VOLUNTEERS Cactus group starts a new chapter For many years Across The Where it all began; Lorraine Edmunds is seen here overlooking Arkaroola Outback has been sharing Wilderness Sanctuary, a place where she first came to work 33 years ago; the work of the Blinman- while she may be stepping down from Parachilna Pest Plant Control her role with the Blinman Parachilna Pest Plant Control Group further to Group and their long battle the south, Lorraine will continue to monitor endangered plants, River Red with Wheel Cactus (and Gum and undertake ongoing cactus Oleander) control in the control at Arkaroola in her semi- retirement North Flinders district. Now this 14 year partnership between volunteers and pastoralists confronts a The story really begins in 1989 when “We really didn’t know what we were up new challenge as Lorraine floodwaters spread Wheel Cactus against until we put people on the ground throughout the creeks and tributaries in to do that initial knockdown. That’s when Edmunds retires from the the North Flinders. Fast forward some 10 we got some sense of just how widespread group’s coordination role. years later and a number of landholders in and incredibly difficult to reach it was. the Blinman area, particularly John and Jan Here we share excerpts from “We would see hundreds of them in a Henery (Alpana Station), noticed a dramatic stand and it was a sickening feeling to see a conversation with Lorraine increase in Wheel Cactus. what was being unleashed on this beautiful where she reflects on the “Its range and numbers just exploded landscape. and they were feeling pretty anxious and “I likened it to the rabbit of the pest plant group – from its humble overwhelmed by the apparent scale of it,” world; it almost seemed too big to have any beginnings to its proudest explained Lorraine. hope that we could ever do anything with it.” achievements – and her An initial grant in 2002 of $30,000 led to But a collective love of the landscape the formation of a local group to look at and the thought of containing the core hopes for the future. the problem – and ultimately to Lorraine in infestation kept the group going. 2003. She was a natural fit. She had left the Over the next 10 years, Lorraine worked role of senior ranger for the Flinders Ranges tirelessly to coordinate cactus control in National Park – through which she was the area through what became known as known to many of the local landholders – the Blinman Parachilna Pest Plant Control and was herself a local resident. Group (BPPPCG), preparing funding Despite initial efforts to survey local applications, coordinating contractors, landholders and map the problem, it wasn’t establishing partnerships between largely until the group contracted pest controller Adelaide-based volunteer groups and local Frank Bernhardt that the extent of the pastoralists, and later investigating and infestation became apparent. trialling biological controls. 10 | Natural Resources SA Arid Lands VOLUNTEERS And, while the group’s activities may “It can be difficult to keep funding agencies Left: Wheel Cactus collapse by Cochineal, have been concentrated on a 400 square interested so that they keep investing Gum Creek Station kilometre pocket of the Flinders Ranges, in our efforts and we continue to have Above: Australian Retired Persons they were having far-ranging influence. money for contractors and chemical and for Association volunteers transport Cochineal Lorraine was sponsored by the SA Arid supporting volunteers. Lands NRM Board to speak at weeds “It’s also difficult when you know you’ve conferences in Adelaide and Christchurch; got at least 25 years of seed in the soil and contributed to local, state and national your landholders and volunteers are all cactus plans, networks and taskforces; aging.” “I think we’re pretty lucky with the wrote articles; held countless media Novelty has often been key and the group Opuntias because of the biocontrols we interviews; and led television crews and is well known for Frank and Lorraine’s now have which give us some real hope for funding bodies on site visits. ingenious method of cactus removal – long term control that is not so dependent On behalf of the Group, Lorraine accepted by abseiling the steep cliff-faces of the on high levels of funding. the State Landcare Award in 2009 and Flinders. “While the Cochineal will be self-sustaining represented South Australia with Warren “We went after specific funding for that in the short-term, the real challenge will and Barb Fargher (Wirrealpa Station) in aspect of the bigger program,” Lorraine be keeping it going once Wheel Cactus Canberra in the national awards. recalls. “I think we got three lots, two from numbers have really collapsed.” It is no understatement to say the Australian Government and one from As she hands the reins over to other that the work of this small group the State over three years, and they loved it members of the group, Lorraine because it was so novel and ambitious.” acknowledges that stepping away will be contributed to putting cactus on Today the latest novelty for the group is in hard. the state and national agenda, the form of Cochineal, a tiny cactus-feeding “I won’t be completely letting go; it’s just a helping drive funds for cactus insect which has been knocking Wheel series of steps back I suppose. I will always control in other NRM regions, and Cactus flat across the pastoral properties. be interested, and will probably continue influencing the listing of Opuntia Lorraine believes cochineal will provide to have some involvement. It’s been such an inspiring program and I’m genuinely cactus as one of the nation’s the group with the best opportunity it will have to control Wheel Cactus on those interested to see what continues to happen. worst weeds through the Weeds properties where infestation has been “I still have that very deep connection of National Significance program. greatest. working or volunteering in the Flinders will Pastoralists, volunteers and contractors remain a part of my life.” “The influence that we had and the 14- have now turned their hand to assisting its The SA Arid Lands NRM Board year staying power of the group and the spread, establishing nurseries to cultivate would like to thank Lorraine and the volunteers are our greatest achievements the Cochineal strain and transporting it to tremendous efforts of her and the and examples of what community and cactus pads across the properties where Blinman Parachilna Pest Plant Control volunteers working together can achieve. it will find plants that are often missed in Group over the past 14 years. We wish “When we started, Wheel Cactus just what is extremely challenging terrain. her well in her semi-retirement! wasn’t on anyone’s radar. We took the lead; we were advocates, making people aware of the invasive potential of this weed.” WHO ARE THE BLINMAN PARACHILNA PEST PLANT By 2012 the volunteers had removed a six CONTROL GROUP? kilometre infestation of Oleander from Parachilna Gorge; contributed 15,000 hours The Blinman Parachilna Pest Plant Control Group is made up of volunteers of labour; and determinedly injected cactus from the Blackwood Church of Christ, Australian Retired Persons Association, on over 30 square kilometres of pastoral Toyota Landcruiser Club of SA, Mitsubishi Club of SA, Adelaide Bushwalkers properties, returning year upon year to Club, Overland 4WD Club, Four Seasons Bushwalking Club, and a group conduct follow up treatment. of volunteers who annually visit Oratunga Station; 10 pastoral stations In total the in-kind landholder and (Moolooloo, Alpana, Gum Creek, Willow Springs, Wirrealpa, Angorichina, volunteer contribution was estimated at Oratunga, Mt Falkland, Motpena and Commodore Stations); and the Blinman $500,000. Not bad for $800,000 of State Progress Association. The Group also acknowledges critical support from and Australian Government funding. Bernhardt’s Feral Pest and Weed Control, Roger Christopherson for his work Lorraine concedes that funding is a with Cactoblastis and Cochineal, and the Angorichina Tourist Village. challenge. Natural Resources SA Arid Lands | 11 VOLUNTEERS Friends of Flinders Ranges National Park volunteers Vince Monterola, Frank Flinders Ranges Friends Williams, Trevor Coleman and Peter Buckland with visiting conservation volunteer Holly Almond (second from right) celebrate 20 years Three Presidents whose terms collectively span 20 years jointly cut a giant birthday cake to mark 20 years of the Friends of Flinders Ranges National Park at a special celebration held in Adelaide in February. Among the 40 people helping to celebrate Former Senior Ranger Darren Crawford were the inaugural President Athol Jackson proposed a toast to the group and praised and his wife Jan, the group’s first Secretary members for the excellent contribution to Lorraine Edmunds, a further 12 of the a wide range of projects that have helped group’s original members, and past and preserve the natural and built heritage of present Park staff. the Park. Outgoing President Tony Bott guided a In responding to the toast incoming team of presenters through a reminiscence President Vince Monterola said that the of the group’s highlights over their 20 year hard work of members was a labour of love contribution to the park. that was rewarded by the knowledge that park visitors in years to come will still be Among the highlights was the able to appreciate the wonders of the park restoration of many buildings which have been so dear to members for decades. at the Wilpena Homestead precinct, rebuilding the dry stone We hope that the next 20 years will be as productive as the last. garden wall at Apealinna ruins, www.friendsofflindersranges.org.au reconstruction of the century old shepherds hut east of Oraparinna, and hosting the Friends of Parks Forum in 2008.