December Journal

Journal of the Australasian Cave and Karst Management Association

Page 1 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012

No. 89 December 2012 Australia Post- Print Post Approved: PP381624/02050. ISSN 1835-537 Published Quarterly The ACKMA Journal ACKMA Inc. OFFICE BEARERS 2012-2013 Official Publication of the Australasian Cave and President Karst Management Association Incorporated Peter Chandler Email: [email protected] Published quarterly in March, June, September and New Zealand Vice President December Dave Smith Email: [email protected] The opinions expressed in the ACKMA Journal are those of the individual authors and not necessarily Australian Vice President those of ACKMA Inc. or its officers. Dan Cove Email: [email protected] EDITOR: Steve Bourne Executive Officer SUB EDITORS: Andy Spate, Tony Culberg Catherine Sellars Email: [email protected] Photos taken by the authors or editor unless Treasurer and Membership Officer otherwise acknowledged. Grant Gartrell Email: [email protected] PRINTER: Hansen Print, Smith Street, Naracoorte, South Australia 5271. Ph: (08) 623699 Publications Officer and ASF Liaison Officer ACKMA Inc. is cross affiliated, or otherwise Steve Bourne Email: [email protected] associated with: Conference Convener Australian Speleological Federation, New Zealand Libby Chandler Email: [email protected] Speleological Society, Australasian Bat Society, The WCPA Working Group on Cave and Karst Committee member Protection, Guiding Organisations Australia, Bat Sasa Kennedy Email: [email protected] Conservation International, American Cave Conservation Association, International Show Committee Member Caves Association, Cave Diving Association of John Brush Email: [email protected] Australia, The Malaysian Karst Society, The Jenolan Caves Historical & Preservation Society Committee Member and the USA National Speleological Society Cave Kirsty Dixon Email: [email protected] Conservation and Management Section LIFE MEMBERS of ACKMA Inc. Webmaster Rauleigh Webb Email: [email protected] Michael Chalker*, Peter Chandler*, Brian Clark*, Alan Costigan, Kent Henderson*, Elery Hamilton- International Relations Officer Smith*, Ernst Holland*, Greg Martin*, Chester Andy Spate Email: [email protected] Shaw*, Andy Spate*, Clyde Stiff, Dianne Vavryn*, Rauleigh Webb*, Kevan Wilde*, David Public Officer Williams*. Miles Pierce Email: [email protected] (*previously elected as Fellows) FELLOWS of ACKMA Inc. John Ash, Anne Augusteyn, Peter Bell, Steve Bourne, Dale Calnin, Deborah Carden, Arthur IN THIS ISSUE Clarke, Grant Gartrell, Ken Grimes, Ian Houshold, Editorial - Steve Bourne Page 3 Neil Kell, Kevin Keirnan, Lana Little, Robyn McBeath, Cathie Plowman, Dennis Rebbechi, Presidents Message - Peter Chandler Page 6 Barry Richard, Dave Smith, Nicholas White, Anne Lascaux II- Rolan Eberhard Page 7 Wood, Phil Wood. Jenolan Caves Interpretation - Anne Musser Page 10 ACKMA PRESIDENTS Middleton Plaqued - Steve Bourne Page 13 Ernst Holland 1987-91, Andy Spate 1991-95, Cave Rescue - Deborah Carden Page 15 Michael Chalker 1995-97, Greg Martin 1997-99, Waitomo Conference Page 17 Brian Clark1999-2001, Peter Dimond 2001-02, Waitomo Conference Registration Form Page 22 Peter Chandler 2002-03, Robyn McBeath 2003-05, Waitomo Conference Update Page 25 Steve Bourne 2005-11, Peter Chandler 2011- Notes from Naracoorte Caves - Deborah Carden Page 29 FRONT COVER:. Spellbound Glowworm Cave Yarrangobilly Caves House - Andy Spate Page 31 Tour. Photo: Peter Chandler A very important word- David Summers Page 32 BACK COVER: Top left. Gypsum speleothem, ISCA Conference - Dan Cove Page 34 Waitomo. Photo: Peter Bosted. Bottom left. Vivienne’s Needle, Gardner’s Gut Research Congress Report - Alessio Fabbricatore Page 35 Cave. Photo: NZSS collection. Book Reviews - Andy Spate Page 39 Top right. Caves of the Spirit. Photo: Spellbound Mulu Quiz Page 42 Tours. Bottom right. Ruakuri Cave development - Notice of AGM Page 43 contractor encouragement. Photo: John Ash.

Page 2 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 EDITORIAL

FROM THE EDITOR

The ACKMA Waitomo conference looms ever closer! Full financial profit. ACKMA life member Brian Clark and I details for the conference are included in this journal have discussed this often and Brian puts it very including an update from the organisers. Even though succinctly; commercial activities in parks should be the conference is to be held off peak tourism season, seen as partial cost recovery strategies rather than Waitomo is a very busy site so it’s best to book early. I profit makers. also encourage you to prepare a paper and share the The privatisation of Jenolan Caves is once again in the work you are doing at your site. New South Wales (NSW) government’s thinking, as In this journal, we once again have a variety of articles. shown in these newspaper clippings. It must be tough Alessio Fabbricatore, Director of Grotte Gigante, Italy, times for Dan Cove and the Jenolan crew, when has provided a report on the Congress held in Ministers make statements like “the precinct had the September in Slovenia, at one of my favorite cave sites, potential to be a premier tourist attraction, but it had Skocjanske Jama. I was particularly interested in the “failed to flourish.””(emphasis mine- editor). work of Prof. Heros Lobo on the impacts of visitors to Jenolan Caves has been enormously successful in the show caves. Some of his work, Projection of tourist NSW and Australian Tourism Awards, winning the scenarios onto fragility maps: Framework for Australian Tourism Awards for the Best Tourist determination of provisional carrying capacity in a Attraction in 2011. At the 2012 NSW awards celebrated Brazilian show cave has been published recently in in November, Jenolan Caves was awarded a silver award Tourism Management. Copyright restrictions prevent in the Tourist Attraction category for The Magic of publication in this journal, but it is available on line or Jenolan, a gold award in the Ecotourism category for contact me for a copy. Prof. Lobo has indicated he will Jenolan Caves - Ancient Underworld, and a gold award publish another study with his colleagues in the in the Heritage and Cultural Tourism category for ACKMA journal. Jenolan Caves - Written in Stone. The balance between preserving the cave environment and the need for a site to generate revenue is challenge for all managers. I know first hand the pressure during the busy times to put just a few more visitors on each tour to cater for large numbers: more pressure on the guide and the cave environment. In Australia, it appears most state governments are reducing budgets in the environmental sector and looking for more ways to generate revenue to offset budget cuts. The point that seems to be continually missed is that national parks and tourism do have a mutualistic relationship, but that does not mean their operations can generate a

Clippings from the Sydney Morning Herald announcing plans to privatise Jenolan Caves.

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This is a very mixed message. The substantial paper at the Buchan Caves guides conference on a investment into Jenolan Caves has been rewarded with palaeontological tour of Jenolan caves and presents her the reinvigoration of Australia’s premier cave attraction, ideas here. It shows the opportunities that are available leading the way with lighting and the diversification of in caves to tell many different stories using the same tours creating a wealth of visitor experiences. The letter cave or caves. below published in response to the plans may voice the concerns of many.

Anne Musser speaking at the Buchan Caves guide conference

Greg Middleton’s contribution to caves on Rodrigues has been recognised in a ceremony held at Francois Leguat Nature Reserve on the island. I have seen first hand Greg’s work and the high regard the locals have for him and this recognition is thoroughly deserved.

Some cave systems operate very successfully in the private sector. Princess Margaret Rose Caves in Victoria and Gunns Plains Caves in Tasmania are two under private operation, but still have government investment for major infrastructure upgrades. This could be a good topic for discussion at the Waitomo conference with its theme of “The Triple Bottom Line.” This journal has a contribution from Dr Anne Musser, Greg Middleton (right) at a dinner in 2006 on Rodrigues who works at Jenolan Caves as a guide. Anne is a held at the launch of a book by Julian Hume. Owen palaeontologist by training and spent many years Griffiths, founder of the Francois Leguat Nature Reserve in which Grande Caverne and other caves are located, is researching the Riversleigh fossil site. Anne presented a second from left.

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Rolan Eberhard provides a critique on the value of Andy Spate has reviewed two books and has also artificial caves, following a visit to Lascaux II in France. circulated others through the email list. I appreciate any David Summers, President of the International Show reviews of books that members purchase and am happy Caves Association (ISCA) provided his address from the to publish reviews such as what Andy ahas provided. recent ISCA conference and Dan Cove a short report plus Andy Spate has also provided the following: an interesting image. Those ACKMA people who attended the AGM in Wee Deborah Carden has a holiday with a difference, Jasper last May contributed about $1600 to the Wee involving herself in a cave rescue of Derek Lipyeat on a Jasper Primary School as a result of the auction I trip home to New Zealand. I am sure there are some conducted and with Ian Cathles donating his fossil tour lessons to be learnt from this, but I for one hope I can fees to the school!!! These monies were used to support still get underground of my own free will when I am 83! whole of school excursions and equipment for the school. Deborah also provides an update of current happenings at Naracoorte. I met Derek briefly at the 2005 ACKMA I attended the Wee Jasper School Presentation Night on 13 conference at Westport and remember his carbide lamp December – an evening to remember as always! This year with the largest flame you have ever seen. the 13 students – who all received a prize for their work through the year – provided the many parents and Wee Jasper community members with a few great hours of song and dance followed by a wonderful country dinner. Principal Mark Sullivan (who helped cook and serve our AGM dinner) specifically mentioned the fabulous support that the ACKMA AGM provided. Your generous contributions were not wasted. Thank you.

The Wee Jasper School presentation night. Photo: Andy Spate

Dr Lindy Lumsden has completed a Draft Recovery Plan for the Southern Bentwing Bat. This plan is of most relevance to the south east of South Australia and western Victoria where this species lives, but many of the actions proposed within the plan are relevant to all cave dwelling bats.

Top. Moira and Derek Lipyeat in a cave. Bottom. Derek rests after the rescue. Photos: Sourced from NZ news website. Right. Southern Bentwing Bat. Photo: Steve Bourne.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Peter Chandler

On behalf of Libby and me, I would like to take this It is always a question to me whether the co-owner/ opportunity to wish ACKMA members and their families manager of a cave tour should spend time at the coal best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. face guiding tours, when many do not. Guiding tours can be time consuming, tiring and challenging, but as I would like to express my condolences to family friends long as some time is allowed for the other duties, some and ISCA members on the death of Giannis (John) guiding has rewards in meeting nice people and keeping Zalavras, Manager of Perama Cave, Ioannina, Greece, in touch with the very essence of the way the cave is who was gunned down in his office 26 November 2012. managed by the ticket proceeds rather than outside Some members may wish to contribute to the memorial funding. fund that David Summers is coordinating; this could be done at the Waitomo conference. There is always time though to join some fellow Hamilton Tomo Group cavers for some classic summer Talking of the Waitomo Conference, at some past cave trips walking up the Mangawhitikau stream from conferences some funding has been available to sponsor Spellbound/Masons to the Koropupu Cave and Scenic student of others via the life members fund. An email Reserve and a through trip of Waipuna cave. Parts of to the ACKMA list will circulate soon with criteria for this will be available as pre-conference caving in May. this and a cut off date likely to be 31 January, to allow the successful applicant(s) to organise their Celina Yapp at the Waitomo Museum Society recently presentation and travel plans. hosted a group of around 50 people for a family reunion of the late Henry Lambert, who founded the New As usual the summer Christmas/New Year break in this Zealand Speleological Society in 1949. John Pybus, hemisphere is characterised by big visitor numbers for member number two, and his wife Jessica were also in cave managers and staff, while the majority of the attendance. populace is on holiday. I hear reports that big numbers through the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, in combination Due to unfavourable tide times and an increase in with some certain weather patterns, have caused some patronage, the Waitomo post conference tour is likely to short term peaks in CO2 levels requiring some limits on cruise the Whaingaroa (Raglan) Harbour with its coastal visitors. Historically this cave has experienced huge Karst as opposed to the less accessible Kawhia Harbour. crowds over holiday weekends.

Rainbow over the valley where Spellbound Tours operates. Photo: Spellbound Tours.

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IN PRAISE of ARTIFICIAL CAVES: IMPRESSIONS of LASCAUX II Rolan Eberhard

We eschew copies and representations in favour of like material. Artificial caves serve a variety of originals, which is unfortunate because this sometimes overlapping purposes: preoccupation with authenticity gives rise to perverse Tourism/recreation/education – typically revenue- outcomes. For example, thousands queue for a glimpse generating devices marketed, in their own right or as of the real Mona Lisa, when they can view very adequate adjuncts to other attractions, on the basis of novelty, representations of the same for less cost and spectacle, challenge or authenticity e.g. Lascaux II, inconvenience via a choice of different media. Such is Altamira II, Tambourine Mountain Glow Worm Caves, the power of iconic things. However, if the icon is lost or theme park caves. inaccessible, then a copy or substitute assumes greater significance and may start to be valued highly in its own Landscape/aesthetic – ‘grottos’ in garden settings, right. There is no better illustration of this than Lascaux generally associated with water features, sculpture and II, the ferro-concrete version of the famous Lascaux sometimes baths e.g. numerous European examples Cave in France. from the 16th century onwards (inspired by earlier Greek and Hellenistic examples). Lascaux II is an example of an artificial cave – a built structure that seeks to replicate characteristics Conservation – copies or models to alleviate pressure on normally associated with natural caves, notably the real caves or replicate certain cave conditions in a existence of enclosed spaces subject to darkness or at controlled manner for conservation purposes e.g. least lack of direct light, within a mass of rock or rock- Lascaux II, Altamira II, Tennessee bat cave.

Marshalling Area: Lascaux II

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Spiritual/religious – monuments of caves to depict or and pleasure of aristocratic patrons, conferring prestige engage their cosmological attributes e.g. Mesoamerican on the owner through the richness or ingenuity of Mayan cave temples. decorative effects and other enhancements. Marie Antoinette’s grotto at Versailles was modest in scale and Personal/professional – indoor or outdoor structures more naturalistic, inspired by romantic notions of where groups or individuals can experience challenge, bucolic engagement with the natural world. The scale learn skills, or test equipment and techniques e.g. and variety of generic-type artificial caves is constrained prefabricated modular caves produced commercially. only by imagination, engineering practicalities and Various other built structures resemble artificial caves available resources. and are sometimes loosely referred to as caves, such as In contrast to generic-type artificial cave, facsimile-type tunnels and bunkers for shelter, storage or defence artificial caves are copies of actual caves or parts thereof. purposes, dwellings comprising artificial cavities in cliffs This arguably presents a greater challenge. First, the or slopes, or even abandoned mines. The resemblance of existence of an original (assuming it remains extant) such structures to caves is incidental – they are not an inevitably questions the need to attempt to replicate it expression of a conscious desire to recreate an actual or and the authenticity of the result. Second, convincingly hypothetical cave. We could call these cave-like reproducing an actual landform and associated structures rather than artificial caves. attributes is not a trivial thing to do, depending on the Unlike Lascaux II, the majority of artificial caves do not level of precision required. Unsurprisingly, facsimile-type seek to replicate actual caves, in the sense of individual caves are rarely attempted. Examples include Lascaux II landforms with unique site-specific attributes; rather, and its Spanish counterpart Altamira II. Both seek to they are informed by a generic concept of caves, the replicate iconic prehistoric art sites formerly open to the attributes of which are selected and manipulated for public but now closed because of damage to the integrity particular purposes. In the case of the Tennessee bat of the art. cave, environmental characteristics conducive to healthy Lascaux’s story is well known: the cave was discovered in bat populations are emphasised at the expense of those 1940 and opened to the public from 1948 to 1963, when likely to promote white nose syndrome. In contrast, it was noticed that the paintings were being affected by Baroque garden grottos were structured for the comfort ‘la maladie verte’ – an explosion of microbial activity

Entrance to Lascaux II Page 8 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 REPORT

triggered by changes to the cave atmosphere. Despite artistic sensibility and consummate control of the media closure to all but limited scientific access, Lascaux’s available to them. problems have continued and the longer term integrity of What to make of the experience? The prehistoric art itself the art is unclear. As part of a suite of prehistoric sites in is certainly powerful, both in imagery and its the area, Lascaux became a world heritage property in connotations for the evolution of human consciousness. 1979. The project to create a facsimile of the principal The reproductions in Lascaux II are convincing; that is, decorated galleries was launched in 1972, culminating in there is nothing obviously fake or amateurish about the opening of Lascaux II in 1983. them. For all practical purposes they look real or close to My knowledge of Lascaux II is based primarily on a real, acknowledging that I have limited knowledge of recent visit there as a tourist. The installation – a buried European prehistoric art and have not seen the originals. bunker-like structure with an entrance at one end and On the other hand, it is not possible to entirely suspend an exit at the other – is a few hundred metres from real one’s disbelief and ignore the fact that the whole thing is Lascaux. It is likewise approached via a descending flight contrived. This is not necessarily a barrier to enjoyment of steps and a set of heavy metal doors. Whereas real and appreciation. There are strong parallels here with Lascaux is peacefully deserted behind a high fence, viewing objects and copies of objects in the ex situ Lascaux II buzzes with tourists and busloads of school setting of a museum. In this case the ‘museum’ is children. Visitors are marshalled at a shelter outside and Lascaux II and its purpose is showcasing Lascaux in the then taken through the ‘cave’ in batches, in our case an form of a partial facsimile of itself. This notion is English language one. Tours last approximately 40 reinforced by nearby Le Thot, which houses minutes. An element of parade-ground rigour is attached reproductions of the remaining 75% of decorated panels to the proceedings, which is possibly unavoidable given at Lascaux using a more conventional museum format. the limited space within the underground portion of the Both Lascaux II and Le Thot are cave-based enterprises facility and the numbers involved – the guide told me that do not require clients to engage with real caves. As 300,000 per year. The French penchant for pooches is such, they provide case studies at one end of a spectrum accommodated, as indicated by a sign advising that of potential responses to the conflict between the public accompanying animals are fine provided their owners presentation of caves and the consequences of this in carry them; however, noisy children are not tolerated and terms of the degradation of cave environments. Local instructed to leave. factors which make this possible are clearly unusual and The first part of the ‘cave’ is a room that serves the presently replicated in very few other places. double purpose of housing an introductory display while Nevertheless, a model has been established with providing a convenient place for yarding visitors, pending potential to become increasingly pertinent as the the party ahead vacating the next section. At this point cumulative effects of cave-based activities accrue and on the tour, the guide stresses the veracity of Lascaux II our awareness of these becomes more acute. The in reproducing the internal morphology of the original approach adopted falls short of the even more vicarious Lascaux and the art within it. This is a recurring theme digitally-based approaches to experiencing caves, of the contemporary Lascaux experience. The visitor is although these too are well catered for in the case of encouraged to appreciate both the technical skill of the Lascaux (see http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/#/fr/ people who created the original art and the technical 02_00.xml). The shame of it all for Lascaux is that skill of modern engineers and artisans who accomplished opening the cave to tourists was a mistake which could Lascaux II. Visitors are made aware that although real have been avoided, had it been recognised earlier that Lascaux has been degraded in the process of presenting substituting a facsimile was a viable alternative. it to the public, visitors now have the opportunity to experience the cave without compounding past damage. In this way Lascaux II’s status as an artificial cave is marketed as a virtue, and indeed this is not without foundation. A second set of doors lead from the antechamber through to the main part of Lascaux II. This is a tunnel- like passage about 200 m long, based on the Bull’s Chamber and Axial Gallery sections of Lascaux. These constitute about 25% of the original cave and reputedly contain the best of the art. The paintings are in charcoal and ochre and dominated by depictions of large ice age mammals. Stylistic conventions are strong but even so the beasts on the wall possess a convincing realism in many cases. The overall coherence and dramatic effect of the various elements within each panel is striking. The original artwork was clearly conceived and executed by people with intimate knowledge of their subjects, a deep Lascaux painting. Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons and used with permission. Photo: Prof Saxx

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OFF the TRACK with BONES and STONES: BRINGING JENOLAN CAVES’ PAST to LIFE

Anne Musser

I work at Jenolan Caves as tour guide, but am a terrestrial insect species, dating from the time of our vertebrate palaeontologist by training. My primary limestone formation, that are still living in our caves palaeontological interests are monotreme mammals and (cave-adapted springtails, or Collombola). The tiny the biotas of Mesozoic and Pleistocene Australia. I have spiders that prey on springtails may also be seen if one a longstanding relationship with the Australian is particularly lucky. Museum in Sydney, where I am an Honorary Research Associate, and have been a show cave guide at Jenolan Caves west of Sydney for four years. As a guide and Jenolan resident, I have become deeply interested in the palaeontological history of the caves and of the Reserve - how could I not? Jenolan Caves are some of the most spectacular in Australia if not the world, and the Reserve is home to many species of rare or endangered animals and plants (including Brush- tailed Rock-wallabies and Spotted-tailed Quolls, seen on a regular basis around the Reserve). The caves are also the oldest open, dated caves known (Osborne et al. 2006), adding greatly to their prehistoric allure. As time allows between guiding and museum work, I am conducting surveys of show caves and wild caves for vertebrate fossils with the help of the highly experienced Jenolan staff and members of Sydney University Speleological Society (SUSS). These surveys include the A late Silurian brachiopod in cross section in recording and identification of previously known Imperial Cave. specimens and the discovery of additional fossil bones or deposits, leaving each survey area as found. Future plans may include limited excavations once the caves My work has progressed to the point where a story is have been surveyed and priorities established. emerging – the ‘lost world’ of the Jenolan karst– a story I feel would be of interest to many of Jenolan’s visitors. Vertebrate fossils identified to date by these surveys To this end, I have presented a proposal to Dan Cove, include Pleistocene species such as the diprotodontoid Manager of Caves Operations, for a palaeontology- Zygomaturus, a cow-sized plant-eating marsupial that themed tour highlighting the fossils and karst features perhaps became lost in the caves many thousands of that can be seen in our caves and around the Reserve. years ago. Previously discovered ‘keystone’ species Jenolan’s prehistoric past can be illustrated by the include the Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus species) and numerous fossils seen in various show caves, older Tasmanian Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus). ‘Ice parts of the show cave system not generally shown to Age Jenolan’ was a world of megafauna, Aboriginal visitors, and in open areas like the Devils Coach House habitation and now-extinct small mammals like the with its fine limestone outcrops and owl pellet bone Mountain Pygmy Possum living here when the Jenolan deposits. Such in-depth interpretation would not be area was a much colder place. possible on standard show cave tours. Along with fellow guide Ted Matthews, I am also looking In addition to the general public, it is anticipated that a at the late Silurian invertebrates that comprise the palaeo-themed tour (or series of tours) would be of Jenolan limestone. Excellent examples of straight- interest to schools and specialist clubs (a ‘trial tour’ was shelled nautiloids (relatives of the living chambered given to members of the Riversleigh Society, a nautilus) can be seen in the walls of show caves, along palaeontological organisation based in Sydney). Tours with numerous shellfish (brachiopods in particular), could run as a special holiday offering and/or as special corals and other marine invertebrates. In addition to the bookings (details are yet to be finalised). Current plans denizens of our long-gone reefs, Jenolan is home to are to run the tour like our ‘Off the Track’ night tour, living relict species whose ancestry is every bit as where visitors are outfitted with caving helmets and ancient. There are syncarid crustaceans inhabiting lights in order to navigate old show caves and passages. subterranean waterways most likely descended from marine species here when the Jenolan area was a The layout of Jenolan Caves - divided via the Grand Silurian sea. We also have some of oldest known Arch into North Side Caves and South Side Caves –

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Coach House. The Devils Coach House is a fascinating site illustrating several key concepts: there are subaerial stromatolites, owl pellet deposits, rock-wallaby habitat, limestone uplift, and the Aboriginal Dreamtime Cave seen high up on the limestone. The North Side caves include the Imperial, Diamond, Jersey and Chifley caves, all of which have significant fossils and geological features on display or within the less accessible parts of the caves. Tasmanian Devil and rock-wallaby bones are on display in the Imperial Cave along with fine examples of Silurian invertebrates. The bones of a young thylacine, most likely too fragile to remove, lie off the path in the seldom-visited Jersey Cave. Further into the cave system the Diamond Cave includes a small pond with springtails, a wall of limestone invertebrates, and sections of palaeokarst. Bones in flowstone can be seen on the path up to the A partial skeleton of a small macropod in Lucas Cave Chifley Cave. The huge skull of a Pleistocene herbivore – probably a Zygomaturus – is encased in crystal off the Wilkinson Branch; although the skull cannot be seen lends itself well to development of two different but directly, it is just out of sight and will provide an complementary tours: a tour of the North Side system interesting ‘talking point’ for the tour. and a tour of the South Side system. Both North Side South Side caves with important fossils or features and South Side tours would include a visit to the Devils include the Lucas, Cerberus, River and Temple of Baal

An Eastern Horseshoe Bat skeleton in Ribbon Cave

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caves. The tour would begin with a look at a small macropod skeleton along the Lucas exit path then proceed to Bone Cave (where I have recently surveyed megafauna bones just out of sight). The Pool of Cerberus, accessible off the River path, has an articulated rock- wallaby skeleton deep in the cave. Proceeding along the River path, visitors can see a small bat skeleton in the Tower Chamber and palaeokarst in the Mud Tunnels. Exiting out through the Temple of Baal, it is again possible to see living springtails as well as a wall of invertebrates (including beautiful nautiloid fossils) and the study site for the dating of clays in the Baal. Jenolan is a natural laboratory, teaching us much about geological time, changes in animal and plant communities due to factors such as climate change, the critical roles karst areas play in preserving ancient relict species, and the current role reserves like Jenolan play in the conservation of living but threatened species. It is hoped that putting together this information in a themed Above. Paleaokarst deposit in Diamond Cave, possibly tour and taking the visitor back through the long and of Devonian age. rich history of the Jenolan area will result in not only a Below. Subaerial stromatolites in Nettle Cave. deeper appreciation of Jenolan’s unique heritage but a greater understanding of Australia’s history through deep geological time.

References

Osborne, R. A. L., Zwingmann, H., Pogson, R. E. and Colchester, D. M., 2006. Carboniferous clay deposits from Jenolan Caves, New South Wales: implications for timing of speleogenesis and regional geology. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, Vol. 53(3), 377-405.

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MIDDLETON PLAQUED! Steve Bourne

A few years back, I visited Mauritius and Rodrigues with The plaque is in both English and French; the English Greg Middleton (see ACKMA Journal 74 March 2009 for version reads: an account of this trip). I keep in occasional contact GRANDE CAVERNE with Greg, hoping maybe one day I can line up another trip with him. Greg travels to these two islands and A great deal of careful planning, design and effort went “nearby” Madagascar regularly. He recently returned into fitting out the 500 metres of Grande Caverne to from another trip and gave me an update from make it possible for visitors to enjoy its beauty and Rodrigues. grandeur in safety and relative comfort. This endeavour began in late 1990s with the bulk of the construction One of the reasons Greg travels to Rodrigues regularly work being carried out between May and August is to undertake maintenance on the lighting system he 2007, directed by Mr Gregory Middleton, Cave installed in Grande Caverne. Greg did a terrific job of Management Consultant from Tasmania, Australia. the lighting of this cave using Weidmuller LED lights. The project was the first of its kind to be undertaken in On this occasion, he was part of a ceremonial plaque the Mascarenes and required the application of some unveiling, which in part, recognises his contribution to special skills in unusual conditions. the development of the cave. Those who were involved in the pioneering construction works, apart from the staff of the Reserve, were: AUGUSTIN Kioni BEGUE Bruno COLLET Jameson MARTIN Raffendy PIERRE-PRUDENCE Joseph Devi LOUIS Ringo PRUDENCE Sensonne RAVINA Basil RAVINA Jean Daniel RAVINA Jean Paul RAVINA Jorkenson RAVINA J. Livingstone SPEVILLE Jean Claude WONG CHUNG Daniel

Unveiled by Ms Sandrine PIERRE, President (2012-13) of the Rotary Club of Rodrigues on 5th October 2012.

Top. Grande Caverne entrance. Photo: Steve Bourne Bottom. Those responsible with the plaque (Manager Ms Sandrine Pierre does the honours. Aurèle André is front centre). Photo: Arnaud Meunier. Photo: Arnaud Meunier.

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Next day the local paper, L'Express Rodrigues, carried the attached piece. Greg has provided a rough translation. TRANSLATION: A plaque to acknowledge the contribution of local workers Photo souvenir of those who have rehabilitated Grande Caverne.

The company, François Leguat Ltd., unveiled a plaque in recognition of workers who had worked on the fitting out of Grande Caverne at Anse Quitor. The ceremony took place on Friday, 5 October, at the entrance to Grande Caverne, at the Tortoise and Caves Reserve. Gregory Middleton, Cave Management Consultant, had deliberately travelled from Tasmania, an island near Australia, for the occasion.*

According to Aurèle Anquetil André, director of the reserve, this work began in 2007. "It's Mario Tolbize who put me in touch with Gregory Middleton.** Gregory then came and told us how to fit out the cave,” he said. He had, he said, made a secure path over a distance of 500 metres and electrically lit it, among other work. "People do not believe it. However, we succeeded and future generations will see what their elders have been able to accomplish in just eight weeks," Aurèle André said with pride. In 2011, more than 20,000 people visited the cave. "It recognises the value of the people who have worked to make this place what it is today," he said, referring to the commemorative plaque. For Gregory Middleton, it is an honor to have been associated with this project. "Now I am obliged to return all the time, because I have fallen for Rodrigues. I hope everyone appreciates the true value of the fantastic work done by this team," he said with emotion.

Sandrine Pierre, president of the Rotary Club of Rodrigues for the year 2012-13, who also participated in the unveiling of the plaque says that the cave is not only a place of recreation for families, but also a means to educate the young about environment and ecology. "Promoting the ecological aspect of the island, to discover the flora and fauna are essential for the development and education of our children," she said.

Basile Ravina used his expertise in developing the cave. "Today I am proud that Gregory finds that we have done a good job. He trusted us. I can die tomorrow and future generations will see what I have done. My name i s o n t h i s plaque," he said with pride and barely contained excitement. Five years have since passed. And will remain forever etched in the story of Rodrigues”.

*This is inaccurate; Greg didn’t know it was going to happen and had been in Madagascar. *Another bit of journalistic license; Greg didn’t know him.

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CAVE RESCUE (MOIRA’S HEROIC WALK) Deborah Carden

On holiday in Punakaiki, NZ’s South Island West Coast, I was dog-and-cat sitting while one daughter and her partner were holidaying too. As I was closing up the house to drive to Reefton to see my other daughter and her family there was noise at the door - voices calling, dog barking. My visitors were 82-year-old Canterbury caver and ACKMA member Moira Lipyeat and my partner’s son Nick Wright. Moira said that Derek, her husband, had gone into Kubla Khan Cave the night before and had not returned. Kubla Khan is part of the five-kilometre Xanadu system in the Bullock Creek polje, Paparoa National Park comprising Cairns Catacombs, Kubla Khan and Xanadu caves. Xanadu is a fascinating system and one of the great recreational hard rock karst areas in the South Island, with sections suitable for beginner cavers to Xanadu and Kubla Khan Caves entrances are in the others experienced. One critical aspect to watch with shadow on the right of the photo. Photo: Les Wright regard this system is that it is regularly flushed with floodwaters when Bullock Creek fills and overflows into The decision was to go and find me. To reach me they the myriad of its subterranean streams. This of course had to walk nearly a kilometre up the steepest driveway also opens and closes entrances and gives cavers new on the West Coast. places to explore. As a result Kubla Khan currently has two entrances - Derek had taken to exploring via the On hearing Moira’s story I called emergency services, lower, newer one. explained the situation to the police and gave them SAR co-ordinators details. An unhappy dog was locked in The weather had been fine for two days before Derek the house, Nick took Moira back to his place, I called in and Moira visited and was forecast to remain so for to the Conservation Dept’s Punakaiki base to find the another day. Derek loves Kubla Khan. Virtually every police talking to the Visitor Centre Manager on the time they visit the coast he’d make a beeline for it, phone, arranging to use the DOC workshop as the SAR searching for new passages and for connections into the base. adjacent Xanadu Cave section. This time they arrived in the afternoon and he went in twice. Just before I had a hunch about Derek. I went up to Kubla Khan, dinner (Lipyeat’s motor-vans have provided more cups called down the 8(ish) metre abseil entrance and got a of tea to more cavers than any other worldwide) Derek reply. I could see the LED light on his helmet. He decided to collect his ropes but said he’d have a quick wanted me to pull up his 10mm rope that was attached look at something he’d seen. to a 12mm rope, tie it off and he’d climb up. That was 6pm. “If I’m not back by 9pm”, said Derek However his voice was slurred and he admitted he was (83). “Get help”. cold. He had gone caving with no extras – no spare clothes, no food, no water, no first aid kit. I told him a 9pm - no sign of Derek. Calling, calling, no response. rescue party was on its way. He agreed food and water Moira waited in the van. Moira called at the cave mouth. would be nice. I went to the van, put water, chocolate Fitful sleep. At 4.30am Moira called again. No response. slice and a woollen jersey into a bag that I threw down She went back to the van, dressed in warm clothes, to him. After he had had a drink and eaten the slice I took her stick and set off for Les Wright’s house. Moira insisted he get the jersey on. We debated this. I was can’t drive these days. Moira walked the longest six getting anxious as his voice was clear one minute and kilometres ever, on the narrow winding rough gravel not the next. I decided to go and see where the rescue road down the valley to the highway. She stopped a team was. young woman in a car who drove her to Les’s house. One of the rescue team was at the DOC workshop so I Les was away. But Nick was home. He made her a cup said Derek was alive and extrication would not be of tea and insisted she drink it while they decided what difficult. I drove to tell Moira that Derek was alive, got to do. more water and a banana and twenty minutes after leaving Kubla Khan I was back. By this time Derek had

Page 15 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 REPORT

The ‘Derek Access’. The abseil entrance is to the left over the log at the edge of the photo. Debris from previous floods shows the risks associated with this cave. Photo: Les Wright his cave suit off and was putting the jersey on. Another entrance and after getting the go-ahead Derek was lifted anxious moment upon hearing him saying he was out of the cave attached to Warren Smith. Derek was undressed but he said his suit was filthy and he wanted taken to the waiting ambulance and into Greymouth to put the jersey underneath. I got a blanket and Hospital. He recovered from the mild hyperthermia sleeping bag from the van, and with the water and sufficiently to be discharged to a relieved Moira and banana in another bag, threw them down. daughter that evening. We conversed. He said that in the afternoon he had Once Derek was on the way to hospital the rescue team spotted a new hole in the floor and new passage high up went their various ways though some who know Lipyeats and he wanted to check out the hole. Turned out that well joined Moira at Les’ house for a celebratory cup of the hole didn’t ‘go’ – it just got narrower and muddier as tea. he descended till he decided he should stop. The rope The SAR team comprised Greymouth and Westport police was muddy, he had difficulty getting leg loops working and cavers. Nelson and Canterbury cavers were on and the ascent was slow. Out of the hole Derek returned stand-by. One search and rescue in NZ is free, after you to the entrance pitch and made to go up the rope to the pay. surface. But the ascending gear would not grip the muddy rope and somehow he tipped upside down. Derek is very lucky. A very competent SAR team, most of Fortunately he was not too far off the bottom and he said whom were caving friends, rescued him. The weather he managed to get out of his harness. was in his favour. Next day the rain came in. Anyway – the rescue team arrived, set up rope systems, It could have been a very different story. a medic was guided to Derek via a higher-up non-abseil

Page 16 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 ACKMA 2013 WAITOMO Nau mai, haere mai

Welcome to Waitomo

Come to Waitomo’s 2013 Conference! Getting to Waitomo The village of Waitomo Caves is set amongst rolling Waitomo is three hours south of Auckland, the usual green hills of farmland and forest, at the edge of one of air gateway into New Zealand. We will have airport New Zealand’s largest karst areas. Cave tourism has transfers for late Thursday to support the pre- been a part of Waitomo life since the 1880s. conference activities, and Sunday for the Conference itself. The Sunday bus will depart the city first and then pass the airport around 2pm, so flights need to Since the last ACKMA Conference in Waitomo – way arrive 1:30pm latest. There is some public transport back in 1997 – a lot has changed. The Ruakuri Cave south by bus or train. For those taking public has been re-opened, and the Spellbound Caves have transport, if you can get to the nearby towns of Te been developed. A new, architecturally iconic, visitor Kuiti or Otorohanga we will bring you to Waitomo. An building has been developed at the Waitomo Glowworm Auckland airport transfer will leave Waitomo around Cave and new accommodation food and retail outlets 9am on Saturday morning after the conference, have developed. But some things haven’t changed – suitable for flights departing 3pm or later (including there is still a pub in the centre of the village and the 2hr check-in). local karst scenery remains spectacular. Accommodation Accommodation will range from $10 a night BYO sleeping bag at the local caving club hut, to over $150 a night at the other end of the market. In between, Conference theme Waitomo has a range of motel units, backpackers, bed The Conference Theme is ‘the triple bottom line’. Also & breakfast, cabins – and even boats and planes. Most known as ‘people, planet, profit’, triple bottom line is a are only a short walk from the village centre and the framework for looking at social and environmental Conference venue. outcomes, as well as financial outcomes. More broadly for us, what does cave tourism really deliver for its stakeholders – financially, environmentally and socially? Guest speakers, and we hope, conference delegates will explore this theme in key conference sessions.

Waitomo services

Waitomo is a small village with plenty of accommodation options. A general store, 3G phone and wireless/wired broadband, cash machine and food and beverage are all available. Larger towns are about 20 minutes away and have banks, supermarkets, pharmacies and petrol stations. More information For more information about the Conference contact Libby Chandler: [email protected]

Page 17 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 ACKMA 2013 WAITOMO Nau mai, haere mai

Pre-conference #1 Post Conference

Wild caving West Waikato karst & Auckland lava caves Saturday and Sunday will have wild caving options A three day post-conference tour will ramble for those arriving early. Short dry trips will be from Waitomo back up to Auckland along the available for all levels of ability (a dry trip in Waitomo less known karst of the Waikato’s western means no more than knee deep). Cave tours are likely coast. The route passes several harbours and to include Hollow Hill, Zweihohlen, Waipuna and some fantastic karst scenery, as well as the Flood Caverns. If enough experienced cavers are in largest polje in New Zealand and the Nikau town either Rangitaawa Shaft or Mangawhitikau will Cave tourist operation at Waikaretu. We will be available. Both are multi-pitch SRT and involve finish the tour with some lava caves in swimming (at less than Mulu temperatures). Local Auckland and the Auckland Harbour islands. transport and some equipment will be available. Places on this tour are likely to be limited. Pre-conference #2

Rotorua and Taupo geothermal Another post conference option will tour a different form of geodiversity – the geothermal and volcanic heritage of the Rotorua – Taupo area. The very fit might be able to include the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This tour is likely to be three days.

Touring New Zealand? If you’re taking a bit more time to visit more of New Zealand, feel free to get in touch with local ACKMA members for advice. The Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre also has an information centre that can help you with advice and bookings for much of the country. e: [email protected]

Page 18 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 ACKMA 2013 WAITOMO Nau mai, haere mai

Conference program

May 2013 Morning Afternoon Evening

Friday 10th – Pre-conference options: Sunday 12th #1 Waitomo wild caving trips, or #2 Geothermal Rotorua & Taupo Sunday Transport leaves Auckland CBD about 1pm and 4pm – 6:30pm: Registration open at 12th Auckland airport around 2pm, arriving Waitomo Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre. Leave approx 5pm. 6:30pm for powhiri (welcome) and function at Waitomo Glowworm Cave Monday Papers Split groups: Committee meeting 13th #1 Spellbound cave tour, or #2 Aranui Cave & Ruakuri Natural Tunnel Tuesday Papers Split groups: Waitomo Glowworm Cave tours 14th #1 Spellbound cave tour, or #2 Aranui Cave & Ruakuri Natural Tunnel Wednesday Papers Options: workshops, free time, adventure Waitomo Caves Discovery 15th The AGM cave tours, other cave and karst options Centre behind the scenes tour Thursday Papers Split groups: Maybe a local hydrology session 16th #1 Ruakuri Cave or, … #2 Caves to Coast limestone tour Friday Papers Split groups: Final function 17th #1 Ruakuri Cave or, #2 Caves to Coast limestone tour Saturday 18th – Saturday 9am bus departs Waitomo, arriving Auckland Airport around 12-1pm Monday 20th Post conference tour – karst of the western Waikato

Page 19 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 ACKMA 2013 WAITOMO Nau mai, haere mai

!

Post-conference karst tour

Waitomo Caves !

! !

Pre-conference geothermal tour

Page 20 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 Australasian Cave and Karst Management Association Waitomo 2013 12 -17 May Conference booking form

Who are you? Name Affiliation / background Published in conference handbook

( ! or just say unchanged since Tasmania) Postal Address

Email Preferred phone number

What will you do? Paper ( ) Poster ( ) Title: Tick one. Refer to paper guide

Where will you sleep? Refer to accommodation guide Arrival day No. nights ( ) No. extra adults ( ) No. extra children ( ) Accomm. Name Room Type If shared, who are you sharing with? Your cost

How will you get here? Pre: Thursday bus Auckland to Waitomo ($30) No. of seats ( ) Pre: Sunday bus Auckland to Waitomo ($30) No. of seats ( ) Post: Saturday bus Waitomo to Auckland ($30) No. of seats ( ) Your cost

Some après- conference? Or pre? Pre-conference wild caving (based in Waitomo, own meals and accomm) No. of places ( ) Pre-conference geothermal (pay as you go – expected cost NZ$400) No. of places ( ) Post-conference karst (pay as you go – expected cost NZ$350-400) Limit 20 No. of places ( )

Conference Convenor Libby Chandler [email protected] phone +64 7 8787621 fax +64 7 8787622

Page 21 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 Your cost

Conference fees Registration NZ$520. Includes lunch and dinner, in-conference transport, venues and all those little extras. Includes Sunday pre- conference dinner and final Friday dinner. Hotel breakfast Continental at the hotel at $14 each. Number: ( ) (at the conference venue) Cooked at the hotel at $20 each. Number: ( ) Some casual breakfast options will be available in Waitomo without pre-pay Accommodation Enter your cost from above Transport Enter your cost from above Day fee - members NZ$100/day, includes lunch and dinner. No. of days ( ) Day fee – non members NZ$120/day, includes lunch and dinner. No. of days ( ) NZ Made Clothing a) Tee shirt Size/s @ $28 each Refer to the sizing guide b) Polo shirt Size/s @ $42 each Colour: black or black c) Vest Size/s @ $68 each d) Jacket Size/s @ $85 each Non-ACKMA members NZ$80 attendance for non-members (unless paying day rates) Total NZ$ After 1 April 2013 Add late fee – 10% Credit Card Add surcharge – 2% Total NZ$

How to pay – options Tick option A Direct credit into a New Zealand account (our preference) 1. Deposit to 03 – 0449 – 0118375 – 000 2. Swift code is WPACNZ2W, bank is 03, branch is 0449, account is 0118375 3. Use your surname in the reference codes and also email details to the Convenor 4. If grouping funds together to save transfer fees, please ensure the Conference Convenor gets full details of all group members for a transfer B Credit cards. 1. Add 2%. Visa & Mastercard only. Merchant name will be Spellbound. 2. Advise the Conference Convenor of your: (i) card type (ii) account name (iii) expiry date (iv) card security code and (v) card number. C Cheques or bank drafts – contact the Conference Convenor to discuss.

Other details Please advise the Conference Convenor here if you have any special requirements e.g. dietary, disabilities, overhead projector, invoice required. Welcome to advise your flight details. Please also indicate if you have family or others who might like to participate in meals, cave trips or alternatives. We will contact you by email.

Page 22 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 Australasian Cave and Karst Management Association Waitomo 2013 12 -17 May Conference booking form

Welcome Waitomo Caves look forward to hosting you at the 2013 ACKMA Conference. The Conference theme is the triple bottom line – or people, planet, profit. Further general information on the Conference will be published in the ACKMA Journals leading up to the Conference.

Conference programme The Conference programme was published in the June ACKMA Journal and is published here again. On the Wednesday afternoon there are a variety of activity options, these will be arranged in the first two days of the Conference. Some may be commercial cave tours requiring payment at the time.

Papers guide Please have abstracts to the Conference Convenor by 1 March. All papers will be 20 minutes with 10 minutes for questions. With around 25 paper slots, the Conference organisers do reserve the right to decline papers. We will try to advise speakers as soon as possible, and by 15 March at the latest.

Pre- and post- trips We are running these on a pay-as-you go basis, with expected cost given in the registration form. The price includes transport, two nights accommodation and meals. The organisers will try to provide flexibility in eating and accommodation options for the group. Those indicating interest in these programmes will be contacted closer to the time. There is no formal partners programme. However we will contact those indicating interest in the ‘other details’ box and offer to facilitate a rental vehicle, with a daily itinerary.

Conference clothing guide

All New Zealand made with embroidered conference logo

Classic Tee (190gsm) @ $28 each Cotton Polo @ $42 each Size Guide S M L XL 2XL 3XL 5XL Half Chest (cm) 52 54.5 57 59.5 62 64.5 69.5

Polarfleece Vest @ $68 each Size Guide XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL Half Chest (cm) 53.5 56 58.5 61 63.5 66 68.5

Polarfleece Jacket (full zip) @ $85 each Mens Size XS S M L XL 2XL 3XL 5XL Half Chest (cm) 55.5 57.5 59.5 62 64.5 67 69 73 Ladies Size 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 Half Chest (cm) 50 52 54 56 57.5 60 62.5 65 68 Half chest is the measurement from just under the armpits, across the front of the chest

Page 23 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 Accommodation guide 1. All prices are per night in NZD($) 2. All accommodation listed is located in Waitomo village (apart from HTG) and within walking distance of the Conference Venue 3. There are other accommodation options further out from Waitomo. For these alternative options please email the Waitomo Caves i-SITE [email protected] and quote ACKMA Conference 2013 in the subject line 4. Accommodation will only be confirmed when full payment has been received. It will be allocated on a first come first served basis

Top 10 Holiday Park Cost Extra Adult Extra Child Abseil Inn Cost Motor Camp / Camping ground (2 people) All queen beds. Includes cooked (2 people) www.waitomopark.co.nz brkfst www.abseilinn.co.nz Park Motel (up to 4 pax) $150 $20 $20 Cave Room $140 Park Motel (up to 6 pax) $180 $20 $20 Bush Room $150 Ensuite Cabin (up to 3 pax) $130 $20 $20 Farm Room $150 Deluxe Cabin (up to 7 pax) $90 $16 $11 Swamp Room $170 Standard Cabin (up to 3 pax) $70 $15 $10 Powered Site (e.g. campervan) $46 $23 $11.50 Kiwipaka Backpackers Cost Breakfast available, not in room price (per unit) Non-Powered Site / Tent $44 $22 $11 www.waitomo.kiwipaka.co.nz Quad Chalet (4 pax, kitchenette) $160 Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge Cost Extra Adult Extra Quad Chalet (4 pax) $150 Includes continental breakfast (2 people) Child www.waitomocavesguestlodge.co.nz Double Chalet (2 pax) $110 Double or Twin Room $135 na na Twin Chalet (2 pax) $100 Family Room (up to 4 pax) $135 $25 $15 Single Chalet (1 pax) $95 Single Room (cost for one person) $80 na na Dorm (cost per person) $30 Double or Twin Lodge (2 $70 pax) Waitomo Caves Hotel Cost Triple Lodge (3 pax) $110 Breakfast available, not in room price (2 people) www.waitomocaveshotel.co.nz Single Lodge (1 pax) $65 Single Room (cost for one person) $85 Twin, Double or Queen Room $120 Campervans THL, Waitomo’s largest cave King Room (king bed, can split to singles) $145 operator, are offering Conference King Balcony Access (king bed, can split to $165 Delegates a big discount on singles) campervans. View them at Family Room (cost up to 5 pax, queen & 3 sing) $260 www.maui.co.nz. You’ll still need an Family Suite (cost up to 6 pax, 3 rooms, king & 4 $295 accommodation provider or a private sing) arrangement to park them for the Turret Room $180 Conference. The deal is available for King or Queen Triple. Third person add $30 $160 the length of your stay in New King or queen, + single Zealand. Auckland and Christchurch pick up / drop off options. HTG Caving Club Hut Cost Platinum Beach (4 berth) $92.44 htg.org.nz Bring own bedding (per person) per day Approx 1.5km from Conference venue Shared facilities, variety of rooms $10 Platinum River (6 berth) $105.74 per day

Page 24 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 ACKMA 2013 WAITOMO Nau mai, haere mai

Waitomo Conference Update

Registrations are building for the 2013 ACKMA There are flights in from Sydney and Melbourne about Conference and room types at some accommodation 5:30pm. After those passengers have come out we’ll hit providers are filling up fast. There are plenty of rooms the road south and get to Waitomo about 9pm. Before available in Waitomo but late bookings may not get their that we will be able to pick up people from a central first choice. It is best to send in your registration ahead location in the CBD, and one or two other points near of payment. Once your accommodation is confirmed the motorway. We’ll let people know more when we (usually 24-48hrs) then payment can be sent through. know who is on the bus. The Waitomo Tavern burnt down a few weeks ago but When does the Sunday bus leave Auckland? now even more bars have sprung up. Apart from that, all is set, and we look forward to seeing you in New 2.00pm from the airport, any city pickups will be earlier. Zealand in May. Climate? Common questions Waitomo could well be cool and wet in May. No snow When does the Thursday bus leave Auckland? but expect temperature around 5° to 15°C Warm clothing and a good raincoat will be needed.

November 2012. Waitomo heats up for ACKMA Conference. Photo: Celina Yapp

Page 25 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 Accommodation Update Waitomo is a tourist destination, things change and some accommodation options have been taken already. The Waitomo Caves Hotel has just scheduled a major refurbishment and no more single rooms will be available for the Conference period A large bus company has booked out the chalets at the Kiwipaka backpackers for one night in Conference week. So those booking chalet style accommodation may need to move into another room for one night during their stay. Note this is for the chalet options only. Geothermal field trip This pre-conference trip leaves from Waitomo at about 9am on the Friday morning. So those getting the Thursday bus will overnight in Waitomo. If you are interested in geodiversity this is a fantastic chance to see some geothermal sites off the beaten track. The tour will be hosted by Harry Keys, the Department of Conservation volcanologist. On Friday the tour will head towards Lake Taupo and the Orakei Korako thermal area (boat across the river), and a geothermal power station. Overnight in Taupo where a full range of accommodation is available. On Saturday, it’s south to the active volcanoes of Tongariro National Park, across the Desert Rd and around to Tangiwai to look at how to manage lahar flows. Accommodation (several options) that night is at Whakapapa which is gateway to the National Park and a major ski destination in season. Sunday, the group will take the chairlift up Mt Ruapehu if conditions allow, followed by viewing the fresh explosion craters at the north end of the Park. Return to Waitomo in the afternoon. The exact trip schedule is dependent on weather and volcanic activity. Warm clothes, windproof coat and light boots needed for field trips.

Wild caving A variety of wild cave trips will be available on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday ahead of the conference. There is a lot of interest in this programme already, so we may struggle to offer everyone a guided trip all 3 days. Typical cave temperatures are 13°C, and in May the water will feel much colder. Bring as much caving equipment as you can, at the least thermals (two layers) and helmets/lights. A small number of ratty old gumboots, overalls and helmets will be available locally. When numbers (and local cavers) are sorted closer to the time we’ll send out some more info, in particular about any SRT or wetsuit trips that will be happening (BYO SRT gear). The closest Australian style of caving is probably Mole Creek. All these trips will be based from Top: Black Odyssey, Waitomo’s newest adventure tour, opened in 2012. Photo: Tourism Holdings Limited Waitomo with transport provided. Your accommodation Bottom. Dave Smith in Puketiti Flower Cave. will need to cover all these nights. There are a few local Photo: Peter Bosted dining choices and/or we will arrange a supermarket visit early on.

Page 26 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 Bank details For payments by electronic transfer, different banks want different information: Bank name: Westpac Account Name: Australasian Cave & Karst Management Account Number/IBAN: 03 0449 0118375 000 (In Australian: BSB = 030449 and account number = 0118375) Swift/BIC Number: WPACNZ2W Bank's physical address: 18 King St East, Te Kuiti 3910, NZ, (Branch = Te Kuiti) ACKMA's physical address: 277 Te Anga Rd, Waitomo Caves, 3988, NZ ACKMA's postal address: P.O. Box 4, Waitomo Caves, 3943, NZ

The 000 account suffix may be questioned by Australian banks, if so leave it off and we should still get it.

Post conference karst From Waitomo to Auckland, in the western hill country are a number of caves and karst surface features spread through a discontinuous karst landscape. Amongst the features this tour visits will be one of New Zealand’s largest poljes (Lake Disappear), Nikau Cave at Waikaretu and Bridal Veil Falls. Several large drowned valley harbours push inland in this remote part of NZ and we will tour one of them by boat. Spectacular karst crops out along the road from time to time. Leaving Waitomo on the Saturday after the conference, the first day will feature lots of windy roads and coastal scenery, ending up in the harbour town of Raglan where there will be several accommodation options. Heading north from Raglan, Sunday will be hosted by Philip and Anne Woodward of Nikau Cave - a beach walk with limestone and basalt outcrops, Nikau adventure cave tour, and dinner at their café. Accommodation on Sunday night will be a variety of options at the Nikau Cave or in nearby towns. On Monday, we will head for Auckland and meet up with cave expert Peter Crossley to tour a selection of lava caves and features in the city. For those with Tuesday free, there will be a chance to visit the beautiful lava island of Rangitoto and check out a cave or two and walk to the summit.

Left. Puketiti. Photo: Dave Smith Right top. Aranui Cave. Photo: Steve Bourne Right bottom. Moa skeleton in Mangawhitikau Cave. Photo: Steve Bourne

Page 27 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 Conference guests and keynote speakers Restoration, 600 pages that have become the standard reference in cave conservation. Dave Bamford Richard Jones Dave is a founding partner of Tourism Resource Consultants. They are regarded as one of Asia Pacific’s Richard is Chief Executive of the Poutama Trust, one of top nature tourism consultants, and have worked for or New Zealand’s main incubators and business advisers with a number of ACKMA members on cave projects in for Maori organisations entering the tourism sector. recent years. Dave’s particular interest, after 35 years in Richard’s whakapapa is to Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati the sector, is planning and development projects focused Whakaue and Ngati Pikiao. For a number of years he on sustainable development and region scale was the executive officer for the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapu development. Trust, majority owner of the Waitomo Glowworm Cave. Building relationships across businesses and Grant Webster internationally is one of Richard’s key roles. Grant is CEO of Tourism Holdings Ltd, New Zealand’s Andy Spate largest listed tourism operator. Prior to joining THL in 2005, Grant held a variety of senior roles in the Andy is one of the most respected names in cave hospitality and tourism sectors. THL has New Zealand’s management in Australasia and around the world. We largest fleet of campervans, and is the operator of the are pleased to have him attend and present at the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Ruakuri and Aranui Caves, Waitomo Conference. He needs no more introduction to and the Legendary Black Water Rafting range of tours. ACKMA members. Jim Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker Jim and Val are well known names in cave conservation and we are delighted to have them join us in New Andy Spate (left) has provided expert advice in many Zealand. For over 30 years they have developed countries. Here he is with Barry Richard. The exact conservation methods in gluing speleothems, location can be determined by triangulation from the photomonitoring and cave restoration. In 2006 they signposted distances. Photo: Steve Bourne published the remarkable book Cave Conservation and

Page 28 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 REPORT

NOTES from NARACOORTE CAVES Deborah Carden

Bat Recovery Programme On 30 December 2012, after a break of nearly three months, we started the thermal image monitoring again of the Southern Bentwing Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii). Kristen Lear finished her 2011/12 Fulbright year at Naracoorte in October where she had recorded bat movements in and out of the maternity cave with thermal imaging cameras. The student who had been arranged to take over for summer was not able to come but we are fortunate in having graduate Tara Avery arrive to continue the monitoring. Fence change and 'buffers' The fence was enlarged in June 2012 using a biodiversity grant obtained by Friends of Naracoorte Caves (FONC). With the fence further out many bats seemingly exit the cave lower to the ground before they flit over the fence, swoop towards the ground before going off into the night. The FONC grant paid for three 12m long 'buffers" which were made-to-measure from shade sail cloth. Along top and bottom are eyelets which will be used to attach the buffers to the top of the fence and anchor to the ground. The idea of this is to mitigate injury of juveniles hitting fence. Now the fence is further away they might not hit it and we may not need all the buffers. We will probably put up one buffer along the back fence where it can also act as a back-drop for the thermal monitoring instead of the existing corrugated iron. Like the corrugated iron the buffers are cream in colour - the thermal camera picks up the bats better from a light background than from dark. We are expecting juveniles out any day. Guides have said they've spotted what they think are young ones so some may be on practice runs already. I noted via the thermal camera that there is a lot of 'out--in-out- about' type of activity going on for around an hour or so around the cave entrance at the moment. We cannot see the juveniles in the cave so we can't ascertain this year's numbers. As in the previous two or so years, the mothers have tucked themselves up into an aven they've favoured, to give birth. The thermal monitoring will help ascertain the 2012 recruitment. Evening Bat Tours For the summer evening bat tours I have been putting a portable light out to the left hand side of the bat cave. When the fence was altered our bat specialist advisers suggested we should not put a light back on Top. New fence around the old at Bat Cave. the fence where it had been for several years. However, Photo: Deborah Carden we need some light so the evening visitor experience is Middle. Friends of Naracoorte Caves Anne and Allen meaningful - the portable light is a trial to find the best Attwood, and Mick Dennis (leaning on fence) inspecting spot for a permanent fixture. The bats do not seem the new work. Photo: Deborah Carden Bottom. Bat’s eye view of Bat Cave. Photo: Steve Bourne

Page 29 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 REPORT

perturbed by this light - two nights ago they spent a lot of time swooping across it catching insects. Tours are running till 25 January 2013 so we have some time to observe and determine the best light position. We are interested in bats and lights regarding Blanche Cave. This cave is part of the evening tour and when that part of the tour is on lights are on too, but bats happily fly into the cave (I know they're happy - they sing as they flit past one's ear). Naracoorte Caves Strategic Planning - update The strategic planning for the coming decade is moving into its final stage. Shannon Architects have been commissioned to prepare the final Master Plan document. Key stakeholders will be invited to nominate representatives to provide their organisation's input to the Master Plan. Organisational Restructure Like most State government departments, the one responsible for Naracoorte Caves National Park and World Heritage Area has been restructured during the past two years, and more is expected. It is now the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources. Park maintenance at Naracoorte shifted to the ranger operations area in November and is settling well into its new regime. Summer season We are busy as is usual at this time of the year. In preparation we ensured staff were 1st Aid trained or refreshed, we did fire evacuation practice, adventure caving risk assessments, geology training, food handling and knife sharpening training - the latter was for cafe kitchen staff. Before the Christmas break we had a really lovely staff jam session in Blanche Cave, organised by guitar playing guides - stage, microphones, amplifiers and tuneful karaoke - others may question that description of our singing but it was very good fun.

Above. Distorted sound?? Left. Naracoorte Caves’ staff jamming. Traps, tents and even a ladder at base camp during a Photos: Rae Bromley Railway Department excursion to Wet Cave in 1902. Stephen Spurling III photo

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YARRANGOBILLY CAVES HOUSE Andy Spate

As can be seen from the accompanying clip from the Snowy Times (summer 2012-2013 edition - free tourism-oriented newspaper circulating across the Kosciuszko region) the two-story section of Caves House will re-open in the New Year. This is fantastic news. George Bradford, supported by Mick Pettitt and others, has done a fantastic job of getting the renovated, refurnished single-story section opened a few years back. This, in turn, was achievable following the great efforts of Jo Vincent (née Ingarfield) in getting fire protection and water upgrades as well as the ecologically-friendly sewage treatment plant. George has had a whole series of ‘wins’ in attracting funding and has had some wonderful ‘green’ ideas many of which he has put into practice. Occupancy rates in the single-story have been amazingly high and it is booked out on weekends and holidays months in advance. Hopefully, George will tell us all about what he has achieved in a future issue of the Journal and at Waitomo.

Left. Yarrangobilly Caves House from the Bluff Lookout following the near catastrophic February 2003 bushfires. Photo: Lorraine Cairns. Above. Clipping from the Snowy Times. Below. Advertisement for Yarrangobilly Caves.

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A VERY IMPORTANT WORD David Summers

Editor’s Note: This is the address delivered by David As mentioned, the most critical word in the name of our Summers at the International Show Caves Conference 4 Association is the word “show”. It is this word that sets November 2012. David kindly provided me a copy to us apart from all other worldwide bodies that are share with ACKMA members. concerned with caves. In addition to having all of the interests of conservation and preservation of caves, a show cave must also function as a viable and successful ! business. It has to be profitable. The importance of the business of a show cave being profitable cannot be overstated. If a show cave is not profitable then the first two items that are removed from the expenditure list are invariably those classified as environmental and scientific pursuits. If the economic performance declines further then the veritable nightmare of having to cease operations totally can become a reality. It is generally accepted that the worst thing that can happen to a cave is for it to be discovered by mankind. There is virtually no practical protection afforded to a cave once it has been discovered. It is invariably susceptible to abuse, whether by malicious vandals, or even by those who claim to be skilled cavers. Even the pursuit of science, whether by amateur or professional scientists, can result in irreparable damage being caused to a cave once it is discovered. A lot of damage can be caused to a cave in the name of science. One of the best things that can happen to a cave once it is discovered is for it to be properly developed, and used, as a show cave. This invariably means that the entrance to the cave is sealed by some form of gating, which restricts access to only those who are authorised to enter the cave. There can be little doubt that the worst fate that can befall a cave is for it to be developed as a show cave, ISCA President David Summers then for it to fail as a business entity, and be closed. When a show cave fails economically, it is inevitable that there is no money available to seal up the entrance I would like to take a few minutes to address one very of the cave so that it will last for centuries. The usual important word that we have in the name of our method of sealing a failed show cave is to install a organization, and our lives. There is a single word that locked iron or steel entry gate. The ravages of time differentiates us from virtually all other worldwide invariably cause the lock to fail and/or the metal of the organizations concerned with caves. That one entity is gate to erode away, leaving the cave open with trails to the single word “show”. It is this word that sets us apart make entry easy for those unauthorised persons from all other international bodies concerned with seeking to enter the cave. The cave is then very caves. vulnerable to misuse. The smallest word in our name is, in fact, the most Yes, a show cave is a business. If the business is not important word in this title. viable, then it is inevitable that it will fail, and we have We are an international organization comprised of already dwelt with the ramifications of the members from all six inhabited continents, with consequences of that. There is a responsibility, that members from thirty four countries around the globe. can be equated to a duty, for all of us to ensure that the We are not alone in being an association that straddles business of the show caves, that we own or manage, are the world. Being able to call ourselves international successful. does not make us different from other worldwide bodies.

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What then makes a show cave different from an Occasionally, I find myself assailed by individuals who undeveloped cave? It takes a long list to describe this claim that the only thing that the members of ISCA care difference, but let us start with the beginning of such a about is making money out of their caves. When I list. The list for a show cave includes the payment of encounter these claims my response is always that their taxes, payroll, supplies, development costs, claim is virtually correct and the only thing that is maintenance, repairs, utilities, staff training, accounting incorrect is the inclusion of the word ‘only’ in their services, vehicles, security, promotion, environmental statement. aspects and scientific needs. In addition, inflation, and Of course, show cave owners and operators have to be occasionally deflation, must be coped with as well as concerned, not only about making money, but also to economic recessions and even depressions. ensure that their business operation is profitable. Not The need for a show cave to be properly managed and just profitable for the short term, but perpetually. We are successful is a requirement that is rarely understood by all in difficult and challenging economic times, scientists and spelunkers. All too often they adopt the regardless of where your cave is located. The rules of view, albeit that it may be well intentioned, that a show yesterday do not always create the same result as they cave is a golden goose that cannot stop laying golden used to. Today requires even more focus on economic eggs. Oh, wouldn’t we all like that magical image to be performance then it did in the past. true. Inflation must be combated and unpredictable visitation A show cave needs all of the operator’s business rates responded to. All of these problems must be knowledge and acumen in order for it to be operated successfully overcome. Do not be swayed from this successfully and this is in addition to having all of the awesome responsibility. knowledge and awareness regarding the physical needs It is important that ISCA becomes a veritable think tank. of the cave to ensure that the underground world is Friends ready to share their experiences of what worked, preserved and conserved. It is a very large responsibility and what did not work, with each other. Thank you, and and a vital one. may good fortune be with you all. A well managed show cave is one of, if not the most effective, ways of educating the general public of the importance of preserving and conserving caves. In virtually all show caves today there is a growing emphasis on education as a focus, as opposed to the pure entertainment of the visitors. The education of our visitors is considered to be of such great importance to a body such as ours that we have established a whole commission devoted entirely to interpretation. The pursuit of quality interpretation can even be justification, all by itself, for a show cave to become a member of ISCA. The number of caves that have been developed, and used as a show caves, is an incredibly small number in comparison with the number of caves that have been discovered around the world. This number is a minuscule fraction of one percent. Despite this extremely low number it is advanced that the experience of a member of the public, being guided through a show cave, will always be the best method of instilling in that person the need to preserve and conserve all caves. The opportunity for a member of the public to tour a show cave will always be the most effective way of educating the public about caves. The importance of show caves cannot be overstated. When addressing organisations, where interests lie predominantly in speleology, whether comprised of recreational cavers or scientists, one of my favourite questions is to ask how many of the audience had their first cave experience through a show cave. The response is usually so overwhelming in the affirmative that there is never any need to conduct a count to confirm the Protective infrastructure in a show cave. result. Marakoopa Cave, Tasmania. Photo: Steve Bourne

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INTERNATIONAL SHOW CAVES CONFERENCE 2012 Dan Cove

The 2012 Conference of the International Show Cave under, and I know that many will be taking extended Association (ISCA) was held in early November co- trips in Australia and across the Tasman to New hosted by Perama Cave, Greece and Dim Cave, Turkey. Zealand. As the time draws closer, I anticipate that The major gathering for ISCA is actually the Congress there will be an ever increasing volume of held every four years, with the next such event to be at correspondence between Jenolan and all other Jenolan in 2014. A conference is held at the two-year Australasian show cave sites as itineraries are finalised. mark between successive congresses, and provides an With an anticipated international attendance in excess opportunity for the ISCA Board to meet, the various of 120, this should be an exciting time. Commissions to provide updates and reports and for the The great sadness immediately following the Conference general meeting of minds that, on its own, makes was the tragic loss of the Manager of Perama Cave, attendance at any such gathering worthwhile. Ioannina Greece Giannis Zalavras. Giannis was our This Conference was well attended, with over 50 host for the Greek part of the Conference and delegates travelling from North America, China, Europe, accompanied us to Turkey. He was a marvellous host, Malaysia and the Middle East. Greg Middleton and I and a wonderful young man. He was passionate about cheerfully represented Australasia. Being a conference his job and his cave, and devoted to his young family. split between two countries presented a logistical Giannis was killed by a deranged intruder in the main challenge, however the conference organisers had office of Perama Cave a week after the conclusion of the clearly worked hard and the arrangements for the Conference. His death was shocking, and has cast a extended travel involved worked smoothly. long shadow over the memories of all attendees. His loss was deeply felt by those of us who had been fortunate As always, it was fascinating to visit new show caves – 6 enough to have got to know him, and is a loss to the systems in 6 days, and to observe the differing world of show caves. approaches to lighting, infrastructure and interpretation. Some of the caves were quite stunning, So now ISCA looks to Australia and to 2014. I shall be particularly Alistrati and Aggitis Caves. Every cave attempting to provide regular updates on the progress of visited was presented to the Conference attendees with Congress organisation and have already had great pride and enthusiasm by the local guides. It is preliminary discussion with certain ACKMA luminaries always terribly hard to become a genuine tourist at whom I am hoping to coerce into participation in this such times, and to enjoy the cave without eyes drifting event. As I am well aware that the next two years will to consider lighting placements, obtrusive distribution pass in the twinkling of an eye, I am hopeful that the boards or style of handrails. There were certainly many first update and some firm information on Congress such areas, with lighting in particular one area where structure will be forthcoming early in 2013. there was always clear room for improvement. But again this made for stimulating discussion amongst attendees, and it was interesting to hear of the differing approaches to cave lighting currently being employed. Equally fascinating were the discussions regarding show cave tourism generally. The global tourism situation is exceptionally volatile, and almost every attendee reported abnormal trends and unexpected peaks and troughs. Some areas have been worse affected than others – Europe in particular is suffering badly from the current economic situation. This, sadly, was all too evident in Greece. Our Conference coincided with the end of one general strike and the beginning of another, and the signs of the nation’s economic woes were clearly evident as we moved through the country. One strong message to come from the Conference was that international interest remains exceptionally high in attending the next Congress at Jenolan Caves in 2014. The official dates for this Congress were established as November 2-8. There will be both official pre and post Congress trips organised also but a great many international visitors, from North America and Europe in particular, are very much viewing this as the opportunity to undertake a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip down Dan Cove in action at the ISCA Conference

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INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS on SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH in SHOW CAVES

Alessio Fabbricatore*

The basis of the successful realisation of the first Thanks to this scientific tradition it was decided to "International Congress on Scientific Research in Show organise international meetings in order to discuss, Caves" was the strong commitment and active update and share the scientific research monitored in international cooperation of Grotta Gigante (Italy), Park the show caves. It is important to collect data, but also Škocjanske jame (Slovenia), Karst Research Institute to communicate results for further research and (ZRC-SAZU Institut za raziskovanje krasa -Slovenia) and worldwide diffusion. the University of Trieste (Italy). The conference (13-15 September 2012) was held in an The conference was held in Park Skocjanske jame itinerant method: Škocjanske Jama, Grotta Gigante, (Slovenia) and the programme allowed participants to Postojnska jama/Postumia Cave to encourage direct visit a number of caves: the Skocjanske jame (Slovenia), contact and discussion with all the participants the Grotta Gigante (Italy) the Postojnska jama/Postumia regarding the various tourist-underground Cave (Slovenia). environments in the Karst (Italy and Slovenia) and consolidate cooperation in this important triangle of the Classical Karst. The possibility of a copious exchange of experiences, comments and updates has increased thanks to the participation from all over the world: Austria, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, USA. The participants considered the carrying out of scientific research in underground environments and specifically in the caves where the equipment logistics had already been made by the director of each cave; e.g. adequate lighting, easy, comfortable steps and paths according to current standards and many other infrastructures offered to scientists and researchers who have, thus, easier access with subsequent control and monitoring of the scientific instruments. The conference emphasised the fact that show caves are a consolidated tourist reality with a major financial impact in terms of commerce and employment in areas which, owing to their morphology, are often The Climatological Observatory near the Grotta Gigante

Three show caves of great importance that form a remarkable and easily accessible "karst triangle" as they are situated about an hour’s drive one from the other. A remarkable international karst triangle because it includes one of the most fascinating caves of the "UNESCO World Heritage": the Škocjan Cave,then Postojnska jama/ Postumia Cave which is one of the most famous caves in the world and Grotta Gigante which, thanks to the large central room, is considered among the biggest show caves in the world. In short, a triangle that scientists and all those interested in the karst are warmly advised to visit. The term karst (kras) was adopted to indicate this region on the border between Italy and Slovenia where the first scientific research – the karstology - was made and then developed. Now the scientific tradition continues even though these caves have been converted The entry to the Visitor centre of the Grotta Gigante into show caves.

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economically disadvantaged. They represent a natural researches carried out in show caves and he reaffirmed attraction of great importance and make it possible to that “…scientific research may instigate other activities see the area both from a cultural-scientific and a (education for example), which in turn can give an impulse gastronomical point of view. A special management, an to new or deepened scientific work”. essential consideration for the protection of cave and Andrej Kranic and Chris Groves were the moderators of karst, are basic for all the show caves which not only aim the first day and Chris Groves, (Western Kentucky to make a profit but must have a profit in order to University-USA) presented an extensive report on Karst develop further, to improve scientific research and the hydrology research in show caves. In the area that economy of the surrounding karst area. includes the Mammoth Cave System (UNESCO World The importance of the show caves should not be Heritage Site) there are many public and privately underestimated. Anybody can visit them and appreciate managed show caves, providing excellent sites for the beauty and significance of the underground world hydrological, biological, and resource management and follow educational events: a large number of pupils research activities. “…Mammoth Cave projects have enjoy visits to these show caves every year. studied hydrology, geochemistry and water quality. Epikarst hydrology and impacts of agriculture have been the focus at Crumps Cave (Cave Spring Caverns), and we are now developing a reference site at Lost River Cave for a global monitoring network to study landscape /

atmosphere CO2 interactions.” From these experiences in North America, one passed to Brazil, in South America, to the Cave of Santana, where Heros Lobo (Universidadae Federal São Carlos UFSCAR -Brazil) took into account human impact and environmental sustainability by comparing the monitoring that is carried out to verify the impact of human activity on the natural environment, stating that: “… The investigation of the variation of temperature, in the present study, showed that the interval of time spent at a specific point in the cave is more critical than the absolute variation of the temperature which is an important contribution in the process of definition of the tourist carrying capacity of a cave, mainly in the days with more tourists (weekends and holidays).” Carla Braitenberg explains the work of the pendulums using a micro-model at the Visitor centre of Grotta Gigante Regarding the topic of the impact of visitors, but now in Europe, another paper was presented by Rosana The goals proposed at the conference to present and Cerkvenik (Park Škocjanske Jame-Slovenia), stating that share different research approaches, to discuss the “… the most significant impacts are off-trail footprints - experiences, the results and the measures needed to improve the management of show caves have been met and will be revised and updated in the next conference, which has been warmly requested by the participants, and is expected to be held every two years. The meeting was held in the new Promotion and Congress Center Pr Nanetovh in the village Matavun where you can visit the Skocjanske Jame. The official opening of the conference began with a warm welcome from the director of the Park Škocjanske Jame, Gordana Beltram, the director of the Grotta Gigante, Alessio Fabbricatore and the Director of the Karst Research Institute-ZRC-SAZU, Tadej Slabe, as well as the reading of communications from various nations with their best wishes for a productive conference. The best wishes sent from Univ. Prof. Mag. Dr. Hubert Trimmel from Vienna must also be mentioned. The conference opened with a report by Andrej Kranjc (ZRC-SAZU Karst Research Institute-Slovenia), R.Colucci (first right) explain the use of the Climatological celebrating an International historical overview of Observatory near Grotta Gigante

Page 36 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 REPORT trodden fine sediments, destroyed gours and cave pearls, to visit the cave. “… The need for the cave to become graffiti and broken formations.” easily accessible to everyone has led the manager of the Grotta Gigante, Alessio Fabbricatore, to promote a wide- The participation of two Russian scholars (Mining ranging project involving both the administration spheres, Institute of Ural branch of Russian Academy of Science- which have always been attentive to the needs of the Russia) made the illustration of tourism, the studies of disabled, and the scientific spheres, which have always the characteristic rocks and their transformation and worked in the cave area. The project immediately proved karstification in Kungur Ice Cave, possible. to be ambitious: as well as traditional photo and video Christophe Gauchon (Université de Savoie-France) shooting, a high-resolution 3D topographic survey was presented an overview of scientific research in show carried out, by means of aerial LIDAR surveying for the caves in France and Stephan Jaillet outside part of the cave and of terrestrial laser scanning, (Université de Savoie, CNRS-France), reported on 3D total station and GPS for the georeferencing and laser scanning and geomorphological studies in Orgnac topographic reconstruction of the underground part of the Cave confirming that “…the implementation of this new tourist site. Thanks to these surveys it was possible to technological approach in tourist cave also offers an create a geomorphometric database of the entire site, additional opportunity: the scientific mediation to the which enabled to update the planimetry and sections, public, eager for this type of 3D production with many acquire details of the most impressive stalagmites and possibilities of representation.” carry out videos and 3D models of the underground environment, in order to promote tourism and allow visitors unable to have direct access the cave to enjoy a virtual tour of it.” The processing of the collected data will be the basis for future studies, such as studies on environmental monitoring, the eco-friendly development of the Grotta Gigante, geophysical, geological and gravimetric studies, thereby demonstrating that the important combination of tourism and scientific research make it possible for the Grotta Gigante to be constantly monitored in order to ensure eco-compatibility between the flow of tourists and the delicate underground environment of the cave. Miris Castello (University of Trieste-Italy) also selected the Grotta Gigante as the place of research for the monitoring of lampenflora, which grow near artificial light sources. The various types of organisms were specified and “… small, scattered individuals of 4 moss species and Asplenium trichomanes were observed growing around some LED lamps recently installed along the cave pathways in 2009.” Janez Mulec (ZRC-SAZU Experimental station of limestone lowering near Visitor Karst Research Institute-Slovenia), in his interesting Centre of Grotta Gigante report, stated that “… different microbial indicators were used to evaluate human impact and some possible approaches were tested in order to remediate affected The keynote speakers of the second day were Franci sites in the Postojna and Škocjan Caves (Slovenia), since Gabrovšek (Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU - the opening to the public often brings reversible and/or Slovenia) and Franco Coren (O.G.S.-Italy), who presented irreversible effects on the cave environment and cave- their reports. Franci Gabrovšek reported on the results dwelling organisms.” of the metereological monitoring carried out at the The conference was also enriched by interesting reports Postumia Caves: wind, humidity, CO2. Although tourists and posters on the current methods of protection and are a potential additional source of CO2, their presence is most unlikely to influence natural precipitation and monitoring of radon (Italy and Slovenia), fauna monitoring (Slovenia), micro-erosion measurements (Italy dissolution processes. CO2 in cave atmosphere is now and Slovenia), ground penetrating radar survey measured by non-dispersive infrared CO2 sensors, which (Giuseppe Camero-Italy) and tests (M. Kržič, Društvo measure the absorption of infrared light by CO2. ljubiteljev Križne Jame, Slovenia) on protective materials Franco Coren, (O.G.S. National Institute of to minimise damage to the most vulnerable sections of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics of Trieste- the rimstone dams in the Krizna Jama. Italy), presented the results of a series of remote sensing and geophysical campaigns. This project was developed Not to mention those works presented by means of with a strong integration between the Grotta Gigante, posters which contributed to enrich the conference with and the O.G.S. The cave is accessible to the public by explanations, discussions, updates on various topics means of an artificially-lit path, consisting of numerous including studies (Tadej Slabe & others, ZRC-SAZU Karst steps. The underground environment and the type of Research Institute, Slovenia) on the transformation of path make it difficult for people with walking difficulties the Heaven Cave, (Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park,

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UNESCO World Heritage site -Vietnam) into a show cave Čudovita Jama Lazarja Jerka/Grotta meravigliosa di with the aim of maintaining the cave in its natural Lazzaro Jerko). Two of them, the Škocjan Caves and equilibrium. Labodnica, are also show caves. The poster which was carried out following a As previously stated, all the people taking part in the speleogenesis study (EDYTEM, CNRS, University of conference visited the three show caves, always Savoy-France) on the scientific enhancing of the Jeita accompanied by specialised staff giving specific scientific Cave (Lebanon), showed us how they decided to information. For example, a tour of the Grotta Gigante implement “…the paths with educational boards in order and the Museo dell'uomo e delle grotte was made, to respond to the scientific curiosity of tourists.” In fact, accompanied by expert guides, researchers and scientific they confirm that “…our duty as cavers and karst research specialists who showed us all the study and scientists is not only to gather data on caves (by means of monitoring stations present on the Grotta Gigante site. photos, maps, descriptions, etc.) and publish them in our Among these specialists it is worth mentioning: Carla bulletins, but also to inform and educate the public on the Braitenberg (University of Trieste-Italy), who explained scientific value of our underground natural heritage. the horizontal pendulums; Renato Roberto Colucci Communicating science can be one of the best means to (University of Trieste, CNR- Italy), who presented the preserve natural sites, such as the Jeita Cave.” Karst Meteo-Climatological Observatory; Fulvio Forti (Grotta Gigante guide-Italy), who explained limestone The charming underground flow of the Reka River, which sinks in the Skocjanske Jame and reappears in the erosion and its measurement at the station near the Visitor Reception Centre of the Grotta Gigante, and springs in Italy, was presented by Borut Peric (Park Škocjanske Jame -Slovenia). The aim of his project Massimo Sbarbaro (University of Trieste-Italy), who talked about wireless internet connection: on certain was to prove a connection between some of the caves reached by the Reka river and the dynamics of water types of mobile phones, it is possible to make videocalls from inside the cave and show the spectacular view you transport between the ponor and the springs, using uranine as a tracing experiment: three caves in Slovenia are admiring in real time. The above-mentioned studies also take into consideration the other scientific stations (Kačna Jama Cave, Brezno 3G abyss system Jama 1 v of the Grotta Gigante, such as the Seismographic Kanjaducah Cave and Brezno v Stršinkni dolini abyss) Station, two clinometers, the biology station with the and two in Italy (Labodnica/Grotta di Trebiciano and monitoring of lamp flora, the radon monitoring station, the archaeological and palaeontological studies, speleothem growth monitoring and the Epigean station for the measurement of karstic dissolution. At the end of the tour of the Grotta Gigante, the new English/German version of the guide to the cave was presented and given out to all participants. The new edition of the guidebook, which is different from the previous ones, is divided in sections, one for each scientific section covered in the Grotta Gigante site, without forgetting the analysis of the karst processes which lead to the formation of the cave and an in-depth geo-morphological explanation of the territory in which the cave is located. The guidebook offers the reader not only the chance to appreciate the beauty of the Grotta, but also to understand the multiplicity of scientific studies that have already been carried out and may be carried out in the future in the cave, as well as showing the importance of the use of the most advanced technology in order to solve certain scientific problems and to provide clear evidence of the natural processes that take place in caves. The variety of studies is presented in a very convincing way by a great number of researchers who, in this brochure, reveal their specific fields of study and research. The guidebook covers a wide range of topics and could therefore be a very useful tool for pupils.

Fulvio Forti, guide of Grotta Gigante explaining the limestone erosion at the experimental station of Grotta Gigante *Alessio Fabricatore is the Director of Grotta Gigante, Italy

Page 38 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 BOOK REVIEW

BOOK REVIEWS: SHAPING a NATION A KARST ATLAS of NEW SOUTH WALES Andy Spate

Shaping a Nation and A Karst Atlas of New South collective geological knowledge with the superb, easy to Wales. digest and very comprehensive volume. It is nothing like Two very different books arrived by various means onto a standard geology text with introductory chapters on my desk recently. The former is a huge volume rock types followed by a descent through time to the produced by huge variety of authors; the latter is the present – with maybe a bit of geomorphology thrown in work, with input from many others, of one dedicated for good measure. man. The chapters, each with a bibliography, are as follows: Let’s deal with the heavy one first – it weighs in at a Australia and the Australian people – describes the whopping 4.3 kg! And it’s worth every one of 4,300 peoples, geography, climate, flora and fauna, mineral grams - $70 plus heaps of postage! The book price is wealth and Australia’s maritime jurisdiction and extraordinarily low for a book of this quality of content external territories. and production. Australia in time and space – discusses the basic First let’s look at the publisher’s blurb: geology and evolution of this aged continent. Shaping a Nation: A Geology of Australia is the story Living Australia – outlines the palaeontology, flora and of a continent's geological evolution as seen through the fauna – including discussion of the impacts of lens of human impacts. Exploring the geology, introduced plants and animals. resources and landscapes of Australia, the book reveals how these have helped to shape this Out of Gondwana – elaboration of Australia as part of the Gondwanan Supercontinent and is breakup. The nation's society, environment and wealth. role of the breakup in determining Australia’s energy Presented in a refreshingly non-linear format, the book resources is brought out. summarises much of what we know about this country's geological history, discussing the fossil record Old, flat and red - Australia's distinctive landscape – deals with the age, lack of relief, the thick blanket of and evolution of life across the continent, describing its mineral and energy reserves, and revealing the weathered rock over much of the continent. It also discusses the impact of man ‘over the last 50,000 years, significance of its coastal and groundwater systems. and especially over the last 200 years’. The book also explores some of the challenges and Living on the edge - waterfront views – Most opportunities presented by Australia’s rich geological heritage, and outlines the issues they present in Australian’s live near the coast and the geological evolution of the continent has produced an unusual Australian society today. Based on much of the latest science, the book reveals Australia's expertise in the continental margin. This margin has played major role in the evolution of our modern society. geosciences and reinforces the vital role they play in informing its present and future development. Groundwater - lifeblood of the continent – explores the development and use (and abuse) of our groundwater in In presenting the latest geoscientific knowledge, Shaping a Nation is vividly illustrated by technical this, the driest inhabited continent. drawings and figures and accompanied by stunning Foundations of wealth – explores our mineral wealth photography that reveals the extraordinary beauty of that arose ‘as consequence of the large-scale tectonic Australia's geology and landscapes. processes that built Australia.’

For the avid reader, an accompanying DVD hosts Sustaining Australia's wealth - economic growth from extensive appendices, including supplementary reading a stable base - discusses the history of resource and reference material, maps, movies and an interactive exploitation and its role in our future. 3D model showcasing many geoscience datasets. Deep heat - Australia's energy future? – deals with At last year’s Symposium on Geodiversity, Geological both nuclear, and more extensively, geothermal energy. Heritage and Geotourism a number of speakers Advance Australia Fair – ‘This concluding chapter lamented the quality of the geological material given on looks briefly at the opportunities and challenges that cave tours and in interpretative material – a very Australian geology creates for the future of this nation.’ disappointing state of affairs. And it is true in some cases. So Shaping a Nation is one way to brush up our

Page 39 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 BOOK REVIEW

The chapters are followed by an index with an estimated by chapter from Geoscience Australia – but you better 3,500 entries. Less than 1% of these refer to limestone, have plenty of bandwidth – something over 100 MB – but karst, lava caves, groundwater dependent ecosystems you don’t get the DVD material. A word of warning – my etc. However limestone landscapes feature in many of DVD was damaged – it could be read but not completely the splendid photos which illustrate this handsome – by the sheer weight of the book on the thin cardboard volume. As far as I can tell the word ‘karst’ only appears sleeve at the back. I am hopefully awaiting a new one … once in the book – referring to the 345 million year old My one whinge is about one series of three maps Jenolan Caves. showing Australia overlying continental USA, Europe The summary of the chapters above is very minimal and and China. I feel that it would give a more complete gives an inadequate view of the generous scope of the picture if Australia was in its correct latitudinal position book which has numerous maps, diagrams, photos and and inverted. tables. Scattered throughout are many sidebar boxes For those who might like a more conventional geology of headed ‘Did you know?’ with lots of interesting facts. Australia I have given details of David Johnson’s, 2004, The 5.8 Gb DVD is amazing! The “movies” (I hate that The Geology of Australia below. word) are just wonderful! The rest of the material on the DVD, which includes the whole, fully laid out text, maps and diagrams of the book is equally fabulous. Incidentally the whole book can be downloaded chapter

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A Karst Atlas of New South Wales: The documentation system has been produced by Peter Dykes after decades of data gathering and discussion and is published by the ASF at $25 including postage. It is a much slimmer volume of 90 pages plus a CD. This volume sets the scene for a further 14 planned volumes detailing the now defined karst regions of New South Wales. The Introduction states: The intention is that as documentation is completed in a region, instead of waiting for the rest of NSW to be finished, the results will be immediately published. Let us hope that the 14 volumes are not too long away. The book is in three parts: Part one – Cave and Karst Documentation. This provides an introduction; a history of NSW documentation efforts; defines the numbering system and of the 14 regions and discusses of Aboriginal cultural heritage issues. This latter is very close to Peter’s heart. Part two – The Karst Regions. This discusses each of the regions under the headings: Region Code (e.g. BJR for Burrinjuck). Regional Geographic Boundaries (e.g. Murrumbidgee River catchment above Tumut River to the Molonglo River). Catchments – lists the catchments which contain karst areas. Regional Summary – a few pages outlining the features of I cannot comment on the contents of the CD as most of of the region. This is followed by a table listing the Cave the information thereon is in ESRI Arcview and Arcmap Areas and their sub-catchments. geodatabase format and I currently do not have access to Following the 14 regional descriptions there is a foldout these programs. All in all this is a very creditable start – map of the State showing the regions. long in gestation – to what will ultimately become a very useful collection of information. I hope the cavers of NSW Part three – Bibliography, Glossary and Appendices. will accept what Peter is effectively challenging them to – The Appendices are: bring the information into a coherent whole. By the way New South Wales Cave Areas. the difference between data and information was once graphically described to me as follows: Locality Numbers Used by Lishmund et al. (1986 – a listing of the limestone deposits of NSW). A library card catalogue is information; once those cards are strewn across the floor and shuffled it is data! Disused Cave Area Names. NSW GIS Karst Regions and Cave Area Datasets (on CD). NSW Metadata Statement.

Bibliographic details: Blewett, Richard, (Chief Editor) 2012, Shaping a Nation: A Geology of Australia, Geoscience Australia & ANU E Press, 751 pp + DVD. $70.00 + postage (about $34 to Perth; about $18 to Melbourne) from: http://www.ga.gov.au/products-services/how-to-order-products/sales-centre.html Dykes, Peter, 2001, A Karst Atlas of New South Wales: The documentation system, Australian Speleological Federation, Inc, 71pp, $25.00 including postage from: http://caves.org.au/publications.htm Johnson, David, 2004, The Geology of Australia, Cambridge University Press, 276pp. $69.95 when I bought mine a few years back.

Page 41 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 QUIZ

MULU MYSTERY

Brian Clark, Manager at Mulu National Park, Borneo, what processes could lead to dissolution like this? Brian sent this image and another to Andy Spate, Optimal poses the question, “How do swifts find enough dry Karst Management and author of numerous Andy Sez’s limestone to make their saliva stick to the wall.” Brian for this journal. These features sit five metres above a has offered a copy of the fabulous Mulu book for anyone fragile silt floor in the “Fast Lane” section of Lagangs who can provide an explanation for these features. Send Cave. They are similar in shape to swifts’ nests, but your suggestions to [email protected]

Could swifts’ nest such as these be responsible for the features produced in the top image? Photos: Top Brian Clark, Bottom Steve Bourne

Page 42 ACKMA Journal No. 89- December 2012 2013 Annual General Meeting

The 2013 Annual General Meeting of the Australasian Cave and Karst Management Association will be held on 15 May 2013 in Waitomo, New Zealand.

Ordinary business of the AGM is to: a) confirm the minutes of the last preceding annual general meeting; and b) to receive from the committee reports upon the transactions of the Association during the last preceding financial year; and c) to elect officers of the Association and the ordinary members of the Committee; and d) to receive and consider the statement submitted by the Association in accordance with section 30(3) of the Act; and e) to fix the annual subscription and entrance fee.

The AGM may also transact special business. Any special business that a member wishes to be raised must be given by notice in writing or by email to the Executive Officer by the 28 February 2013. Please note that Rules of Association state that the AGM cannot consider any matter that has not been circulated to members prior to the AGM.

Committee Proxy Forms Nominations If you are unable to attend the ACKMA Conference in Waitomo and the AGM, you Committee nomination forms must be may appoint a proxy. A form is included delivered to the Executive Officer no less in this journal and must reach the than seven days before the meeting. There Executive Officer prior to the are three ways to send your nomination to commencement of the AGM. Cath Sellars;

1. By post prior to 22 April to the address on the nomination form. 2. By post to Conference Convenor Libby We need your email Chandler by 6 May. 3. By email to the Executive Officer by 8 May. address!! ACKMA communicates to its members Nomination forms must be signed by the through the Journal, the website and via proposer, a seconder and by the nominee email. We don’t have email addresses for themselves. Nominators, seconders and a large number of members which means nominees must be current members of the you are missing out on news posted on association. the email list and we cannot get information to you. Please forward your email address to webmaster Rauleigh Webb (address is inside front cover) or include on your membership form.

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