Bush Heritage News Winter 2005

ABN 78 053 639 115 www.bushheritage.org region, which includes the Kalbarri In this issue Our wildflower National Park to the south-west and Eurardy, a new reserve haven, Eurardy, soon the Toolonga Nature Reserve to the north-east. Only an area of unallotted Ethabuka update to be protected crown land remains unprotected Volunteer rangers across this extensive area. Map of Bush Heritage reserves Once again your outstanding Burrin Burrin Reserve generosity will save a special part Our knowledge of Eurardy’s Weeding blitz of Australia.The transfer of Eurardy importance for plants is largely the Station to Bush Heritage should be result of the survey work undertaken approved by the time this reaches by the Wildflower Society of Western Thank you for your contribution. you.This 30 000-hectare property, Australia for the West Australian Without your support, the protection featured in the previous newsletter Herbarium. of this stunning natural ‘garden’ (Bush Heritage News,Autumn 2005), would not have been possible. is in Australia’s Global Biodiversity We are grateful to the society and Hotspot in south-west Western its members for their efforts and Diverse shrubland with blue Dampiera and yellow Glischrocaryon. PHOTO: MARGARET QUICKE Insets from top: Australia and will be our twentieth for providing us with a copy of Grevillea petrophiloides and Cheiranthera filifolia subs reserve. their survey results and a digital simplicifolia. PHOTOS: FROM THE IMAGE LIBRARY SUPPLIED BY THE WILDFLOWER photographic record of many SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA In enabling us to purchase Eurardy of the plants.These will be you have helped to protect some invaluable resources for our future of Australia’s most spectacular management of the reserve. wildflower displays and over 600 plant species, including endangered, With more than half of the property vulnerable and priority species. still to be explored and no formal wildlife surveys yet undertaken, we You have also helped to build anticipate that there will be many more a corridor of reserved land in the exciting discoveries to share with you.

1 A similar feeling of unreality came among them; in just a couple of As the dust settles… from doing the fencing on the months there will be three of us. southern boundary of Ethabuka, the Reserve managers Alastair Dermer reserve’s boundary with Kamaran Much of our time has been consumed and Karen Harrland report on their Downs.We were welding star pickets by renovating the house, constructing first summer at Ethabuka Reserve, on to the top of star pickets in an volunteer quarters for the impending Queensland attempt to maintain a fence above influx of volunteer rangers, and developing a workshop.Throughout It’s been a little over seven months the relentless waves of sand that were trying to reclaim the land. the heat of summer the working day since our arrival at Ethabuka and started between 4.00 and 5.00 am in we are proud to be still standing Camels, once just curious beasts of an attempt to beat the heat and the as the long summer draws to a close. the desert or circus, are now our flies. By 10.30 to 11.00 am, with the As the first permanent Bush Heritage companions and a source of both temperature over 40 0C and a strong, management team we have been amusement and annoyance. For a while dust-laden wind often blowing, we busy establishing the property as through the heat of summer they would turn our attention to tasks a reserve and learning about life would gather around the homestead protected by the house and its in this harsh yet rich environment. after sunset, seeking a drink from our struggling air coolers. tank overflow.Their lack of social Looking back over the past summer graces disrupted our evenings as they we realise how we have evolved from broke wind, belched, bit each other cold-tolerant Tasmanians to heat- and stamped their feet. Our attempts tolerant desert dwellers. Now we get to get them to keep the noise 0 goose bumps in the 21 C mornings down were met with indifference. 0 and think of 37 C as a cool day! Thankfully they will soon be mustered During this transition we have gathered and removed. fond memories and a new perspective on many things.We think with While on the topic of drinking and delight of the evenings spent sitting water, the installation of a reverse on top of the dunes as the last of the osmosis water filter has dramatically Some of the early land management sunset colours and flies disappeared, improved the quality of the drinking tasks have included removing of the stars gradually filling the sky water.The bore water, which was cattle that had wandered in from and of the realisation that, for many once undrinkable, is now delicious. neighbouring properties, repairing kilometres in any direction, we were We have wondered, however, if perhaps kilometres of fencing, establishing the only people. the high mineral load in the water a management strategy for camels, has magical properties. identifying and mapping introduced Te n women in our local plants, and researching the complexities community of only 120 of the arid-zone landscape. people are pregnant and we are

2 Developing networks with our been digging trenches in dunes on neighbours, the local community, the western edge of the property in regional land management authorities their search for marsupial moles. and traditional owners has been an In such ‘perfect mole habitat’ they important activity. were surprised at the absence of mole tunnels.Their next step is to determine During March we were fortunate whether a geographical barrier has to be visited by traditional owners prevented the moles from moving Barbara Dunn and Jean Jacks, elders east from their known locations in of the Pitta Pitta people.They came the western Simpson Desert. with Shaaron Stevenson, the Desert Channels Catchment Coordinator From 19 to 21 April we held our from Longreach.Their visit enabled first management planning workshop. us to explain the aims of Bush Researchers from the University Heritage and initiate a working of Sydney, David Akers from the relationship with the traditional Queensland Parks and Wildlife owners.We visited some of the many Service, representatives from amongst significant cultural sites and artefacts our neighbours, and Bush Heritage on Ethabuka and discussed the staff helped us to confirm and fencing work needed to rehabilitate structure the management priorities Ethabuka Spring. for the reserve.We would like to thank all these people for their support.

Your generous donations and support from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust’s National Reserve System program have protected this property.We now have the privilege of guiding its future as a conservation reserve of international significance.This is an exciting prospect. Perhaps you will be able to visit us Now, as the weather cools and the before too long and see for yourself dust settles, we are enjoying the how you are helping to save one of arrival of visitors from the local the most remarkable areas of Australia. community and volunteers, all of whom are proving to be an invaluable Facing page, clockwise from top: Dawn over the dunes. source of knowledge and expertise. Ethabuka 'homestead'. View over the spinifex Triodia dunefields. Inset: Feral camel. PHOTOS: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX And we are exceedingly grateful for the extra pairs of hands! This page, clockwise from top: Spiny-cheeked honeyeater. Central military dragon. Varied sittella feeding chicks. Others have arrived to undertake Drainage line through the ironstone hills. Rocky ranges rise above the expansive shrublands. PHOTOS: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX research.Alice-Springs-based scientist From left, traditional owners Jean Jacks and Barbara Dunn with Joe Benshemesh and his team have Shaaron Stevenson and Karen Harrland. PHOTO: ALASTAIR DERMER

3 The secret life of a volunteer ranger

Joelle Metcalf and Julian Fennessy, come. You will also need a current first the Bush Heritage Conservation aid certificate, but if you don’t have Partners team, talk about the vital one Bush Heritage can help you to importance to the organisation of obtain it. For those of you who do have volunteer rangers special skills – in trades, in anything mechanical or practical, or in ecology Volunteer rangers? Who are they and – we certainly have a job for you. what is their role in Bush Heritage’s management of Australia’s natural Your work as a volunteer ranger may environment? vary from day to day.You might be painting, hammering, sawing, fencing, Put simply, volunteer rangers are pulling weeds, catching feral animals, people like you and me and they digging, spraying, surveying plants are essential to the management of or animals, recording data, mapping, the large Bush Heritage reserves. monitoring or even bulldozing.All At Bush Heritage we depend on these activities are on the agenda at volunteers to assist with the some time as part of the management multitude of tasks required to work needed on the larger reserves. help manage the huge areas of conservation land in our care. Veteran volunteer rangers John and Lyla Hansen, who have worked at both Carnarvon Station and Ethabuka reserves, put it this way: ‘There is a lot to be done on [the reserves] and no volunteer with a spirit for adventure will be disappointed.You will love it as much as we did.’ At the end of the day you can relax with a cold beer or a glass of wine To be a volunteer ranger you do in your hand and watch the sun go not need to have any specific skills down in one of the most spectacular or knowledge or come from a landscapes in Australia.A good meal conservation background.What you amongst friends, sharing the events need is a sense of adventure, a sense of the day, and a comfortable bed of humour, a natural love of the make the experience complete. One outdoors and a desire to help couple remarked,‘We took advantage conserve Australia's natural of the situation and had breakfast and environment for generations to dinner outside on the verandah every day.We [also] decided to sleep under the stars...The air was deliciously cool.’

4 ‘This short, rewarding and enjoyable volunteer ranger activity brought us closer to Bush Heritage’s mission and reserve management program. It also demonstrated how worthwhile our support is for Bush Heritage.We certainly hope that we will be able to return to Tarcutta Hills Reserve in the future for more volunteer ranger activities.’ Being a volunteer ranger is not just relentless work. Usually on weekends So why not consider becoming a you are free to explore the property volunteer ranger! Those of you with you are working on, which gives you a month to spare and a sense of an opportunity to discover a beautiful adventure can volunteer on any environment and glimpse the rarely of Carnarvon Station Reserve and observed world of the local wildlife. Ethabuka Reserve, Qld, Charles And there is always the anticipation Darwin Reserve,WA, and Tarcutta of seeing something ‘new’. Hills Reserve, NSW. We also encourage you to work at the Mareeba Tropical The regular feedback we receive from Savannah and Wetlands Reserve in volunteer rangers is always glowing far-north Queensland, a unique area about their experience and the managed by the Mareeba Wetlands management of the reserves. Foundation.We, and they, would love Dedicated volunteers Len and Valerie to have your help. Warren wrote,‘We thoroughly enjoyed the three weeks we spent at Charles For more information or to book, Darwin Reserve.We learnt a great please contact Joelle Metcalf on deal about the day-to-day running 03 8610 9102 or send an email to of the reserve and what it is like to [email protected] live in a situation where your work We look forward to hearing from you. is also your home.’

Our reserve managers are amazed at the dedication of the volunteers, and Facing page, clockwise from left: Tom Kerwick and family regard them as ‘indispensable’.They exploring at Carnarvon Station Reserve. Peter and Margaret Calder relax at the end of the day. PHOTOS: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX comment that the volunteers provide John Hansen and Bob Gleeson sorting timber at Ethabuka. support and assistance in a whole PHOTO: ALASTAIR DERMER Putting up signs at Carnarvon. range of tasks that would take much PHOTO: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX longer to complete without them. This page, clockwise from top left: Black-striped wallabies are Lifelong friendships are also forged. easy to see at Carnarvon. Kookaburra overseeing the work. Barry Leithhead and Robin McIntyre The Blue Spring sign goes in. PHOTOS: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX John Pass revegetating the spring at Carnarvon. John still in the commented on the rewards of their mud. PHOTOS: JENNI PASS Building the verandah at Ethabuka. work at Tarcutta Hills Reserve: PHOTO: ALASTAIR DERMER

5 Australian 3 Bush Heritage 16 7 Fund 12 17

reserves 20 11

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5 13 19 9 10 21 18 The state and national classifications for threatened communities and 4 species change with time as our understanding of their true conservation status improves. Bush Heritage will always use the latest assessments of status in reporting figures for threatened communities and species on 22 24 23 Bush Heritage reserves. Thus, reported figures may change from year to year. The terms used here are general and indicate that the species or community is listed as threatened by state and/or commonwealth authorities. 1,2 15 6,8 Bush Heritage Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld. PHOTO: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX

5 Kojonup Reserve, WA — purchased 1996 Current reserves The 389 ha Kojonup Reserve is an important remnant 1 Liffey River Reserve, Tas — purchased 1990 of wandoo woodland in south-west WA. It protects at This 105 ha of fern gully and rainforest lies beneath the least 81 species of native birds and three threatened Great Western Tiers on the edge of the World Heritage plant species. It has an intact understorey of herbs, Area. The wet forest is a haven for wildlife including heaths, sedges, orchids and other wildflowers. pygmy possums and Tasmanian devils. Management Management work 2003/04: salinity research and work 2003/04: development and maintenance of walking monitoring, fauna survey, rabbit control. Contributes tracks and interpretation, weed control. Contributes to to the protection of: one significant community and the protection of: one significant community and two seven species at risk. species at risk. 6 Friendly Beaches Reserve, Tas — purchased 1997 2 Drys Bluff Reserve, Tas — purchased 1990 Fringed by Saltwater Lagoon and the sand dunes of This reserve consists of 136 ha of dry sclerophyll forest, Friendly Beaches, this reserve protects 140 ha of coastal typical habitat for many endemic Tasmanian species. The heathland with dry sclerophyll forest, black gum and forest helps to support at least 60 bird species, including marsh-plant communities. Management work 2003/04: the threatened Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle. Management Phytophthora and vegetation monitoring. Contributes to work 2003/04: nothing required; regular monitoring the protection of: four significant communities and visits maintained. Contributes to the protection of: three species at risk. one significant community and two species at risk. 7 Goonderoo Reserve, Qld — purchased 1998 3 Fan Palm Reserve, Qld — purchased 1993 This 593 ha reserve contains nine distinct plant Lowland tropical rainforest is one of the most threatened communities including brigalow woodlands and native habitats in Australia. This 8.17 ha of fan palm forest grasslands, both of which are classified as endangered. adjacent to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area was It protects 142 bird species, at least ten species of snakes threatened by subdivision. It provides habitat for and a wide variety of other wildlife including sugar gliders cassowaries and threatened plant species. Management and koalas. Management work 2003/04: fencing, work 2003/04: fauna surveys, feral animal and weed erosion control, maintenance of firebreaks and roads, control. Contributes to the protection of: one house repairs, flora surveys, weed control. Contributes significant community and 20 species at risk. to the protection of: eight significant communities and seven species at risk. 4 Brogo Reserve, NSW — purchased 1995 At 120 ha, Brogo is one of the largest viable remnants 8 South Esk Pine Reserve, Tas — purchased 1998 of bushland in the Bega Valley in south-east NSW. It is a Located on the banks of the Apsley River on Tasmania's haven for native mammals and many bird species including east coast, this 6.8 ha reserve protects the last large sugar gliders, long-nosed bandicoots and powerful owls. stand of the South Esk pine. A Tasmanian endemic, the Management work 2003/04: fencing, track maintenance, pine is considered to be vulnerable, with only 10 000 weed control, bell miner monitoring. Contributes to trees remaining. Management work 2003/04: weed the protection of: four significant communities and control, vegetation monitoring. Contributes to the seven species at risk. protection of: one significant community and seven species at risk.

6 9 Tarcutta Hills Reserve, NSW — purchased 1999 17 Reedy Creek Reserve, Qld — donated 2004 Tarcutta Hills is a 432 ha reserve of national significance. Protects 452 ha in one of the most intensely used and It protects the largest area of grassy whitebox woodland depleted natural environments in eastern Australia. left in Australia and enjoys an unusual richness of Nine vegetation communities including pandanus-lined species. It provides habitat for the nationally threatened wetlands, Melaleuca forests, Corymbia woodlands and turquoise and swift parrots. Management work threatened vine forests are safeguarded. Bush Heritage 2003/04: fencing maintenance, bird surveys, feral animal will also manage loggerhead and green turtle breeding surveys and control, cabin improvements, weed control, areas on the adjacent beaches. Threatened Dunmall’s solar power installed. Contributes to the snake and beach stone-curlews will have a safe refuge protection of: one significant community and thirteen here. Contributes to the protection of: at least one species at risk. significant community and five species at risk.

10 Burrin Burrin Reserve, NSW — donated 1999 18 Judith Eardley Reserve, Vic – purchased 2005 This reserve protects 411 ha of escarpment forest in This reserve (formerly listed as Wychitella) protects 344 ha the upper reaches of the Shoalhaven River catchment. and five vegetation communities of conservation It provides habitat for sugar and squirrel gliders and significance including grey-box grassy woodland, herb-rich brushtail and ringtail possums. Management work woodland and mallee. It is a high quality habitat with 2003/04: track maintenance. Contributes to the good populations of declining woodland birds including protection of: three significant communities. hooded robins, brown treecreepers and diamond firetails. Management work 2005: mammal and bird surveys; 11 Currumbin Valley Reserve, Qld — donated 1999 grazing exclusion plots and fences currently being erected. Although only 4 ha, this regenerating rainforest reserve Contributes to the protection of: five significant is highly diverse. Together with the adjoining Nicholl communities and six species at risk. Scrub National Park, the reserve contributes to the protection of a significant area of habitat. Management 19 Gondwana Link properties, WA work 2003/04: memorial garden maintenance. – purchased 2005 Contributes to the protection of: seven species at risk. The two properties protect 956 ha of highly diverse remnant bushland in south-west WA. They safeguard 12 Carnarvon Station Reserve, Qld — purchased 2001 a diversity of landforms, natural waterways and many The 59 000 ha Carnarvon Station Reserve adjoins species. They are key properties for the Gondwana Link Carnarvon Gorge National Park. It protects seventeen project that is restoring an extensive corridor of native regional ecosystems, six of which are endangered. vegetation throughout the region. Contribute to the So far 93 bird species and seventeen native mammal protection of: at least five species at risk. species have been recorded. Management work 2003/04: fencing, fuel-reduction burning, vegetation mapping, fauna surveys, building repairs, infrastructure Prospective reserves development, feral animal control, weed control. Contributes to the protection of: six significant 20 Eurardy, WA communities and thirteen species at risk. At 30 066 ha, Eurardy is a wildflower and plant haven. Over 600 species of plants have so far been recorded 13 Chereninup Creek Reserve, WA — purchased 2002 including five endangered or threatened species. Another Chereninup Creek Reserve protects 877 ha of floristically 29 are a priority for protection. Eurardy abuts the Kalbarri spectacular and globally important land in south-west WA. National Park. Will contribute to the protection of: It is the most diverse of all Bush Heritage reserves. So far at least 34 species at risk. twelve major plant communities have been identified and the threatened malleefowl, western whipbird, tammar 21 Nardoo Hills, Vic wallaby and western brushtail possum are protected here. Lying close to the Judith Eardley Reserve, this 260 ha Management work 2003/04: management plan completed, property is of great importance for threatened woodland revegetation. Contributes to the protection of: at least birds. It retains intact examples of grassy woodland and four significant communities and four species at risk. herb-rich woodland communities that are threatened 14 Charles Darwin Reserve (formerly White Wells in south-eastern Australia. Will contribute to the Station), WA — purchased 2003 protection of: four significant communities and five Protects 68 600 ha of york gum, salmon gum, gimlet, species at risk. and sandplain vegetation in the WA wheat belt. Eleven regional ecosystems are represented. Rare and threatened 22 Hunter Island — lease awaiting transfer plants are continually being discovered. The threatened Hunter Island supports six ecological communities that are malleefowl, declining woodland birds and small mammal of conservation significance including the last remnants species are safe here: Management work 2003/04: of white gum woodland in the bioregion. It is a vital staging infrastructure improvement, site cleaning, weed and feral point for the migrating, critically endangered orange- animal control, management planning. Contributes to bellied parrots and has the highest known density of the protection of: at least seven significant communities breeding white-bellied sea eagles. A threatened orchid will and fifteen species at risk. also be protected here. Will contribute to the protection 15 Coalmine Creek, Tas — donated 2003 of: six significant communities and fourteen species at risk. A gift from Dr Judy Henderson, this 20 ha block lies in the Liffey Valley and adjoins the Central Plateau World Heritage Past reserves Area. It protects a mix of wet sclerophyll and rainforest species and abundant ferns. The threatened Tasmanian 23 Deal Island, Bass Strait — lease purchased 1999, wedge-tailed eagle and the white goshawk use the forest. relinquished 2000 Management work 2003/04: management planning. Deal Island was held briefly by Bush Heritage and was returned to the Tasmanian Government in 2000 for 16 Ethabuka, Qld — purchased 2004 inclusion in the proposed Kent Group National Park. Ethabuka protects 213 300 ha of river flood plains, dune systems, clay pans and an ephemeral and semi-permanent wetland system of national significance. It has a remarkable 24 Erith Island, Bass Strait — lease purchased 1997, diversity of mammals, birds and reptiles, including relinquished 2002 the mulgara, woma, Australian bustard, yellow chat Erith Island is rich in flora classified as rare in Tasmania. and chestnut quail-thrush, all listed as threatened. In July 2002 the Erith Island lease was returned to the Management work 2004: infrastructure improvements, Tasmanian Government to facilitate the declaration of initial surveys. Contributes to the protection of: at the Kent Group National Park, which includes Erith, least three significant communities and seven species at risk. Dover and Deal islands.

7 Impressions of Burrin Burrin Reserve In June 2003 photographer foothills in the east. Here, the tall Wayne Lawler spent several forests change to sunnier open forests days at Burrin Burrin Reserve of silver-top ash and woodlands of brittle gum with an understorey Burrin Burrin is mountain country. of Banksia,wattle and heath. Its tall mist-shrouded vaults of ribbon gum and brown barrel resonate with I sat quietly in the sun in the open the lilting calls of the superb lyrebird forest one morning and was treated by day.At night, when the greater to the mimicry and dance of a gliders leap between the straight lyrebird just a couple of metres pillars of this monastic forest, away. I counted eighteen different the accompaniment changes to bird calls in its repertoire, including the haunting ‘woo-w-woo’ of those of summer migrants not then the powerful owl. present.The lyrebird was providing a more complete bird list than This bird must be the terror of the my own! forest. Even to me, sitting ten metres from its roost tree, binoculars to my At times, just after dark, a lyrebird eyes, its yellow-eyed stare and massive gives a sweet, tentative last song talons are intimidating. It must be the in combination with the powerful living nightmare of every possum. owl’s first evocative base notes. It is a surreal mixture of sounds that Yet the gliding possums of Burrin I will always associate with the deep Burrin are abundant.The large forests of Burrin Burrin. greater glider hits the tree trunk with such a slap at the end of its Wayne Lawler, June 2003 glide that the impact sends shock waves through the forest.The little sugar glider is more discreet but its dog-like yelps carry, warning all that an owl is about. Clockwise from below: Sunny brittle gum Eucalyptus mannifera forests. Fungi growing amongst the leaf litter. Burrin Burrin drops from the high Sugar glider. Trigger plant Stylidium sp. Powerful owl. Gourak Range to wild, steeply gullied PHOTOS: WAYNE LAWLER/ECOPIX

8 Making a good thing even better – weeding blitz at Charles Darwin Reserve

Leigh Whisson and Jackie A weeding blitz this coming season Courtenay need your help with can limit any further infestations the weed control program at and help to make Charles Darwin Charles Darwin Reserve Reserve a weed-free zone.

Surveys in the spring months of HOW YOU CAN HELP 2003 and 2004 at Charles Darwin Reserve in south-west Western We need all hands on deck in August Australia showed that less than two 2005.Whether you are able to give per cent of the reserve was affected one day or the whole month, the by weeds. Considering the prolific more support we get, the better spread of weeds throughout the the result will be.Volunteers will country, this was an excellent result. be involved in a range of activities Why then are we planning a weeding from weed mapping and monitoring blitz this August? to weed control. For those who don’t feel able to do the weed work, The weed infestations at Charles there is plenty of other work to do. Darwin Reserve, which we The weeding blitz will be extremely believed to be stable, have proved satisfying, as well as a lot of fun. not to be. In March 2004 severe At the end we hope to see Charles weather dumped about 100 mm Darwin Reserve on the way to being of rain in a couple of days (Bush free of weeds (see Page 10 for details). Heritage News,Winter 2004). Floodwaters, carrying topsoil and For those who will be on the the seeds of weed species, swept reserve for extended periods, time through low-lying areas of the will be set aside so that you can reserve that had previously been explore and enjoy this wonderful free of weeds.With the moist environment. soil, which allowed the seeds to Clockwise from top: Floodwater carried weed seeds into germinate, and no grazing stock low-lying areas. PHOTO: LEIGH WHISSON Green Corp volunteers to eat them, the weeds began to resting on their bags of weeds. Cape weed and double gee Our thanks to Dr Jackie Courtenay at Monger's Well. PHOTOS: JACKIE COURTENAY Ninety-eight per cent flourish. Now we must ‘get’ the who offers her time and expertise as of Charles Darwin Reserve is weed free. a volunteer for many of the activities weeds before they go any further. PHOTO: JIRI LOCHMAN/LOCHMAN TRANSPARENCIES at Charles Darwin Reserve.

9 Species UPDATE

PHOTO: GRAEME CHAPMAN New staff Thanks Common name: Diamond firetail Sandy Gilmore Bush Heritage is grateful to the Scientific name: Stagonopleura guttata has joined Bush Presentation Sisters,Wagga Wagga, Heritage as for a generous donation. Conservation status: Ecologist for Near threatened, nationally southern Australia. The Presentation Sisters,Wagga, have He has worked committed themselves to the care of Diamond firetails live in the eucalypt- extensively on bird communities and our planet through projects such as dominated grassy woodlands of south- their ecology throughout eastern the Ecological Justice Resource eastern Australia. Most of these habitats Australia and has a special interest Centre in Wagga, by facilitating have been cleared or severely modified, in integrating our knowledge of workshops and by trying to live in making them unsuitable for the birds. ecology with how we manage the a sustainable way. By donating to The firetails are also disappearing from land. Sandy will work on selecting Bush Heritage the sisters believe they small areas of remnant grassy woodland. properties for acquisition, and the are continuing their commitment, management planning and research both for present as well as future One of the key factors causing the decline on reserves in temperate Australia. generations. of the firetails is thought to be the replacement of native grasses with Lea-Anne introduced pasture grasses. Where Bradley will be Join the weed blitz at grazing pressure from stock is high, our new Donor Charles Darwin Reserve the grasses also fail to set seed, thus Relations Coordinator. depriving the firetails of their most When: August 2005 She comes from important food. Where: Charles Darwin Reserve, a corporate four hours’ drive north-east of Perth. background and has many years of The Judith Eardley Reserve in Victoria Accommodation: From camping experience in administrative and and the Tarcutta Hills Reserve in New to comfy beds and hot showers. project management roles in Australia South Wales provide safe habitats for Food: Catering will depend on and the United Kingdom.With a this species. numbers. More information will lifelong interest in the environment, be available closer to the time. she volunteers for a number of Booking: For further information environmental organisations and or booking, please contact moved from the corporate world Joelle Metcalf by email to work with Landcare Australia Ltd [email protected] before coming to Bush Heritage. or phone 03 8610 9102, or contact the reserve manager Top: Presentation sisters learn how to make compost. Leigh Whisson by email PHOTO: COURTESY PRESENTATION SISTERS, WAGGA [email protected] or phone 08 9664 5017.

10 We are also supported by other local program. It has enabled a number From the CEO governments around Australia of organisations, including Bush The tremendous enthusiasm and through rate reductions, exemptions Heritage, to achieve far more for painstaking work of volunteers both and collaborative activities. For the conservation of our natural in the office and on the reserves example, in Western Australia several environment than would otherwise never ceases to amaze me.These shires support and encourage be possible. wonderful people ‘get their hands wildflower visits to our reserves. dirty’ and contribute in so many In addition, state governments This collaborative effort from ways. Many people have rallied to our provide us with exemptions from different organisations and individuals call for helpers in the last newsletter some taxes and duties and provide shows how cooperative partners and we now have an expanded team advice and biological data. so effectively advance our mission. of volunteers.Thank you. The impending acquisition of our I want to acknowledge the Victorian twentieth reserve – Eurardy in Support for our information events Government and Premier Bracks for Western Australa – is also testament and field days has also been strong providing a grant that will assist in to this.Thank you for your support and we have enjoyed meeting our the preparation of a management of this latest acquisition and for your supporters.The new Melbourne plan for the recently acquired Judith ongoing help in the management of office has hosted several events and Eardley Reserve.The purchase of all our reserves. I invite supporters to call in.This the reserve was made possible by excellent office space has been made a wonderful gift from the Judith possible by a generous donation from Eardley Save Wildlife Association The Thomas Foundation and a grant and assistance from the Australian from Melbourne City Council for Government under the Natural which we are very grateful.This Heritage Trust's National Reserve support has enabled us to find a System program.Your donations central location, which provides enable us to leverage significant us with many ongoing benefits. support from this targeted grants

In memory lover of the bush and felt that Bush Anthony and Anett Azzopardi celebrated Heritage was a great organisation to the wedding of Claire Nuttgens and Iris Nicolades donated in memory of give to’. Dr Ken Hughes donated in Martin Gauci, and Ken and Jan Jennifer Pritchard, and many friends memory of Kathy Glinsky,‘a close Ritson the wedding of To m and and family gave for Sven Sternfeldt. friend of the family lost in the Tsunami’. Mikala Atkinson, ‘two lovely and Len and Christine Riding donated in caring young people’. Ian Pitt and memory of Mrs Lorrene Spurgin, In celebration Elizabeth Sheen donated to celebrate ‘who loved the Australian bush and their own recent wedding. wildlife’. Pamela Hydon remembered Constance (Jenny) and Ted Whyte Robert James McKeown on the celebrated the 50th birthday of their Helen Bruinier donated to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. son David. Gillian Perrinent sent a gift occasion of her 15th wedding anniversary as a present for her mother Jean on to Jean Jacques who died in 2000. Anne Burhop gave for her mother her 80th birthday. Peter Canet celebrated his and Amy F Bainbridge, who ‘loved her Ivanka’s 25th wedding anniversary. garden and the Western Port Bay area Jo Beer celebrated the birth of her of Victoria’. Muriel Story Edwards, godson Bryn Campbell Jobling, Many friends and family gave for the Robert Edwards and Nony Edwards born January 2005, and Ben Clark wedding of Roy Leeman (former sent a gift for their mother Sybil Story, gave to honour the births of Bush Heritage staff member) and Deb ‘a tireless worker for the conservation Nicholas Paul Jemmeson to Paul Kinnon. Mel Laidlaw, Paul Finn and of the Australian bush’. Rae Boyd and Debra, and Sarah Antonia Narelle McCallum donated for the donated in memory of her sister Weymouth to Paul and Kylie. wedding of Sue and Justin Leigh. Ellie Boyd,‘who enjoyed the wild- Brian Wythes donated as a living gift Rosemary and Kieran Martin, Dorothy flowers of Western Australia with me’. for Sylvia and Anthony Wythes, Edwards, Ben Curtis and Stephen and Aviva Cohen as a gift for Fletcher all gave to mark the wedding Sandra Rosenbrock sent a gift for of Karyn Rayner and Craig Mauger. Peter Rosenbrock,‘who was a great Gerald Cohen. 11 Getting involved If you are interested in either the Volunteer Ranger Program, working WORKING BEES bees or other volunteer activities, please contact Joelle Metcalf on Bush Heritage working bees are [email protected] generally a weekend affair and involve or phone 03 8610 9102. camping, some hard work and a lot of fun.The tasks depend on the FIELD DAYS management priorities of the reserve but include collecting seed, restoring Come on guided visits to some of wetlands, maintaining tracks, removing our reserves and learn more about fences, undertaking surveys and, of these special areas. Places are limited course, weeding.This year we are so please register your interest soon. undertaking a special month-long working bee at Charles Darwin September: Reserve,WA, to help eradicate the Chereninup Creek Reserve,WA, weeds (see Pages 9 and 10). Please field day, Saturday 10. No cost. have a look at the calendar below Charles Darwin Reserve,WA, field and pitch in where you can. weekend, Saturday 24 to Sunday 25. At the weekend working bees your Cost: $60 food will be provided, including a well-earned hearty barbecue on the For information on attending field Saturday evening. trips, or to RSVP,please contact Katrina Blake on 03 8610 9124, August: Charles Darwin Reserve, fax 03 8610 9199 or email WA, throughout the month [email protected] September: Brogo Reserve, NSW, Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 October: Burrin Burrin Reserve, NSW,Saturday 1 to Sunday 2 Tarcutta Hills Reserve, NSW, From top: Robin McIntyre and Christine Rand working at Tarcutta Hills Reserve, NSW. Graham North at work. Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 PHOTOS: OWEN WHITTAKER Working bee at Tarcutta Hills Reserve, NSW. November: Liffey River Reserve, PHOTO: JOELLE METCALF Tas, Saturday 5 to Sunday 7 Printed on combination 50% recycled and 50% plantation fibre. ✂ Return to: Australian Bush Heritage Fund, Reply Paid 329, Flinders Lane VIC 8009 buying back Freecall: 1300 NATURE Fax: 03 8610 9199 Email: [email protected] Website: www.bushheritage.org Office address: Level 5/395 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Phone: 03 8610 9100 the bush Australian Bush Heritage Fund is a company limited by guarantee ABN 78 053 639 115

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