordered Willows treated February 2016, now and we await its arrival with great anticipation. well on their way out

Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc. Number 150 Apr – May - Jun 2016 Page 1 3. Willow Control. There are many large willows in the Crag Care project site along Fourth Creek, below the climbing cliffs. These have been marked as a high priority for treatment, as willows have many negative stream impacts and reproduce readily. We are very pleased to announce that with the work already done by volunteers, and with the further work being done by contractors who are employed to reach the more difficult locations, willows should be eliminated from the Crag Care project site this year. 4. Control of other bushland weeds. The remainder of the money will be spent in spring employing contractors to perform specialised control techniques in sensitive areas.

The second grant for $5000 was for Willow and Ash control in Morialta Conservation Park as part of the DEWNR on-park ‘Volunteer Support Grants’ round of funding. The money has been requested for the Willows treated at the base of the Crag following: Care site 1. Summer 2015/16 Willow control. Yes really! With the work volunteers have put in below First Falls where we have just one willow still desperately clinging to life, and between First and Second Falls where volunteers have treated 9 willows and there are now just 5 left, we have a real opportunity to eliminate willow entirely from the park. Some follow up money is also available for summer 2016- 17. This is wonderful news for the creek line. 2. Ash control. Desert Ash, Fraxinus angustifolia , like willow, is a declared plant in South Australia and it invades native vegetation along streams. A couple of years ago we managed to kill the only mature seeding ash in Morialta valley, but we are now dealing with some larger ash which have made their way up a very steep blackberry infested side gully of the gorge. There are also many seedlings along Fourth Creek. Earlier this year a complete survey of all ash below First Falls was made with there being 17 ash before the First falls car park and a further 35 below it in the creek line on the way into the park. Removing any ash large enough to start forming seed is now a high priority. No ash have been sighted above First Falls - if you have seen any elsewhere in Morialta please let us know!

All this funding is in addition to the NRM funding mentioned in the previous newsletter, which is being provided through our Volunteer Support Officer. Detailed view of how the contractors The Friends committee are pretty excited by all the extra treat each willow, this one is just above activities happening which are complementing our project 2nd Falls, treated late February 2016 sites and improving our parks, we hope you are too.

Liz Milner NEWFLASH

Since this newsletter item was submitted, there have been some developments!

The willow work has all been completed. Contractors did all the work 3 rd Falls to Second Falls first & then the ones upstream from 3 rd Falls.

They have not tackled any Willow between 2nd and 1st falls. These will be addressed by volunteers, Liz and Garth.

Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc. Number 150 Apr – May – Jun 2016 Page 2 President’s Update The committee is continuing to look at how we can celebrate the group’s 30 th anniversary. One possibility being considered is a fungi- blitz on 28 August. The practicalities of this are being worked through. Another option might be a night walk with a bat detector.

Give us your feedback about what you would like to see.

Green Army update – Contracts have been signed.

Attached to the newsletter is the invitation to attend a Bird Watching course. This is a great event, exclusive to Friends of Parks Members. I can recommend it, as I went on last year’s course at Morialta / Thorndon Park

Also included in this newsletter is an invitation to the Friends of Parks Forum. This time at Hallett Cove, 14 to 16 October, the draft program has lots of interest.

Did you know, membership can now be paid by direct deposit?

BSB: 105-152 Account Number: 29695040 and emailing the [email protected] your details

Leadership in Conservation, and Volunteers of the Parks Awards The Morialta 100 Organising committee is honoured to be nominated for the Volunteers of the Parks award. We thank Senior Ranger Dave Heard for the nomination and wish to recognise the contribution so many members made. Some people helped organise the printing and framing of images, moderating the auction site, managing volunteers at events or setting up and taking down marquees, help with the images exhibition, letterboxing, financial support, or many other things in the background. Your help was important to making the year a success.

Rotary Club of Burnside Inc’s Presentation Dinner for the Leadership in Conservation, and Volunteers of the Parks Awards - to be held on Wednesday, 13 April, 2016, at the Belair Country Club, Upper Sturt Road, Belair, at 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start.

Congratulations to the following people on their nomination:

Leadership in Conservation

Sarah Voumard Landscape Ranger, Friends of Telowie Gorge Deb Furbank, Community Team Leader, Yorke Peninsular NRN & Y

Volunteer of the Parks

James Ferguson Butchers Gap, Natural Resources South East District Ian and Christine Abbott, Friends of Southern Eyre Peninsula Parks, Pt Lincoln Phil Gillett, Friends of Para Wirra Morialta 100 Organising Committee - John Fleming, Ann Taylor, Liz Milner - Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Parks Inc Graham Fisher, Friends of Anstey Hill RP

The cost of the dinner is $45.00 per person, to be paid for prior to the night. This includes a welcome drink, plus a delicious two course meal, followed by cheese, and biscuits and tea and coffee. If you need a tax invoice, please contact the Club Treasurer, Des Munro: [email protected] Please supply to Des the names for each group and who to email the tax invoice. If you need to discuss any details with Des, his work phone number 8233 9900, or mobile 0419866495.

Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc. Number 150 Apr – May – Jun 2016 Page 3 New Members The committee would like to take this opportunity to welcome the following new members: Rohan Bell Imaina Widagdo

Committee Contacts President John Fleming Ph: 8336 5275 [email protected] Deputy President Liz Milner Ph: 0403 969 263 [email protected] Secretary John Fleming Ph: 8336 5275 [email protected] Treasurer Liz Milner Ph: 0403 969 263 [email protected] Minute Secretary Ann Taylor Ph: 8251 2335 Records Officer Membership Officer Russell Dahms Ph 8336 5275 Newsletter editor John Fleming Ph. 8336 5275 [email protected] Website John Fleming

New plant in Morialta! It appears that there may be a new plant in Morialta not previously recorded on the plants lists.

It is so floriferous that it is indeed hard to believe that it has not previously been sighted, identified and recorded.

What is believed to be the purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) has been sighted in two locations. One above third falls and one below first falls. Samples have been taken and are being pressed in order to present to the State Herbarium for a positive identification.

Audited Financial records for last financial year are on the following pages

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Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc. Number 150 Apr – May – Jun 2016 Page 5

Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc. Number 150 Apr – May – Jun 2016 Page 6 30th Friends of Parks Forum URBAN BIODIVERSITY ROCKS! Friday 14 October – Sunday 16 October 2016

COVE CIVIC CENTRE, Ragamuffin Drive, HALLETT COVE SA

Registration of Interest

We warmly invite you to express your interest in attending the 2016 Friends of Parks Forum hosted by the Friends of Glenthorne Farm, Hallett Cove Conservation Park, Marino Conservation Park and O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park.

Draft Program The Friday registration and evening meal will be followed by “Bat Experience” with Terry Reardon;

Saturday morning Andrew Allanson will speak about “Biodiversity and Habitat Restoration” and a panel of geologists including Mr Bob Major will discuss “Gondwana, the significance of Hallett Cove Geology and the impacts of urbanisation”;

Saturday afternoon field trips will be offered to: Hallett Cove Conservation Park to view the evidence of glaciations, and climate change over the past 640 million years; OR Hallett Cove Conservation Park to see vegetation that has been restored from almost total clearing to what it may have been in pre-colonial days; OR view Marino Conservation Park with its pristine coastal heath; OR visit O’Halloran Hill Recreation Park with its panoramic views; OR explore the Lower Field River to understand the pleasures and problems of a suburban estuary and see where the fossilized bones of a diprotodon were found.

The traditional Forum Dinner will be held at Club Marion, 262 Sturt Road, Marion, with Prof Chris Daniels as guest speaker.

Sunday morning Dr Ann Prescott will speak on “Botany – Plants and Biodiversity – into context” and Dr Mark Hutchinson will talk about “Winners and losers in the urban sprawl”, followed by “Historic landscape of Glenthorne Farm” with Dr Pam Smith and “The Worthing Mine” by Mr Greg Drew.

Sunday afternoon, the same field trips will be offered as for Saturday, with the inclusion of a visit to pioneer property of Major Thomas O’Halloran, Glenthorne Farm.

By completing the form below and forwarding it to us, you will receive direct communication about the Forum. Please post the completed form to: Mrs Brenda Westlake, 2 Emma Street, MARINO SA 5049 OR Email the requested details to [email protected] . ------Hallett Cove Forum URBAN BIODIVERSITY ROCKS!

Registration of Interest I/we are interested in attending the Friends of parks Forum to be held at Hallett Cove from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 October 2016. ( please print )

First name: ...... Last name:......

First name: ...... Last name: ......

Postal address: ......

Email address: ......

Phone No...... Mobile No.(s): ......

Friends Group: ...... Friends of Black Hill and Morialta Inc. Number 150 Apr – May – Jun 2016 Page 7 Diary Dates! Please note: Working bee dates may change due to weather conditions and other factors. Working bee will be cancelled if a severe, extreme or catastrophic fire danger day is forecast. Please wear suitable clothing, all tools provided. Remember to check our website for changes to the schedule! 4th Creek Project Wildflower Garden Wednesday 18 May 2016, 9:30 am Sunday 3 April 2016 9:00 am Morialta Conservation Park Black Hill Conservation Park Meet in the car park near the Resource Centre Meet at the building at 88 Addison Avenue Athelstone. Committee Meetings Montacute Valley project Tuesday 7:30pm Monday 4 April 2016, 9:00 am Black Hill Conservation Park Montacute Valley, Black Hill Conservation Park 88 Addison Ave, Athelstone. • 19 April 2016 st 1 Falls Project • 17 May 2016 Wednesday 6 April 2016, 9:30 am • 21 June 2016 Morialta Conservation Park Meet near the interpretive signs by the car park closest to first falls. Horsnell Gully Saturday 21 May 2016, 2:00pm Horsnell Gully Horsnell Gully Conservation Park Saturday 23 April 2016, 2:00pm Focus on broom, blackberry, periwinkle.

Horsnell Gully Conservation Park th Meet in the main car park at Horsnell Gully. 4 Creek Focus on broom & periwinkle. 29 May 2016, 9:00 am Morialta Conservation Park Meet at the Woodforde track gate. Wildflower Garden Sunday 17 April 2016, 9:00 am st Black Hill Conservation Park 1 Falls Project Meet at the building at 88 Addison Avenue Athelstone. Wednesday 1 June 2016, 9:30 am Morialta Conservation Park Meet near the interpretive signs by the car park closest to 4th Creek Project first falls. Wednesday 20 April 2016, 9:30 am

Morialta Conservation Park meet in the carpark by the Resource Centre - take the turn Wildflower Garden off just before the pay station. Sunday 5 June 2016, 9:00 am Black Hill Conservation Park Meet at the building at 88 Addison Avenue Athelstone. Pylon Track

Sunday 24 April 2016, 9:00 am Montacute Valley project Morialta Conservation Park meet at gate 10 Moores Road (off Colonial Drive, via Norton Monday 6 June 2016, 9:00 am Montacute Valley Summit Road) Black Hill Conservation Park

Wildflower Garden th Sunday 1 May 2016, 9:00pm 4 Creek Project Black Hill Conservation Park Wednesday 15 June 2016, 9:30 am Meet at the building at 88 Addison Avenue Athelstone. Morialta Conservation Park Meet in the car park near the Resource Centre Montacute Valley project Monday 2 May 2016, 9:00 am Horsnell Gully Montacute Valley Saturday 18 June 2016, 2:00pm Black Hill Conservation Park Horsnell Gully Conservation Park Focus on broom, periwinkle. 1st Falls Project Wednesday 4 May 2016, 9:30 am Wildflower Garden Morialta Conservation Park Sunday 19 June 2016, 9:00 am Meet near the interpretive signs by the car park closest to Black Hill Conservation Park first falls. Meet at the building at 88 Addison Avenue Athelstone.

Wildflower Garden Olive Hill Sunday 15 May 2016, 9:00pm Sunday 26 June 2016, 9:00 am Black Hill Conservation Park Morialta Conservation Park Meet at the building at 88 Addison Avenue Athelstone. Meet at the Woodforde Track gate.

Remember to check : www.facebook.com/fobhm.org for any changes

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